"Well, at least part of it." Macklins voice reflected fatigue. "Why don't you take a few days off and go fishing."
"If you 11 go with me."
"Wish I could, but I have to be in Corpus Christi in a couple of hours."
Chalmerss smile slowly faded. "Cord, I hope you dont mind an old friend being honest. You need to get some rest, some quality sleep."
"I just might do that when we get back this evening."
Chapter 30
Thunderstorms were building in all quadrants as the C-32A (Boeing 757) from the 89th Airlift Wing began its descent into the Corpus Christi area. The ride was not too bad, but the aircraft commander went ahead and slowed the jet to mush through the turbulence.
The U. S. Navy F/A-18s accompanying the president matched the Boeings speed and maintained their position. They would stay with the gleaming blue-and-white 757 until it turned on final approach at Corpus Christi.
In the cabin, President Macklin was going over strategy with Secretary of State Austin and National Security Adviser Hartwell Prost. Because of the mounting friction between the United States and Mexico, they had decided on a bold recommendation for President Juan Cardenas.
Now in radio contact with Corpus Christi Approach Control, the busy flight crew was coordinating their arrival with that of President Cardenas. The senior pilots from the 89th had been instructed by Secretary Austin to follow the Boeing 727 from the Presidential Transport Squadron based in Mexico City.
After a series of radar vectors and two visual turns to circumvent thunderstorms, the Boeing 757 was finally vectored into position behind the 727. Both aircraft landed in a heavy downpour and taxied to a secure area.
The Secret Service was out in force and quickly shuttled the two parties to a portable air-conditioned conference room parked only yards away. Cardenas and Macklin had agreed to have only the principals in the meeting. The various political aides and the Secret Service agents remained outside underneath shelters.
Avoiding any reference to the military confrontation that morning, the men shook hands and sat down. President Cardenas and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Antonio Ferreira were on one side of the table. On the other side of the table, President Macklin was flanked by Brad Austin on the right and Hartwell Prost on the left.
After a few pleasantries, Macklin broke the ice. "President Cardenas, Secretary Austin and I have had an in-depth conversation about the core problem that exists in your administration: the corruption in the military and in the law-enforcement branches. Please take the time to tell me how ingrained you think the problem is."
Even though he had known the question would be coming, Cardenas paused to craft his answer carefully. "The primary problem is the military. Six generals and one admiral have the military in their grip. They are clever mobsters cloaked in uniforms who recruit servicemen in their image.
"Without them in the picture, there are two generals and three promising colonels who want to help me take the steps to form a system on the U. S. model. Otherwise, we will be forever mired in graft and corruption. The crooks in uniform at the top have the weapons, the power, and the money while the citizens are defenseless."
Secretary Ferreiras eyes were downcast.
"These people are morally corrupt and totally ruthless," Cardenas said, speaking quietly and slowly. "They rule by using fear and hard-core intimidation. They will go to any length to destroy their opponents credibility, destroy their ability to make a living, destroy their personal lives, or worse."
"Or worse?" Prost asked.
"If they don t comply, members of their family or friends disappear or turn up dead. Many of the deaths are claimed by the medical examiners to be suicides. These examiners are on the military payroll as full colonels."
A few silent moments passed while Cardenas had a drink of water and regained his composure.
"President Cardenas," Secretary Austin began, "you mentioned the senior officers recruiting in their image. I take it that's the way this corruption has carried on for so long?"
"Absolutely Carefully planned ascension. Less than a month after I was elected, one of the senior generals promoted his twenty-four-year-old nephew, who had never served in the military, to lieutenant colonel. The nephew, who has a criminal record ranging from extortion to murder, is surreptitiously laundering drug money in the United States and taking care of his uncles offshore bank accounts."
Macklin glanced at Secretary Ferreira and then focused again on Cardenas. "Do the seven men — the generals and the admiral — ever get together?"
"I know they occasionally congregate at various resorts, but the outings are random and always secret. We dont know the location of the meetings until after they return to their military quarters."
"Let me suggest a course of action," Macklin said matter-of-factly. "You dont have to make a decision now, just think about it for a while. The details can be worked out later. If you want these criminals to disappear, we have the capability to do it."
Macklin glanced again at Ferreira. He was definitely nervous.
Macklin continued. "The question, President Cardenas, is basic, but fundamental to our success. Are you certain the officers you have confidence in will in fact remold the military as you see fit?"
There was no hesitation. "Yes, Im confident. There are many fine officers and soldiers who want to see the corruption weeded out of the military. It taints them and their profession, but they know the consequences if they try to change things."
Ferreiras mouth was agape but no words came out.
"How would we explain their disappearance?" Cardenas asked in a guarded but clear voice.
Macklin paused, frowning slightly. "They were killed in a plane crash at sea, in the Bahia de Campeche, en route to a military conference in Cancun."
Cardenas mulled the proposal. "I deeply appreciate your consideration, President Macklin."
"Were here to help both our countries; were no stranger to corruption. As you said, sometimes we have to do some weeding, be it in the military, the corporate world, or the political arena."
"President Macklin is right," Secretary Austin chimed in. "What s good for Mexico is good for our country."
Cardenas nodded. "I do want to take time to contemplate your suggestion and its consequences. Its a lot to digest."
"Think about your contribution," Prost said. "This could fundamentally change the course of Mexico."
Cardenas turned to Macklin. "Thank you for your generous support. I am deeply indebted, but I have to think about this for a while."
"We understand."
Cardenas and Ferreira rose to shake hands with the Americans. Out of respect, Macklin walked with the president and his senior statesman to the 727. He waited until the airplane began taxiing for takeoff before he boarded the 757.
"Well," Macklin said to Austin and Prost, "we might see a real change in Mexico's future. At least there's hope."
Now in a position to join the war on terrorism, the carrier's air wing was tasked with bombing specific terrorist training camps. The complexes had been clearly defined by space-based assets and unmanned aerial vehicles. Some of the sites were new and had a multitude of weapons stockpiled, including mortars, rockets, and missiles. Other sites that had been destroyed were being modestly refurbished to use as storage facilities.
The first wave of strike aircraft launched at 5:40 P. M., to be over their targets after dark. The second strike launched at 6:30 P. M., and it would follow groups of planes from Stennis and George Washington. The wide-ranging air raids, which would continue to first light, were designed to flatten several terrorist facilities. Buildings, supplies, munitions — everything would be destroyed before daylight.