Read Online Minute Zero by Todd Moss - Free Book Online

dictates we keep it close hold. Outside of the ambassador, CIA chief of station, and required military staff, no one in the embassies will be aware of UMBRELLA ROSE. In several of our target countries, we have reason to believe there may be high-level government collusion. We can’t afford any leaks on this one. With nuclear security, there’s no room for error, people.”
    Sunday raised his hand, “CIA, Africa Issue. What about Zimbabwe?”
    “Zimbabwe?” asked the admiral, turning to an aide, who just shook her head. The admiral shrugged.
    “There’s a defunct uranium mine in Kanyemba. It was closed years ago, but we have signs of new activity. If we are tracking new uranium sites in unstable countries, Zimbabwe should be on the list.”
    “Very well. Have Langley send over any information and we’ll look into adding Zimbabwe to UMBRELLA ROSE.”
    After a few more technical questions that the admiral couldn’t answer, the meeting was adjourned.
    As they retrieved their BlackBerries and departed, Judd put his hand on the shoulder of the CIA analyst. “Good to see you again, Sunday.”
    “Aaay, good to see you, too, Dr. Ryker.”
    “You’re not working on West Africa anymore?”
    “At Langley they like to move us around, keep us fresh.” Sunday glanced over his shoulder and whispered, “Plus I don’t think they want someone with Nigerian parents working too long on Nigeria.”
    “But why Zim?”
    “I must have irritated my supervisor.”
    Judd cocked his head. “What’s the problem with Zimbabwe?”
    “Don’t get me wrong,” Sunday said. “Zimbabwe is fascinating analytically. There’s a lot going on. Their election is this weekend.”
    “Saturday,” Judd said.
    “Right, Saturday. But Zimbabwe’s not exactly the best way to get into the President’s Daily Brief.”
    “I hope you’re wrong.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Because I’m working Zimbabwe, too.”
    “Aaay.” Sunday covered his mouth, his eyes wide. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you worked on Zim.”
    “I haven’t. Not until this morning.”
    “What a coincidence.”
    Or maybe it wasn’t. Was
this
why Parker had sent him to this meeting?
    “We need to talk, Sunday. Right now.”

8.
    Harare, Zimbabwe
Thursday, 4:32 p.m. Central Africa Time
    W here are the cherry-red Jimmy Choos?”
    “I’m sorry, madam,” said the assistant, bowing her head.
    “Those aren’t cherry-red!”
    “I’m sorry. They only sent Jimmy Choos in pink and teal. I have a pair of red Manolo Blahniks, if that may suffice.”
    “Tsaaah! No!” The woman tsked. “Those are the wrong ones. That won’t do at all. Call Hong Kong and have them send the shoes I asked for!”
    The First Lady Harriet Tinotenda, disgusted with the sloppy attention to detail by her staff, threw the shoe box across the room and crashing into a tall pile of white department store boxes.
    “Yes, madam. I’ll call them right now.”
    “Make sure they understand I need them by Sunday morning. The president’s swearing-in is in the afternoon, so the shoes must be here in time.”
    “Yes, madam.”
    “I cannot go to the inauguration in the wrong shoes. I won’t have it.”
    “Yes, madam.”
    “Is this everything?” the first lady asked, waving her arm at a rainbow mountain of discarded boxes from Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Prada. “What is that one?” she demanded, pointing to a flat unopened black box in one corner.
    “Ascot Chang. They sent a hand-tailored suit for the president. As a gift.”
    “Tsaaah, no. My husband doesn’t wear Italian suits. Send it back.”
    “Yes, madam.”
    “Where is the rest of my shopping?”
    “I’ll get it now, madam,” said the assistant, who collected the suit box, bowed submissively, and then backed out the door.
    Harriet surveyed the room. She clicked her teeth. This was no way to shop properly, she thought. After her husband won another term, she would persuade her friends in Hong Kong to open a branch in