Hired for secrets

You are with me

The little Cuban bar suddenly closed in on Sofie. The music and laughter around her felt distant and out of place. Coming here was a mistake, especially with the only exit being located behind Philip. He, on the other hand, looked calm, his face, a mask that could not be interpreted. This complete lack of emotion could only mean one thing: he not only knew MP Kerry had the opposition leader murdered, he probably even helped. He was a monster like her. That's why he did not go to the police. He probably benefitted from the murder himself.

"Ok..." Sofie's voice faltered.

She could not believe how callus Philip was. She thought she knew him, at least his basic character. But she was obviously wrong. Pressing him further was her only option. Reminding him that every action had consequences.

"So you knew of the murder. But didn't tell anyone? That is... criminal, Philip. Concealing a murder is illegal."

"Hold on," he said, lifting his hands in defence, "I know he was murdered, because everybody does. It was all over the news. And it doesn't take much to assume it was for political reasons. I don't know who murdered him but you having evidence that it was MP Kerry does not surprise me. Especially knowing her. But," he shifted forward to emphasize his point, "that doesn't mean I know anything more. If I did, I would have gone to the Police."

He was lying!

"So Carl Durbing means nothing to you?"

There was a slight twitch in his jaw, when she mentioned the name he wrote in the newspaper ad. Was he nervous that she thought him an accomplice to something as heinous as this? Or was he lying because she was about to uncover how deep he was involved? Sofie reminded herself that it didn't really matter whether he was innocent or not. Not anymore. He was just an informant. And her informants were usually guilty of one crime or another. It never stopped her from collaborating with them. Neither will it this time.

He wanted to share the YubiKey, whether it was to bring Kerry to justice or serve his own dubious ploy. Finding out his motivations was something she would worry about after she secured access to MP Kerry's emails.

"You obviously know more, Phillip. Enough to know what it would mean to have one of the world's largest economies led by a person who sees herself above the law."

"Yes." His answer was swift and the twitch in his jaw had become a gnaw. His hands moved forward as if to reach out for her, but he thought better of it. "I am glad that someone stands up to her. That takes courage."

It was the most honest thing he said to her all evening, perhaps ever. He wasn't a monster. He simply wasn't prepared to risk everything for an abstract ideal. An ideal Sofie had devoted her life to. There were no companions, no relationships, no friends. Her life was duty and sacrifice. Dedicated to stamping out evil. And his acknowledgment of it meant a lot.

A sudden locomotion erupted in the bar. Engrossed in their conversation, they did not notice that the band had taken a break and guests walked to the bar for drinks. Sofie gestured to pause their conversation, while people passed their table. Without the music or conversations a tense silence sat between them. To distract herself, Sofie watched the people at the bar, though she was acutely aware how Philip's eyes wandered her face and lingered on her lips. Was he trying to make her nervous? It wasn't working. Or at least she hoped it wasn't.

"There's something missing." He took up the conversation seamlessly once the traffic had settled, as if he had just mentally reviewed the transcripts of all their past conversations. He had not been looking at her, he had been looking through her!

"You have the evidence. But you can't link it to Kerry, not in a way that would stand up in court. That's why you can't write your story... that's why you have to sit here with me." There was no trace of humor in his face. "But... you're hoping to find it in her emails. Am I right?"