Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(74)

We'd had to meet in another wing of the White House while the Oval Office underwent repairs. Her questions should have been posed to the Russian Ambassador, who was still just as dead as he was before. Russian President Zoran hadn't named a replacement-his state house had been hit, just as ours had been.

He still claimed he knew nothing about the bomb his Ambassador wore. We were hesitant to call him out on the device attached to the Ambassador's spine. He'd refused a video call, preferring a normal telephone conversation with Madam President instead, after the Kremlin was hit.

"Perhaps it's time to stop the lies," Madam President said. "We found the cache of rockets used to bring down those planes. That warehouse is on Russian soil, President Zoran. We also followed another shipment of those weapons as it traveled a convoluted route, only to arrive in Iraq. Can you explain that?"

"Those responsible are outlaws. I beg you to forgive my government-the signs of this illegal activity were certainly missed. We had no knowledge of it."

"Then what do you want us to do? Are you going to shut down that operation? I have no idea what the UN may say about this-those rockets killed hundreds of citizens from several countries. I believe those countries will be quite angry if we release the information we have."

"Yes, of course-I have already taken steps to shut this down and capture those responsible," he said.

"What about the insurgents who did their best to destroy the Kremlin?"

"We were working on a peace treaty, so they would not attack us," Zoran whined. "Instead, they turn on us without letting us explain."

I wanted to express my disbelief at this point-Zoran was lying, that was easy enough to see. Madam President wasn't buying it, either, but diplomacy is a dance at best, and often a downright hostile one.

"Perhaps we could meet soon and work out a peace of our own," Madam President said.

"Yes. Please. If you will agree to help defend us against these insurgents, then I will agree to meet with members of all countries affected by those terrible weapons and we will discuss peace and full disclosure."

I had to cover my mouth to keep the words behind my teeth. I had no idea what the f*cker really wanted, but full disclosure wasn't one of them. I wanted information on his version of the Program. I doubted that would be forthcoming.

"Very well. Decide on a date and I'll see about bringing the others on board. We can meet at Camp David or the White House if you prefer."

"Yes, that sounds quite good," Zoran agreed. "I will let you know soon. But please, any assistance you might provide against these insurgents will be most appreciated."

"I'll see what we can do," Madam President said dryly and ended the call.

"He's lying," I almost exploded.

"I agree," Matt said. "But what does he really want?"

"I say we call his bluff and find out," Madam President said. "Matt, are you still tracking Askins? I've asked the Justice Department to hold off charging him, in case he leads us in the enemy's direction."

"I've had his phone tapped for a while, but he's not using that one to contact anybody except his doctor and other people who don't matter."

"Does he have what you have? I have to say, this cell phone is amazing," she held up the one Matt had given to her-it was one of the phones Corinne had given to us before we left Seattle.

"I hope he doesn't have anything like that," Matt said. "But he's hiding his tracks somehow-you can bet on that. He hasn't spoken to the Joint Chiefs, either, not since Corinne sent the package to his office."

"Anything from them?" the President asked.

"Nothing. They're so squeaky clean it hurts to look at them."

"I just want the bastard to come out of hiding," the President fumed.

"We gave that a shot-letting him believe Corinne was dead. Too bad we couldn't let that continue," Matt said. "It would have been worse, though, to let those creatures loose in Iraq."

"It would have been too bad to allow them to fire those weapons wherever and whenever," the President nodded. "We know he has ties to whatever faction is in Russia, developing those weapons. I worry that those in the Kremlin are in this up to their eyebrows. I just want to know what the hell he intends to get from all this."

"I think we'd all like to get that answer," I said. "If Corinne can't see it, you know where that leaves the rest of us."

"I do."

*

Corinne

"Matt says the Russian President is begging for a meeting, so he can claim that criminals are behind the weapons manufacturing in Ukraine and Russia, leaving his hands clean and preventing the insurgents from blowing up more of the Kremlin," Opal said as she slid onto a barstool at the kitchen island.

Since we occupied the ugly building in Arlington, I'd made a few improvements in the ugly kitchen. Now it wasn't ugly, and actually had updated décor and appliances.

"So he wants everybody to believe he had nothing to do with the Russian version of the Program," I muttered, handing Opal a cup of hot tea.

"Looks that way. I wouldn't want every other country in the world looking at me as a target, for blowing up their airplanes," she shrugged.

"So he wants to bring them together so they can applaud his song and dance routine?" I asked.