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“Well, you’re giving me mixed signals here, gentlemen. First you tell me that a man who is faking about setting explosives is not a man who would blow up a ship, and then you tell me that a man who gives his word will never keep it because he’s a hijacker. That is not a personality profile that I can work with. He either is someone who will act in a certain way or he isn’t. Aside from the conversation, what are his demands that we know of right now?”

“He wants a helicopter to take his group to Cuba and he will take five hostages with him that he will release when he has landed and is safe.”

The President thought for a moment. “Admiral, do we have a clear shot at the bridge?”

“Yes, sir. From a drone we could get anyone who was standing there.”

“And where is this Leonard fellow right now?”

“When he was speaking to us he was on the bridge; that’s where the communications are. Then he leaves and we don’t know where he goes.”

“So if I did speak to him, wouldn’t it be the best way to keep him in one place?” General McGuiness looked over at Admiral Boyle. Boyle had an expression on his face that could be interpreted as, “I guess so, what do you think?” McGuiness looked at the President.

“Yes, sir, that would be the best way to keep him on the bridge. But the other five men could be anywhere. They are probably with the hostages.”

“So here’s what we do,” Bernstein said. “I will talk to this man. That is the best way to get his attention. While I am talking to him, you will get men aboard the ship. If you have older men who can do this job, I would say dress them like passengers, but get them aboard. I will draw out the conversation until you tell me that we have a presence. I don’t see any other way to do it.” General McGuiness gave a quick glance to the admiral. He then did what he was supposed to; he followed the order.

“Yes, Mr. President.” The general decided that he would let the President make all of the decisions now, since he was not being listened to. “Do you want to land the helicopter as if we are willing to get them off?”

The President thought for a second. “I think we can land the helicopter, but I don’t want it taking off again with hostages. But if it will buy us more time, then getting a chopper there is fine. It would be nice if men could come in that way.”

“I think they would be expecting that, sir,” Van Dyke said.

“Exactly,” the President replied. “So one would think at least two or three of their men would be waiting for it. That should help us in locating them, don’t you think?”

General McGuiness looked at the others. He didn’t agree with any president talking to hostage takers, but he had to admit he was impressed that Bernstein had thought it through to this degree.

* * *

Max Leonard was getting impatient. The drugs were making it worse and for the first time he worried that this could go badly. That he wouldn’t be able to make his arguments and he would be forced to kill people without the world understanding anything. Then he got a communication that made him feel somewhat better.

“Mr. Leonard, this is Admiral Boyle. I have been authorized to tell you that the President has agreed to talk to you.” Max was pleased, but why wasn’t the President just on the line? Why was a new person now telling him this?

“Just put him on the screen; I don’t want to talk to anyone else now but him.”

“It isn’t that easy,” the admiral told him, stalling for as much time as possible. “He is on the way back to the White House and we are setting everything up at this moment. He will speak to you as soon as he gets there.”

“Where is he now?”

“He is en route.”

“You told me this two hours ago. How long does it take the fucking President to get to his house?”

“Mr. Leonard, to get him to agree to talk to you was a big job. It is not a decision that can be made in an instant. I hope you understand how unusual it is that you are able to speak to the president of the United States. I hope you appreciate that.”

“And I hope that you appreciate that I will blow up this