Chapter 10 - Napoleon and Josephine
Our foursome had eaten Mexican take-out and teased Annie for setting so easily a very nice fire and were now simply relaxing. Annie and Auggie were dancing and eyeing each other tenderly. They looked like teenage lovers: devastating yet irresistible, exhausting yet stimulating, and delicate yet long-lasting.
Eyal gently lifted Sharon chin to look at them and whispered to her. "It's late, care to joint me at my apartment, think our super couple would like the privacy."
"You go, I'd like to take a long walk or a night run. I know this neighbourhood well, it's pretty safe. It's my way to unwind. I should be able to sneak back in afterword not seen or heard and take the rooms that's empty."
"You seem to have a habit of taking midnight run, saw you returning to the house last night while I was talking with Annie. But on another matter I think I have an idea that would satisfy your need to unwind. When you're not on a mission, your home base is Québec City, if I remember. Would you like to get to know Washington D.C.'s history a little better?" Eyal had a mysterious air about him.
"Eyal it's nearly 11:30 and dark, what do you have in mind?
"Sharon, this is Washington DC. It's the nation's capital: Rich in history and monumental democratic achievements, but behind its white fences, gates and within its numerous and long secret corridors, a darker past is hidden: Conspiracies, crimes of passion, duels and assassinations everything a spy craves for. I'm proposing to you an organized midnight walking Ghosts Tour. It perfect for historic enthusiasts, ghost hunters and curious spies who want to know about the haunted side of Washington. It's a pre-Halloween moment but I won't be the guide, they have 'Spirits' for that job. Don't want to rush you in anyway but if we want to make it for midnight we must to leave now!"
"Wow, what a wonderful idea, I'd love to. Give me five minutes, can't go in this dress."
Eyal scoffing "5 minutes, are you kidding me"
Not much time had passed when Sharon reappeared in appropriate clothes for the occasion. "Look around tall boy, five minutes was me and you in the car. Let's get moving." Sharon taking Eyal's hand and shouting to the amorous couple that they were going out and not to wait up for them.
"You have Mama and Papa's blessing" Auggie shot out!
Eyal getting behind the wheel of his car and in less than five minutes. "You always decide/react this fast. I don't recall having that good speed training at Mossad."
Sharon laughing "Not spy craft, Eyal, its Motherhood and dealing with two teenagers. You learn to be a fast thinker, quick organizer and dresser extraordinaire. No spy training can beat that!"
"I wouldn't know about it, don't have experience on that side." Eyal face tightening.
"Sorry didn't want to bring back memories, want to talk about it?"
"No" Eyal answering in an asserting tone, "We have to get to Washington's Lafayette Park and 'Tragedy Square' before the clock strike midnight"
Sharon looked at Eyal. Lost in the road up ahead, he appeared a bit sad and lost in his thoughts. He had such a wonderful smile and it sure would be awesome to see it without that dark side tugging at it. 'Why did I have to mention the kids and family life, got to keep that subject to myself from now on' Sharon wanted to kick herself for bringing what seem to be a painful item for Eyal.
"Here we are, My Lady and with a good five minutes to spare. Let us start our walk with in hand a road map of the paranormal" Eyal put his arm on Sharon's shoulders and guided her to the small group taking the tour.
Their guides were dressed in Victorian costumes and lead them by lantern light to discover the true hauntings of the 6 apparitions witnessed at St. John's Church, the poltergeist of the Hay-Adams Hotel and haunted accounts of Lincoln's ghost within the White House. Sharon got startled a couple of time and Eyal seemed to enjoy acting as her knight in shining armor. "What kind of spy are you My Lady?"
"I always turn the spy mode off when I'm in off clock and in the presence of nice company" Sharon responded just before being spooked again and jumping at a laughing Eyal's arm for "protection"
"So I am good company" Eyal not missing a beat
Sharon jabbed at his arm.
