besides a declaration of war could so disturb her normally unflappable
staffer.
“I see,” the aide said finally. His voice had taken on a musing note.
“And you’re sure about this?” She watched him reach for her calendar, then
motion to her with the other hand, the telephone jammed between his shoulder
and his ear. He pointed to her afternoon appointment with her hairdresser and
made sure she was watching as he drew a heavy X through it. To one side,
along the margin, he wrote the initials, VN.
She shot a sidewise look at him, puzzled. Why? she mouthed silently at
him.
He just shook his head and pointed. “The ambassador can see you at two
p.m., then,” he said finally. “Yes, of course. I understand the need for
speed, as will she. Thanks.”
He hung up the telephone and stared at her for a moment, reassembling his
expression into calm professionalism but unable to completely repress the glee
lurking at the corners of his eyes.
“I take it I’ve got an urgent appointment with the ambassador from
Vietnam,” she said, settling into the comfortable chair lodged against one
wall. “Would it be too much to ask why this is important enough for me to
cancel my appointment with Roberto?”
“Not at all, Madam Ambassador,” he replied. “And I think you’ll agree
with me in a few minutes.”
Her eyes grew serious at the use of her formal title. “So it’s that
important?” she said, worry starting to gnaw at her.
“Our former enemy and current ally, the great republic of Vietnam, is not
entirely pleased with their neighbor to the north. I think the events of the
last few weeks in the South China Sea and the attractive lure of more trade
concessions have made them see the light.”
“China, I take it. What are they doing now, persecuting more Vietnamese
citizens?”
“Better–or worse, depending on your point of view,” he added hastily.
“Seems China has been demanding air overflight rights, as well as landing and
refueling privileges. Vietnam has gone along with it for now.
Understandable–they have to live with China; we don’t.”
“And now?” she prompted, wishing he’d get to the point.
“Vietnam is wondering whether or not we might like some additional
information on the explosions in the South China Sea. It’s one thing to try
to placate China, and another thing entirely to let them kill your patrol
boats.”
“Kill patrol–of course,” she breathed. “One of those incidents in the
Spratly Islands. They’ve got proof China was behind it?”
“Proof, and more. They’re not so bad at snooping around, you know.
After the conflicts between the two countries during the Cold War, Vietnam has
developed a fairly extensive intelligence network in the region. And seeing
as how it might be to their advantage right now, with the U.S. normalizing
relationships with Vietnam–and, potentially, China–they’d like to share a
little information with us.”
“About what?” she asked.
“He didn’t want to go into it over the telephone, but I was fairly sure
you’d be interested. That a good enough reason to skip Roberto?”
She smiled and stood. “Remind me not to notice the next time you do
something stupid, Armand. You’ve just earned yourself a real big brownie
point.”
Ambassador Wexler went back to her office, smiling. In the intricate
plotting and scheming that defined the relations between nations in the UN,
information was golden. It looked like Vietnam had just decided to make a
goodwill deposit in the American bank.
Two hours later, the ambassador from Vietnam arrived.
“An interesting opportunity you offer,” Ambassador Wexler said, eyeing
the Vietnamese ambassador seated across from her. Ngyugen seemed his usual
unflappable self. She could pick up no hint as to the reason for his visit.
“An opportunity for both sides,” he acknowledged, taking a sip of tea
from the delicate bone-china cup. “One that could work to our mutual
benefit.”
“Let me make sure I understand this. China has amassed a considerable
force of fighters in your country, correct? Ones that they’re not willing to
move anytime soon. Your government is concerned that the United States
understand your opposition to this, while of course you feel somewhat limited