Page 68 of The Last Kingdom

He rolled out of the comforter and sat up on the side of the bed. “I’m more a night person.”

She tossed him a smile. “Yeah, I gathered.”

He’d switched his phone to silent when they’d arrived back, wanting a few hours of quiet. He now saw that Koger had been calling. No message or voice mail. Not the guy’s style. He liked to dial a number and speak to a live human being. And he kept calling until that happened.

“What do I tell Koger about you?” he asked Toni.

“I think he knows all about me by now.”

He could tell she was still more in the know than him. Which he didn’t particularly appreciate. He unlocked the phone and punched in the number.

“There’s a woman here in Munich,” Koger said, “working with the prince, who’s from the NSC.”

“I’m aware. She and I have become acquainted.”

He reported all that happened and explained about the book, its journey through the night, and the images he’d forwarded. He also told Koger about the attack and the four dead men.

“You’re quite the badass,” Koger said.

“I had help.”

“Is she good?”

He glanced her way. “I would say so.”

“Everybody is on the same team,” Koger said. “Which I’m sure your lady friend knows all about. What’s her name?”

“She has two, but the real one is Toni Sims. An ASIS agent.”

She tossed him a mock salute, then went about dropping the towel and dressing, not the least bit concerned about modesty. He watched as she slipped on her undergarments, then slid her trim legs back into tight jeans.

“An Aussie?” Koger asked.

“She doesn’t talk like one, if that’s what you mean.”

“Make sure she’s in the loop,” Koger said.

“I think she’s already fully in the loop,” he said. “It’s you and I who are not.”

She offered him another smile, which he liked.

“I agree,” Koger said. “Have her tell you about the Scythe. You need to know. It’s a new day, new game, with new players. And Malone is still in this.”

That was a shock.

“Was that him last night in the ferryboat?”

“Yep. I recruited him after that. Stay safe and keep me informed.”

The call ended.

He was curious. “Care to enlighten me on the Scythe?”

She pulled the sweater down over her chest. “Absolutely. Over breakfast. Koger mentioned them?”

He nodded.

Both of their phones dinged.

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