"You never cease to amaze me."

She said that at least once every time we spoke. And every time, I laughed to myself. "Hell, I never cease to amaze myself," I shot back playfully. Talking to her was always good for my ego, although even I knew that sometimes the praise was unwarranted. But not this time. This time, with all that was on the line, she was right. I was amazing.

"No, I'm serious, Sheldon. You always find a way, no matter what. I like that about you."

I liked that about me, too. I always did find a way to get what I wanted. And this time was going to be no different. It was time for me to step up again, do what I did best: handle things.

"You like that, huh?" I smiled into the phone, while flipping through channels on the television inside the cramped hotel room that had become my home. The accommodations sucked, but whatever. I was just biding my time.

She sighed. "I do. And I know things are going the way we want them to. But still, I wish that things could get cleared up right now."

"Whoa," I said, cutting her off before she got off track. "Trust me. Things will be crystal clear when the time is right, and not a moment before that." I stood up from the edge of the bed and walked toward the window. "Don't you even worry about that."

"I'm not worried. Just concerned, that's all."

"Concerned? About who, me or them? Because it's them you should be concerned about. They're the ones that are going to pay."

"Sheldon, please," she said, sounding exasperated. "I'm concerned about you. Not them. Nothing they do can bother me. Well, you know, except for my obvious connection."

"Yeah, about that," I said. "What's the deal?"

"The usual. Nothing I can't handle. You've taught me well." 

I did teach her well. Having someone on the inside like this kept me with an upper hand. Being able to have these conversations, to be able to clue her in to what they might be thinking as she let me know what they were actually doing, was priceless. 

And to think, when we first met, she had no idea what I did and how I did it. Now, she was becoming one of my most valuable foot soldiers right before my eyes. I was proud. "That's what I like to hear." I picked up my lighter and twirled it in my free hand. "Just keep your eyes and ears open for me."

"Of course. Why else do you think I'm staying here? I'll stay close, so we can stay one step ahead." 

"So, are we all set for tomorrow?"

"We are." She sounded calm. Almost too calm.

"Are you sure?"

"More than sure. I've been waiting for this. And can't wait to see the look on his face."

I laughed. "Cool. Just remember the game plan. Stick to that, and we'll be fine."

"I'll make you proud."

"I know you will." What I wanted to tell her is that she never ceased to amaze me, but I didn't. There'd be time for that when I saw her. Now, it was all about staying focused. About handling the business at hand. 

Doing what I did best.