place.
They had been speaking together, the Chancellor and Anna. He had a rich voice, easy to hear. His eyes made her uncomfortable. They had undressed her several times already. It was an oily thing, making her feel like meat, a meal for this small, ruthless Gaiseric of a man.
She’d met his Naval and Army Ministers. They had been tall and imposing. Kleist had treated them like errand boys. What daunted Anna is how they reacted to him: with stark, ill-concealed fear. She had greeted several Home Ministers and noticed the same reaction. If Kleist told a joke, all his officials laughed loudly. Lastly, Anna met a tall Frenchman with silver hair. He spoke cordially, mentioning Lafayette, how maybe this time maybe America could aid France.
Anna found that a strange comment.
Shortly after that, Kleist said, “Shall we retire into the other room, Ms. Chen?” He had accented English, making his “W’s” sound like “V’s.”
Anna nodded.
One of the hard-faced men standing near the back wall strode toward them. The man reminded Anna of Agent Demetrius. With the click of ornate door handles, the bodyguard opened a set of baroque double doors. A fireplace roared comfortably within. Near it sat two huge stuffed chairs, facing the fire. On one of the walls rested a massive set of old books. Another wall featured ancient Viking swords and axes and large round shields.
“After you, please,” Kleist said.
Anna moved to one of the chairs by the fireplace and sat down. The heat felt good on her knees.
Kleist sat in the other chair and made a subtle gesture to the bodyguard. The man closed the doors, sealing the two of them alone in the room.
“At last,” Kleist said, turning his shark eyes to Anna, letting them rove over her body.
Somehow, Anna managed a smile and kept herself from shivering. It was crazy to think a head of state would attempt rape. Yet she thought it nevertheless.
Calm, Anna, keep calm. This is the most important moment of my life. I must serve my country to the very best of my ability.
Kleist smiled at her. It was a gloating thing, but only lasted a moment. He let the smile fade, and the small Gaiseric folded his thick hands on his stomach.
“Fraulein, why do you think your President chose you to speak to me as his representative?”
“I’m not sure I understand your question, Chancellor.”
“He should have sent the Defense Minister or possibly the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Instead, he sends you. I would like to know why.”
“For the simplest of reasons,” Anna said, “because he trusts me.” She was surprised at how calm her voice sounded. Maybe she could do this.
Don’t get over-confident. Just stay calm and try to say as little as possible. Think before you speak.
“He trusts you,” Kleist said, as if tasting the words. “You are his conscience perhaps?”
“No.”
Kleist watched her as if waiting for more.
It was hard, but Anna kept her mouth shut. Don’t say too much. Let him think I’m wise.
As he sat in the stuffed chair, Chancellor Kleist began to twirl his thumbs. “He trusts you. Good. Are you a clever woman, Fraulein?”
“Some call me smart.”
“You are Chinese?”
“I am an American.”
Kleist twirled his thumbs faster. “The Chinese and South Americans have driven into your heartland. They have smashed, encircled and captured many American formations.”
“Our soldiers have killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of enemy, and we shall continue to do so until we’ve driven them out of our land.”
“This is not the time and place for speeches,” Kleist said in an admonishing tone.
Anna turned away because her stomach twisted. She wasn’t suited for this at all. She tried to be calm and say little, yet here she’d made a short speech. Kleist was right about that.
She studied the axes on the walls. Why had David sent her? Was it true he trusted her judgment? If so, she should let herself act as naturally as possible. Maybe that was the correct way to handle this.
I must learn to be myself. I can be no other. Hmm. She would be foolish to try to outsmart Kleist. She couldn’t play Gaiseric games with the master. Maybe the best thing would be to lay all the cards on the table.
“Chancellor,” she said, turning back to him. “America’s fighting men are hard-pressed. But we have many millions more ready to take their place. If I may speak plainly with you, sir?” she asked.
“Please,” he said.
“We know the German Dominion sighed accords with Greater China. You have