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TYPHON
The following morning, I rang O.
“Hello, Typhon.”
“Oleander. I received your brief.”
“I’ve just left Corradino.”
“I’m aware.” I hesitated before continuing. My last words to her were a warning about putting her on desk duty with the added threat of removing her from the unit. I couldn’t divulge that I’d changed my mind just yet. However, I did need to inform her about the Countess.
“Typhon, I mean no disrespect, but what is the purpose of your call?”
I sighed. “We lost a member of the Unit 23 family last night.”
“Who?”
“Philippa Windsor.”
O gasped, and I gave her a minute to process the news.
“We identified three candidates to be considered for Unit 23 prior to this news. Verity is one of them.”
“The others?” she asked.
“Esencia Heart and Hornet Zak. If Verity accepts, her role within the coalition will change to be more in line with yours. She’ll be an advisor as opposed to a member of a specific task force.” I waited, but she didn’t respond. “I’d like you to be part of the final interview process.”
“Where and when?”
“You’re at a crucial stage of your investigation. We’ll come to you,” I offered.
“How soon?” she asked.
“Since Verity has just arrived in the UK, we’ll need to wait until she’s able to return to Malta. Hornet is already on the main island. I’m waiting for a response as to Esencia’s availability.”
“I’m surprised she’s considering moving to Unit 23. She’s been quite intransigent about not doing so in the past.”
“I’m aware. That, coupled with Fatale’s intention of bringing her into the K19 fold as soon as possible, may mean she’s out of the running as we speak. However, I’m prepared to make her an offer attractive enough for her to reconsider.”
“You still have two other viable candidates. Keep me posted as to when you anticipate your arrival.”
“I will do. Now, let’s talk about Mithras’ death.”
“What of it?”
“You seem, what is the word? Unperturbed.”
“The world is rid of someone not worthy of breathing the same air as that of his victims. The immediate lead relating to Pharaoh canceled out my disappointment over my inability to interrogate him. As ideal as that would have been.”
“Again, your lack of vexation is surprising.”
“Typhon, please, make your point.”
“We’ll discuss it at greater length once I’m in Malta tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“That is correct.” Something else occurred to me that would put Oleander on guard. “Shall I expect both you and Poseidon to join us for dinner?”