Washington, D. C., Saturday…

"I've heard of him. He's the CEO of one of the major drug companies. He's an international VIP. Even contributed to Fulton's campaign. You're saying that he set this up? What's the motivation?"

"Our people have concluded it was his way of going after the President. I hope that doesn't mess with your ego but that's the way we see it. A lot of Kalinin's enterprises stood to lose money because of John Fulton's policies."

"The whole thing sounds illegal."

"It is, at least in this country. We have a warrant out for his arrest, to Interpol."

"Because he's out of the country?"

"Correct. He was last seen in Italy. His yacht pulled into Brindisi yesterday."

"Well, let me know when you find him. I would like to interview him personally."

"Off the record, of course."

"Off the record."

Pierce watched Jake Hanlon leave. He had had problems with the FBI director before, yet, in general, considered him competent and accessible. That was more than he could say for a lot of Fulton's cabinet. The traditional presidential method of rewarding long-time political supporters positions in the cabinet was not unknown to Pierce's boss. It would have been political suicide to not dole out the pieces of the pie. Usually it worked fairly well, although even Fulton had long-time political supporters who were incompetent hacks. It didn't make the President's job any easier.