“For years, under the current regime, our country has been in steady decline as politicians take you, the people, for granted. I intend to unify this great country of ours and bring prosperity to all. I will put the American people first and once again make us the greatest nation in the world.”

This line prompted the normal response. An orchestrated chant rang out around the giant hall. “Unify the USA … Unify the USA.”

Richard Franklin downed his bourbon and stood in the wings, lapping up the feverish atmosphere. The Nuremberg rallies may have had over a million live attendees but the power and reach of television meant his son’s speech was playing into the households of tens of millions of people across the country.

Franklin spoke for just under an hour and ended his speech with a call to action. “Go out across our great country and campaign with every bone in your body to help me kick out this lame and corrupt administration. Washington is currently run by a political elite who govern for their own self-interest. I will clean them out from top to bottom and head a government that will truly work for you, the people, and not for itself.”

The entire crowd rose to their feet and Franklin milked the rapturous applause for the next ten minutes. His father made his way backstage to the lounge where the mood among the young staffers was exuberant. He saw Cathy standing by one of the large TV monitors, watching her candidate’s standing ovation, and headed straight for her.

“Another great event. Good job. Cathy, I need a few minutes with John on our own. Is there a room we can have?”

“Of course, Richard. There’s a make-up room just off the corridor behind here. I’ll ask one of the team to take you there now and I’ll bring John through as soon as he comes offstage.”

John didn’t join his father for almost half an hour, remaining in the hall for a series of meet-and-greets with key donors and posing for dozens of selfies. When he finally made it to the dressing room, he was greeted with a warm hug from his father.

“Best one yet, John. The atmosphere was electric. It felt like a rock concert out there.”

“I know, I’m still pumped full of adrenalin.”

“John, I need to bring you up to date on events in Argentina.” Richard Franklin took a seat and indicated to his son to grab a nearby chair.

“Dad, I caught the news footage of the missile attack that killed the chief inspector. I assume that was Paz’s work?”

“Yes, and I now think the materials were either burnt in a police station fire or incinerated in the explosion, along with the man who found them. The nightmare is almost over.”

John picked up on his father’s apparent caution. “What else is there?”