Author's Note: OK, back in the saddle after taking the weekend off from writing. This chapter is back to business as well. Consider this chapter as continuing to build the foundation of what's to come. So, unfortunately, no racy stuff this time around. Hopefully, that won't stop you from reading this latest installment. Enjoy! – Neo
Chapter 4 - Collateral Damage
"So, gentlemen, what's on today's agenda," the President of the United States asked. It was the POTUS' daily security briefing and sitting in the Oval Office with Fitz was Cyrus Beene, his chief of staff, Cameron Reynolds, Director of the CIA and Ian "Mac" MacMillan, National Security Advisor.
"Sir, there are indications that a new terrorist cell in Pakistan is gaining strength and is possibly planning an attack on the West," said Cam.
"What sort of indications?" asked Fitz.
"U.S. military intelligence have been tracking imports of bombmaking materials and in recent weeks there has been an uptick in a particular chemical."
"What chemical?" Cyrus asked.
"Ammonium Nitrate," responded Mac, the National Security Advisor. "It's used in fertilizer but also used to make bombs."
"Afghanistan banned the use and storage of ammonium nitrate for that very reason two years ago," Cam interjected. ¨So although it isn't illegal in neighboring Pakistan to use ammonium nitrate, this recent increase in purchases of it right across from the Afghan border has caught our attention."
"Is this al Qaeda?" asked Fitz.
"No, sir, all indications are that this is a splinter group that may sympathize with al Qaeda but is not part of the core group," responded Cam.
"Are you sure?" Cyrus asked.
"As sure as we can be under the circumstances but as you know it's virtually impossible to be 100% sure when you're up against a nameless, faceless enemy with no central command," said Mac.
"So, what, exactly is the threat assessment and do you have any assets on the ground?" Fitz asked.
"It's unclear who or what the target is," replied Cam. "The CIA is working closely with British intelligence. MI-6 has an asset on the ground who is close to infiltrating the group, from what we understand."
"Mr President, the United States must be ready to take preemptive action, if it comes to that, to neutralize this threat," said Mac.
Ian MacMillan was a formidable presence. He was 6'5" and at the age of 66, still had the mien of a Marine, which he had been in his youth. The American-born son of Scottish immigrants, "Mac" as he was called, was an old school Republican, a throwback and decorated military veteran who served under Reagan and the first George Bush. He was there when the Berlin Wall fell and when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, leading to the first Gulf War. He knew the ins and outs of D.C. politics and understood how quickly the stakes could be raised when it came to U.S. foreign policy. Mac initially intimidated Fitz because of his long and distinguished service to two presidents prior to the Grant administration. It also didn't help that Mac had been a very high profile and vocal supporter of Sally Langston and had even been rumored to be her vice presidential pick if she had nabbed the Republican nomination. But Cyrus had convinced Fitz that he needed an elder statesman like Mac on his team and so here they were.
Fitz looked at his National Security Advisor intently. "Mac, what exactly are you saying? That I should be prepared to bomb Pakistan? They are an ally of the United States."
"An ally in name only, sir," replied Mac. "I'm not suggesting you bomb the entire country. But perhaps a series of drone attacks on a few select, key targets would send a clear message that the West will strike first."
"Gentleman, let's not make any rash decisions. Bring me more intelligence so that I can make a fully informed decision," Fitz said. "Also, we need to consider the potential collateral damage and the implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region."
"Collateral damage?" Mac asked. "Sir, there will always be collateral damage. There's no way to avoid it."
The sun was shining when Olivia left her office to head over to the Capital Grille for her 2 p.m lunch with her mystery caller. Rain had been in the forecast but it was obvious that the Accuweather guy had gotten it wrong again. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and Olivia was feeling oddly optimistic about the stranger she was about to meet.
Olivia arrived a few minutes early and when she told the hostess that she was meeting someone in the private dining room, she was quickly escorted up to the third-floor. When she opened the door, inside there was only a waiter and a man seated at the table. He appeared to be in his mid to late forties and with jet black hair, bushy eyebrows and a swarthy olive complexion, he appeared to be Middle Eastern of origin. He wasn't particularly attractive but there was a powerful aura that enveloped him, like he either had access to money or influence or both.
"Ms. Pope, I presume?" said the man, rising from his seat. "My name is Farheed Davi. I'm so delighted that you came." He stretched out a hand to shake Olivia's.
"Yes, pleased to meet you," Olivia said, shaking his outstretched hand. She was immediately struck by how cold and clammy his handshake was.
Mr. Davi pulled out a chair for Olivia and then in a very courtly manner seated her. Olivia found it oddly charming and kind of old-fashioned.
Once they were seated, Mr. Davi got right to the point.
"Well, Ms. Pope, I'm not going to keep you in suspense any longer and will cut to the chase. I am an attorney who has been retained by a Pakistani charity looking to raise funds in the West. This charity has built an all-girls' school in a remote area of Pakistan. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, this charity has been labeled an affiliate of an organization on the United States government's terrorist watch list. It's a complete and utter lie and I need your help getting that ban lifted."
The waiter, who had just filled Olivia's water glass, stepped away from the table and she took a sip.
"Well, Mr. Davi, you haven't told me how come the U.S. government would suspect this charity of having terrorist ties," Olivia said.
