"What's with the sword anyway?" Bob wondered aloud. "Couldn't she have just as easily fired a round through the door?"
Terry winced internally at both the question and the image of their dead operatives. He was beginning to wonder if anyone in the room had really read her file. No one seemed to quite grasp exactly how formidable she was. He decided another lesson was in order.
"First off," he started. "A round being fired through an object to reach a target is by no means a guaranteed success. Secondly, if indeed the round struck its target it would have the opposite effect of what she was trying to accomplish."
He was glad to see that he now had the attention of everyone in the room. "Like you said yourself, Bob. The Wraith is one of the elite and she didn't become so by being stupid. In fact, she's far more intelligent than I think everyone here realizes. If our man at the door had been shot, he would have fallen or been forced backwards, thereby providing an alternative exit for escape. And since a four-story drop is not an option, her tactic assured that our man would fall forward and block the door. And after dispatching him it was a simple matter to walk next door and wait for Richards to choose the obvious. Richards would neither expose himself or an associate by attempting to remove a body from in front of a door where the enemy may be waiting, if another option existed."
He gave them a few moments to think about that before moving on. "What's the status of incoming assets?"
"We have two junior operatives that should be arriving in Atlanta as we speak. Their team leader is about a day behind them. As for the others, by tomorrow afternoon we should be close to having all our resources domestically available," Bob said.
"Why the delay on the team leader?"
"With the cancellation of all Ops, some of our assets were delayed in the recall to safely withdraw from ongoing operations."
"Understandable."
"Are we looking at putting everyone in Atlanta?" Bob asked.
"Yes, we'll need our surveillance people round the clock on Cameron and if it comes down to a confrontation we need to have the rest standing by to move on her."
"Should our people be made aware of who Cameron really is? With that many assets in one place they're gonna wonder why all the manpower is dedicated to one woman."
"I think that we should. If anything else it would make them far more cautious. If they respect their target they won't be so quick to make hasty decisions. Anyone disagree?" Terry asked and scanning the faces gathered at the table he saw that no one did.
"Okay, Bob. Get a dossier on Cameron to the people you have in Atlanta now. No history, just her Identifier and the information they'll need to begin surveillance."
"With that many assets in one place, how are we going to coordinate or shelter them?" Keith asked.
"Good point," Bob said.
Terry nodded. "Yes, that's a good question. I'll have Mr. Phillips look into finding a suitable base of operations, but for now let's centralize the surveillance teams in one location and the others we can spread out in the hotels closest to C-Corp. Let's make it painfully clear to everyone that Cameron is aware that she is being watched and that they are there to report her whereabouts only. Under no circumstances is anyone to engage her in so much as a conversation unless directly authorized to do so. If she feels threatened in any way, we could rapidly have a situation that we are not wholly prepared for."
Terry stood from his seat. "As of right now, Cameron has made no mistakes and that trend will continue, that is unless we can force her into making one. I believe that this should be our goal and we should bend our minds to achieving it. I've toyed with the idea of using her family as a catalyst to this end and everyone should take this into consideration as well, as it is the only card we currently have in our favor. But keep in mind it is a dangerous card to play. If it were to blow up in our face, the situation would swiftly turn into a free for all."
He picked up his mug and sipped his coffee as he slowly made a circle of the table. "Bob, anyone express interest in a contract yet?"
"It's in circulation, none yet," Bob replied.
"Damn."
"There aren't that many out there willing to take a risk that great. However, there is an Australian free lancer that might present her with a formidable challenge. I was going to ask for opinions regarding contacting him directly," Bob said.
"Have we used him before?" Terry asked.
"No, but several of our counterparts have. The Brits and the French have used him several times."
"Let's wait a couple of days and see if the paper on her draws any attention."
"Alright."
"Okay. Bob, get that dossier to Atlanta, and unless we get a priority, I'll see all of you in the morning."
Terry took up his chair and finished his coffee as everyone collected their things and exited the room. He had the inkling of a plan, but was reluctant to share it at the moment. He could make no more mistakes and dealing with her family was a potential firestorm if the walls fell in on him.
Well into the night he remained seated until finally, he rose and made his way back to his office.
--------
"Heya, Pippy."
"Heya, Nanny," Piper said to her best friend and the person she shared her house with as she closed the door behind her and kicked off her shoes. She threw her purse on the coffee table and plopped down on the sofa next to her.
"Long day, kiddo?" Nancy asked.
"Yep," Piper said with a sigh but brightened immediately. "Hey, where have ya been lately? I got all sorts of news," she added excitedly.
"Ooo, gossip. I can't wait," Nancy said cheerily as she rearranged herself on the couch until she was sitting cross-legged facing Piper. "Some people called in sick and I got tabbed for duty. So tell me, what's up?"
"Well, first off I have a date..." Piper started.
"NO WAY!" Nancy interrupted loudly. "What's the occasion? You're not dying are you?" she asked seriously, looking Piper up and down.
"No, I'm not dying," Piper said with a sigh and a slap to Nancy's arm.
