The restaurant was like nothing he'd ever seen before. Although he knew and enjoyed most of the hot clubs in LA, his usual taste in restaurants was very low-end, consisting mainly of pizza parlors, Chinese and seedy bars. This definitely was out of his comfort zone. Cicada's interior was a combination of Art Deco and contemporary design elements. It was elegant and clearly expensive. Before they got out of the car, Hetty had handed him a black American Express card and told him he needed to get used to throwing it around like it was second nature to him. His limit, or Julian Rix's limit, was $250,000. Deeks almost choked.
Austin moved through the restaurant like he was bored to tears, hardly acknowledging the hostess as she led them to a small private table. Deeks began to watch him closely for tips on how to behave in this exotic atmosphere.
"Full wine list, please," he immediately said to the approaching waiter. His voice was dismissive and firm, but polite. He didn't even wait to acknowledge the man's response, expecting to be obeyed. Deeks was fascinated. He sat studying his menu, when he looked up to discover Richard Barnaby studying him and he again got the feeling of being off balance.
"Am I doing something wrong already?" Julian asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Yes. You're rushing." Richard said softly. "Remember, Julian Rix hasn't worked a day in his life. He has nowhere to be, no appointments, and he loves being out and about and being the center of attention. Take your time, relax, and slouch in your chair like you do in your own apartment. Treat this place like it is home to you, like it's second nature for you to be here, and although you are bored, you wouldn't think about being anywhere else."
"Oh, and Mr. Rix, a lovely lady will be entering the restaurant shortly," Hetty told him with a smile. "Her name is Isabella Sandoval, and her date for this evening will fail to appear. But you will gallantly walk to her table and ask her to join us, and you will make quite an impression doing it."
"This is beginning to get interesting, Charlotte," Richard commented as he sharply closed the wine list after ordering a bottle of Malbec. He handed the wine list to Deeks, who nonchalantly perused it, noticing that the bottle Richard Barnaby had just ordered was priced at $175. And that was inexpensive compared to some of the wines listed. This was going to take some getting used to.
As he finally decided on what to order, he looked up to see Kensi being led to a table for two in the middle of the room. She looked stunning in a shimmering grey cocktail dress that was short and elegant. Her hair was loose and softly curled, dancing around her shoulders, which were bare. A simple diamond necklace graced her lovely throat and Deeks swallowed hard and then looked quickly at Hetty. They both saluted him with their wine and he smiled. Now this was just plain fun, he thought.
They took their time ordering and then watched Kensi, or Isabella, as she asked the waiter to check to see if she had somehow missed her date at the bar. She asked it loudly enough so that the people at the tables around her knew what was happening. She was playing her part brilliantly, looking embarrassed and nervous. Deeks was really starting to feel sorry for her and so was everyone else in the vicinity.
After an agonizing amount of time and just after the appetizers had been served, Julian Rix stood and slowly made his way across the restaurant toward Isabella Sandoval's table.
"Hello, miss," Julian said warmly. "My name is Julian Rix."
"Oh, hello, I'm Isabella," She said in a delightful Spanish accent, offering her hand, which Julian took in both of his.
"May I sit down?" he asked politely as he gave her a small kind smile. She nodded her assent and he could see the other diners watching.
"I find it hard to believe a woman as beautiful as you is dining alone," he said softly as he leaned slightly forward, looking as if he wanted to keep the conversation private.
"I don't know what has happened to the man I was to meet here," she looked embarrassed and exasperated and a small tear dropped to her cheek. Julian Rix calmly offered her his silk handkerchief and she smiled softly at him as she accepted it.
"Well, until he arrives, would you like to join me and my friends?" Julian asked quietly. "When he arrives, I'm sure the hostess will let you know and you can continue your evening. We would love to have you enjoy a first course with us until then." Then he stood, offering her his hand and as she stood to walk with him, a small murmur of voices and smiles followed them back to his table.
Introductions were made, and the entire meal was spent in quiet conversation among friends and Deeks couldn't keep his eyes off Kensi. He didn't see the look that passed between Hetty and Austin as they watched the undercover officer start to become comfortable in his surroundings and with his new alias.
On the way out of the restaurant Julian Rix and Isabella Sandoval were photographed by the paparazzi and Charlotte Wordingham was more than happy to provide them with names and a little bit of enticing information about the two. In the morning their photos graced the gossip columns and the name Julian Rix was being spoken of in just the right circles.
