While she was talking, Ram said, "Did you make progress?"
Grey shook his head. "I don't know. This Monq fellow is tight-lipped. It's hard to tell, but doing something feels better than doing nothing."
Elora put her phone away. "She says you've got forty-five minutes and she'll call when she needs you on the roof. Come on. Go with us."
He smiled and nodded.
While they waited to be served, Elora put Helm on her shoulder and bobbed him up and down gently. They had finally gotten the werewolf to open up and talk about the subject of his home terrain. He stopped mid sentence. "Looks like someone you know is coming this way."
Glen was approaching with a grin on his face. He went straight to Ram.
"Sir Hawking. Do you mind if I interrupt?" He looked at Elora. "I completely forgot to show you last night. I've got pictures of the puppies!"
Ram introduced him to their guest.
"Glendennon Catch. This is Stalkson Grey."
Glen's face registered surprise and his gaze jerked to Elora. "Stalkson Grey? Isn't that what you...?"
Elora shook her head at him, but it was too late.
She turned her attention to the photos on Glen's intelliphone and gave a delighted little gasp while he pulled up a chair.
"How did you get these?"
"High powered telescopic lens attachment."
"Wasn't that a little pricey for your practically non-existent pay grade?"
"I told Simon you were requisitioning it."
"You did what?" Ram was aghast.
Elora arched an eyebrow.
"Well, I knew you would have if you were there."
"Practical. And correct. What can I say? Except that it's really a personal expense. I'll find a way to funnel the money back into The Order's coffers without making a deal out of it.
"Thank you for taking care of my puppies and getting these pictures. They are so adorable! Oh, I wish I was there so I could feel their little paws and put kisses on their little noses and smell their brand new coats of fur."
"I just sent them to your phone, but I wanted to see your face when you saw them the first time. Look. These two are really black."
"I know!" She couldn't take her eyes away from the images.
He stood to leave. "Gotta go. Gotta date. Later." Turning to Grey. "Nice to meet you." When he didn't leave, Ram finally said, "Elora, give the boy his phone. Did you no' hear him say he has a date?'
"What? Oh! Sorry." She handed the phone over. "You're the best, Glen. Have fun tonight and don't forget that Black Swan knights in training are gentlemen."
"Yes, ma'am."
Food arrived and was being set in front of them as Glen walked away. Elora hoped that would be enough of a distraction, but no such luck.
"What was that about, Mrs. Hawking?"
Ram laughed. "You call her Mrs. Hawking?"
"He does it just to irritate me."