This is a work of fiction, using characters from the film, “Proof of Life”.  No insult or invasion of privacy or infringement of copyright is intended. The story is for readers over the age of 18 only, and contains adult language. The writer is not responsible for any "discomfort" caused to the reader by this language and these situations.

The Lady and the Cipher

©02/2009  by: Ree

Chapter Six

Terry sat up in bed, his fingers curled around a vestigial cigarette. He was aching for a smoke, but he couldn’t get up with Lily draped around him.  He shifted slightly and to his great relief she rolled over, tugging the covers off of him as she did. Freed, he slipped out of the bed, located a pair of boxers and a nearly empty pack of cigs.  Although he had cut back, there were times the craving overtook him, especially when sleep eluded him.  He was thankful for the small balcony off the bedroom; he could smoke there without polluting any more than his lungs.   Closing his eyes with the first hit, he felt a calm sweep over him and he could now enjoy the first pink rays of dawn. It’d been only a few hours since he’d sat on balcony overlooking a park; the one below him now was more vast, he noted, a flashier address. It suited the woman lying in the bed. Lily was not one to be ignored.

And yet he couldn’t forget the woman he left earlier.  How unexpected that had been, even as Lily was rising and falling over him, to see a vision of blond hair falling on creamy shoulders, of a peek-a-boo dimple that appeared with an unexpected smile.  Would that smile be the same in pleasure? He had gripped Lily’s hips tighter, half expecting his fingers to squeeze something more substantial. Instead, she grunted in pain, as his grip pressed more bone than flesh.

It hadn’t been more than a moment, but it shook him, and as he inhaled again he wondered. Surely it was a natural reaction to what he’d experienced the day before.  Or was he such a bastard to be with one woman and think of another? He looked back at Lily and watched as she stirred, sensing his absence. She rose to her elbow and looked around, a feline smile spread over her lips when she spied him. Wrapping a blanket around her, she slipped out to the balcony with him.

“God, I must have been more jet-lagged than I thought.” She slid onto his lap and began to kiss up his neck. “Or maybe you’re just that good.”  Pulling away, she added, “Wait. You’re up early. Does that mean I’m not?”

He chuckled; the flattery was always welcome. “Just woke up, couldn’t get back to sleep.”  He shifted her to a more comfy position on his leg and she winced. “What, are you hurt?”

“You gripped me tight before, I think I’m bruised.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry, luv.”

“Don’t be, I like the way you hold me. Look at that sunrise, isn’t it gorgeous? I’m so glad the Madrid deal is just about done. No more traveling for a bit.”

“Merger’s done, then?”

“It’s all over but for the shouting.” She took his face in her hands. “God, I couldn’t wait to get back, Terry, I missed you.”

He leaned in to accept a kiss. “Same here, luv.” His hand ran up and down her back, his fingers remembering the feel of her skin under the blanket. “No guarantees for me, though, Lil. Need to go where the work takes us.”

“I know, well, what if it took you right here to New York?”  She smiled, catlike, and leaned in to nibble on his neck.

“What, for the bank? I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not? You use friends as contacts, don’t you? That’s the way the world works.”

“Yes, but, this would be different.”

“I don’t see how, business contacts are business contacts. Let me introduce you to Sandy in our Risk Management group. You never know.”

“Hmm.”  He fell silent, partially to think, partially to enjoy how her long, sculpted legs felt. “I’ll think about it.”

She slipped off his lap and knelt between his legs. “Just think?” Her hands slid up, fingers firmly gripping his thighs.

“I’ll talk to Dino about it.”

“Hmm, do I have to sleep with him too?”  Her intention was unmistakable, and as much as he wanted her to continue, they were on an open balcony.

“No,” He picked her up and into his arms, the blanket had fallen enough to reveal her breasts. He bent over to nuzzle them. “I’m not done with you yet.”

“Oh, and when you are?”

“Then he can have you.”

“Terry!”  She squealed and he laughed, swinging her around until they fell on the bed, and each other.

