The gang started conducting practice drills to prepare for the heist. Every day after the lesson, Sergio made it mandatory to conduct re-enactment so they can have a clear picture in their head what might happen inside the Bank of Spain. Of course, it's not the perfect example of the situation since there's a lot of variable to consider. The members compensate with the exhaustion of the drills with some drinks to decompress from the pressure of the heist.
"Why don't you join the rest downstairs? You can use some refreshments", Sergio said to Raquel who is surrounded by police files on their bed.
She's been working hard trying to predict the police movements so they will be better prepared. He is not sure if she noticed but the gang is getting used to her being around and they're feeling more comfortable with her especially seeing how hard she's working on the heist to help them, to help Rio. Tokyo vouching for her as well as Martin is a big help. Still, Raquel chooses to isolate herself away from the gang to work.
"Offering me refreshments is a bit surprising coming from you", she teased with a smirk.
He remembered how hard he worked to cut her off from alcohol when she first got to Palawan.
"You weren't an alcoholic and we both know that. I did that to show you that abusing your health won't solve your problems", he explained.
Raquel chuckled a bit.
"I know that. I was just teasing you. I am fine, my love. Besides, I need to review all of these. I think I know who will be the inspector in charge during the heist", she said.
That got his attention and he took a spot next to her on the bed to look at the files she's reviewing.
"Really? Who do you think it will be?" he asked.
"Her. Alicia Sierra", she pointed at the picture. "I am pretty sure once the CNI realized it was us robbing the Bank of Spain, they will relieve Prieto of the command after his failure during the first heist. I bet my money on Colonel Tamayo taking over and Alicia is his favourite pet. They share the same taste for aggressive and ruthless method. I am ninety percent sure that she might be involved in Rio's interrogation", she added.
Sergio raised an eyebrow at her.
"I've known her during the academy days and I can assure she got the stomach for torture methods and she's brilliant as well. The government sees us as major threat and they will be desperate to get us this time so they will use every means available and she's one of them, unpredictable, risky, but produce results", she explained.
Sergio looked at the picture and made a mental note to prepare himself for her. If Raquel is so sure about her, he needs to be more dangerous than her.
"Thank you. This is a very useful information but we got plenty of time to prepare for her. Right now…" he closed the police files in front of her, "…we need to relax a bit and enjoy ourselves. Come with me", he said.
Raquel made a face but accepted his offer and came along with him downstairs to join the others. They had setup some sort of campfire in the middle of the garden and they all looked so comfy.
"There you are! What took you both so long? Helsinki is telling us ghost stories", Nairobi greeted them.
"Please don't tell us what you two just did. We don't need the details", Marseille said.
Tokyo raised an eyebrow.
"I for one want to know what they did upstairs", she muttered and everyone turned to her. "What? I am curious", she explained.
They all laughed as Sergio blushed in embarrassment even though there's nothing to tell.
"If you're curious, Lisbon informed me about the possible inspector that will handle the heist and it's not going to be easy but that's tomorrow's problem", Sergio answered.
Martin nodded at his direction, grateful that he's giving them the night off to relax. The couple sat on the ground with them. Sergio handed Raquel a bottle of beer and she cuddled up next to him ignoring the eyes that glanced to their direction.
"I know we agreed no heist talk tonight but how dangerous the next inspector will be? I just want to know so…you know, I can prepare myself", Denver asked.
The fun in the air died. Sergio didn't answer. He doesn't have any idea at all.
"…to be honest, very. Let's just say, she's not like me", Raquel answered in a matter of fact tone.
"Care to elaborate?" Nairobi probed.
"I was determined to catch bad guys and I was willing to use any available resources but I follow protocols. I follow the rules, the law. Alicia doesn't. She works around it. You can say her methods are illegal but she always catches her prey so CNI always got her back. That's why we're different", she explained.
Sergio doesn't like unpredictable. If Alicia doesn't follow the protocols, there's no telling what she'll do. He turned to Raquel who is thinking about something from the past.
"How well do you know her exactly?" he asked her.
"We worked together after we graduated. We both high marks so CNI took interest. Remember that terrorist group that bombed the mall in Barcelona? CNI formed a secret ops to hunt them down. Alicia and I were a part of it. It was a long and hellish experience for me. We were able to catch them all but I am not proud of the things we did, things I did. Alicia enjoyed it but I threw up after each interrogations. Once that mission was over, I requested a transfer to Madrid right away. CNI offered me a slot on another ops with high salary but I declined. I cannot stomach it. Alicia stayed", she said with her eyes turning sad and ashamed.
Everyone remained silent until Tokyo broke it.
"Well, I'm glad you were our inspector the last time", she muttered and everyone agreed.