Westminster.
The hall was quiet when they entered.
One by one. In no particular order. But no one dared be last.
Moreau walked in alone, no aides, no folder.
He didn't take his seat right away.
Stalin arrived with Molotov at his elbow, whispering like a conscience.
They moved slowly, unhurried, like this was a chessboard that would never end.
Mussolini greeted no one, but adjusted his cuffs twice. Behind him, Ciano nodded faintly at the British table.
Hitler entered at the exact scheduled time, flanked by Ribbentrop and Göring, whose grin cracked only when he saw Moreau already there.
Chamberlain cleared his throat. "We're assembled."
He waited.
Then added, "Let's begin."
Bonnet had offered the opening and Moreau had declined it.
"Gentlemen," Bonnet began, "we are here because a country fell. The question is was it pushed, or did we all watch it fall?"
Mussolini smirked.
