TOMMY SWALLOWED, very frightened by what he had heard. Floyd Kenagan could not hide his questioning look at the President.
Did Kenan want to have him as security?
"I beg you to consider it," Kenan said. "A good salary, security for you and your wife, here in Washington. Many strive to fill this position, my son, go through terrible tests to get it. And you have already passed yours."
— I don't know if I would be the best fit for the job... — Tommy replied, resistant and nervous.
"While you think about the case," Kenan said, ignoring the answer he had received, "I would like to have your custody at the meeting that will take place tomorrow in Switzerland. After that, you will be free to decide what you think is best."
After taking a long sip from the glass of water in front of him, Tommy replied:
— Yes sir.
Kenan waited for Kenagan to finish viewing the report that had arrived on his cell phone, in turn, he said:
—How do you intend to present the proposal to the council tomorrow, Kenagan?
— I don't think it will take much effort. Yesterday's events will be enough to convince them. — Kenan replied as he began his lunch.
— I do not disagree. But the UN is against any kind of armed conflict. And if we present effective arguments about military necessity, they will probably insist on sending the blue berets. We need to anticipate what kind of interpretation they will give to your speech.
— I will certainly keep the focus on the social aspect, sir. The speech is already prepared and I plan to add a few words. I will give you the point of view you need to support me. No leader wants to see his country fall victim to attacks as severe as those we have suffered in recent days. This is a matter of international security, and I will use this to the fullest.
— If they interpret it that way, it really won't be difficult.
— I have faith that there will be no difficulties. With the support of the UN, we will be just a few steps away from starting the operation. If there is no agreement, I will invoke NATO's Article Five. They will have no choice.
The two were talking under Tommy's watch, when the doors opened and a number of people entered, among them security guards, advisors and Mr. Tyson, extremely distressed:
— Sir, we have an emergency!
"What happened?" Kenan asked, pausing his meal.
— Please, I ask you to answer the call... — he said, trembling and stuttering.
Kenan took the phone from Mr. Tyson Galloway and looked seriously at Floyd Kenagan. The latter nodded in support of the moment, agreeing for him to answer. Putting the phone on speaker mode, he answered the call:
— This is President Kenan Vaine.
"... Listen carefully..." said the voice on the phone.
The same voice that had confronted him on Fifth Avenue. Hearing it, Kenan felt a strong chill, but he maintained his composure.
"...This is your last chance. The pieces are already moving toward the end of the game, and the odds are against you..."
Everyone in the room got excited. They were becoming very agitated and nervous. Gregory Evans felt his body ache and his heart race, remembering what had happened in New York and everything he had gone through after hearing that same voice on the Avenue. Floyd Kenagan got up from his seat, so frantic was he, and moved closer to Kenan, to better hear the conversation. Kenan didn't know exactly how to react, so he decided to think like the negotiators taught:
Show toughness, attack the criminal, be impassive...
— Enough of these threats! Enough of your selfless and moralistic speeches against me! You are a scoundrel, a damned terrorist who only distilled your evil last afternoon. You don't know the mistake you made, you have no idea what you are facing! And I will show everyone the truth!
The man laughed, although his tone of voice was a little nervous. After his brief hilarity he replied:
" ... Truth? What do you mean when you use this word? Do you believe it exists? Your truth? Truth is a path too narrow for our interpretations of the facts. These are real. And you ignore them like a sick person ignores the cure. You end up creating your own lies by telling only your truth. But pay attention to what I am going to say, because this is my truth: Give up on this plan, or this will be the last decision of your life!..."
"This is unacceptable!" Kenan shouted. "Receiving threats from an unscrupulous murderer like you. People died yesterday! American citizens are dead at your hands and you want to use a fallacious speech like this! How do you think you're going to stop me? Are you going to manipulate everyone with that damned sound you used on Fifth Avenue?"
After a few seconds of silence, everyone in the room could hear a brief laugh from the terrorist, who replied:
— Why do you still confront me like a fool? Didn't you understand my last move? Don't you still understand what I meant? That was just a warning, a reminder of who I am and what I'm capable of. I'll tell you one more truth, Mr. President: we are the same, Kenan, we both control people through their ears!
Kenan fell silent, afraid to continue the conversation. Floyd Kenagan's eyes glowed with anger as he witnessed the confrontation. Before anyone could say anything, the terrorist spoke again:
"... Remember this very well, Mr. President, this is your last chance. Putting the king down may be much more honorable..."
Having said that, the call ended, leaving everyone there in a state of nervousness.