He was beheaded in a public square outside the Saudi Ministry of Justice — after a trial that reportedly lasted twenty-five minutes.”
“The execution came as a surprise to many observers here who had not even known that Ibrahim had been secretly returned to Saudi Arabia — apparently as part of high-level bargaining between the American and Saudi governments.”
“Before his public execution, Ibrahim was stripped of all princely honors and titles, and his remaining assets were declared forfeit to the Saudi crown. However, financial experts doubt those assets will yield any significant sum. Caraco’s stock price has plummeted ever since the corporation’s involvement in illegal nuclear arms smuggling became public knowledge. And its share price fell another fifteen percent yesterday on rumors that several governments plan to strip Caraco of its right to do business within their borders.
“In other related developments, the Russian government today reiterated its demand that all nineteen of the TN1000 tactical nuclear weapons currently in U.S. hands be returned immediately. At a press conference in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Anatoly Perotkin claimed, “These weapons are stolen state property. Therefore, we call on the American government to hand them back promptly and without any special conditions.”
“The U.S. State Department had no immediate comment …”
The first full session of the special congressional committee investigating the administration’s conduct during what had become known as “The June Bomb Plot” drew an overflow crowd.
Staffers, journalists, and curious members of the general public occupied practically every square inch of the large committee room and much of the nearby hall space — all eagerly awaiting the testimony many believed would blow the lid off a massive case of private and political corruption. Several members of the administration, the White House Chief of Staff and the Attorney General among them, were already gone — driven out of office in disgrace following revelations of their witting and unwitting involvement in Ibrahim’s machinations.
“ … I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Helen finished the oath, lowered her right hand, and sat down beside Peter Thorn — resplendent in the dress uniform he was still entitled to wear.
He smiled at her, squeezed her hand under the table, and then forced a suitably solemn expression as the committee chairman began asking his opening question.
“Now, Deputy Assistant Director Gray, I understand—”
Helen leaned forward abruptly. “Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, I feel compelled to correct the record.” The television camera lights gleamed on a diamond ring and gold band on her left hand. “Actually, it’s Deputy Assistant Director Thorn now.”
