Siubh and Angelo: A dark night

Siubh glowered at the man in the park - she'd received a stinging review for her file, and was, for the time being, the public face of the debacle just past. And he was, in no small pert, the only one remaining to be blamed. That he couldn't really be blamed only made her mood worse.

"You're not much better than they were." Siubh said, staring just over his left shoulder. "And your so-called business practices should get you shot."

The cold wind blustered by as they walked through the park that evening. Off in the distance sirens wafting by. She walked with him only because Siubh knew that anything could be bugged and their entire conversation recorded. As she glanced at Angelo again, his pale skin and easy smile seemed a bit strained. The past year hadn't been easy on him, either.

"You would have to stand in line." He replied. "I'm pretty sure you think my methods are not as ethical, or clean, as yours. You would be correct." The wind picked up and blew his mildly long black hair into disarray. "So while both of us emerge slightly worse for wear, I am never the less grateful for your efforts."

"You're thanking me for being a stalking horse." Her words were clipped, and held not even a touch of warmth. "If I thought, for a moment, that you'd planned any of this, I would shoot you. But, you're welcome, however roundabout your gratitude is."

"But a truthful and very capable stalking horse." He smiled half-heartedly. "It took a lot of paperwork to cover both of us. Effort well spent."

"And a lot of bribes." It wasn't a question.

Angelo nodded.

Siubh frowned. As much as she disliked his method of operation, his work had saved her a lot of trouble. She'd probably still have gotten clear, but it would have cost her much more than a minor loss of standing at the agency. Still, it rankled, being in his debt, even nominally. "I'm no noble - I can't pay back that kind of expense."

"On the contrary, you already have." His smile was back, though a bit feral.

She stopped and shook her head, not quite following his gist. "Oh?"

"There are only a few people who could have tried to fool the Countess. Even fewer would have a reason to. Your insights provided the answer to exactly who made those decisions."

Siubh chuckled. "And you think you can do something about it? I already know who could do it - some other noble family. Best to stay out of their way, but if you do know who, you should tell someone."

Angelo smiled, and held his finger to his lips as if to shush her. She could hear a family ending a day's outing over in one field and a few birds singing in the trees behind her. Off in the distance, the sirens faded.

"We can get a cappuccino, I think." He winked. "And celebrate nature taking it's course."

Siubh shook her head. "You Solomani and your 'coff ee'. It's no surprise to me that you age so quickly. But there's no nature to take its course here. I agreed to meet you because I had a debt. I consider that debt retired now, and after you've walked off into the sunset, I'll still be here doing my work."

"However difficult business has been, I always treat my associates as I would want to be treated. Cappucino when we did our best and toast our survival; wine when we are wildly successful. Or just when we need it. Afterwards..." he shrugged. "A few years away might be a good idea for me." He looked at her, she didn't seem to get his drift, and perhaps that was for the best. Still, her talents and effectivenss could make her very wealthy, if done right. "Know any field operatives who might want to leave for a while?"