Vince Flynn - Executive Power

Crown Prince Faisal was sitting in a high-backed wing chair at the far end of the luxurious suite. He was dressed in traditional Arab garb as were the two large men who flanked him. He wore a white keffiyeh topped with a gold braid and a black robe trimmed in gold. The Crown Prince made no effort to rise and meet his guests nor did Rapp or Kennedy expect him to.

The representatives of the American government stopped next to the two chairs that had been placed approximately ten feet from Faisal.

They both bowed and then waited to be told to sit. To Rapp, Faisal looked apprehensive and tired, as if he expected some trap to be sprung on him. His black mustache and beard accentuated the dark circles under his tired eyes. From all outward appearances the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia had not been sleeping well.

Almost imperceptibly, Faisal gestured for them to sit. They both did so, but neither settled in. Kennedy started by saying, "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us' Your Highness." Leaning forward, she set the envelope on the coffee table that sat midway between them.

"President Hayes asked me to deliver this to you in private."

Faisal stared at the package, but didn't bother to pick it up or ask what was in it.

Motioning to the envelope with an open hand the director of the CIA said, "He wishes to keep this between our two countries."

To this, Faisal nodded his understanding. He had spoken to the American President on many occasions, and would be talking with him in the morning. The very fact that he had sent two of his top intelligence people to deliver this package spoke volumes.

"Your Highness," Rapp said, "I must warn you that you may find the contents of this envelope very disturbing. It is in no way our intent to upset you. We just thought it was best for you to know the truth."

This time the Crown Prince nodded more deeply, signaling that he clearly understood it would not be pleasant. He then looked directly into Rapp's eyes for a long uncomfortable moment. He stared at the man from the CIA as if he knew much more than he was letting on… maybe even who had killed his brother.

Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, Faisal said, "Thank you."

The Crown Prince then turned to his aide and nodded.

The man stepped forward, an unassuming smile on his face, and motioned for Rapp and Kennedy to follow. The meeting was over that quickly. They were escorted back through the suites and into the hallway without a further word. Kennedy's security detail was where they'd left them, by the service elevator. Rapp wasted no time retrieving his gun. He inspected the Heckler amp; Koch 9mm to make sure it was exactly as he'd left it and stowed it in the belt holster at the small of his back. He then buttoned his suit coat and everyone stepped into the elevator.

The group proceeded back to the hotel in a three-car caravan.

Rapp and Kennedy made the short trip in silence. When they arrived at the Bristol they were taken to President Hayes's suite.

Hayes was waiting for them in formal attire. He was scheduled to attend a dinner at the Elysee Palace, the official residence of the French President.

"How did it go?" asked Hayes.

Kennedy gave a noncommittal shrug while Rapp said, "I don't think you're going to be threatened with any oil embargoes for a while."

The President smiled in satisfaction and reached for a bottle of champagne that was chilling in a sterling silver bucket. He plucked it from the icy water and dried it with a nearby white towel.

"I think a toast is in order," he announced as he began twisting the wire from atop the cork. When the wire was off, he draped the towel over the bottle and began gingerly working the cork free.

He completed the task without spilling a drop and then poured three flutes. When Hayes was done he handed a glass each to Kennedy and Rapp and then held up his own.

"To a job well done, and a crisis avoided."

They all drank and then the President added, "These are truly momentous times, and the two of you have played a major role in getting these parties to sit down. Who knows," he added with a hopeful glint in his eye, "by the end of the week we could finally have peace in the Middle East." The President noticed Rapp's doubtful expression and asked, "You don't think that's possible?"

Rapp hesitated, and then said, "Sir, I think by the end of the week you'll probably have a document that says there's going to be peace in the Middle East, but I'm a skeptic as to whether or not that peace will ever become a reality."

The President frowned. He did not want his good mood spoiled.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because there's an element within the Arab world that will settle for nothing short of the total destruction of Israel."

"That element hasn't been invited to the table. Israel and Palestine must coexist side by side. There is no other choice."

"I agree, sir, but that element doesn't want to be invited to the peace table. That's the problem. They only want the destruction of Israel."

"So what would you advise me to do?" asked a cautious Hayes.

"Exactly what you're doing, sir. Just make sure you hold no illusions about what it will take to really make peace. Those groups that don't want peace need to be dealt with, and there's only one thing they understand."

"What's that?"

Rapp reached behind his back with his left hand and drew his gun.

He wanted to make his point with the President, bring him back down from the clouds. This part of the peace process was easy, with civilized men and women gathering in a magnificent city like Paris, talking about noble causes while the world press lauded them with accolades.

At night they all went to bed secretly dreaming that one day soon they would win the Nobel Peace Prize, while several thousand miles away young Palestinian boys and girls were being trained to blow themselves up in the name of their god. Those so-called martyrs cared little about documents signed in fancy rooms by fancy men. It was not possible to reason with unreasonable people.

Rapp held his gun up in the palm of his hand for the President to see, and said, "This is the only thing the zealots understand, sir. If you want peace in the Middle East they need to be dealt with. Only then will Israelis and Palestinians be able to live side by side."