The permanent five plus the ten nations elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly must each have a representative present at UNHQ at all times, ready to attend the Council Chamber. So when Patrick sticks his head in at my door and says “Look sharp. Lady Nicola’s called the Council in,” what he means is that these fifteen are about to converge on the chamber. “She wants you down there,” he adds, withdrawing his head.“Why?”Patrick’s face reappears. “Well, I doubt she needs your advice on a nuclear strike.” He slaps the door frame. “Come on. Something’s going on with this Hatanaka business.”Grabbing my jacket, I shoot some final instructions to Gunther Franks, who sits at my desk, taking notes. Then I hurry after Patrick down the hall.Mike has asked me not to mention the morning drama at my apartment to Patrick. In fact, he wanted me to steer clear of Patrick till he’d had a chance to check with his own boss, Eckhardt, about any operation UN Extra Security might have in hand that Mike is unaware of.
