Rook

“Something we do not see.”
    The rest of the meeting produced little of value except resolutions on the part of all to send out all the feelers they could and to meet regularly. Eckhart and Gubbins would direct specific teams of their operatives overseas. Gestalt unenthusiastically offered to spearhead the domestic investigation. “If, Rook Thomas, you would be willing to oversee normal domestic operations.”
    Myfanwy may have had a choice, but if she did, she didn’t know it. As far as she could tell, this was standard operating procedure.
    “Yes, that would be fine, Gestalt.”
    “I realize that you don’t normally take such a direct role in fieldwork and aren’t generally keen on being called out to situations,” said Teddy, “but I’m sure you’ll muster up some sort of enthusiasm.”
    Or perhaps I’ll take away your bladder control,
she thought about saying.
I could probably figure out how to do that.
But she restrained herself and gave him a smile that showed many more teeth than normal.
    “Someone will need to present to the Bishops,” pointed out Gubbins. “And I can’t do it, because there’s a situation in China.”
    “Yes, a situation that requires the attention of both Chevaliers,” said Eckhart hurriedly.
Subtle, boys. Real subtle,
thought Myfanwy. Before Gestalt could come up with some sort of lame excuse, she stepped forward.
    “I’ll do it, but I expect all sorts of guilty concessions from all of you.”
I can’t believe these are the people entrusted with the security of the nation.
She watched them file out and thought glumly about another evening spent under the disconcerting gaze of the Bishops.
    “… and those are our findings, gentlemen,” she concluded. She couldn’t help but be a little distracted by the two Bishops, who wereseated across from her. Although both were attractive, they couldn’t have been more different. It wasn’t just that Alrich looked as if he was five years younger than her while Grantchester was in his fifties. Everything about them represented two different extremes.
    There was something alien and hypnotic about Bishop Alrich’s beauty. His features seemed almost delicate. His lips were very red and glistened in the lamplight. His eyes met and held hers. In that deep, glorious gaze Myfanwy caught a glimpse of something that was both mesmerizing and frightening.
    With an effort she dragged her eyes away from his and looked at Conrad Grantchester, who was taking rapid notes on his electronic organizer. Whereas Alrich was asexual, this man was definitely masculine. He gave the impression of sophistication blended equally with lust, and there was something intriguing about his sardonic manner.
    It was like speaking to a sculpture and a sculptor.
    The silence dragged on for at least a minute, and Alrich didn’t blink once. She tried looking down at her notepad and then sneaking a glance at him, only to find that he was still staring at her. Distracted by the two handsome Bishops, she kept losing her place in her notes and thinking of inappropriate scenarios.
    “I propose, then, that we put select members of the Apex assessment staff onto the task of running up a high-priority strategic risk analysis,” said Grantchester, looking up from his stylus and PDA. “Such an analysis would help us identify potential targets and allow the proper security measures to be put into place.
    “Rook Thomas, all new information that arises regarding the Grafters, whether it comes from the examination of this Van Syoc person or the investigations of the Chevs and Rook Gestalt, will need to go through to the Bishops so that the analysis can be as well informed as possible,” continued Grantchester. Myfanwy nodded and made a note.
    “Then, for the time being,” said the Bishop calmly, “we shall simply allow things to unfold. All visitors entering the country will pass through stringent examination. We have both Chevs and RookGestalt’s bodies seeking out additional intelligence. I am confident that we have nothing to be concerned about. Not yet, anyway.” It sounded as if he were rehearsing for his presentation to the Lord and Lady. “Thank you, Rook Thomas.”
    Grantchester stood up and left. Myfanwy turned to look at Alrich and saw with a start that he was gone. Spooky. And apparently she was dismissed. She looked at her watch; it was a bit past eight. Well, this had taken less time than she had expected. Maybe she would be able to watch some reality