"So who's the lucky girl?" she asked brightly.
"I'll get to that. You remember me telling you that I might have to look for another job, because my boss was killed in that mugging?"
"Yeah, I left the day you went to his funeral. I take it you still have a job?"
"It's better than that. The day after the funeral, the owner called and asked me to be her assistant."
"The owner? That Irish chick that you say everyone calls the Princess of Darkness?"
"Yep, the Princess herself," Piper said with a wide smile.
"Hmmm, I sense something here," Nancy said with a grin.
"Anyways, yesterday I not only got to see her up close for the first time but she asked me to take over John's job and if I do okay, she said it might become permanent and…" She paused significantly. "… I got a twenty-four thousand dollar raise!" she finished excitedly bouncing up and down in her seat.
"Wow, that's great!" Nancy said giggling at her excitement. "I guess two years of doing most your boss's job for him finally paid off," she added with a little scowl.
"Yep, anyways that's not the best part."
"Ooo, there's more," Nancy teased.
"She's beautiful, Nanny," Piper said with a long sigh and fell dramatically against the cushions.
"The Irish chick?" Nancy asked. "What's her name?"
"Bailey Cameron."
"What's she look like?" Nancy asked curiously.
"Well, she's got to be about five-seven and she's got a figure to die for," Piper said excitedly as she sat back up. "She's got the most charming accent and gorgeous black hair to her waist. She's the most striking woman I've ever seen," she sighed again. "Oh, and she has completely black eyes that are really, really intense."
"So what's the scoop, she ask you out?"
"No, I asked her," Piper said with a slight blush.
"What a slut," Nancy laughed and Piper joined in.
"We
ll, I asked her to lunch yesterday…and well... I kissed her on the cheek after… and then…" she glanced up at shyly at Nancy, "…well, I bought her a rose and left it on her desk, and she asked me to dinner tonight."
"You kissed your boss after a business lunch? Jesus, you must be desperate," Nancy chuckled.
"Be quiet, it wasn't like that." She paused and considered. "Well… it was like that but you don't understand."
"What's not to understand? You threw yourself at your boss. Did you fall over with your legs in the air too?" Nancy teased and was rewarded with a punch to the arm.
"No!" she said indignantly.
"Then what?" Nancy asked still chuckling at the scowl on Piper's face.
"She's different, Nanny," Piper said quietly.
"How so?" Nancy asked intrigued.
"Well, she's like so in charge and confident at the office but when I asked her to lunch I thought she was going to sink into the floor."
"Huh?"
"She looked totally lost but she went anyway, she sat at the table for like thirty minutes looking out of place and uncomfortable and she didn't say a word."
"Really? I find that kind of odd. How old is she?"
"She can't be much older than I am, early thirties I guess."
"Hmmm."
"Anyway, I started to feel insecure and asked her if she had a problem with me."
"What did she say?"
"You should have seen her, Nanny. She explained with great difficulty how she wasn't used to being around people and felt out of place. It took such an effort on her part to explain I thought she was going to cave and run from the restaurant. In a way though, it was kind of endearing. I got her to come out of her shell a tad and got her to laugh once. She's got the most attractive laugh." Piper smiled.
"How does a woman who runs a corporation like that not be used to being around people?" Nancy asked curiously.
"She pretty much lets others run it and reaps the benefits I guess. You know I worked there for almost two years and just only recently saw her, she's very reclusive."
"Hmmm," Nancy said suspiciously.
"Nanny, she's not like you expect at all. You approach her at a personal level and she's painfully shy, almost innocent like."
"Huh?" Nancy said unbelieving. "A woman who looks like what you describe would be far from innocent I'd think."
"I don't know about that, she's certainly not worldly innocent, but I think she's relationship innocent," Piper said. "It's kinda hard to explain but she said she's had a pretty solitary life."
"Do I get to meet her?"
"She's coming to pick me up at 6:30 and you better be nice to her."
"Why wouldn't I be nice?" she asked mischievously.
"Because I know you, Nanny," Piper said with narrowed eyes.
"Well, I'll try my best," Nancy said putting on a smile.
"Look, Nan. Wait till you see her okay?" Piper said eyeing the nefarious smile. "She asked me to choose a place because she isn't familiar with many. I don't think she was lying."
"Alright, I'll be on my best behavior," Nancy conceded.
"You'd better, I get the feeling you don't want to mess with her."
"Really?"
"Yes. You'll see for yourself in a little while."
"You really like her a lot?"
"Very much, there's something about her," she said thoughtfully. "I'd like to see where it goes, but I think she's special."
"Alright, girly, you'd better get ready," Nancy said with a look to the clock.
"Oh, no. I should have said 7:00, I'm gonna be late," she said as she hopped from the couch and made for the bathroom.
"Hey, Pippy," Nancy called after her.
Piper stopped and turned around. "What?" she asked impatiently.
"Brush your teeth twice, your breath could bend a wrench," Nancy said with a smile.
Piper shot her the finger and tried to ignore the giggle that followed her into the bathroom.
VI
Can you feel me tremble when we touch?
