“Aw man, you’ve gotta be kidding me! Tim, are you sure?”

The look in his eyes was all the confirmation Marcus needed.

“How the hell are we going to get Bob to believe us? He just announced to the world that the Russians are going to be our allies!”

“Marc—he doesn’t have a choice.”

The house lights came on as Bob crossed the stage and the emcee returned to the podium. People began to stand and walk out, while the latter announced the schedule for the final day. Tim and Marcus used the opportunity to beat the rush, exiting through a different door than they had entered.

They had hoped to encounter Bob on his way out, but instead they watched him pass through the doors that led to the elevator bay at the other end of...

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