He pursed his lips and, behind his lenses, his blue eyes twinkled. “I understand. But I believe the same sources have been named, in the press, by attorneys for the men allegedly implicated by the international press for the atrocities.”

She smiled. “I believe so.”

“In which case,” he added, “we have elicited permission to quote one of the sources. He has signed an affidavit, which is in the hands of our State Department. Please welcome Mr. David Arbuckle, who is liaison for the U.S. Department of State in Anasrah, which is at the center of this matter. Mr. Arbuckle, welcome.”

“Thank you, Mr. Price,” a pleasant-looking, middle-aged man replied. He was in a studio in Washington, D.C., his image provided via satellite.

“Now, from what Ms. Godfrey has told us—and we have validated her story—a terrorist cell had infiltrated the village in question and made threats against foreign nationals including ours. Is this true?”

“It is,” Mr. Arbuckle said solemnly. “We’re very grateful to Ms. Godfrey for bringing this matter to our attention. We were told that a group of mercenaries muscled their way into the village, demanding tribute and killed people when their demands were not met. This is a very different story than we were able to verify by speaking, under offer of protection, to other men in the same village.”

He coughed, then continued, “We were able to ascertain that a terrorist cell with links to another notorious international organization was going to fund itself by extorting money from oil corporations doing business near the village. They were using the village itself for cover, posing as innocent tribesmen.”

“Abominable,” the host replied.

“Yes, killing innocents to prove a point is a particularly bloodthirsty manner in which to operate. The local people were terrified to say anything, after the massacre, although they felt very sad that innocent men were blamed for it. In fact, the so-called mercenaries had provided medical supplies and treatment for many children and elderly people and even helped buy food for them.”

“A laudable outreach effort.”

“Indeed,” Mr. Arbuckle replied grimly. “Suffice it to say that we have used our influence to make sure that the terrorists no longer have a foothold in the village, and the international community has moved people in to assure the safety of the tribesmen who provided us with this information.”

“Then the American mercenaries are being cleared of any involvement with the massacre?”

“I can assure you that they have been,” Mr. Arbuckle replied. “We were provided with affidavits and other documents concerning the massacre by an American private detective working in concert with the mercenaries’ attorneys. They were allowed to leave the country last night and are en route to a secure location while we deal with the terrorists in question. The terrorists responsible for the massacre will be brought to trial for the murders and held accountable. And the mercenaries will return to testify against them.”