The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 60

The last nuclear security summit was held in 2016 and The Joint Chiefs of Staff Frank highly recommended that Frank attend the upcoming summit. It was set to take place in Stockholm and every world leader would be in attendance. Those who would not refused out of protest against the west. Now, Frank sat in the oval office preparing extensive notes, planning for his participation. As far as nuclear weapons were concerned he knew how many warheads the country had in its stockpile and had no problem with the idea of vaporizing any nation that launched a test missile anywhere close to American waters. But as he worked on his notes his secretary gently knocked on the door. Gladys had been told not to bother the president while he was preparing for the summit but she saw as exception in this case.

“Mr. President,” she said. “I have a letter for you.” Frank was tired but hid his frustration created by her unannounced visit.

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“Gladys,” he said. “I thought I told you not to bother me.”

Stepping into the office she quietly closed the door behind her.

“I know, sir,” she replied. “But I thought this might be important.”

Holding the letter out, she commented as to its source.

“I think it’s from your parents.”

Motioning her in, he took the letter as she turned and left.

Opening the letter, he found it was indeed from his mother and immediately assumed the worse. However, this turned out not to be the case and as Frank read further he was shocked by its contents. Apparently, there had been a newscast informing the country that Frank had authorized the illegal importing of heroin and that the profit of street sales would be used for as yet undisclosed purposes. Further, the uncut narcotic would be coming from Afghanistan, a terrorist state by military transport planes. The letter continued with what can only be described as a mother’s pain.

“I don’t know what could have gotten into you. This is certainly not the way we raised you. We are proud of your accomplishment as president but using that to become nothing short of a drug dealer brings shame to your family and town we raised you in. I’m sorry, Frank but given the shame you have brought onto us your father and I are forced to disown you. I promise not to let this out to anyone else. I know how important being the president is to you.”

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Frank was beyond incensed and picking up the phone called for Gladys. His secretary had been in service to the White House for several administrations and knew the campus better than most. Her only downfall seemed to be that she was a smoker and was required by Frank to take her habit outside. Yet, she still kept a clean ashtray on her desk.

“Yes, Mr. President,” she said.

Frank’s voice was controlled but still with an obvious tone of anger.

“Could you bring in the press secretary and the secretary of state, please?”

“Yes, Mr. President,” she replied. Her answer was brief but only minutes later the secretary of state and the press secretary entered. “Mr. President, you wanted to see us?” Frank was now standing in front of the desk holding the letter.

“Do either of you know anything about bringing heroin in from Afghanistan?” he asked. Both denied having any knowledge of such an issue. “Are you sure?” Frank asked.

Now holding up the letter he continued with a threat. “If there’s anything like this going on and I find out who’s responsible I will personally have them tried for treason. Now, I’ll ask you again. Do either of you know anything about this because it seems that my mother does.”

Asking to read the letter the press secretary skimmed it over and handed it off to the secretary of state. Having read it, both were equally clueless. “I’m sorry, sir,” the press secretary said. “But we don’t know anything about this.”

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After some discussion, it was concluded that there had been no mention of it in the mainstream media – on television or online.

“Get back online,” Frank said. “Keep checking. Go to every website of every major news outlet and keep checking – then check again, got it?” Frank found it difficult to concentrate on the upcoming summit with this new wrinkle in his life. He did not understand how something like this could happen. Although it did seem like a good idea there were no plans of importing heroin from anywhere and the fact that it didn’t show up on the internet left him confused. He would have to speak with his parents. They may not have the answer he was looking for but it would at least be a start.