His sigh was audible. “Right now, it’s a local problem only. Not something for the Committee to become involved with. Ya, we need to stay on top of Talas and be ready to move if it continues to escalate or if it threatens stability in the region, but there is actual ongoing rioting in East Timor. That’s where I feel we should be going, as quickly as we can.”

Because there he could just lose himself in action. Barbara sighed. “Love, in Talas, half a city is in chaos and no one knows why, and it is spreading, by all accounts. I’d say that stability there has already been affected.”

“Babs…” She hated that nickname, but had never been able to get Klaus to stop using it. Klaus gave another sigh. “Are you angry with me? What have I done?”

The change in subject annoyed her, all the more because it felt as if he were deliberately poking a finger into a new wound. “I’m not angry with you, Klaus. Not at all. This isn’t about us, Klaus. I really feel it’s a mistake to ignore Talas. Let the Secretary-General deal with East Timor,” she answered.

He stared at her, and she held his gaze. Finally, he looked down at the report in front of him and shook his head. “I understand why you’re worried and I appreciate your concerns, but I don’t see a reason yet to go to Jayewardene and request that he allow the Committee to become involved.”

“Half a city’s already out of communication, Klaus. And the problem has grown over the last few days. What more of an excuse do we need?”

“I know. I understand. But it’s still a local issue for the moment. The entire country of East Timor is in jeopardy with the riots there. The government could fall.”

“Everything I’ve seen and everything Ink’s given me says the locals aren’t capable of dealing with Talas, and that they don’t have a grasp on what’s really happening there.”

“Then when that becomes more apparent, we discuss it again. For now, I say we should plan on going to East Timor. At the very least, let’s send a team there.”

And I’ll be leading them. She knew that would be the case without his adding the phrase. She also heard the finality in his voice. “All right,” she said. “I’ll have Ink copy you with her reports and comments. But I think waiting on Talas is the wrong strategy.”

Klaus nodded. “I hear you,” he said. “And I’ll take the responsibility.” Barbara nodded at that and turned to go. “Babs,” he said behind her, and she stopped with a sigh. “We should talk. Tonight. Not about Talas. About us.”