U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
FRIDAY, 5:05 A.M. EST
Congressman, I hope I didn’t wake you,” Landon Parker lied. He knew Shepard Truman was a night owl. He even had it on good authority that the legislator had been out late the previous night, huddled in the back room of yet another D.C. steak house, meeting with donors and plotting for his run in the U.S. Senate. It was one of those Washington open secrets. Parker knew it was petty and childish to deliberately roust the Congressman rather than wait for a civilized hour. But Parker also knew he’d enjoy it.
“Of course not,” a groggy Truman lied back. “You have news?”
“We’ve got Tunde Babatunde.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
“He’s now safely in U.S. hands. Judd Ryker is taking Babatunde to the airport for a plane back to the States as we speak.”
“Did they hurt him? I mean, what’s his condition?”
“Babatunde is fine. He’ll be ready to play basketball again. I wanted you to be the first to know.”
“I appreciate that. Well done, Parker,” Truman said. “Please pass my gratitude to Dr. Ryker.”
“I’ll do that,” Parker said. “I’ve got some less good news, too, Congressman.”
“What is it?”
“We’ve got a complication.”
“Spit it out.”
“The kidnapping story’s likely going to hit the press.”
“You told me no media,” Truman squealed.
“I know. It was out of our control.”
“Out of control is darn right. You told me this Ryker would do it quietly. You assured me that you had your best man for the job. That’s what you said.”
“Judd Ryker is our best man. He got Babatunde back safely. We believe the kidnappers may have sold a photo to the newspapers.”
“There’re pictures?” Truman shouted.
“I need to ask you, Congressman, did Harvey Holden arrange a payoff?”
“Heck, no. Did you?”
“The United States doesn’t pay ransom.”
“Well, he didn’t pay, either. Our deal was that Holden wouldn’t do anything if I gave you forty-eight hours. So, what happened?”
“I don’t have all the facts yet.”
“What kind of rogue operation are you running over there at the State Department? How did your man even get Babatunde back? Maybe he paid someone off. Do you know how this Judd Ryker contacted the kidnappers?”
“On cases like this, we work with well-connected local authorities. I can’t share any further details, Congressman.”
“Who was it?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. I’m sorry.”
“Well, it sounds like you got railroaded by one of your own people. Or maybe hoodwinked by the locals.”
“I’m looking into it,” Parker said.
“Maybe Ryker’s connection to the hostage-takers was too connected? He sounds like a cowboy to me. Did you ever think of that?”
“I’m looking into it, sir.” Parker glanced down at the British newspaper on his desk that his assistant had flagged.
Nigerian Judge to Face Corruption Charges
ABUJA—Nigeria’s attorney general today announced a formal inquiry into the business dealings of a former supreme court judge charged with leading anti-corruption investigations. The surprise move was sparked by allegations in the local press that Judge Bola Akinola . . .
“Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. We’re talking about Nigeria, after all,” Truman said. “They’re all corrupt over there, you know.”
“I assure you that I’ll get to the bottom of what happened and, if necessary, we’ll cut people loose. Heads will roll.”
“I don’t want to tell the State Department how to do its business,” Truman said.
“Of course not, Congressman,” Parker said through gritted teeth.
“But maybe this Judd Ryker isn’t what you think, either?”