6.

Who wants to be president?

6.

 The next day declared a non-working day. All the people of the country alarmed and stunned by the recent events. But especially strong despondency and anxiety experienced by numerous government officials and deputies of parliament. With some sixth sense, they realized the Time for Changes had come. And these changes did not bode well for them.

 An emergency meeting of the government began at 8:00 am. All the ministers also understood that a calm and satisfying life had come to an end. Many were profoundly shocked, but tried not to show it.

 The next successor to the dead President, according to the Constitution, was to be Minister of Economics Bartosz. Although he tried to refuse, citing lack of experience, everyone voted unanimously in favor of his appointment. The discussion of economic and political tasks, as well as changes in the government and the Cabinet of Ministers that arose in connection with the current situation, decided to postpone to other meetings and ended today's conference.

 "And where is presently... Martin?" asked the new President Bartosz, referring, of course, to the former Prime Minister.

 "Somewhere in South America," the Minister of State Security Walter replied him. "He left on his plane last night with his wife and other relatives and grabbed half a container of luggage."

 Arriving home, Acting President Bartosz announced his appointment to his wife Adelina.

 "I advised you -- don't agree by any means," she said with disapproval.

 "Yes, I refused -- but they persuaded, forced me. It was hinted I could lose my position altogether and everything else. I guess they want to see if something happens to me," he said.

 "Most likely something will happen. It's not for nothing that Martin didn't want to be president yesterday. He abandoned everything and together with a bunch of relatives, flew abroad. It's not just like that. He must have known something. These threats to burn photos are not a bluff," his wife said.

 "This is what I thought, even when I was there, at the meeting. What if, like Martin, I announce my resignation, and we'll immediately fly away by plane to France to our daughter."

 "Of course, it's a pity to leave everything here, the houses and apartments, and my collection of cars... But we'll take something with us. There's enough for a prosperous life. And you're right. It's something bad. Being president in this country has become mortally dangerous," said Bartosz.

 "Well, since you have decided so, indeed - life is more precious than all this well-being," his wife said. "Let's get ready, and my jewelry will, I suppose so, fit into two suitcases. And don't forget your watch collection," she tried to joke.

 "Don't even think of telling anyone about this, even your relatives. You need preparing for departure secretly, covertly," said Bartosz. "For now, pack your bags and I'll go to the Ministry. I need to take everything from the safes there."

 However, it was impossible to achieve absolute secrecy, since all conversations in his house tapped and recorded. Many years ago, under a secret order of the President, a special unit created to covertly watch ministers and government officials. Only Minister of State Security Walter, his deputy Bolek, who controlled and led this special unit, as well as the President and the Prime Minister, knew about this.

 When Bartosz left his office with a two full suitcases, he received a call from the presidential administration and asked to come to solve some managerial issues.

 Although the deceased President Konstantin preferred to work in his palace -- the presidential residence, most of his administration with offices for official meetings and negotiations located in the government building.

 When Bartosz signed the documents and orders as Acting President, a security officer gave him the keys and codes for the safes in his new office. And he decided to inspect their contents. The large one contained folders with documents and a box covered with velvet, in which there were cases with rare valuable wristwatches.

 Collecting watches was Bartosz's weakness and passion, he didn't have such models. Therefore, he decided to take them.

 "Anyway, he won't need them anymore," Bartosz thought.

 It took more time to unlock another small safe, as the cipher was very complex. Inside was a heavy, inlaid with precious stones jewelry box, apparently made of gold and platinum, with a built-in combination lock. A paper strip with the inscription «Pandora» glued on the lid.

 "I should take this too, and my wife will like it," thought Bartosz.

 Returning home, he continued to pack his bags. Recorded a video message about his resignation from all posts. Where he even announced the transfer of his real estate and car collection to the State. Then ordered his assistant to deliver the video disc to the television studio, and make sure that no one sees it before a certain time.

 Later in a minibus already loaded with luggage, together with his wife and two loyal guards, he went to a small government airport. His private plane was already waiting for him.

 Having gathered a few employees of the airfield, very surprised by the unexpected visit of the future new president, in one room, Bartosz forbade them to use telephones and ordered to wait for further instructions. Leaving the guard driver to watch them, he loaded 10 suitcases onto the plane with two other guards.

 "As long as everything goes well. Wait for me here and watch the plane crew," he told his wife. "And I will wait in the airport administration building until my resignation message shown on television. So that I can fly away not as Acting President, but as ordinary citizen."

 Half an hour later, after watching his own speech, he let go of the guards and went to the plane. The departure was of agreed in advance with local air traffic controllers.

 However, he wasn't the only one waiting for this moment. As soon as his minibus with the guards left the gate, a black, formidable-looking limousine drove into the territory of the airfield. And headed directly for the business jet, on which the now former minister and failed president Bartosz was going to fly.

 The limousine stopped next to the gangway and Deputy Minister of State Security Bolek got out of it. When he received a message from an employee of a secret unit about Bartosz's intention to resign and depart from the country, he decided not to tell anyone about this and detain him before flying. Bolek never liked Bartosz. Although President Konstantin always singled him out and rewarded at the first opportunity. And even allowed him to use his own business jet. A secret dossier compiled on him, like on other ministers, where his numerous financial frauds and abuses of position recorded. But Bartosz couldn't be sued because he knew who to share with. After the death of President Konstantin, all ties and promises of security broken, now no one guaranteed anything to anyone.

