Solved as a team (2)
After greeting Florian, Vera walked Schönlaterngasse and Postgasse until reaching one of the channels draining water from the Danube. She would have stayed in Vienna a couple of days more in case something wrong happened with the kikimora.
But then, she would have gone home.
She knew the main issue was solved, and the Kaplan family wouldn't mad
ke grave mistakes anymore. They knew their house wasn't theirs alone, and they would have taken care of the dog. And of the cat as well...
She had been surprised to see a cat, actually. Kikimoras usually transform into spiders or retain their shape all the time. But that one must have wanted to play with her husband so much that she took a feline shape.
She waited for the call from the office and, when her phone finally rang, she waited a couple of seconds before replying.
«Yes?» she hummed.
«I've heard the news,» said the General's voice. «Good job.»
«Teamwork,» she replied. «We worked together and solved it, just like you wanted us to.»
«Sara told me you taught the family to cohabit with the spirit.»
She sighed. There it was... The agency simply didn't want to believe they couldn't solve every problem with brute force.
«It was the only way. I can't exorcise a kikimora from a house, and I'm sure Sara isn't able to either. She's been there for longer than anyone remembers, and she's closely tied to the...»
«Good job.»
The General's praise stopped her explanations, and she stood there, watching the water with wide eyes.
Good job?
«I... I earned my vacation, right?» she said, testing his intentions.
Why praise her? Just because of a small case? Or because he was happy Herr Kaplan was in debt with them?
«You did, that's sure,» he said. «But there's something else. Can Sara write the reports for you?»
«Yes, sure!» she said. «We solved it together. As a team. She knows as much as I do!»
There hadn't been time for Florian to tell Herr Kaplan, and then for Mark Kaplan to call the General. She had put her plan in motion a few minutes before!
Was it all a waste? Oh, whatever. She had told Florian to praise Sara as well so that Vera wouldn't need to go back to Milan but could directly go home.
What a waste, she thought. She had kind of manipulated Florian for nothing.
«That's good,» the General said. «I need you in Bratislava as soon as the situation is stable.»
«What?» she gulped. «We had an understanding, General! I was supposed to...»
«Listen, this is something very delicate. And it's on the way to your home. You'll be free to go as soon as the culprits are caught.»
«Culprits?»
«Yes. This time, it's not about dealing with a supernatural creature. Rather, it's human criminal business.»
«But, General! I'm not a policewoman. I wouldn't know where to start. And I'm sure Sara Troisi won't be happy to leave Vienna for Bratislava.»
«She won't come with you. As I said, she'll come here to write the reports.»
«I see... And return the amulet. The one controlling me. We didn't need to use it.»
«Listen, Vera... We had an understanding, didn't we? You would earn your vacation, and you would never need to share a mission with Sara. I'm so sorry I can't fulfil that first part yet, but the second one I can.»
«So, am I going alone?»
«No, it's too dangerous. I'm sending Ethan Becket. He's the one you liked working with the most, isn't he? I'm sure you two can deal with this matter.»
«I want something in return,» she said. «You can't walk back on your words without consequences. I want double the vacation now. During my previous contract, the agency would send me on a mission about once a month. This will be the third mission in a week. I can't keep this pace; it'll kill me.»
«It's an emergency,» the General said, chuckling. «And you'll have your vacation. Double the time, agreed. You'll be able to stay home for a month.»
«And Ethan will file the reports.»
«That is on him to accept.»
«Is it now?»
«You can convince him. I feel like he won't say no to you.»
«What are you implying?»
«He didn't say anything useful during his probation time.»
«Because he knew nothing! There's no use in interrogating my partner just because you people think I did something. You can ask me directly next time.»
She sighed. There was no meaning in complaining. They had power over her, and the General was pretending to negotiate just because he liked manipulation.
She knew it well enough, and she needed to be careful not to push it too much. Lest he decided to stop playing and simply ordered her to go without anything in return.
«I will go,» she said. «This time, however, brief me before meeting potential customers.»
«There are no customers this time. The police in Slovakia asked Europol for help. And they found out this case might be of interest to us. It's about smugglers. They might be involved with the supernatural black market. You and Ethan Becket shall confirm whether it's the case. If it is, you have to retrieve the objects and creatures before the police arrest them. That's all.»
«I see. I'll do my best, General,» she said, rolling her eyes.
Her idea to send Sara to write reports had backfired just like that. Life in the agency wasn't easy at all.
At least she wouldn't need to go immediately.
She had two days of rest in Vienna ahead. She would have taken the chance to enjoy the luxuries of the expensive hotel. The agency didn't always prepare the best accommodations for the agents. Such a chance had to be exploited.
«I wonder what breakfast looks like in a five-star hotel,» she murmured while walking back from the river.
She returned to Schönlaterngasse, but she didn't stop at the cafe. She walked a few metres forward, stopping in front of the Basiliskenhaus.
She had confirmed her suspicions that night.