Long Road to Mercy (Atlee Pine, #1)(77)

“So where does that leave us?”

“History has shown us that when people stop believing in their institutions, the government often gets toppled.”

Blum said, “Surely that could not happen here. Even you said before that we’re not a banana republic.”

“To which I would respond, every other country always says that, until it does happen to them,” rejoined Fabrikant.

“What sort of Russian involvement are we talking about?” asked Pine.

Fabrikant shrugged. “I don’t know precisely. But there are some Americans in high places who admire the Russians. They think their model of governing is better in some important ways. They think the same about the Chinese, who can make decisions and instantly carry them out. Whereas democracy is messy and inefficient and often comes to a complete standstill. That makes an autocracy quite a tempting template of governance.”

“Not for me, because in order to have that, you have to give up your freedom,” retorted Pine. “I’ll take the mess and inefficiency.”

“You give up your freedom in part,” countered Fabrikant. “For benefits you otherwise would never have. I’m not saying I agree with that concept. I don’t, in fact. But it’s not so crazy that others don’t believe in it. I can tell you, quite explicitly, that many in power do.”

“So, you think the Russians have moved on from remote cyber assaults to working with certain parties in America, with the goal of turning our country into something like theirs?” said Blum.

“That’s a succinct way to put it, but accurate in all essential respects,” replied Fabrikant.

Pine and Blum exchanged another glance.

Pine said, “So, your trip to Moscow?”

“To find out if my theory is right. I’ve spent considerable time there and have certain contacts in critical places. I should be able to find things out.”

“And what if you find out your theory is right?” said Blum.

“Then I come back here and work to stop it.”

“But we could be reading about the overthrow of the government in tomorrow’s paper for all I know.”

“We still have to try,” said Fabrikant.

“Oh, I’m not giving up,” said Pine. “I just think we need to speed things up.”

“How do you propose doing so?” asked Fabrikant. “I can’t run over there and start screaming from the heavens about a plot to overthrow the U.S. government with Russian assistance. I’d disappear.”

Pine checked her watch. “Okay, you still have time to catch your flight. You have my number and I have yours. Let’s keep in touch.”

Fabrikant seemed surprised by her acquiescence. He said, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We don’t know what tomorrow holds.”

They rose and walked together to the gate, where they ran into two uniformed men.

And then all bets were off.





Chapter

42



WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

That was what the emblems on their uniforms and their shiny badges said.

There were a pair of them, lean, muscled, veined forearms, each with dead-eye stares, each with one hand on the gun belt buckle and the other close to the butt of the holstered pistol.

The man on the right looked at Pine. “Special Agent Pine?”

Pine inclined her head, her eyes running from the top of the cop’s head to his feet. She returned her gaze to his face. “What’s up?”

The other cop said, “We’ve got instructions to take you in and hold you.”

“Instructions from whom and hold me for what?”

“We weren’t given those details, ma’am, only to take you in and hold you until persons come for you.”

“Where do you intend to hold me?”

“We have a facility here.” He glanced at Fabrikant and Blum. “And your friends, too.”

Fabrikant said, “I have a flight to catch.”

The first cop shook his head. He took his cap off, revealing his buzz cut, and wiped his face. He replaced his cap. “No can do. Sorry.”

Pine said, “Your instructions said ‘friends and acquaintances, too’? ‘Take and hold’?”

“We just do what we’re told, ma’am. Please come this way.” He pointed to a door to his left. It was a secure door requiring a key card entry.

Pine glanced at it and then looked around the crowded airport. “Okay, let’s go.”

They escorted them to the door where one of the officers swiped his card and opened it. They passed through into an empty hallway.

“Where to now?” asked Pine. “You have a holding cell down here somewhere?”

“That’s right.”

“Can I make a phone call?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Just following instructions.”

“You say that a lot.”

“I say it because it’s true.”

“Can I talk to a superior then?”

“Why? You have a complaint?”

“Yeah, I do, but on second thought, I’ll just deliver it directly to you.”