National Burden

by C. G. Cooper

  “Okay, then how might you assume your president feels about our new president?”

  Another shrug, another shot of vodka. “I can only assume that our country’s leaders are still trying to understand President Brandon Zimmer, much as I assume you are? He is still young in your political process, is he not?”

  “He is, but he shows a lot of promise.” Dryburgh decided to press his friend. “Tell me, was the decision to help Crimea cede from Ukraine a test to see what President Zimmer would do?”

  “How could I know? I’m a lowly ambassador, my friend. Besides, to say that we helped that happen…”

  Dryburgh laughed. “Don’t give me that, Igor. You know goddam well what happened. I’ve read the reports. We know how you did it and exactly who helped.”

  “As I said, I have nothing to do with Russian policy. I merely serve at my president’s pleasure. To turn the question back to you, shouldn’t you be the one helping to shape your president’s foreign policy? How did you tell him to handle the Crimea incident?”

  To call it an ‘incident’ was laughable. Russia made a land grab, in front of the entire world, and got away with it.

  “We were still working off the last president’s policy at the time. I’ve told you since his departure that he was not what I would call my perfect partner in the international game.”

  “And yet, President Zimmer did nothing?”

  This time it was Dryburgh who shrugged. “A minor hiccup. We’re putting things in place as we speak.”

  Bukov’s hooded eyes looked up. “Something you would like to share?”

  Dryburgh ignored the question. “What about Kaliningrad?”

  “What about it? Would you like a history lesson?”

  “Kaliningrad, formerly Königsberg. Used to be the most militarized area in the Russian Federation. Once the headquarters of the Baltic Military District, now the home of Russia’s Baltic Fleet and a Special Economic Zone.”

  “Did you memorize that for my benefit? Bravo, Geoffrey. Very good.”

  “No.” Dryburgh took another sip from his drink. “I’ve recently had communications from my counterparts in Lithuania and Poland. They have concerns about your expansion in Kaliningrad.”

  “What type of expansion? Economic? Surely they can’t be worried about that. As I understand, they’ve reaped the benefits of Kaliningrad’s growth as a manufacturing hub.”

  “No, not economic. Military expansion.”

  “That’s ridiculous. You remember what happened when it was rumored that Russia would house nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad? And that was a rumor!”

  Rumor indeed. Dryburgh knew it to be true. The Russians had a way of believing their own half-truths.

  “Why would the Russian Navy be excavating large portions of the coastline?”

  “How would I know?”

  “Not to mention the deployment of troops dressed as common tourists.”

  “Now that is preposterous, my friend. Do you also believe the rumors that our top scientists are trying to clone Lenin and Stalin in order to take over the world?”

  “It could happen.”

  “Now you are teasing me, Geoffrey.”

  Dryburgh grinned. “Guilty.”

  Ambassador Igor Bukov shook his head. “So, why all the questions about a small strip of land in the Baltic Sea?”

  Dryburgh weighed his options, knowing he had his friend’s attention, the Russian a virtual funnel to his own president. He had to push Zimmer to the brink, make him uncomfortable, trip him up enough to make a disastrous decision. With the added support of Senator Southgate, and his criminal accusations, Dryburgh would be there to pick up the pieces, to grab the presidency in his capable hands and lead America to its rightful place on the international scene. He also wouldn’t mind showing his cocky Scottish cousins, who still didn’t give him the deference he thought he deserved, proof that despite his inferior upbringing, he could become the most powerful man in the world.

  The Russians were just reckless enough to take the bait, to push Zimmer without much incentive. Dryburgh knew what they wanted and planned to help them get it. In his mind it was an acceptable cost of doing business with the resurgent former Soviet empire.

  Finally, he spoke. “I’ll tell you this because we’re friends, Igor.” Bukov leaned closer. “I’m not sure that if there were to be an incident, say in Kaliningrad, that Zimmer would be prepared to handle it. We’re still dealing with the policy debacle of our last president.”

  Bukov sat back in his chair. “Then it is a very good thing that it will not happen.”

  “It is, Igor, it is.” Dryburgh filled both their glasses and raised his in the air. “To Russia’s future.”

  “And to America’s,” Bukov added. They each downed their drinks, quickly refilling.

  Put that in your pipe and smoke it, thought Dryburgh.

  Chapter 15

  SSI Safehouse, Arlington, Virginia

  5:20 a.m., March 5th

  The weather had cleared, allowing Cal and Daniel to book a flight home. They’d just finished packing when Cal’s phone rang.

  “Stokes.”

  “I have Mr. Haden on the line for you, sir.”

  “Thanks.”

  The phone clicked. “Cal?”

  “Good morning, Mr. Bigshot. Already have someone making calls for you?” Cal teased.

  The typical Travis chuckle never came over the line. “Listen, I need you to come to the White House. Something’s come up.”

  “Can you tell me now? We were about to take off for the airport.”

  “No. I need you here, now.”

