Chapter 76

CHAPTER 76

M C L EAN

Of all her grandmother's extraordinary accomplishments, that remarkable woman had never welcomed a United States President into her home. Maggie knew that if she could see her now, she would be incredibly proud of all that her granddaughter had achieved.

Maggie also knew that she had only reached these heights by standing on the shoulders of all the women who had come before her. It may have been a shopworn expression, but there really was no better way to phrase it.

"How's your recovery coming?" President Porter asked as he joined Maggie in her den.

"It only hurts when I laugh," she replied. "And lately, there hasn't been much to laugh about."

"That's why I came. I wanted to give you the latest Russia update myself."

"I'm impressed, Mr. President. Normally I get the information before you do."

Porter grinned. "That's true. After all, it is your job. But seeing as how you're convalescing, I think I can give you a pass. Just this once."

Maggie smiled back and gestured to the President to help himself to some of the appetizers Paul had prepared. She had no idea how he had done it on such short notice. One minute the White House was calling on the phone, the next minute President Porter was standing at their door. Maggie had barely had time to make herself presentable.

"Thank you," he replied, helping himself to a few buckwheat blinis with smoked trout, crème fraiche, and red grapes. "And thank you for all of your help throughout this situation."

"Of course, Mr. President. As you said, that is my job and I take it very seriously."

"I know you do, and the country owes you a sincere debt of gratitude."

Maggie was deeply honored. "Thank you, sir."

Porter paused to take a bite of the smoked trout and when he closed his eyes in enjoyment, Maggie knew Paul had scored a direct hit. The president was an avid fly fisherman and had probably eaten more trout, more ways, than any other politician in D.C.

"This is amazing. Maine smoked trout?" he asked.

The man's palate was impeccable. "Indeed. Very good, Mr. President," she responded.

"Tell Paul that if he can come up with any more recipes like this, I'll fast-track him for a Medal of Freedom."

Maggie chuckled. "He's going to be insufferable, but I'll let him know how much you enjoyed it."

"My love of your husband's cooking notwithstanding, let me get to the reason why I came. Putting the generals on all the Sunday shows a few days ago played very well. Not just here in the U.S., but around the world. It was an absolute home run."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

"But where you really shined," Porter continued, "where you went supernova, was in the recommendations you followed up with. And yes, they ticked a lot of people off. That's how I knew you were on the money. If you're taking flak, it's probably because you're over the right target.

"When the secretary of state arrived in Moscow in the wake of the Sunday shows, the Kremlin was already agitated—as you had said they would be. But when he informed them of the new Patriot missile systems being deployed to the Baltic states, the temperature in the room really started to rise.

"Next came the ‘courtesy' announcement that all restrictions against Ukraine using Western weapons systems to strike inside Russia were being lifted. In fact, the SecState asked me to give you a special thumbs-up for suggesting that we inform the Russians that the Ukrainians were going to be encouraged to target Russia's own equivalents of J-Town: Belgorod and Rostov-on-Don."

"They didn't like that, did they?" Maggie asked with a smile.

Porter smiled back. "Not at all. But what finally tipped them over was the assurance that if Moscow detonated a nuclear device in Ukraine, Ukraine would automatically be admitted to NATO and NATO would be at war with Russia.

"Additionally, the SecState informed Moscow that any nuclear device that landed in NATO territory would be treated as if it came from Russia. It didn't matter if it was launched from Belarus or was ridden in on a moped from Chechnya. Russia would face the West's full wrath and bear the brunt of the consequences."

"And?" Maggie asked hopefully.

"And, we just learned that Russia is going to announce their withdrawal of tactical nuclear weapons from Belarus. Naturally, they're spinning it as a show of good faith and an effort to reduce tensions in the region, but here at home, we know it's because Maggie Thomas scares the hell out of them."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

Porter looked at her. "No, Maggie," he said. "The thanks go to you. You've been right every step of the way. This was exactly how we should play it. I'd throw you the world's biggest parade, but I think it's better to celebrate this a little closer to home."

Standing up, the president walked to the doors of Maggie's study and opened them wide. Standing on the other side was the entire National Security Council, Maggie's closest colleagues from Russia House, and Paul, holding up her favorite bottle of champagne.