He clicks his tongue twice while smiling and gesturing finger guns at me.
This fucking guy.I like him.
Back at the office and a whole lot more relaxed, I listen to Sarah giving an in-depth recounting of the events while I drink a glass of Daniels.
“Him having your documents wasn’t as bad as him finding out that those were in factyouractual documents,” I explain to her.
“Maybe…but I haven’t been completely honest about it,” she says under her breath.
“Do I really wanna know then?” I arch an eyebrow.
“You know what? You are right. It’s best if you don’t know. After all, your opinion of me might change afterward.”
That got my attention.
“Now you have to tell me.”
“You sure?”
“I’m listening, kiddo.”
“Okay…” She sighs. “When Bruno disappeared on me, he left a letter behind. On it he confessed stuff he never said to me before.” She sounds cautious, like she’s considering the words she wants to share with me carefully.
“If you are telling me of its existence, am I to assume you took it with you?”
“Correct. That’s what the pirate pocketed before the passport. The passport was a good excuse, but the truth is I completely lost it, I didn’t think straight. I just needed to get it back. You might not understand me now or ever, but that letter is my lifesaver. The adrenaline rush that I needed to keep fighting in this life, the engine that drives me, without it I…” She dissolves in sudden tears. “Without it I would probably not be alive, Rage, and I’m terrified of the thought of what would happen to my sanity if I were to lose it. It’s important to me and what keeps me going.”
Well… shit, she’s wrong.
“Kiddo, hear me out.” I cross my arms over the desk. “If you really feel that letter makes you the strongest woman I’ve met, then let me tell you that you are terribly, horribly fucking wrong. That letter doesn’t begin to describe your spirit, resolve and sheer will. Let me be crystal fucking clear here. The only one pushing you forward is yourself.” I’m being honest here, she’s special.
Sarah doesn’t reply for a few minutes; I can hear her sobbing through the speakers.
“Rage, you’re a good man.” Her voice sounds wobbly.
“You wouldn’t say that if you really knew me.”
“I can see through yourI’m unreachable attitude.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
These conversations are getting intense – lots of crying and laughter.
What am I going to do when she’s not longer with me every fucking second of the day? I don’t want to think about that now.
“Uh-huh. How’s The Bedouin?” We need to know if he’s still operational. If he’s badly wounded, getting her to Riyadh is going to be a bitch.
“He’s still whining like a baby,” Sarah yells, loud enough for him to hear her.
“Mon Dieu!It was a single tear! Drop the subject already!”
“The Frenchman is back at the helm; I’m guessing we’re going to be ashore soon enough.”
“Believe it or not, this last stage, it’s the worst. The police are stopping everyone all the time. You have to keep a cool head. No fuck-ups. That’s the only way through,” I remind her.
“I’ve learned my lesson, Rage.” She sighs.
“Are you sure?” Her wellbeing is more important than the mission. At least in my heart.
“Yeah, my wound is killing me, though.”
