Epilogue
I’m Right Here
Six months have passed since the encounter in Scotland when I confronted my dark past. I remember everything now, many of the memories clawing back to me in nightmares.
But when that happens, Lorenzo is always there to hold me, comfort me or take my mind off the trauma by making love to me.
I also have my new brother-in-adversity, Nishan, at the end of the phone to confirm details and fill in any blanks.
After seeing old friends at Eagle House, I was on my feet within a matter of days and back to full health within a week.
Romano was pleased and is no longer mystified at my powers of healing.
He also honoured the time he had offered for recuperation.
Lorenzo took me on winter camping trips on one of his bikes all along the west coast of Italy and down to Sicily.
We also flew to London. Our first assignment did not happen until almost three months later, a simple security detail posting.
Until then, I spent time training hard, improving my spoken and written Italian, and getting my skills and fitness back to their full potential.
And, of course, taking Petey under my wing.
He regards Lorenzo and me as older brothers.
His unique skill is astonishing, but as we have learned, he is not—as Josh would label it—a one-trick pony.
His eyes light up when he does something to impress us, to earn our praise, which happens often.
I have also noticed him filling out nicely and gaining muscle.
Even when not in Bellacci’s workshop, poring over every lock she brings to him, he is agile and intelligent.
Scaling walls is still Lorenzo’s domain, but I am now a poor third behind Petey.
Mrs Bellacci has taken to calling him Chiave Maestra, which I think means something like master key.
We look forward to having him with us on our first important assignment.
As for London, Callico House was donated to a charitable trust. Coleman and Victoria are finally divorced.
He has been spending time with Sylvie Leblanc.
Coleman told me that Alice and Edward are still going strong, that he has finally brought her in as an official board member.
I miss Alice, but I can’t reach out to her because Edward believes I am no longer alive.
One day, I might surprise her. I might surprise them both. We’ll see.
During one of my trips to London, Lorenzo accompanied me to Albert’s grave. Not knowing the protocol, I left a couple of items at the foot of the headstone—a small posy of peonies, his favourite flowers, and an old book of codes and cyphers I bought from a bookstore along the Embankment.
I hope Albert has finally found his peace.
Josh is back to his everyday life. I regularly hear from him and Nishan.
The last message I got from our group chat was two weeks ago when they were sunning themselves in Sri Lanka.
Josh texted with a photo of them both looking relaxed on a beach, together with a rambling message ending with the words,
Josh: (Bet You) Wish You Were Here.
I can almost picture Josh ribbing Nishan for being lazy when he added a simple footnote about their experience.
Josh: In Mirissa, relaxing in glorious heat, taking hikes everywhere, real enjoyment.
But I know better. The hidden message using the simplest of codes, by taking the first letter from each word, might have gone over Josh’s head, but not mine.
Although I relish my nights alone with Lorenzo, I’m eager to get onto our next assignment. The new team, including remote members, consists of Mrs B, Lorenzo, Petey, Nishan, Romano and me. Romano refers to us as his Squadra di Scacchi, which, Lorenzo reminds me, means chess team.
And we’re sitting here waiting for our next move.