Page 98 of No Time Off

We filled them in on the details of the past days in greater detail. We didn’t speak much about Shi—we’d fill them in on that in more detail later. We did, however, answer as many questions as we could and clarify issues.

“I bet no one expected Maivia to fold that easily,” Elvis said at one point.

“I don’t think even Maivia expected Maivia to fold that easily,” I said. “He was so sure of himself. But once his email went out and the crowds and Parliament read his confession that the Chinese were backing him, he had no choice but to concede. I’ve never seen anyone so easily defeated, especially after that live television moment. Watching him surrender to the real prime minister made for riveting television.”

Xavier nodded. “Definitely a showstopper. You guys are lucky the police didn’t storm the station while all that was happening.”

“We barricaded the doors and held out long enough to make sure the prime minister’s message went through,” Slash explained. “Maivia is finished and so are the Chinese.”

Basia leaned in, a grin on her face. “Well, for a couple who is supposed to be on their honeymoon, it looks like you’ve had very little time off.”

“Well, we were just getting started when everything went south,” I said. “But now, we’re going to kick back and enjoy the last week of our honeymoon. I promise.”

“You’d better,” she said, shaking a finger at us.

Slash leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs. “All kidding aside, we really appreciate you guys. We couldn’t have done it without you. Your hacking, the translations, the intel—none of it would’ve come together without your help. You kept it together when everything could’ve fallen apart. Lexi and I might have been hurt or worse, and the Cook Islands might have fallen to the Chinese. This operation succeeded because of you. So, you have our sincere thanks, gratitude, and love.”

“Hey, we’re always game to save the world,” Wally shouted from the back of the room. “But I wouldn’t turn down some tropical-flavored liquor as a thank-you.”

“Forget it, Wally,” I said. “You’re not twenty-one yet.”

“Darn,” he said, and everyone laughed.

“Now, stop saving the world and go enjoy what’s left of your time off while you can,” Elvis said. “We’re signing off.”

With one last round of good-natured banter, I ended the call and shut our laptops.

Slash ran his fingers through his hair, his relief visible. “You ready to go talk to the prime minister?”

“Not really,” I said. “But Iamready to restart our honeymoon. And, at the moment, talking to the prime minister is the only thing standing in my way.”

FORTY-SEVEN

Slash

When Lexi and I arrived at the prime minister’s residence, we were immediately escorted into the large, elegant library. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air. The prime minister sat at one end of the room looking calm and composed. The coat of arms pin was once again fastened to her lapel, and she smiled when she caught me looking at it. Rangi and Manny were also there, waiting with mugs of coffee on the table in front of them.

It would have been an idyllic scene except for the surprise of finding a green, yellow, and red bird sitting on a window perch. The very parrot that had delivered me into the clutches of Jiang Shi. It squawked excitedly when it saw me and flew in my direction, just high enough so I couldn’t reach it.

I pointed at the bird in surprise as it squawked and screeched, flying loose around the room. “What’sthatdoing here?”

“Oh, it’s the bird that was cooped up in the Chinese compound,” Petra explained. “We had to do something with it, and the kids have been begging me for a pet, so I decided to bring it home. It wasn’t his fault he was stuck with the Chinese. He’s kind of cute. But for some reason, he really doesn’t like you.”

There were chuckles around the room. I made eye contact with it, making sure it knew not to get close too close to me. The parrot, however, must have remembered Lexi giving him the peapods, because he landed on the back of a nearby chair and eyed her with interest.

“Please, help yourself to some coffee and have a seat,” Petra said. “I hope you’re both well rested.”

“Considering the circumstances, we slept really well,” Lexi replied, pouring coffee into a mug and adding at least a half cup of cream. I poured myself some coffee, black, and settled in beside Lexi on the couch, keeping a wary eye on the bird.

“I’m sorry to jump right to it, but we have much to discuss,” Petra began. “I trust you’ve been updated on the immediate aftermath of the coup, but I wanted to fill you in on everything we know up to this point. I’m sure you have questions, as do I.”

I took a sip of coffee and leaned forward. “I’ve been wondering about the king’s representative. Is she okay? Was she released?”

“Yes,” Petra responded. “Iona has been released and is home safely. Maivia tried everything he could to force her to sign documents claiming she supported him, but she held firm and refused. She wouldn’t let herself be used, even with the pressure from the Chinese.”

“Good for her,” I said.

“Yes,” Petra said. “She stood by me—by what was right—and refused to betray her country.”

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