Prologue

Our decision about energy will test the character of the American people and the ability of the President and the Congress to govern this Nation. This difficult effort will be the moral equivalent of war, except that we will be uniting our efforts to build and not todestroy.

President Jimmy Carter,Address to the Nation on Energy, 18 April 1977

“’ello there,” the shift nurse said as she arrived at the room of Ali Shariati, Iranian moderate opposition leader to the Shah. A man set to bring peaceful resolution to the turmoil of the Middle East.

Southampton General Hospital on Tremona Road, United Kingdom, 18 June 1977. Just up the Solent channel from the Isle of Wight.

“’ello to you,” said the tall Iranian in an exquisite business suit, holster bulge disguised by an excellent tailor. “I wasn’t made aware of any personnel changes. Can I see your identification, please?”

“Oh, my, yes,” the nurse replied, leaning over to show him the credentials on the lanyard. Uniform open two buttons, not just the one. The tops of her breasts swayed in front of his eyes.

“Um, yes…” the guard said, “everything looks in order.”

“Maggie called in sick,” explained the nurse. “I’m covering. Donna’s the name. Only one they could get at the last minute for a Saturday night, that’s my guess. Maggie told me there would be a guard, I just didn’t ex