worried because he knows I know what he is up to. He is trying to get rid of both of us. He thinks that if I unload you, pressure will be brought against meâby the Americans and everybody else. So maybe he exceeds his authority.â
âYou see it, too?â Nicky said excitedly. âThatâs exactly what I realized myself! This whole business has been Robertoâs plan! Hehas been planting rumors, making people upset, scheming with the troops! Heâs the one who has been disloyal! Not me! Iâm only trying to do the right thing! I just want to help you, I swear it. Together we can fix everythingâitâs not too late! We can make this country great, Tony! But first we have to get rid of Roberto. Heâs the problemânot me!â
âWhat do you have to say about this, Roberto?â Tony asked.
Roberto was smiling uncertainly. He realized that Tony was in a mischievous frame of mind; in any case, one could never be too confident about his support. âYou know very well that Nicky has been using the Spadafora case as a way to incriminate you,â Roberto said indignantly. âSurely you cannot tolerate such disloyalty. If I have gone too far in my efforts to protect you, it is simply because of my desire to serve my country.â
Tony looked from one man to the other. âItâs hard, you know. Every day people bring me their problems and ask me to solve them. Sometimes I think the whole fucking country is waiting for me to make their decisions for them.â
âTake this also into account,â Nicky said, leaning forward urgently. âIf you remove me, you will be left with Tuturo Delvalle. He is the king of the white asses. Is that the kind of man you want running your country? The people wonât respect him. Everybody knows heâs a donkeyâs behind.â
âEverything you say is true,â Tony conceded. âAnd yet, you do not see the complete picture. This is what leadership requires, my friend. You see, there is some value in knowing that Roberto is a Judas. He cannot afford to be too clever, because we occupy the same milieu. I always know what he is up to. A man like that, he will work very hard to prove himself to me. You, on the other hand, have no such obligation. Every day of your life you will be working to get rid of me. And this is only human. I respect you for it. But I cannot allow you to stay in office.â
The phone rang. It was Rollins. Tony put him on the speaker.
âTony, I hear youâre about to make a change in government,â Rollins said.
âThis is a possibility,â Tony admitted. âBut to tell you honestly, Nicky says that if we remove him, the Americans will destroy me.â
âNicky, did you say that?â Rollins asked.
âI only say that because the Americans want the same things I wantâstability, a democratic government, a commitment to sound fiscal policies. And of course, justice in the Spadafora matter.â
âNicky also says his friend George Shultz will crush me,â Tony added. âTell me, Rollins, do you think that is true?â
âThe State Department will be very upset, I can guarantee it,â said Rollins. âAnd heâs right about Shultzâheâll want your scalp.â
Nicky shook his head meaningfully.
âSo what do you think the White House reaction will be if we make this change?â
âThe president will have to disapprove in very strong terms,â said Rollins. âJust make sure itâs constitutional, Tony. As long as itâs constitutional, youâll be okay.â
âOf course,â said Tony. âIn fact, the legislature is already assembling to consider the matter of Nickyâs impeachment.â
âWell, then, itâs an internal matter,â said Rollins. âNone of our business.â
Nicky seemed to collapse in on himself, like a ruined soufflé. âVery impressive,