Act IV: "So Much For Friendly Service."
Illya looked much better when Talia returned to escort him to dinner. "Well," she said. "I see you seem to have recovered from your trip." He looked at her questioningly. "And I checked the security room. There's no camera in here that I can find."
"Good. I felt like I was center stage all afternoon." He was in front of a large mirror straightening his tie. "David had this jacket sent up. I guess I passed the pathetic invalid test." He tilted his head toward the window to his left. "This room has a good view of the outside terrain," he commented as he slipped on the jacket and began to fiddle with the collar.
She stepped up to him and helped him with the collar. "That's why I selected it," she mused as she worked the cloth. They were eye to eye, and when she reached for the back of the jacket their faces were mere inches apart. She froze, and then slowly backed off, her cheeks flushed. "Um, it's also closest to the inner perimeter wall," she said quietly. She smoothed the front lapels and stepped back.
Illya's pulse jumped when he felt the warmth of her breath on his cheek. The smell of her hair brought forth a familiar tingle, but he forced his heart to calm and ordered his arms to stay at his side. "I noticed," he said lowly.
"Ah … and, um, this window isn't visible from any other room on this side of the, um, house," she stammered. "If Napoleon sets up right there," she turned her back to him and pointed out the window to a rock outcropping in the nearby hill outside the double walls, "he can see us."
She finished in a strong voice but the agent had noticed the stutter and her trembling hand. Unbidden hope fluttered in the back of his mind, and he again forced the feelings down. He looked out the window and saw storm clouds gathering overhead. The outcropping glowed momentarily in the disappearing moonlight.
Their eyes connected uncomfortably when she turned back to face him. "You look," Illya began, instantly noting a frightened flash in her eyes. "Hungry." He offered his elbow. "Shall we go?" She breathed a relieved sigh and took it with a shaky smile. He turned his mind from the building emotion to the event at hand as Talia escorted him to dinner.
David met them at the bottom of the stairs. Talia smoothly transferred to his arm. "You look rested, Androv," he said politely as they moved off down the hall.
"Yes. It was a tiring trip. The room is very nice," Illya replied.
"I'm glad you're comfortable." He turned to Talia. "And you look wonderful," he said, patting her hand.
"Thank you, sir!" She said with a playful smile.
Illya felt a twinge inside that irritated him and he deftly ignored it. As they walked through the moodily lit hallway to the dining room a low rumble sounded from outside followed by sudden, heavy thrumming of rain. The idea of Solo camping in the rain was a good distraction from the emotions he was working to ignore.
Fine art tastefully displayed hinted at the wealth of the Danzig family. The dining room was accented with silver, crystal and porcelain, as was the entire house as far as Illya could see. The agent felt like he was in a museum. The long table in the dining room was highly polished mahogany that would easily seat 20 under sparkling chandeliers.
In his head Illya ticked off the names of those already seated at the table. Arthur at the head, an empty seat to his right, and then Marcus Danzig followed by a platinum blonde woman in a tight red dress. David led them to Arthur's left, seating Talia to his own left and putting Illya directly across from the elegant blonde, dripping in diamonds. She eyed Illya with obvious boredom as he took his seat, and gave Talia the same glance while tapping her crystal wine glass with a lengthy red nail. Talia ignored her and spoke to the patriarch.
"Hello, Arthur," she said pleasantly as she settled into her seat. "Is Emily still indisposed?"
Illya figured she was referring to the empty chair to Arthur's right. Emily Danzig, Arthur's wife, he recalled.
Arthur Danzig smiled, but his eyes remained cool. "Yes. The doctors feel she needs more rest," he stated simply, then turned to Illya. "We still set her place in respect." Illya recalled that Emily Danzig spent a lot of time in Nice. Talia thought she was merely a figurehead wife, as she was rarely seen with Arthur. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Inova," the patriarch said, his tone clear that the subject of Emily was closed.
"Androv, please," Illya insisted. "Yes, the pleasure is on my part."
Tonnie appeared at Arthur's elbow to fill his wine glass. "You'll be here for our little soiree next week," he continued. "You will be able to attend?"
"Thank you for the invitation. I'd be honored."
"So we finally meet cousin Androv," Marcus said firmly, suspicion clear in the tone.
"And you must be Marcus," Illya replied, inferring a rudeness on Marcus' behalf for not introducing himself. That got a surprised smile from the blonde across from him, and her green eyes momentarily reflected respect. "Talia has told me all about you." Illya then saw a flash of uncertainty in the man's eyes as he tried to interpret the comment. The agent then turned to the stony face at the head of the table. "And Mr. Danzig, I want to thank you for your hospitality." He shook out the napkin in his lap and faced the blonde. " I haven't had the pleasure. . ."
The blonde sat up a bit straighter and began to speak, but was cut off by Marcus. "This is Monica," he started.
"Ah, yes. Your wife. Certainly. I am honored." Illya ducked his head towards her in polite acknowledgement and gave her his most charming smile, which she returned with glee.
"Thank you," she said, slightly breathless. Marcus glared, but she ignored him and sipped her wine, her eyes fixed happily on the latest arrival. The agent managed not to jump when he felt bare toes tickling his ankle moments later and glanced up to a knowing grin on Monica's face. She tipped her glass towards him with a wink.
"So, Mr. Inova," Arthur Danzig started. "I mean, Androv; tell us about yourself."
He indicated the serving to begin with a slight nod to Tonnie as a loud clap of thunder shook the windows menacingly.
