The Project 02 - The Lance

itself. If it can't be stopped by reason, it has to be stopped by emotion. The only emotion I can think of that's strong enough is fear. There's plenty of that already. I think you have to use that, find a way to, ah, encourage these governments to see it's in their own best interest to back off. Then sweeten it with something that lets everyone save face and claim they won something valuable for themselves and their people."
    Rice smiled. "Encourage?"
    "I always liked Teddy Roosevelt's philosophy."
    "Speak softly and carry a big stick?"
    "Yes, sir. If you can get some other big sticks to go along, maybe the combatants will listen."
    "I can't reveal what really happened. You brought me the proof I asked for, but it can't be used. Someone must be held responsible for the bombing."
    "Then I guess you'll have to make something up, Mr. President."
    Rice looked at Nick as if he had just realized he was there.
    "Perhaps you should consider a career in politics after all. You're suggesting I manufacture a bomber and a plot and sell it to the world."
    Nick said nothing.
    "I'll think about what you've said, Carter."
    "I'm sure you'll find a way, Mr. President."
    "That's what I like about you, Carter. Confidence." He stood up and Nick rose with him.
    "I'm told that Director Harker will be unable to return to work for some time. In your opinion, is her deputy competent to take over?"
    "Yes, sir. She's been with Harker since the beginning, she knows all the players. She's a good choice."
    "You're sure you wouldn't like the job?"
    "Stephanie will make a great Director, Mister President."
    No way did he want the job. No way. He'd last about ten minutes in the political snake pit of the Capitol.
    Rice nodded. "Then here's what I want you to do. I want both of you to assume leadership of the Project. Will you do that for me?"
    "Sir..."
    Rice held up his hand. "Don't say anything right now, Carter. Take some time off. Think about it."
    "Yes, sir." What else was he supposed to say?
    Rice stopped at the door. "I was supposed to be assassinated in Chicago today. It's a strange feeling." He looked at Nick. "Well done," he said. Then he was gone.
    Nick left the White House. He wondered what the rest of the day would bring. He wished he was sitting on his cabin porch or maybe lying on the beach in Maui. Maybe he should resign. Maybe he would.
    Years ago, he'd talk with Megan when he had a tough decision to make. She'd had a way of looking at things that helped him get his head straight. But Megan was gone. He'd talk it over with Selena.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

    Ronnie sat on Nick's couch munching cashews and watching television. The networks were covering the conclusion of an extraordinary meeting in Casablanca.
    "It looks like Rice pulled it off," Ronnie said.
    "He had some help." Nick stood by the kitchen counter. "No one wants World War III. At least the shooting's stopped."
    Rice had spent eight days in Morocco meeting with the leaders of the Islamic world and of Israel, Russia, China, France and Great Britain. On the third day of the conference Israel and Iran had walked out. On the fifth day they declared a temporary cease fire. Nick wondered what kind of heavy arm twisting and deal making had gone on behind the scenes.
    Rice had decided partial truth was the best strategy. In a speech televised around the globe, he revealed that Eric Reinhardt was behind the destruction of al-Aqsa, in a neo-Nazi plot to start a war and destroy the Jews. He presented proof. It got Israel off the hook. It shocked the world.
    Rice emphasized that Reinhardt was not a native-born American. Everything about him had been uncovered. Rice pointed out that Reinhardt's father had been an SS General. He made no mention of the existence of the Council or its membership and influence.
    No one knew Reinhardt had been at Greenwood's house. Rice said he'd been killed in a fiery car crash while trying to escape Federal Agents sent to arrest him. Dental records confirmed his identity. The remains of his incinerated body were shown to the world. He then announced a coalition of nations would rebuild the Mosque. He condemned hate groups and called for a new era of understanding and compassion.
    Two days after the speech, Elizabeth was out of her induced coma. The team gathered in her hospital room. Her head was swathed in bandages. Her left eye was covered. It was too soon to calculate the full extent of damage to her brain, but she was weeks ahead of schedule in her