Bond arrived promptly at 0800 at M's door. She opened the door looking perfect, everything in place. A person wouldn't know the night she had had. He was ushered in.
"Good morning, ma'am. I trust you slept well?" He took a seat at the table.
"As well as can be expected. Don't call me ma'am, Bond. Not while we're in the field."
Bond nodded.
"I've informed Tanner that I'll be here for the duration of the mission and he is to handle things at headquarters. I appreciate you updating him last night." M sorted through a stack of papers on her bed, selecting what was needed. "We have new details about a few of the men." She joined him at the table and handed him what she had selected. "Did you have a chance to look over the file and the schedule that I gave you?"
"Yes, the meeting with Dubois on Tuesday I knew about. I'll be tagging along to get a tour of one of their facilities. We should be able to gain some useful information."
"Where is this facility?" She looked at the list of meetings Santos had arranged with pen in hand.
"Florence," Bond answered.
M tapped the cap of the pen lightly on the table. "I don't believe Santos will be accompanying you. He also has a meeting in Naples in the afternoon. Santos asked if I would be in town a week Friday. There appears to be a gala of some sort he's attending. As long as I stay in his favor I'm sure he'll ask me to attend." M looked Bond in the eye. "So cut out the possessive act in front of him; we need him interested and not raving jealous."
James eyed her closely and chose not to comment on her last remark, instead focusing on her safety again. "Do you have a weapon?"
"I came prepared with a few items. Q branch has kept me supplied in one form or another over the years. I fear my Derringer is going to be left in the room for most of this mission though – my bag got searched when we left the restaurant last night. His security is tight. I don't doubt he had requested a background check run on me before we even left for the restaurant."
Bond eyed her curiously.
"He'll find what he needs to," M added swiftly. "We're always prepared. Now a few key points that we need to iron out. How long have we known each other and how did we meet?"
"Seven years," Bond replied instantly. He had obviously given this some thought. "We met through a mutual acquaintance at a charity dinner. We were seated together during dinner where we found we were attracted to each other. I asked you to dance and then took you home." Bond paused to take a drink and caught a brief flash in M's eyes. "You had been widowed for about a year at that time. We have been close friends since and lovers when it suits us."
"Fine." M said without hesitation.
Neither of them spoke after that. Somehow, the word "lovers" still rang in the air. Bond eyed her closely, his face an unreadable mask, even though she wondered for a second if she had caught a glimpse of concern in his eyes.
Eventually, Bond rose from the table. "I guess I should leave," he said. "It wouldn't do if Santos's spies saw me lingering in here too long. As you said, we wouldn't want him raving jealous." Those last words were spoken somewhat sharply and M sighed softly as she watched his retreating form.
M watched Santos lean against his car as he waited for his contact to show up. She brushed a lock of her fake hair out of her face and pulled her hat a little further down over her brow. She'd dressed down today, specifically to avoid detection. Gone was the head of MI6; she could be anyone's little old grandmother. A grandma with a penchant for trendy little gadgets.
She was carrying a buttonhole camera provided by Q division. She was also in possession of a tiny voice amplifier and recorder that was more powerful than any full-sized model currently on the market. However, technology wasn't the only thing she was packing today.
She'd brought along something a little heavier than her Derringer since she didn't have to worry about secrecy and several of her knives. Her lips twitched as she recalled what a bitch it'd been to constantly have to get them through customs whenever she'd been sent off on a job. Being in charge did have its perks.
Calling herself back to the task at hand, M sincerely hoped that Bond was not fucking up his part of the job. It had taken the better part of an hour to convince him that she was quite capable of carrying out surveillance on Santos during the first meeting on their borrowed list while he worked the other end of the equation by spying on his new acquaintances. The fact that her argument had consisted mainly of quipping that she was sure she could convince Santos to keep her alive for other things – rather than immediately shooting her in the head as he would do to Bond – had not helped her case. In the end, she'd had to make it a very firm order before he would leave her hotel room so she could prepare.
M took another methodical look around her, checking her vulnerable spots and escape routes. Although the meet up was being held in a run-down warehouse lot, the power of the camera and amplifier was such that she hadn't needed to get too close; however, one could never be too careful. She'd seen many promising agents felled by complacency over the course of her career.
When a black van drove up and parked, and the contact, one Ahmed Zorlu, exited, M activated the recorder and started taking pictures. It became obvious that Santos was dealing in more than just weapons and drugs when, after a few minutes of posturing, Ahmed slid the side door back, reached in and dragged out a young woman, who M was sure was barely out of her teens.
M's fingers itched to go for her gun, but as always she had to look at the bigger picture. Santos had his fingers in a lot of pies and his operation needed to be curtailed completely. Killing him would be a temporary delay until someone else stepped into the void. Sadly, one life didn't weigh very heavily in such a scenario.
This was the part of the job she hated the most. Ice Queen she might be, but it was easier to keep her emotions close than wear them on her sleeve. Shaking off her morose thoughts, she made sure she got clear pictures of the girl's face. It was the best that she could do.
Her hands tightened on the camera when Santos stripped the girl of the few clothes she'd been wearing and began to run his hands over her flesh, twisting and prodding as if he was buying a cow at market. She thought for a moment he was going to take the girl right there, but then Ahmed reminded him how much more they could get for unspoiled goods and Santos laughed cruelly then shoved her back into Ahmed's arms.
They confirmed shipment of several more young girls of the same age range, but varying ethnicities and agreed on a method and time of payment. M continued taking pictures until both men got back into their respective vehicles and drove off.
Turning off all her borrowed devices, M waited. She wanted to make sure both men were well out of the area before she tried to leave. Tailing Santos wasn't a concern at the moment since she knew where and when his next meeting would happen. It was going to be a busy day.
It had been a long day. M had met Santos for dinner after her covert operation. He had been rather demanding of her time and her body. The clock chimed three when she finally opened the door to her hotel room. M showered swiftly, wanting the comfort of her bed.
Bond was once again waiting on her when she emerged from the bathroom. She wondered if he ever slept. He looked her up and down slowly. There were red marks visible around her wrists with the other marks being concealed by her robe. On instinct James swiftly took her wrist to inspect it. M gasped with surprise at the suddenness of his touch.
"Did he force you?" Bonds tone was controlled.
"No, we needed closer observation. I saw an opportunity and took it. Although I don't believe he would have taken no for an answer." M was eying the carpet.
"Are you hurt?" There was a slight hitch to his voice when he spoke. If she didn't know James so well it would have been missed.
"Don't be daft. I have a few bruises. I'm fine." She looked up to meet his eyes.
James had closed them after seeing the bruises. He maintained his hold on her wrist; his touch was gentle but firm, rubbing circles around her wounded skin. Before speaking, Bond opened his eyes, meeting her gaze straight on. "I'm going to kill him."
"You'll do no such thing, unless it's absolutely necessary." M pulled her wrist free and stepped back; she could still feel the way he made her skin burn even from a small caress.
Sergio awoke and found the note that had been carefully placed on the pillow beside him. Sorry to love you and leave you, darling, but I didn't want to overstay my welcome. You were so masterful last night. I hope to hear from you soon. He smiled.