Mindy said, “The national security adviser?”
“I met with him just before this began. He seemed to think, better war now than later. Quoted me history, about Germany and Britain. He began shooting down their reconnaissance satellites. They retaliated.”
“An’ now we’re invading South China,” Talmadge rumbled.
“Um, I didn’t hear that.” Blair frowned. “We’re threatening the Spratlys. That’s on the news. But that’s a long way from the coast.”
“The Paracels aren’t,” Mindy put in. “I hear that’s the Joint Chiefs’ plan. But, maybe more like a raid than an invasion. And that is classified.”
Blair was about to ask how she knew, if it was so damn secret, but was forestalled by a tap at the door. A smooth-faced, very tall African-American in a gray suit stuck his head in. Talmadge called, “Hey, Hu. Glad ya could make it. They flyin’ again?”
“Had to rent a car from Philly. Senator. Mindy. And this is—?” He lifted an eyebrow at Blair.
Mindy made the introductions. “Hu” Kuwalay, the defense assistant, picked up the conversation as if he’d been listening outside the door. “We face a difficulty, Senator. You’ve seen the polls. There’s a considerable element with grave doubts about the president’s direction of this crisis. After all, isn’t Taiwan part of China?”
Blair said, “A lot of history, but we made a commitment to defend Taiwan.”
Talmadge nodded heavily. “The Taiwan Relations Act of ’79.”
Blair said, “Correct. We would regard any attempt to reunify by force as a grave breach of the peace.”
Kuwalay said, “But actually, the act you cite recognizes the People’s Republic as the legitimate government of Taiwan. Yes, we ‘regard’ aggression as a ‘breach of the peace,’ but we’re actually not pledged to intervene. Some members are asking, why not arrange a compromise? The way Britain handed over Hong Kong, and Beijing promised to maintain the rule of law. And by occupying the South China atolls, aren’t we the real aggressor?”
Talmadge started to say something, probably his story about his face-off with Carter back in ’79, but Blair jumped in first. “The question’s bigger than that, um… Hu. You could have argued for a peaceful turnover when China was evolving toward democracy. But after Zhang’s crackdown on dissidents, his attack on India… we have to defend our national interests. If they take Taiwan, South Korea’s encircled, Japan’s threatened. We lose everything we won in 1945: a stable Pacific, trading relationships, dependable allies.”
“And if we lose?”
“I can’t believe we can be defeated. We can give up, but that’s not the same thing.”
Kuwalay glanced at Talmadge, eyebrows lifted. “We keep getting calls. Longtime supporters. They’ve sustained huge losses in the downturn. And they’re pointing out, we actually don’t have a defense treaty with Taiwan. Like we have with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.”
Blair suppressed a sigh. “We already covered that. Once we throw the Taiwanese to the wolves, why should our other allies trust us? China will dominate the Pacific.”
“That’s the Pentagon talking, Ms. Titus.” Kuwalay smiled loftily. “Not the Hill. We answer to our constituents. And they don’t see why they should go without cheap goods from Walmart, and do without the Internet, and pay fourteen dollars for a gallon of gas, just so we can keep some distant island—”
“No!” She leaned forward, rapping the table. Mindy flinched. “Don’t you get it? We’ve been through this before. The Civil War. Pearl Harbor. This isn’t the time to buckle, Bankey! This is when you channel Abe Lincoln. Winston Churchill. Rally the country!”
Talmadge glanced at the liquor cabinet again. He tried to make a fist, but his hand shook. “I hear ya, honey, but… I may be getting a little too tired for a big old fight. Missy, I’ll level with ya. Used to be, it took two, three years for the members to get restless with a war. Way it was over Vietnam. Or Iraq. Now it’s two weeks in and they’re talking compromise. Like Hu here says.
“We’re gonna see a peace move. One way or another, I’m gonna have to take a position. Can I take a hard line, without the back bench bailing on me? And, hell, have we still got what it takes to fight for four, five years the way we used to? Spend trillions, and take casualty figures in the thousands, the way we did in Korea? Do we have the production advantage we used to? This isn’t the same country it was when I was a kid.” He fiddled with a small donkey figurine. “Question is, which side do we come down on?”
“He also means, which side do you come down on,” Kuwalay told her. “The senator has to take a position, eventually, but you’re the one who’s up for election now. Pro-war, antiwar — that’s what they’re going to ask on the campaign trail.”
“Nobody’s pro-war,” Blair said. She started to finger her ear, but forced her hand down, casually, into her lap. “I certainly am not. But I don’t think we’re starting from a disadvantageous position. We have strong allies. Zhang faces internal resistance. And the blockade’s got to hurt, sooner or later. No economy can run without oil, and the Navy has its foot on the hose.”
“Oh, right.” Talmadge looked confused. “Wasn’t that your husband who testified? I read about that—”
Kuwalay cut in, “Of course, Blair, everything you say is true. From a strategic point of view. What I mean is, if the party chooses to oppose the administration on this war, it could cost you our support for your run.”
The senator cleared his throat. Gazing dreamily at the ornate molding over his head, he tapped his fingers together. “Here’s what we can do, Blair. I’m committing five million dollars to your campaign. Run on that platform you just gave us. Kick the Chinks in the balls. Teach ’em not to mess with Uncle Sam. If you can carry Maryland with a hard line, I’ll have a feel for how far I can drag the rest of the party. But you gotta hammer the administration, too. They’re goin’ nuts on the executive side. Attacking. Invading. Land war in Asia. That’s crazy.”
She thought it over. “It’ll be a tough sell.”
“If anyone can do it, you can. Still got contacts across the river?”
“Actually, I still consult.”
“During your campaign?” Mindy looked disapproving. “Is that wise?”
“It’s within the guidelines.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t be criticized.”
“Oh, you’re always gonna take flak.” Talmadge flipped a hand. “Blair can take it. Put her in a cage with whoever, I’m bettin’ she’s the one walks out. Who is it now, Missy? Who ya up against? The incumbent?”
“No, he died. My opponent is one Gregory Beiderbaum. Ford dealer, state senator. Openly gay.”
Talmadge looked startled by the last adjective, but recovered. “Uh-huh. That’ll make it interestin’. Get you some coverage, right? Well, good. I guess we’re—”
“Just a minute, there, Bankey.” Blair laid a finger on his sleeve. Leaned in close. Be his canary in the coal mine? Fine, but this was the time to name her price, and a dose of her perfume had always seemed to jog his memory. “And if I don’t win? What then?”
“Why, then… then I give Claire a call. She listens to old Bankey. You know Claire, right? You’ll be back in the Pentagon in no time.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Senator. I know your word is good.”
“Allus has been. Well then… Give Mary your finance manager’s name, she’ll make the calls. Okay… we good?” He hoisted to his feet heavily, orienting toward the cabinet. “Anybody want anything…?”
“Bankey, it’s only nine o’clock,” Mindy said primly.
“Honey, at my age, Jim Beam’s the only way I keep that old blood pumping around.” He squeezed Blair’s arm. “That sailor-boy husband of yours don’t know what he’s missin’. Lettin’ you run around loose.”