(Partial)

The silence stretched between them like a taut wire. I could feel the weight of those hidden recordings beneath us, the evidence that could topple governments sitting just metres below the Prime Minister’s feet. Daniel’s grip on my wrist had tightened imperceptibly when she mentioned JD Ruff – a warning to stay quiet.

“This is Al, my assistant,” Daniel finally said, his voice carrying that same measured calm he’d used with the Valdorians. “He’s been with me for six years.”

Justine’s calculating gaze swept over me, and I felt like a specimen under a microscope. “Six years. So he would know about your… extracurricular activities.”

“Al knows what he needs to know,” Daniel replied smoothly. “Just as I’m sure your security detail knows what they need to know about why you’re really here.”

The Prime Minister’s smile was razor-sharp. “Oh, Daniel. Always deflecting. But we both know why I’m here. The Valdorians are very unhappy with how their business meeting concluded. They’ve made some rather serious allegations.”

My blood ran cold. If the Valdorians had gone directly to Ottawa, if they’d spun their own version of events before Daniel could release the recordings…

“Allegations?” Daniel’s eyebrow arched with practiced innocence. “About what, exactly?”

“Theft, for starters. Apparently, some valuable items went missing from their briefcase.” Justine stepped closer, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. “They’re also claiming you recorded their private conversation without consent. That’s a federal crime, Daniel.”

The irony wasn’t lost on me – the Valdorians, who’d come to bribe a Premier, were now crying foul about illegal recordings. But if Justine was here as their advocate rather than their prosecutor, Daniel’s masterful plan might have just hit a massive snag.

Daniel’s smile never wavered, but I caught the slight tension in his shoulders. “Well then,” he said quietly, “I suppose we have quite a lot to discuss.”

The glacial lake behind them reflected the afternoon sun, its surface deceptively calm while dangerous currents moved beneath – much like the political waters we were all now navigating.

*** This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ***