Chapter 2 #4
Candace's expression remained steady. "Jennifer, coordinate with Luke on congressional outreach once our invitation is formally accepted.
I want our allies briefed on this visit before the press gets so much as a whisper.
Luke, get with Marcus. I want security implications reviewed.
Do not turn Washington into a sideshow. The usual circus is fine. "
Luke nodded. "Understood."
Candace looked at Gil. "I want an updated assessment on China's military posture. Find out what Beijing gains and loses from sustained instability across Europe and North America."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And Alex," Candace said.
Alex looked at her.
"I want to know who benefits if the United States and China stop talking."
The room quieted again.
Jennifer closed her folder. "That's a much larger list."
"Yes," Candace said. "It is."
Gil pushed back from the table. "Madam President."
The meeting began to slowly break apart, chairs scraping against the floor, aides gathering folders, deputies whispering into phones before they reached the door.
Joshua lingered.
Candace waited.
"I don't like it," he said finally.
"I know."
"I don't like the timing."
"I know that, too."
He sighed lightly. "I'm not questioning your judgment."
"Yes, you are," Candace said.
Joshua opened his mouth, then closed it.
"And that's your job," she added. "But the decision stands."
"Madam President," he said, nodding to Alex as he left the room.
Candace looked down at the briefing book in front of her. "You're quiet."
"I was waiting."
"For?"
Alex walked to the table and picked up one of the folders. "For everyone else to leave."
Candace sighed. "That usually means you're about to make my day worse."
"Probably."
"Wonderful."
Alex opened the folder, though Candace doubted she needed to look at anything inside. Alex often used paper as a prop when she wanted a moment to arrange her thoughts.
"You think President Li knows something," Alex surmised.
"I think everyone knows something," Candace replied. "That's the problem. Everyone is watching everyone else, waiting to see who moves first. You told me you believed it was time we took the lead."
"I did."
"I realize China wasn't front of mind, but I think this meeting is essential, Alex. I don't expect to cultivate a warm friendship with Beijing."
Alex nodded.
"But I believe there may be an opportunity for a strategic alliance."
"Candace, what does Li gain by aligning with America over Russia?"
"I don't know Popov. I know his history. He'll see China as a committed partner."
"Because they are," Alex said.
"To a point. Russia and China have no formal defense pact. Neither is bound to come to the aid of the other."
"True."
"They are deeply entwined economically," Candace admitted.
"I sense a but coming."
"But where Russia sees them as equal partners, China leverages Russia's growing economic dependence on them. Li has the upper hand, Alex, and I'm certain he knows that."
"And you don't think Popov recognizes that?"
"I think President Popov's downfall may be his belief that he can outsmart and out-manipulate?—"
"You?"
Candace laughed. "Not only me."
"Beijing."
"Mm. Everyone."
"I'll speak with Jim this week," Alex offered.
"Is that why you wanted to extend your visit?"
"Partly. I know you want to talk to him, Candace."
"I do."
Alex nodded. "I need to spend some time with him this week. I happen to know that Claire and El are headed to spend Saturday with your daughter."
"Marianne mentioned that. I thought you might join them."
"Not this time," Alex said. "It will give me some time with Jim. Time without Cassidy or Claire hovering."
"I think I understand. Alex?"
"Hm?"
Candace hesitated.
"Candace?"
"I know this will sound crazy."
"We deal with crazy daily."
Candace chuckled. "True."
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"I have this feeling—a gut feeling that something is brewing."
"Any ideas?" Alex asked.
"Too many to count."
Alex studied her for a moment. "Pick the one you don't want to say out loud."
Candace almost smiled. "You do know how to brighten a room."
"It's my special gift."
Candace looked down at the briefing book again. China. Russia. Energy infrastructure. Foreign leaders. Allies. Adversaries. Every tab contained a possibility. Every possibility carried a consequence.
"I'm worried we're still thinking about this in terms of countries," Candace said.
Alex's expression stilled.
"Maybe the point is to make us choose."
"Choose an enemy," Alex said.
"Yes. And force us into a response."
Alex nodded.
"You agree," Candace said.
"It took a lot of planning and resources to launch these attacks. I find it hard to believe they all failed accidentally. And I won’t lie; the recent calm unsettles me."
Candace groaned.
"That's what you're thinking, isn't it?" Alex asked.
"I think it's possible that part of the aim of these attacks was to get us to jump to a conclusion about the perpetrator and provoke an overreaction. We didn’t. I worry someone is trying to regroup."
"I'll talk to Jim. If your instincts are correct—and they probably are—then bringing Kapralov in might be our best hope."
Candace sighed.
"I understand your hesitation, Candace. I do."
"Hesitation isn't helping," Candace said. "What you suggest carries significant risk. Not only for me or for this country, but for Nika Kapralov as well."
"I know. That's why it needs to be handled carefully."
"Talk to Jim."
Alex nodded.
"And Alex?"
"Yes?"
"Be careful."
Rose arched her brows when Claire and Eleana walked into the living room holding a box of donuts. "Hungry?" she asked, Eva sitting on her lap with her favorite stuffed elephant.
"I am," Jim commented from his place on the floor beside Ian.
"What are you building?" Eleana asked.
"A castle," Ian said.
"A castle?" Claire asked.
"For Fa'won."
Of course, it was for Fallon. Ian worshiped his cousin.
"I thought Fallon liked mermaids and fish?" Eleana asked.
Ian shrugged. "They can live there," he said, finally looking up to see Claire holding the box. His eyes lit up.
"Yes?" Claire asked.
"Gooeys!" he exclaimed.
All eyes turned to Claire.
"What?" she asked. "He likes the frosted ones... and jelly." She shuddered. "It's gooey."
Eleana shook her head. "Do you have a nickname for everything?"
Claire shrugged. "I don't know. Probably."
Rose cleared her throat softly. "Donuts before lunch?"
"Not donuts before lunch. Donuts for lunch. You only live once," Claire said.
"What are you up to?" Rose asked.
"Why does everyone assume I'm up to something?"
Jim looked up from the castle. "Experience."
Claire shrugged again.
Eleana laughed. "If anyone is opposed to donuts, we can always order pizza."
Ian abandoned the castle and scrambled to his feet.
"I'm not opposed to donuts," Jim said.
"Your blood sugar might be," Rose said.
"My blood sugar is fine," he said, struggling to pry himself from the floor. He tried again.
Claire noted the worry etched on her mother's face and handed Eleana the box. "Why don't you take everyone into the kitchen? I'll help hop-a-long off the floor."
Eleana nodded. "Okay, let's get gooey."
Ian shrieked with delight, making his sister wince.
Eleana shook her head. "I might need earplugs with three."
"You will if Claire keeps feeding them donuts," Rose said. She looked back over her shoulder at Claire and Jim and sighed.
"Claire will handle it," Eleana promised.
"I know. I wish that made me feel better."
Claire looked down at Jim and shook her head. "You realize you still haven't fully healed?"
"Neither have you."
"Uh... despite what most people think, I don't have head trauma."
Jim laughed and held out his hand. "Help me up."
Claire pulled gently. Jim wobbled.
"Dad?"
The word took them both off guard.
"I'm fine," he said.
"You're full of shit. What's this about your blood sugar?"
"It's nothing."
"Uh-huh. Do I need to rethink the gooeys?"
He laughed loudly.
"Why does everyone laugh at me?"
Jim smiled. "I'm okay, Claire. I promise."
"Mm-hm," she said, deciding to leave her questions for later.
Jim followed Claire into the kitchen.