 Bartosz realized all his plans collapsed when saw a limousine drive up.

 "Where are you headed? - Citizen Bartosz," asked Bolek, barely hiding the irony, when he approached the plane.

 "On vacation, for two weeks," said Bartosz, trying to stay calm.

 "And why on a government official plane? It's illegal. Let's go up there," said Bolek and made a sign to his guard to follow him.

 Climbing up the ladder, he summoned the crew of this small private plane, consisting of two pilots and a stewardess. They promptly recognized him. He took their smartphones and put them in a small leather briefcase, which for some reason he never parted with. And ordered the crew stay in the cockpit and not go anywhere. Then he went into the salon, where Bartosz's wife Adelina was sitting. All information from listening and spying on government officials passed through him. Therefore, he was well aware of her insatiable appetite for jewelry and a luxurious life. Since she was now the wife of not a minister, but an ordinary citizen Bartosz, moreover, a suspect in grave crimes, he did not greet her, but simply nodded. There were two passports on the table, and he took them and leafed through.

 "So, another violation, no stamps in the passports crossing the border -- after all you were going to depart from the country. And your luggage doubtless did not pass Customs control," Bolek said looking at the pile of suitcases.

 "Bring the customs inspector here," he said, turning to his guard. "Tell that I'm summon him."

 A few minutes later, the customs officer was on the plane and confirmed there had been no inspection of the luggage. All suitcases were diplomatic with secret combination locks.

But the customs officers had a specific key to unlock them in special emergency cases. Bolek told his bodyguard to step off the plane and wait for him in the car. And ordered the inspector to open the suitcases.

 The first suitcase was filled with bundles of foreign currency in bank packaging. In the second was a collection of expensive wristwatches. In the third were a scattering of jewelry. And the fourth contained packages of shares, bonds and other securities.

 When the customs officer wanted to open another suitcase, Bolek told him. "It's enough. You will need to make an inventory of the contents." Then he took smartphone and walkie-talkie from customs inspector. "Wait for me here."

 "Everything is clear with you," he said, turning to Bartosz and his wife. "Come with me."

 After getting off the plane, he issued a command to his security guard to roll a container here to transport luggage.

 "And you follow me," Bolek said to the former minister and his wife and headed towards the administrative building. But, approaching the building, he passed by and went to the gate. Having ordered the security officer to open the wicket, he went out of and beckoned the spouses, stunned by everything that was happening, behind him.

 "I have decided not to arrest or handcuff you because of your ministerial status. However, I officially appoint you, as a measure of restraint, house arrest. I took your passports, and I left your smartphones. You must order a taxi and go to your home. Wait there for further instructions," Bolek said. And having heard no objections, he returned to the airport.

 Left alone, the couple looked around in bewilderment. Bartosz indeed expected that to be handcuffed and with the sound of police sirens, they will be ride for interrogation. Whence this unexpected delay was very welcome. It was allowing them time to gather their thoughts and prepare.

 To get home, they called not a taxi, but an official minibus; it did not have time to drive too far.

 Approaching the plane, Bolek told his guards that he wanted to fly to another airfield. And instructed them to go ride there.

 Climbing on board, he ordered the customs inspector to close the suitcases, took the specific key from him, and got off the plane with him.

 "Check that cargo container if there for anything," he told inspector.

 The customs officer opened the lid and peered inside. At that moment, Bolek pulled a silenced pistol from his leather briefcase. And, as inspector straightened up and was about to turn, he aimed and pulled the trigger. The bullet entered the back of the head and the body of the inspector immediately went limp and fell deep into the container. Only his legs stuck out from the outside.

 Bolek looked around again. Hid the pistol in his briefcase. Walked over, put legs inside, closed the lid and rolled the container away to the side.

 Back on the plane, he went to the cockpit and told the stewardess to remain in her cabin until further notice. According to the flight plan, the captain informed him, their final destination was a small private airfield in France. After thinking for a while, Bolek issued the order to take off.

 After crossing the air border of the country, Bolek ordered to change course and head towards Africa, to the West African Republic.

 In order to avoid problems when entering the airspace of other countries, he passed the pilots a special code that gives the right to a green corridor. Flight free of delays in emergency medical cases for the delivery of donor organs.

 Formerly, he often flew to this Republic both on official business and for recreation. He had good business mutually beneficial relations with the heads of the local state security service. And he even knew President Jelani. Who personally thanked him for his help in the fight against political opponents.

 Bolek repeatedly brought them a special drug, developed in the secret laboratory of the Ministry of State Security. After using it, even the most aggressive oppositionists forgot everything, became quiet and submissive.

 Bolek spent the entire flight in the cockpit, supervising the pilots. As he was a little versed in the navigation and control of such a plane. He turned off all smartphones, including his own.

 The airfield they flew to was not far from the capital. Near to the presidential palace, towering majestically in the center of a sizable piece of land. With ornamental ponds, greenhouses, and groves of exotic plants. The entire area surrounded by a five-meter concrete block fence.

 It was an early morning. The Minister of State Security of the Republic Mozi, his good friend, was still sleeping. However, there were no problems with his arrival, as the security officers recognized him. Although they were surprised by an unexpected visit.

 Very tired, Bolek requested them to inform him when Minister Mozi woke up. And he went to sleep at a hotel nearby.