by Mark Spaid
“I meant it.”
“I know, that makes me look forward to tonight.”
“Are you seducing me Mrs. Robinson?”
“Hey, you’re the one that wants to ogle me.”
“That’s right it was me that started this.”
“I’ll let it go this time.” Lexi gave Will a kiss and they walked to the shoe store.
* * *
“I feel funny spending this much money for clothes,” Zara said.
“Don’t, Mom likes to buy things for us.”
“It still bothers me.”
“Well, find at least two outfits or she’ll be miffed at me.”
“I’ll do it so you won’t get in trouble.”
“Fair enough.” Zara found three pants and top combinations that she liked and was trying to eliminate one.
“I can’t make up my mind.”
“You’re driving me crazy, just get all three.”
“No, that’s too much.”
“We’ll take all three, Ma’am,” Darcy said to the clerk and laid down the credit card.
“No.”
“Zara, we’re getting all of them, you look great in everything.”
“I guess Mom will be happy.”
“Yes, now let’s go, I need shoes, make-up, and a bra.”
“Do I have to come into the dressing room with you?”
“Of course, I want your opinion when I try them on.”
“It’s not safe in there when you unleash those giant melons. There’s not enough room for another person,” Zara said grinning.
“Oh, you’re hilarious, you must’ve been hanging around Jessica.”
“There’s no chance of being around Jessica unless Dixie is there too.”
“I know, there inseparable, I guess we’ll have to live with that.”
“Yeah, they’re a couple.”
“Do you feel bad because you’re single?”
“No, not at all. I don’t want to be tied down,” Zara said.
“I was hoping you felt that way. I like being single too and I like going places with you.”
“Likewise. You’re more fun than a guy.”
“I’m glad you’re my sister, Zara.”
“I’m glad you’re my sister too.” They started for the lingerie shop. “Well, let’s see if we can find a giant bra for your girls.” Darcy chuckled as they went on their way.
* * *
“What do you and Yuri do?” Paulita asked.
“The movies, plays, pizza and we go to each other’s houses and watch television or play games.”
“Sounds fun,” Paulita said.
“Yeah,” Melanie said softly. Paulita looked at Mallory.
“What’s wrong?” Paulita asked.
“Yuri likes to do outdoor things.”
“So,” Paulita said.
“He likes to hike. Can you see me hiking?” Melanie asked.
“I saw you take care of yourself in the jungle,” Paulita reminded her friend.
“We were stuck there; it was push on or die. I can’t hike on steep trails like he does. He goes rafting and canoeing. I can’t do those things.”
“What’s so hard about riding in a canoe or on a raft?” Paulita asked.
“It takes two people to launch a canoe or raft. I’m so clumsy and helpless. He has to do all the work. I know it bothers him that I have limitations.”
“He told me he doesn’t care, Melanie. He just wants to be with you,” Mallory said.
“He told you that when?”
“After church about three weeks ago…he also told me he loves you.”
“What?” Melanie asked.
“He said he loves you. It’s obvious he does, anyone can see that,” Mallory said.
“Well, I think he is the luckiest boy in the whole world,” Paulita said. Melanie stopped walking and lowered her head.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Mallory asked. Melanie was crying softly.
“What Paulita said was so sweet.” Paulita looked at Mallory and grinned as she turned Melanie’s head towards her smiling.
“You know I love you, baby girl, and you too Mallory.”
“We know and we love you back, Paulita,” Mallory said.
“Come on, let’s spend some money,” Paulita said.
“We’re paying,” Mallory said.
“That’s not fair,” Paulita said.
“Mom said to use her card and we will,” Melanie said.
“Then I won’t buy much.”
“If you don’t then Mallory and I will buy a bunch of stuff, gaudy things; orange socks, pink pants, lime green scarves for you.” Paulita chuckled and shook her head.
“Okay, let’s go.” They shopped and bought what they wanted and Paulita bought things too because she knew Mallory and Melanie would do exactly what they said they would if she didn’t.
* * *
“What are you thinking about?” Dixie asked Jessica as they walked holding hands towards the pet store. Jessica liked to hold the puppies and kittens. Dixie wasn’t an animal person but she indulged her girlfriend. In return Jessica went to the dollar store with Dixie. Dixie bought towels, hot pads, table cloths and the like then gave them to the local soup kitchen. She volunteered there, two Saturdays a month and Jessica helped.
“Us.”
“What about us?”
“How much I love you and how happy I am.”
“Me too,” Dixie said as they kept walking. Jessica stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“That’s it, me too. That’s all you can say?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“That you’re madly in love with me and you can’t stop thinking about me.”
“Okay, that too.”
“Boy, you really pour your heart out in sentiment.” Dixie pulled Jessica to a nearby bench and they sat.
“What’s the matter, Jess?”
“I don’t know, it’s just this morning I had a wave of funny feelings that came over me.”
“What kind of feelings?” Jessica was sitting with her head down and turned to look at Dixie.
“I’m afraid you’ll leave me.”
“Where did you get that idea?”
