Admiral Johnson sat back and grinned. “You know he’ll want to be involved. It will be hard to keep him on the sidelines.”
The President nodded. “Yes, I know, but should he?”
Johnson thought a moment. “Actually, we should let him be involved, but put someone else in overall charge. That way we can keep an eye on things and not let him do something rash. I got a call from Brian Davis last night. He said Roger got the word during the ship reunion. Now there are over a thousand pissed off sailors raring to go. Brian said they are getting their ship ready just in case. They won’t budge until this is over. I told him to talk Roger into riding back down to San Diego with him today. That will give us another day. Then I figure he’ll be on the next flight after checking in with his staff. I’ll call his Chief of Staff and have him get some things online. Hopefully by the time he gets here we should have more information. Then let’s hear what he has to say. Knowing Roger, it won’t be too bad. We’ll go from there.”
“At the same time, I’ll talk to some special people and see what we can scare up for those contingencies. I agree with Perry. Roger will probably have a great idea or two. I’ll make sure we have the assets available to carry them out,” said Black, adding to the conversation.
O’Bannon was smiling, not only because of what was being said in the room but because he could picture in his mind what Roger was thinking right about now. “Start the plans moving. Coordinate efforts between each of you so that we put our best foot forward. Each of us adds to the pot. I have a feeling it will take all of our agencies to carry this off,” he said. “At the same time, I know that Roger is a friend of mine. Let me know if I am going in the wrong direction or if it is getting a little too personal for me. I want this to work both for this country and for Roger and Patricia. I need everyone doing their best, thinking through it all and making the right decisions. In short, we all need each other. Don’t let me down.”
Black smiled at his boss. He glanced around to the others and leaned forward. “Steve, I think Roger has made friends with everyone in this room. We want them back as much as you do and we’re not going to go flying off doing anything stupid. We’re going to get those people back, and we’re going to get them back for all the right reasons. We’ll get it done,” he said with a deeply serious face. Little did he know just how difficult it would become.
Chapter 4
Plans
At precisely 5:30 am, Colonel Rojas entered his office, resplendent in his best uniform. He had no idea what his presidente wanted to do with him, but it would be wrong to think he could let down his guard or be anything less than perfect while in El Presidente’s presence. El Presidente never entered his office prior to 6 am. This gave Rojas time to make some preparations and get his morning briefings in order. The first item on the list was a briefing on what was running in the American media about the abductions. When it first appeared on CNN, Rojas had almost had a stroke. Kidnapping fourteen American mayors could bring the wrath of the United States down on their heads. He had actually prayed that it was some freak of coincidence. Then he remembered the statement that El Presidente was trying to control the American election. If it was him, and the President didn’t respond quickly, it possibly could change the election. But Rojas actually liked this American president. He had watched in admiration as he had led the US not only out of a catastrophic attack, but to an unqualified victory over North Korea. As he recalled, this president had responded quickly and forcefully. Surely his presidente hadn’t forgotten this.
Rojas let out a sigh. It probably was just a coincidence and he was worrying over nothing. Besides, no one could be that stupid. He was only half way through his preparations when Parente opened the door to his office and walked out into the outer office. Rojas sprang to his feet in surprise, saluting stiffly.
Parente smiled in greeting. I am sorry to have startled you my Colonel. I came in early so we could leave for a place I want to share with you. You can brief me on the way,” he said slapping Rojas on the arm, then turning to head back into his office. Rojas gathered his papers quickly and followed him.
Parente led him through the office to a place on the wall behind his desk. Pressing a hidden switch, a portion of the wall opened and the two quickly entered. “This is my special passage when I need to enter or exit without being seen,” Parente explained as they walked. Rojas noticed him reach up and tug at his ear. Behind the door was a long hallway with only two doors. Rojas also noted what appeared to be small squared openings every ten feet just large enough to put a gun barrel through. There were also cameras every twenty feet. The hall ended and turned to the right, then down a flight of steps. Turning to the left the men entered another hall. At the end was a small room with a desk where a guard sat. Parente remained strangely silent as the two men transited the hallway. The guard sprang from his desk and came to attention, then opened the door.
The door exited to an underground parking area where a limousine was waiting. The driver held the door for Parente while Rojas entered the other side. It was a short ride to the helicopter pad where the presidential helicopter was waiting. During the entire ride, Parente said nothing and Rojas knew he could not initiate the conversation. He sat patiently with the briefing papers in his hand.
Entering the helicopter, Rojas buckled in and noticed Parente didn’t bother. Once the doors were shut, it was strangely quiet in the aircraft. There was a divider between the pilot and the seating area in the rear. Only after the aircraft had lifted off did Parente begin to speak.
“I see you have brought my briefing, but let us never mind that for today. What we will be doing is far more important,” he said with a half smile. Rojas noticed Parente’s eyes seemed to be studying him as he spoke. The experience almost made him shiver.
“I assume you have seen the news reports about several American political figures turning up missing.”
“Yes, Señor Presidente. That was a part of my brief.”
“Then I will share with you that I was the one who ordered their abduction,” Parente said almost matter-of-factly. “You see, by this action, I am making sure public opinion in the United States turns against President O’Bannon. They will be outraged when he cannot find the prisoners and even more angered when he can do nothing about returning them. The people will elect Mr. Foster, someone who I have met and feel is a better person to lead their country. Once he is in, we will rekindle relations with the United States and be in a much better position to influence decisions there. Once the election is over with, we will see about returning the hostages. The Americans will see me as a great leader who rescued their political leaders and will look even more favorably towards working with us. As a decoy, I have arranged to have it appear the FARC abducted these people. That will draw any suspicions away from us. Now I need you to help me keep this operation going and to watch our operations while I dedicate myself to helping the Americans find their people,” he said with a grin.
Rojas nodded. This was a risky operation filled with problems, but to hint skepticism around Parente would not win him favors. “I am ready to serve, Señor Presidente. I saw on their news that someone seemed to think a truck had carried the people away. They will be looking at both Colombia and Venezuela closely.”
“As expected,” Parente said smugly. “If they are looking for the FARC, so much the better.”
“Haven’t they been our allies, Señor Presidente?”
Parente shrugged. “They have grown weak and have succumbed to blatant capitalism. It is time they were no longer associated with us. Now we have other assets,” he said. “Besides, if the Americans do find their people, we will go in and shoot everyone involved. Again, I will be seen as a friend helping the new administration.”