The Lodge,
Prime Minister’s Residence,
Canberra
The drive to the lodge took four minutes, much less than Merin anticipated; one of the many perks of being the nation’s first head of state, having a private car and driver. On the way in, Merin shook her head as she saw a group of protesters. They held signs in the air with slogans against the republic. There was another one with the words: ‘Not My President’. Merin couldn’t believe it, but she had to look past the angry mobsters, and accept the Australian peoples’ decision. They’d stopped on the gravel courtyard adjacent to the main entrance of The Lodge. Merin climbed out, followed by Joe Pittman.
Flanked by her security detail, Merin and Joe stepped forward. Together, the group headed to the main entrance. Fast footsteps crunched on the gravel drive. A partitioned roof sheltered the main entrance. Under this stood a woman with a stern demeanour, her red hair pulled back in a tight bun, glistened with a bright shine under the harsh, January sun. ‘Madam President, I’m Alyssa Crawford, the Prime Minister’s chief-of-staff.’ They shook hands. ‘The Prime Minister’s ready to see you.’ Alyssa and the group climbed a set of stairs to the second floor and made their way along a corridor lined with plush, maroon carpet. The group managed to keep up with the fast-walking chief-of-staff. Alyssa stopped at a large, heavy door. She knocked twice and entered. Merin entered next, followed by Joe. As Joe closed the door, Mick and his colleague positioned themselves by the door. Inside the office, Stephen Archer, the Australian Prime Minister, sat at his desk against the far wall, paying rapt attention to a stack of folders and a laptop in front of him. A young man stood beside him, his political consultant. The Prime Minister stood as Merindah entered. An awkward pause fell between the two leaders. They shook hands.
‘Madam President,’ said Stephen. Merin glared at him.
‘Prime Minister.’ They had to tolerate each other for the sake of their offices, and the country. Stephen eyed Joe who stood by the door. ‘That’s Joe Pittman, my Official Secretary. He’s also my brother. I don’t believe you two have met.’ Stephen grunted an inaudible response. Merin glanced at the chair opposite Stephen’s desk. He hadn’t invited her to sit but she didn’t care to wait for an invitation and sat anyway.
‘I appreciate you coming, Madam President. This couldn’t wait and is too important to be discussed over the phone.’
‘Fair enough. I’ve been told this is a matter of national security?’ The Prime Minister glowered at her and cleared his throat.
‘Yes, it’s related to your speech at Commonwealth Park.’ Merin’s gaze darted across to Joe. He watched the Prime Minister closely, trying to work out if he told the truth.
‘I see. Is there a problem with it?’ Stephen pressed a button on his phone.
‘Send in the Commissioner, please.’ They waited a few moments. Then, the door opened. Another man entered the office. He wore a navy-blue uniform with a broach of police medals on his upper right chest area. ‘Madam President, Shaun Buckley is the Commissioner of the AFP. Shaun, would you care to brief the President?’ The Commissioner stood next to Merin and cleared his throat.
‘Madam President, I’ve been informed there’s a security threat against your life.’ Merin’s heart pounded. She knew she’d be a target, being an Indigenous Australian. Extremist far-right groups, and others against any break with the Monarch, wouldn’t accept her. She swallowed, forcing herself to remain calm.
‘Tell me you’re joking?’ asked Joe, almost falling off the chair.
‘No. I’m not, Mr. Pittman. Late last night, my agency received word you’re the target of an assassination plot.’ Merin’s stomach churned with anxiety. An assassination threat of all things.
‘Do we know who is involved?’ asked Merin.
‘The AFP is conducting a thorough investigation into this threat. We’re working alongside ASIO, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, as well as ACT Police. Your security is our primary objective, and we will do everything in our power to keep you safe.’ Merin swallowed. Her throat tightened under the anxiety of knowing someone wanted her dead.
‘The President has been getting death threats ever since the referendum. What makes this one special?’ asked Joe.
‘We take every threat seriously, Mr. Pittman.’
‘Madam President…today’s Australia Day. Your presidential speech at Commonwealth Park commences at midday. The Commissioner and I recommend postponing the event.’ Stephen’s suggestion surprised Merin, despite having braced herself for whatever the Prime Minister threw at her.
‘Prime Minister. You’re hilarious. Postpone Australia Day? Postpone a major event in this nation’s history? And postpone it hours before?’ Stephen glared at the President.
‘Madam President...’
‘Oh, I know what’s happening here. I read the world headlines. The first president, no, the first Indigenous female president decides to cancel Australia Day because she’s scared of a few cowards.’ Merin stood and buttoned her jacket. ‘Trying to get the people against me?’
‘Merindah…’
‘You’ve said I’m safe in the hands of my security detail. Now, you’ve told me there’s an issue, and we need to cancel. Make up your mind!’ Merin headed for the office door. ‘I need to go and prepare for my inaugural speech.’ Joe opened the door as Merin reached it. She stopped on the threshold and turned to face the Prime Minister. ‘See you at Commonwealth Park, Prime Minister.’ The Prime Minister stood, gob smacked by her response. Out in the hall, she cursed under her breath. ‘Can you believe this?’ She walked next to Joe as they headed out. ‘Someone wants me dead, and the PM wants to postpone Australia Day?’
‘I know, but maybe he’s right. If there’s someone trying to kill you, heaven forbid, we should be proactive, and think about an alternative.’
‘No. This day’s too important, Joe. We’ve been preparing for this day for the last twelve months. I’m not going to hide in the shadows. I always knew there’d be haters and death threats, but I will not cower to their level.’
‘I’m glad you didn’t back out.’
‘Me too. My security detail will have to deal with this.’ Merin and Joe made their way out of the residence and climbed into the car. As it sped off, she tried to remember when their relationship was at a point where they could agree on things, and weren’t bitter between each other. She wondered where it all started to go wrong.
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