[Colt Information Agency 01.0] Agent Colt: Classified Pride Read online

  By the time I made it to the bathroom, I had swallowed back the bile and could breathe again. I pushed open the door and spotted Vaneesa bent over the sink counter as she fixed her lipstick in the mirror.

  “It’s about time! For as long as I’ve been in here folks are going to think I had a bad lunch or something.”

  Man, she was a refreshing change from the snobs in the room outside.

  “Don’t worry; the room is secure. No one else is in here, and it’s bugged in three places. Full audio coverage. Though I don’t want to be the one reviewing those tapes,” Vaneesa said as she wrinkled her nose.

  “You are amazing. I didn’t realize you were a field operative, too,” I said to her, impressed with her skills.

  “Well, to be honest, Colonel Lyon was pretty strict on us withholding pertinent details and information from you. He wanted to see how well you would react and adjust as we built your cover and got you settled in,” Vaneesa murmured. “He’s kind of a dick.”

  I laughed so hard I snorted. I’m sure that was super sexy. But Vaneesa giggled at me and then turning serious she straightened her dress, took a deep breath and left the bathroom.

  After she was gone, I took care of my own business and washed my hands. Checking my makeup in the mirror, I brought out my liner and lipstick and made some quick adjustments. I honestly was just stalling. I sighed in resignation and tossed the makeup into my clutch and left the bathroom.

  I didn’t see Gerard the Ferrari owner as I re-entered the main room, and I was thankful for that. I felt like one of those well-cushioned lounge chairs was calling to me and my feet, so I made my way over to one near the band. Maybe if it were loud where I was sitting, no one would talk to me.

  Just as I gained my seat, a waiter came by and made an inquisitive gesture over the music. I ordered a white wine, and he wandered off towards the bar. My hopes that no one would want to talk were quickly dashed as another guy caught my eye and made his way over. Tall, dark and a full day unshaven pulled another lounge chair over close to mine, then sat down.

  “I’d ask if you’d like a drink, but I see you already have one coming,” he said, voice raised over the music.

  His voice was deep, and so was his brown gaze. He was giving me some serious puppy dog eyes and it was almost cute. I relieved the waiter of my drink and took a small sip before answering him.

  “Well, at least your first words to me aren't about your Ferrari collection,” I drawled.

  The guy laughed. “You’ve spoken with Gerard, I see. Most of us hate him. He’s a money show off. My name is Philip by the way.”

  He held out his hand for a regular handshake, and I immediately raised my evaluation of his character.

  “Lovely to meet you, Philip. My name is…”

  “Tessa. Beautiful name. Everyone here knows it, as well as your family’s business and holdings. You see, most of the men here are just dying to snag a wealthy bride and take over her business. You are a candidate that has most of them drooling in their whiskey glasses. I’m more of a mind to do business with you directly,” he said as he reached into his jacket, producing a calling card.

  Philip Townsend, his card stated. Canada? Interesting. Town and Country Power Holdings was the business name.

  “You see I am working on bringing more natural energy resources to Canada. Mainly in the lower British Columbia area, but with plans to expand quickly. I know your family business has the best model for wind energy, and I would love to talk sometime about getting turbines in place on one of my fields.”

  I responded in my light Texan drawl. “Well, that is heartening to hear! We rely too much on oil and gas and need to be looking ever towards the future. It would be my pleasure to speak with you another time on this, perhaps in a less alcohol-fueled setting?”

  Philip boomed a laugh. “Agreed. I’ll send a message to your office sometime, and we can set up a meeting.” After he had spoken, he stood and presented me his hand once more. “I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Henderly.”

  After shaking again, he wandered off towards the hall leading to the downstairs rooms. Glancing around, I spotted Vaneesa leaning against the railing of the patio outside. She tapped on the rail three times, then turned around peering out over the lake. Isaiah walked over to her and leaned down to say something, but Vaneesa turned and walked away before he could speak.

