The President is Missing

President Duncan bluffs, telling Augie that security is monitoring their meeting from afar and that Augie will be shot if he tries to harm the president. Duncan is convinced that Augie has important knowledge of the looming threat, and he is also concerned because Augie’s access to information implies that he has been in contact with someone in Duncan’s inner circle.

Augie refuses (as did Nina) to tell the president who shared the code word “Dark Ages” with him. Augie speaks of a powerful computer virus that could wipe out the entire digital infrastructure of the US. The narrative also reveals that prior to the start of the novel’s action, Duncan was made aware of the threat of this virus: This is the reason why he called Suliman Cindoruk, and this is the looming threat that terrifies him.

Augie confirms that Suliman and his organization, the Sons of Jihad, are behind the planned cyberattack; Augie initially collaborated with them but has now parted ways with the group. Augie tells Duncan to walk with him and exit the stadium.