Siubh and Angelo: A dark night

"I still think you ought to be shot." Siubh said, breaking the ice.

The cold wind blustered by as they walked through the park that evening. Off in the distance sirens wafting by. Part of Siubh knew anything could be bugged and their entire conversation recorded for her bosses. Part of her was glad to be out of the dismal cellar she now worked from. 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."

"That seems like a very formal way to say thank you."

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

"And a lot of bribes?"

Angelo nodded.

Siubh shrugged. "I'm not in a position to repay you, obviously."

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

Unconsciously stepping away a little as they walked, she looked at him. "How so?"

"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 started. She grabbed his arm and pulled him around. "How? Who? What can we do about it?"

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 smiled too, as the sirens faded away. "And afterwards?"

"Afterwards..." he shrugged. "A few years away might be a good idea for me. There's a tramp freighter that needs a broker and I know just the man for the job." He looked at her. "Know any field operatives who might want to leave for a while?"