Page 36 of Liberating Mia
The two of them sat chatting as if they’d been friends for years instead of having only recently met. The conversation flowed easily through breakfast, covering all kinds of topics. Finally, once the table had been cleared and the coffee refilled, Tahlia smiled over at Larry. Once again, Finn got the impression he and Mia had been the hot topic of conversation earlier.
Larry cleared his throat, looking a little uncertain. “So, Finn. Tahlia and I’ve decided to tie the knot here in Cape Town. I don’t want to wait anymore, and she’s agreed to a small ceremony until we can do the big, formal thing back home since Maddie can’t make it out right now. But what I want to ask is if you’ll stand up with me – be my best man?”
Finn wasn’t sure he’d ever seen his boss look as uncomfortable or unsure as he did in that moment. As if he worried Finn would say no. When, in fact, he felt honored that Larry had asked him.
“It would be my honor to stand with you, sir.”
A look of relief crossed the older man’s face. “Thank you, son. That means a lot.”
Their relationship had always been a good one. Larry had taken Finn under his wing when Finn had started in the service, and Finn admired the hell out of the man. But in the past months, working on this case, and especially since they’d been in Cape Town, Finn felt that relationship shift some.
Larry seemed determined to retire when this case was done and, consequently, had been shifting things over onto Finn’s shoulders more. But more than that, things felt like they’d shifted on a personal note too.
“Mia …,” Tahlia said. “I was wondering – I know we don’t know each other well, but would you be my maid of honor?”
“Oh … I … well, yes. I’d love to stand in for your Maddie.”
Tahlia clapped her hands in excitement. “Wonderful. Thank you. If you’ve got time tomorrow, I thought maybe we could go dress hunting?”
“Tomorrow’s perfect. What time did you have in mind?”
The women got caught up in wedding chatter, and the two men sat watching them, baffled by the conversation. Catching his eye, Larry indicated for Finn to lean in.
“I’ve had news that the hook has been baited back home. As soon as we can get further intel on our side, we can shut this thing down once and for all.”
“Yeah. I’m meeting with Desai a little later this morning and then I’ll reach out to my informant. Since you’ve got me on forced vacation time, it’s going to be a little trickier. But we’ll make it work. I’ve got a feeling things are going to break soon, now with Hunt out of the way.”
“Agreed. And don’t forget, we’re going to need a statement too, yeah?” Larry said, tipping his head in Mia’s direction.
“Yes, sir. I intend talking to her about it today.”
“Excellent. Well, since we’re not all gentlemen of leisure currently, I best be getting to the briefing room.”
Laughing, Finn said, “Not by choice, Boss, that’s for sure.”
Turning serious, Larry studied Finn. “Son, we’ve worked together for a lot of years. I have a lot of respect for the agent you are, but also for the man you are. And I worry about my guys out in the field. That wound may not be as bad as it could have been. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be looked after. Take the time to heal.”
Finn was completely taken aback at the older man’s words. They’d worked together for a long time. Never once, in all those years, had Larry spoken to him like he just had. It had never gotten personal. In fact, this entire morning seemed so out of character for him.
Underneath it all, though, he appreciated it.
“Thank you, sir. I will.”
Nodding, Larry got to his feet. “Right, I’m out of here. Are you coming, honey? Or are you and Mia going to chat some more?”
“No, I’m ready.”
Silence reigned for long moments after the older couple had said their goodbyes and left, neither seeming to know how to respond to all that had happened.
“So …”
“That’s so exciting …”
They spoke at the same time. Then burst out laughing.
“You go first,” Finn said.
“I was going to say, considering everything they’ve been through, it’s exciting that they finally get to be together. It’s just a pity Tahlia’s daughter can’t be here to celebrate with them.”
