By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

“The day after tomorrow, sir.”

“So soon?”

“So soon. This is an important story and they want me to get on it now.”

“That’s so soon.”

Castillo took a small wad of currency from his pocket, three one-hundred-dollar bills, and held them in his hand.

“I realize that this is asking a good deal of you, sir, but if you could see your way to having those documents translated into Portuguese—I realize that will be expensive—and perhaps be so kind as to call British Airways yourself to verify that I have a return ticket . . .”—he laid the three one-hundred -dollar bills on the consul’s desk— “. . . This should be enough, I think, for the translations.”

After thirty seconds, the consul picked up the German passport, opened it to a blank page, took a rubber stamp from his desk, stamped the passport, and then scrawled his signature on the visa.

“We try to be as cooperative as possible when dealing with the press,” he said, handing Castillo the passport. “The visa is for multiple entries into the Republic of Angola. Have a nice flight, Mr. Gossinger.”

“I can’t thank you enough for your courtesy, sir,” Castillo said, offering the consul his hand.

What I have done, in addition to spending five hundred of my own money, which I will never be able to claim as a reimbursable necessary expense, is violate at least three separate provisions of the United States Code having to do with the making of, or offering to make, a bribe to an official of a foreign government.

On the other hand, I’m on my way to Luanda, Angola.

[SIX]

The Mayflower Hotel 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 1650 31 May 2005

Fernando Lopez was sitting at a table by a window in the bar when Castillo walked in and slipped into the other chair.

“I would offer you a pistachio,” Fernando said, pointing at a bowl, “but I seem to have eaten the whole thing.”

“Bored? Sorry, I got hung up.”

“I am never bored when there are interesting-looking females around. Now I know why you live here.”

“There’s supposed to be more women in Washington than men,” Castillo said. “But I’m not sure if that’s true.”

&nbsp

; A waiter appeared.

“What are you drinking?” Castillo asked.

“Unless you desperately need a jolt,” Fernando said, “I’d rather go to your room.”

“Sure, I can wait,” Castillo said, and then to the waiter added, “Check, please.”

“Last of the big spenders?”

“If you pay for it, Maria will get the bill and know that you were boozing it up in the big city.”

“No, she won’t. My bills go to the company.”

“Then Jacqueline will know.”

“But she won’t tell Maria,” Fernando said. “Grandpa trusted her discretion completely, and I’ve learned I can, too.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Castillo said. “I always thought she was sweet on Grandpa. I’m not too sure how she feels about you.”

“You really think Jackie had the hots for Don Fernando?” Fernando asked, smiling.