  “Okay. We can be there in twenty to thirty minutes, depending on traffic.”

  “The sooner the better.”

  The line went dead and Cal looked up at Daniel. “Looks like we’re heading back into the lion’s den.

  It took them closer to forty-five minutes to get to the White House. The streets had been cleared of snow, but it seemed that every government employee in town was heading to work.

  A Secret Service agent was waiting for the pair at the main gate. The only thing he said was, “If you’ll please follow me, gentlemen.” They were escorted to Travis’s office. “I’ll tell Mr. Haden you’re here.” The agent left Cal and Daniel to wait.

  “What do you think’s going on?” asked Daniel.

  “I don’t know, but did you see the extra security?”

  Daniel nodded. He’d noted the beefed up presence as soon as they’d stepped out of the taxi.

  Travis stepped into the small office. He looked like he needed a shower. “Thanks for coming, guys. You know I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important.”

  “What’s going on?” asked Cal.

  “Early this morning, Russia made a play for Lithuania, much like they did with Crimea.”

  “I don’t get it. What’s that have to do with us?”

  “It doesn’t, but the next part does. Senator Southgate called the President shortly after midnight and asked him point blank about his ongoing relationship with SSI.”

  “And what did Brandon say?”

  “He told him that we’d all met through his predecessor and that we provided him with security a couple of times.”

  “I’ll say again, I don’t see what this has to do with us.”

  Travis exhaled. “Southgate says an anonymous source has informed him that SSI is involved in illegal operations on U.S. soil.”

  “What? Where the hell did he get that from?”

  “I don’t know, but the President is pissed.”

  “Trav, you know as well as I do that there isn’t a shred of proof anyone can produce.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Southgate doesn’t like us, and he sure as hell doesn’t want the President anywhere near us.”

  Cal held back his I told you so. “Is there a point to this? Because I think we can still get on a flight before noon.”

  “You’re not getting on any planes today, Cal. Now will you
shut up for one second so I can speak?”

  Cal nodded.

  “The worst part is that someone is accusing you and Daniel of being accomplices in Congressman Peter Quailen’s murder.”

  “Who the hell said that?”

  “Southgate didn’t say. He’s giving the President until the close of business to tell him everything.”

  “Or what?”

  “Or he’ll request a special of investigation of the President.”

  “Can he do that?”

  “It’s been done for much less.”

  “So Brandon could get a black eye for knowing us. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  Travis crossed his arms. “Southgate didn’t come right out and say it, but Zimmer was pretty sure that the senator was alluding to impeachment.”

  Chapter 16

  Springfield, Virginia

  8:50 a.m., March 5th

  Steve Stricklin took his time getting ready, massaging his post-workout sore muscles with a mixture of baby oil and rub-in tanner. His mother had already picked up his suit from the dry cleaner’s, along with a new tie. He’d told her he had a job interview. She couldn’t have been happier, especially after the FBI had so mistreated her poor Stevie, or so she thought.

  Just as Congressman McKnight promised, someone had been more than happy to listen to the highlights of his incredible story. The person was so eager, in fact, that he’d even invited Stricklin to brunch at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

  Three months earlier, he couldn’t have imagined rubbing elbows with some of the most powerful men in the country. Gone were the days of running down Internal Affairs investigations in crappy little towns across the southeast. Stricklin imagined what his life would be like in three more months. A cozy new job? Television interviews? Maybe even a book deal?

  The thought made him smile as he took his time forming the perfect knot in his tie. It was an important day. It wouldn’t do to look anything but sharp.

  +++

  The White House

  The smell of coffee was strong, like a preparation for an all-nighter.

  “No, Mr. President, I have not yet gotten a response from the Russians.” Secretary of State Dryburgh flicked a piece of lint from his knee and then returned the president’s gaze.

  “Do I need to get on the phone with their president?”

  “I think we should wait, sir.”

  “The longer we wait, the sooner the media will get a hold of this.”

  “They already have. My office is getting phone calls as we speak.”

  “Dammit. How did we not see this coming?”

  “Our intelligence assets say the Russians learned their lesson with Ukraine and were able to keep the operation under wraps. Hell, the Lithuanian leadership found out about it after we did.”

  “What are my options, Geoff? And don’t tell me to wait.” Zimmer felt like things were unraveling fast. First the call from Southgate, and now the Russians were making a play for a bigger piece of the Baltic region.

  “You’d have to ask the Secretary of Defense, but I’d say we could start moving some of our assets into the area, standard stuff.”

  “What about the European Union? What are they saying?”

  “Nothing yet. I think they’re waiting to see how bad it is.”

  “And how bad is it?”

  “No deaths that we know of, but they have taken over control of Lithuania’s ports on the Baltic Sea.”

  “Do we know where the troops and ships came from?”

  “Yes, sir. They came from…” Dryburgh looked down at his notes. “…Kaliningrad.”

  The president’s secretary poked her head in the door. “Sir, I have the Russian Ambassador on the phone.”

