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Finally, Midleton said, “Sir, I assume you’ve been briefed about what happened in Germany over the weekend.” Midleton looked at Hayes for confirmation but got none. “Sir, I’m referring to the assassination of Count Hagenmiller and the fire that destroyed one of the finest homes in Europe and,” Midleton added with an agonized tone, “a priceless art collection.”
Hayes finally nodded. “I’m familiar with the situation.” No words of sympathy were offered.
“Sir,” Secretary Midleton continued. “Ambassador Koch knew Count Hagenmiller quite well, as did Chancellor Vogt.”
Hayes nodded just once and again offered no words of condolence.
Koch was confused by President Hayes’s lack of sensitivity, but since he had only dealt with the man on a limited basis, he ignored the strangeness and stated his case. “Chancellor Vogt is deeply concerned that the assassination of Count Hagenmiller may have been carried out by a foreign intelligence service.”
“Really, and why does he think that?” The president kept his eyes focused on the ambassador’s.
“We are privy to certain information that leads us to that conclusion.”
“And what would that information be?”
Ambassador Koch sat rigid. “We have been told that the count was under surveillance during the days leading up to his death.”
“By whom?”
Koch glanced at Irene Kennedy and then the president. “The CIA.”
“And?”
“Can you confirm or deny that the CIA had Count Hagenmiller under surveillance?”
“I can confirm that the CIA had him under surveillance prior to his death.”
The ambassador was happy that he had received on honest answer. He was, however, less than enthusiastic about where he had to take the conversation. Choosing his words carefully, he said, “We have been very good allies for a long time, Mr. President. Chancellor Vogt is deeply concerned that the relationship may be in jeopardy over this incident.”
“Why is that?” Hayes knew what the ambassador was implying, but he wanted to hear him say it.
Koch looked down uncomfortably at his hands and then glanced at Kennedy before turning back to the president. “The chancellor is worried that…the CIA…may have acted without your authority and done something that would offend even the most ardent American supporters in my country.”
In a way, Hayes felt sorry for the ambassador. It was highly probable that he had intentionally been kept in the dark about Count Hagenmiller’s recent business dealings. He was advised by Kennedy that there was a good chance the German chancellor was also unaware of Hagenmiller’s nefarious dealings. This was the only thing that was keeping Hayes from going ballistic.
“Mr. Ambassador, I, too, value our friendship. Germany is one of our greatest allies.” The president leaned forward and rubbed his hands together. “How well do you know Count Hagenmiller? I mean, did you know?”
“Fairly well. His family is very well respected and very involved in the arts and a variety of philanthropic endeavors.”
“Did you know that he has been selling highly sensitive equipment to Saddam Hussein? Equipment that is used to manufacture components for nuclear weapons?”
The bomb had been dropped. Secretary Midleton shifted uncomfortably, and his face turned a touch ashen. Ambassador Koch took a little more convincing. “I find that very hard to believe, Mr. President.”
“Is that so?” Hayes stuck out his hand, and Kennedy handed him a file. The president opened it and held up a photograph. “The man on the left I’m sure you recognize. Do you know who the other man is?”
Koch shook his head. He had a sinking feeling that he didn’t want to know either.
“He is none other than Abdullah Khatami. Does the name ring a bell?”
“No.”
“He’s a general in the Iraqi army.” Hayes’s voice was beginning to take on an edge. “He is in charge of rebuilding Saddam’s nuclear weapons program. What you see happening here”—the president stuck out the photo so there could be no misinterpretation—“is Count Hagenmiller receiving a briefcase from Khatami containing five million dollars.”
Ambassador Koch was disbelieving. “I knew Count Hagenmiller. I don’t think he was capable of such a thing. He didn’t need money. He was very wealthy. Are you sure the cash wasn’t for artwork? The count was an avid collector.”
Secretary of State Midleton managed to compose himself just long enough to add a pathetic nod for support.
Hayes let his anger build. It was all part of the plan. In a much louder voice, he said, “Count Hagenmiller was nowhere near as wealthy as you thought. Did you know that last night, the same night the count was killed, a break in occurred at the Hagenmiller Engineering warehouse in Hanover?”