Page 111 of Mission: Possible

"Once it turned into a federal crime, they didn't have a choice," I told her. "For a long time, solving that case looked likeMission: Impossible."

"Then you turned it into Mission: Possible. That's my girl," said Lily as she fist-bumped me.

"Jord is going to get a lot of credit for his investigation," I said. "I heard the DA is delighted. He has so many serious charges to throw at Zach Gallo. Real headline stuff."

"Great. I had to retire the sexy bank robber outfit thanks to this case, but maybe I can get it out again."

"If you do..." I started.

"Yeah?"

"Never tell me. Promise me, Lily. Please! I don't ever want to hear about it."

Lily rolled her eyes. "You should nearly get shot more often. I like it when Solomon sends us both to the spa. Has he considered buying shares in it?"

I laughed and splashed her with water.

~

Solomon was waiting for me at the entrance to the hospital. "How was your day of relaxation?" he asked.

"Perfection. Thank you." I raised onto my tiptoes and kissed him. "Lily appreciated the invitation. We swam, got massages, and I thought of how great our marriage is. How're things in the ICU?"

"No idea. Sophie was moved to another room now she’s awake and she and Austen are waiting for us. From what I hear, be prepared to expect quite a story."

"How's Austen?"

"I'm not sure. Relieved, disappointed, afraid, happy."

"All at once?"

"It's possible, if you can believe it." Solomon slipped his hand around mine.

"I'm not sure anyone will thank me for my contribution to the case," I told him as we took the stairs.

"Vanessa Reyes might. I'm told she cut a deal with the Feds. No jail time, just probation, and she's told them everything they need to prosecute the Montgomery heist. She gave up the rest of the crew too. A couple of them worked at Sky Outdoors with her and Zach, and one of them was the sloppy shooter. Her voluntary cooperation seriously helped her."

"Wow."

"How did you work out Thomas Mackleton being her brother?" asked Solomon.

"I didn't. Not until I saw her face fall when I told her he was dead. Then it clicked. Vanessa. The robbers' Army training. Nessa the sister who escaped to the Army. Thomas wasn't so lucky but she came back for him. She introduced him to Zach. I don't think she had a clue what Zach was really like."

"I watched Garrett interviewing her. I got the impression she knew nothing about Sophie or the Gallos’ life in Milwaukee."

"Really?"

"She said she would never get involved with a married man."

"That was the least of her problems," I scoffed.

We walked down a long corridor and turned the corner, following the signs to the room number Austen gave Solomon.

"You know this isn't really the conclusion to the case I expected," I told him as we neared the room. "I quickly guessed there was something strange about Sophie's fall but I tried not to believe Austen's suspicions had any basis. I feel so bad for him."

"He wanted the truth. You gave him that. Sophie should have, but you did."

"I think she planned to eventually. Hey, I want a nice case next time."

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