The Devil's Light by Richard North Patterson Read Free Book Online

pattern of nuclear armament among unstable Arab governments—some of which collaborate with, or are threatened by, jihadists.” Grey took back the rifle. “But Iran itself won’t use the bomb. They have a return address, and Israel would annihilate them. The real problem is nonstate actors.”
    Turning, Grey squeezed off a shot just inside Brooke’s. “And that brings you back to Pakistan,” Brooke said.
    â€œInevitably.” Grey passed Brooke the rifle. “There’s no country with more terrorists per square inch, and its nuclear program has always been a sieve. For twenty years, the founder of its nuclear program, A. Q. Khan, ran a clandestine supersale of technology to the Libyans, North Koreans, and Iranians—to the worst regimes he could choose. At the same time Khan gave Pakistan an arsenal designed for delivery to India by F-16s and intermediate-range missiles, concealed in secret locations—”
    â€œSecret from us,” Brooke interjected, “with some exceptions. As you pointed out, the only people who do know where the weapons are hidden, the military and ISI, are riddled with mercenaries and jihadists. Worse, some believe in sharing nuclear technology with their Muslim brothers. One of the reports I read quotes a former head of the ISI as saying, ‘The same nuclear capacity that can destroy Madras, India, can destroy TelAviv.’” Brooke faced the target. “We know al Qaeda is rebuilding their capacity to carry out operations around the world. That’s why I was ferreting out Qaeda sympathizers in Lebanon, at least until Lorber blew my cover. Once they have a target and the means of delivery, all that’s left is to acquire a weapon. They only need one.”
    Brooke aimed the rifle, sighting with greater care. Again his shot was just inside Grey’s, the last of four horizontal holes that ended two inches off center.
    Grey turned, eyes narrowing as he regarded the target. Then he picked up the rifle, flinching a little before aiming with such stillness he appeared not to breathe. Squinting with the ping of the bullet, Brooke saw the near-perfect bull’s-eye. It was a measure of Grey’s satisfaction that he made no comment. Instead he asked, “What kind of weapon?”
    â€œA bomb, not a warhead. Stealing or buying a missile powerful enough to deliver a warhead creates too big a problem in technology and logistics. A bomb is easier to smuggle.”
    Grey looked at him keenly. “So how does al Qaeda lay hands on it? One way, I suppose, is a mutiny—a rogue general takes over an air base with an underground facility, claiming that he’s securing it in the face of some crisis. Then the general gives a bomb to al Qaeda.”
    â€œDepending on who’s in power,” Brooke observed, “they’d hang him. No doubt they’d torture him first. He’d have to be truly committed.” Holding out his hand, he said, “Care to give me the rifle? Or are you conceding?”
    â€œWhat’s the other scenario?” Grey asked.
    â€œThe one we seem to have now—a state of nuclear readiness. The maximum danger of theft is when weapons are convoyed to an air base through a countryside filled with armed jihadists.”
    â€œThe Pakistani air bases are in the Punjab,” Grey noted. “Al Qaeda and the Taliban are concentrated in Baluchistan and the North West Frontier Province. The last thing the army would do is move bombs in either area.”
    â€œThey won’t try. They would only move bombs in Punjab. Which makes the kind of operation we’re talking about risky and complex. But not impossible for al Qaeda. And consider what al Qaeda could do if they succeeded.” Brooke took the rifle from Grey’s hand. “You might suggest to Brustein that we comb whatever scraps of intelligence we’re getting for signs of anything suspicious. No way the Pakistanis will