~*~

Monday morning lumbered in, covering the city with a blanket of fog and drizzle.  The New York traffic slowed to a crawl, as if the air itself had become too thick to move through.  It reminded Terry of London, and of his life there. Not much of a life, if he was truthful. Closer in a physical sense to his son, but now Henry’s busy life at University kept them apart as much as Terry’s job ever did. Technology helped. Email. Texting. It was shorthand and didn’t replace face to face conversation, but it was something. Terry wondered when he’d ever reside in his flat again. Right now it served as their “London Office”, even though the mail and phone calls were forwarded to New York. Perhaps he could take Lily there, have her meet Henry.

He immediately rejected the notion. Too soon, too soon. He shut off the engine and leaned against the wheel. Would it never not be too soon? With anyone? His mood turned, and suddenly he felt as gray as the skies.  He walked solemnly into the elevator, grateful he didn’t recognize anyone as he rode up. It took him most of the trip to regain his composure and a semblance of a cheerful face.  Maintaining morale in the office was important; it wouldn’t do to have a glum expression.

He glanced at his watch as he exited the elevator. Could he really be early? He was relieved not to have to say anything cheerful for a few minutes, and he headed straight to his office, only to be distracted by some light humming in the office next door.  Somebody else was early, and he wasn’t surprised to find Jane inside, fussing with her computers.

“G’day Janey,” he said, “have enough monitors there?”

She looked up and an embarrassed smile bloomed, the serene symmetry of her face broken by a deep dimple on her right cheek.  “There were extras with the layoffs; no point having them go to waste in a closet.”

“How can you possibly use all of them?”

She wriggled her fingers, giggled. “I am the multi-tasking queen.”

“Queen, eh? That’s a step up from Lady.  Have a good weekend then?”

She chuckled, not quite as happily, for the dimple disappeared. “Sure. Quiet mostly. Got some work done. How was yours?”

“Restful,  No work at all for me, I’m afraid to say.”

“That’s not a bad thing.”

“No, it’s not. You should try it, Janey, can’t work all the time.”

“I know, I tried for some downtime,” she laughed again. “But you,” she poked her finger into his chest, “interrupted.”

“You can’t be sorry about that bloke.”

“He could have been The One!” Terry frowned. Had he really misjudged what had happened? He cocked his head, trying to apprise her mood when she winked. “Gotcha!”

He chuckled and waggled his finger at her. “When did you get to be so cheeky?”

“When would you have noticed one way or another?”  She shot back. “Sorry.” She squared her shoulder and stood tall, stiff. “That was… sorry. Is there something you wanted?”

She’d averted her eyes, and he struggled with the temptation to lift her chin up to make her look at him.  “Having you downstairs did us all a disservice I think.”

“Doesn’t matter. Now is now.”

“Yes, yes it is.” He reached out and touched her shoulder. He felt her jolt, but she didn’t move away when his hand slid down her arm.

“Ah, here you are,”  Dino announced his presence loudly with a clap of his hands, and Terry and Jane jumped back from where they stood. “Got some news for you.”

“No problem, go ahead,” Jane said, backing up and away.

“You too, Jane, this is your gig.  C’mon to my office.”

“Our office, mate,” Terry added with a chuckle. He placed his hand on Jane’s shoulder and guided her out the door.  “So what’s up, and why didn’t you tell me first?”

“Because you decided to take the weekend off.”

Terry answered with a snort, he wasn’t going to take Dino’s bait.

“So I caught Hank Forester on the phone Sunday, and pitched him the security audit idea.  He didn’t much like that someone bounced a call through their headquarters.”

“So he bit?”

Dino nodded. “He bit. Wants us to look on the QT though. Can we do that, Jane?”

“Sure. We’d need to install software to get remote access.  Can he have that done for us?”

“He wants us to, just in case there’s someone on the inside.  They’re having a shindig to welcome the ex-pats home. We could go down, shake hands, pat backs, and slip into their systems area.”

“We, including me?”

“Why not? It’s going to have to be quick, if there’s someone on the inside, they may be monitoring.”

“When’s the party?”

“Friday.  Problem?”

Jane fell quiet. A field assignment?  Out of town? She hadn’t left Michael by himself since her parents died.  Could she? “I’d have to make some arrangements.”

“Then make them already, milady.”

Jane nodded and stood. “Excuse me,” she said before rushing out.  Terry watched Dino’s eyes follow her.

“I think I’ll call her back in just to watch her walk out again. Damn.”

“C’mon mate. Don’t. This is a big deal for her.  Could be for us, too.”

“You notice I didn’t call her back. I’m being good.”

