Sunshine or Lead

by Adam Van Susteren

  Manny declared, “That’s just bad business.”

  Aaron agreed. “We have someone who lives and works in the United States for five straight years. They want to stay and work, but we kick them out because of a protectionist attitude. Unfortunately, doing so could actually encourage them to gather and steal proprietary information because they know they will be kicked out of the country.”

  Nat asked, “Protectionist attitude?”

  “Think about it. We have these high-tech workers who come here for six years, then if they aren’t married to a U.S. citizen they have to leave the country. Where do they go? Somewhere in the global economy where they take with them six years of experience in American business techniques and any corporate secrets they learned.”

  James added, “And they would leave the United States to avoid being subject to the jurisdiction of a non-compete or confidentiality agreement.”

  Aaron looked at Nat. “And here’s where all this comes from. Politicians are afraid that foreigners will come in and destroy wages for Americans because they would undercut the price. The American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 placed new limits on all of the H-1B work visas. In most years, the visa caps fill up within a week or two despite employers having to pay a salary, a $325 base filing fee, a $1500 fee for businesses with 26 or more employees, a $500 fraud detection fee, and a $1200 premium processing fee so you don’t have to wait a year to be approved.”

  James interjected, “So Ameriprobe was paying an extra $3500 or so per year to employ Xiaowan before we got married and she became a citizen.”

  “Plus whatever they had to spend on immigration attorneys to make sure everything is done properly. The add-on costs are tremendous.”

  Manny said, “I know companies have started to expand all over the world, in part because of taxes, but also because of labor. It’s easier to keep top labor in the U.S. if employees can develop roots and not fear deportation if they leave a job.”

  “It’s crazy,” Aaron admitted. “I didn’t know anything about this until I met with Xiaowan last week and then talked about it with Enloe Burden and researched it.”

  Nat was still confused. “Hold on a second, I still don’t understand why you mentioned a protectionist attitude. Who are we protecting?”

  “The current policy is to protect Americans’ jobs. In the short run, it might protect a qualified American citizen from losing his job to a foreigner. But in the long run, it will cost net jobs as the best and brightest businesses don’t expand in the United States.”

  “See Nat,” Manny said, “Politicians are way too shortsighted. When American-educated, English-speaking citizens are afraid of losing their jobs to someone who may not even speak English and didn’t have the benefit of growing up here, I truly am afraid of what that means for the future.”

  “Why?” Nat asked in disbelief. “It seems perfectly reasonable that someone who grew up in Michigan should get the job building cars for twenty bucks an hour over someone from Mexico, China, or wherever, who would undercut them to do the job for ten.”

  Aaron responded, “That’s what the politicians think too. The problem lies in the long-term and big picture. If the car company has to overpay for labor, even though people willing to do the same job for cheaper exist, that means the cars will be more expensive. That cost is pushed onto the consumer. If the cost is high enough, the consumer will buy a car made by a company using cheaper labor. This happened in the ‘90s when the competition between the United States and Japan got to the point where the United States automakers needed a bailout from the government to stay in business.”

  Manny added, “If a car can be manufactured for less elsewhere, ultimately, auto manufacturers will move the assembly plants to find that cheaper labor. If you travel much internationally, you will see there are many wonderful cities and places to live in. There is no reason why a corporation has to stay in the United States. Even Ameriprobe expanded to Barcelona and Singapore.”

  Aaron said, “And with high-skilled workers, it’s easier to grant H-1B visas, politically. Everyone agrees we want the best heart surgeons, defense industry minds, and people who can do great things. What people don’t realize is, if I’m building cars, I will employ the person who is willing to work harder, with less breaks, and pay more attention to detail. No matter the industry or country, the person that will do the best job at the best price deserves the job.”

  Aaron looked down at his watch. “We should be landing soon. A lot of people hate Walmart because they pay their employees as little as they can. But because of that, people who shop at Walmart can afford to buy new clothes, new furniture, new electronics and the like, when they would not be able to afford those things otherwise. And some of Walmart’s customers have to take the bus so getting all of their groceries and clothes at the same location has immense value because they aren’t able to shop around at multiple stores.”

  Manny agreed, “That’s right. Things are so cheap at Walmart because they buy from the cheapest manufacturers and have a business model that allows them to replace cashiers, stockers, and even managers in a very efficient way. That allows them to offer such good prices.”

  Aaron suggested, “If the United States truly wanted to lower the cost of medical care, it would allow reciprocity with medical schools from other developed nations or increase the number of residency slots for foreigners. If we added ten thousand new doctors, prices would drop. But there are huge restrictions on allowing non-American students into medical schools and residency programs, and even bigger restrictions on allowing foreign doctors to practice medicine here.”

  Breaking in, James said, “I hate to end your love fest, but instead of agreeing with each other, we should probably be coming up with policy points to sell to the President so we can keep my wife out of prison and help ensure the country moves forward rather than regresses.”

  “You’re absolutely right, James. Manny, what do you think about illegals? They committed a crime; Xiaowan and the others in the program may have as well. Are you thinking we try to wrap that all up together, big picture?”

