Adam and Khalid entered the office. They observed a group of men standing in a semicircle surrounding the area around the main desk. "Where is the woman?" Khalid's tone demanded the attention of the men. The barrier of agents parted to reveal Amanda, who was seated on the chair with her knees raised. Adam took a moment to admire Amanda's Nike sneakers on the pair of feet planted firmly on her seat.
He looked to his uncle but before he could speak, Amanda said, "We were just speaking of you. See, I'm trying to understand your logic and some of these guys," gesturing toward her fellow agents, "Assure me that I never will. Why don't you explain yourself and save me the trouble?"
"I do not think that I like your tone."
"I don't like it when someone takes advantage of my hospitality."
"You fulfilled your promise of a generous and cordial welcome into your country. You offered a pleasant and sustaining environment. I'm afraid that your country's leadership is not as readily receptive as you are, Madame. Someone will pay for that one day."
Amanda brought the zap gas can out from under her knees and activated it. Duffy and another agent were expeditious in seating the two intruders in chairs made available for that reason.
"What have you done?" Adam wailed.
Frank Duffy spoke as he examined Adam's rib cage. "It was necessary to immobilize you." With careful inspection and qualified training, Duffy began to dismantle the explosive.
Khalid addressed Amanda. "I'm sure that your Mr. Stetson would be proud of you. He must have great expectations of you."
Amanda took a calming breath because she knew that both Billy and Lee were listening via the microphone placed on her a short time ago. Billy was at the perimeter command post reading a report while Fred Fielder stood by his side. "Steady, Amanda. We are all too aware that the United States adopted Pakistan as a staging area for its proxy war against the Soviet Unionin Afghanistan. The U.S. funneled money and arms through the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, lavishing aid on Pakistan in return. The U.S. gently pressured the military dictator of the moment to implement democratic reforms, a process which was greatly assisted by said dictator's death in a convenient and never satisfactorily explained plane crash." Amanda adjusted her earpiece before she glanced at Duffy, who was diligently working on the explosive, but her concentration was on what she heard her husband interject. "The new government has recently proven to be a strong ally but recent intelligence shows that Pakistan is interested in becoming a nuclear state and would have no trouble breeding an archterrorist like Khalid or Adam. The boys at Langley have provided copious arms, training and weaponry to Arab 'volunteer' fighters waging a jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan, using the largely unmonitored border between Pakistan and Afghanistan as a conduit. The fighters used the anarchic mountainous regions of northern Pakistan both for travel and training, and the operation had a massive presence in the country. When the war ended, the volunteers kept right at it." "Right, Scarecrow." Amanda noted Billy's static reply. "Rumor has it that there is a new player in Pakistan who is calling the shots and developing a terrorist infrastructure."
Amanda squatted down in front of Khalid and stared into his eyes. He showed signs of discomfort.
"You have no respect for my interpersonal space. Save this intimacy for your -pärt-ner." He tried to ridicule Amanda.
"You singled out my family to help further your cause. Why?"
"When the relationship between friendly nations grows apart, one finds another friendship. Particularly one who shares a common animosity toward their old friend. It so happens that with the new bond comes a wealth of information. Surely an American can appreciate that knowledge is power."
"You have chosen us as your enemy of the moment?"
"Do you doubt me?"
Amanda's reaction was silenced by the arrival of Billy and Fielder. Billy began examining what was in Adam's backpack as well as the explosive device that was dismantled. "Fred, take these two into custody." Fielder read the Miranda Act to the two men.
Billy grinned at Amanda. "You've done a fine job. We'll save the rest for the formal interrogation. Brace yourself for Phase II, Amanda."
"Phase II, Sir?"
"We have prepared a little side show for the others."
"Yes, sir."