Chapter 19
Margaret is en route to Moscow. President Smirnov invited her to attend his public address about the denuclearization treaty. She’s not sure what to expect, but President Williams encouraged her to attend.
“As long as Russia and the U.S. are aligned,” he’d said, “China remains at a disadvantage. If the two are at odds, we’ve got a problem. My sense is that you can trust Smirnov. He loves his country and people. Ultimately, he’ll choose the higher path if he sees it’s better for Russia.”
The flight itself proves uneventful, but the intense debriefing on Russian/U.S. affairs seems agonizing. Margaret massages her temples as she memorizes the names and positions of key Russian dignitaries. When the plane lands, she takes a deep breath and stands tall as she departs the craft. Tw