  “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  James asked, “Seriously, you guys want to solve the country’s immigration problem in a half hour?”

  “No reason why we can’t present the President with the broad strokes of a comprehensive immigration reform proposal.”

  Manny added, “If the President doesn’t take a strong lead and gain popular opinion based upon sound policy, Congress will just muck it up. I firmly believe that no bill should be more than two pages long and everyone, even a congressman, should be able to understand it.”

  Chapter 31

  In the Situation Room, the NSA tech Justin Chernick called out, “Kenji Bo just bought a flight into Washington Dulles Airport out of LAX, scheduled to depart in less than two hours. He received a phone call preceding the transaction by about ten minutes.”

  Aurora Wulfers asked, “Who called?”

  Justin said, “We have the conversation recorded, but have not identified the other voice. The number was extremely mobile so we couldn’t get a lock on the cell.”

  “What does extremely mobile mean?”

  “That the cell is on an airplane flying at approximately six hundred miles per hour, faster than most commercial jets.”

  “Let me listen to the recording.” She listened and said, “It’s not Aaron Baker. I wonder if it’s that Manny Gaglione guy he’s traveling with. Are you in touch with the agents watching Kenji Bo?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good, have them follow him and board a flight to Dulles or wherever else he goes. Contact the airline and let them know an FBI agent will be boarding the plane following a suspect. Have someone check-in behind him and follow him through to the gate. Make sure we do not lose eyes on him.”

  Her boss, Director Schwartz, was in the Situation Room and overheard. “Nicely done, Aurora. What other suspected spies have we located?”
>
  She shook her head. “None. The seven that we identified as having likely stolen corporate secrets are all out of the United States. Their visas have expired and none stayed. Two are working in Europe, the other five we guess are back in China. We haven’t been able to locate them yet.”

  “I’ll get State to talk to their counterparts and tell them we need to question those two individuals in Europe. Get me their names. Do we have an estimate as to how many unknowns are still are in the United States and how long they have been here?”

  “No, although if Kenji Bo is one of them he has been in the United States for over thirty years. That would be a very long-standing program.”

  He followed-up again, “Have a guess?”

  She thought for a second, then guessed. “Hundreds. If there were thousands or tens of thousands, I imagine more would have been caught or come forward. It’s very hard to keep a giant program secret. And if there were far fewer, the dozen incidents we suspect occurred would not have been probable.”

  “What about that lawyer, of Chinese ethnicity, who killed Nannette Allenby?” Deputy Director Pete Smegielski asked.

  “Born in the United States,” she responded. “While that does not definitively absolve him, it makes it unlikely that he’s involved in the program, based on our understanding of their recruiting practice.”

  “What did you learn from Nannette when you spoke?”

  “Not much. She seemed calm and composed, although a tiny bit rattled when I asked about the NDS. Do we know anything about it?” Aurora asked.

  Director Schwartz scratched at his chin for a second. “Nothing that I can think of. Write up what you can on it and appoint someone to take the lead on investigating it. We can’t fall behind on the Helen Cluntz case. Especially if the two are related.”

  “As soon as I get a moment, I’ll appoint someone and provide them with my write-up,” Aurora said, feeling buoyed by the trust bestowed on her by her boss.

  As her mind wandered through agents she previously worked with, she heard a call-out, “POTUS in one!”

  She looked around as people shuffled papers, took seats at the table, and prepared their computer screens.

  Aurora’s boss yelled, “Get Admiral Speziale’s office on the line and alert the Admiral that the President may wish to speak with her. Let’s be prepared.”

  A few seconds later, the President entered along with his Chief of Staff, Dr. Brandon Joseph. The President cleared his throat and began his address. “I want to thank everyone for coming in and working hard this Sunday afternoon. We have a law enforcement obligation to uncover the details behind the Chinese spy program; the FBI will lead this action. The State Department must deal with the fallout and the armed forces must be prepared to meet, and defeat, any aggression. Do we have any updates from this room?”

  FBI Director Michael Schwartz said, “One of the apparent key players from the law enforcement side, a Kenji Bo, is being monitored and tailed by FBI agents. He has bought a ticket to Washington D.C. and is at LAX awaiting his flight, according to our agents with eyes on him.”

  “Do we know why?” President Shortree asked.

  Director Schwartz responded, “No. But we know he received a phone call that we believe came from the aircraft carrying Aaron Baker, immediately before buying the ticket.”

  Brandon Joseph tried to hold back a chuckle. The President barked, “What’s so funny, doctor?”

  “Somehow Aaron Baker seems to be a step ahead of us even without all of this,” Chief Joseph said as he gestured to the crowded Situation Room with ten analysts working away on phones and computers.

  Aurora said quietly, “Let’s hope so.”

  The President directed, “Well, let’s get him on the line.”

  Justin, the NSA agent Aaron referred to as Ozzy, said, “Mr. President, we can call the number that Agent Nat Rosetti said is supposedly a secure line. She’s on the vessel with Mr. Baker. It is less likely to be monitored, but not cleared as secure.”

