A/N: Shout out to my anonymous reviewer! Yes, more on the other guy soon. ;) Glad you liked it. Thanks!
Chapter 9
"They bring up a good point. If Elphaba and Fiyero return early, it could seem to our possible foe that something is up, no matter what excuse we make up," Bayram admitted to Glinda after Boq finished translating the coded message.
"The rest of Oz could care less but you think it could send a possible message?" The blonde gave him a look. They had met in her office and the three were awaiting the call for dinner.
"This guy is former Gale Force. He's not an idiot. In fact, I can remember the incident that Fiyero mentioned. The guy has a few nails loose and I don't mean the drooling in his gruel," the Lieutenant explained.
"Smart and volatile?" Boq asked.
"Conniving and intelligent. He was given a choice after he was arrested for petty theft for the fifth time – join the Gale Force or go to jail. He took the former," Bayram had pulled the man's file. It was originally just supposed to be a place to keep information like family names and locations and any commendations but eventually the files also housed any black marks as well, especially for those who hadn't volunteered for service.
"Great. Ok, so Fiyero and Elphaba continue as they should. We'll just keep them posted. If things get worse though, I want someone getting them in person, if need be. I don't care what it looks like," Glinda narrowed her eyes at both of them.
"I'll make sure to include that in our response," Boq promised.
"Now, what about her spy idea?" Bayram changed the topic.
"We'd need someone he'd never suspect, so no one inside these walls. We can't take any chances that he remembers one of the soldiers from when he served. Or even any Palace staff, just like they suggested," Glinda frowned.
"That does narrow our pool. Still, I may have some ideas. I need to reach out to a few people first," her fiancé told them.
"You do?" Boq was surprised. He was having a hard time picturing the Lieutenant having a life outside the Palace walls.
"I do. A good officer always has his contacts, especially when one was once in line to be Captain of the Gale Force. After dinner, I'll need to run some errands," Bayram gave Boq a wink.
"Do what you must but be safe," Glinda gave him a slight smile and grabbed his forearm with one hand, gently squeezing it. This whole event had her on edge. Their new friend, Arnab, had refused protection of any type when he left the Palace through the back door. She hoped that he would be ok. In the middle of all of this, she hadn't wanted him to get hurt or worse.
"I will," he promised her. There was a knock on the office door and Glinda bade the person to enter.
"Ma'am, sirs, do you have a response for the Vinkus? Also, Mr. Samuels says dinner is ready," Corporal Norris explained.
"Excellent. The note needs to be finished. Tell Mr. Samuels we need five more minutes," Glinda smiled at the young soldier.
"Yes ma'am," Norris smiled back and then left the office.
"I'll make sure the letter gets out. You two head to dinner," Boq gave them a nudge.
"Did we talk about everything?" The blonde wanted to double check.
"I think so. Thank you Boq," Bayram told him.
"Most welcome," the Tin Man smiled and the two left the room so he could work. Boq finished coding the message and added in a question for Elphaba. He hoped that her answer would be what he was waiting for.
To Be Continued…