Page 40 of Scarlet Angel

“Same as yours, love. A good life.”

“That’s a non-answer. You like those. But you also said you want to break apart the Lupi Grigi.”

I did say that. I don’t need to say it twice.

“And?”

“All right, then. I’m off to the stables.”

I only get a glimpse of her backside before she’s out of sight, headed through the house to the backdoor and the Wellies.

She may believe I’m evading the truth, but I told her a truth I rarely share. She and I are in agreement on both objective and tactical execution. The world gets complicated because few agree about the best tack forward to achieve a good life.

* * *

The sun is lowering in the sky, and there’s a chill in the room. I shoot off a message to the house manager to light the fires and a message to the chef to inquire about dinner, then head out in search of Scarlet.

I’ve spent the day reading reports and reaching out to industry leaders as needed between meetings. I’ve kept an eye on the news scroll at the bottom of the muted television, although nothing will happen today. In all likelihood, nothing will happen for weeks.

I lob a call to Jiang Tu. He answers, voice groggy.

“Did I call at an obscene time?”

“I’m in the air. What can I do for you?”

Jiang Tu was my first call after Interpol left earlier today.

“Checking in. Curious.” Given the nerve gas was stolen from North Korea, it’s unlikely Russia or China were the thieves. It’d be a costly heist. Who’d go to that expense? A Middle Eastern country? A terrorist group?

“If I had an update, I’d get it to you.”

“Right.”

“Received an alert about a car bomb in Rome. Was that you?”

“Haven’t left the estate.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. You’re not stopping until they’re decimated, are you?”

“No.” I’m not responsible for any car bomb, but it’s just as well he believes I am. Garners more respect.

There’s a pause. It could be Jiang processing, or it could be a technical delay.

“Noted,” he says. “It is what it is.” Is that resignation in his voice? Nah, flat is Jiang’s go-to delivery.

“I land in China in a few hours. All communications should go through the portal.”

“Aye, aye.”

The call disconnects, and I clomp through the winter garden. Lina sits on a bench, a mobile in hand.

“When did you get home?” I ask.

“This afternoon. Amir sent me back in a car. He had important business.”

She sounds…off.

“Did you have fun?”

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