Page 49 of Casualties of War
Chapter Eleven
The new Mexican ambassador to Vistaria, Marisa Lupita Roldán, was on the two o’clock plane from Mexico City. Calli pressured the airport administrator into reserving one of the first class waiting lounges as a reception area for Calli and her team to greet the new ambassador.
They even pushed Téra into diplomatic duty. She washed and changed into a skirt suit which didn’t fitand high-heeled pumps that were too tight. She wound her hair onto the top of her head and pinned it. A woman in the attic shuffled around the mattresses and held out a pair of pearl earrings, with a warm smile.
Téra thanked her and hurried carefully down the stairs in her borrowed heels. The house was in the last round of cleaning up and preparation for Marisa Lupita Roldán’s arrival. Téra sidesteppedthe cleaning crew and moved out to the minivan waiting for the reception party.
Calli sat in the front passenger seat, an iPad in her hand, studying Roldán’s profile. She didn’t look up as Téra settled onto the back bench, beside Minnie.
“Hurry, please,” Calli told the driver, as the door shut. “The ambassador will be the first to deplane. We can’t be late.”
The private got the car moving,spitting gravel as they circled the fountain and headed out through the big wrought iron arch over the gates and onto the main highway.
They arrived at the airport as the plane was landing and hurried into the first class waiting lounge, which had been cleared out as requested.
Calli touched Téra’s shoulder and held out the iPad.
Téra looked at the photo of Roldán. She was a mature woman withfrank streaks of gray in her hair, which was piled on her head as Téra’s was.
“Wait for her at the gate and bring her here,” Calli said.
Téra nodded and hurried to the domestic arrival gate to watch for Roldán. When she saw her, she reigned in her surprise. Roldán was tall, which the photo had not showed. She wore leggings and flat shoes and her hair was down, making her appear a lot youngerthan the gray hair hinted at.
Roldán walked right up to Téra. “You look like a lady waiting for someone important,” she said. Her voice was deep and rich. “Will I do, instead?”
“Ambassador Roldán. Welcome,” Téra said. “The Chief of Staff to the Presidentpro temof Vistaria is waiting in a lounge, down the concourse. Let me take you to her. Do you have baggage tickets? We can collect your bags.”
Roldán raised her brow. “I was told you were all living hand to mouth up here. I didn’t bring baggage, other than this.” She turned to show her back and a heavy backpack hanging there. “And you’re wearing a suit! I’m flattered.”
“It’s not mine,” Téra admitted, wiping at the skirt. “And the shoes are killing my feet.”
“Oh dear. We’d better get you off them quickly. What is your name?”
“Téra.”
“Lead on, Téra. Let’s get the formalities over with.”
Téra took her back to the lounge area and opened the door.
Calli got to her feet and held out her hand. “Ambassador Roldán. It’s good to have you with us.”
Roldán shook Calli’s hand. “I appreciate the formality, Señora Escobedo, as I know how pushed you are for resources and time right now. I understand the President is on the Big Rock andI will deal with you?”
“And through me, the President,” Calli said. “We have a communications system that is completely secure.”
Roldán raised her brow. “Completelysecure? My government would be interested in such a system.”
“Lots of governments would be,” Calli replied, with a smile. “We may be open to sharing the technology with our friends.”
Roldán’s smile was sunny and amused. “I cansee we will get along famously.” She patted the strap of her backpack. “I have all my luggage. I confess I have a weakness for Vistarian Mescal. Perhaps we can toast our newfound cooperation over a glass or two?”
Calli’s smile grew. “That can be arranged.”
“I believe Téra would like to return home as quickly as possible to take off her shoes.”
Calli laughed. “We have a van waiting to take usback to the big house. This way.”
Téra trailed after the pair of women, with Minnie and the others. Minnie leaned toward her. “I like her,” she breathed.