"Ouch, that hurt. If you want this arm to protect you from the ghost, goblins & ghouls, treat it nicely, Mrs. Welby" a chuckling Eyal shot at Sharon. She responded by giving his arm a loving gentle squeeze. Eyal claps his hand on hers and they continued the tour walking arms in arms. Eyal thinking again 'I am truly enjoying this outing and if it where longer I even might also be able to turn my spy mode off and appreciate spending time with this women. She has a way of dealing with life and her work that intrigue me, definitely must try to spend more time with her.'
The Ghost tour was over and Sharon brought Eyal out of his thoughts "Eyal, thanks this was such a wonderful evening or more precisely a wonderful night! I loved it! How did you come up with such an out of routine idea?
"Just happen to read about it in the weekend paper and though it would be interesting. By the way it's late so where would you like to sleep for the night, my apartment or the safe house? We had quite a day, think my age is catching up to me, and I'd invite you for an after 'horror' drink but the wiser thing to do is to call it a night" Eyal said with a boyish grin.
Sharon answered "Don't feel up to a drink, really want to sleep a least a couple of hours tonight! If it's OK with you, better make it your apartment, its closer and think we'll get a better sleep. A good friend has an apartment not very far from yours, I can go there if you prefer."
"No, my apartment is OK, closer and practical" Eyal looking at Sharon with very expecting eyes.
"Please turn off those lovely and expressive eyes of yours, I'll be taking the couch!"
"OK now it's my eyes and just a little while ago it was my company you found nice. What I am to think of all these complements?"
"Well, let's say that when you combine that smile with a certain look in your eyes, I can clearly see my daughter calling you a "looker and Mother and Daughter often think alike" Sharon smiling all the while trying to hold back a small yawn but couldn't "Sorry"
The drive to his apartment didn't take long but Sharon had fallen asleep after they had stopped teasing one another. Not wanting to wake her, he gently picked her up and carried her to his apartment and bedroom. 'She wasn't kidding when she mentioned turning off her spy mode, she's out cold.' Removing her shoes, he then delicately removed her tunic top and easily slip off her pants. Looking at her in that spaghetti strap tee and silk boy shorts she was wearing, Eyal was reacting to her feminine and curvy body. 'Eyal don't go there, you're just going to drive yourself mad, get to the couch and turn in for the night' He covered her up and took himself to the couch.
He was just dosing off when he sensed something at his shoulder. Instinct took over and with a quick hook arm lock, grab at the approaching form and pulled it in a circular motion. Sharon not expecting the attack came flying over the couch and ended up on her back staring at him. Both were stunned and at a search for words.
Eyal shot up over her and helped her up "Are you OK, you're not hurt? Let me check you over, sorry! Sharon, you should know better than to surprise a sleeping spy!"
"I'm OK, just a bit out of breath. Are you always this prime?" Sharon ask rubbing the back of her head.
"Yes and you should try it, it might save your life one day. It has for me, numerous times" Eyal giving her a wolfish look.
"Not the time and place to discuss techniques. Look you have a king size bed in there, we can both sleep in it. This couch is way too small for you and you've been wounded not so long ago, not going to do it any good" Sharon extended her hand to Eyal.
"It's my place, I get decide who sleep where" Eyal sitting on the couch and staring up at her.
"Well then push over, if you're sleeping here, I'm joining you. We can both complain about our hurting old bodies tomorrow"
"We can't both sleep on this couch" Eyal lowering his shoulders
"But we can both sleep in a king size bed, I promise not to manhandle you and we can even sleep German stylewhereit is standard practice to have two duvets on one bed" Sharon pushing up her shoulders.
"Ok I give up, I'll never get any sleep if I don't give in. But could you please put this t-shirt on." Eyal throwing Sharon his t-shirt.
Sharon just slip it on and said "There I'm all covered can we get some shut eye now, I'm about to pass out right here right now." With his T-shirt, Eyal smell was all over her 'Boy that man is really getting to me. Don't know the name of his perfume … got to ask Auggie... but it's suit me and bring me to a place I'd prefer not to go for now. Stop it Sharon, your just asking to get hurt again. His heart is taken, don't do this to yourself again. You know the signs now, you've been through it not a long time ago, don't fall for it again!'
