two nations are suddenly at war. But even if I was to be thrown out of office, I still control these drones and will still pose a threat to your pipelines, even from prison, if it comes to that.”
Again, Titov snapped off the sound and conferred with his advisors. Britnev bent Titov’s ear the most.
Myers wondered if she had overplayed her hand. She essentially called him out in front of his peers, just like in a schoolyard brawl. If Titov was like most men, he’d give himself over to his anger and pride, and her gamble would fail. The sound came back on.
“Your criminal mercenary Pearce is behind this, isn’t he?” Titov demanded.
“Troy Pearce is an honorable man, and he’s the best in the world at what he does. But he’s not the only resource available to me. I can always release the audio and video files I sent to you to Congress. Senator Diele would beg for war. Ask Britnev if I’m telling the truth or not.”
Titov didn’t have to. He’d been intimately familiar with Diele for years, dating back to when he was a KGB officer.
“Mr. President, the choice here is very simple. If you stay in Azerbaijan, you will never be able to exploit the oil resources available there anyway once I destroy your pipeline, and you will lose all of your capacity to transport your nation’s legitimate oil and gas reserves. At the very least, you’ll lose the European markets. We both know that the only thing propping up your economy is your oil and gas exports. Are you willing to start World War III knowing that you will begin that war in a state of economic collapse?”
Titov drummed his fingers on the table. He was dancing on the knife’s edge.
Myers wondered
Titov finally spoke. “If we withdraw from Azerbaijan and you release these files, your Congress may still declare war on us, so perhaps it is best for us to stay where we are and see what happens?”
“If you withdraw from Azerbaijan, I guarantee that I will destroy those files. I’m no fool, either, Mr. President. A shooting war between your country and mine would be a disaster for both of us, and a nightmare for the whole world. There is nothing to be gained, except to advance the interests of our mutual competitors, especially China and Iran.”
“And what is to keep you from threatening our pipelines in the future? Even holding them for ransom?”
“You have my word.”
“That’s not good enough,” Titov said.
“What else can I offer?” Myers asked.
Britnev leaned into Titov and whispered something. Titov nodded, smiled.
“One thing in order to prove your sincere desire to avoid war.”
“Name it.”
Titov did. It was an outrageous suggestion.
To his astonishment, Myers agreed to it instantly.
58
Los Pinos, Mexico D.F.
President Barraza’s security detail stood alert around the office. Antonio sat behind his desk in an elegantly cut light blue suit, while Hernan took up his usual position, slouched on the couch with a glass of liquor in his hands.
Cruzalta sat opposite the president, and next to him, Senator Madero, a silver-haired elder statesman. Both men had been checked for weapons when they entered the building and again when they entered the president’s office. Madero kept a hand-stitched brown leather attache case on his lap.
“What we have to say might be better said in private,” Cruzalta suggested.
Antonio shot a glance at Hernan, who nodded his approval.
Antonio turned to the security chief. “Dismissed.”
“But, Mr. President—”
Antonio’s glowering eyes cut him off.
“Yes, Mr. President.”
The security chief nodded to his men and they left the room.
“Say what you’re going to say, traitor.”
“Traitor?” Cruzalta could barely contain his rage.
“What my brother means to say is, what is it that you are proposing?” Hernan asked.
Madero opened his attache case and handed Antonio a sheet of paper. He read it.
“There are 425 signatures on that list requesting that you vacate the office of president,” Madero said with great solemnity. “Enough to satisfy the constitutional requirements to elect an interim president.”
Antonio laughed. “I have no reason to step down.”
“You have over a one hundred fourteen million reasons to resign. Our nation is about to collapse into a civil war. We need new leadership, now,” Cruzalta said.
Antonio laughed again. “You?”
“No. Senator Madero is my choice, and the choice of the majority on that list, and of many of the governors.” Cruzalta was right. Madero was the most respected politician in Mexico. For decades, Madero had displayed courage, honesty, and integrity in his public service.
“If this nation is on the brink of revolution, as you think it is, then it’s of your own making. You’re the one who partnered with the Americans to kill poor Bravo and wage war on our people,” Hernan said.
“Our people? You’re talking about the animals who butchered tens of thousands of innocents—those are the people
“A dreamer’s dream, Cruzalta. This is Mexico,” Hernan laughed. “You can’t change a whole culture by changing a few names on the office door.”
“Perhaps not. But we can at least try, and if we fail, we can fail as
Madero trembled with rage. “How dare you speak so poorly of your own people, Barraza. It’s the politicians who corrupt the people, not the other way around.”
“You have many enemies, Barraza. Some closer than you think. Get out while you can,” Cruzalta said.
“I have no fear of enemies. The people love me, especially after the attempt on my life,” Antonio said.
Cruzalta reached into his pocket and pulled out a digital player. He explained that it was a portion of the conversation Pearce had secretly recorded with Ali in San Diego.
“Then why did you attack the president at the Hidalgo church?”
“Hernan Barraza ordered the attack on his brother.”
“Why would he want you to attack his brother?”
“He wanted his brother to think that you Americans were trying to assassinate him.”
“But that drone could easily have killed the president.”
“Hernan wants to be president. He is already making plans for another attempt.”
Antonio turned toward his brother. He was on the verge of tears. “Hernan?”
“What is that recording supposed to prove?” Hernan protested. “Americans can doctor anything on digital.” He knew Antonio thought the moon landings were staged.
Antonio turned back to Cruzalta. “You are a dangerous man and a traitor. You make me sick.” Antonio nodded at Madero. “And you, old man, are a fool.”
Hernan slumped in his chair, visibly relieved.
“So give me one good reason why I should resign in disgrace and let you traitors take over the government?” Antonio demanded.
Madero pulled out another document and set it carefully in front of Antonio. “On this resignation letter, you are guaranteed a full and complete pardon and total immunity for all crimes you may have committed, and you
