Читать книгу The Lost Knights - William Speir - Страница 18

“Fellow Knights and Dames of the Order,” the Grand Master of the Order of the Saltire stated near the end of the meeting as he addressed the assembly. “As you know, Sir Ralph Gardner has accepted the newly-created position as Chief Training Officer of the Order, and he will be responsible for all intervention training for all Commanderies to ensure consistency throughout the Order.”

The members at the meeting applauded as Ralph was recognized. The Grand Master raised his hand, and the assembly fell silent as he continued. “I’m also pleased to announce that Dame Emily Anderson has accepted the newly-created position of Chief Surveillance Training Officer, reporting to Sir Ralph, and she’ll be responsible for teaching surveillance techniques and technologies for all Commanderies throughout the Order. In the past, she has declined to accept the higher ranks she has earned from years of outstanding service, but she’ll be elevated to the rank of Dame Grand Cross as part of this new role.”

The members at the meeting applauded again as Emily was recognized.

The Grand Master informed the assembly that he’d be visiting a number of the European Commanderies later in the month and would be hosting a meeting of the European Priors to keep the European members from feeling too isolated from the rest of the Order. He asked if there were any additional items of business to come before the assembly. No one spoke up, and the Grand Master ended the meeting in the traditional manner.

As the members of the Grand Magistry left the dais and made their way back to their private offices, Emily and Ralph were thronged by several members of the assembly offering their congratulations. Several minutes passed before Emily could make her way back to the Grand Magistry offices. She passed the door that said “Lt. Grand Master” and went to the door at the end of the hall, which said “Grand Master.” She knocked on the door and waited for the Grand Master to answer.

“Come in,” she heard him say.

She opened the door and entered the Grand Master’s office. The Grand Master was sitting behind his desk at the end of the room, and another gentleman was sitting in front of him with his back to Emily, sipping on a glass of Scotch. “Hi, Honey,” Emily said to the Grand Master.

“Hi, Gorgeous,” Tom replied, standing up and coming around his desk to give his wife a hug. As Emily crossed the room to meet him, she noticed that the man in the chair with his back to her was Tom’s father.