Page 121 of Outcast’s Vow

“Someone is killing Elders, and all I hear from you and Leopold is that it’s okay? There is clearly no plan here.”

Another pat. A little firmer this time.

“We are working on it, Baptiste. This Order has flourished for hundreds of years due to careful effort and measured responses. That is how we’ve survived. That is how we’ll endure.”

“Maybe some passion is needed,” I reply. “New blood.”

“New blood like you?” Cromwell questions with a devilish sparkle in his eye.

And it’s like the floodgates for all my anger and frustration over the last few days break open.

“Like anyone who will do something,” I say. “Anything. That’s what I’m talking about. I fear the Castaways have grown old and lazy. They need to fight back. We have the power and influence. Finding one man mustn’t be hard. What are they doing?”

Cromwell straightens up.

“Be careful with your words, Mr. Tremblay. You are skirting a boundary now and getting close to treason.”

But I no longer care for hushed warnings.

“You know what I mean, though. Where is the leadership?”

“I have my own doubts about the leadership, but that’s why I am an Elder,” Cromwell says. “I can assist, even when I disagree with the direction. But you’re merely a member, Baptiste. You’re not an Elder yet. Trust that the right things are being done.”

I stare at him. Cromwell stares back at me.

I feel like I’m having to lay down my sword, even in the face of an advancing army.

“There’s a reason you’ve met me here today, sir,” I say, resigned. “What is it?”

A dangerous smile curls across the Elder’s face.

“Always so quick to the mark, Baptiste. No dithering. I always liked that in you. I came here today not to talk about the Masked Killer, but about you.”

“What do you mean?”

Cromwell motions to his limo.

“Ride with me. Let’s talk.”

* * *

“I remember the first day I met you, Baptiste,” Cromwell says to me in the limo as we’re driven into New York. “You were so young. Just a boy. But you burned with an intelligence and an ambition that far exceeded any of your peers. And it wasn’t merely the chess game that had the late Supreme Elder and me excited, but everything about you. We could see a bright future for you. A Castaways future.”

I nod. There’s something more to this than just nice compliments. He still hasn’t let on what we’re doing or where he’s taking me, and that’s got me worried.

“Jolie has told me good things about you, and so has Clement,” Cromwell continues. “They check in with me from time to time. And I always have my own eyes and ears reporting back. I’ve been watching you with great interest, Baptiste. Watching your rise and your marriage to Levine’s daughter. You haven’t stepped a foot wrong. You’d be a good ally for me to have in the Order.”

“A good ally?”

“Don’t forget who helped put you there.”

Ah. This. Of course it’s political maneuvers. Even in the depths of a crisis, Cromwell is always scheming.

“I won’t,” I say. “I am grateful to you and to George Cote. But he’s dead. Killed by the Masked Killer. And now, the same killer is back. I’m ready to work to bring him down.”

Cromwell chuckles.

“The only thing you need to work on is your patience, Mr. Tremblay. More gifts are coming for you.”