Free Capitol Betrayal by William Bernhardt Page B

reluctance to butt in before?
    “I thought you were working on some energy lawsuit, Mr. Kincaid. Since when did you become an expert on international law?”
    “I’m like a well-tuned PC,” Ben replied. “I can multitask. I’ve been around awhile, and I’ve held many different positions. And with respect, Admiral, all I did was answer the president’s questions. I never suggested I was any kind of expert.”
    The president waved the strife away. “I know this much, Admiral. He’s the leading expert on international law currently in this bunker.”
    Cartwright grudgingly acknowledged the point.
    Kyler turned back to Ben. “What about his claim that he has the right to fire our missiles?”
    “I can’t imagine that there’s anything anywhere in international law that would support that claim, regardless of what we’ve got next door to him in Saudi Arabia. So long as we remain in international waters—”
    “But that’s the problem.”
    The president’s interruption caught Ben—and everyone else in the bunker—by surprise. The short hairs on the back of Ben’s neck stood on end. He had the distinct feeling this case was about to get a good deal more complicated.
    “I gave the commanders the order to start moving in this morning. Slowly! But still, they’ve crossed into Kuraqi waters.”
    Secretary Ruiz leaned forward. “Why wasn’t I told about this?”
    “You would’ve been told in due time.”
    “In due time? I’m the secretary of state!”
    “I think we all know that, Mike.”
    “You have an obligation to consult with me on major foreign policy matters.”
    “I did consult with you, Mike,” the president said wearily. “I just didn’t do what you wanted. I’m pretty sure I have that power. I think it comes with the presidential seal.”
    Ruiz folded his arms across his chest and glared.
    “I’m afraid this does change everything,” Ben said, filling in the dead air.
    The president did not respond immediately. Ben assumed that was because he already knew what the answer would be.
    “How do you mean, Ben?” Sarie asked.
    He decided to answer, if not for the president, for the sake of everyone else in the room. “If we have crossed Kuraq’s borders, the colonel could easily call that an act of war. Come to think of it, he was talking about war during that phone conversation, wasn’t he?”
    “I can’t stand by and let him butcher those people!” the president said. His lips trembled as he spoke. His eyes watered. Ben hoped to God he didn’t cry.
    “I understand the consequences. But we have invaded his territory.”
    “And his claim to the Benzai Strip is feeble at best.”
    “But we haven’t invaded Benzai, right? We’ve invaded Kuraq. And if Colonel Zuko deems that an invasion, he can make a retaliatory declaration of war. And at that point—well, let’s face it. He can do anything he wants. Anything he can get away with.”
    “Even explode bombs on our land?”
    “Is there some rule that wars must always be fought on other people’s soil? I don’t think so. In World War II, we firebombed Dresden. We nuked Japan. I think in Colonel Zuko’s mind, he’s in exactly the same position we were then, and has the same right to take action. To destroy his enemy. To win the war.”
    President Kyler brushed his eyes clear, then rose. “Agent Zimmer, have you done as I asked?”
    “Yes, sir. All federal institutions in D.C. are closed or closing.”
    “Good.”
    “Haven’t gotten an update on the men who went down in the helicopter. But we’re working on it.”
    “Please do. I’d feel better about this if I knew that those people were safe.”
    Ruiz made a harrumphing sound. “How can anyone be safe while that madman is controlling our missiles?”
    “Zimmer,” the president continued, “I want you to find the vice president and patch him into this conversation. He needs to know what’s going on. Just in case… you know.”
    Zimmer cleared his throat. “That’s