'You were wrong.'
'I was wrong.'
'Let's go back to that first moment—in fact, let's go back over the whole damn thing!'
'There's nothing to go back over. I've said nothing of substance.'
'But we know far more than you think. We just had to unravel the string, as my superior put it… A reluctant freshman congressman is manipulated on to important congressional committees, positions that others would sell their daughters for. Then because of mysteriously absentee chairmen, he's on national television, which leads to more exposure, topped by the explosive, worldwide story about his covert actions in Oman, and ending up with the President awarding him the highest medal a civilian can get. The agenda is pretty clear, isn't it?'
'It was organized quite well, in my opinion.'
'And now there's about to be launched a national campaign to place him on the party ticket, in effect making him the next Vice President of the United States.'
'You know about that?'
'Yes, and it's hardly a spontaneous act on the part of the body politic.'
'I trust it will appear so.'
'Where are you coming from?' asked Khalehla, leaning over, picking at her veal dish with the left hand, her right out of sight under the table.
'I must tell you, Miss Rashad, that it pains me to watch you eating so awkwardly. I'm not a threat to you and I won't run.'
'How can I be sure of either? That you're not a threat and that you won't run?'
'Because in certain areas our interests are the same, and I am willing to work with you on a limited basis.'
'My God, what arrogance! Would Your Eminence be so kind as to describe these areas and the limits of your generous assistance?'
'Certainly. To begin with, the safety of the Secretary of State and exposing those who would have him killed as well as discovering why, although I think we can assume the reason. Then the capture of the terrorists who attacked Congressman Kendrick's houses with considerable loss of life, and confirming the Vanvlanderen connection—’
'You know about Fairfax and Mesa Verde?' Varak nodded. 'The blackout's total.'
'Which brings us to the limits of my participation. I must remain far in the background and will not discuss my activities except in the most general terms. I will, however, if it's necessary, refer you by code name to certain individuals in the government who will attest to my dependability in security matters here and abroad.'
'You don't think much of yourself, do you?'
Milos smiled cautiously. 'I really don't have an opinion. However, I come from a country whose government was stolen from the people, and made up my mind years ago what I would do with my life. I have confidence in the methods I've developed. If that's arrogance, so be it, and I apologize, but I don't think of it that way.'
Khalehla slowly pulled her right hand out from under the table and with her left picked up the bag at her side. She shoved her automatic into it and leaned back, shaking her hand to restore circulation. 'I think we can dispense with the hardware, and you're right, it's terribly awkward trying to cut meat with a left-handed fork while your other wrist is paralysed.'
'I was going to suggest that you order something simpler, perhaps an antipasto, or a dish you might eat with your fingers, but I didn't feel it was my place.'
'Do I detect a sense of humour behind that severe expression?'
'An attempt, perhaps, but I don't feel very humorous at the moment. I won't until I know the Secretary of State has arrived safely in Cyprus.'
'You alerted the proper people; there's nothing more you can do. They'll take care of him.'
'I'm counting on it.'
