Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(86)

Even worse, Corinne appeared fragile. Leo Shaw was concerned, but couldn't get her to agree to a session. Unless things changed, I wasn't sure it would do any good anyway.

At least Laci was keeping her appointments with Shaw-she was looking forward to this being over, hoping, I'm sure, that everything would return to normal once the meeting took place.

I wished I could say the same thing. Corinne was upset about it, and if I'd learned anything in the nearly seven years I'd known her, it was to be concerned right along with her.

Rafe refused to discuss any difficulties between him and Cori, which was admirable and frustrating at the same time. Shaw had invited him for a session after Corinne's refusal-Rafe refused as well.

*

Corinne

"Isn't this premature? You've only known one another for a few weeks," Maye said as she, Richard and James walked into the kitchen the morning of the meeting.

Ilya worked nearby, covering a breakfast casserole with shredded cheese and olives before placing it in the oven. Automatically, I began brewing coffee. I understood, too, without asking, that James and Nathan wanted to be married.

"We don't live in the dark ages, anymore," James pointed out.

"That's not what I'm saying," Maye said. "I'm just saying to get engaged and set a date, instead of rushing into it."

"If you set a date, Corinne and I will stand with you," Ilya said after shutting the oven door and turning toward James.

"Cori, will you be there for us?" James implored.

"If you get married, I'll be there," I said. "Even if I have to move Heaven and Earth to do it."

"That's two whole sentences," Richard smiled. "More than anyone's gotten from her in days."

"Hmmph," I muttered and went back to making coffee.

"What's cooking?" Auggie arrived with Leo and sat down at the island.

"Breakfast enchilada casserole," Ilya said.

"I love that," Leo beamed. "Thank you."

Cori, Opal sent while dipping casserole onto her plate twenty minutes later.

Opal? I returned.

Always remember I'm on your side, she said. Always.

I appreciate the thought, but I'm not sure how that might help me in the future, I replied.

You never know, she gave a slight shrug. "Aren't you hungry?" she said aloud.

"Not really." I made more coffee. The others were eating, drinking and talking as if the weight of the world hadn't settled like a heavy blanket over the lot of us.

*

"He's holed up at the Russian Embassy and has refused to see anyone other than his aides and the new Ambassador since his arrival yesterday," Madam President said after we were ushered into the Oval Office and the door was shut behind us.

Repairs to the office had been made in record time, although a few things still remained to be done. Those things were cosmetic only, as Madam President needed the space to work.

She was referring to Russian President Zoran, although she hadn't mentioned names. "The German Chancellor is offended that he refused to talk over dinner last night at his embassy, the French President is angry on many levels and wants a personal apology, of course, along with finding the culprits inside Zoran's government responsible for handing dangerous weapons to terrorists. He wants to put them on trial-in France," Madam President continued. "The UK is understandably upset, and that doesn't include the fact that the same people are likely behind the theft of their crown jewels."

She then went on at length about all the other world leaders-Ukraine and Australia included-who'd been wronged and whose citizens had died on Zoran's watch.

The Secretary of State had been busy, attempting to calm everyone while delivering messages from Zoran-that rogues in his government had somehow been involved in selling secret technology to the insurgents. He'd even gone so far as to offer proof, but that didn't fly with any of us.

It didn't surprise me in the least that Zoran wouldn't take responsibility-somebody had likely told him to do just that. It made me wonder what else they'd told him to do. None of the photographs I'd been shown even hinted at what that might be, but then the photographs I had weren't recent, either.

I wanted to set my eyes on Zoran the moment the live feed was up and running. Worry still gnawed at me while panic threatened-Leo Shaw had been included on the live feed roster at the last minute, because I'd been shaky after breakfast.

That's when Auggie leveled the last bit of frustration to the heap I'd already dealt with. "I don't want you to come in that room unless there's no other option," he said while Madam President nodded her approval. "Let us handle any problems that arise."

"Is that your final word, Colonel Hunter?" I asked, my voice as cold and emotionless as I could make it.

"By my orders," the President said.

"Fine," I said. I didn't say another thing as we filed out of the Oval Office, Richard, Leo and I going toward a small room equipped with several screens; the rest toward the much larger meeting room.

*

Notes-Colonel Hunter

Words are things that can never be taken back, no matter how often you might wish it otherwise. Matt exchanged several glances with Opal as we walked down the hall toward the Cabinet Room; Corinne was herded toward the Press Secretary's office farther down the hall, where the live feed would be shown on several screens.