Adler delivered the intelligence report at seven in the evening, in the Alderton's sitting room, with Rook on the couch and the city doing its thing beyond the glass.
"She's taken a commission," Adler said.
Bastien looked up from the laptop.
"Through Renard's gallery. A private client." A pause. "Mrs. Santoro."
The room went quiet in a specific way.
"Corporal," Bastien said.
"The name is a cover. But yes." Adler set the document on the table. "She commissioned a new piece. Large format, grey zone subject. Sent the offer through legitimate channels. Gallery paperwork, standard language, nothing that touches either empire directly."
Rook, from the couch: "She took it?"
"She took it. Sent conditions." Adler looked at Bastien. "No meetings. No calls. No site visits without notice. All