“As always. Hey, I’ve got some news too.” Terry put his case on his desk, opened it. “Lily and I went to the Hamptons this weekend. She introduced me to the lead Risk Management bloke at NationsBank.”

“They looking to sub out?”

Terry nodded. “All these international mergers have stretched them thin. We’ve got a meeting with them this afternoon.”

“No shit?

“No shit. How quickly can we pull a dog and pony show together?” 

“Oh ye of fucking-little faith.  Give me an hour.”

“My faith in you is unbounded. You’ve got two.”

~*~

Jane sat in a window booth at Red’s Diner, waiting for her lunch date.  She mindlessly crunched on ice as she ran through what she had to do. Three, four days to prep. They were to somehow infiltrate EnTech’s systems without their knowing.  And blind; she didn’t know their setup. She’d wager it was one of a few standard systems, making it an easy target to begin with. So she’d have to simulate several alternatives, timing it so they could plan when in the evening they could try it.

Seeing Debbie bounce down the street in her hightop sneakers and poodle skirt, she shook her head. Was it the right thing to do, asking her to keep an eye on Michael?  She’d been at their apartment all weekend, and Michael seemed relaxed to have her there. 

Like she had at their place, Debbie made herself at home, slipping easily into the bench seat opposite. “Now this is a find, I love diners.”

“Thanks for getting over here on short notice.”

“No prob, I was surprised to hear from you. Curious.”  She picked up a menu and licked her lips. “Hmm, I should eat something diner-ish.”  They perused the menu in silence until the waitress appeared.  “BLT and coffee.”

“Good choice, me too,” Jane waited until the waitress disappeared then leaned over the table. “So, um, things going okay with Michael then?”

“Seeing as how I was there all weekend,” she said with a laugh, “I’d say yes. Did we get on your nerves? Must be strange-o rooming with your brother.”

“It’s a big place,” Jane shrugged.

“I had a feeling you didn’t want me there.”

“Not at all, I was just surprised, Michael had barely mentioned you, and all of a sudden, there you were!”

“Not all of a sudden, I’ve been trying to get him to ask me out for a year.”

“A year?”

“Yeah, he was so funny online, I had to meet him. But he was so shy in person, so… I don’t know, gentlemanly.”

“Michael? Jesus, he’s anything but.”

“Well he treated me nice, like he didn’t want to cross any boundaries.”

“Yes, that’s more like him.”

“But I wore him down, finally. Lucky he’s cute and funny, I wouldn’t work that hard for any guy.”

“He likes you.”

“Yes,” she smiled shyly. “And I’m really glad.”

Jane sighed, how was she going to ask? “I’m going on a trip this week. Friday to Saturday, probably.”

“O-kay…” Debbie replied, not understanding.

“I was wondering if you could watch out for him.  You wouldn’t have to stay overnight if you didn’t want to.”

“Now why wouldn’t I want to?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. He’s my brother,” Jane shuddered. Their meals arrived. Jane inspected the BLT, scraped off the extra mayo, halved the french fries and put them at the edge of the table for the waitress to take away.  “Really, though, you don’t have to do anything but check in.  I’m trying to get him to be independent.”

“But what if I like doing things for him?”

“I know you mean well, Debbie, but really, my parents spoiled him rotten, because of… well, they spoiled him.”

“I know he’s an Aspie, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”

Jane’s brow shot up. “Did he call himself that?”

“No, but one of the other gamers said he was classic Aspergers and I looked it up.  And there it was. Eye contact sucks. Doesn’t know how to make small talk, at least in person.  Knows more about SimWorld than anyone would want to know and makes sure we all know it. But not in a bad way, just that he knows the most, it’s a fact. Actually, sometimes he’s quite funny about it. And his music tastes, oh my God!”

“Japanese techno pop. Please. So, it doesn’t bother you? He’s not always nice, and if he’s overwhelmed he’ll freak out. Maybe you haven’t seen that yet.”

“He’s a little odd. But he’s got a good heart, and he’s honest.”

“Sometimes brutally so.”

“And sometimes sweetly so.”  She smiled and her cheeks reddened.

