Epilogue
“That was the longest job I’ve ever done,” Tac muttered, dropping into the low leather armchair opposite Lila and lifting the beer bottle in his hand. “Cheers.”
Letting out a low chuckle, Lila raised her own bottle. “Cheers.”
They both took a long pull and lowered their bottles to their laps. “I must admit,” Lila said, frowning at hers, “I didn’t anticipate Lucas and Ronnie’s connection when I first tagged him as a possible ‘in’ to bringing down Aloysius White four years ago.”
Tac snorted. “The second I saw them looking at each other—When was that? When did you send me the video footage of them arguing on the footpath in front of her parents’ place? Three years ago? Anyway, I knew they were goners for each other. What surprised me was the fact he finally acted on it.”
Lila let out her own snort. “Love conquers all, old friend. Love conquers all.”
“So they tell me,” Tac said and threw back another mouthful of beer.
“So, what’s next for you, Blue?” Lila asked, plucking at the label on her bottle. “You know your next job yet?”
Tac frowned, knee jiggling up and down. “I’m thinking of heading back home for a bit.”
“To Australia?”
“Yeah. It’s been quite a few years, but there’s something going on in the small town where my sister lives. Something…off. I’m not happy about. I’m going to sniff around. See what’s going on.”
Lila narrowed her eyes. “Doesn’t your sister think you’re dead?”
Knee still bouncing, Tac grinned. “Yeah. Wanna join in the family reunion? Dreamer’s Ridge isn’t that bad a place to spend some down time.”
Throwing back her head, Lila laughed. “No, I’m afraid you’ve got to do that one on your own, old friend.”
Tac let out his own laugh. “Fair enough. What about you? What are you going to do next? Got any orders yet?”
Staring at her bottle, Lila peeled the label from its cool, glass surface and then smiled at Tac. “You better believe it, Blue. And oh baby, it’s going to be a blast.”
The End