Can you feel the hands of fate?
- J. Peterik, F. Sullivan
Nancy was folding laundry when the doorbell rang for the second time and with a sigh she threw a half-folded shirt back into the dryer and padded down the hall. As she passed the bathroom she could hear the blow dryer running and realized Piper hadn't heard the door. Smiling and with a little spring to her step, she headed down the hall, happy for the chance to inspect Piper's date without supervision. Summoning the best smug smile she had in her inventory, she opened the door and felt her grin vanish as she was instantly captured in an arresting black-eyed gaze. All thoughts of a good-natured teasing suffered a rapid demise as she watched the smile the woman had been wearing change to a slight scowl.
"Is Piper here?" Bailey asked.
"Hmmm?" Nancy asked distractedly.
"Does Piper Tate live here?"
"Oh, yes," Nancy said regaining her bearings. "You must be Bailey, come on in. Piper's running a little late," she said as she stepped aside to let her in. "I'm Nancy by the way, her roommate."
"Nice to meet you," Bailey said tonelessly as she stepped into the house.
Nancy led her into the family room and gestured toward a couch. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll go see if I can speed her along."
"Alright, thank you," Bailey said remaining on her feet.
Nancy tried not to look hurried as she left the intense woman's presence and made her way down the hall to the bathroom. The blow dryer was still going so she let herself in and closed the door behind her. Piper saw her enter and, with a confused look, turned off the hair dryer.
"What's up?"
"Wow," Nancy stated seriously.
"Huh? What's the matter?"
"Your date is here."
"Oh," Piper said with a smile. "Tell her I'll be out in a sec."
"No way," Nancy said shaking her head.
"What?" Piper said as her smile became a frown.
"No way, she's so intense it's scary."
"What did you say to her?" Piper asked suspiciously with narrowing eyes.
"Nothing, just hurry up will ya."
Piper stared at her a long moment before putting the blow dryer on the counter and walking out of the bathroom.
She emerged from the hall to find Bailey standing uncomfortably in the living room; noticing with a smile that she had dressed in a white blouse and faded blue jeans. Although she wore a black leather half trench, she had even donned a pair of white tennis shoes. Her hair was tied up on the top of her head in a lopsided ponytail that Piper thought was unbelievably cute.
"Hey there, you look great," she said with a smile that became brighter with the light blush her comment produced.
"Thank you," Bailey said. "Uh… you look nice too," she added belatedly.
"Thanks," Piper said amused. "I see you met my roommate. Please forgive her she's mildly retarded," she said gesturing at Nancy who was observing from the hallway.
Nancy, who was staring without trying to look like she was staring, had to do a quick replay upon hearing her name. "Hey," she said indignantly.
"See what I mean? She's just a little slow," she said with a wink at Bailey, noting that she was beginning to shuffle her feet a little.
"I just have to finish my hair and we can go, you can stay out here and watch Nanny try to stifle her chronic drooling or you can come keep me company if ya want?" Piper said with a quick glance at the now reddening Nancy.
She could tell Bailey was at a loss and caught her quick look at the door so she made the decision for her by walking up and taking her hand.
"Come on, we can talk about Nan behind her back," she said as she led Bailey down the hall and into the bathroom. Once the door was closed, Piper picked a brush up from the counter and began to run it through her hair.
"You said Cajun was alright?"
"Uhm… yeah," Bailey said not sure what to think. She felt terribly out of her element and the urge to run wa
s incredibly appealing.
"Great, I know just the place if that's okay?"
"That's fine," she said a little distractedly as she watched Piper tie her hair back.
Piper was also in faded jeans and sneakers but instead of a blouse she had on a New Orleans Saints sweatshirt. Bailey observed the petite woman with what felt like attraction and she had the sudden and surprising impulse to reach out and touch her hair, but she quickly caught herself and stifled the urge. She wasn't sure what the hell was going on with her but she could feel herself staring and abruptly she had to know.
"Piper, is this…" she started but drifted off when Piper's blue eyes came up to meet hers.
"Hmmm?" Piper asked inquiringly.
"Never mind," she said losing her courage.
"Never mind what?" she asked noticing that Bailey seemed more distressed than usual. "You can ask me anything you want, Bailey," she said sweetly to try and put her at ease.
Bailey took a deep breath. "Is this a date?" she asked in a rush.
Piper didn't know whether to be hurt or embarrassed, so she settled for a little of both. She had thought she had been rather obvious in expressing her interest, but one look at Bailey's expression told her that there was far more going on than met the eye and she should handle the situation as delicately as possible.
"Do you want it to be?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know," Bailey said eyeing her shoes.
"Are you attracted to me?" Piper asked carefully, noticing a blush make its way across her features.
"Yes, I mean…" Bailey said quickly and then sighed. "…I don't know."
"Would it help if I said I was attracted to you?" she asked feeling her way.
Bailey shrugged her shoulders.
"Does it bother you that I'm your employee? Because I'll quit if that's the reason."
"Why would you quit?" Bailey asked curiously.
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 12
