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Many in the room either nodded or voiced their agreement.
“His next statement lends credence to your theory, O, that Schmid had his own relationship either with AMPS, the Calabrian Syndicate, or any number of other criminal organizations. He said, ‘I am a dead man anyway.’ He was referring to his previous statement about me getting too close.”
I looked over at Magnet again. He nodded once, and I continued. While he had no idea what I was going to say, perhaps he sensed it would be the hardest for me to recount.
“Lastly, when I made one final attempt to get away, he said it was already too late. Then he’d called memein Schätzelein.It’s what my parents called me when I was young, before they died. Yes, it’s a common term of endearment, but the way he said it…I don’t know. It was like he knew.”
I squared my shoulders, thankful I’d gotten through my part of the briefing without becoming emotional. “Any questions?”
Verity stood beside me and put her arm around my shoulders. “I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I commend your bravery, but also, I am so happy, relieved, and thankful that you are still here with us tonight and able to tell your story.”
“And I’d just patted myself on the back for not getting emotional,” I joked when I looked into Verity’s tear-filled eyes.
I sat beside Magnet and rested my head on his shoulder when he put his arm around me. Like before, I didn’t care if anyone noticed and, if they had, what they thought. What was between Magnet and me was special. Too important to be denied. I’d walk away from anything, including the job I’d fought so hard to get, in order to be with him. That acceptance was how I knew I loved him. It was too soon for me to confess my feelings; however, I couldn’t deny them.
Listening to the reports from the other teams, I realized that many of our objectives for the day had fallen by the wayside. However, what we’d learned instead was far more valuable.
“Earlier, I mentioned planning ops,” said Verity. “Oleander, what is Ehren’s current status?”
“On standby.”
“Can we get her here tonight?”
“Affirmative,” O responded.
“Let’s do so. Once she arrives, Schön and I will brief her on the progress we made today. While we wait, many thanks to Flick and Grey for taking it upon themselves to provide the sustenance we’d all eventually need. Let’s reconvene at twenty-one hundred. Nemesis?”
“We’ll take a break here as well. Excellent work, everyone,” Nem responded before Verity cut the feed.
While several others got up and went in the direction Flick had indicated, I stayed where I was, with my head on Magnet’s shoulder.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“Surprisingly, yes. I can wait until the others are finished, though.”
He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I’m proud of you, Prisca. You did well tonight.”
I put my arm around his waist. “Do you have any idea how much your words mean to me?”
“Everything I say, I mean sincerely. Later, when we’re alone, there are other things that need to be said, shared. Personal things.”
“I have things to say too.”
“I’m telling you. I love Swiss food,” said Zeppelin, following Verity, who sat on a sofa that formed a right angle with ours. He was carrying two plates and handed one to her. “Can I bring you guys anything?” he asked.
“Thanks, but we’ll make our way in there once everyone else has had a chance,” Magnet responded.
Zep motioned with his head. “Come help with drinks, then.”
“How are you holding up?” Verity asked once they’d walked away.
“Better than I expected to be.”
“You did well.”
While I sought Magnet’s approval above all others, Verity’s was second. “Thank you. Please go ahead,” I said when I realized she wasn’t eating.
“I will, but first, there’s something I want to say.”
