“We neither support nor try to hinder him, Mrs. Salaam,” Kercheval said. “He hasn’t violated any laws in the United States that we know of. He is under investigation, but I can’t discuss that. He’s a private citizen. If we have any knowledge or evidence of wrongdoing, we’ll prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. Otherwise, he’s free to do whatever he wishes as a free man. But he is not part of the U.S. government, and his actions are not under the direction of or sanctioned by the United States government in any way.”

“Mr. President, gentlemen, I’m asking for your help in defending Egypt against probable attack from Libya,” Susan said. “I know you have two aircraft carrier battle groups sailing in the Mediterranean Sea right now; I would like to offer you unlimited use of Egyptian ports and air bases for your crews.”

“Frankly, Madame President, after the warning you just gave us, I don’t think it would be prudent to send any of our warships near an Egyptian port right now,” Robert Goff said.

“My warning is real enough so you won’t send your ships anywhere near Egypt, but not real enough to assist us?”

“Mrs. Salaam, I will discuss your situation with my advisers,” President Thom said. “But at this point, I don’t think we’ll be in a position to help. If the Libyan president’s threat is that great, perhaps you might be better served by letting him have what he wants.”

“You’re suggesting I give in to him?”

“I don’t see that you have much choice, Madame President,” Thom said earnestly. “If the attack is as credible as you say, and if Idris is as unstable as Secretary Goff seems to think he is, then the presence of American warships in Egypt won’t deter him—in fact, it might attract a heavier attack with an even larger loss of life. You can appeal to the United Nations or go in front of the world press, perhaps initiate an investigation on where Idris got those weapons and hope that exposing him and publicizing his threat will keep him from attacking—if you predict he’ll use neutron weapons on Egypt, he might be less likely to do so.”

“Perhaps an appeal before the Muslim Brotherhood might be the strongest deterrent,” Kercheval suggested. “You seem to have been very successful in bringing the diverse factions of the Muslim Brotherhood together in Tripoli—they were even looking to you for leadership in a united Arab republic. You may be able to head him off.”

“But I cannot count on help from the United States?”

“Not military help, Mrs. Salaam.”

“No matter how many Americans are killed if Zuwayy attacks?”

“We’re concerned about any loss of life, American or not,” Thom said. “We have condemned any use of nuclear weapons anywhere in the world, and if there was a threat against the United States, we would take swift and deadly action.”