24“We seem to be following parallel paths.”
Holger blessed us with a grandfatherly smile.
“It would be a shame if we found ourselves working at cross purposes. Perhaps we should pool our knowledge. Develop a plan to assure we achieve our separate goals.”
He spoke slowly and his voice was kindly. Relying on the same saccharine win-win arguments he used to draw new parishioners into his church.
But his gray eyes had turned the color of pewter. The colonel was nudging the pastor offstage.
While Holger could sweet-talk churchgoers into doing what he wanted, he found commanding soldiers more efficient.
“Your lovely sentiments don’t quite ring true.” Sipping coffee, I eyed him over the rim of my mug.
“So far,” I continued, “you haven’t put one drop of knowledge into this pool you mentione