  She sure was a spitfire. How could I not like her?

  I walked my empty wine glass back over to the bar. I hadn’t planned on drinking much, but I was still feeling relatively sober. Jacob the bartender/backup walked over to me.

  “Any special requests?” he asked.

  That particular phrase had always been indicative of the need to pass on Intel in previous missions. So I took my chances.

  “Drop me a Bloody Bombshell, Jacob.”

  He smiled and went about gathering the items he needed to make the requested drink. He dropped the ice, tomato juice, Vodka and Red Bull into the blender.

  “The man who gave you his business card is in town to sell stolen arms. He is staying in room 113,” Jacob spoke fast and just loud enough for me to hear over the blender.

  Switching it off, he poured me a shot glass full of the disgusting drink, and I threw it back. If I wasn’t sober before, that stuff sure did the trick.

  Feeling pretty secure in the capability of my backup operatives, I made my way outside to find Isaiah to tell him about my new Canadian friend.

  Chapter Eleven

  Isaiah spotted me as I approached and I gave him the signal that I had information. The signal consisted of me walking to the banister and pressing the back of my hand to my forehead as if I were overheated. It was a ridiculous gesture, but it was one we had been using since the beginning of our partnership and had never changed it.

  I was pretty sure he had requested the signal as a joke, but I hadn’t cared to argue with him at the time.

  “May I request the honor of being the first person you dance with tonight?” Isaiah said as he approached.

  He sure was a smooth talker. It was no wonder he always had a woman on his arm at parties.

  “You know, I would love that right now,” I replied.

  He offered me his arm, and I looped mine through his. Our walk to the dance floor was a familiar one, a routine we had established well over the years of being partners.

  We danced pretty incredibly together, too. Of course, we had had lessons; hours and hours of lessons. People usually thought of spies as just kick-ass assassins. But there were other things we had to train in just as much.

  We started out with his hand on my waist, my hand on his shoulder, and our other hands in the air touching. Halfway through the dance he swooped me into a low dip and brought me back up and against him, both hands on my waist. I slid my arms around his neck so that I could now speak into his ear.

  He spoke first, of course. “You are as gorgeous as Morticia Addams, tonight.”

  And there’s another one for my list of Amazing Femmes never to emulate again.

  “Looks like we have a possible illegal arms dealer here. I chatted with the guy a few minutes ago. Jacob gave me his room number.” As I spoke, I glanced around for Vaneesa. Spotting her I tapped my nose twice, the sign for 'need to powder my nose', or meet me in the bathroom.

  “Well, looks like we have ourselves a possible mission, then,” Isaiah said.

  “We will have to do this carefully, as I have no weapons besides the pins I got from the bar. Also, the hallway to Philip Townsend’s room can be seen by everyone in here. So here is what I am thinking. I will go to the restroom and meet Vaneesa. She will let me in the back door of the hotel hallway in fifteen minutes. While I am in the restroom, I need you to find Alonso and ask him to meet me five blocks down in ten minutes,” I explained my plan to him, quickly running down all the details.

  “And what will I be doing after I play messenger boy to Alonso?”

  “You will be securing us a gondola, and we wi
ll be going for a romantic row up the canal.”

  “Romantic row, huh? I'm not sure I want the gondolier to see the things I'd like to do to you.”

  “Trust me. You will be the only one handling the pole tonight,” I hissed at him.

  Without warning, Isaiah dipped me low before I had a chance to let go of his neck. Forced to break my hold, I then felt his arm slip under my backside causing me to stumble backward, windmilling to catch my balance.

  “What the hell was that?” I hissed at him.

  “My darling, are you alright?” Isaiah boomed, as he grabbed my elbow.

  Gerard the Ferrari boy's voice came from behind me, “My dear, are you okay? Do you need to sit?”

  Standing tall I willed myself not to glare daggers at Isaiah.

  “I do believe I’ve just drunk a bit too much. I'll just be heading off to powder my nose now,” I said, smiling at Gerard before I walked away.

