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in particular the CIA, knows-”
    “Western intelligence knows precious little. In fact, Western intelligence, your CIA in particular, has been trying to compile a detailed dossier on him for years without any luck.”
    “We know enough about him,” said Anderson.
    “I don’t think so. In fact-”
    “Hans, let me save you some time. If you’re here trying to promote Ozan Kalachka for U.S. citizenship in exchange for whatever dubious information he may or may not have, forget it. We don’t want anything to do with him. And frankly, I can’t understand why Switzerland bothers with him either.”
    “Mr. Kalachka is a businessman. He has many legitimate international contacts that have proven very profitable for Switzerland.”
    “And lots of not-so-legitimate contacts that have proven very profitable for Switzerland ’s private banking industry.”
    “True,” said Friederich as he took another sip of his martini. “But in all fairness, the United States had their Adnan Khashoggi to help cement its relationship with the Saudis and their mountains of money. One trillion they have in your economy now, if I recall correctly. It’s no wonder you remain so loyal to them. If they pulled their money out of America, your economy would collapse.”
    “What’s your point?”
    “My point is that Ozan Kalachka serves much the same function for us as Khashoggi has for you-he drums up capital for our ventures in other parts of the world.”
    “Capital. It sounds so clean when you put it that way.”
    “Come on, Chuck. We both know how the game is played. The difference with the Swiss, though, is that we recognized the value of doing business with Kalachka straight away. I believe Khashoggi didn’t get his job with the White House until he accidentally ‘forgot’a briefcase with a million dollars in it at the home of your President Nixon. After that, as I understand it, Mr. Khashoggi became quite popular over here. Your country even thought enough of him to allow him to act as the middleman during the whole Iran-Contra affair, didn’t it?”
    “Those were different administrations,” replied Anderson, exasperated. “Can we please get to the point here?”
    “The point is that you shouldn’t allow your preconceptions to cause you to dismiss the information Ozan Kalachka has-”
    “Allegedly has, and I’m not dismissing it. I just don’t like the taste I get in my mouth when I say the guy’s name.”
    “Does that mean you’re interested?”
    “I still don’t completely know what we’re talking about. You’re going to have to give me more than just this cloak and sword of Allah routine.”
    “Fair enough,” said the ambassador as he removed a small digital video player from his suitcoat pocket. “Mr. Kalachka thought you might need some additional convincing.”
    Anderson watched in disbelief as he was shown virtually the same footage he had seen in the situation room that morning from Asalaam. “Where did you get this?”
    “I told you,” said Friederich. “I’m just the messenger. You’ll have to ask Mr. Kalachka.”
    “No doubt he wants something in return.”
    “Yes. Mr. Kalachka apparently needs a favor.”
    Anderson was understandably wary. “What kind of favor?”
    “Mr. Kalachka is prepared to tell the United States what he knows about the weapon and will even provide access to one of the scientists who worked on it-”
    “One of the scientists is still alive?”
    “According to Mr. Kalachka, yes. But there is only one person he will give this information to, and he wants to arrange a meeting with him in private, at which point he will ask favor face-to-face.”
    The chief of staff had known the Swiss ambassador for many years and could read him like a book. “Absolutely not. I won’t allow it.”
    “Allow what?” asked Friederich. “I haven’t even told you who he wants to meet with yet.”
    “I know you, Hans, and I can’t believe you thought for a second I’d allow the