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“You traitor!” Amatullah yelled. “How dare you!”
Ayatollah Najar reached over and grabbed Amatullah’s arm. “Both of you,” he said firmly, “need to remember who you are in the presence of.”
Both Ashani and Amatullah looked at the Supreme Leader and then averted their eyes in either a sign of compliance or humiliation. The Supreme Leader sat stoically in his chair, his arms at his sides and his long fingers draped over his knees. By design or nature the man gave off an air of tranquility.
In a measured, confident voice he said, “We have been attacked.” He took the time to look each man in the eye before moving on. “It is our just right to demand retribution in both blood and treasure.” He glanced at his minister of Foreign Affairs. “You will take our case to the United Nations. Those responsible will have to pay.” His gazed shifted to Ashani and Amatullah. “We must move carefully. It would appear that the United States has yet again used Israel to do the work of the devil.”
Every man in the room save Ashani nodded in agreement.
“There is a chance,” Ashani started, “that the United States did not have knowledge of this act.”
“Do you think they are mourning our loss?”
“No, but I would like to remind the council that the Americans have rid us of both Saddam and the Taliban. We have a back cha
“Lies,” Amatullah bellowed. “That is what you will find out.”
Ashani ignored Amatullah. “I do not see what harm it could do to hear what they have to say.”
Amatullah tried to speak, but the Supreme Leader silenced him with a disapproving look. He took a moment to straighten his robes and then said, “The right hand does not always need to know what the left hand is doing.”
Ashani had grown used to these imprecise proclamations from the Supreme Leader. It allowed him to keep his hands clean. The problem, as Ashani knew all too well, was that his edicts left too much room for interpretation.
“There is nothing wrong in finding out what the Americans have to say, but do not trust them. I will leave the details to all of you, but I want to be clear about one thing. This attack ca
The members of the council nodded enthusiastically, and a few broke into applause. Ashani had the sinking feeling that they were going down a dangerous road paved with emotion and national pride. The thought of where it might lead them brought on a violent coughing fit. Ashani doubled over in pain. The other members of the council grew concerned until at last it stopped.
“Excuse me,” Ashani said sheepishly. He felt a wetness on his chin and drew the back of his hand across his mouth. He looked down with embarrassment to see it was covered in blood.
The Supreme Leader looked at him with grave concern and said, “My son, you should be in the hospital.”
“My apologies. I will go at once.” Ashani stood and bowed. He felt a sudden shortness of breath. He took two steps toward the door, wavered, and collapsed.
19
On a slow day Washington, DC, was an electric city. People flocked to the capital from all over the world to conduct business, espionage, and a myriad of other activities legal and illegal. The city was home to countless nonprofits, trade organizations, and financial institutions, and the second-largest hub of journalists outside of New York City. Counting Baltimore, there were six major pro sports teams and another dozen college teams to cheer for. Everything, however, took a backseat to politics. A potential showdown with Iran had the town ru
Ke
Ke
The silver-haired secretary of defense was about to stick a spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth when he saw Ke
Ke
He pointed across the table to the president and said, “I told you she wouldn’t like it that you told us.”
Secretary of State Wicka was sitting directly across the table from Ke
“Don’t worry, Irene,” England said. “You don’t survive in investment banking by ru
Alexander gestured at the one remaining chair and said, “Please sit.”
Ke
“What would you like this morning, Dr. Ke
“The usual, José. Thank you.”
The president pushed his plate of half-eaten eggs and sausage to the side and wiped the corners of his mouth with a white napkin. “Mitch was right about the bomb damage assessment report?”
“My experts,” England said, “concur, with one exception.”
Ke
“One analyst thinks the Israelis dropped a low-yield tactical nuke into the place.”
“Interesting. One of my people brought up a similar scenario last night. What led your analyst to decide it was a nuke?”
“Not so much evidence as plausibility. He says the other way is too complicated. Too many variables.”
Ke
“That’s where his argument gets a little thin. Possibly a cruise missile.”
“Our satellites would have picked up a missile launch.”