“The other day we passed Mandy Simmons and you said hello and smiled at her.”
“Because she said hello to me first.”
“It’s no secret that she’s a lesbian too and she likes you. She tells everybody how much she’s attracted to you.”
“It’s a one-way street, Jess. I have no interest in Mandy Simmons.”
“What about Tay Winters?”
“What about her?”
“Well, she’s tall and pretty like Mandy and you’re tall, why would you want a runt like me?”
“Do you hear me complaining?”
“Tay likes you. I saw her at the drugstore last week and she said she was going to steal you away from me.” Jessica lowered her head and cried softly. Dixie sat looking at her feet and shaking her head. Then she touched Jessica’s shoulder and her girlfriend looked up through wet eyes.
“Understand something, baby, I love you and only you. And, yes, you are all I think about when I’m not with you and when I’m with you. I never want to leave you. You’re my life, sweetheart, I hope you know that by now. I don’t care a bit about Mandy Simmons or Tay Winters no matter how tall they are. Jessica was crying big tears then she hugged Dixie and buried her head sobbing. Dixie held her tight and after a few moments Jessica looked up and smiled.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry just know that I love you. I’m not much for flowery expressions of love like you are but my passion is for you. Okay?”
“Okay.” Jessica wiped her face and they started walking again.
“The longer you live with Miss Belinda the more you act like her.”
“I know, isn’t it wonderful?” Jessica said grinning and Dixie looked to the ceiling and rolled her eyes.
CHAPTER TEN
Morning came
and Andy tried to get on the President’s floor to tell the secret service what he saw but was met with a roadblock of two agents. He pleaded with them but they were adamant…no one entered the President’s floor. Finally, he sent a message to the President through the front desk. He waited and a few minutes later there was a knock on his door. He had told Dave and he suggested that Andy tell the President.
“I’m Trent Wilson, head of the President’s security detail. You said you had some information.”
“Yes, sir, I do,” Andy said.
“You can tell me.”
“I was sitting in the park across from the hotel yesterday and I saw two men, tall, wearing black hanging around the side entrance.”
“What were they doing?”
“Talking and pointing to the hotel and down the street. A car pulled up and they got inside for a few minutes. About ten minutes later the two men got out and the car drove away.”
“Then what?”
“They saw me and stared for a moment. Not long after that they went down the side of the hotel and disappeared.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.” Trent thought for a moment then nodded.
“Okay, thank you, Mr. Kline,” Trent said then left.
“What was that about?” Jozette asked as she’d been sitting in a chair reading.
“I saw a couple of characters lurking around the hotel yesterday.”
“What were they up to?”
“Nothing I hope.”
“Are we ready?” Justin said as they all stood in the hotel lobby.
“Born ready, Mr. Andersen,” Andy said and received looks from everyone except Dave who grinned.
“What?” Belinda asked.
“Roscoe Lee Browne, the Cowboys, 1973 with John Wayne,” Andy answered but there was no response. Jozette rolled her eyes at Tatiana who grinned. “Well, that went nowhere.”
“I remember, Andy…good movie,” Dave said.
“Okay, let’s get on the shuttle,” Justin said and they rode to the meeting. It was a city hall meeting room, an auditorium actually, though not a very big one. It seated about a hundred people. There were some photographers and a handful of reporters. They found ten seats together in the sixth row and sat. After a half an hour, security agents from both sides came in looked around then motioned to the side and a door opened. In walked President Lexington and President Deniken. They sat at a round table across from one another. Andrew and Henry flanked Ellen and Deniken was assisted by Vasily Boronovitch. There were two interpreters, one American and one Russian.
“Shall we get started?” Andrew said and it was interpreted for Deniken, though as mentioned earlier the Russian President understood English perfectly.
“Welcome, Madam President,” the Russian interpreter said to Ellen after Deniken had spoken.
“Thank you and welcome to you, Mr. President,” Ellen said.
“The salient parts of the treaty are before us on the table,” Andrew said.
“Madam President, the treaty as a framework is a good start. I believe that we can use it as a guide for negotiations,” Sergei said.
“I think it is fine the way it stands. It gives both sides the principal items they are seeking. The Ukraine stays out of NATO and The Crimea is given back to The Ukraine, where it belongs,” Ellen said.
“The Crimea is an independent republic,” Sergei posed.
“Mr. President, there is no one on this planet short of your propaganda department that believes that The Crimea is independent. Russia controls The Crimea much as the Old Soviet Union controlled Eastern Europe from 1945-1989,” Ellen replied.
“I am insulted at that last statement, Madam President. Russia does not control The Crimea,” Sergei said.
“Not to deal in clichés but I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree, Mr. President,” Ellen said and Sergei nodded as a signal to move on to something else.
“NATO membership,” Andrew said.
“The Ukraine agrees to not petition for NATO membership as long as Russia honors the existing border,” Ellen said.
“But will The Ukraine keep its promise in perpetuity?”
“As long as Russia keeps the border as it is now.”
“I see and if Russia pulls all existing administrative offices out of The Crimea what about a naval base?”
