For The Sake Of Tomorrow [Alastair, Arlette..?]

“Naturally.”

It was fortunate perhaps that Alastair knew Claudia better than most people, or, more accurately, he thought that he did. Because he saw the cold sincerity and chose to believe that she was letting him handle this, that she was placing some small modicum of trust in him. That trust was likely going to be questioned when he eventually asked some personal questions about Miss Eliane, and whether she could be behind all this.

But he would do his due diligence. As brazen as he might be, making a leap without looking could put Arlette in more danger and damage his relationship with Claudia. So, for now, he pushed those darker thoughts to one side and tried to channel some more of his patron’s pragmatism. There was little he could do for Arlette right now, but his own business was still on the table.

“Of course, I am relieved that you are treating this with the severity that it unfortunately deserves. We can iron out the details with the products, but I assure you that I will be as generous as possible.”

He really was not a businessman. He was a military officer dressed in a suit and, without Arlette as his sword and shield, he certainly lacked a little tact. At least he hoped his earnest manner kept him in Claudia’s good graces.

It could also be said that, whilst he was not used to being kept in the dark about their destination or the route they were taking, Alastair had paid it little heed. If she had wanted to take him to some secluded location and make him disappear, there were plenty of ways to do that without placing herself directly in the firing line as she had. But that wasn’t their style, he dared to trust her forthrightness.