Free Bullseye by David Baldacci

“Thank you for agreeing to communicate with us tonight, General Pak.”
    Pak nodded and said, in halting but clearly enunciated English, “It is good to meet, face-to-face, as it were.” He smiled, showing off highly polished veneers.
    The president attempted to smile back, but his heart was not in it. He knew that Pak would lose his life if exposed.
    “We appreciate the level of cooperation received,” said the president.
    Pak nodded. “Our goals are the same, Mr. President. No more axis of evil nomenclature. Freedom and being a productive member of the international community—that is the goal. For too long we have been isolated. It is time for us to take our seat at the world’s table. We owe it to our people.”
    Tucker said encouragingly, “Those are truly inspirational words, General Pak.”
    “Details are progressing nicely,” said Pak. “I hope to be able to report to you soon that they are complete. Then you can commence your part in this. Do you have operatives in mind? You must send the best you have. Even with my help, the target is a very tough one, as you are well aware.”
    The president glanced at Tucker and then back at Pak. “We do, General. Our best. We would send nothing less for something of this magnitude.”
    “Very wise. Neither would I, Mr. President.” Pak held up a single finger. “This will be the number of opportunities we will have. No more, no less.”
    Potter said, “And we are sure of both the intelligence and the support?”
    “Absolutely sure. We have shared that with your people and they have confirmed the same.”
    Potter glanced at Tucker, who nodded.
    “If it is discovered…” said Pak. They all became riveted on him. “If it becomes discovered,” said Pak again, “I cannot impress upon each of you enough how calamitous the consequences will be. I will surely lose my life. And America, your loss will be far greater.”
    He looked the president directly in the eye and took a few moments to compose his words carefully.
    “It is why I asked for this video conference, Mr. President. I will be sacrificing not only my life, but the lives of my family as well. That is the way here, you see. So, I need your complete and absolute assurance that if we move forward, we do so together and united, no matter what might happen. I need you to look me in the eye and tell me this is so.”
    The blood seemed to drain from the face of the president. He had made many important decisions during his term, but none so stressful or potentially momentous as this one.
    He didn’t look at either Potter or Tucker before answering. He kept his gaze on Pak. “You have my word,” he said in a strong, clear voice.
    Pak smiled, showing off the perfect teeth again. “That is what I needed to hear. Together then.” He saluted the president, who gave a crisp one in return.
    Tucker hit a button on the console in front of him and the screen went black once more.
    The president let out an audible breath and sat back against the leather of his seat. He was sweating though the room was cool. He wicked a drop of moisture off his forehead. What they were proposing to do was quite clearly illegal and thus an impeachable offense. And unlike the other presidents impeached before him, he had no doubt the Senate would convict him.
    “Into the breach rode the five hundred,” the president said in barely a whisper, but both Potter and Tucker heard it and nodded in agreement.
    The president leaned forward and looked squarely at Tucker.
    “There is no margin of error. None. And if there is the least hint of this coming out—”
    “Sir, that will not happen. This is the first time we’ve ever had an asset placed that high over there. There was an attempt on the leadership last year, as you know. While he was traveling on the street in the capital. But it was botched. A traffic police officer intervened and the whole plan fell apart. But that was from low-level external sources and had nothing to do with