“The Ukraine has agreed to a limited naval presence for Russia so they have a warm water naval port.” Sergei conferred with Boronovitch who nodded acceptance.
“Russia needs a full naval base either in the Black Sea or the Baltic. Russia would accept a base on Hiiumaa,” Sergei suggested. Ellen talked with Andrew and Henry. It was clear from the gestures that the two advisors were giving a definite no to a base in the Baltic.
“That’s not a subject that can be broached at this time. Estonia will not give up part of its land for a Russian naval base,” Ellen said. Sergei conferred again with Boronovitch and he sat back shaking his head no.
“Russia cannot be denied a naval base. Further discussion is necessary along those lines or there will not be a treaty,” Sergei said but his tone and facial expressions made it obvious he was not speaking for himself.
“I see, then I guess we are through for the day,” Ellen said. Security agents scrambled to clear a path for the two leaders. The Presidents left the room and the building. The rest sat in their seats until they received the signal to depart.
“Dave, any comment?” Justin asked.
“No surprise.”
“Really?” Andy asked.
“The Russians are hard to negotiate with for just about anything,” Dave replied.
“Will they work with the President to hammer out a treaty?” Jozette asked.
“They will but they’ll kick up their heels for all to see first.”
“When will they meet again?” Andy asked.
“Perhaps tomorrow. The aides on both sides will work out a meeting date,” Dave said.
“So, we get a break,” Justin said.
“Looks like it,” Dave said.
* * *
“They broke up the meeting, Comrade,” Nicholas Panesky, a lackey for Andrei Kulagin said as he came into Kulagin’s office. It was really just a room in a flea bag hotel in downtown Volgograd.
“No surprise. Deniken knows he’s on the clock. If he gives away too much too soon, he could be shot.”
“Are we still a go for tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Should I contact Lanewsky and Manatov?”
“No, I’ll do that. Just stay in contact with the hotel and let me know when they’ll meet again. Panesky left and Andrei took out a cell he used for private calls. It couldn’t be traced and he definitely didn’t want anyone to know who he was talking to at any time, let alone now.
“Lanewsky, how are things?”
“We’re ready, Galkin is set and Bulganesky has things right where we want them. He has the secret service and the Russian guards eating out of his hand.”
“Good, but watch out for Wilson, the American, he’s no fool and he won’t be taken in by any gratuities.”
“Yes, Comrade.”
“We move after tomorrow’s meeting during the tour as planned.” Kulagin put his cell away.
* * *
Lieutenant Radinsky showed up early for work at Kapustin Yar and that’d been part of his plan for months. He needed to win the favor of Colonel Azarov. He had everything in place and Kulagin’s entire scheme depended on Radinsky pulling off the impossible. If he failed then Kulagin, Radinsky, Galkin and all of the confederates would be shot for treason.
“Good morning, sir,” Radinsky said as Azarov made it to the command console.
“Hello, Lieutenant, everything running smoothly I take it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Captain Retzlarian, where are we on the U.S. missile tests?”
“The usual amount the last wo days. They had spiked a week ago but it doesn’t seem to be connected to the summit,” R
etzlarian said.
“Don’t kid yourself, Captain, everything is connected to this summit,” Azarov remarked and Retzlarian nodded.
“Sirs, I need to recalibrate this afternoon,” Igor said.
“Today?” Azarov asked.
“Yes, it’s been scheduled for weeks.”
“I hate to be out of the control room at such a crucial time,” Colonel Azarov said.
“It’s necessary, sir,” Igor said nervously.
“Could we cancel and do it another day?”
“It really needs to be done on schedule, sir,” Igor said. His fingers were crossed. If Azarov canceled the recalibration then Kulagin and his gang would lose control of the command center. Fully manned there were twelve people in the room. Igor had planned it out so it would be him alone or at the most one other guy. He’d simply kill the other person and man the controls. He could seal the doors and it would take hours, maybe days to get through. That’s all the time he needed to launch the missiles.
“Very well, then but can we make it quick?” Azarov asked.
“Yes, sir, I’ll expedite it and it shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes,” Igor said. Azarov thought for a moment.
“Okay, go ahead.” Radinsky breathed a sigh of relief and his knees stopped shaking. Kulagin wouldn’t kill him for failing, at least not this time.
* * *
“Deke, what do we have on their surface fleet?” General Zumwalt asked at NORAD.
“Some movement in the Sea of Japan and the Mediterranean and of course the Baltic.”
“Anything extraordinary?”
“No, sir, all within their normal range, though there are more ships involved this time.”
“Do you think it’s related to this summit?”
“Possibly but I doubt if it’s anything sinister. It could be the Russians saying, take us seriously in any negotiations.”
“I read it the same way, thanks, Deke.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get Fillmore up here.”
“Yes, sir. Fillmore!” Deke yelled and Sergeant Fillmore presented himself, to the general.
“Yes, sir,” Jerry said.
“Sergeant, what about the clandestine activity around Kapustin Yar?” Walter asked.