+++++++++++++++
Solo and Neiman snuggled down in their temporary shelter as the rain outside pelted the fabric. The lights of the house could barely be seen through the rain, so they decided to concentrate on organizing what information they had gathered.
While getting supplies in town, Neiman had heard that a large gathering was planned for the next week. Merchants had already begun ordering and stockpiling food and party items, but no one knew the purpose of the event. They didn't really care; it was money in their pockets.
"That would be the perfect cover for action," Neiman commented.
Solo rolled the warm cup of coffee between his hands. Neiman had been efficient so far and was a good agent, but he missed the familiarity of his regular partner. "Yes, it would. We have to locate those phone lines as soon as possible. With a gathering like that I'm sure Marcus will increase security so we may have to assemble a respectable back up team."
"To keep the Danzigs contained?" Neiman asked.
"To get Illya and Miss Inova out," Solo corrected. "They're going to be Marcus' first target when this starts to go down."
"Ah. Of course," Neiman concurred as a deafening bolt of lightning made them both wince.
++++++++++
Dawn broke surprisingly bright and clear, the air fresh and clean. Illya opened his window to get an idea on how to dress and took the opportunity to study the rock outcropping Talia had pointed out. It would make a good observation point, but the rocks were visible from the entire back of the house. I wasn't far from the road that twisted its way through the hills to the front gate, either. Solo would have to be very careful to stay out of sight.
Pulling on boots and casual clothes the golden haired infiltrator decided it was time for Androv to set an exercise schedule of walking around the compound to build his strength. Throwing on a light jacket, he proceeded down stairs. He intended to leave via the back of the house by going through the kitchen but was stopped by the matronly cook.
"You must eat!" The woman insisted. Illya, who was half the woman's size, had to admit that the smells were mouthwatering, and after a light meal he headed out the door without seeing Talia or any of the Danzigs. "I won't see them for another two hours," the cook commented as she kneaded bread dough and barked at a young boy to get the pans.
Illya blinked at the bright sun and strolled down the path from the kitchen door. It wound around to the front and joined the main drive. He headed to the front gate, noting the intense scrutiny he received from the guards posted there. They grudgingly let him through. Illya had an idea where his partner should be and leisurely headed in that direction. Noting the muddiness of the ground underfoot, he knew Solo would be pretty grumpy after the rainy night. As he walked he noted guard and camera positions. The security was above par. He fiddled with is watch and determined that, aside from the cameras, there weren't any electronic detecting devices this far from the house. Aware of the cameras, he removed and opened his communicator and then slipped it into his breast pocket.
"Prince to pauper," he said softly. Only getting static in return, he moved on and tried again. The third attempt was successful.
"Pauper here. And I'd like to officially complain about my designation," Solo replied, sounding tired.
"Are your feet wet?" Illya asked with a very tiny smirk.
"Come over that wall and I'll show you up close," Solo replied, delighting Illya with his shortness.
"I'll decline the invitation. There's a rock outcropping visible from my window on the south east side. It looks to be better protection from the elements."
"And closer to the road, making it a bit riskier. We scouted it out yesterday afternoon."
"My room is clean of surveillance and I can talk from there. It would be the best way to communicate."
"We'll move this evening when it's dark. Hey.."
Illya instantly tensed at the sound of his partner's surprise. His hand itched for a gun. "What?" he asked lowly.
"Oh, nothing. There's lots of wild life around here. I think we share this bush with a deer."
"Too bad it's not a skunk," Illya commented as he physically relaxed and stretched for the cameras.
"With friends like you, who needs a skunk," Solo replied instantly.
"Friend? Guess again." Illya said dryly. "I met the Danzig family last night. Arthur, Marcus, David and Monica. They were quite polite and very . . inquisitive." He decided not to mention the game of footsies under the table.
"I'll bet. I'm surprised Marcus didn't strap you down to a chair and interrogate you all night."
"That still may happen." With someone other than Marcus, he thought, footsies in mind. "There's a gathering next Thursday to release the program. Marcus is suspicious of the timing of my arrival, I think. I don't have the exact time or guest list yet, but it would be quite valuable to attend, I'm sure. Little birdies everywhere."
"No doubt. We heard about the gathering while in town. I think we may have found the main trunk for the phone lines, so we both have our little projects."
"We can schedule my delivery to arrive with all the party things."
"I'll inform the delivery boy," Solo acknowledged. "Should not be a problem. Everything is ready to go. How's Talia holding up?"
There was a slight hesitation. "She's a little nervous, but she'll be fine."
"Hope you're right, partner. I'll take my leave of you now and look into some serious eavesdropping."
"Don't call me, I'll call you," Illya quipped as he walked on and carefully closed the pen. A guard appeared from nowhere and Illya concluded that his little rest had been noted. He smiled and waved at the guard, getting sneer in return. "So much for friendly service," he said quietly to himself as he turned and started back to the house.
++++++++++
Before hitting the phone lines to install the taps, Napoleon met with Neiman about Illya's delivery. "The party will certainly make it easier to get the explosives in there," Neiman agreed. "If the amount of food and party favors is even close to what I estimate no one will ever notice an extra box."
"Yes, the timing is perfect. I only hope everything else about this mission goes as well." Solo couldn't ignore the tiny niggling in his brain that had plagued him since they had received this assignment in Brussels. It was just a feeling that wouldn't go away; something big and unexpected was going to happen. And it would be bad. Why can't those kinds of feelings be good for once? He griped mentally. I hate surprises!
He gathered his tools and prepared to spend the morning installing another line in the Danzig phone system.