Page 464 of Edge of Eternity (The Century 3)

He was grateful to Maria, too. She visited about once a month, always bringing a gift, always spending time with her godson, patiently reading with him or talking to him or playing games. Maria and Jacky had given Jack stability through the trauma of his parents' divorce. It was a year now since George had left the marital home. Jack was no longer waking up in the middle of the night and crying. He seemed to be settling into the new way of life--though George could not help feeling apprehensive about possible long-term effects.

They finished the jigsaw. Grandma Jacky was called in to admire the completed work, then she took Jack into the kitchen for a glass of milk and a cookie.

George said to Maria: "Thank you for all you do for Jack. You're the greatest godmother ever."

"It's no sacrifice," she said. "It's a joy to know him."

Maria was going to be fifty next year. She would never have a child of her own. She had nieces and nephews in Chicago, but the main object of her maternal love was Jack.

"I have something to tell you," Maria said. "Something important."

She got up and closed the living room door, and George wondered what was coming.

She sat down again and said: "That car bomb in Beirut the day before yesterday."

"That was awful," George said. "It killed eighty people and wounded two hundred, mostly women and girls."

"The bomb was not placed by the Israelis."

"Who did it, then?"

"We did."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"It was a counterterrorism initiative by President Reagan. The perpetrators were Lebanese nationals, but they were trained, financed, and controlled by the CIA."

"Jesus. But the president is obliged by law to tell my committee about covert actions."

"I think you'll find he informed the chairman and vice chairman."

"This is horrible," George said. "But you sound pretty sure of it."

"I was told by a senior CIA person. A lot of Agency veterans were against this whole program. But the president wanted it and Bill Casey forced it through."

"What on earth got into them?" George wondered. "They committed mass murder!"

"They're desperate to put a stop to the kidnappings. They think Fadlallah is the mastermind. They were trying to take him out."

"And they fucked it up."

"But good."

"This has to come out."

"That's what I think."

Jacky came in. "Our young man is ready to go back to his mother."

"I'm coming." George stood up. "All right," he said to Maria. "I'll take care of it."

"Thanks."

George got into the car with Jack and drove slowly through the suburban streets to Verena's house. Jasper Murray's bronze Cadillac was in the driveway beside Verena's red Jaguar. That was opportune, if it meant Jasper was there.

Verena came to the door in a black T-shirt and faded blue jeans. George went inside and Verena took Jack away for his bath. Jasper came out of the kitchen, and George said: "A word with you, if I may."

Jasper looked wary, but said: "Sure."

---