“Wellenough.Buthold on because we just got to the room and haven’t finished sweeping it yet…”Iglance at my watch.It’sabout 4:30 p.m. for her. “Okay, the sweep is done.We’reall clear.”
Mymom’s voice had initially been chatty, but with the “all clear” news, she instantly switches intoCSADirectormode, and her voice matches the role. “I’vegot mission news, so ifZoeis there with you and you’re alone, you can put me on speaker.”
Ido, andZoesteps closer soIdon’t have to turn the volume up any higher than needed.There’sa buzz between us that’s always there when we are close, and it does something to my chest.So, likeIalways do,Idivert my thoughts to the mission, which is pretty easy to do with the director on the phone talking about it.
“Wegot word tonight that…MonaLizadidn’t get on her flight.”Theway my mom paused before saying the code name for the appraiser tells me she’s not entirely comfortable with the name “MonaLiza.”I’mnow one hundred percent convinced thatCharliemust’ve given the appraiser that nickname early on and it stuck. “Shewas supposed to travel on the red-eye fromEnglandtoBelgrade, and we were going to delay her in customs until you completed your mission in the morning.”
Iturn to faceZoe, and we both just look at each other, knowing that the plan we’d had for this mission as we walked into the room is no longer going to be the plan.
“BothEmerson’sandKenneth’steams have been searching online chatter and they’ve caught wind of a by-invitation-only auction inBelgrade, and we think it’s at the same mansion that theTrustart piece is at.MonaLizawas previously inAustria, so we believe that instead of heading home to theUKfor a few days before flying toBelgrade, she just took an overnight train straight fromAustriatoBelgradeto give her extra time to prepare for the auction.”
“Sono more impersonatingMonaLiza,”Zoesays.
“No.Wewere relying onZoranSavovic, the owner of the mansion, having not metMonaLizain person, but we believe she arrived at his place three days ago, so you no longer will look similar enough to pull off the impersonation.”
Iask, “Whenis the auction?”
“Infive days.”
Zoenods. “Thatmight be when the team trying to steal the art pieces will act.Sowe’ll need to come up with a new plan to get to the art piece and plant the tracker before then.”
“Yes,” the director says. “Thereis word that the collectors who they invited can request a private viewing before the auction.Butthe only way to get a private viewing is to be on the guest list.”
“Sowe need to get our names on that guest list,”Isay.
“Agreed.ButIknow you’ve both had a long day and likely have jet lag, soI’lllet you head to bed.Keepme updated.”
Assoon asIend the call,Zoesays, “Allright, so we should brainstorm a plan to get us on that list.”
“Inthe morning,”Isay, picking up my bag and walking toward the door on the right since it’s closer.
“No,tonight.”
Iturn to face her. “Youslept on the plane, didn’t you?”
Shestretches like she just woke up. “Yes, and it was glorious.Sorestful.Nowlet’s plan.”
Iactually can’t tell if she’s being serious or not.Shewould’ve claimed the win for a restful flighteven if she hadn’t slept a wink. “Youcan never stop working, can you?”
“Hello.Weare on a mission.It’skind of how these things work.Wehave to always be on top of our game.”
“Whichwe will be only if we get sleep,”Itell her.It’sbeen a long day in a different time zone. “We’llcome up with a better plan in the morning when we’ve got fresh minds than we ever could tonight.Howabout we get together right after my run?”Iknow that adding in a run is going to frustrate her, butIcan’t help it.It’sjust too easy.Plus,Ireally like starting the day with a run.
“Youare infuriating!Icareabout the success of this mission.”
“Oh,Iknow you do.”Ifnothing else,Iadmire her passion.Theway she can get so fired up about things is actually very impressive.And, okay, she’s really good at being an operative.She’salso unbelievably attractive.Icould write an entire sonnet just about her looks.Me.Theguy who came this close to taking aCinEnglishLitmy sophomore year, nearly destroying my perfectGPA, becauseIrefused to write one.
Evenstanding there in her soft pants and matching tee, underhandedly accusing me of not caring about this mission,Ihave to admire her ability to achieve her objectives, even ifIdon’t admire the lengths she will go to do it.ButIwill never let her know how muchIadmire her ever again.
Nope.Now, ifI’mforced to work with her,Ijust have to find joy in needling her.
“Whatis that supposed to mean?” she asks.
“Thatyou’ll succeed atanycost.”
“Andthat’s a bad thing?”
Bagstill in hand,Icross my arms. “Itdepends on the cost.”Shesucceeded at the cost of me once.Sheprobably doesn’t even have a line she won’t cross.Nocost is too high for her.