"It's very simple. The U.S. war on terror has swept up many innocent people and organizations that have nothing at all to do with terrorism. What happened in this case is that this girls' school was started by the widow of an imam who formerly had run a madrassa."
"A madrassa? You mean a religious school for boys?" Olivia asked.
"Yes, a madrassa, a Muslim school for boys and young men," Mr. Davi replied. "After 9-11, when the United States went crazy, this particular madrassa fell under a lot of scrutiny a few years later because one of its graduates was the relative of a man who was arrested in connection with the 2005 London bus bombings. Since then any organization that has had even the most remote tie to this madrassa has fallen under intense scrutiny by both British and U.S intelligence agencies. The madrassa shut down in 2008 when the imam died and two years later his widow opened a school for girls in another part of the country. I can assure you that this charity has no ties, whatsoever, to any terrorist or extremist activity."
"Well, Mr. Davi, I'm not exactly sure what I can do to help," Olivia said, taking a sip from her water glass.
"Ms. Pope, your reputation as a fixer precedes you," Mr. Davi said, giving her a small smile. "My client and I are hoping that you can help us gain some positive media exposure for the work that this charity is doing in Pakistan. If people in the West can see how young girls' lives are being transformed, thanks to this school, it could go a long way to removing the stigma that is currently hanging over the entire organization."
Olivia put the water glass back on the table and with her fingertips gently pushed it away from her plate.
"And this retainer that you've proposed to pay - $125,000 a month. If you don't mind me being so blunt…how does a charity in the hills of Pakistan have the financial resources to pay such a retainer? Who exactly is backing this charity?"
"Ms. Pope, I'm not at liberty to say. All I can tell you is that a wealthy benefactor left a generous donation to the charity. I can provide you with financial statements indicating that the money exists and that it came from a legitimate source," Mr. Davi replied.
Olivia looked intently at the man sitting across from her. He was obviously well spoken and well educated but there was something slightly sinister about him that unnerved her. She looked directly into Mr. Davi's eyes and that's when she noticed what was odd about him. His eyes were two different colors, one was brown and the other was hazel.
Olivia gave him a tight smile. She felt uneasy in his presence and her gut was already telling her that something didn't seem right.
"Look, Mr. Davi, thank you for inviting me to lunch and for telling me about this opportunity, but like I told you over the phone, my firm isn't taking on any new clients right now, " Olivia said, lying.
"Ms. Pope, let's be frank. You are curious and intrigued by my offer. If there wasn't even the least bit of interest on your part, you wouldn't be sitting here right now," Mr. Davi said, knowingly.
Olivia didn't respond and instead reached for her water glass to take another sip.
"I know that women's issues and empowering young females is something you feel very strongly about," Mr. Davi continued.
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"
"Come now, Ms. Pope, in this day and age of social media it's easy to discover where one's interests lie. Also you have made no secret of the fact that you are a supporter of several groups that are working both in the U.S. and overseas to advance women's issues and fight for gender equality."
"Well, you've certainly done your homework, and I'm sorry if you feel like I've wasted your time today but my firm really can't take on this assignment right now. It's just not a good strategic fit for my firm," Olivia said.
"What will it take for you to reconsider?" Mr. Davi said, a trace of desperation tinged his voice. "I'll admit that perhaps I'm not the best spokesperson for this project. If you could only come to Pakistan and see the school for yourself, talk to the girls and their parents and see the good work that the charity is doing over there. Lives are being transformed. Entire family trees are being rewritten thanks to the education these girls are getting. Wouldn't you want to be part of a potential quiet revolution that is coming in that part of the world? Think about the legacy you could create by helping this cause."
"Well, when you put it like that…." Olivia said, chuckling lightly.
"So, will you consider it then?" Mr. Davi said, hopefully. "I would be prepared to pay you two months' retainer in advance."
Two months' retainer was $250,000. Wow. That was a lot of cash to get upfront. In fact it was an unheard of amount to be paid in advance before a single task had been completed. But Olivia's money woes would be erased in a flash if she had that money. Maybe she should seriously consider this offer. After all Pope & Associates had no other viable prospects waiting in the wings. Olivia felt like despite her slight misgivings about Mr. Davi personally, she needed to consider this opportunity. She would have Huck do a thorough background check on Mr. Davi and his charity and then decide.
"Mr. Davi, I will consider it," Olivia said, dipping into her Chloé handbag and whipping out her Moleskine notebook. She jotted down a few items and then ripped out the page and handed it to Mr. Davi. "Get me the following documents by end of business tomorrow and I will have my answer for you by next Friday."
Olivia stood up and Mr. Davi did likewise. "Thank you, Ms. Pope. I'll be in touch." He stuck out his clammy hand again and Olivia wanted to avoid touching it, but she knew that would seem rude, so she shook it quickly, then turned and walked away.
When she stepped out of the restaurant, she looked up at the sky. Twenty minutes earlier it had been bright and sunny, but now the sky had turned dark and stormy. A light rain began to fall.
Author's Note: Oh boy, Olivia's antenna is throwing up warning signals left and right but it looks like she's going to override what her gut instincts are telling her. And Fitz is being pressured to possibly take military action in Pakistan. How and when will these two (Fitz and Olivia) scenarios collide?
Leave feedback and your predictions in the reviews. Thanks for reading!