“I’m glad you happened to be coming our way, Director Nassar.”
His dark eyes flashed almost imperceptibly at her words. They both knew very well that the timing of his trip was no accident.
“Have a seat,” Alexander said. Nassar selected a leather wingback chair and watched silently as Kennedy and the president took up positions adjacent.
“I don’t see any reason to beat around the bush,” Alexander said. “We have information that Prince Talal bin Musaid recently went to Morocco to provide a million U.S. dollars in cash to an ISIS representative.”
Kennedy watched the man’s reaction carefully. For a moment there was none at all. Clearly he was calculating how to respond. The question was whether he had been aware of bin Musaid’s actions or if this was a complete surprise. To his credit, she was unable to determine that from his expression.
“I’m sorry, Mr. President, but I find that difficult to believe. Who gave you this information?”
“We had a team there with orders to capture the man delivering the payment.”
“Are you saying you have the prince in custody?”
It was a surprising question. Obviously, Nassar would know if the king’s nephew had disappeared in Morocco. In light of that, it came off as a bit of a taunt. The president didn’t react, so maybe Kennedy was in luck. Maybe he missed it.
“Our team was concerned that taking him could create an international incident and made the decision to stand down.”
“Then I don’t understand. Is this just speculation? Because our government and our royalty are as dedicated to the war on terrorism as anyone in the world. And that war has been extremely effective.”
“Like your recent operation against General al-Omari?”
That quashed her hope that Alexander had missed Nassar’s provocation.
“Our operation went flawlessly,” Nassar responded. “Unfortunately, al-Omari wasn’t there.”
Alexander turned toward her. “Is that our understanding, Irene?”
This was a dangerous and unnecessary game of brinksmanship—one she didn’t want to be dragged into. “The intelligence on the general’s location was accurate.”
“And yet I was there,” Nassar countered. “It seems likely that your intelligence was flawed. I think we would both agree that this is hardly uncommon where the Middle East is concerned.”
He hadn’t bothered to veil that insult.
“Certainty is difficult to come by,” she said before the president could rejoin the conversation. The anger was visible in his eyes and he needed a moment to gain control of it.
“I believe that your accusation against Prince bin Musaid is an example of that lack of certainty,” Nassar said. “Who were these witnesses? Private contractors in your employ? These men are little more than mercenaries and as such have very little credibility. Do you have any actual evidence to present?”
“We have a photograph,” she said.
“Really? And is this photograph conclusive?”
It was clear that no photograph would be considered conclusive by this man. Certainly not one taken through a scope in marginal light.
“Director Nassar,” Kennedy said, grateful that the president was allowing her to lead. “Incontrovertible proof may not be available, but this isn’t a trial. We’re allies. This is hardly something we would want to keep from you. It’s possible that he’s funding another attack on your own country.”
“Frankly, I find that insulting.”
“Be that as it may, it appears that he was using an embassy vehicle and embassy bodyguards to take him to the meeting. We can provide you with times and routes. I don’t think it will be difficult for you to corroborate what we’re telling you.”
“The fact that the prince might have been in Morocco and might have taken a car out is hardly going to corroborate this outrageous and unsubstantiated accusation. Who was it that he was supposed to be meeting?”
“A man with a history of handling ISIS’s financial matters.”
“And is he in custody? Can he corroborate your story?”
“He is not,” Kennedy said, unwilling to reveal that they’d turned Hayk Alghani.
“Then I’m not sure why I was even called into this meeting.”
The president had finally reached his limit and Kennedy winced at the violence with which he threw himself forward in his chair. “First of all, you weren’t called to this meeting. Alawwad was. And second, you’re well aware of our agreement that your government will not aid or tolerate the aiding of extremist groups.”
“And in return, you are to support us and our efforts to stamp out threats to the monarchy. To be frank, we’ve begun to question your continued commitment. Your support of Israel, your overtures toward Iran, your increased focus on—”
“I think you may be overstating what was promised by my predecessor,” Alexander said, barely holding his anger in check. “We agreed to keep the extent of your government’s complicity in 9/11 quiet and help you keep it from happening again. Not that we were going to become your servants on the world stage. Despite Saudi Arabia having the third largest defense budget in the world, Norway has flown more sorties against ISIS than you have. And every time they—or we—do, you quietly talk about the Christian Crusaders pounding at your gates. And we tolerate it. But if your royals are starting to get directly involved in terrorism again, that’s crossing the line.”
“It seems, then, that neither of us has an ideal partner in this relationship, Mr. President. But, as imperfect as it is, it is a relationship that will persist. If all the facts surrounding 9/11 were to come out, it would unquestionably be very damaging to my country. But I think the American people would be less concerned with our actions than your government’s efforts to keep those actions secret from them. And while you didn’t forge this agreement, you would very quickly become the face of it.”
The president seemed frozen and Kennedy had no idea what he was going to do. She’d never witnessed a foreign bureaucrat openly threaten the President of the United States.
It was clear that there was no way to deescalate the situation. The only course of action she could come up with was to counter Nassar’s unprecedented move with one of her own.
“It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Director,” she said, unilaterally ending the president’s meeting. “I’m certain that you’ll handle this matter with the thoroughness you’re known for.”
When Alexander didn’t stand, Nassar just nodded in his direction and made his way to the exit. Kennedy half expected Alexander to explode when the soundproof door clicked shut, but he just sat there. She took a seat in the chair that Nassar had just abandoned, hoping to erase some of the memory of his presence.
A very long minute passed before Alexander spoke. “Did he just tell me to go fuck myself?”
“I think you’re overreacting, sir. I—”