...
"Austin isn't just your chef, is he Hetty?" Deeks stood very still as Hetty stuck pins down his inseam as she continued to tailor another suit for him.
"Let's just say he's a great cook, but a better undercover consultant," Hetty said as she concentrated on Deeks pant leg.
"Is he gay or not?" Deeks asked curiously. He really couldn't tell what was real when it came to Austin Fellers. If he was playacting, then he was the best and most believable undercover Deeks had ever met.
"Does it matter? You believed he was." Hetty answered.
"Is he going to consult this whole week?" Deeks wondered.
"He's at your disposal for as long as you need him, Mr. Deeks," she answered and stood up to admire her handiwork.
So, everyday for a week, Deeks and Austin Fellers, and sometimes Hetty, went out to the most sophisticated clubs and most expensive restaurants in the area. Isabella and Julian were becoming an item in the celebrity columns and were seen together at the hottest clubs in LA. Austin introduced him at several charity events where he never failed to give a generous donation. His shopping spree on Rodeo Drive was picked up by a local television crew, as he bought the lovely Isabella Sandoval anything she wanted and seemed be having a great time doing it and money appeared to be no object.
...
"You're kidding, right?" Deeks asked as he tried to take in the house and grounds that would be the new home of Julian Rix. The estate was on a hill overlooking the Pacific and once belonged to the actor Cary Grant. It had extensive grounds and a large pool with a guesthouse.
"I never kid about real estate, Mr. Deeks," Hetty was enjoying the childlike wonder on her agent's face. She knew after she unveiled the next surprise she would probably be able to knock him over with a feather. "Shall we visit the garage, Julian?" She asked, trying to nudge him back into character.
"Lead the way, Miss Wordingham," Julian replied with a lopsided grin. This is way too much fun to be work, he thought as he followed her down the stone staircase. Then he reminded himself how many men this syndicate, had already killed, and the smile left his face. He had to remember this was as dangerous a game as going undercover as a drug dealer, maybe even more so, since he wasn't sure what kind of people he was dealing with yet. He was lost in thought when they stopped in front of the garage.
"Your new wheels, Mr. Rix," Miss Wordingham said with a sweeping gesture of her hand, as she presented the three new cars available for his use. Julian Rix disappeared and was replaced by Marty Deeks, looking like a little kid who had just found a pile of presents under the Christmas tree. They would have to work on his reaction to expensive gifts, Hetty thought.
"You are definitely kidding me now, Hetty," Deeks walked slowly around a red Maserati convertible. He ran his hand along the hood, the wondrous smile never leaving his face. Then he turned to take in the silver Bentley beside it and he swallowed hard. He had never even ridden in cars like these, let alone driven one.
"The Bentley will be used for evening excursions when Austin will drive you," Hetty told him. "The Maserati will be your everyday car, and the blue car over there, will be used when we really need to impress the head of the syndicate." She led him over to stand in front of the car.
"This, Mr. Deeks, is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. It has a 16-cylinder 1001 HP engine, and is only available in Europe right now. It is the most expensive car in the world." Hetty was looking forward to taking this one for a spin herself. She turned to see a shocked look on her agent's face.
"This is too much, Hetty," he said softly. "I'll be afraid to drive it. What if I put a dent in it? Or wreck it? You're not going to take it out of my pay like you do with the clothes I mess up are you?"
"Hardly, Mr. Deeks," Hetty smiled. "It costs $1,192,060."
"What?" Deeks went pale and sat back on the side of the Bentley and then realized what he was leaning on and jumped away from it. "You are going to let me drive that?"
"Julian Rix will," she answered as she led him back to the Maserati and handed him the keys.
"Get used to it Mr. Deeks," Hetty said firmly. "You have to make them believe you are who you say you are."
"You're right Hetty. I'm sorry, it's all still a little overwhelming," Deeks laughed nervously. "I'll try not to let you down."
"Don't worry about letting me down, Marty," she said softly. "Worry about not getting yourself killed."
They stared at each other for a moment, and then he tossed the keys in the air and caught them with a grin and jumped into the Maserati. He revved the engine and then peeled out of the garage and down the long driveway, waving to her as he left. She sucked in her breath and hoped she had made the right call about which agent to send on this assignment, because if she was wrong, and he got himself killed, she would never forgive herself.
...