Dan didn’t have to open it to understand what the president was asking. He was mildly surprised that he was revealing this in front of Sukudo. “What you are suggesting is illegal.”
“What I am suggesting is removing a man who holds the power to control world events. He is a greater enemy to this country than all the enemies across the world combined. You know that. He is too dangerous to have sitting in that chair.”
“I thought you appointed him?”
“I did.” He slumped behind his desk. “Now I come to find out that he even controls me.”
That comment put everything in perspective for Dan. There was no doubt what had to happen. With that, Dan left without uttering another word.
The two sat in silence for a moment. Kenneth was still waiting for his answer. Finally, the president relented. “Okay, Admiral. You’ll have your resignation tomorrow. Now get out of here.”
Booker had put off speaking to the captain of the Saratov. He wasn’t sure how to handle it. Obviously there had to be something illegal about what he had done, though there was not a state of war. He contemplated handing him over to the Russian government, but that didn’t really seem like the right thing to do. His XO asked if they should inform the States, and Jim gave him a flat no. Not until he had done his interview.
The other two were another matter. Nicholas was identified through his social security number. He was allowed to roam but under a relaxed guard. Then there was the woman. Who knew what to do with her?
He entered the holding cell where Andri rested. He found the man quite willing to accept guests. “Captain Stemovich, I’m here to ask you a few questions before I decide what to do.”
“There is only one thing you can do.”
Booker paused as he tried to imagine what the man was thinking. “What would that be?”
Andri smiled. “Grant me asylum.”
Booker got up and put his hand on the door to leave. “Clever, but I don’t think it is in the cards for you.” He exited.
Levi had celebrated by himself that night. He was eager to get into Anthony’s office, and with a little alcohol in his bloodstream, he decided to go sit in the big chair for fun. The halls of the CIA building were vacant because of the hour. There were some people working who took no notice of him as he slinked down the corridor. A quick stop at his office and then to the other room.
He quietly hummed, patting himself on his back as he mulled over the events that had gotten him to the pinnacle of his career. Now he could really do some things. He basically would be in charge of the world. He had the support system and the men. No one could match the United States when it came to spying. The first thing would be the world’s industries.
He opened the door to his office and found Dan Archer sitting in his chair. It was surprising, but Levi didn’t miss a beat. “I meant to see you tomorrow, Dan, but now is as good a time as any. You’re fired.”
Dan raised his gun and shot Levi squarely between the eyes. He didn’t even get up from the chair to pinpoint the slug. As he placed the gun on the desk, he noticed that his hand shook with adrenaline. The pardon was sitting on the desk in front of him.
Levi would be found coated with blood by Judy the next morning. The gun lying across his chest. Ironically, it would be the same weapon that his daughter, Beth, tried to use when she was going to shoot him.
EPILOGUE
It was the biggest news story since the assassination of JFK. Sukudo sat in his robe and couldn’t believe what he was hearing the next morning. It was the fifth time the story had been played in as many minutes.
The president was dead. The White House at 5:35 a.m. reported that the president of the United States was found dead in the Oval Office. Unconfirmed reports had it as a massive heart attack due to the stress he had been under since the protests in Moscow. Other sources had it as a suicide.
Sukudo leaned back in his chair. It was unbelievable. There was no doubt in his mind that the man had killed himself. He didn’t expect it, but it accomplished the same goal. Now the country could get back on track. A new leader meant new policies, and he would be there to help guide them along. It had been a long, arduous process, but now he felt secure that the United States was going to sail a better course.
His phone rang. He picked it up. “Yes.”
There was a hiss, and immediately he recognized it as a ship-to-shore connection. Booker was at the other end. “Kenneth, are you there?”
“Book? Yeah, Book, I’m here. What do you got? You’re not home yet?”
“No. Still three days out. I have a situation.”
“What is it?”
“Survivors.”
“Survivors? From the sub?”
“Yup.”
“Who?”
“Nicholas Shaw.”
“Excellent! That is great news!”
“A woman, Marina Romanov.”
“Okay, no clue who she is.”
“And one Captain Andri Stemovich.”
Sukudo was dumbfounded.
Several moments passed before Booker spoke. “I thought that one would tongue-tie you.”
As far as Scandinavian fishermen go, Van Hutton was one of the best. He had fished the waters around the Arctic and White Seas for eighteen years, and every time brought in a good haul. Today would be no different.
With his small boat chugging away, he turned her around and headed back toward the coast of Finland. His nets were in, and his golden lab, Walker, panted at his side, enjoying the time he spent with his master.
The small wooden dinghy was only a hundred meters away when he first noticed it. A sail had been raised, but it was not properly tied off and served little use. It bobbed helplessly in the waves, and instantly Van knew that whoever was in it had to be in some trouble.
Coming alongside he saw the half-swamped craft’s one occupant. The man didn’t even look up. He was either frozen solid or transfixed and waiting to die of exposure. The empty ration cartons strewn across the boat looked to be at least a week’s worth of food and water. The occupant had obviously been in the sea longer.
After tying the dinghy alongside, Van stepped in the boat and removed the hood from the jacket, exposing the man’s head. It was the first time the stranger even acknowledged his presence. He seemed genuinely surprised and half-crazy. “Excuse me. Do you speak English?”
Van nodded yes.
“Then could you take me to the nearest port?”
Again, Van nodded yes. “What is your name, and what are you doing out here alone?”
“George. My name is George. This is how I’m wasting the first part of my retirement,” he said. “You wouldn’t know what a hot dog is, would you?”