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“No. It’s grown exponentially to include all manner of operatives.Butit’s unusual in that nationality doesn’t matter. Only skills do.”
That answered why an American had been drafted into this operation, I guessed.
Pursing my lips, I stated, “When we’re ready to return to Dubrovnik—”
“You will be traveling with two men who, as my granddaughter suggested, have dubious morals.” He sighed. “She endeavors to see the worst in me, but I never claimed that the Union was perfect. We are but humans, and humans are, at their hearts, self-serving.”
There was something about this old man that got to me. He had a way of saying things that hit me hard. Maybe it was because I was used to Da who was a crackpot and who hadn’t exactly sprouted words of wisdom at the dinner table, or maybe it was because Kuznetsov wasright.
No body of power was capable of being entirely neutral. The human condition would never permit it.
At my lack of an answer, he asked, “May I ask why you’re heading to London?”
“We need to speak with the heads of BDSec.”
“Curious.” He paused. “I appreciate your honesty.”
I hummed.
“You’re an ally, aren’t you, Conor?”
I knew what he meant but drawled, “I’m Star’s ally. That will never change. But if I can open her eyes to something that will make her life better, then I won’t shy away from it.”
My words seemed to require some time to be absorbed. “I do not wish to hurt her.”
“I see that. She doesn’t. Are you sick? Is that why this is happening now?”
“No more than a man my age has his ailments. Death could be tomorrow or in five years.”
“So, why now?”
“Star set the timetable,” was all he said. “She found me when she was ready to.”
“You could have forced the meeting. Could have had more time with her.”
“Hindsight is a wicked beast.”
For some reason, my mind landed back on Da. “I know what you mean.”
“Mistakes are made. Rectifying them is possible. But only if we’re alive to do so.”
Though he couldn’t see me, I nodded. “Family means everything to me, Anton. If you truly mean her no ill will—”
“And I don’t.”
“We rarely believe that we do, but that doesn’t stop it from happening. You’ve never had the chance to be a grandfather before. As you say, mistakes happen. Keep on cheering for Team Star and I’ll have your back. Throw her aside and I’ll make that fork to the hand look like a walk in the park.”
“I should be annoyed, but my granddaughter deserves a partner who will make foolhardy threats to a man who could have him killed in an instant.”
I smiled. “It’s like I keep on telling her—insanity runs in the family.”
PART3
“I was never really insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched.”
- Edgar Allen Poe
42
