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“Of course,” Chutani said. “Thank you, Ahmed.”
He started toward Gadai, who was disconnecting a call and slipping his phone into his pocket.
“We released another Rickman file this morning,” he said, leaning into Taj’s ear. “It was all we needed. Our people have tracked it to an Internet service provider in Russia.”
Taj nodded solemnly. It was another in a long line of miracles bestowed on him by God. There was no other explanation. He would soon control not only a nuclear arsenal but America’s entire intelligence network.
“I want you to go personally.”
“But—”
“No arguments, Kabir. I trust no one else in this matter.”
“Of course,” Gadai said, clearly reluctant but wise enough not to press the issue. “My team is assembling as we speak.”
CHAPTER 46
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
U.S.A.
WHEN Irene Kennedy entered the Oval Office, President Josh Alexander immediately strode across the room to shake her hand. The former Alabama quarterback had the gait of an athlete -despite having turned fifty-one a few months before. His sandy brown hair was still thick and the elongated dimples that had so captivated the press were still noticeable when he smiled.
Not everything was the same as when they’d first met, though. The suits that had been a bit too shiny now exuded understated elegance. Teeth that had been a few shades too white now were more in keeping with the constituents he served. And a little gray had cropped up at his temples as it always seemed to with men in his position.
Despite the fact that he kept as much political distance as he could from her—and even more so from Mitch Rapp—she admired the man. He understood and accepted that he couldn’t stay entirely clean in the fight they were in.
“It’s been too long,” Alexander lied. “Always good to see you, Irene.”
“I appreciate your time, Mr. President.”
“You know Barbara and Carl.”
Barbara Lonsdale didn’t get up from the sofa, but raised a hand in greeting. She was the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and at one time had been the CIA’s most rabid detractor. After her closest friend was killed in a terrorist attack, though, she’d had a change of heart.
Carl Ferris, in contrast, did rise. He came toward her with his hand outstretched.
“I appreciate you including me on this,” he said, though he knew full well that she had nothing to do with approving the attendees at a White House meeting.
Kennedy wondered how his new legal and marketing teams were coming along with spinning his relationship with the late Akhtar Durrani. The senator’s arrogant smile and attempt to crush her hand suggested that their work was going well.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Alexander said. “Carl asked to be here, and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have the Judiciary Committee’s input. More importantly, though, he’s going to Pakistan with Sunny’s delegation and he’s understandably concerned about his safety.”
“Actually, I’m glad we’re finally connecting. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him about his meeting with Ahmed Taj.”
“Really?” Alexander said, obviously surprised that Ferris had met the ISI director without his knowledge.
“My schedule since I got back has been extremely hectic, Director Kennedy. And the meeting was purely social. Ahmed invited me to his office for a drink.”
A rather sloppy lie since the man was a devout Muslim. It was far more likely that they discussed how expensive Ferris’s new people would be and how they would be paid.
Everyone sat and Alexander refrained from offering her tea, as was his custom. Undoubtedly the oversight was intended as a subtle display of displeasure—one she’d pick up on but that would be missed by the others.
“I know Irene won’t mind if we dispense with the pleasantries and get right to business. The Rickman situation. First let me say that trying to assign blame is a waste of time at this point and very much not on the agenda. What we need to talk about is a resolution. Ignoring for the moment minor players like Fahran Hotaki in Afghanistan, this thing has caused us serious problems with Russia and the Iranians.”
“A complete disaster,” Ferris added.
