Hedonism can be a rational response to a difficult life. - Phillip Lopate
BA glared as Stockwell marched out of the residence.
"What's his problem, Hannibal? We got the job done the way he wanted."
"Apparently our lieutenant has been AWOL instead of staying here recuperating."
"What! He's not s'posed to do anything for at least another month."
"I know. But he disappeared the day after we left, didn't show up again until yesterday. And it's not the first time."
"What!"
"The last three missions. Stockwell was willing to overlook it at first, all things considered. Now he's had enough."
"Why didn't Stockwell just go get him and bring him back?"
Hannibal grinned. "You know those Ables can't follow him if he doesn't want them to."
"So what's Face been doing? And what are we gonna do?"
"I have no idea what he's doing, or why. But - we have a new mission the day after tomorrow. Four or five days, overseas."
"Hannibal - "
"Don't worry, BA. It'll be canceled on the way to the airport, and we'll have those days for our own... activities."
BA smiled. "And we'll do what the Ables can't."
Hannibal smiled back.
*****
He closed the door to the apartment, smiling. Ellie had been so nice, so... grateful. Not that he'd taken advantage of it. Couldn't, of course. Their relationship had been, out of necessity, almost platonic. Just a nice girl having nice dinners with a nice guy.
She'd been down one night, not her usual easy-going self. He'd practically had to force the story of her brother's 'situation' out of her.
It was one he'd heard before - what story hadn't he heard before? Kid brother with a gambling problem, a crooked bookie who had a little loan sharking operation on the side.
Easy enough to clear things up.
Get himself set up with the bookie, lose some money, win a little less, lose some more. Enough so the bookie got a little upset, a little threatening. Offered an out. Then the unexpected major win. Big enough that the bookie, really just a flunky for a bigger operator, could barely cover the loss.
Added bonus - the bigger operator hadn't known about that side business. Not until Face had, in 'desperation', gone directly to him and begged for more time. Bosses like that don't like moonlighters.
So Ellie's brother was off the hook, the family got a nice little windfall, and Face...
Face got the satisfaction of doing it all right under Stockwell's nose.
And Hannibal's.
That didn't sit well with him, but they didn't really expect him to stay at the compound with no one but Ables for company, did they? And he wasn't dumb enough to put himself in a really hazardous situation. He still knew how to run a good scam, despite the time being just another cog in Stockwell's wheel. No, this was his. Just like it used to be when the team was between jobs in LA. When he made the decisions for himself.
When he was in control.
The guys weren't due back until tomorrow afternoon. He'd relax tonight and be back at Stockwell's by lunchtime. Still smiling, he headed for the kitchen and a nice glass of wine. The hell with doctor's orders.
Tomorrow he'd go back to being one of Stockwell's men.