Robert stepped out of the main entrance of the MAK and looked for a black sedan that he knew would be parked within sight of the museum. Sure enough there it was. Robert looked up and down the street and then trotted across. He was in the mood for some answers.
He walked up and boldly knocked on the glass making motions for the occupants to roll down the window. The man and woman inside stared at him in surprise but eventually complied.
"Good day. I thought we could have a chat for a moment; clear the air if you like. Now who are you, who do you work for and what do you want with me?" There was no doubt by the tone of his voice and the set of his jaw that he was not in the mood to be trifled with.
The man opened his door, exited the vehicle and stood eye to eye with Robert. He was the same height as Robert but with broad shoulders and a thick neck. Robert understood by the look of him that he was hired to be the "muscle" and in this case, the title was appropriate. Robert didn't miss the fact that the man rested his hand on the holster at his belt.
"I think you know why we are here, Scorpio. Our employer has us here to ensure that you rectify your...mistake."
"Ah! Robert grinned, "How nice of him. Now the good Baron must have some other information for me. So why don't we stop being coy and you can spill it."
"You have five days to find and retrieve our employer's property or you will be killed along with your pretty partner. If we think you are double-crossing us or going to the authorities we will kill you sooner but not before we make you watch while we kill her. It's as simple as that."
Robert reached back to scratch the back of his neck. looked down and kicked at a small rock that was near his foot.
"Message received," he said soberly. " Now you can reassure your boss that I am taking this seriously and will deliver the goods as soon as I can get it. Now my message to you is to stay out of my way. If you get too close you could throw a spanner in this whole operation. I think that the Baron has proven that he doesn't care who he kills. Don't add yourselves to the list by messing this up. Have I made myself clear? "
Robert gave a hard look at the man before turning on his heel and heading back towards the museum entrance. He needed to regroup with Anna and soon. He wandered through the gallery spaces but she was nowhere to be found. He quickened his pace as he kept searching for her. He tamped down the small flame of panic the was starting to burn in his chest. What if something had happened to her while he had been having his tete-a-tete with the Baron's lackeys. Perhaps they had been looking keep his attention while they went after her. Robert doubled back to to the courtyard hoping that she had returned to their table. The large room was brimming with chatter and clinking of crystal.
He heard her before he saw her. Even over the din of the party and sound of bossa nova, her laugh was unmistakable. Robert turned his head towards the dance floor to see Anna in the arms of a man. He looked like an oily used-car salesman sort. His hands were on her hips and he leaned in close to whisper into her ear. Whatever it was that he said must have amused her because she tilted her head back and let out a loud throaty laugh. Her dance partner then spun her out and away from him and brought her back in slowly till she was pressed against his chest. He continued to whisper into her ear while holding her close.
Roberts jaw clenched. He felt a wave of hot anger wash over him. The creep's lips were practically on her neck. The desire to sucker punch the stranger was growing every minute. Robert tried to get his feelings in check and be objective about the situation. He knew Anna was using her ample...charms...to get information that would help them. Robert had to make a choice, intervene and face a furious Anna or let this slimeball continue to put his hands all over her. Once he caught glimpse of the interloper's hand running down Anna's spine his mind was made up for him.
With decisive steps, Robert walked up to the pair closing the distance between them quickly. "Hello sweetheart, I'm sorry I left you alone but you had no trouble making friends I see." Robert reached his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him while extending his opposite hand towards the stranger.
"Thank you, Mate, for keeping my wife company, she tends to get lonely at these types of functions. The name's Roger and what can I call you?" Robert looked at Anna, she had flushed then gone pale, her eyes were cold with what Robert knew was a rage that probably bordered on murderous. He knew that he was interfering with whatever plans she had plotted out in her head, but he just didn't care.
"Ambrose Ballard, it is a pleasure to meet the husband of such a charming woman. You are quite lucky, sir. I'm surprised you would leave her alone for so long."
"Oh don't I know it! If you don't mind I would love to cut a rug on the dance floor with my best girl." Robert looked the man right in the eye before he stole a quick look at Anna. He knew she was seething and when she exhaled Robert half expected her to breathe out fire.
"Of course not." Ballard turned to Anna "I would love to continue our conversation about Chinese art held in private collections. We can strategize how best for you to build your own collection. Why don't I find us some champagne and you can rejoin me once you have finished your dance and of course your husband can join us if he would like."
She smiled beautifully back at him. "Of course, that sounds lovely." With those words, she took Robert's hand and she led him to a less crowded part of the dance floor. Once they took their positions she leaned in close. Robert braced himself.
"What are you doing?!" she hissed.
"Keeping you from making ill-advised promises that you can't keep. If you catch my drift"
"Oh, so you are the protector of my virtue now, are you? I know what I am doing Robert. Stille Nacht or no Stille Nacht you wanted me on this caper with you and I am trying to save your skin and the last thing I need is your judgment on how I carry out my part in this plan. A plan I might add that I have had no part in putting together! I think I actually have a credible lead on where your missing Qin dragon is and you come barging in acting like an overbearing jackass. And of course, you won't be satisfied until you have ruined everything!."
Robert was fascinated. As her angry tirade spilled forth she never broke character even for an instant. She continued to smile in a fetching manner and punctuated every indignant sentence with a caress to his cheek or a flirtatious gesture. To the outside world, they must look happily in love. Robert pulled her closer and placed his lips close to her ear and smiled. Two could play at this game, he thought to himself.
"I'm just making sure that you aren't getting in over your head, darling." He winced as he felt her fingernails dig into his shoulder as she gripped him tightly in her agitation.
"You're always trying to tell me what to do you know- as if your my conscience. Well, you needn't bother because I already have one."
"Oh really? Because if I wasn't here reminding you of what is right there no telling what mischief you'd get up too! It's amazing I get anything accomplished when I spend so much of my time saving you from your own hairbrained decisions!"
"Oh, You can go to hell Robert!"
"Go to hell? Ha! I'm stuck here with you so could say I'm already there!"
Robert knew he had stepped over the line. One look at her face and he believed that she might actually kill him with her bare hands. He was glad that she wasn't armed or he was positive that she would have plugged him with a least three bullets before he had time to protest. Fire flashed in her eyes and he wasn't sure if she was going to slap him or choke him. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and seemed to be counting, attempting to calm herself. She opened her eyes and in a tone that slipped over him like ice, she advised him,
"You are going to dip me then I will kiss you on the cheek and I will leave to rejoin my mark. Then you will leave this event and let me do my job. You will not touch me for the rest of the evening or you will find yourself doubled over and gasping for air. Do you understand me?"
In answer, Robert leaned her back and looked long and hard into her eyes before he pulled her back up against him. She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his cheek then turned and walked away without looking back.
