Page 117 of The Atlas Maneuver

It helped that the president himself owned bitcoin, secretly bought by the bank, which had adequately persuaded him to become an outspoken advocate for change. He’d made speeches all over the world, including one at the United Nations. Catherine had asked him to come to Morocco and assist in their latest push. The more countries that came on board the better for everyone, and all of the nations here tonight were ready to make the move. Mexico’s announcement, coming next week, would greatly aid in producing more converts.

Kyra was gone, headed back to the airport, then off to get close to Kelly’s biological daughter. There, ready, just in case.

But things were going well.

Only one warning sign.

Kelly had not clapped at the end of the president’s speech. Nor participated in the standing ovation.

She just sat in her chair and stared.

While everyone returned to their own conversations, she stepped close to Kelly and whispered, “You and I need to speak. In private. Now.”

CHAPTER 66

AIKO WONDERED WHY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OUTSIDE HAD NOT JUSTstormed inside, unannounced. Morocco maintained several military commando and intelligence units. Each highly trained and respected. The main agency was the Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire, which conducted most of Morocco’s intelligence operations. The DST had made a name for itself working with other agencies on counter-terrorism. But its history was one of human rights violations that included the arrest, detainment and torture of Moroccan political dissidents. So everyone kept their distance unless absolutely necessary to engage.

“The CIA had to tip them off that we’re here,” Malone said. “Blame us for all this.”

“More accurately, blame our corpses.”

She knew killing a retired Justice Department operative was one thing. But a full-fledged investigator for the PSIA? That was another matter entirely. The CIA would have a hard time explaining that one to a close ally. So they’d done what any self-respecting intelligence agency would do. Let others handle it, along with any fallout that might happen.

“I wonder what they told them,” Malone muttered. “To get them to act.”

“Nothing good, I assure you.”

The front door still hung partially open, a fact that the people outside, surely with guns, had observed too.

Gunfire erupted.

A burst of rounds chewed on the damaged door, which swung inward from the barrage that thudded into it from the outside.

Aiko dove to the floor.

COTTON LEAPED DOWNWARD.

On the way he grabbed one of the three remaining C-4 blocks.

The gunfire stopped.

“That was a warning,” the voice outside yelled. “Last chance. Come out. With your hands in the air.”

Where they’d both be shot where they stood.

“Stall them,” he said to her.

She stepped closer to the front door but stayed off to the side, keeping the thick stone wall between her and the guns.

“We are coming out,” she said in a loud tone.

“Weapons first,” the male voice said.

“I understand. But I need assurances you will not open fire.”

Like they were going to do that.

But Aiko was doing what he asked.

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