Mark Spaid - Falcon Down

“Thanks, but I’m briefed regularly by Little Wolf.”

“Andy and Jozette’s son.”

“Yes.”

“What makes him an expert?”

“He knows everything.”

“How?”

“I think it has to do with his ancestors.”

“Native Americans?”

“Yes, they see things differently than we do.”

“White people?”

“Precisely,” Justin said chuckling.

“Explain.”

“We miss subtle indicators that people give off and Little Wolf sees and understands those. Native Americans are more observant than white people.”

“I don’t doubt that and it makes you wonder how we won.”

“That’s easy, measles and smallpox.”

“Yeah, that was a terrible thing. I mean it wasn’t deliberate but it was deadly and wiped out thousands of Native Americans.”

“Yes,” Justin said.

“Well, that was an interlude, where were we? Oh, I know, the genius of Little Wolf.”

“We got him or rather Jozette and Andy did when he was ten. We all watched him grow up and his wisdom was there even when he was very young. We’ve all been touched by his understanding of the world and the people in it.”

“And he’s quite a lawyer.”

“Oh, yes, you should see him in the courtroom, it's something to behold.”

“Quite a young man… do you suppose he’d come and work for me?”

“I doubt it but what a plum it’d be for you to have his advice.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”

“Back to the treaty. What do you think Russia will ask for?”

“No idea but I think they might want a naval base on the west side of The Crimea.”

“Near Sevastopol?”

“Yes.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I don’t think it’s a problem. I don’t want them to feel hemmed in or they’ll want to expand their Baltic presence.”

“And if they don’t get Sevastopol, they’ll want a base in the Baltic Sea.”

“Exactly.”

“Gotland, maybe?”

“Sweden wouldn’t agree to that.”

“Here’s one that is a possibility… Hiiumaa.” Ellen sat back and sighed.

“You’ve thought about this haven’t you?” Ellen gave Justin a long look and he guessed it.

“Wait, Deniken proposed it, didn’t he?”

“Yes,” Ellen said.

“And?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

“Wow, I thought we’d have learned our lesson after Munich,” Justin remarked

“This isn’t Munich.”

“Isn’t it, though, Madam President?” Ellen sighed and shook her head.

“It is to a certain degree but I don’t want to lose this treaty.”

“I assume you’d want to get Estonia’s approval since you’d be giving away part of their country,” Justin posed.

“It’s a potential mess, Mr. Weaver.”

“What could Estonia get in return?”

“Money, probably from us.”

“That won’t work, the people would revolt if the government tried to sell Hiiumaa; the people who live there for certain would go ballistic.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“What if Deniken stands firm for a Baltic base and Estonia won’t budge?”

“Then the treaty will die… we can’t give away a part of someone else’s country without their consent.”

“But you’d be doing that with Sevastopol.”

“Yes, but the population in The Crimea is Russian by ancestry and language. They’d welcome a Russian presence.”

“But you don’t want the Russians close to the Mediterranean.”

“No, of course not but we may have to accept that to get the deal.” Justin nodded agreement.

“I think you’re right. It’s worth it to get them out of The Crimea,” Justin said.

“Do you have what you need so far?”

“Yes, and thank you.”

“And, you won’t breathe a word of this until we’re back in the states.”

“My lips are sealed until then.”

“Good.”

“When do you meet Deniken?”

“In the morning.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks, I’ll need it.”

“Well?” Dixie asked nudging her girlfriend Jessica as they woke up to the sun shining through the window.

“Well what?”

“How was it?” Dixie asked as she leaned over her partner and moved the hair out of her eyes.

“Okay.”

“That’s it, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“It wasn’t amazing, incredible, spine tingling or anything like that?” Jessica looked at the ceiling and thought for a moment.

“No, it was just okay.”

“Oh,” Dixie said deflated and laid back down staring at the ceiling. Jessica could hold it in no longer and burst out laughing. “So, it was funny, that’s even worse.”

“No, it wasn’t funny, baby, it was amazing, incredible, spine tingling and a hundred other things. Just like you said. I’ve never felt anything like that in my life. I knew when we made love the first time it’d be great and it was,” Jessica said as she leaned over and kissed her girlfriend. They kissed for a long time and when they finished, they both laid back and breathed hard.

“I guess we better get up and get ready. Miss Lexi said we’d leave at ten-thirty.”

“Can’t we just stay in bed forever?” Jessica asked.

“If it was with you, baby, I’d say yes.” Jessica sat on the edge of the bed and Dixie joined her.

“I love you, Dix.”

“I love you back, Jess.”

“I’m glad I lost my virginity to you, baby,” Jessica said then she put her hand to her mouth with a look of horror on her face. “I’m sorry, Dixie, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry.” Dixie grinned.

“Look, Jess, we all know my past and that’s what it is, the past. I can’t change it so we move on to today. For me in my heart and mind I came to your bed as a virgin. Yes, I had sex with many men when I was a young girl. It was rape but I still had sex. My mom’s boyfriend pimped me out for cash. It was all a painful nightmare and I hated every second of it. Last night was the first time I ever felt warm and sensual and it was with the woman I love and cherish so, yes I feel good… all warm inside and very happy.” They hugged and squeezed for a long time.

“I call shower,” Jessica said as she ran to the bathroom. Dixie sat on the bed and grinned.

“Good morning,” Lexi said as she had laid out breakfast for everyone. Darcy and Zara were already up and dressed. Melanie and Mallory sat down a few minutes later.

“Sorry, we’re late but Melanie had to look beautiful,” Mallory said.

“I do not.”

“Hey, kiddo, you always look beautiful to me,” Lexi said as she hugged Melanie from behind. Melanie made a face at Mallory who smiled and crossed her eyes at the twin sister she adored. They were fiercely devoted to one another. Melanie was the second twin born and was in the womb an inordinately long time. As a result, her right arm was not fully functional and she had a slight limp in her right leg. Mallory was always protective of her little sister as she called her, helping her do everything. For a long time, Mallory said she’d never get married until Melanie did. Melanie told her a couple of years ago that she didn’t have to wait and Mallory agreed but Tatiana and Dave didn’t think Mallory would get married before her sister.

“Are we picking up Paulita?” Darcy asked.

“I told her mom we’d be there at eleven,” Lexi said. They finished eating, picked up Paulita and made it to the mall by eleven-thirty.

“Should I use the card, Mom?” Darcy asked.

“Yes, and Zara too,” Lexi answered.

“Where are you going?” Will asked.

“Zara and I are going to the Paris Boutique,” Darcy said.

“You won’t come back as can can dancers, will you?” Will asked.