‘No, I’d settle for being a good American. I’d settle for us all being good Americans. And I do believe that anyone can be a good American, as long as they commit to it. A commitment that asks more of us than simply memorising a cheat sheet for a citizenship test and learning how to fill in a welfare form.’

‘Look, I can see this is important to you, but it’s not to me.’

‘WELL, IT SHOULD BE!’

A few droplets of milk from the bottom of the glass splashed on his dressing gown as he roared at her. He brushed them off as he recomposed himself and the dog fled from the room.

She’d actually flinched a little bit when Blackstone exploded. But Caitlin used the opportunity to steal another glance at McCutcheon . . . Still standing by the windows. Still training his pistol on her.

‘I apologise,’ said Blackstone. ‘But it’s that sort of attitude which came so very close to laying us low before the Disappearance. The Germans, and for that matter the Japanese, whom we once considered to be an inferior race, did not create the miracle of their postwar reconstruction because of some genetic superiority. They did it because of cultural superiority. Some cultures, Miss Monroe, are meant to succeed. And some are meant to fail. Some cultures – and take a deep breath now, because I’m going to be controversial – are better. And that is where I part company with President Kipper. He will not acknowledge this basic truth. I do not believe he can even see it. And his policies are leading us into perdition because of that. I cannot control what happens in Seattle, or anywhere Seattle holds sway. Not yet. But by God, I can control what happens down here. And I will not allow this country to go down the toilet because of the weakness and self-indulgence of a man who cannot recognise a simple truth. Some cultures are strong. And some cultures are weak. And he is rebuilding this country from the wretched, cast-off failures of some of the most benighted cultures on the face of this planet. He will bring us to ruin.’

‘I really wish you’d mentioned that this morning,’ said Caitlin. ‘When I had my Spy Girl outfit on. That was quite a rant. It’d go viral on MSN.’

*

‘Do we have any idea where she is?’ Culver asked, wondering if there might be a chance to avoid a second civil war. His head was completely clear. He felt absolutely wretched and sick, but his mind, at least, was moving.

‘If she’s with her personal data unit,’ said Larrison, ‘I’m afraid she appears to be at Governor Blackstone’s residence.’

Okay, thought Jed, we probably just crapped out on avoiding that whole second civil war thing.

‘Any way of confirming that, Mr Director?’