Chapter 1
"YOU FOOL! You were supposed to kill the American First Lady but instead you failed to complete the mission. That doesn't help us at all. Now the security will be doubled."
A hand came across the face of the dishonored freedom fighter. The face of the anesthesiologist who had been forced to leave the Operating Room during Abbey's emergency surgery.
"It wasn't my fault. I would have been successful if I had been allowed to stay."
"That's not the point. You failed in your mission. And you will pay for your failure."
"But it wasn't my failure. The American agents pulled me out before I could complete the mission. I tried. And I have been a loyal and faithful follower of the movement." He was scared. He knew what happened to those who failed.
"I DON'T CARE! YOU HAVE MADE IT HARDER FOR ALL OF US!"
"Please! PLEASE! I know I can be of use somehow. PLEASE!" He began to cry as he knew he was pleading for his very life.
Spitimir moved away. Turning back to the restrained physician he motioned to someone behind him. "Do it."
A gun was pointed; a quick pull of the trigger, and the problem was solved.
Turning away from the mess, Spitimir yelled at the remaining rebels. "Remember this. This is what happens when you fail. Now, we must double our efforts. The American President cannot be allowed to leave this country. He must pay for his support of our enemies. I don't care how we do it. We must do it."
"His daughter has arrived. Maybe we can get to her. Then he will change his mind and support us."
Spitimir smiled briefly. "No. When she was kidnapped two years ago, he did not give in. We have to strike at the heart. We have to strike at him."
"But how? The security is tighter and it has been announced he is leaving in two days. He will not leave the hospital until then. So how do we carry out our mission?"
"I don't know! Find a way. But he CANNOT leave this country alive."