Page 67 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

Sari shook her head. "I'd rather move on to happier topics. I saw the four guards on my way out. Are they still named John Doe One through Four?"

"Sadly, they are. Esag thinks that one of them is named Adaluh, but until the guard can confirm it, we are not referring to him by that name."

"Then my suggestion from dinner stands. John, Paul, George, and Ringo."

"We are not naming my mate's guards after The Beatles, Sari."

"Why not? I think that the one at the end looked like a Ringo."

"You don't even like their songs," David said. "You just like the names."

"That's why they fit. They're short, easy to remember, and they don't carry emotional baggage or attachment of any sort."

25

LOSHAM

"Turn on the music," Losham said.

Rami picked up the remote, and a moment later the sounds of Bach filled the suite. Masking conversations with music or running water was a habit from the days when someone had always been listening, and even though the main suspects were dead now, new ones had risen to power, and secrecy was still a necessity.

The problem was that new technology was making those old habits obsolete.

"I'm debating whether to call Bertram today so he has enough time to schedule the meeting for Thursday and plan his trip here, or call him tomorrow morning and just spring it on him."

Rami's brow furrowed. "There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Calling him today will increase the likelihood that everyone you want to attend the meeting will actually be there. But it will also give them more time to think it through and start suspecting something. The reverse is true if you call him tomorrow morning." He made a balancing motion with his hands. "What's more important? Killing all the birds with one stone, or missing some of them but increasing the probability that the rest will perch where you want them?"

"That's precisely my conundrum. Should I just toss a coin and let fate decide?"

Rami smiled. "That's assuming Fate is on your side. What if it isn't?"

"True." Losham ran a hand over his jaw. "Perhaps we could bribe Fate. What does she like?"

"I wouldn't know, sir. Would you like me to pour you a drink to help you think?"

"I'd better not. I need to sound convincing when I call Bertram."

Both their moods had improved dramatically since the clan confirmed its commitment to eliminate the rest of the competition.

Losham had found a simple way to let Rami in on the secret without actually telling him what was going on, which he couldn't do because of Toven's compulsion. He invited him to share a drink when the clan was on a call so Rami could hear what was being said.

"So, you've decided." Rami lowered the volume, turning Bach's calming notes into background music. "Should I call him now?"

Losham nodded. "Get him on the line."

He'd been rehearsing the speech for hours and knew exactly what he was about to say and the tone he would use.

Rami dialed and waited. "General Bertram. Lord Losham wishes to speak with you. I'm patching you through."

Losham picked up the receiver. "Bertram. How fares the lord's army?"

"We are managing, my lord," Bertram said in his most deferential tone. "The generators cover the barracks and the kitchens. The radar is still down, but the new tubes are due within the week."

"That is good. I want you to schedule a meeting with the senior command and my brothers for Thursday at ten in the morning. They will attend via video call in the conference hall on the military side, while you attend here, at my office."

There was a long silence before he asked, "May I inquire about the purpose of this meeting?"

"You may. It occurred to me that too much time has passed since the commanding officers last offered devotions to Lord Navuh. They are supposed to perform them five times a day, but I am told they have not done so in weeks, even months. I want to broadcast them performing the devotions throughout the island as proof that no one is exempt. And I will also have it recorded. Instruct them to be properly groomed and wear their dress uniforms."