A Game of Optics

Chapter Five

Elizabeth

Elizabeth smoothed out the creases of her dress, then she stood in front of her desk, her gaze trained on the door. A moment later, the Russian ambassador barrelled in. He held his arms wide, a jovial greeting, and he sported an almost baffled smile. Though even he couldn't be oblivious as to why he had been summoned there today. Not when Salnikov's chat show had become a nightly occurrence, and the rhetoric about shutting the American embassy was the only thing that would distract him from his tirades about Elizabeth and the Dalton administration.

Elizabeth frowned at the ambassador, and she gestured to the chairs in front of her. "Take a seat."

The ambassador looked around the room, as if expecting others to join them, or perhaps he was still feigning ignorance about what this meeting was regarding. Slowly, he lowered himself into the seat, but he perched at the edge and gripped the armrest. "Madam Secretary, I—"

"I understand that you're intending to close our embassy in Moscow and to expel our diplomats," Elizabeth said. She folded her arms over her chest, and shook her head to herself. "I'm a straight talking person, Mr Ambassador, so I'll cut to the point. This escalation is unwarranted and it will not work in your favour."

"But—" The ambassador held up his hand.

Elizabeth's gaze sharpened, and she raised her voice to speak over his protestations. "I suggest that you speak to President Salnikov and rectify the situation immediately, or else the United States is willing to put any number of sanctions in place." What those sanctions would be, she hadn't decided yet, but Conrad gave her a pretty long rein when it came to the Russians. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

"I have to warn you, Madam Secretary, that any sanctions against Russia would be met in kind," the ambassador said. He leant even further forward in his seat; just a centimetre more and he would find himself on the floor. "Our response is to American aggression. You have brought this situation upon yourself."

Elizabeth scoffed. "We shut down the consulate because you were using it as a base for intelligence operations within the United States," she said. He opened his mouth as if to deny it, but she held up one finger and silenced him. "We have left your remaining consulates and your embassy open. Now, unless you want us to impose sanctions, I suggest you reverse your plans. You have forty-eight hours. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Madam Secretary." The ambassador stood up, a little stiffly, as if he had taken a physical beating to go along with the verbal one. He straightened out his suit, gave her a curt nod, and then marched out of the room.

Elizabeth rested against her desk, clutching the edges, and letting her head fall back, she gave a long sigh.

"Tough day?"

The voice jarred through her like the shock of toothache when taking a bite of candy floss. Her gaze snapped to the door. Teresa Hurst. Just what she needed. "Madam Vice President." She forced a smile so wide that her cheeks twinged. "How can I help you?"

"Not upsetting the Russians, I trust." Teresa raised her eyebrows. And was that a glimmer of hope dancing in her eyes? Or perhaps it was just a joke, and Elizabeth was feeling snarky. Living at a rave could do that to you. "You know, if you're having difficulties over the embassy, I could always speak to President Salnikov myself. We still have a cordial relationship."

"Thanks," Elizabeth said, and she retreated behind her desk, "but I've got a handle on it." She motioned for Teresa to take a seat.

"You know, I really admire the work that you've done during your time as Secretary of State." Teresa lowered herself into her seat, one ankle tucked behind the other, and she folded her hands in her lap. Prim and proper. "I'd like you to know that if I were to become president—" She gave a saccharine smile that reminded Elizabeth of Sweethearts candies, and she crossed her fingers. "—your position would still be open to you in my administration."