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“Good evening gentlemen.” Tamanna spoke. “As you have been informed, we represent Her Excellency Nishat Jabbar, the High Impact Climate Change Countries Minister of Negotiations. My name is Tamanna Meacham, this is Vincent Patel. Any issues with an audio record?” She glanced around, finger poised.
With no disapproval, she left it recording.
“Lovely, let’s begin. Both Vince and I are consultants; as a paleoclimatologist I consult on climate change issues and Mr. Patel is a chemical engineer. Thus, you will find us speaking in pragmatic terms.”
She returned smile to their man in the middle. “I should think you are the Canadian Climate Minister then?”
Harry assessed her light accent. British, with a colonial hint.
He leaned forward slightly, his polished look expressing empathy and regret. “Unfortunately, the Honorable Minister was not able to attend due to other pressing charges. However, my name is Harry MacLean, and this is my assistant André Garneau; we are political negotiators, consultants like yourselves. And this is Paul Dion, the Minister’s executive assistant. We are fully commissioned to represent the interests of the Minister’s Office and of the Minister.”
Tamanna’s face twitched.
“I see.”
She glanced at the assistants, then directly at Harry. “Her Excellency deferred on meeting your Prime Minister, but insisted we speak directly to your Climate Minister. She was specific.”
“With all due respect to the High Impact Countries.” Harry picked his words. “Minister Kendall conveys his deepest apology. The Honorable Minister regrettably has some high profile engagements with other national ministers and his presence is not possible at this time.”
“Our message was quite clear.”
“Our apologies.”
A shrewd look came over Tamanna as she slowly released her breath. With eyes of ice, she spoke in a calm voice.
“Your Minister Kendall may have just made the political clanger of his career.”
The air conditioning fan hummed through the silence. Harry sat back, his practiced face wavering only slightly as his nape hairs bristled. He said nothing.
She spoke again. “We require a recess—to consult with Her Excellency on how she wishes to proceed.” She touched audio pause and rose to her feet.
“Absolutely, no problem.” Harry’s eyes bored into her yet he held the swallow in his throat.
Vince followed Tamanna out.