The Gentle Sniper

Chapter 23: Back Home

"What do you mean you knew?!"

On her end, in her office at the DSIS building on Berk, Cami held her phone at arm's length with a wince before bringing it to her ear again. "I mean exactly that, Hiccup. But in my defense, I only found out yesterday."

Never let it be said that Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third couldn't yell.

"And you didn't think to tell me this sooner?! Before, you know, my mother shows up in the same place I'm staying? Gee, thanks."

She winced again. "Wasn't exactly a top priority, I'm sorry to say. Not when I was in the middle of an investigation into DBS Security. It slipped my mind, but what's done is done. Sorry Hiccup."

Cami then heard him sigh in exasperation. "You're right, as much as I don't like it. Just... tell me sooner if something like this happens again."

"Like what?" she asked.

"How would I know? It's up for the gods to decide, and who knows what they're thinking; with my luck though, it'll be bad."

"You shouldn't keep blaming the gods for your luck, as much as they deserve it. They probably don't exist."

"Would you rather I blamed people for my luck? If I did that, then my cousin would be in trouble, and lucky that I'm not on Berk. And let's not forget about you."

Cami grimaced. "Fair enough. Forget I said anything. Blame the Norse gods as much as you want. Now, moving onto a more pleasant topic, how are you and Astrid getting along?"

"My girlfriend and I are doing quite well. Never been better, I'd say. Also, Fishlegs has a date planned, so clearly love is in the air. Which brings me back to you. I feel like I should play matchmaker when I get back."

Cami sighed. "Thanks but no thanks, Hiccup. I don't think I'm ready for that. I'd rather not go into a relationship and then end things like we did."

"Perhaps you need therapy as well as I do, then."

Another sigh passed her lips. "Quite possibly. Want to go to a session together?"

"Might as well. But it might not go so well."

You don't even know, Cami thought with a grimace, thinking of her now-deceased younger sibling.

"Yeah, that sounds about right. Catch you later Hiccup. I should really get back to work."

"Alright, we'll talk later or something. Bye."

"Bye Hiccup."

Putting the phone on the desk before her, Cami sighed once more and rubbed her forehead. Should I tell him about Ben before I spill the beans to some therapist? Probably for the best I do that.

Then a knock on the door of her office brought her out of her thoughts before her mother stepped inside. "How'd he take it?"

"About as well as expected; my ear is ringing now."

Bertha sighed. "If that's how he takes it, how will Stoick handle it?"

"I say we don't tell him yet. Leave it up to Hiccup. But we should call a meeting in the town hall with the mayor; let him in on the crime wave and what we're doing to stop it. Maybe also invite the Matriarchs and Patriarchs of the ancestral clans of Berk."

Bertha looked uncertain. "I don't think that last thing will be a good idea. Unless you fancy a shouting match."

Cami shrugged. "It would happen anyway. I'll go get some ear protection for later, just in case."

"Alright. Get me some too."

Meanwhile, after his call with Cami, Hiccup pocketed his phone, then looked at the head of security, stationed in his kiosk which was out in front of the Marienborg mansion by the front gate. The kiosk had two chairs, overhead CCTV monitors and a table that he shared with another guard, as was more or less the norm for the man.