“That is no longer your concern, Sir Catch. You weren’t told. It’s not your fault, but it is a problem that’s going to require diligent management and long hours.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry for overstepping.”
“In addition to the report on housing, I also need to see your recommendations on which three of the trainees could be made ready for field work right away.”
“We don’t have any trainees ready to go now, sir.”
“Hard times, Sir Knight.” Glen perceived from Rev’s piercing look that he wasn’t happy about the request, but it was what it was. “Every training unit has been tasked with repurposing. We have to come up with three to hit the numbers. You’re in the best position to judge which three are most ready.”
Glen looked as if he’d aged years within the last few minutes. ‘Most ready’ is not the same thing as ready. Nobody in his right mind wanted to pit kids against vampire. And, if it had to be done, nobody – least of all he, wanted the job of choosing which kids it would be.
Rev turned to his computer screen in dismissal. “Seems we’ve got a lot to do and not much time in which to do it.”
“Yes. That is how it would seem,” Glen replied.
Rev tried to look around Glen. “Who’s on duty right now?”
“Bo Barrock.”
“Please tell him to call Operations and ask Ms. Farnsworth to come for a briefing as soon as possible.”
“I will. Is there anything else, sir?”
Rev looked at his watch. “Could you request the presence of Sir Hawking and the Lady Laiken in my office at 3:00?” Glen seemed to hesitate. “Is there a problem?”
“Um, well, sir, the problem is that I don’t yet know you well enough to know if that’s a true request or an order.” In response to that, Glen received a stare so piercing that a lesser man would have squirmed. “Let’s say that it’s a request unless declined. Then it’s an order.”
“Yes, sir.” Glen turned to leave. “Don’t forget to tell Mr. Barrock to get Farnsworth in here. If we’re going to pull this off, it will only be because she has miracle-worker in her skill set.”
Glen looked curious. “You know her, sir?”
Rev glanced up from the computer screen. “Only by reputation and a brief introduction yesterday.”
“Farnsworth has a reputation,” he repeated. “Huh.” Glen was clearly bemused about the idea.
“That’s all.”
At 11:00 Farnsworth knocked on the door.
Rev had been just about ready to grab his ears and scream, but when he looked up and saw her, a calmness descended and he was sure no task was impossible.
“Come in,” he said softly.
“Sovereign.” Her tone was crisp. She had her beautiful hair pulled back into a bun at her nape and held with crocheted netting. She wore tailored black pants, black heels and a sleeveless green silk blouse that fell to her hip line. It fit close enough to reveal the lines of her body without being overtly clingy. Elegant. Professional.
She sat in front of his desk and opened her portaputer with efficiency, apparently readying to take notes.
Rev stared openly for a couple of seconds, then rose, walked around the desk, closed the door which she’d left standing open, and returned to his chair.
“How are you?”
Farnsworth looked confused. “How am I?”
“Was that too intimate a question?”
Her face flushed instantly. “Intimate?”
“I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, especially in light of the fact that I have bad news.”