  I let myself weave just a bit to keep up the appearance of being a bit inebriated as I made my way to the restroom.

  Upon entering, Vaneesa was once again adjusting her makeup, but this time had the water running. She placed her bag up on the counter and fished what appeared to be a compact out of it. She set it down on the counter and edged it towards me.

  I turned on the water at the sink in front of me, then turned to check the stalls. A pair of silver heels showed under one of them. Glancing back at Vaneesa I caught her winking at me just before she picked up her bag and walked out of the bathroom, 'forgetting' her compact.

  Turning off the water, I swooped up the compact, left the room and swerved my way towards the patio. As I walked past the bar, Jacob tapped twice on the counter surface, then flicked his finger towards the band. I snuck a glance in that direction and noticed Philip seated with several other gentlemen, engrossed in animated conversation. I hoped it would keep him busy for a while.

  Once on the patio, Isaiah made his way over to me.

  “Darling, I hope you are feeling better. I secured us a gondola, and I hoped you would join me on the canal,” he proposed, as charming as ever.

  “That sounds fantastic! Lead the way.”

  We walked down the brick lane set in a lush, green lawn to the canal to find several gondolas floating on the water, but no gondoliers attending them.

  “I paid them all to go on a break so that I could have you all alone. They didn't even argue.”

  Clever yet creepy. But it got the job done. We clambered into the gondola, and he pushed us away from the canal wall.

  “Okay, let's get to our meeting with Alonso,” I said as I pulled out the compact that Vaneesa gave me.

  Inside were two sets of earpieces. She sure did think of everything.

  I handed one set to Isaiah and took over the pole while he fitted them. I expected him to make some remark at how I handled the pole even after saying I wouldn't, but he was quiet. Thank goodness.

  He took back over the work, and I placed my earpieces into my ears.

  “Such a lovely evening out here on the water,” I said to test the transmission of the earpieces.

  “The moonlight only enhances your beauty, darling,” Isaiah chimed in.

  “I read you both loud and clear.” Vaneesa's voice chirped in my ear. “No one in the ballroom is suspicious of your absence, most of them did see you leave together, however.”

  Great. I’ve already started my cover off with a reputation as easy. I'm pretty sure an heiress could have whatever man she wanted, but was likely to be more discreet about it. I'd have to figure out a way to turn that around.

  Isaiah, of course, smiled brightly at the thought of all those rich men seeing him take me away from the room. Pig.

  We kept silent the rest of the way down the canal, hugging the edge of the waterway to keep hidden from anyone above us. Right on time we reached the alleyway where Alonso was to meet us.

  There was no pier or stairs at this location, so I grabbed the top of the stone wall and began to pull myself up. Isaiah grabbed my ankles and pushed to help. I wanted to be upset at this intrusion on my person, but with his help, I didn't get my dress dirty. At least he was in spy mode again.

  Vaneesa's voice broke through once more. “Isaiah we need you to return to the ballroom. Come in through the main entrance. Distract Philip so Tess can have some time to get in and out safely.”

  “It was a lovely time with you tonight, parting is such sweet sorrow,” Isaiah said as he winked at me from below.

  He pushed the gondola away from the wall and fought the current back to the hotel. I watched for a few seconds to make sure that no one was nearby to see either of us. Satisfied that all was quiet, I turned and went to find Alonso.

  Chapter Twelve

  Getting back into the hotel was a breeze with Vaneesa there to let me in. We walked together down the hall to room 113.

  “Cameras in the hallway are all down for the next five minutes, Tess. It will be at least that long before the security guard gets back to fix it,” Vaneesa said in a low voice. She squeezed my arm gently before she walked away to be my second set of eyes and ears in the ballroom.

  I crouched down and took the metal picks from my purse and within seconds had the old fashioned lock undone. Before I opened the door, I removed a small can of what appeared to be hairspray from my handbag and sprayed it under the door. With a micro monocular disguised as a tube of lipstick, I peered through the keyhole.

