They reconvened in the breakfast room the next morning. Folks trickled in, saying good morning and making small talk while filling their plates from the sideboard. Even Carter was polite. Bridget walked in after doing recon all night to report that the comms should be up and ready to access. She read the room and put her hands on her hips.
“Well, what happened here last night?”
No one spoke.
“Carter did you piss someone off again?”
That made everyone laugh. Even Carter had to give up a rueful smile. “Why is it always me?”
“Oh, darling, please. You’ve turned pissing people off into an art form.”
“Amen,” Judy mumbled into her scrambled eggs. Andy kicked her under the table.
Mrs. Gage gently tapped her china cup with her spoon. The sound was like the tinkling of a bell. Everyone turned their attention to her. “Today is a new day, and as such we shall move forward anew. Andrew, choose a room this morning to set up our communications so we can monitor what is happening in the nearby residence. Danny Mac, what do you think about going on the offensive and paying an unannounced visit to them? Tell them you had some time before we perform this weekend and wanted to take advantage of it. Any time we can make a move not dictated by Magda, we gain some subtle control. And kudos to you, Kenann. You were masterful yesterday.”
Kenann smiled and inclined her head in thanks to Mrs. Gage. Danny Mac had sufficiently assured her last night of his devotion. She had no qualms about Danny Mac going alone to see Magda. Danny Mac was pleased as well. He wanted to protect Kenann from Magda as long as possible.
Carter had made peace with losing any semblance of leadership with this group but still claimed a rightful place on the team. He asked Bridget, “What did you see last night? Anything noteworthy?”
“It was a hive of activity when I got there, making it a bloody nuisance to move around. CJ and Leticia are holding their own. They were both happy to see me.”
Mrs. Gage considered and said, “I hope we haven’t asked more of them than they can do. I did not anticipate the possibility the visitors would move in.”
Robert added, “And I didn’t think they would assign me to keep Danny Mac and Kenann in line. I figured I would be back in their camp, where I could keep an eye on them for you.”
Andy said, “We just roll with it, bud. Things have a way of working out the way they are supposed to.”
Several nodded, many thanking God for his unseen guidance in these matters.
Mrs. Gage continued. “We will need to have a rehearsal Thursday night. It has been a while since we performed and we want to be sharp for Saturday night.”
Moira asked, “Gabrielle, can I meet with you and Kenann at some point?”
Judy spoke up. “Can I come, too? I don’t want to be left out of Girl Power Hour.”
Moira smiled at her warmly. “Of course.”
Bridget laughed. “What am I, chopped liver?”
Carter offered, “You’re one of the guys.”
Bridget rolled her eyes. “Carter, go lay down somewhere.”
Moira intervened before another fight could break out. “Bridget, please join us.”
“Thank you, Mrs. James.”
“You can only come if you start calling me Moira…or Granny.” She grinned at Kenann.
“Indeed. Moira it is.”
Before they dismissed, Danny Mac asked, “Any particular agenda, Mrs. Gage, when I meet with Magda?”
She turned her gaze. “What do you think, Robert?”
He was momentarily nonplussed. He was not used to being asked his opinion. He was only given orders. He gave her question some thought. “Well, I can assure you she hasn’t given up on bedding Danny Mac, so that will factor in for sure. But I think power respects power. Perhaps he should play up the angle that he is looking to move up the ladder?”
“Excellent.” Mrs. Gage smiled. “Danny Mac, this will be what we use to gain her trust. She will see any effort on your part to get information as a way to gain an edge in the organization.”
“I’ve got to protect Kenann from her, though,” Danny Mac replied.
“Absolutely. We must solidify her place in this,” Mrs. Gage agreed.
Moira spoke up. “Well, that was my intent for a more private conversation, but it appears we can discuss it now.” She had everyone’s attention. “I could see Kenann was in danger and I began devising a plan. We have to return her to an indispensable state. At this point, Danny Mac is the desirable commodity.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Kenann interrupted, only slightly sarcastically. Everyone chuckled. Danny Mac winked at Kenann and her heart flipped. The thought hit her like a brick. Everyone wants him but I’ve got him. She smiled back at Danny Mac and it caught his breath.
Moira continued. “I’m sure by now Magda knows about the jungle ceremony. Let’s exploit that.”
“But how?” Several turned to Carter, expecting sarcasm, but could see he was genuinely interested.
“Make her indispensable to the operation—to the Order,” Moira replied. “So far we’ve been lucky that no one has recognized her from Egypt. We have either incarcerated or killed anyone who could. And those who escaped did not know her true identity. She was only introduced to the group at large as Inanna.”
“Are you saying we resurrect Inanna?” Carter asked.
“Perhaps.”
Everyone considered this. Mrs. Gage was the first to speak. “It just might work.”
Blade, who had been chowing down on a large plate of nothing but bacon in his mother’s absence, raised his hand from the end of the table. They realized they had forgotten he was there.
“Yes, dear?” Mrs. Gage smiled.
“Kenann is going to have so many parts, she’s gonna forget who she is.”
Everyone laughed. Except Kenann.