Convergence

Chapter 17

"If you enter from there you'll run into guards," Elwynn droned while sitting casually in a nook across the way from Allafair. "Crockett's not going to take the plans if he sees an obvious flaw. You have to make it perfect."

"But somewhere we have to make a flaw, something so discreet and minuscule that he would never identify it," Eloise said. With one hand, she scratched the back of her head while the other lay on her hip. "Will you please stop chewing so loudly?" she snapped at Gregory, who really had been no help whatsoever. Gregory froze, staring blankly at Eloise. She stared back. For a few moments, all was silent until Gregory moved his jaw, crunching the remains of his meal. Eloise rolled her eyes, muttering something about men being brainless. That's what it sounded like to Allafair.

Annabelle studied the map of Buckingham Palace with great intensity. Her finger traced each line, moved through every doorway. She hadn't said much, but her input was always incredibly calculated and precise. Even Eloise had been surprised. "The military," she finally said. "Wouldn't Crockett want control of her majesty's military before assuming the throne? He could take over unquestioned."

Allafair dropped the pencil he held in his mouth. As it clattered to the floor, he rose to his feet and joined Annabelle by the map. "You're absolutely right. Brilliant, in fact. But...how will he do it?" he asked, stepping back and turning in a slow circle as he ran his hand through his hair. Melline watched from a distance, just out of reach of everyone else, but close enough to hear. She pushed herself to her feet slowly, as if to avoid calling attention to herself, then walked to Allafair.

He felt a small pang of guilt when he flinched at Melline's approaching. He hoped she hadn't seen, but the hurt look on her face told him that he hoped for too much. Despite her disappointment by his discomfort around her, she spoke. "He'll want the commander of the military, won't he? If he can bribe the commander...he can get whatever he wants with the military at his every whim," she explained quietly. Manipulation, Allafair thought. You would know about that, wouldn't you? Melline began to slink back, and Allafair wondered if she had developed the ability to read minds.

"You're right," he said suddenly, startling Melline. She stopped and looked up at him, smiling ever so slightly. "That is exactly what he would want to do...which means we should use that to our advantage. If we can get out in time, we can reach the commander and warn him first. If the commander takes the bribe, yet works as a double agent, it makes it all the easier for us to catch him. Excellent."

"Is anyone writing down any of the things we've said?" Eloise asks sharply.

Gregory swallowed another bite of food, then shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm here to blow things up," he replied. "And pretend to die for you all, I do hope that you know how hard that will be for me, Eloise."

"Of course you've done nothing," Eloise grumbled. "Shall I make you another sandwich while you're waiting, then? Should I bathe you and clothe you as well? What do you need, oh master?" She gave Gregory a slight, mocking bow, carelessly holding her arms out like wings. Gregory stood, holding his head high.

"It is about time you realize the important part I play here," he told her regally, patting her head as he passed by her folded form. He snatched up a yard stick and help it as if it were his scepter. "This space here must be prepared for my sleeping quarters. Not a single speck of dust should be seen, is this clear?" he asked, pointing his stick and indicating a rather dust-free zone.

"Yes, master," Eloise replied, continue her mocking act. "Nothing but the best for you."

"Rightly so. And stop bending over, child, it really is not becoming," Gregory added. Perhaps he had not thought of what he was doing. Perhaps he knew perfectly well what trouble he would get into. But nevertheless, when Gregory took his "scepter" and tapped Eloise's backside with a quick thwap, he was not prepared to handle Eloise's wrath.