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Merrigan approached from across the room. “Hello. I’m so glad you could all join us. It’s very nice to finally meet you in person.”
“Likewise,” I said, stunned when she cheek-kissed me.
“Have you met my husband?” she asked.
“I have not.”
Doc came over, said hello, and shook my hand. “It’s a pleasure, Nemesis.”
“Please call me Nem,” I responded. “And the pleasure is mine.”
“Can I get you anything? Tea, water, bourbon?” Ares asked, motioning to the kitchenette area of the suite.
“Um, no thanks,” said Wren, looking as though she might need to rush off to the loo again.
“I’d like some water, please,” I responded to Ares. “Are you all right?” I whispered to Wren when Ares went to get it.
“Fine. The idea of bourbon turned my stomach. I should have known something was up the other night when I couldn’t get past the first sip. I can assure you that’s never happened with Booker’s before.”
I was stunned I hadn’t noticed.
“There’s plenty of food if you’d like a bite to eat,” said Merrigan.
“Thanks,” said Wren, making a beeline for the platters of food despite the fact we’d just finished lunch at the pub. I wondered if her voracious appetite would be a clue to anyone as to her condition. No one appeared to notice.
“It’s good to see you,” said Ares, handing me the water he’d fetched. “Would you like to sit?”
“Hey, Nem,” said Puck, walking over to us. Before I could return his greeting, he turned to Ares. “Cayman mentioned Iris showed up at your room.”
She showed up at his room?I kept my eyes focused on Puck rather than Ares.
“He asked me to tell you she does have a cousin, not sister, who works in the lobby.”
“Thanks,” he muttered when Puck walked away. “So, um, can we talk?” Ares leaned in and asked.
“Sure.”
“We’re going to catch each other up on the two concurrent investigations,” he said to no one in particular.
Merrigan walked over to a door on the opposite side of the room, unlocked, and opened it. “You’re welcome to chat in here,” she said, motioning to another suite. “We arranged to occupy the entire floor,” she explained, not that anyone had asked.
I grabbed the bag I’d thrown my laptop in and proceeded into the room she’d indicated. Ares followed empty-handed.
“I sent you the brief,” he said when my brow furrowed.
“I can do the same,” I offered.
He shook his head and closed the door. “Listen, about Iris, I’m sorry—”
“It’s okay. I mean, I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“Ares, most everyone at MI5 knows she had sex with you, if that’s what you’re referring to.”
His eyes widened. “They do?”
“Notch in her bedpost, as they say.”
