Critical Error

“Exactly how can you help me do something I’m not even doing?”

“I’m not going to debate the issue Andrew. I’m offering you the assistance of one of my very best operatives.”

Realizing he wasn’t getting anywhere, he tried a different tack.

“Ben, somebody has just come into the room. I’ll call you straight back.”

Hanging up the phone, Russell turned to Johnson, whose gesticulating had become wilder with every second that had passed.

Russell waved at Johnson to hurry up with the call, patience was not his forte.

“Well?” asked Russell as Johnson ended the call.

“The only person to attend, other than Carter’s people, was a ball-busting DoE agent, name of Rebecca Todd. She was there in connection with the nuclear threat we’ve received.”

“What did she want?”

“A quick look to ensure there was no nuclear threat and she supposedly left satisfied that there wasn’t one.”

Russell began to wonder whether he was surrounded by complete imbeciles.

“So this DoE woman just happened to be in the neighborhood looking into a nuclear threat that myself and the President have just been made aware of in the Situation Room of the White House? A threat that the Israelis themselves have made us aware of?”

“Well, when you put it like that,” mused an embarrassed Johnson. “It would seem the DoE agent was an Israeli agent.”

“No shit, Sherlock,” replied a furious Russell.

“But Carter checked her credentials, she was legit.”

“I’m sure she was,” replied Russell as he exited the room. He was certain DoE agent Rebecca Todd had already ceased to exist on any record.

He made his way back to his office. He needed to call Ben back and quickly.

“Ben?”

“Andrew,” replied Ben Meir. “How are you?”

“Worried, Ben. There are some very strange things happening.”

“It would appear so, none more so however, than your little side show!” added Ben with an edge.

“Let’s start with the nuclear threat. How real?”

“Very,” replied Ben matter-of-factly. “But I’d rather start with your little crusade. What the hell are you doing, Andrew?” asked a less jovial Ben.

Ben Meir was an old and wise man, an exceptional strategist and one of the world’s foremost politicians. But Andrew Russell was a force in his own right and the soon-to-be President of the most powerful nation in the world.

“I would suggest a change of tone, Ben,” warned Russell.

“Tone, shtone,” replied Ben in an even more aggravated tone. “What are you doing?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” replied an indignant Russell.

Russell heard a click and thought Ben had hung up but before he could hang up himself, a voice he recognized came on the line. It was Johnson.

“I don’t believe so. They definitely missed him.”

It was a voice he not only recognized but was a conversation he had already had. He knew the next voice would be his.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because Sam phoned the Secret Service.”

“What?”

“Well he didn’t give his name but just after my guys were supposed to have taken him out, a death threat was issued by Yuri Andriev against Senator Baker.”

“Shit!..and the Senator?”

“That’s the other thing, he’s gone missing.”

Another click signaled the end of the recording of a conversation he had had on his secure phone that morning.

“Are you still there, Andrew?' asked Ben, his smile transmitted loud and clear through the 6,000 miles of space between them.

“But how on earth?” asked Russell. He didn’t know what was worse, his actions being uncovered or Mossad being able to listen into the US’ most secure phone system.

“Andrew, my dear boy, I’ve warned you many times not to underestimate our little agency. Now, can we cut the bullshit and you tell me what you’re up to.”

Andrew Russell had had many difficult conversations over the years, none more so than a number he had had with the master tactician Ben Meir. However, all their previous calls were a piece of cake compared to this one.

“Hmmm…,” Russell didn’t know where to start.

Ben interrupted before he had to. “I’m playing with you Andrew. Did you really think I didn’t know about the Horsemen? Seriously, I’ve warned you before,” he added his final point with a less than jovial tone. “Do not underestimate me. I know everything.”

Andrew Russell was one of Ben Meir’s most highly placed Sayanim. Ben knew everything about Andrew and his family. It was not long after Andrew had been recruited by Walter Koch that Andrew had been approached by Ben himself. Ben had spent hours detailing the history of Andrew’s family that his mother had lost in her childhood. A number of Andrew’s close family had been sacrificed in the War of Independence for The State of Israel. They were proud Jews who had fought and died for their homeland. Andrew marveled at the stories of his uncles and cousins who had helped found the country in 1948 and ultimately, he had assured Ben that whatever happened, he would help protect what they had given their lives to achieve.

From that day on, Andrew had been true to his word and when Ben had asked, Andrew had delivered. Ben knew about the Horsemen and he knew about their feelings towards Jews. Like Andrew, he was more than happy to use them and they had put Andrew Russell exactly where Ben wanted him. There was nothing like a bunch of Nazi Zionists spending their money to benefit the aims of the Jewish State to put a smile on his face.

“I’m sorry Ben, it was not my idea!” Andrew Russell knew when to admit defeat.

“I know but you should have stopped it. Ararat is bigger than any of this!”

“It has nothing to do with Ararat,” protested Russell.

“Every single thing we do over the next two weeks has to do with Ararat!”

“Two weeks?” quizzed Russell.

“Yes, two weeks. The nuclear threat is not just against America. We have our own threat.”

“But, two weeks, it’s not possible.”

“Anything is possible but we need you in power and not behind bars. I’m putting my best agent on this. Senator Baker and his brother have to be eliminated. Personally, I like the man and can’t say I’m happy but Ararat is bigger than any individual.”

“Does your man need help?”

“I never said it was a man and no, they will deliver what you and your agencies have failed to do.”

Chapter 34

Sam checked the mirror again. He was sure they were clear but there was something pricking at him, something was just not right.

“Are we OK?” asked Senator Baker for the tenth time.

“Yes,” said Sam, shaking his head and taking his eyes off the mirror. “I’m just being paranoid, there’s nothing there.”

“So where to?” asked Clark, turning to check the rear view. Sam’s discomfort had heightened her