"Okay, Eliot…Sophie, let's get started," Nate spoke from his vantage point in the hotel room, Alec Hardison sitting nearby, drinking an orange soda. They were in La Paz, Bolivia, actually attempting a kidnapping. Granted, Nate had called it stealing a corrupt government official but it was basically a kidnapping. Eduardo Dominguez was embezzling money earmarked for special projects that would help with some of the more impoverished parts of the city. That alone was enough for them to take him down. But when Jim Sterling, their adversary from Interpol, contacted the team about Dominguez, offering solid evidence that he was also involved in international arms dealing, he sweetened the deal. By bringing Dominguez in and surrendering him to Sterling, they would get Interpol off their backs…at least for a while.
"I've got my eye on Dominguez. He's chatting up or rather feeling up an attractive woman. They seem quite intimate, Nate," Sophie Devereaux responded into her ear piece. They were in one of the hotel's large ballrooms, set up for a fund-raising reception for one of the other local officials. The event would last all weekend, giving the team a couple of chances to get to Dominguez, who was a guest.
"Well, guess you'll just have to insinuate yourself in the romance, Soph. You know how to do that," the humor in Nate's voice unmistakable.
"She's leaving now," this was Parker who had been in her customary role of wait staff.
"Coast is clear," Eliot Spencer responded, taking another eagle-eyed sweep of the room.
The woman who had walked away from their target crossed behind Eliot, headed towards one of the buffet tables set up in the room. But, when she heard that voice, she turned back. As she spied the man from whom it came, she could only see red. Easing a small-caliber mouse gun from her bag, she walked up behind him, jammed the barrel into his ribs and whispered, "Don't turn around and don't make a scene. Walk straight out the door in front of you and, I'm warning you, Eliot, don't try to disarm me in here."
A ripple of concern went through the entire team. It was bad enough that one of them had been recognized but that it was Eliot seriously handcuffed them. In addition, the threat, broadcast loud and clear through Spencer's ear bud, was delivered very calmly and with authority. Obviously the speaker was confident enough that they could execute the promise made. Nate immediately sprang into action, barking orders, "Sophie, hold up. Parker, follow as closely as you can. Hardison, you need to get me eyes." Each of the players responded affirmatively, all on guard for Eliot.
Eliot nodded, knowing he couldn't do anything but obey the woman who held a gun very expertly against his body, and began walking. He had heard Nate's instructions so he knew the team was well aware of his situation. Once outside in the hall, he would take matters into his own hands.
As soon as they were through the doors, the woman grabbed Spencer's arm forcing him to turn and face her, putting his back solidly against the wall. When he locked eyes with his captor, Eliot's mouth fell open. The hard slap across his face even made the team jump as they heard it through their receivers.
"Parker?" Nate asked.
"I've got them, Nate," she whispered in response. But was stalled from saying anything else when the woman who had Eliot hissed, "You son of a bitch."
"Hello, Kayla." Their hitter responded very calmly.
"That's all you've got to say to me? Hello, Kayla?"
He shrugged, "How have you been?"
He saw her eyes flare. But, she held her temper and instead asked, "Why are you here?"
Eliot hesitated, "Why do you think?" Over the years, listening to Nate and Sophie work, he had learned that it was better to let the mark draw their own conclusions. You sometimes gathered valuable information that way.
"If you're here for Dominguez, you need to leave." She paused for emphasis, "Now."
Damn, Eliot thought, not good. Where he was listening in, Nate was concerned but kept quiet. He would let the younger man control the situation. Spencer shook his head, "Sorry, Kayla. I can't do that."
She pointed her gun at him, "Eliot, for old times' sake, I'm going to give you one more chance to walk past me and walk out. Otherwise…" Kayla trailed off, knowing he was smart enough to finish her thought.
He shook his head and, once again, said, "It's not going to happen. But, I am sorry."
"Sorry?" She snorted. "That's it? Sorry?"
"Yeah, sorry," he responded. Kayla saw Eliot's eyes shift slightly but before she could respond, she felt the charge of electricity race through her body and she fell forward into his arms.
The cat burglar moved so gracefully. Eliot could usually pick her up but she had caught him unawares once or twice. So he wasn't surprised when she was the one that moved in as his backup. The stun gun in her hand, Parker knelt next to Eliot and the woman, Kayla. "Who is she?"
"Well," he hesitated, "her name is Kayla Logan. And, there's an outside chance, she's my wife." Eliot made a face and tacked on, "I think."
The Grifter had made a slow exit from the dining room, hoping to follow after Eliot to offer support. However, hearing those words from Eliot, Sophie all but tripped. She put her finger to her ear and asked, "Did he say wife?"
"Uh, yeah," was Nate's shocked answer. "Eliot?"
"I've got her room key. Hardison, can you give me the number?" Eliot ignored Nate.
Hardison had a flashback to a conversation he and Eliot had shared. Spencer had been adamant that while he was once close, he had never been married. The Hacker smiled evilly because there was a tale here that he would be digging to find. Looking towards their leader, he saw Nate's nod of approval. He answered, "Yeah put it near your phone." Alec gave Eliot the information he wanted and then watched as Nate left their command center, presumably headed to the same room as Eliot. Then, Hardison heard the order, "Everyone else back to our suite. Eliot, I'm coming to you."
Spencer exchanged a look with Parker. Those were not the words he wanted to hear from Nate. He really, really didn't want to discuss this particular situation with the boss. Nate had a way of uncovering secrets and then making logical jumps that, well, was just frustrating. Shrugging it off, he lifted Kayla and then followed Parker through the maze of halls of the hotel until he got to the room. Once inside, he put Kayla on the couch with her wrists secured behind her in handcuffs that Parker produced (Eliot didn't ask) and waited for Nate.