Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [80]
“What don’t you like, Jackson?” asked Clayton as he walked into the foyer.
“Oh, Maggie and I were just comparing notes on what it’s like living with a rock star. By the way, do you have anything to eat in this joint?”
They adjourned to Clayton’s den, where a table was set for two and breakfast was served before they could finish their first cup of coffee together.
“So, tell me about Wang Peng,” Clayton asked with more than a little curiosity in his voice, “How’s he doing, and how did your meeting with him go?”
Rubbing his eyes, which he suspected were bloodshot from booze and lack of sleep, Jack began a detailed description of the meeting, including the candid admissions that it was more than a casual meeting between old friends.
“As the night wore on, we had a very serious discussion about the possibility of a low-profile summit meeting between you, Lin Cheng, and us two sidekicks—maybe even President Burkmeister, if you think he might like to attend. Peng and I recalled our bull sessions at Stanford, and that led us to speculate on how productive it might be if the two world leaders met outside the limelight of diplomatic protocols and the press; you know, just two regular guys talking over their concerns on issues that mattered to them. The more we talked, the better the idea sounded. We agreed that he would run it by Lin Cheng this morning and I’d bounce it off you. What do you think, Clayton, any interest—if it could be done?”
“It’s an intriguing idea, and I think it has a lot of merit, but I can’t imagine the Chinese going along with something as spontaneous as this. If nothing else, the logistical and security issues would be a nightmare.”
“I know, Clayton, but would you feel comfortable having a small, intimate meeting, devoid of diplomats, position papers, and the like, if it could be worked out?”
“The short answer is yes, I would be more than interested, but before we go too far, there’s some news I need to share with you.” Jack waited expectantly, enthused by Clayton’s interest in his idea.
“As you know, we had two Situation Room meetings yesterday over the Saudi Arabian takeover. The coup was carried out by a powerful internal faction with formal ties to a strong Monotheistic sect. They’re well financed, and the leadership includes senior military officers. They’re publicly blaming the Americans and Israel for the uprising and are now calling themselves ‘protectors’ of Saudi society. All hell has broken loose around the world, and we’re calling in every chip we have with Israel in asking them to not launch a preemptive strike before we can get things sorted out.”
Jack wondered how long they could keep Israel from reacting to what was obviously a threat to their very existence.
“But, there’s more news: after last night’s meeting, the president pulled me aside for a private conversation. He told me his plan for an orderly transition of leadership may not be working as hoped. He’s seeing leadership confusion in his national security team and even in conversations with foreign leaders, including the Israeli leaders. He was concerned that America may not be speaking with the single voice of leadership required in these difficult times. He felt the Saudi Arabian situation could easily be the crisis of this decade and thought, given his health, and so forth, that the succession should take place before October fourteenth. He asked me to think about it and get back to him.”
“Wow, that’s some news. How do you feel about it?”
“I have mixed feelings. I know what he means by the dualistic look it gives the government and the confusing signals it sends, but there’s so much left to do before I take the big job.”
Jack looked down at his vibrating cell phone to see who the caller was. Fewer than ten people had his number, and they never called unless it was important. The caller ID flashed the name “Wang Peng,” and he showed Clayton the