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Authors: C. G. Cooper
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have concerns about your expansion in Kaliningrad.”
“What type of expansion? Economic? Surely they can’t be worried about that. As I understand, they’ve reaped the benefits of Kaliningrad’s growth as a manufacturing hub.”
“No, not economic. Military expansion.”
“That’s ridiculous. You remember what happened when it was rumored that Russia would house nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad? And that was a rumor!”
Rumor indeed. Dryburgh knew it to be true. The Russians had a way of believing their own half-truths.
“Why would the Russian Navy be excavating large portions of the coastline?”
“How would I know?”
“Not to mention the deployment of troops dressed as common tourists.”
“Now that is preposterous, my friend. Do you also believe the rumors that our top scientists are trying to clone Lenin and Stalin in order to take over the world?”
“It could happen.”
“Now you are teasing me, Geoffrey.”
Dryburgh grinned. “Guilty.”
Ambassador Igor Bukov shook his head. “So, why all the questions about a small strip of land in the Baltic Sea?”
Dryburgh weighed his options, knowing he had his friend’s attention, the Russian a virtual funnel to his own president. He had to push Zimmer to the brink, make him uncomfortable, trip him up enough to make a disastrous decision. With the added support of Senator Southgate, and his criminal accusations, Dryburgh would be there to pick up the pieces, to grab the presidency in his capable hands and lead America to its rightful place on the international scene. He also wouldn’t mind showing his cocky Scottish cousins, who still didn’t give him the deference he thought he deserved, proof that despite his inferior upbringing, he could become the most powerful man in the world.
The Russians were just reckless enough to take the bait, to push Zimmer without much incentive. Dryburgh knew what they wanted and planned to help them get it. In his mind it was an acceptable cost of doing business with the resurgent former Soviet empire.
Finally, he spoke. “I’ll tell you this because we’re friends, Igor.” Bukov leaned closer. “I’m not sure that if there were to be an incident, say in Kaliningrad, that Zimmer would be prepared to handle it. We’re still dealing with the policy debacle of our last president.”
Bukov sat back in his chair. “Then it is a very good thing that it will not happen.”
“It is, Igor, it is.” Dryburgh filled both their glasses and raised his in the air. “To Russia’s future.”
“And to America’s,” Bukov added. They each downed their drinks, quickly refilling.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it , thought Dryburgh.
Chapter 15
SSI Safehouse, Arlington, Virginia
5:20 a.m., March 5 th
The weather had cleared, allowing Cal and Daniel to book a flight home. They’d just finished packing when Cal’s phone rang.
“Stokes.”
“I have Mr. Haden on the line for you, sir.”
“Thanks.”
The phone clicked. “Cal?”
“Good morning, Mr. Bigshot. Already have someone making calls for you?” Cal teased.
The typical Travis chuckle never came over the line. “Listen, I need you to come to the White House. Something’s come up.”
“Can you tell me now? We were about to take off for the airport.”
“No. I need you here, now.”
“Okay. We can be there in twenty to thirty minutes, depending on traffic.”
“The sooner the better.”
The line went dead and Cal looked up at Daniel. “Looks like we’re heading back into the lion’s den.
It took them closer to forty-five minutes to get to the White House. The streets had been cleared of snow, but it seemed that every government employee in town was heading to work.
A Secret Service agent was waiting for the pair at the main gate. The only thing he said was, “If you’ll please follow me, gentlemen.” They were escorted to Travis’s office. “I’ll tell Mr. Haden you’re here.” The agent left Cal and Daniel to
“What type of expansion? Economic? Surely they can’t be worried about that. As I understand, they’ve reaped the benefits of Kaliningrad’s growth as a manufacturing hub.”
“No, not economic. Military expansion.”
“That’s ridiculous. You remember what happened when it was rumored that Russia would house nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad? And that was a rumor!”
Rumor indeed. Dryburgh knew it to be true. The Russians had a way of believing their own half-truths.
“Why would the Russian Navy be excavating large portions of the coastline?”
“How would I know?”
“Not to mention the deployment of troops dressed as common tourists.”
“Now that is preposterous, my friend. Do you also believe the rumors that our top scientists are trying to clone Lenin and Stalin in order to take over the world?”
“It could happen.”
“Now you are teasing me, Geoffrey.”
Dryburgh grinned. “Guilty.”
Ambassador Igor Bukov shook his head. “So, why all the questions about a small strip of land in the Baltic Sea?”
Dryburgh weighed his options, knowing he had his friend’s attention, the Russian a virtual funnel to his own president. He had to push Zimmer to the brink, make him uncomfortable, trip him up enough to make a disastrous decision. With the added support of Senator Southgate, and his criminal accusations, Dryburgh would be there to pick up the pieces, to grab the presidency in his capable hands and lead America to its rightful place on the international scene. He also wouldn’t mind showing his cocky Scottish cousins, who still didn’t give him the deference he thought he deserved, proof that despite his inferior upbringing, he could become the most powerful man in the world.
The Russians were just reckless enough to take the bait, to push Zimmer without much incentive. Dryburgh knew what they wanted and planned to help them get it. In his mind it was an acceptable cost of doing business with the resurgent former Soviet empire.
Finally, he spoke. “I’ll tell you this because we’re friends, Igor.” Bukov leaned closer. “I’m not sure that if there were to be an incident, say in Kaliningrad, that Zimmer would be prepared to handle it. We’re still dealing with the policy debacle of our last president.”
Bukov sat back in his chair. “Then it is a very good thing that it will not happen.”
“It is, Igor, it is.” Dryburgh filled both their glasses and raised his in the air. “To Russia’s future.”
“And to America’s,” Bukov added. They each downed their drinks, quickly refilling.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it , thought Dryburgh.
Chapter 15
SSI Safehouse, Arlington, Virginia
5:20 a.m., March 5 th
The weather had cleared, allowing Cal and Daniel to book a flight home. They’d just finished packing when Cal’s phone rang.
“Stokes.”
“I have Mr. Haden on the line for you, sir.”
“Thanks.”
The phone clicked. “Cal?”
“Good morning, Mr. Bigshot. Already have someone making calls for you?” Cal teased.
The typical Travis chuckle never came over the line. “Listen, I need you to come to the White House. Something’s come up.”
“Can you tell me now? We were about to take off for the airport.”
“No. I need you here, now.”
“Okay. We can be there in twenty to thirty minutes, depending on traffic.”
“The sooner the better.”
The line went dead and Cal looked up at Daniel. “Looks like we’re heading back into the lion’s den.
It took them closer to forty-five minutes to get to the White House. The streets had been cleared of snow, but it seemed that every government employee in town was heading to work.
A Secret Service agent was waiting for the pair at the main gate. The only thing he said was, “If you’ll please follow me, gentlemen.” They were escorted to Travis’s office. “I’ll tell Mr. Haden you’re here.” The agent left Cal and Daniel to
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