Paris

Three days after Dalton’s assassination, Craig picked up the phone in his office and heard, “Mr. Page, please hold for the President of the United States.”

Over the years Craig had a number of calls and meetings with American presidents, but dealing with the world’s most powerful individual was still exciting for Craig.

“I’ve been following closely what you’ve done in Europe,” Treadwell said. “Stopping the attack on the Vatican and the takeover of Southern Spain was a tremendous accomplishment.”

“Thank you, sir. I was both shocked and saddened to hear about Dalton’s assassination.”

“These are difficult times here in the United States. I’m calling to ask you to come to Washington and meet with me. Quite frankly, I need your help, and I would like to talk to you about that.”

Well there it was, Elizabeth was right, Craig thought. “When would you like to see me?”

“Can you fly tomorrow morning?”

“Absolutely, Mr. President. I’ll be on the morning nonstop on Air France. Should arrive in Washington around two in the afternoon.”

“Perfect. I’ll have a car and driver meet you and bring you to the White House.”

Craig immediately called Elizabeth. “I’m glad I didn’t bet you.
I could have lost a hundred euros.”

“He offered you the CIA job?”

“Not yet. Just called to invite me to come for a meeting. I’m flying to Washington tomorrow morning. Can you join me?”

“I’d love to. It’ll be nice moving to Washington.”

“He hasn’t offered me the job yet.”

“He will. And I assume you’ll take it.”

“I’m not sure.”

“You’re kidding. Right?”

“I’ve come to like our lifestyle here in Paris. There are plenty of challenges in the job. And I hate the Washington bureaucracy. How do you feel about it?”

“As long as we’re together, I’ll be happy in either place. My work will be the same. So it’s your decision.”

As soon as Craig finished the call with Elizabeth, he summoned Marie from his agency’s high tech center.

“Have you had any success deciphering the encrypted disc from General Zhou’s conversation with his brother in Beijing, made when Zhou was still in Bali?”

She looked chagrined. “We have people working around the clock. The Chinese used a very sophisticated system. So far we’re at a dead end.”

“You think the CIA could do it?”

“It might take a little while. But they would have a much better chance.”

Craig continued to believe in his gut that this conversation between General Zhou and his brother was important. Craig recalled what Betty had said about Norris. If the CIA Director had lost his grip, with Betty’s help, Craig might be able to make an end run around Norris and get the conversation deciphered. And if he became CIA Director, he could give the order to the agency’s techies to do it ASAP.

That evening while they were at home packing, Elizabeth’s cell phone rang. Craig heard her say, “Yes. Yes. Of course. I’ll be right there.”

She hung up the phone and grabbed her coat. “It was Mei Ling. She has some important information for me.”

“You want me to come with you?”

“I better go alone.”

Mei Ling was still staying in room 610 of the Hotel Le Burgundy. Elizabeth tapped twice on the door and said, “It’s Elizabeth.”

She heard the sound of two dead bolts and a chain being removed.

“Are you sure you weren’t followed?” Mei Ling asked anxiously.

“Positive. What happened?”

“I received a call from Qua Ping, a friend on the Central Committee. He told me that President Zhou said he has good relations with top people in the Pakistani military and he could have been responsible for President Dalton’s assassination.”

Her words rocked Elizabeth back on her heels. “Did he elaborate on that?”

“No. But he also announced that he’s planning to take advantage of American weakness during the transition to launch a military action against the United States. Meantime, to consolidate his hold on power, Zhou’s moving to purge officials who had worked with President Li. He humiliated the Intelligence Minister, Yin Bao, before the Central Committee, had him arrested for being an American spy, and executed by a firing squad. He announced to all the members of the Central Committee that Yin confessed to being an American spy. The man had been tortured so badly that he could barely stand before the firing squad. Zhou’s a monster. You and Page have to find a way to stop him.”

“I’ll report all this to Craig. I know that he’ll do what he can.”

“Page has to succeed. Zhou has to be stopped.”

As Elizabeth rode back to the apartment, she thought about the effect Mei Ling’s words would have on Craig’s decision. It would make him more likely to take the CIA job if Treadwell offered it because it would give him the best platform for stopping General Zhou and gaining his revenge.

On the other hand, he despised CIA bureaucracy. She had learned long ago that she could never predict with confidence what Craig would do.