Later that day at night General Gamelin entered Moreau room.
He paused, straight-backed and alert, before settling at the other end of the table.
Moreau remained standing, sleeves loosely rolled.
His tie was undone.
"We're late getting started," said Moreau softly, offering a nod.
Gamelin took a seat and gave a curt nod in return. "Truth is more important than timing tonight."
Moreau poured wine into both glasses, lifting one in a quiet gesture.
They drank.
Gamelin broke the silence.
"Spain is lost to chaos. Franco has seized the north Bilbao, Zaragoza. Madrid teeters in the nationalist siege. The Republicans are splintered across internal factions, communists, anarchists, moderates. Foreign support sustains Franco. Germany's Condor Legion roams freely Italy sends pilots and armor. England watches, wary. America preaches non-intervention."
Moreau traced a finger on Madrid. "And France remains neutral, while that blood runs red."
Gamelin folded his hands.
