Page 182 of The Thief
Another smart appointment. Emmanuel's a sniper; he's also tactical. He knows how to organize defenses, how to spot threats before they become problems.
I watch this unfold with something that feels like pride. Maverick's doing exactly what he should be doing; surrounding himself with competent people, delegating authority, building a structure that can survive leadership changes.
Jer would be proud as hell.
"Freddie," Maverick says, turning to me. "You stay exactly where you are. Doing exactly what you do best."
Relief floods through me. I was worried he might try to promote me, pull me into the higher ranks. But Maverick understands what I am, what I'm good at.
"You're our specialist," he continues. "The man we call when conventional methods won't work. When we need something taken, someone found, problems solved quietly and efficiently."
Exactly. I'm not built for meetings and politics. I'm built for the work itself; the planning, the execution, the careful application of skills Jer spent fifteen years teaching me.
"The rest of you," Maverick says, addressing the room, "you keep doing what you've been doing. Same territories, same responsibilities, same standards. The only thing that's changed is the name at the top."
He pauses, letting that sink in. Stability. Continuity. The promise that their lives won't be turned upside down just because leadership has changed hands.
"Questions?" he asks.
Silence. These men know a good deal when they hear one. They're getting security, structure, clear chains of command. Everything they need to keep operating without the chaos that usually follows a power transition.
"Good," Maverick says. "Then let's get back to work."
The meeting breaks up gradually, men approaching Maverick to offer personal congratulations or discuss specific concerns. I watch him handle each conversation with the same calm competence he showed during the presentation.
Yeah, Jer would definitely be proud.
Stephen appears beside me as the crowd thins out.
"Well?" he asks.
"Well what?"
"Think it'll work? This new structure?"
"I think Maverick's got good instincts. And you and Emmanuel are solid choices for higher ranks."
"And you? Happy staying where you are?"
"Relieved, more like. The last thing I want is to spend my days worried about politics."
Stephen laughs. "Fair enough. Though I suspect you'll be busier than ever now that Maverick's officially in charge."
"Probably. But that's fine. I like being busy."
Emmanuel joins us, grinning. "Not bad for his first time running a meeting."
"He's got potential," Stephen agrees.
"More than potential. He's got presence. Commands authority. The kind of natural leadership you can't teach."
We watch Maverick finish his conversations, shake hands, accept the loyalty being offered. He's handling it well, not letting the power go to his head, staying focused on what matters.
"You think Jer knew?" Emmanuel asks quietly. "That this was how it would end up?"
"Maybe. He was always planning five moves ahead. It wouldn't surprise me if he'd already taught Maverick what to do without telling him what it was."
"Makes sense. Family first, right?"
