I Used to Be a Spy

I Wouldn't Bet on It

Michael stood leaning against the large pitchfork, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He smiled, pleased with the clean horse stall.
Paistí{patches}, their horse, seemed to bow his head in appreciation. Michael fondly recalled the day they purchased their horse.
The trio had been in Ireland for 6 months and although they were comfortably settled, Charlie was home sick and cried for his grandma, even asking about his actual father, Nate. The three went out for a drive and they passed a meadow of horses. One stood out on its own, it's tan and white patches catching Charlie's eye.
He told Michael, "I'm four now, I can do anything."
Knowing the main responsibilities would fall on him, Michael initially rejected the request. After a mile past the meadow, Michael eyed Charlie, then Fi and she nodded, giving him the okay. As they purchased the horse, Charlie's face lit up, but he was nervous. He only pet the horse when Michael held him and stroked the soft fur with him. Michael could feel his heart soften.
"Hey brother-wow it stinks in here!" Sam cut off Michael's thoughts.
"Hey Sam." Michael chuckled. "I need to push the wheel barrel outta here still."
"A horse, huh? Any other farm life out here you're drawn to?"
"Nope, just the one. Twas a present ta Charlie." Michael cleared his throat and corrected himself in his English accent. "For Charlie."
"Five years of that, I get it." Sam's face contorted into an expression of comical pity.
Michael walked past Sam and hung the pitchfork on the wall. "What was the excuse you all used to come visit for so long?"
"We're not on anyone's radar. Plus we flew in under the radar to be safe. If anyone asks, Elsa and I are having a third honeymoon."
Michael raised his eyebrows. "Third?"
Sam's face lit up, "Oh yeah, Mexico, I'm not allowed to get into the details, but it was all inclusive."
Michael grimaced, but a hesitent, yet playful smile remained on his face. Sam hadn't changed much in five years.
"The second was in Italy. She had a corporate event there, but she had a long weekend of Sammy time the weekend before and after. Trust me, I needed that down time in between."
"Yup, Sam, got it."
"So, we gonna plan this job tonight or meet tomorrow at the bar in the hotel? I'm buying."
Michael took his work gloves off and wiped the sweat from his forehead from the bottom of his shirt. "About that... I want to help this kid, I do. I feel we could help him get his life back on track. But mixing up with some drug dealer? It's pretty risky for a dead man to be helping people out with Sam Axe, isn't it?"
Sam was silent. In the past, Michael was reluctant to jump into a job because he was so wrapped up in his burn notice. Now, though, he had a family to care for, he was a family man.
"We could work with the police..."
"To help steal their stuff?"
Sam rubbed his chin. "My thoughts were, we get this guy caught trying to steal his own stuff."
"He won't risk breaking in himself, he's got enough guys. We'd have to steal the drugs and money, and have this guy caught with them."
"Or get him caught with other illegal things?" Sam ventured.
"Fi doesn't have any C4."
Dumbfounded, Sam rubbed his neck. "Fi without C4, never thought I'd see the day. We've all got things going for us, but I feel like we've gotta at least try."
"Sam, I love my family." Michael's heart swelled at his own acknowledgement.
A genuine smile spread across his friend's face. "I know Mikey, I'm happy for you. I promise it won't involve any explosions, gunfire or major risks, okay?"
Michael smiled, "I wouldn't bet on it, but thanks for trying."
                                            +++++
The phone rang in his hand. Peering at the name, he flipped it open and smirked thinking of how his wife abhorred this ancient cell phone. "Mícheál. I was just about to call you."
"Oh?" His friend sounded surprised.
Their friendship was odd, but it worked. They often had a familiar hunch. Hughes was one who kept his true feelings hidden, but somehow Michael could reflect them without exposing that Hughes was experiencing the same thing. "Yeah, are we still on for drinks this evening?"
Quickly Michael said, "This week won't work," He paused, perhaps he was considering what he was saying. "Remember that case you told me about? The one with your friend's kid?"
As if he could forget the case that consumed him day and night. Anger flared up in his chest. Without lashing out, Hughes narrowed his eyes and asked defensively, "Yes?"
"Do you have more intel?" Michael was now whispering gruffly.
"Mícheál, I told you that in confidence," Hughes reprimanded. "Why are you asking about it?"
The other end was silent for a moment, then Michael stated briskly, "I can't get into it now, but is there anything else you can tell me?"
"Why are you asking?" Hughes wasn't sure if he was shocked about Michael's insistence or that  audacity he had to bring up such a confidential matter, two things that were uncharacteristic of him.
"Another time, okay?" Michael attempted to sound friendly. "I gotta go."
Hughes hung up the phone. What got into his friend? Hughes turned and peered longingly at the large window, wishing he found solace in the beautiful view. Maybe he needed to go on the scouting trips and survey Kavanaugh with his own two eyes.