"Well, I guess that's all for now. Give my love to Mama, and God bless."
This bullet-pouch was not, however, the first word that Stone had heard of the massacre. The day before he had received a tele-communication from Soviet Premier Denisov, short and to the point.
"Mr. President. Is it war you want?"
At this point Stone motioned in his Vice-President, Jordan Plant, who was standing by the door. The visual screens of both powers remained blank.
"No, Premier Denisov. That's the last thing I want."
"Then why does your Secretary of State continue to murder in your name?
I am sure you have heard what happened in East German Cerberus?"
Stone turned a helpless look toward Plant, who first lifted his hands (he didn't know), then moved closer and whispered in his ear: "Whatever Hayes has done, now more than ever we have to tell him."
Stone took a deep breath.
"Secretary Hayes is no longer acting under my orders. And I did not order the attack on Athena."
There was no pause on the part of Denisov. "Now you must tell me something I do not already know. But I ask you plainly, Mr. Stone. What do you plan to do about it?"