Читать книгу Rogue President - D.K. Wilde - Страница 8

The interior of the lavishly appointed meeting room, at Camp David, was a buzz as four of the most powerful people in the western world sat around a roaring open fire. Waiters buzzing around like firefly’s circling a light. With their superbly presented five course meal consumed they smoked their cigars and swirled single malt whiskey. The President ordered the room cleared.

Markham, Bysmith and Razen had been together since Markham’s inauguration seven years earlier. Mackinnon had joined the select group after the demise of his predecessor at the hands of Wade and his team.

Leroy Mackinnon was ten years junior to his fellow group members. He had proven his worth as the linchpin connecting he and Markham to fraudulent opportunities throughout the world. A Doctorate in Behavioral Psychology from Harvard University and a Masters in International and Global Affairs; he was the true salesman. Known to have convinced leaders and rulers worldwide to believe in his ideas. He had risen the ranks of the CIA in record time and was not even in the line of succession when selected by Markham to the DNI role. Single, with movie star looks he had multiple lovers at any one time. Not afraid to spend money he drove the latest luxury sports cars and was always wearing his trademark five thousand dollar Hugo Boss suits.

The head of the security detail pulled the door closed and Markham leapt to his feet.

“Okay people. We need some clear direction on what we are doing and how we solve these problems. Firstly, how did Ross and his team get on a US aircraft carrier without us knowing? Secondly, why did we allow them, or anybody, to go into Sierra Leone? Thirdly, is someone on to us and if so who?” He rattled off pacing around the room. “We only have one more year left to get all our loose ends finalized and I’m starting to feel we are a long way from ready,” he commanded.

Remaining seated Razen responded, “Leo, sit and calm down. After the SAM attack in Sierra Leone we always knew that operational command would want to send in a recon party. Admiral Plower would have known this and as the order came from OpNav he wouldn’t have questioned it. Ross and his team had got in through a request from British Admiralty. From who and why we are still chasing. As to whether anybody’s on to us - I don’t believe so but I question how Ross, or whoever made the request from the UK, knew about Wine and his team’s involvement … coincidences, I don’t believe in.”

“I can answer who and why,” replied Mackinnon. “Joe Plant was approached by Sir Roger Dunstall, the former head of MI6, to find Ross and any others from Wine’s former team to go in as a rescue party.”

The group sat in stunned silence.

“Why would Dunstall have any association with any of this?” asked Bysmith bewildered with Mackinnon’s statement.

“According to Plant, Dunstall is Wine’s half brother and he believes he’s still alive,” replied Mackinnon with a smile on his face.

“Leroy … I don’t for the life of me see how this is funny,” said Markham. “And why didn’t you tell us about this earlier?”

Still smiling he replied, “That’s the problem. You don’t get it do you. Do you not realize this is perfect for us?”

Mackinnon went on to explain his plan of making a reward available for anybody locating Wade or Wine or the President’s daughter. All the different options of Wine, or his team, alive or dead. The rebels chasing the money. Wade trying to find Wine. The US military being used indiscriminately, and unknowingly, to hunt out all parties.

“Are you saying you want us to let this whole thing play out and see who is left at the end?” asked Markham.

“Correct.”

“You are one sick individual but I do like the way you think,” said the President as they clinked their glasses.