Page 76 of S.O.S. Mizzay

Missy snickered, knowing he was simply spouting. They’d already ascertained thatsomeonein the Bureau’s ranks was dirty. “There’s the old boss I love,” she attempted to comfort him. “You know I eat it up when you go all snarky and shit.”

Baskins quirked a brow, then making sure nobody was within earshot, he added, “Aaand…speaking of love, am I to understand there’s been something-something going on between you and our prize witness for the lastfive years?”

Missy stuck out her tongue and huffed.

“Who snitched? Mistah Songen or Agent Smalley?” She rolled her eyes. Gossip would soon become rampant at the FBI offices. Not that she was there very much to take any shit.

Yeah. She wasn’t upset, just curious. She’d known her and Cobble’s relationship would come to light, eventually.

“Uh, uh. I never disclose my sources,” Baskins teased.

Missy shrugged. “I’ll find out,” she boasted, giving him a saucy look.

In truth, itwasn’tvery important. She probably wouldn’t pursue it, but it was fun to tweak her old boss a little.

“I’m actually very happy for you,” Baskins continued, ignoring her taunt. “I bet you can’t wait to start a real life with Mr. Blue, uh, Cobble, once this is over.”

“That’s an understatement,” Missy agreed. But since Baskins had brought it up…

Her old boss was a smart man, and a straight-shooter. If she posed a question that may or may not have been lurking in the back of her head—bugging her at odd times—she knew he wouldn’t prevaricate in his answer.

Missy dragged in a deep breath. “I’m actually a little worried that once we’re out in the open, doing real life things and interacting with friends and colleagues, we’ll find out our attraction to each other was primarily due to the danger Cobble was in.” She tapped her lip. “It might be over before it even begins.”

Baskins snorted. “I don’t for a minute buy into that. If I understand things correctly, you two have not only been at it for the prolonged amount of time I mentioned, but you initiated things while he was living with your family. Correct?”

“Uh, yeah. For about the last six months he was there,” she acceded.

“And did any of your folks know that you and he were…seeing each other?” he continued diplomatically.

“My mother, for sure,” Missy revealed. The rest of her family had determined over the course of time thatsomethingwas going on. All had cheered the relationship.

“Then you’ve alreadyhada taste of normalcy,” Baskins stated. “You’ve rubbed elbows with him—so to speak—while inthe bosom of your loved ones’ home, and neither of you had any problems or regrets at that point, am I right?”

“That’s three questions in a row where you’ve been spot on,” Missy chuckled in agreement. “I guess you’ve shown me.”

She was glad she’d asked. Because of Baskins signature gravitas, it felt like his words lifted a huge weight off her shoulders.

There was no reason she and Cobble couldn’t lead a real life together in the outside world.

“If you want,” Baskins continued with an amused grunt, “I’ll tell you how certain I am that you’ll stay together. I hereby volunteer to be the maid of honor at your wedding.”

Wiley and Billboard chose that moment to join them, and both of them heard Baskins’ declaration.

Billboard sidled up next to Missy and gave a nudge to her ribcage with his elbow. “Hey. What am I? Chopped liver?” he asked. “MaybeIwant to be the bestie who walks you down the aisle.”

“Back off, Billboard. I thought it would be me.” Wiley affected a pout toward Missy. “I think we should draw straws to see who stands up with you.”

Missy knew that all of them were kidding, but…

What would they do if she took them up on their offer? Some razzing was needed here to see how they’d react.

“Hmm. Tell me. Do you guys prefer teal or fuchsia?” she questioned, semi-teasingly while tipping her head to one side.

“Neither,” Baskins wisecracked back, clearly not seeing that she might be serious. “My wife says I’m more of…an autumn.”

Wiley and Billboard cracked up, but then looked closer when Missy didn’t so much as grin.

Knowing her well, they became wide-eyed, swallowed hard and suddenly looked terrified.

---