Stevie put the magnifying glass down and looked at Matt. “How long did you say these guys were here?”
“At least six months,” Matt said.
“That’s great,” Stevie said.
“Why?”
“Because chances are they had to purchase them here. How many places sell Turkish cigarettes in Payson, Arizona?”
Matt finally understood the significance. He smiled. “Only one.”
President Merrick stood in the kitchen and leaned over a plate of leaf-wrapped finger food.
He held up one of the wrapped pieces and asked, “What’s this called?”
The chef, who was on the opposite side of the stainless steel table, said, “It’s called Dolma. It’s stuffed with a rice and meat mixture.”
Merrick took a bite of one of the pieces. “Mmm. This is delicious.” Then the spices kicked in and he flipped his fingers at the chef.
The chef grabbed a bottle of water from the massive refrigerator and handed it to him. Merrick guzzled down half the bottle before coming up for air.
“Geez,” Merrick said. “You trying to kill me, Jason?”
“No sir,” the middle-aged chef said, concern on his face.
Merrick dropped the rest of his Dolma into the chef’s open hand and patted the man on the back. “It’s okay,” he said, coughing. “As long as the Prime Minister likes it, that’s all that matters.”
“He’s just left the Map Room,” a voice said.
Fisk entered the kitchen and headed for the plate of Dolma.
Merrick grabbed him. “Don’t do it, Sam. It’s lethal.”
Fisk took a bite of one, then smiled. “What’s the problem?”
Merrick folded his arms across his chest. “Just wait.”
Almost a minute passed and Fisk took another bite to finish off the Turkish delicacy. He pulled a paper towel from a stainless steel wall dispenser and wiped his mouth, then threw the paper into the trash.
“C’mon, you wimp,” he said, leading Merrick into the hallway toward the Oval Office.
As they walked down the corridor, Fisk grabbed the bottle of water from Merrick’s hand and took a swig, then handed it back and burped.
Merrick grinned. “Is there any food you can’t eat?”
As they approached the Oval Office, a tub containing half a dozen cell phones sat on the table outside the room. There were no cell phones allowed in the Oval Office during official meetings. Fisk handed his phone to a secret service agent standing against the wall. Merrick simply set his on vibrate. He was the only exception to the rule.
Hakim Budarry was dressed in a grey business suit and introduced his two assistants, while Merrick introduced Fisk. Press Secretary Himes and Chief of Staff Paul Dexter were already situated near the couches across from the President’s desk.
Merrick waved everyone down into their seats. Budarry sat in the tall guest chair directly across from Merrick who found his seat.
“Well, Mr. Prime Minister, it’s a pleasure to have you here at the White House,” Merrick said with a genuine smile.
Budarry nodded. “Yes, Mr. President. It’s a true honor to be here.”
Merrick pointed to the table behind Budarry and said, “Would you care for something to drink?”
“No, thank you, Mr. President,” Budarry said. “I would like to discuss our relationship, if you don’t mind.”
“Our relationship?”
“Yes,” Budarry said. “I understand there have been some rumors that you are considering removing U.S. troops from my country. Is this a misunderstanding?”
Merrick sighed. Even though he knew these would be the first words from Budarry’s mouth, he still wanted more time.
“Mr. Prime Minister,” Merrick said. “You do understand the turmoil in Turkey is spilling over into our country now. Yes?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And you do realize we have to protect our citizens any way we can, right?”
“Yes, of course. These KSF terrorists are brutal scoundrels who will stop at nothing to-”
“Stop.” Merrick held up his hand. “Please, don’t start this conversation. I know who the KSF is and what they want. Their tactics are primitive and severe, but their demands are nothing more than a place to live in peace.”
“Oh, Mr. President, you have no idea the type of war mongering criminals these Kurds can be. Temir Barzani is a madman.”
“Yes, I know,” Merrick said.
“Then you will not be removing your troops from my country?”
Merrick looked straight at Budarry. “I can assure you-”
From behind the Prime Minister, Samuel Fisk got to his feet and nodded toward Merrick’s private office. His face burned with tension.
Merrick stood and said, “Pardon me for just one moment, Mr. Prime Minister. I need to tend to one item very briefly.”
Fisk opened the side door to Merrick’s office and held it for him as he entered the room. At the same time, a secret service agent who was sitting in a guest chair sprang to his feet. The second the door was shut, Fisk walked to the far window and waved Merrick over.
“What are you doing?” Fisk asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, didn’t you remember my brief on this guy? I told you not to look him in the eyes. It’s a sign of sincerity.”
“But I’m being sincere.”
Fisk took a breath and folded his arms. “Boy, for a valedictorian from Yale, you can be one dumb son of a bitch.”
“Sam, make your point.”
“He came all the way from Turkey to assure his security from us and you’re about to let him off the hook.”
“I’m not going to lie to him, Sam.”
Even though they were in a soundproof room, Fisk leaned his head forward and whispered. “You don’t have to. If you’re going to tell him we will not be reducing our troops in Turkey, make damn sure you’re not looking him in the eyes when you tell him. He’ll take that as a sign of insincerity and not trust you.”
Fisk raised his eyebrows. Merrick finally understood. If the Prime Minister believed Merrick wouldn’t pull out of Turkey, he wouldn’t be motivated to work with the KSF. But if he didn’t trust Merrick, he might be forced to negotiate more aggressively. Or do something even more drastic. Without U.S. support Turkey could easily be overrun by the Kurdish faction of their population and Budarry could not afford to see that happen.
Merrick punched Fisk in the shoulder. “Good job.”
When they returned, Merrick’s absence only added to the tension in the room, which worked to the President’s favor. He returned to his seat and picked up a picture of his family from his desk. While examining the photo, he said, “Mr. Prime Minister, I can assure you the United States will not be removing troops from Turkey any time soon.”
From the corner of his eye, Merrick could see Budarry grip the arms of his chair as if it were moving.
They spoke for another twenty minutes, then agreed to meet in the Map Room for a photo opportunity where the President would show deference to the Prime Minister’s visit. Their meeting was cordial and tidy, but contained very little eye contact.
When Budarry left the Oval Office, he could be seen whispering harshly with his aide. He was clearly upset about something.
Merrick looked over at Fisk and received a well-deserved wink.
Chapter 18
Nick sat at his desk and pecked at his keyboard, searching the FBI databank for something, anything which could get him closer to Barzani. Every few minutes he’d turn on the tiny TV on his desk and watch the local news. Payson citizens were reacting predictably. A heavy flow of people were causing a traffic jam leaving town for the safety of Phoenix. The remaining citizens were creating community block watch programs at a rapid pace. Nick wanted to reassure the residents of Gila County they were safe, but he couldn’t.
His cell phone chirped and he picked it up from his desk. He froze when he saw the name on the screen. Luke Fletcher. Nick had expected this call ever since they’d discovered Luke’s cell phone missing from his corpse.
Nick touched his cell and put it to his ear. “Yes.”