Homeland Security
Cowboy Justice
By: Jack Mathews

It seemed a simple request. Keep his eyes and ears open and find out what the Mid-Eastern visitors on an adjoining ranch were up to. CIA intelligence reported the visitors were sponsoring an archaeological dig as a cover. But a cover for what? Mark Lambert, rancher and former Green Beret and CIA operative replied he had little time to spend playing these games. Ranching was a full time job. But he would look into it. He did not believe southern New Mexico to be a place that could jeopardize National Security. That was before his trip to Los Alamos. The attempt on his life in the atomic city changed his mind. But he would do it his way. What he did not realize, was that his support reached as far as the Oval Office. The intent was to keep knowledge of the threat to the homeland away from the news media. The Armed Forces, he was told, would be in reserve, if needed.