With a Pull of a Trigger

Chapter Five

Anger was one thing. Relief was another.

The sense of betrayal was another matter entirely.

And suddenly, Samuel didn’t know who to trust anymore.

“Agent Saunders,” said Gil pleasantly, “agent Acker. Please take a seat.”

The two agents walked to the leather couch Gil was directing them to and sat down, putting their hands on their laps.

“My name is Gilbert Baxendale, but I assume that you already know that,” said Gil, chuckling. He offered his hand and Eena took it, assuming that he would like to shake hands. She was completely surprised when Gil brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it tenderly before doing the same to Reini’s hand.

“How do you know our names?” asked Eena.

“Ah, not someone to beat around the bush, eh?” asked Gil, chuckling. “Scotch, ladies?”

Reini and Eena shook their heads.

Gil shrugged and poured more scotch into his glass. “Suit yourself.”

Reini turned to look at Eena, raising an eyebrow. Eena shrugged, looking incredulously at Gil.

“Look,” said Reini, unable to stand the silence anymore for all it did was to make her think more about Samuel, “I don’t understand.”

Gil put his glass on the table. “What don’t you understand, dear?”

“Why you’re being so…comfortable. Or why you’re trying to make us feel comfortable. Or why you’re being friendly.”

“Well, what else am I supposed to be? I was rather under in the impression that being friendly and polite is all the rage nowadays. Or am I wrong?”

“You aren’t,” quickly said Eena.

“It’s just that you’ve caught us and yet you’re being nice. Now I don’t know about you, but normally, people would be angry if they’ve caught someone on restricted premises,” said Reini.

Gil raised an eyebrow. “Would you want me to be angry?”

Reini and Eena shared a look that said, ‘is this guy serious?’ and looked back at Gil, their eyebrows furrowed.

“No,” Eena said slowly, uncertain.

“Well I’m glad we’re on the same page,” said Gil enthusiastically.

“It’s just that, well, why aren’t you angry?” asked Reini.

Gil laughed. “You’re questioning me on why I’m not angry despite the fact that you don’t want me to be angry. You two are confusing.”

“Well, what we want,” said Eena, gesturing Reini and herself, “and what you want are different matters.”

“Very good,” said Gil, smiling widely and making his eyes crinkle at the edges. “Finally, some clarity from you two. I’m Gil Baxendale, and I can’t tell you what pleasure it is for me to finally meet you two.” Gil took Reini’s hand and shook it, then took Eena’s hand and did the same.

“What?” asked Eena, clearly confused.

“Clarity, my dears, is an agent’s best friend,” said Gil, standing up and walking towards the doors, locking them. “It would do you some good to be rather clear about everything. And to remember the lessons taught to you when you were still training to be agents.”

“If there’s anyone who’s not being clear in this room, it’s you,” snapped Reini, offended that Gil had the nerve to suggest something bad about her skills as a spy.