Jane winced, trying not to fill in the blanks. “I’m sure. Well, it’s been a long road,” Jane said, sighing. “But he’s older now, he’s learned how to cope a little better. And he has a routine.  I don’t know…”

“If becoming involved with me will break his routine? I think he’s okay with that, so far,” her lips upturned into a kittenish grin.  Debbie reached out and touched Jane’s hand. “You’re worried, that’s cool, but I don’t scare away easily.”

“I worry you’ll become entrenched in his routine. And then something will happen. Things happen. People leave. People die.”

“And people stay. You did.”

“Except I’m leaving town.”

“For two freaking days, Janey,  And it’s for work!”

“Yeah,” Jane smiled.

“And you’re happy about it. Girl, you think he’s entrenched?”

“It’s something different, an opportunity.”

“That’s cool then. I’ll take care of him, don’t worry.  And thanks for asking.”

They finished their meals. Jane watched as Debbie polished off her plate and made an unabashed attack on Jane’s extra fries as well.  Jane breathed a sigh of relief, maybe this uninhibited Little Debbie was just what her brother needed.

~*~

Jane’s hopes for uninterrupted time to prepare for the Houston trip were dashed when she returned from lunch.  An emergency mobilization meeting was called. Speculation ran rampant as the company gathered in the conference room. 

Dino stifled the rumors immediately by stating the simple facts.  “Here’s the deal, folks. NationsBank, yeah, big bad NationsBank, has called us in for a little consult.  Why? Well, it seems, in its attempt to become the largest bank in the known universe, our new friend has been gobbling up foreign banks left and right. Their latest meal, El Banco de Populo, is sending its major executives to New York for the closing. Now normally, that’s no big deal, but this time there’s been threats from some political group in Spain so their Risk Management group elected to add a little insurance: Us.  It’s not a big contract; it’s not even a permanent one, but it’s a foot in the door, and we want to impress the hell out of them.”

Ray Bellows, one of the field agents, raised his hand. “But Dino, the U.S.? Not so much call for our line in the U.S.  Now if this was going down in Spain, it’d be another story.”

“I know, it’s probably overkill, but it’s a check for us; we didn’t talk them out of it.” 

Jane studied Terry’s body language as Dino talked.  His discomfort was evident in his crossed arms, his downcast eyes.  She knew of his personal connection to NationsBank, did he feel uncomfortable mixing his worlds?  She heard Dino mention “all resources” and her ears pricked up again.

“Does this mean everything else is on hold?” she asked, without raising a hand.

Terry looked up, met her eyes before answering.  “Our existing clients are still a priority, of course.”  Jane pumped her fist under the table and caught Terry’s chuckle at her reaction. Embarrassed, she slipped back in her seat to hear the rest of the briefing. The assignment was nothing out of the ordinary, but it did mean she’d have less time to prepare. Jane didn’t care, she’d put in extra time if she had to.

The following three days were hectic, but by Thursday, Jane was anxious to get to Houston.  Dino called her in to review the logistics.

“Okay, here’s how it’s going to work,” Dino said, pulling out plans for the EnTech headquarters. “The shindig’s in the lobby, starting around four p.m. and going until, well, until the booze runs out, no doubt,” he said with a laugh. “A few speeches, few toasts, and at around four-thirty, about 2,000 balloons will be released from the ceiling. That’ll be your cue, milady, to slip daintily down the stairs to the Server room in the basement, here,” he said, pointing to the map.  “Forester says security makes rounds every twenty minutes or so.  You’ll watch for them, duck in, install the software, and back up to the party. Simple, huh?

She took in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Dino held her gaze, she didn’t waver. “Good, good. We’ll be in constant contact okay, so if you see something squirrelly just say the word.  We only have the one shot, I want to get back here on Saturday to see to this other matter.”  He looked at her up and down. “You’ll need to blend in, though. What will you be wearing?”

“Wearing?” Jane blinked. “It’s a business reception, I thought a suit like this,” she said, gesturing to her clothing, “I may have to crawl under desks.”

Dino laughed. “Honey, in Texas, the women don’t dress like FBI agents unless they’re FBI.”

Jane looked askance at him, a little suspicious of his motives. “You’re kidding, right?”

He looked sternly at her. “Kidding? Do I kid about shit like that, Ter?” 

Jane turned to look at his partner, who was obviously squelching a  laugh. “Terry?”

“Wear what you think best, Janey, but blending in is important.”

