“We don’t forget our responsibilities.” The authority was there. Mixed with it was a compassion that couldn’t be given full sway. “If one of Eve’s people is an agent of Deboque’s, we will learn the identity. Logically Deboque will not order her harmed, or his agent will no longer have a reason to remain in Cordina.”

“And if Deboque is not logical?”

“Such men are always logical. There is no passion in them.”

“Mistakes can be made.”

“Yes.” Armand thought of Seward. The grief remained inside. “Mistakes can be made. We must see we don’t make any.” His gaze shifted to Reeve. “I leave this to you.”

“Everything that can be done on the short term is being done. As to the long term, Malori and I have agreed on an operative who will infiltrate Deboque’s organization.”

“I agreed with reservations,” Malori mumbled.

“No need for them.” Reeve’s lips curved, then he handed Armand a folder. “Malori and I do agree that the identity of this operative should be known only to the three of us.”

“It concerns us all,” Bennett interrupted.

“Yes.” Reeve nodded. “And the life of this operative depends on secrecy. The fewer people who know who is working for us, the better chance we have of succeeding. It may take months, more likely years. You have to understand we’re only planting a seed here. It needs time to grow.”

“I wish only to see an end to Deboque in my lifetime.” Armand kept the file closed. He would look at it later, then lock it in his personal safe. “I want regular reports on the operative’s progress.”

“Of course.” Reeve gathered the rest of his papers. “If we can capture Deboque’s agent and interrogate him, perhaps the rest won’t be necessary.”

As the group of men rose, Alexander addressed his father. “If you have a few minutes, I need to speak with you.”

Understanding his brother’s need for privacy, Bennett dropped a hand on his arm. “I’m going to go to the theater this morning. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Alexander placed a hand over his brother’s. There was no need for gratitude to be spoken. “Don’t let her know that’s what you’re doing. She’ll kick you out.”

“I’ll make a nuisance of myself and she’ll tolerate me.” Then he walked over and kissed his father’s cheek. “We are together in this, Papa.”

Armand sat where he was, watching until the door closed at his son’s back. None of the reports, the files, the plots that had been discussed, had eased his mind. But the simple words, the simple kiss, had done much more than that.

“Of all my children, Bennett is the only one I cannot predict.”

“He’d be flattered to hear it.”