  “Understood, do it.”

  On the speakerphone, “Manny speaking,” was heard in the Situation Room, over the slight hum of jet engines and ambient airport noise,

  “Put Aaron Baker on the line.”

  “I’m sorry Mr. President, but it might be a minute.”

  The President reflexively raised his hands up and shrugged. “Why does the President of the United States have to hold to speak with Aaron Baker?”

  Manny answered, “He is vomiting right now, sir.”

  “Is he okay?” the President asked.

  “Yes, Mr. President. We had a little turbulence landing in Washington D.C., and as part of his cover Mr. Baker was required to drink a lot of alcohol yesterday. The combination has led him to be hunched over on the runway vomiting.”

  “Is Agent Rosetti available?”

  Manny handed her the phone. “It’s the President.”

  “Mr. President?”

  “Are you aware that a call was made to a Kenji Bo from someone on your aircraft?”

  Surprised to be talking to the President, she responded again in a tone more like a question than an answer, “No?”

  “Find out who called that Bo character and why.”

  “Understood, I will be ready to report upon arrival. And… Mr. President, it may help for Mr. Baker to get a shower and change of clothes before you meet with him.”

  “He can shower in the Lincoln Bedroom for all I care. Just get him here ASAP and help us piece this mystery together.” He looked at Justin and motioned for the conversation to be cut.

  “Any update on Chinese military activity?”

  The Undersecretary of Defense stood up. “We have not identified any major troop movements. We understand they have seven submersibles in the Pacific Ocean. Admiral Speziale has located three in the water and is searching for the other four. We have not seen any new launches.”

  “Thoughts?”

  “They are at a heightened state of alert but are not preparing for war.”

  The President looked around the room. “Does anyone else have anything to add? Don’t be shy, I want as much information as possible and I understand we are still in gathering mode.”

  Aurora said, “Mr. President, I was with Xiaowan Lerma when we were investigating the flu drug that is supposed to be at Ameriprobe. We don’t think there was anything to steal.”

  “So…”

  “It seems strange to me that the espionage scheme we presume stole nuclear secrets in the ‘90s during the Clinton administration would be revealed because of a quest to uncover nothing. What I want to do is confirm that Ameriprobe does not have a cure for influenza in advance-stage development. It would help if we could confirm we are chasing a hoax.”

  The President said, “Then do it.”

  Dr. Joseph responded, “I know a few board members there. Come up to my office and we’ll get you on the phone to confirm this. The key person to speak to would probably be the Executive Director of their clinical trials.”

  The President looked at his new Chief of Staff and agreed, “Sounds good. Get me on the line with their CEO and I’ll get him to pressure his subordinates to help us out.” He then looked up and continued, “FBI and State people, stay in this room and continue to talk with each other. And be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. While this is a criminal investigation at this point, this room is for discussing and monitoring military operations. God willing, we will not have any military operations. If we do, you will all adjourn to the East Room. We will bring in tables, chairs, and plenty of your colleagues. This operation runs out of the White House until we deem it not a crisis. Thank you.” With that said, the President left the Situation Room.

  Chief of Staff Joseph said to the group, “You all have more experience in this area than me. My role is to help organize you so that you are most efficient. I will welcome your input and thoughts. One area in which I do have more experience than you is sleep deprivation. I ran a residency program and one of
the world’s busiest ERs and surgical centers. I am having cots, pillows, and blankets brought up to the Red Room. Before you find you’re getting tired and sloppy, get up there and get a few hours of sleep whenever possible. We have enough manpower to avoid making mistakes. No one is a hero for going forty hours straight. You’re a hero if you don’t make any mistakes. Any questions?”

  No questions came, no hands raised. “Okay then, let’s protect this country and figure out what’s going on. Agent Wulfers, with me,” Chief Joseph directed.

  Walking side by side, Chief Joseph turned his head slightly towards Aurora. “What do you make of this situation?”

  “Sir?” she asked, unsure about how much detail he wanted.

  “I’m new to the job and have had limited briefings by the CIA and NSA, but have become privy to the actions of the United States in actively spying on and taking information from both friendly and unfriendly regimes. If someone declared war against us every time we got caught, we’d be in a perpetual state of war. Are we blowing this whole thing out of proportion? You were there when it started, right? What are your thoughts?”

  Aurora rarely slipped up but in that moment her first thought made it out of her mouth just as it crossed her mind. “You are new…” she said “… to this…” and trailed off while trying to think of a save for what just came out.

  “Excuse me?” Chief Joseph asked, not expecting to be insulted.

  “I’m sorry Chief. All of my superiors, your predecessor, they all want to know what to do next. Candidly, they would be thinking of how to cover the country’s ass, as well as their own. It’s refreshing. New…” Aurora responded, thinking she made a nice save.

  “Treat the symptoms and you might have some success. Understand the disease and you will find not only a treatment, but a cure. And of course, figure out if this thing’s malignant before we cause more harm than we would by just letting it go. So, your thoughts?”