“Yeah, just something a little more . . . “ Dino waved his hands down in an hourglass shape.

“Damn, and I here I was saving my leather cat woman suit for a special occasion.”

“That wouldn’t blend in either,” Dino said with a laugh, “but bring it if you must.”

Jane chuckled and shook her head. At least Dino was consistent.  “I’ll find something, don’t worry.”

Terry clapped her on the shoulder and guided her to the door. “Good, now get a good night’s sleep, meet up with us here at oh-seven hundred, okie dokie?”

Jane cursed under her breath as she walked away from their office. All the preparation she’d done and they pick out the one thing she hadn’t thought of. The wardrobe, setting the stage. She cursed again, grabbed her purse, and with a curt goodbye to Catherine, headed down the stairs, running a mental inventory of her closet’s contents. 

She was still annoyed by the time she got home, and hadn’t expected to find Debbie and Michael in the kitchen. Michael’s hands were wrist deep in ground beef.

“What the hell?”

“You relax, Janey, I’m teaching Michael how to make meatloaf.”

“Okay.”  She shook her head, stupefied as Debbie poured in breadcrumbs and her brother continued to knead. He always hated the messy stuff, but here he was grinning and laughing. “I’ve got to go figure out how to dress like a Texas businesswoman.”

“Good luck with that,” Michael called out after her.

She opened her closet door, not surprised one bit at its contents. A skirt. She had that. Several white blouses, all oxford. Many pant suits. No, that wouldn’t do. Perhaps a sweater set? She’d always hated shopping for clothes. Mostly nothing ever fit her, but she also never had an interest. She was more likely to end up in Radio Shack or a bookstore. She knew that had disappointed her mother.

Her mother. Her mother dressed like a woman. A successful woman, with a classic style, that’s what everyone had said. Classic could work. She headed into her office and opened the closet there where she’d stored what she’d never had the heart to give away. Maybe something, anything, would fit her now.  She took out a few things and brought them to her room.

After a few combinations, she settled on a fitted white silk blouse worn over a bronze-colored linen skirt. She’d have to press it beforehand, but there’d be irons in the hotel room.  Jewelry. That she had, and she pulled out a pearl necklace and matching earrings.  She couldn’t believe it, it all fit.

“You need too poof out your hair too, I think.”

“What?” She looked up and saw Debbie in the doorway. She wasn’t used to anyone coming down her wing and hadn’t shut the door.  “Oh, you think?”  She looked back in the mirror. “Do they still do that now?”

“I don’t know, but it wouldn’t hurt, just tease up the back a little.”  Debbie pulled the band off her hair and told her to sit down so she could work.  “I’m not that good at this, but let’s see how it looks.”  Jane stood, looked in the mirror, turned. Her ass didn’t look bad.  “Wow. You look great.  New clothes?”

“These were my mother’s. I don’t know why I kept them, I never thought they’d ever fit me.”

“Mom?” Jane turned and faced the doorway, gasping when she saw her brother’s face. Shock. Confusion. Understanding. “Why are you wearing Mom’s clothes?” Michael’s voice was almost a screech. Jane’s mind raced, searching for calming words.

“Michael, it’s for work.”

“They’re not yours, take them off.”

“She left them to me, it’s okay.”

“She left them to us, and I say it’s not.”  Michael took a step in the room, and looked around, his mouth in a grim line. “You already got this room.”

“Mikey, c’mon.”  Jane reached out to hug him, but he pulled away and dashed out the hall. “Shit,” she said, tugging off the necklace.

“I’ll go.”

“No, you don’t have to put up with this. I’ll deal.  I just need to get out of these things first.”

Debbie put her hand up. “I know I don’t have to put up with this. I want to. I can help.”

“And I can’t? What do you think I’ve been doing all this time.”

“Everything. So let me have a turn, okay?”

Jane tried to object, but she couldn’t think of a response and Debbie didn’t wait for one.  She sat on the bed and collapsed her head in her hands.  She felt relieved, but guilty for feeling so.  When enough time had passed without hearing anything, she wandered back out to the kitchen, where dinner was being served.

Michael didn’t look at her. “I’m wearing my own clothes now,” she said, sitting down.

“You can wear whatever the fuck you want.”

“Michael?” Debbie admonished him, but put her hand on his for reassurance. “He said you looked just like her.”

