“Tauriq?” she said. “Valery Rust. Can we talk now? I have a problem, a matter of great concern, and I’d like you to come over to the residence right away. Can you do that?” She paused briefly, then added, “Good. I’ll tell the guards to expect you.”

Within thirty minutes, there was a knock on the door. Valery opened the door herself to admit a tall, immaculately dressed man of about forty-five, with high cheekbones and aquiline features. One look into his eyes and nothing else about him seemed to matter. His eyes were deep, dark brown, and they seemed to burn like hot coals. They were a paradox: attractive, yet strangely repellent; malevolent, yet kindly.

The man standing before her was Tauriq Haddad—resident of Washington, Palm Beach, Paris, and New Delhi. By profession, he was a commodities dealer, oil trader, arms merchant, soldier of fortune, ladies man, and reputed billionaire. His Washington parties were legendary, as were the bribes and blackmail that went along with them. It had been rumored that he was the most powerful behind-the-scenes figure on three continents.

Valery smiled as Tauriq entered. She turned and closed the door behind her. “Thank you for coming, my friend,” she said, as they walked into the sitting room. She motioned to a chair, then sat down on the sofa across from him. “Forgive my sudden call, and so late in the evening. But I have a serious problem, and I am very much hoping that you may be able to help me.”

“How could I ever refuse the first lady?” Tauriq smiled. “I am yours to command. Please—how may I serve you?”

“It may not be simple, Tauriq,” she said, drawing close and speaking quietly. “Ted has just come back from the White House, and he told me that he has fired our man Vince D’Agostino, who has served Ted as chief of staff for many years. Vince has been invaluable to us. I cannot tell you how much he has helped Ted over the years. I’m afraid my husband is not a very aggressive man. He needs someone strong, like Vince, to depend on. He’ll be helpless until we can find a suitable replacement—someone strong, intelligent, and politically astute.”

“Yes,” Tauriq mused, “I do see your dilemma, madame. You require someone who is not only intelligent and astute, as you say, but who can help direct the nation and her allies in a closer union during these times of world crisis.” Folding his hands delicately on his lap, he added, “Yes, I do see your dilemma. But, surely there is just such a man.”