CHAPTER 184

— DON'T BE INSOLENT! ARE YOU defying the President of the United States? — shouted Floyd Kenagan in anger.

As the inspector railed against the petulant agent, Kenan wondered how true that threat was. Although it was uncomfortable to hear what the agent had to say, it was necessary to be sure of the seriousness of his accusations and what he was willing to do to incriminate him. It would not be possible for someone to threaten the President at that point without having a powerful card up their sleeve.

Keeping his voice calm, to reassure everyone, he said:

— I would like to know what you are accusing me of, Mr. Martin, and what evidence you have.

Martin felt the blood pressure pouring through his entire body. His wounds burned and throbbed with each pulse, making him struggle in pain as he exchanged dangerous words with the President of his country. No situation he had ever experienced before compared to this one. But he could not let himself be discouraged, he had to be as shrewd as ever.

"... You are responsible for the two terrorist attacks in New York, as well as for the creation of a conspiracy network against the sovereignty of several countries participating in this summit. I have signed documents, strategic orders and various recordings that prove your real intentions regarding foreign territories. If you do not abandon this project, I will be forced to reveal the dossier to the main media outlets in the world. I leave you with my question: Are you prepared for reprisals, Mr. President?..."

— You wouldn't be able to, — Kenan replied frigidly.

His heart, however, was racing in distress.

"... I currently only have a few contacts, such as the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Le Fígaro, Le Monde, Nikkei Shimbun, Neue Zurcher Zeitung... Who knows Die Welt?..."

— You don't know what you're doing...! — Floyd Kenagan exclaimed angrily.

Kenan maintained his composure incredibly, although his displeasure with what he had heard from the agent who had once worked in his favor was obvious. He could not understand how the agent who had been called to protect him had now become his main accuser.

With an apprehensive tone of voice, he began to speak:

— Mr. Martin, I think an illustration would be of better use in helping you understand the facts. Tell me, do you know anything about the Arizona salamander?

Kenan stood up and started walking around the coffee table where his cell phone was.

— Let me explain an important concept about survival. These salamanders are amphibians that periodically undergo terrible tests of endurance. While the lakes are full, there is plenty of food and comfort, they reproduce avidly, multiplying in sufficient numbers to generate large populations, formed by two different types of the same species, one, smaller and more fragile, and the other, larger and with enormous attack power. However, when the low water periods in the rivers and lakes come, the insect population becomes scarce and the waters in many places dry up almost completely, leaving these incredible salamanders with no option for survival. Without food and without shelter, their simple objective is the survival of the species, and it is at this moment that the difference between the two specimens shows its importance. The larger ones begin to hunt the smaller ones, feeding on their own species. They do not do this for pleasure, but because they will have to resist the long period of scarcity and their own population has become the only source of food. In the end, only the largest specimens remain, which survived by devouring the others, but thus ensuring that the species was not decimated by the needs of their world. The smaller ones feed the larger ones, and these ensure the next reproduction and the survival of all.

"... And what is the point of this metaphor, Mr. President? ..." — Martin asked cautiously.

— We are no different from these salamanders, Danny — Kenan replied with all his psychology that has won so many debates. — The world is going through a period of drought, of scarcity, my young man. A period that is not revealed to anyone, until the smaller ones realize that they are being devoured by the bigger ones. We are taking a step forward, before others try to do it. Do you understand?

"... You're crazy!..." — Martin shouted — "... You have no idea what a mistake you're making!..."

— Greg, you knew all this, didn't you?

— Yes, Mr. President.

— And why didn't you say anything if you were by my side all this time?

— Because of the truth.

—Have you read the gospels, Greg?

— You know better than anyone that my brother is a cardinal of the Catholic Church, one of the most respected theologians in the world.

Kenan smiled:

— I will paraphrase Pontius Pilate: what is truth?

Gregory Evans was preparing to continue his sermon when he was interrupted by Kenan, in a strong outburst that surprised everyone:

— You are the one who does not know what is going on behind the scenes, Agent Martin! Do you think that I am where I am by simple force of fate? Do you think that I do not know how to measure the consequences? You are the one who is crazy, for defying me! You have no idea of the forces that operate in this world! No normal citizen like you could bear to know the truth! We are already at war! A war that has lasted centuries! A war that does not depend on weapons, does not depend on laws, does not depend on morals! Tell me, Mr. Martin, who is the real enemy? Tell me!

Martin was silent. He tried to interpret what the President meant.

Was he really fighting something bigger?

Or was that whole strategy solely for the sake of economic dominance?

Kenan continued:

— Have you ever wondered why there are countries where the population is dying of hunger while the powerful are discussing comfort in old age? Have you ever wondered why countries are being decimated by diseases whose prevention and cure are known? Why does a single behavioral marketing campaign emerge so strongly all over the world at the same time? Have you ever wondered why there are so many attacks on religious people, if the real persecutors are political leaders? I will tell you the truth! Humanity is moving from holocaust to holocaust! The strong are already devouring the small, the time of drought is beginning! The world is already under the domination of a taught mentality, created by people who have power beyond the authority of a simple government. A power that goes far beyond a territory, something that has already spread throughout the planet! The United States is the most powerful nation in the world, militarily, but for the past few decades we have been suffering an enormous cultural defeat. When I took office, I was very confident of our power, of our influence in the world, until I realized that the cards were already on the table, and we were losing the game. Yes, I am starting a battle, but not a war. I am like a lamb in a den of wolves at this summit; I would never defeat them by pure debate. And the dry season is beginning. As for you, by confronting me, you have signed your own sentence, Agent Martin! Now face the consequences. I have no more time to waste; my decision was made a long time ago, and I will not change it now. Enough interruptions and threats! If there is something to do, then do it!

With that said, Kenan grabbed the phone and hung up the call, throwing it violently against the wall, where it shattered and fell to the floor.

GREGORY EVANS AND TOMMY watched the scene, stunned, inert in the face of so many words that he was still trying to give meaning to. Someone was already at the door, announcing the call for the meeting, also frightened by the scene. The President turned to Tommy and pointed, saying:

— Who are you, anyway? I thought I could trust you, but it was a bad decision, from what I can see. What connection do you have with this agent?

Soon two other agents came and grabbed the two by the arms, and Kenan continued:

— Arrest them. They will be tried together with this insolent man who was able to threaten me! I've had enough of this stuff! — he waved to Floyd Kenagan. — Come on, let's put an end to this once and for all!

Kenan left followed by Floyd Kenagan and a pair of agents, who would accompany him to the Conference Hall.

Greg and Tommy stood there, held down by two other agents who were trying to arrest them, sitting in a mahogany chair in the room.

Katherine, forgive me...