Solved as a team (1)

Florian was in total panic. He was sitting at a cafe in Vienna, holding a drink between his hands and staring at Vera.

She had invited him, saying she needed a favour.

He had followed her without thinking twice. In the end, she saved his life. He owed her.

But then, they had sat in a cafe, a few U-Bahn stations away from the hotel. His heart had started beating faster when he had understood she wanted to have a drink together.

He was drowning in fear and anxiety, but he didn't want to offend the witch. So, he hid his worries.

But that part would not end up in the report. His head would have been separated from his body if the boss ever knew!

He was supposed to watch over her, take notes and protect her. Not have a drink together in front of the Basiliskenhaus. Why that choice of location, by the way?

Was that witch going to look for supernatural creatures even in touristic places? That was just a random place, wasn't it?

The Basilisk was just a legend, right? Right?

«Relax, we're safe,» Vera chuckled when she noticed the nervousness of the man in front of her.

She thought it was due to the place and his recent adventures with the ghosts... She couldn't imagine it had many different reasons.

«And even if one of them appears, I'll protect you!» she said.

Her words made Florian almost lose his senses. Was she really developing a crush on him? It would mean the end of his life... But why?

The boss was way more outstanding! Why Florian?

His lips trembled for a moment, but he soon regained control. He had a mission. And it meant he needed Vera to fall for the boss.

The secretary had at first disliked her. Especially because of the strange information they had dug up. Secondly, because she was dangerous to the boss.

However, the more he got to know her, the less he disliked her. Until, at some point, he had started enjoying her presence.

Not in any romantic way! He couldn't dare to!

Just, he thought she could fit well with the boss. All things considered, she was pretty, smart, and independent. And sensible, even though she would usually be so silent that it was difficult to notice. But she had guided the Kaplans towards the solution with patience and a kind smile always on her lips.

She was a hard-working detective and a woman with a heart. Perfect for a workaholic boss like Florian's.

«I wanted to ask you for a favour,» Vera said, starting that conversation. «I know Herr Kaplan talked with my boss on the phone. They must be close, so he will certainly call him again to talk about how it went... Well, I also suppose you're taking notes for Herr Kaplan. He told you to follow us closely. He wants everything under control...»

Florian's face didn't lose any colour. He wasn't even that surprised anymore. He thought about lying, for a moment.

But why? She already knew everything and was offering him a drink instead of cursing him. She needed something from him, and taking tabs for Herr Kaplan seemed being related to that.

Was there something she wanted to hide?

Oh, maybe her night tours! Even though Florian couldn't imagine why. She was a free woman, after all. She had no boyfriend, as far as they knew.

Unless she had a secret relationship in the agency, which would have been a disaster...

Before his thoughts could get even more extreme, he returned to the real world and glanced back at Vera.

«It's true,» he said. «I'm keeping tabs for my boss.»

«Well, I just wish you would tell Herr Kaplan that the case was solved by Sara and me working together. Neither of us did more than the other, and we both know exactly what happened. I'm sure Herr Kaplan won't need many details since the mission was a success.»

«But... Why?» he said, dumbfounded.

Sara Troisi had done literally nothing, except for treating Vera horribly.

«Please, it would save me a lot of trouble!» she added. «Is it too much?»

«No, but... I don't understand you.»

«I saved your life,» she spat out. «Can you do me this favour? Just tell your boss the work was split among us equally.»

«Mark Kaplan is not blind,» Florian pointed out.

«Oh, but this is just an impression. I talked more, but Sara Troisi did the part of the job not as visible to outsiders' eyes.»

«Did she?»

«Of course.»

«Wait, you're doing so because you think Mark Kaplan will talk with your office. But will those people believe in it? Like, for real?»

He had observed the two for two days only... But he had his ideas pretty clear.

«Okay,» he said. «I'll tell Mark Kaplan that you two worked together.»

In the end, Vera saved his life. Also, she had the cold determination to use it for her gain. Even though her big heart was wasted on Sara.

He smiled, amazed once again. His boss had found a special woman, indeed.

He promised to tell Mark Kaplan that the work was split into two halves, but he would have reported to the boss about Vera's request. Including the part when she reminded him that he owed her a favour. She was as merciless as the boss. Those two together would be even more dangerous.

He would just take out the detail that everything had happened at a cafe not far from the centre.

«Nice place, by the way,» he said. «Why here?»

«It's just a place I knew,» Vera said. «I came here last night, so I know their drinks are good. It's just a place I found familiar.»

«So, when Sara Troisi accused you of being... acting unprofessional, you were actually visiting a place with a supernatural legend... It's quite professional if you ask me.»

Vera smiled. She had been smiling too much lately. What was going on with her?

«I was just curious,» she said. Curious about what, she didn't explain.