Page 34 of The Santa Claus Con

It’s a reference to our days at Quantico when we’d mercilessly threaten to destroy each other. Back then, it was about innocent things like getting better running times or hitting all our targets. Now her tone is teasing but her eyes tell me she’s worried.

“Should you stay on this op?” she asks. “Are they going to trust you?”

“I’ll have to earn their trust.” To take the Durands down, we need an in. I know I can do it.

“Please be careful. I worry about you.”

I haven’t had anyone worry about me in years.

“It’s not always like that, but I’ll be careful as long as you are.” Because I worry about Scarlett, too, more than she could possibly imagine and way more than I should. Scarlett’s smart, creative, well-trained, quick on her feet, and more than physically capable, but she’s also vulnerable, and she isn’t afraid to let that show either. Her honesty, being unapologetically herself, these are traits that make her a valuable agent… and an even more valuable person. But those assets are also ones that will get Scarlett into her own life-or-death situation one day.

She nods. “I will.”

“What’s with the costume? There just happen to be an Elvis disguise in the back of the van?”

“This old thing?” Scarlett smooths down the front of her jumpsuit with its many rhinestones and grommets. “Themed New Year’s Eve baby shower. On my way there, I got the call about you guys needing a translator, so… here I am!”

“You should go. Celebrate.”

“And miss this?” she asks, gesturing between us. At first, I think she means what happened tonight, or the fireworks show, or the debrief that we’ll soon be doing. But something about the way she lingers under this tree tells me that she literally means “this” as in us. Whenever we spent time together at Quantico, our conversations were full of snark and comebacks and tension. That’s not entirely lost, but it’s also not entirely present, either.

And then Scarlett leans her head on my shoulder and sinks into it. We just went through a lot, and the inevitable crash is coming for us. The gravity of the night weighs on me. If Scarlett hadn’t been called in, would I have made it to the new year? She saved my life. I should give her every single piece of confetti I can find.

“You know he called me Little Bell again?” Scarlett says, breaking through my thoughts. “Ugh, like… that was so last year. Can we move on?”

“You do realize you’re wearing gold again, right?”

We both know I’ve made a good point, and Scarlett laughs before giving me side-eye. “At least this costume’s warmer than the last one.”

For as long as there is left until we have to go our separate ways, Scarlett and I catch up on the past year while confetti floats through the air, little markers reminding me of just how much I owe.

The Santa Claus Con Schedule of Events December 23

9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

Competition #1: Ornament Roll at Wollman Rink*

Elimination Announcement