Enemy In the Room (34 page)

“I understand. For now it’ll be hard for her
to accept that she’s hurting not only herself, but others.”

“Yes, well, anyway, I’ll just be me and hope
that it makes a difference.”

“You will. And I may have some good news. Or
at least I want to ask you a question, and it’s about this same
subject.”

“What?”

“Bradley Fuller, the President’s domestic
policy advisor, called me yesterday. He knew from the press
conference that you and I had a connection at USNet, but he didn’t
know that you were no longer there. He was calling to ask your take
on a proposal from Trevor Knox to accept the President’s media
reform package. To try that out on you and to see if it sounds
plausible or not.”

“Boy, that would be a change—a big change.
Nothing I saw or heard would indicate that. But, trust me, Knox can
change his policies and actions on a dime. Why would he do it?”

“Bradley’s contact indicated that Knox is
just tired of fighting. And he wants President Harper to attend the
grand opening of USNet’s new office in Moscow when the President
visits President Temirov this summer.”

“Oh. Well I
can
confirm that we’re
moving our Russian operation to new offices in Moscow. I keep using
‘our’! David was over there a month ago looking at space. So that
much sounds right.”

“Good.”

“But I’ll have to check on the other. It’s
been a week since I was there, and Knox can change policies in a
lot less time than that.”

“How could you check?”

“I’ll just call David. We haven’t spoken
since he fired me. He’s probably got at least a couple of deal
questions he needs help on. And he should know if something is
going on.”

“Well, if you could, Bradley would really
appreciate it. They’re apparently inclined to accept the offer—to
recognize successful business and trade between the countries—but
they know Knox’s reputation on this subject, and they’d like a
little comfort that what he’s saying is real.”

“Sure. I’ll call David in a little while.
Should I just call you back?”

“That’ll be fine. Let us know what you find
out.”

“I will. And, again, Janet, thank you for
all that you’ve done for me. I can’t ever thank you enough.”

“I’ll wait to hear from you.”

As Kristen flipped her phone closed, she was
startled by a shadow behind her at the window, and then there was a
key in the front door. A moment later Callie came in, her hair a
mess, still wearing the same low-cut dress from the night
before.

“Oh, hi,” Callie said, smiling with
bloodshot eyes. “You’re up early.”

Instantly the apartment smelled of last
night’s hops and sweat.

“Hey. Not really. I thought you were in your
room, and I’ve been trying to be quiet.”

Callie laughed. “Sorry.” Then she grabbed
her head. “Whoa!” She bent over for a moment. Straightening up, she
looked at Kristen. “Let me get some aspirin and a couple of hours
sleep, and we’ll go out shopping. Probably not all the way to
Orange County. Maybe The Beverly Center.”

“Callie, I don’t think…”

“Oh sure. It’s not a problem. We do it all
the time. Well, Alex does. He’s still at our friend’s house—on the
floor.” She started walking upstairs to her bedroom. “See you in
two hours. We’ll make it to the stores in plenty of time.” And she
closed her door.

Kristen turned and sat again on the sofa.
I’ve certainly done a great job with Callie. Maybe I ought to
just leave now
. After a few minutes she slipped to her knees
and prayed.

When Todd arrived at USNet that afternoon,
he knocked at David’s open door and asked, “Want to grab some
coffee in a few minutes?”

“Yeah. Sure. I’d like to hear about Kansas
City.”

“There’s a great opportunity for telecom
space in an old brewery that’s going to be a mixed-use
development.”

“Good. Whatever you and Cheryl think. Maybe
she can join us. Let me return a couple of calls, and we’ll
go.”

Todd turned to go, but David spoke again.
“Hey, look at this report I got in the mail. It says that we should
assume that all of our emails and all of our cell phone calls are
being intercepted and read.”

David held out the report, and Todd took it.
After flipping through the pages, he said, “Seems plausible to me.
I’ve wondered for years whether someone was doing this, and the
report seems to verify it.”

“Yes. I’m glad you said that, because I’ve
also wondered, but I didn’t want to appear to be crazy or
paranoid.”

