Treaty Violation Read Online Free Page A

succeed in the twenty-first century. We must conform to World Trade Organization standards.”
    “But Mr. President,” Hernandez said, shocked, “surely you don’t mean total conformity? Panama first needs law and order, or an open economy will result in chaos.”
    Romero laughed. “Real competition would threaten your business interests. You don’t want to help Panama; you want to use the corrupt system and the Americans to protect your bottom line.”
    Conspiratorial nonsense , Hernandez thought. He wasn’t boiling oil to protect himself from a peasant revolt. Hell, he’d provided thousands of jobs to those ungrateful bastards. “Panama isn’t ready for radical economic change,” he said calmly. “Change takes time.”
    “I intend to take time,” Mendoza said. “I’m creating a comprehensive plan to make Panama more competitive in the 21 st century. The changes will affect some sectors more than others”—he glanced at Hernandez—“but forcing companies to compete fairly is the best way to create a better future for Panama.”
    “Well said, Mr. President,” Romero said triumphantly and raised his drink.
    Three knocks on the door ended the uncomfortable silence. One of Mendoza’s advisors entered the room, pulled the president aside, and whispered in his ear. Mendoza shook his head sadly and gestured for Hernandez approach.
    “I’m afraid I have some terrible news,” Mendoza said. “Tyler Broadman was murdered.”
    Hernandez held his chest and took a deep breath as he sat on the couch. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth to fight the pain. Mendoza gestured for Romero to get some help.

FIVE
     
    Dylan Dirk walked around the desk and extended his hand. “Welcome to Panama,” he said to Nicholas Lowe. The plush office in a nondescript office building was nestled in a quaint neighborhood. The tropical sun had tanned his skin; his salty brown hair and mustache
    were neatly trimmed; and the pinstriped charcoal suit magnified his Napoleonic frame. They hadn’t spoken in years, but Dirk offered a top-of-the-day handshake.
    Nicholas scrutinized him. He wanted to hate him for his role in the El Salvador fiasco, but time obviously had healed his grudge. He decided to put Dirk on parole and play by the rules. He would complete the operation, for Tyler, with or without Dirk’s support. “You look great,” he said. “How long has it been?”
    Dirk rubbed his chin. “It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?”
    Nicholas nodded in an offhand way. Dirk looked like a tamed version of his younger self. Years of administrative duties tended to have that effect on senior intelligence officers.
    Nicholas gestured to the computer. “Before I forget, do you have a rental car reimbursement form?”
    “In the Admin folder,” Dirk said. “I know you’re down here as a computer technician on paper, but are you actually good with computers?”
    “I can hold my own,” Nicholas said assuredly.
    Dirk seemed to appreciate the humor.
    “You’d be surprised what they’re teaching us back at headquarters,” Nicholas added as he searched the Admin folder on the computer. “Computer skills are now the agency’s top hiring criterion. We get a bonus for every database we create.”
    Dirk looked confused.
    Nicholas smiled to indicate he was joking.
    “They installed these new computers,” Dirk said and rested his hand on the monitor. “They said it was user friendly, but it saves documents in places I can never find.”
    Nicholas spotted Car Rental Form, gestured to the monitor, and pointed to ones named Document1, Document2, and Document3. “When you open a new file, the computer gives it a default name. You must have forgotten to save the file.”
    Dirk shrugged indifferently.
    “No big deal,” Nicholas said. “Decide which ones you want to keep and rename them.”
    “I have a meeting at the embassy,” Dirk said. He hoisted two boxes onto the desk. “In the meantime, start reading Tyler’s files to get up to