By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

“And just about everything that needed to be said has been said,” Pevsner said. “Wouldn’t you say?”

“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Castillo said.

“Mr. Pevsner hopes that you will go to Matt Hall and tell him . . .”

“That I had nothing to do with the theft of the 727 airplane in Luanda,” Pevsner interrupted.

“. . . and that we are going to do whatever we can to help you stop the Holy Legion of Muhammad from attacking the Liberty Bell,” Kennedy picked up without missing a beat.

“And make other contributions, as we can, to help in the war between the modern Western world and Islam,” Pevsner interrupted again.

“In exchange for which Mr. Pevsner hopes that Hall will do what he can . . .”

“And I expect him to do something concrete,” Pevsner interrupted again.

“. . . with regard to keeping Mr. Pevsner from undue attention, ” Kennedy finished.

“You understand that, Charley? ‘Undue attention’?” Pevsner asked and then added: “And both what I intend to do and why I am doing it?”

“You have to understand that I just work for Hall,” Castillo said. “I take orders, run errands, that’s all.”

“That’s not what I hear,” Kennedy said.

“Well, then, you hear wrong.”

“But you will, Charley, won’t you, talk to Secretary Hall?” Pevsner asked.

And just in time again Castillo stopped himself from replying “Yes, sir.”

“Yes, I will. Of course I will.”

“All right, then, let’s enjoy our meal,” Pevsner said.

No one had room for dessert, but there was, of course, cognac, and a cigar to go with the coffee.

Castillo knew that he shouldn’t take the cognac but decided there was no way he could refuse.

When Kennedy slid the cognac bottle across the table to Pevsner, who had gone through his cognac quickly, Pevsner held up his hand.

“We have to go, Howard,” he said and stood up.

He put out his hand to Castillo, who took it and somewhat ungracefully stood up himself.

“It’s been a pleasure, Charley. I look forward to seeing you a

gain. And I’ll be in touch.”

“I have no idea how Matt . . . Secretary Hall will react to this,” Castillo said.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Isn’t that what they say?” Pevsner said. “The other car will take you back to the Bristol. Good night, Charley.”

“Good night, Alex,” Castillo said.

“Watch your back, Charley,” Kennedy said. “You don’t want to piss on the red silk brocade, do you?”

He touched Castillo’s shoulder and then followed Pevsner out of the room.

“Jesus Christ!” Castillo said aloud when they had gone.