Todd smiled. “We may never know, but it
can’t hurt to act like it’s true. I guess we could use land lines
as much as possible. Emails are tougher, but presumably there is
encryption that we could get, at least between each other. And then
be more careful with what we put in emails to others.”

“I think I’ll mention it at our next group
meeting. And I also wonder about overseas. I’m trying to help my
family members still living in Tehran, and I wonder what their
government does to gain information.”

“I would think that they’re doing some kind
of interception for sure. And maybe they have the capability to
listen to our calls here.”

David frowned. “Well, thanks. I’ll ask Akbar
Kamali, who runs our IT security, to look into this whole area for
us.”

Todd smiled and handed the report back to
David. “Great. I really think you should.” He turned. “Let me know
when you’re ready for coffee.”

David turned to his computer and wrote a few
emails.
Maybe there is something to that report. How would we
know? Could that be what has happened to Omid
? He found himself
adjusting the words he used, and asked two vendors to call him at
the office, rather than spelling out his plans. When he stood to
head for Todd’s office, his phone rang.

“Hello.”

“David, hi. It’s Kristen.”

He smiled. “Kristen! How are you?”

“I’m fine, David. How are you?”

“Uh, OK. We’re OK. Where are you?”

“I’m in California. Actually, I’m calling
you from Callie’s apartment.”

“Sounds like you’re on a cell phone.”

“Yes. Mine.”

“Listen, can I call you right back?”

“Sure.”

“OK. Just stay there, and I’ll give you a
call.”

David walked over and closed his door, then
called Callie’s apartment from his office phone. “It’s me.”

“Oh, hi. I was expecting you on my
cell.”

“How are you? And why are you at
Callie’s?”

“I’m fine. I just came to visit her on my
way to San Francisco.”

He paused. “How is she?”

“She’s…well, she’s asleep right now. We
talked some last night.”

“And is there any change?”

“I’m afraid not. We actually talked about
their movies. She’s proud of her acting in that area, or at least
she seems to be.”

David was silent, the visions of his
daughter replaying in his head.

“David, isn’t it a little bizarre that you
fired me for opposing what you hate your daughter doing?”

After a pause, he said, “Yes. And I can’t
tell you how much I appreciate that you are still trying to help
Callie—and us—after what happened. Thank you. But one is business
and one is personal.”

“Really?”

“Look, Kristen, we’ve been through this. I’m
sorry for both things—you and Callie. But I had to let you go if
I’m going to stay at USNet.”

She paused. “Listen, David, I thought I
ought to call and find out if you need my help on any of my old
projects? Anything I can clarify?”

“Yes, actually. It would be good if you
could call Todd. He’s handling Capital Tower, and we’re waiting to
meet with the owners, maybe this week.”

“Still no word on Porter?”

“No.”

“I’ll call Todd later. And, listen, David,
I’ve got one for you. I’ve heard that Trevor Knox has invited
President Harper to the grand opening in Moscow and has offered to
stop fighting the entertainment reforms if the President will join
him.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“The proverbial little bird told me. Is it
true?”

“Well, I just heard about it yesterday—from
Paul Burke—and we have a meeting this afternoon to plan for it, in
case the President accepts Trevor’s offer. I asked Paul the same
question, and he says it’s real.”

“If the new law were really implemented,
Callie would have to quit, ‘til she’s twenty-one.”

“Yes, I know. That’s a great encouragement
to me now, and I hope it’s true.”

“So you think the invitation and offer are
real?”

“From what I know at this point, yes. But
why are you asking?”

“Actually, Janet Sullivan—the
Congresswoman—called because someone in the White House called her,
looking for insight. They didn’t know that I’d ‘resigned to pursue
other interests.’”

“Hm.”

“I told Janet that I’d call you and ask. So
I appreciate it, and I’ll let her know that it seems legit.”

“It does.”

“David, could you call me if you get wind of
anything different? Our input might help the meeting go forward,
and I don’t want to cause Janet or the President any
embarrassment.”