  Zimmer looked to Dryburgh, who nodded. “Patch him through please, Ellen.”

  The secretary closed the door as Dryburgh moved closer to the desk so he could listen in on the conversation. Zimmer took a sip of his coffee and waited. The light blinked red on his phone and he pushed the speaker button.

  “This is President Zimmer.”

  +++

  “You two need to lay low until I tell you otherwise,” said Travis.

  “We can hang out at the house in Arlington,” suggested Daniel.

  “Good. Go now. I’ve gotta see if there’s been any word from the Russians.”

  +++

  Russian Ambassador Igor Bukov hung up the phone with a sly grin. He’d informed the American president that Russian forces had indeed seized control of Lithuanian ports, but not for any of the reasons the Americans might have believed.

  “Mr. President, I would like to apologize for not informing you earlier, but I only found out about this incident moments ago.”

  “And what exactly were you instructed to tell me, Ambassador?”

  “Our military was conducting exercises off the coast of Kaliningrad when our intelligence service received a message from a high level official in the Lithuanian government who had concerns about certain cargo shipments, possibly weapons-grade core, being delivered to their ports in the next twenty-four hours.”

  “I’ve been told that the Lithuanian government had no knowledge of Russian troop movements until it was too late. Are you telling me that’s not the case?”

  “I can only relay what I’ve been told, Mr. President. The Lithuanian government requested our assistance to deal with the situation, and that is what we did.”

  Bukov leaned back in his chair, rehashing the conversation in his highly analytical mind. Dryburgh had been right; President Zimmer seemed to be following the same path as his predecessor. Despite what had happened in the Ukraine, the American President didn’t seem to have the stomach to stand up to the Russians.

  Igor Bukov picked up the phone and pressed a button. In Russian he said, “Bukov for the President.”

  +++

  President Zimmer relayed the particulars of the phone conversation to his new Chief of Staff. Travis listened intently, shaking his head more than once. “Did he say what was supposedly in the shipments?”

  “Bukov mentioned nuclear components.”

  “From where?”

  “He didn’t say.”

  Travis turned to Dryburgh. “Mr. Secretary, have you heard from Lithuania? Did they really ask for Russia’s help?”

  “They’re calling every ally they have. I can only assume we were at the top of the list.”

  “So it’s complete bullshit.”

  Dryburgh nodded. “I’d say so. The problem is that until Lithuania unravels the secret of the mysterious official, our hands are tied.”

  Zimmer slammed a hand on his desk. “Dammit. We will not allow the Russians to rebuild the Soviet empire. Travis, have Ellen call everyone in. Nobody’s going home until the Russians have pulled their troops out.”

  Chapter 17

  SSI Safehouse, Arlington, Virginia

  11:13 a.m., March 5th

  Cal’s phone vibrated on the kitchen table. He snatched it up. “Stokes.”

  “Hey, it’s Neil.”

  “What did you find out?”

  “We’re still sifting through Southgate’s phone records.”

  “Come on, man. This is kid’s stuff to you.”

  “I know, I know, but a lot of calls come in and out of the senator’s office. A vast majority of them are encrypted or at least masked. I’m not sure if we’ll have an answer for you today.”

  “That’s not good enough. The deadline is five o’clock. I need something before then.”

  “But--”

  “Listen, Neil, if we don’t find out who’s feeding Southgate with this line of horseshit, we all may be facing conviction in federal court.”

  “Cal, I know you don’t want to hear this, but the President was part of--”

  “Don’t say it. I know. That’s not the point. The point is someone is trying to torpedo the President. I’m not gonna let that happen.”

  Neil sighed. “Okay. I’ll se
e what I can do.”

  +++

  The White House

  The mood in the Situation Room was tense if not downright hostile. Split right down the middle, the President’s advisors couldn’t come to a consensus. The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs all wanted the President to send in a carrier group along with a full Marine contingent.

  Everyone else, including the president’s national security advisor, Attorney General and the Secretaries of Treasury, Commerce and the Director of Homeland Security, preferred a more cautious approach. To make matters worse, all communications coming out of Lithuania had ceased. The entire country was under some sort of blackout.

  “Mr. President, let’s not make any rash decisions. Our markets are volatile as it is. Any hint of military incursion could send us tumbling back into a recession,” said the balding Secretary of Commerce, the most vocal of the dissenters. Zimmer made a mental note to see what he could do about replacing the man. He’d been nothing but a whiner since he’d entered office, rarely with a solution to go along with his complaint.

  “I understand,” answered Zimmer, “but I will not stand by and let the Ukraine debacle happen again.”

  When Russia had effectively seized control of Crimea weeks before, Zimmer deferred to his war-weary cabinet members. He’d been slammed by numerous publications for his lack of action, and conservatives had howled to any reporter within reach.

  The Secretary of Defense spoke up next. “Mr. President, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency is on his way over now. Might I suggest we wait and see what he’s learned from his people in-country?”