PART II: RICO & JEAN
"I like these," Rico said blandly. She wore the same impassive smile she'd been sporting since they'd entered the store, thirty minutes beforehand.
"No, they're too feminine," Jean replied, not looking up from the rack of slacks he was thumbing through. "Something with straighter lines, Rico."
"Yes, sir." Rico hung the pants back up and linked her hands behind her back.
"These ought to do."
Jean held up a pair of gray slacks. They were plain in the truest sense of the word: no details or embroidery, no pleats or creases, not even any pockets. Rico gave him the same tired smile. It was obvious she was beginning to get worn down. "Yes, sir. They're very nice."
Rico took the pants from him obediently and they headed toward the register. They passed an aisle of brightly colored sundresses, and Jean couldn't help hearing Rico's slight but sharp intake of breath and seeing how her eyes lit up. Her mouth opened slightly, then snapped shut again as she clamped down on the request.
"Rico." At the sound of her handler's voice, Rico pulled up short. "I'd like you to try on one of these dresses. My brother's can't be the only presentable fratello, understand?"
Rico nodded, her face glowing. Jean tried to ease his scowl into an encouraging smile. He tried to imagine Rico in a dress, looking so much like Enrica on the first day of school…
He approached a shapeless, olive-drab dress that looked like something a nun might encourage her daughter to wear. It had a tall collar and long sleeves, and was completely out of place among its peacock-bright, backless companions. "What do you think of, uh, this one…?"