“Uh, sure, I guess so. I’ll know more later
today.”

“OK…well, let’s just keep this conversation
between us, and I’ll report that it seems fine. Will you go over
there again if the meeting happens?”

“Probably.”

“It should be interesting to meet the
President.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. And please
do what you can for Callie.”

“I am, David. When she wakes up, we’re
supposed to go shopping. I’ve been praying for her.”

For the first time David reacted positively
to Kristen’s statement about prayer for his daughter. “Thank you.
We need all the help we can get.”

“David, when someone is this hooked on
something—like these movies, or drugs, or alcohol—prayer is about
the
only
thing that offers real hope. Breaking this kind of
addiction is not like making a New Year’s resolution to avoid
cookies after dinner. This is very serious, and very powerful.”

“I know, I know, Kristen. Or I guess I’m
beginning to realize it.”

“Well, I’ll pray and do what I can. I feel
like until she has an experience that brings her up short, like I
did with Richard, she’ll just keep living all the lies that society
and our company—I mean your company—tell her. That everything is
wonderful and there are no victims or consequences.”

“I wish. Kristen…thank you. I don’t know
where you get your strength or your insights, but I appreciate
them.”

“Anytime you want to know, David, I’ll be
glad to tell you.”

“I think I know what you’ll say, but not
now. Thanks. And I’m really glad you called.”

A moment later he headed for Todd’s office
and the break room for that cup of coffee.

Two hours later David was in Paul Burke’s
office, gathered around his conference table with five other key
USNet managers, brainstorming the possible visit by President
Harper to their new Moscow headquarters in little more than a
month. Included was a security consultant with former ties to the
Secret Service and experience in working with them on public
events.

He was concluding, “I’ve worked some in
Russia, starting with the Goodwill Games, and I can say that their
security forces are generally very good and very professional.
Since you’ve invited both Presidents, our Secret Service will work
hand in glove with the Russians. They’ll have the final say on
everything, but I can give you a good sense of what to expect and
what not to propose. What does the facility look like?”

All eyes turned to David, who produced some
pictures of the grounds and the interior. “There are several two-to
five-story buildings in the walled-in complex, which spans the
entire width of one large block, overlooked by these taller
apartment buildings across the adjoining streets. In this first
building inside the gate we have our new office space—one open
floor on each of the ground and second floors—backing up to this
old factory shop, where we expect to do assembly of the software
packages once we go into full production.”

He passed copies of the photos to his
colleagues around the table. “Since the second floor has a higher
ceiling, I thought we might set up a small raised platform there to
act as a stage and let the ribbon cutting and speeches go on
against this back wall adjoining the assembly area, so guests and
reporters can easily tour that space as well.”

The consultant looked at the photos and
listened to David. “That all sounds pretty reasonable. There’s no
real rocket science to this, just thoroughness. The Secret Service
will want to run background checks on everyone invited, so you
should put together your list pretty quickly. They’ll have to rely
on the Russians to check their invitees, but,” he added and smiled,
“with their old KGB files, they’re really pretty quick, and very
good.

“They’ll have a sniper posted on these tall
apartment building roofs. They’ll check the sewers for bombs, and
an hour or so before the Presidents are due to arrive, they’ll send
dogs around the complex and inside the building, sniffing for
explosives. I see that there are two gates giving access, so at the
last minute they might reroute the limousine carrying the
Presidents to avoid too much predictability, but that will be up to
them. At this point I think you should begin working on your guest
list, including who will cater the event, and get a set of building
plans for the Secret Service to review. Otherwise, it looks like
they ought to be pretty pleased with what you’ve planned.”

David asked Paul Burke, “What time of day
are we talking about?”

“We’ve left the time, and even the exact
day, up to the White House. We presume that it will be on Monday,
the Fourth, which of course is not a holiday there, and maybe in
the afternoon. We’ve pointed out that the site is just a mile or
two south of the Kremlin, so they could even make the visit as a
sort of ‘break’ from other discussions or negotiations. We’ll wait
and see.”