25. Losham
LOSHAM
"Turn on the music," Losham said.
Rami picked up the remote, and a moment later the sounds of Bach filled the suite.
Masking conversations with music or running water was a habit from the days when someone had always been listening, and even though the main suspects were dead now, new ones had risen to power, and secrecy was still a necessity.
The problem was that new technology was making those old habits obsolete.
"I'm debating whether to call Bertram today so he has enough time to schedule the meeting for Thursday and plan his trip here, or call him tomorrow morning and just spring it on him."
Rami's brow furrowed. "There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Calling him today will increase the likelihood that everyone you want to attend the meeting will actually be there.
But it will also give them more time to think it through and start suspecting something.
The reverse is true if you call him tomorrow morning.
" He made a balancing motion with his hands.
"What's more important? Killing all the birds with one stone, or missing some of them but increasing the probability that the rest will perch where you want them? "
"That's precisely my conundrum. Should I just toss a coin and let fate decide?"
Rami smiled. "That's assuming Fate is on your side. What if it isn't?"
"True." Losham ran a hand over his jaw. "Perhaps we could bribe Fate. What does she like?"
"I wouldn't know, sir. Would you like me to pour you a drink to help you think?"
"I'd better not. I need to sound convincing when I call Bertram."
Both their moods had improved dramatically since the clan confirmed its commitment to eliminate the rest of the competition.
Losham had found a simple way to let Rami in on the secret without actually telling him what was going on, which he couldn't do because of Toven's compulsion. He invited him to share a drink when the clan was on a call so Rami could hear what was being said.
"So, you've decided." Rami lowered the volume, turning Bach's calming notes into background music. "Should I call him now?"
Losham nodded. "Get him on the line."
He'd been rehearsing the speech for hours and knew exactly what he was about to say and the tone he would use.
Rami dialed and waited. "General Bertram. Lord Losham wishes to speak with you. I'm patching you through."
Losham picked up the receiver. "Bertram. How fares the lord's army?"
"We are managing, my lord," Bertram said in his most deferential tone. "The generators cover the barracks and the kitchens. The radar is still down, but the new tubes are due within the week."
"That is good. I want you to schedule a meeting with the senior command and my brothers for Thursday at ten in the morning. They will attend via video call in the conference hall on the military side, while you attend here, at my office."
There was a long silence before he asked, "May I inquire about the purpose of this meeting?"
"You may. It occurred to me that too much time has passed since the commanding officers last offered devotions to Lord Navuh.
They are supposed to perform them five times a day, but I am told they have not done so in weeks, even months.
I want to broadcast them performing the devotions throughout the island as proof that no one is exempt.
And I will also have it recorded. Instruct them to be properly groomed and wear their dress uniforms."
After all, this would be their last public appearance, so they should look their best for their executions.
Another long silence followed. "I understand, and I agree that the devotions have been neglected since Lord Navuh secluded himself in the harem.
Having the senior command offer devotions publicly is a good idea and will improve morale throughout the ranks.
But shouldn't I be there with them instead of attending in your office? "
"No, you shouldn't. I want it to look like something they do every day of their own accord. Besides, there are issues I want to discuss with you that are not suitable for the phone."
"Yes, sir. I understand, but it's going to be difficult to reach your side of the island, sir."
"I'm well aware of the difficulty. Zorath, Modak, and Borhash arrived last night and complained about the state of the roads. That was the main reason for my decision not to summon the entire command here."
Losham had decided to spare three of the junior brothers.
He might regret it later, but Zorath was an experienced commander who wasn't a troublemaker, Modak was a follower who would not dare initiate anything himself, and Borhash was a joker who no one took seriously.
Losham had sent them on a fool's errand to find replacement parts for the radar.
The parts were already on their way, but they didn't know that.
"Commanders Zorath, Modak, and Borhash will miss the ceremony," Bertram pointed out.
"I'm well aware of that, but the radar needs to be repaired. It takes priority over the affirmation ceremony. We're sitting ducks until it's back up."
"I agree, sir."
"I want you to arrive Wednesday evening and spend the night at the hotel. We will meet in the morning to review everything that requires your attention before we contact the commanders on the other side. Once the devotional portion is over, we will issue orders accordingly."
"I see. So, it's not just about the devotions."
"No. It's not. Some changes are coming, and I want to first remind the commanders who the ultimate authority is that they answer to."
"Of course. Will Lord Navuh be watching?"
No one had seen or heard their lord in months, so the question could be Bertram's way of indicating that he knew something was up.
"The lord has eyes everywhere," Losham said.
"He will know who attended and who did not.
All who value their lives should be there and perform the devotions as if that determined whether they would live another day.
I'm having Rami email you the list of mandatory attendees.
Make sure everyone on that list is there. "
"I will," Bertram said. "Good day, my lord."
"Good day, Bertram." Losham ended the call.
Rami turned the volume back up. "That went well."
"He is not stupid. He knows something is up, but he will follow orders. That's how he's programmed."
Without Dave, Losham had to rely on his intuition. It had served him well enough before Dave had shown up; it would serve him just as well now.
"Tell housekeeping to prepare a room for the general."
"Yes, sir."
As Rami took his tablet and walked out the door, Losham leaned back in his chair and let himself enjoy a few moments of Bach.
The beauty of his plan was that none of the plotters would dare to be absent from the devotions’ ceremony.
The guilty would arrive early and sit up front, and he would lead them in the devotions and then the sermon for as long as it took.
He had spent two thousand years listening to his father fill entire mornings with nothing but the sound of his own importance. He could do the same.
Glory to Lord Navuh, the wise and the just.
With his bounty we thrive.
By his will we live or die.
On Thursday morning, the words would carry a new meaning, but instead of Navuh, they would live or die by Losham's will.