“I did?” Jane caught his eye. “Thank you, and I’m sorry if I did. I’m sorry I’m not.”  She put her head in her hands again.

“Jesus, the two of you! Why are you being so glum? It’s a good thing she looks like your mom. It means you’re family, now lighten up and eat!  Michael made the meatloaf!”

Jane looked at Debbie and her pierced eyebrow, her pierced nose, the splashes of colors on her shirt and skirt. She looked ridiculous to Jane’s eye. But Michael looked at her as if she was an angel.  And just maybe she was.

~*~

The lobby of EnTech’s headquarters was festooned in banners and red, white, and blue balloons. Caterers wound through the masses with bottomless trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. No expense was spared for the homecoming fête. Terry mingled through the crowd, shaking hands with familiar faces, accepting the gracious thanks of the workers who they’d led safely out of Iraq.  He kept Dino and Jane both in view for now. Dino looking dapper in his bolo tie and boots, Jane looking uncomfortable in the heels she’d been pressed to wear. She’d risen to the occasion in her outfit, she couldn’t be faulted if she looked stunning in it, she wasn’t blending to his eye.  But there was no shortage of attractive women, he noted. No one would notice her whereabouts for the small window of time they needed.

As planned, Forester took his place on the central staircase and welcomed his employees back, with a special nod to CMP.  Dino waved to the crowd, which was Jane’s signal to take to the ladies room.  Once the balloons were dropped, she’d exit and slip down the stairs to the lowest level, which intel said housed their servers.  They were taking a chance, sending her alone, but they felt they’d be easily recognized if they’d gone with her.  Dino’s task was to monitor the security guard chatter through his earpiece, and to signal Forrester to start the balloons when the guards were at the upper floors.  At ‘go’ time, Terry positioned himself so he could see the elevators and the stairs. The signal was sent, the balloons came tumbling down to deafening applause.  Terry spied Jane as she slipped around the corner in the direction of the stairwell, as planned.  He looked at his watch. Good.  She had the full twenty minutes before she was to abort and return upstairs.

“I’m in the room,” her voice filled his ear; no sign of nerves. “It’s clear.  Found the servers.”  The link was quiet except for the sound of her breathing. “HPs, Windows server. Good.” Terry tried to keep up the appearance of listening to a breathless woman who was thanking him. It was a routine operation, Jane would handle it, he told himself. “Standard passwords not working, onto alternatives.”  He heard some swearing and the sound of something falling. “Fucking skirt.” Terry chuckled.  Taking that as a sign of interest, his companion launched into another amusing story.

There were no utterances in his ear for a few minutes, although if he pressed the receiver into his ear, he could hear typing sounds and some breathing. ‘C’mon, Janey, c’mon Janey” he said under his breath. Dino signaled that the guards were on the second floor, then the first.  Terry recognized the ‘where was she?’ in his eyes.  Terry politely excused himself and headed for the restrooms himself. Away from the noisy crowd, he could hear some soft sounds of exertion in his ear. Had they found her, was she running?  He quickened his step, slipped past the ropes sealing off the hallway. Turning the corner, he saw her pop out of the stairwell, hair tied back, shoes in hand. There was a small waiting area with a gilded mirror, and Jane rushed up in front of it.

“Cutting it close, luv.”

She slipped on her shoes, nodded, and fluffed her hair, pulling out a comb to put it back in place. “Had to finesse it, but I got it.  Program’s loaded.”

They heard the elevator ding.

“We’re not supposed to be here, they’ll see us, let’s go.”

“Just a sec,” she said, “need to get back in my disguise,” she chuckled, pulling out a lipstick. “Damn, too much again.”  She looked up in the mirror and Terry saw her eyes flash. She turned, quickly, and pulled his face to hers and kissed him.

It caught him by surprise, and he held her elbows to push her back, but then he saw the security guards in the mirror.  Might as well put on a convincing show. He let his hands fall to her hips as he answered her kiss.  It wasn’t a bad little smooch, he realized, and her fingers started caressing his cheek, he opened up, letting his tongue tease against her.  With just the softest of moans her lips parted, and the kiss deepened, blossomed. He turned her around so he could see the full length of the hallway.

He broke the kiss. “We’re clear.”

