Bigger Than Mere Murders
“Nick, there are bigger issues at stake here than mere murders. Things have to be dealt with at the macro level.”
“Mere murders? Innocent people dying is mere for the CIA? I love the statement!”
Heidi sighed and walked over to Nick. Her fists were clenched. Today, she was in no position to attack and was instead on the defensive. “In the game of international relations, a few pawns mean nothing. I’m sure you’re aware that right now, major changes are happening in Iraq. The scene is really hot.”
Nick was not ready to budge on his demands. He wanted directed and frank answers to the matter. “And you, the CIA, is trying to influence it, right?” said Nick with a sarcastic smirk on his face.
It was getting impossible to reason out the matter with Nick but Heidi continued. “Not at all! We would never do such a thing! We are merely trying to position ourselves to improve our relations with the country, no matter the result of those changes. After all, we have a responsibility toward world peace. Being well positioned helps us to be prepared for every eventuality. We are the people who have to give the answers in the end.”
Nick’s brows wrinkled on hearing this. “I get it. You support the opposition, but you also help the ruling party with cleaning their dirty laundry. That way, no matter who loses, you win! And you didn’t give a flying fuck how many innocent people have to die along the way!”
“Innocent?” Heidi whispered. “Please. Ninety percent of the kills were low-life scumbags! Their existence made no difference to anyone. They were involved in an international money-laundering operation. Ali and Omar have been doing our work for us; they just don’t know it! By helping them, we earn brownie points with the ruling party.”
Nick threw up his hands in amazement. “Good God! Plans within plots within double-crosses!” he exclaimed in an agitated voice. “What about that ten percent? What, they are a necessary sacrifice for the good of the nation? That might mean something if you would bother to ask them first, or if you were a part of the ten percent!”
“You want to know about this so-called innocent ten percent? They were suckers! All the money that these Iraqi charities were collecting from well-meaning Americans and others goes into what they call the Help Committee.”
Nick shrugged his shoulders. “Sounds great.”