Chapter 64
64
The next thing I did was check the bank account app on my phone.
131,000 Swedish krona had just been deposited into my account. The source was listed as ‘UNKNOWN p>
Even Alistair’s money transfers were secretive.
131,000 krona was worth about 10,000 British pounds, or $12,500 US. I stared at the number in amazement.
The only time I’d had more in my account was when I got back from Afghanistan. I hadn’t needed to spend any money while I was away, so it had accrued in my absence – and then I’d spent it on my trips to visit Rachel over the last year.
After a moment of daydreaming about what my new life would be like, I finally placed the phone call I’d been wanting to make ever since I’d accepted Alistair’s offer.
The phone rang a couple of times before Rachel answered.
“Couldn’t even go eight hours without hearing my voice, could you?” she teased.
“Nope, especially since I have some great news p>
“What p>
“I’m moving to London. Permanently p>
There were a few seconds of silence –
Followed by Rachel nearly screaming in joy.
“WHAT p>
I laughed. “I’ll be coming to London in the next few days… and this time I won’t have to leave p>
“This is – Lars – this is incredible! But what about your military service p>
“I got discharged p>
There was a longer silence.
When she spoke again, she sounded wary. “How is that possible p>
“It was part of the agreement for the new job p>
Now she was downright suspicious. “WHAT new job p>
“It’s a joint UK-Swedish military task force p>
“Why is this the first I’m hearing of this p>
“I wasn’t sure it would go through. I didn’t want to get your hopes up if it didn’t p>
“How long have you known it might be a possibility p>
“Not long,” I said vaguely.
“What’s the name of this joint task force p>
“I can’t tell you p>
She bristled. “What? Why not p>
“It’s classified. I’m not supposed to tell anyone p>
“You’re joking.” Her tone was obviously displeased.
“Come on, now – you of all people should understand p>
“Understand what p>
“The need for secrecy in a job p>
“Yes, but – this is all a bit sudden. You’ve been telling me forever that you have another two years to go, then suddenly you call me out of the blue and say, ‘No, just kidding, I’m out – but I’m part of a top-secret task force I can’t tell you anything about p>
I frowned. The conversation wasn’t going the way I’d thought it would.
“You don’t let me know anything about your life. I don’t even know where you live, for God’s sake p>
“And that’s been part of the agreement since the very beginning. You signed up knowing that’s how it was. But in the last 30 seconds, you’ve gone and changed everything I thought I knew p>
“Look… there are aspects of your job that are secret. I get that. But in exchange for me being able to live in London, there are aspects of my job that have to remain secret, too. I need you to respect that.” What was it that Alistair had said? “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander p>
She laughed, but not pleasantly. “This is more like the gander showing up and saying, ‘By the way, luv, that whole thing about me being a gander? I’m actually a duck p>
I frowned. I had no idea what the fuck she was talking about with ganders and ducks, but I refused to get distracted. “I thought you’d be happy about this p>
“I am! Deliriously happy! But you have to understand, it’s a huge change in an extremely short period of time. I’m going to have questions – it’s unavoidable p>
“Well, there’s nothing I can do about that. I can only tell you so much p>
“You do realize my employer will have questions about this as well, don’t you? I’m certain they’ll find it highly unusual p>
I wanted to tell her that we were working for the same people and that I doubted they would care – but I bit my tongue. “Let them do whatever they need to do p>
“…alright p>
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Rachel finally broke it by asking, “When are you coming p>
“I don’t know yet,” I said brusquely. “I just found out 30 minutes ago. I have to settle some things over here before I can leave p>
“Okay… you’ll let me know, right p>
“Yes p>
Her voice softened. “Lars, please don’t be mad at me. It’s just… it’s a lot to take in p>
I felt dread pull at my guts as another possibility presented itself. “You want me to come to London, don’t you p>
“Of COURSE I do! This is amazing! I really am thrilled. I just… I’m rather shocked by it, too. That’s all p>
“Okay… I can understand that,” I said grudgingly.
“I feel like everything I thought I knew turned out to be wrong p>
“Not everything,” I said. “I love you. That’s why I did this – because I wanted to be with you. I didn’t want to ever have to fly back to Sweden and leave you again p>
“I love you, too,” she said tenderly. “And thank you p>
“You’re welcome,” I said, but I was still too irritated to put much warmth into my words.
There was another uncomfortable silence.
“Well,” I finally said, “I should go. I’ve got a lot to do in a short amount of time p>
“Okay… Lars p>
“Yes p>
“Thank you. Seriously. Whatever you had to do to make this happen… thank you p>
The thin layer of ice around my heart melted. “I love you p>
“I love you, too. I can’t wait to start a new life with you here p>
I smiled. “Me, too. Adjö, min älskling p>
Goodbye, my darling.
“A presto, tesoro mio,” she whispered in Italian.
See you soon, my dear.
Her words echoed in my ears long after I hung up.