Matteo's lips curved into a faint, controlled smile, "One they will not expect."
Mendez pressed further, "Should I prepare the men?"
Matteo shook his head "No, we won't be needing that just yet."
Mendez blinked, "No, sir?"
"No," Matteo repeated "Not yet." Mendez lowered his voice "Then what should we do?"
Matteo glanced at him briefly, "You will watch," he said as he paused... "And you will learn."
Mendez straightened, "Yes, sir."
As they walked away from the garden, the fire finally began to die completely, leaving behind only smoke and scorched earth where the message once burned brightly, but even as it disappeared physically, its presence remained... in the air, In the silence...In Matteo's mind, and as he walked ahead, calm and composed, one thing became increas