  “You look lovely tonight, darling.” Isaiah's voice broke in through the earpiece. Typical. The first thing he would do upon return is flirt with someone. But then, maybe everyone would see it and think I’d dumped him.

  As I suspected there was a trip sensor just inside the door, but low enough not to be triggered by opening it. I quickly stood up and let myself in, the door just missing the sensor.

  The red laser ran across the entryway, barely six inches inside. I hitched up my skirt and stepped over the laser, shutting the door behind me. I made my way through the room, spraying around the floor just in case of extra sensors. None showed up.

  “Isaiah has arrived in the main room, he's dancing with the blonde bimbo to blend in,” Vaneesa said.

  I smiled. I'm sure Isaiah would have some choice words for her later. Back to the task, I opened each dresser drawer and rifled through the clothes. In the top drawer, I found a small picture of a young girl running through a field of daisies. Flipping the picture over I saw 'Sarah 7 years' scribbled on the back. Leverage? Maybe.

  I replaced the picture in the drawer and turned to the walk-in closet. I patted down all the jackets and pants and found a card with a name in one jacket pocket. ‘Roberto’ it said, listing a phone number under it. I slipped the card into my bra and turned to the safe.

  It was a heavy duty safe, one that could take a few minutes to crack.

  “Vaneesa, Isaiah, I need time. Please advise on distraction.”

  “Gerard! Tell me about those Ferraris you have. I was thinking of purchasing one later this year.” Isaiah's voice chirped in.

  “He has Gerard and Philip both in conversation. I'd say you have at least a few minutes. There are no cameras in that room, but if you need extra time, you will need to find another escape route than the hallway. The hallway cameras will be back on in about a minute.”

  With their confirmation, I stooped down to the safe and brought out a small magnetic device that flashed as sounds resonated beneath it. I stuck the device next to the dial and spun the dial a few times to calibrate it.

  Slowly I moved the dial forward, slowly, waiting for the first click.

  “I think we've all drunk enough to dance some more, what do you say?” Isaiah said. “Let's request a waltz from the band and find some ladies to join you….” His voice disappeared as I pulled the comms from my ears and stuffed them in my handbag. I was already straining to concentrate on this, and his voice was distracting me.

  First click.

  With practiced skill, I began to move the dial back in the ot
her direction. Almost immediately the second click sounded, showing as a blip through the device. Taking a deep breath, I moved the dial back clockwise. It felt like forever before the final click resonated and the safe door popped open.

  I removed the magnetic device and slipped it back in my bag. Spraying inside the safe for good measure, I was glad to see no lasers inside. There was, however, a large pile of cash. I reached in my bag and stuffed my comms back in my ears.

  “Oh, I just couldn't dance again; my feet are killing me.”

  Oh no, somehow Isaiah had dragged Vaneesa out to dance. His payback tactics were brutal sometimes.

  “Tess, Isaiah has the men at the bar. How are things in there?”

  “I found a name and a number we can run later. I'm going through the safe now. There's some loose cash in here. He may have already sold the weapons,” I said as I pulled out the camera disguised as a tube of mascara.

  I hastily took pics of all the money and documents in the safe without disturbing anything. We would analyze the pictures later for any further information we could put together.

  “Tess, Philip is on the move. He's headed to the room.”

  Shit. I took the last few pictures, closed the safe and spun the dial. I slid the closet door shut, so it was the same as how I had found it. All the drawers were all closed on the dresser I had gone through. No sign of any intrusion. I could only hope the fog from the spray would be entirely dissipated in the closet by the time Mr. Townsend came in.

  “Tess, he's in the hallway. You need to find that other exit now.”

  I ran over to the window. The windows were secured, but when undone, they pushed outwards towards the lawn. I unlatched them, flung the windows open and climbed through. Bringing the windows almost closed I positioned the latch at an angle to fall downward when I shut them.