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I raised a brow at Typhon’s use of “we’re.” As far as I knew, there was no change in Nem’s status as coalition commander nor in Typhon’s role as advisor. When my eyes met Ares’, I saw he agreed. It was to be expected, I supposed, from the man who led SIS’ most secret and deadly units.
“Which reminds me, Kodiak has also returned from the States. Welcome back,” Nem said, waving in his direction. “And, as a reminder, Blackjack, Tank, and Michelangelo remain on the ground in Tropea, and Delfino and Atticus are still on Gozo. Questions?” She waited a few seconds. “No? Good. I don’t know about you, but after all those introductions, I need a drink.”
Like most everyone else in the room, I chuckled before turning to Schön. “What about you? Any questions, or are you also ready for a drink?”
“Err, both? But first, I wanted to talk to Verity.”
“That’s right. Hey, Zep. What do you say we hit the bar?”
He nodded but leaned down and whispered something to Verity.
“Red wine, please,” she responded, then looked at Schön. “Would you like a glass?”
“Please.”
“What’s going on?” Zeppelin asked once we were out of the situation room and headed into the kitchen where the makeshift bar was set up.
“I believe Schön wants to apologize to Verity.”
He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it.
“Go ahead,” I said.
Zep shook his head. “None of my business.”
“Right, then. Oh, I have a question; you said Macht is coming back but Ehren isn’t?”
He poured two glasses of wine and two glasses of bourbon, handing one of each to me. “Cheers,” he said before taking a sip of his drink.
“Cheers.”
“Magnet, do you have a moment?” I heard Nemesis ask.
“Of course.”
Zep set his bourbon on the counter, took the glass of wine I held, then muttered something about being right back.
“Can we speak privately?”
“I’d prefer it. Library or solarium?” I responded.
“I’ll let you decide.”
I led Nem to the other side of the house and into the solarium. It had always been my preferred place to work due to all of the windows, not that much was visible at this time of night.
“First, how is Schön doing?” she asked after we took a seat.
“Coming along.”
“Nasty business with Ehren.” Nem took a sip of her drink, then leaned against the sofa cushions. “God, I’m tired,” she murmured.
“We can continue this in the morning if you’d prefer,” I offered.
“No, let’s get it over with. Unbeknownst to her, Ehren is beingescortedto Switzerland. Schmid initially scoffed when I contacted him saying we were releasing her from the coalition after her completion of this final assignment. However, I am the commander and certainly don’t owe him an explanation.”
“Glad to hear it. She’s his problem now. Or will be soon.”
“My thoughts precisely.”