Page 60 of Crocodile Tears
“I love you, too.”
He says it simply, without qualification or explanation, like stating an established fact rather than making a declaration.The matter-of-fact delivery makes it more meaningful than dramatic pronouncements or elaborate romantic gestures ever could.“You love me.”
“I love you.I love your scientific approach to everything including dangerous situations.I love that you conduct field research while fleeing criminal organizations.I love that you care enough about a sick child to risk our extraction timeline.”He reaches across the table to take my hand.“I love that you make me want to be someone worth building a life with instead of just someone who solves immediate problems.”
The evening air carries sounds of laughter and music from the plaza while we sit holding hands and processing the fact that we’ve just exchanged love declarations over dinner in a Costa Rican port town.The moment should feel dramatic or overwhelming, but it settles between us like a ceasefire flag made of sarcasm and emotional growth.
I don’t know what comes next.Our relationship exists in the intersection of academic research, international security threats, and reptilian biology that doesn’t translate easily to conventional dating.The variables are complex, the external pressures are significant, and the logistics require careful planning.
For once in my adult life, I trust the variables instead of trying to control them.“So,” I say while watching street musicians pack up their instruments as the evening winds down, “what happens now?”
He squeezes my hand while considering the question.“We go home and figure out how to build something that works for both of us.Your research, my security work, and whatever this becomes when we’re not running from international criminals.”
“That sounds complicated.”
“It sounds perfect.”
I grin while calculating the probability of successfully integrating two complex careers with enhanced reptilian biology and ongoing security threats.The mathematics are challenging, but the variables include love, mutual respect, and shared commitment to protecting things that matter.
The odds look surprisingly good.Much higher than eighty-seven percent now.
“I should probably collect some plant specimens before we leave tomorrow,” I say while watching vendors close their stalls for the evening.“For research purposes.”
He laughs like he’s completely given up on conventional relationship patterns.“You definitely should.We can’t waste the scientific opportunities.”
As we walk back to our hotel through streets that smell like salt air, I think about the future we’re planning to build together.It won’t be predictable or simple, but it will be honest.I’ve spent my entire adult life trying to control variables and minimize uncertainty.With Cal, I’m learning that some unknowns are worth embracing rather than controlling, and some uncertainty creates better outcomes than careful planning.
Tomorrow, we fly home to start building whatever comes next.Tonight, we’re just two people who found each other in the most unlikely circumstances and decided to keep what we found.
Chapter 16
Cal
Assoonastheplane touches down, and we disembark at the gate, I immediately spot the two men in suits who aren’t trying quite hard enough to look like regular passengers.Government agents have a particular way of standing that screams official business, even when they’re attempting casual surveillance.
“Friends of yours?”Becci asks while juggling her new specimen collection kit with a small duffel bag of her purchases from Puerto Limón and noticing me watching them.
“Professional acquaintances.The kind who ensure we walk through customs without lengthy questioning about our recent travel activities.”
She nods with the kind of acceptance that suggests she’s fully adapted to the reality our relationship involves issues most couples never encounter.“That’s probably for the best, considering our documentation situation.What if the fake passports don’t hold up to TSA investigation?My real one is still at home since the kidnappers didn’t kindly fetch it for me…” She continues on, and I nod, watching the two suited men to be sure they are government drones and not someone posing as such.
By the time the agents approach, I’m satisfied they have down the government stance.They’re probably legit, which is why I don’t shield Becci.Instead, I just draw her a bit closer.The taller one extends his hand with professional courtesy that manages to convey both authority and reassurance.
“Mr.Morrison, Dr.Santos.I’m Agent Scalaazi, and this is Agent Cheung.We’re here to facilitate your transition back to domestic status.”
Becci shakes his hand while maintaining her new identity with impressive composure.“Thank you for the assistance.I assume there are debriefing protocols we need to complete?”
“Standard procedure for citizens who’ve experienced international incidents involving criminal organizations,” Agent Cheung says while guiding us toward a section of the airport that’s clearly restricted to official business.“We’ll handle the administrative details and coordinate with relevant agencies regarding your situation.”
The debriefing facility turns out to be a conference room that could belong to any government building anywhere, with fluorescent lighting, beige walls, and furniture that’s designed for function rather than comfort.Agent Scalaazi settles behind a desk while Agent Cheung activates recording equipment that looks more sophisticated than anything I’ve seen in civilian facilities.Becci and I take chairs in front of the desk.
“Let’s start with basic timeline information,” Scalaazi begins while opening a file that’s considerably thicker than I expected.“When did you first become aware of threats targeting Dr.Santos’s research?”
I provide a concise summary of events from surveillance detection through extraction completion.Military training teaches you to deliver briefings that cover essential information without unnecessary detail, so my report focuses on operational facts and tactical decisions.
“Surveillance identified eighteen-hundred hours, day one.Target acquired twenty-one-hundred hours, day two.Infiltration commenced zero-three-hundred hours, day three.Extraction completed fourteen-thirty hours, day four.Most opposition forces were neutralized through tactical disengagement rather than direct confrontation.”
Scalaazi looks at me with the expression of someone trying to decode a particularly dense technical manual.“Could you elaborate on the operational circumstances that led to target acquisition?”
