“About that I can only guess.”

“Then guess.”

“The royal family sees the writing on the wall, Mitch. In the coming decades, their oil will become worthless and Ward’s technologies are leading that change. In an effort to get their money out, they’re betting heavily on health care and pharmaceuticals.”

“So, Ward’s not just destroying their business model—”

“He’s deflating the parachute that they were counting on to give them a soft landing. When my country descends into chaos and bloodshed, its rulers—my masters—want to be comfortably installed in London, New York, and Paris. Nicholas Ward and David Chism are complicating that plan.”

Rapp considered what he’d heard for a moment. “But the kind of penetration I’m talking about… I’m having a hard time believing Saudi Arabia could pull it off.”

In truth, he was having a hard time believing anyone could. There were only a handful of people with that kind of access and they were watched constantly. Things like payments deposited in anonymous bank accounts, communications with foreign agents, and the introduction of malware onto Agency systems were extremely hard to get by Irene Kennedy.

“The Saudi royalty aren’t the only people threatened by Ward, Mitch. The wealthy and powerful all over the world have one thing in common. They’re very good at negotiating the existing playing field. And just as it was tilting more and more in their favor, Ward wants to reverse that trend.”

“So, you don’t think the move against Ward originated here?”

Isa shook his head. “I think my government was just an efficient and willing intermediary. We had the contacts in Uganda and someone else had the information. A match made in heaven, no?”

“But who?”

“I have no idea. Ward has a lot of very powerful and very capable enemies.”

Rapp took a pull on his drink and then set it back down on the filthy carpet. This wasn’t what he wanted to hear. Investigations weren’t his thing and even if they were, performing one at this level would take a lot more than one man with a Glock, a few wads of cash, and an out-of-date laptop.

“Do you know your weakness, Mitch?”

“No. Why don’t you tell me?”

“It’s your unwavering belief in America. In the glory of it. In its uniqueness. I realized it was all lies a long time ago and now I fear it’s your turn. Soon the curtain will be pulled back and you’ll see that your country is no different than any other. Democracy is an interesting idea but if you look at history, it’s an idea that burns bright but short. With the widening divisions in your country and the man you just elected to lead you, that flame is beginning to flicker. And soon you will find yourself in the dark.”