She said his name. Simply. Breathlessly. “Terry.” A delighted chuckle brought out the dimple in her cheek. He couldn’t help himself, he leaned in to kiss it, then pulled her close and took her lips again. He could feel her heart pounding, a slight resistance against him, then she relaxed, releasing herself into his embrace.

Then she stiffened and pulled away.

“You said clear?”

“Yes, they left, I guess they reckoned they didn’t need to disturb a snogging session. Quick thinking, luv.”

“Yeah,” she stepped back, straightened her skirt, then stepped away to check herself in the mirror then. “Solved the lipstick problem too. Two birds with one.” she said, smiling again before recollecting her composure. “I need to check if the program’s running. You better get back out and do your schmoozing thing. I’ll meet you in the car.”

“Right-o.”

She headed out first into the crowd,  Terry looked in the mirror and laughed when he saw that he had inherited a bit of a lipstick problem himself.  Patting it off with his handkerchief, he stepped back into the lobby and right into Dino.

“Lost you. Where is she?”

“Everything’s apples, mate. She went to the limo to check on the program. Why don’t you and I go play nice.”

“Heard the guards saying they ran into a couple who looked like they needed a room.”

“Yeah? Sure that’s common at these sorts of things.”

Dino narrowed his eyes. “I’m sure.”

“So am I. Now let’s go talk to Forester.”

After putting in the requisite time, they excused themselves and returned to the limo.

“Those Texans know how to throw a party, whoo-wee!” Dino said with an exaggerated drawl.

“Did they slip you something in those drinks, mate?”   He grinned and opened the door to the limo. Jane was leaning back, shoes off, a glass of champagne in her hand, an open laptop perched on her knees.  The look of her stopped him in his tracks and Dino climbed in ahead, taking his seat next to her.

“Ah, the Lady awaits in comfort.  You cut it close there.”

Terry slipped quietly into the seat across. He caught her eye but she shifted her attention back to Dino. “Does it matter? I’m in and I wasn’t caught.”

“No you were not,” Dino said. “So what now?”

“While you two have busy hobbing and nobbing, I’ve mirrored their drives to the server back in New York, set up some alerts for certain activities, and started a scan of their backup files for the communications systems, see if I can find any echoes.”

“I think I prefer drinking scotch and discussing the Texas Long Horn’s front line.”

“No, mate, what you prefer is getting up close and personal with the front line on Forester’s PA.”

“She does have a very nice front.”  Dino patted Jane’s knee. “You did good, kid.  Can’t say you didn’t go unnoticed though.”

“I didn’t?” She sat up, looking concerned.

“You were noticed, but not made. All’s good.  Now then, an evening in Houston, what should we do?  Steak house is a must.”

“I’m fine with sticking in the hotel.”

“Me too, mate.”  He couldn’t take his eyes off her; she kept avoiding his.

“You two are absolutely no fun.”  His shifted in his seat suddenly. “Shit, it’s on buzz, I hate that.”  He looked at the display. “Fuck, it’s Bellows.  Yeah, what’s up?”  Scowling, he shifted to the other side of the limo, Terry took his place next to Jane.

“Find anything yet?”

“No, just been getting set up.”

“How’d it feel, doing field work?”

She smiled, and hesitantly met his gaze. “It was fun. A rush, you know? Worried about being caught, but not too much, you know? Knew I’d get in.”

“You were prepared, that’s the key.”

She leaned in closer, whispered so that Dino couldn’t hear. “Except for that last bit in the hallway. Sorry.”

He leaned in too, the scent of her perfume reminding him of how she felt, her body tensing in his arms, like an engine revving, then cutting out at she pulled back. He was only sorry that they’d had to stop. “Don’t be,” he said, as nonchalantly as he could muster. “Was a good cover, especially turning so they couldn’t see you. Good thinking.” 

“Okay,” she said uncertainly.

“Jesus fucking Christ.”  Dino shut his cell phone tight and tossed it on the seat. “I knew I should have stayed in New York.”

“What is it, mate?”

“You weren’t listening? There’s been a snatch. Right in our own fucking back yard. Senior Fillipe Perez steps into a limo waiting to take him to a function at the Waldorf. And he never shows up.”

Dino pressed the intercom between the passenger and the front seats. “Move it man, we gotta get to the airport!”

“Reckon we have our plans tonight, mates. Let’s get to work.”

TBC