“Yes, Mr President. I believe Americans will make the sacrifice if they believe we’re all in this together. Someone needs to give this official urgency.”
They recognised the implied criticism and waited to see how Tanner handled it.
He stared at Harry for a moment, then surprised them. “Exactly, Harry and that is what we are doing.” He scanned their faces, dwelling a little longer on Devaurno. “Look,” he continued, “we are all tired and this problem demands our best efforts, so let’s leave it there until our next meeting on Wednesday. Same place, same game. OK? Call my office before then with your top six choices for the panel so we will have a list to consider. Then Wayne will sound them out and chair their meetings.”
Myers looked up sharply. He was being pushed to the front to take the bullet. Tanner noted his concern and offered the sweetener.
“The Myers Report will be a landmark document that could guide this nation for the next fifty years.” That hit the spot, as he knew it would. Myers nodded his acceptance.
“Wayne,” Tanner continued, “we don’t want any refusals to reach the media, so be discreet. We need maximum media on them and nothing negative on us, OK?”
He turned again to the table. “When we have the panel, we put them to work and leak findings that feed the fear. They create the fear and we claim the solutions.” He turned again to Myers. “Wayne, it’s your job to make sure it goes that way.”
As he closed the meeting his eyes stayed on Arino with an expression of assurance. Punk that he was, the party needed his money.
“Meeting closed. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen and thank you, Ambassador.”
As they collected their papers and shuffled to their feet, Tanner’s eyes returned to Harry indicating he should stay. Harry moved towards him as Devaurno rose to join them.
Arino hesitated outside the door and watched as Tanner took Harry’s elbow and with Devaurno on the other side, led him through to the Oval Office. Anger flared in Tony Arino, as he mumbled, “They’re consulting that fucking China lover,” he fumed. “He’s dead!”
4. LANGLEY
Bunton looked up from the document he’d been reading. The first of his illegals had entered the room.
“Nguen Thang,” he read from the document, then glared at his anxious visitor and snarled. “You entered the USA illegally! What do you say we send you back to Vietnam?”
Thang was silent, eyes downcast, dreading the words he knew must come.
“Look at me!” Bunton demanded.
Thang slowly brought his terrified brown eyes up to meet the cool grey of the Director.
“Now listen carefully,” he said, his tone softer. “That does not have to happen.”
The brown eyes did not flicker. He trusted nobody.
“I can arrange American citizenship for you, but first, you must do something for me.”
He lifted a medium-sized satchel from behind the desk and placed it in from of him. “In here is a million dollars US. Ten thousand in cash and the rest in travellers’ checks. It is aid money and I want you to spend it on your countrymen.”
He smiled, as hope flickered across the oriental features. “But, you must spend it exactly as I tell you. OK?”
There was still no answer. The director began to doubt assurances Thang understood English.
“Mr Nguen!” he demanded. “Do you understand me?” He pushed the satchel towards Thang, who took it quickly. A bird in the hand.
“Yes, Director,” he answered in clear accented English. “I understand you. Am I being repatriated?”
“No, no,” Bunton laughed, picking up a plain buff envelope. “I want you to come back here after you finish this mission.”
He held the envelope for Thang to see but did not open it. “In here are your American citizenship papers and your green card.” He smiled. “When you return, you’ll be given the rights and protection we offer all American citizens.”
Thang could not believe what he was hearing. He looked down at the satchel.
“By all means, open it and check,” he laughed. “You’ll find a Vietnamese passport and a US visa to get back in. It’s all there.”
Given permission, the Vietnamese placed the satchel on the desk and quickly riffled the papers, leaving the bills and checks. He was not interested in the money. His family, his wife and three daughters were hiding with friends while he worked for cash – cooking, cleaning, anything low profile.
A green card and citizenship would give his family a real chance to integrate, be properly educated, start a business and live the American dream. There had to be a price and he had not been told what that was. He did have honour. He needed to know.
“I see the papers are as you say, Mr Director. What do you want me to do?”
He expected to be told he was required to spy on his own people as had been demanded of so many others but was surprised.
“All I want you to do is to take the money and help your people buy boats. There is one condition. They must leave for Australia within a week of buying the boat. It is not so far from Vietnam. Australia has plenty of room and they’ll find many Vietnamese already there to welcome them.” He smiled as he watched tension drain from the tired face.
“What do you say? Are you in, or do I ask someone else?” His eyes hardened again. “Of course, if you refuse, you will be arrested and deported.”
The brown face crumpled. He had felt the threat coming. What was the catch? Why were they doing this?
“With respect, Mr Director, why do you need me to do this? There are aid agencies that need money. They would be welcomed in any village back home.”
“You’re right, of course,” smiled Bunton. “There is a reason, and I’ll be frank with you.”
He picked up the envelope containing the green card and citizenship papers. “Apart from the corruption, they move too slowly and far too many people die waiting. We owe the Vietnamese, as do the Australians but they are not taking enough. By next year, hundreds of thousands will be dead from starvation. Even more will be killed for whatever they have. If they can get to Australia, at least they’ll be fed and have a good chance of being allowed to stay. Vietnamese do well there.” He waved the second envelope enticingly.
“What do you say? You’ll be giving thousands of your countrymen a chance to survive. When you return, you and your family can live here as free Americans. Everybody wins.”
“I’ll do it, Mr Director.” said Thang. “When do I go?”
“As soon as you can, preferably today,” answered Bunton. “But, you are a completely free agent. You buy your own ticket. Get yourself to the Mekong. Use your own judgment to get the best deals you can for your people and keep enough cash to get
