The black tunic said, “Our timetable has been accelerated. You will leave for America within the week.”
Chung-Cha hid the sudden panic she was feeling. “Within the week?”
“Is that a problem, Comrade?” said Rim Yun quickly.
“I have no problem serving the Supreme Leader with the sacrifice of my life.”
“Then all is good.”
“I do have a suggestion.”
“How can that be? What nonsense,” said Rim Yun dismissively.
Chung-Cha ignored her and said, “The Americans will be on the lookout for anyone who looks Asian, Korean; it does not matter. If they have our eyes, they will be suspect.”
“We have a solid background for you,” said the black tunic.
“Their scrutiny will be considerably heightened. They will be on the alert. We must be equal to the task. We must be better than they are.”
“What do you suggest?” asked the general.
“The Muslims who blow themselves up?” began Chung-Cha politely.
“We are not Muslims,” snapped Rim Yun. “We do not blow ourselves up.”
“If I may be allowed to finish?” said Chung-Cha.
Rim Yun gave her a surly look followed by a curt nod.
“The Muslims use children as cover. It lowers suspicion. The Americans are often fooled by this, because they are softhearted. They do not like to think ill of the small ones.”
Rim Yun tapped her long fingernails on the table. “Get to the point, Comrade.”
“I have a young girl, Min—”
“I heard of your visit to Yodok,” interrupted Rim Yun. “And you taking the little bitch home. I thought you must be insane to take on such a burden all by yourself. Explain to me how you are not.”
Chung-Cha gazed directly at her. “I did so with the Supreme Leader’s full knowledge and blessing. I am sure I do not interpret your words to suggest that the Supreme Leader is insane.”
Rim Yun’s face turned the color of blood and she sat up straighter, all of her casual disdain stricken clean from her. “I suggest no such thing. How dare you—”
“That is good,” said Chung-Cha, interrupting her this time. “But we waste time, so let me explain. Min will accompany me to America. She will be my younger sister, or my daughter, whichever you think best. This will provide me excellent cover to fool the Americans. After the act is done, I will leave and travel back here with Min. If I die, then Min will go back with the others who will accompany us to the evil empire that is America.”
“That is a foolish plan,” said Rim Yun as soon as Chung-Cha had stopped talking. “Taking a child with you? And one from the camps? It’s ridiculous. She would ruin everything.”
Chung-Cha said calmly, “Because she was in the camp she knows nothing of the world. She will be very easy to control.”
“Out of the question,” snapped Rim Yun.
However, the general was looking thoughtful. “I am not so sure of that,” he said. “In fact, I think it is a brilliant thought, Comrade, truly brilliant. You read the Americans just right. They are weak and sentimental. They assuredly will be fooled by the presence of the young one.”
The black tunic nodded. “I agree.”
All eyes turned to Rim Yun. She gave Chung-Cha a dark look but clearly knew she had been outmaneuvered and outvoted.
“I wish you good luck, then, Comrade Yie,” she said, though her tone contained nothing “good.”
“Whether I live or die, luck will have nothing to do with it,” replied Chung-Cha.
Chapter
61
PRESIDENT CASSION’S HANDSHAKE was strong and his face eager and filled with both happiness and gratitude.
Robie and Reel sat opposite him in the Oval Office. Across from them on a settee were Evan Tucker, Josh Potter, and Blue Man.
Cassion leaned back in his chair and surveyed them keenly.
“I have read the classified reports of your, um, adventure. I have to say it read like a thriller, only you two did it for real.”
Robie said, “We had a lot of help, sir. And if Agent Reel hadn’t called in air support for me, I would most certainly not be here today.”
Cassion nodded and said, “Du-Ho and Eun Sun are transitioning to their new lives. And Kim Sook is helping in that transition.”
“He’s a good man,” said Reel. “He did his job exceptionally well over there.”
“And my conscience is far clearer,” said Cassion. “Not that it makes up for what happened. But I have to think that General Pak would appreciate what we’ve done for his family.”
“I would think so,” said Tucker. “Without a doubt.”
Cassion shot him a stern glance and Tucker immediately looked away.
Blue Man cleared his throat and said, “We do have to be prepared for the blowback, Mr. President.”
“I understand that. It was part of my decision. I did not make it blindly.”
“Of course not, sir,” said Blue Man evenly. “But now we must address possible targets that the North Koreans will be after. As well as beefing up security and fine-tuning our surveillance networks.”
Tucker broke in before Blue Man could continue. “We have taken all of that into account. Rest assured I’m doing all that can be done to defeat any actions by the North Koreans.”
The president looked disdainfully at the CIA chief. “That makes me feel so much better,” he said.
The president walked with Robie and Reel out of the Oval Office.
As they looked ahead of them, Eleanor Cassion was heading toward them with their son, Tommy, in tow. His head was down and his clothes looked dirty and ruffled. His braided blazer had a tear in the sleeve. His shirttail was completely out of his pants and his school tie was askew. Behind him was a burly Secret Service agent looking very uncomfortable.
As his wife and son stopped in front of him Cassion said, “What happened?”
Eleanor said sternly, “Tommy got into a fight at school. That’s what happened.”
“A fight?” said a stunned Cassion.
Robie and Reel exchanged glances. It seemed obvious to them that the president was swiftly calculating in his head how the story would play out in the media.
Cassion bent down. “Tommy, what happened?”
Tommy shook his head stubbornly and did not speak.
Cassion straightened and looked at the agent. “What happened, Agent Palmer?”
Palmer said, “It was right at the end of class, sir. They were heading outside. A group of students. Then there was yelling and a bunch of them got into sort of a scrum. By the time I pushed my way through the students Tommy and another boy were on the ground fighting. I pulled them apart, made sure the other kid was okay, and then brought Tommy directly here, sir.”
Cassion put a hand through his hair. “What was the fight about, Tommy?”
When the boy didn’t respond Cassion put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Tommy, I asked you a question, son. And I expect an answer.”
“He called you a stupid, spineless shit,” said Tommy, still looking down.
“Language, Thomas Michael Cassion,” said Eleanor in a warning tone.
“He asked what the fight was about,” retorted Tommy. “Well, that’s what the kid called Dad and that’s why I hit him.”
Cassion cupped his son’s chin and pointed it upward. Now they could all see that Tommy also had a black eye.
“Oh, Tommy,” said Eleanor. “Fighting solves nothing. Name-calling is meaningless.”
“You weren’t there, Mom,” Tommy retorted. Then he eyed Agent Palmer. “And if you hadn’t pulled me off, I would’ve kicked his butt.”
“He was doing his job, Tommy,” said Eleanor. “Which is keeping you safe.”
“I don’t need anybody to keep me safe. I can take care of myself.”