Eyal took Sharon by the waist and pushed her to his room and literally put her to bed. "There are you content Mrs. Welby."
"Not till you're right beside me, Mr. Lavin."
"Here satisfied" Eyal got in bed.
"Yes very" Sharon turning on her side and saying "Good night Eyal!"
"Good night Sharon"
"Ah and by the way, Annie gave me some tie wraps, it seem that it's the only way to truly hold you down. So if you have any idea of returning to that couch, its tie wraps time for you."
Eyal just exhale very loudly and said "You girls definitely talk too much!"
It was late and it had been a full day for both, it didn't take long for them to fall asleep. No more teasing, no more flirting just two very tired spy needing a couple of hours of sleep. The next morning Eyal awoke sensing Sharon was quite close to him. Like the first time he had awaken next to her, she had wrapped one of his arm around her and again he had this feeling of well-being and just wanting to snuggle himself next to her. He sense her stirring and whispered in her ears "Mrs. Welby you are downright cuddly"
"Oups real sorry" Sharon pulling away rapidly "hope I didn't wake you. Seem old habits are hard to die. I'm going to have to work harder than I thought on this one."
Eyal taking her arm and replacing it as it was "I gather you and your former husband liked cuddling."
"Yes, both of us did but that didn't do us much good in the long run. The adage that cuddling releases a hormone which reduces stress, anxiety, garners closeness, shows affection, and increases happiness seem to be an unproven theory Let's change the subject please, don't really want to talk about my ex."
"Well, breakfast should be a safe subject. I'm in a cooking mood do you have a special order for your cook of the day. And by the way, the hormone thing works just fine for me so if you need to cuddle again you're more than welcome"
Sharon shot him her best alluring eyes, threw him her pillow and answered "For breakfast, I'll just have what you have"
"At your service My Lady"
Sharon was finishing her shower and slipping Eyal T-shirt back on just as Eyal was putting breakfast on the table. Pancakes and fruits were on the menu.
"I'm impressed Eyal, you really know your way around a kitchen, these are delicious and with maple syrup from Canada, the real thing. I'm definitely going to enjoy working with you. I've often been stuck with cooking duties while on missions. Seem when a man and a women are in a safe house, it's up to the women to cook, and this is going to be a refreshing change."
"Love to cook but also loved to be cooked for if the cook knows a little about cooking! About the syrup, real Maple Syrup, is there any other kind?" shot Eyal to Sharon before preparing to take his shower.
"Well let's say there the real thing, preferably from Canada, and the stuff some Americans here call the real think is just sugar and water. Aunt Jemima stuff just doesn't cut it for me."
"Well we can continue this conversation in the shower if you would like. The virtues of real Canadian Maple syrup could be a hot topic under a cascading waterfall"
Sharon approached Eyal, who was by now, only draped in a towel, got very very close to him, gave him a peck on the cheek and whispered in his ears "Thanks for the breakfast it was delicious but I'll pass on the shower discussion, I took mine remember, now I need to get dressed" Eyal laughing while retreating to the shower.
Eyal was dressed and ready to go "Don't mean to rush you, but we really got to get back to the safe house. We have a pm meeting with Robert and I'd like to run a couple of thing with Vincent before he arrives. Are you going to pick up Robert at the airport, he didn't plan anything with me."
"Work, Work Work, you're no fun! Nope, have not spoken with my father since he was last at the safe house. He's used to getting around don't worry. There just finishing washing the dishes and I'm ready to go"
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Eyal and Sharon arrived at the safe house, Auggie and Eric were already analysing the data from the bugs they had planted on the three AALY members. Their timeline being a mere 48 hours, they were anxious to be able to pinpoint the operation headquarters of the AALY
Annie was coming in from her morning run.
Eyal looking at Annie in sweat and saying "I hate running, but you two are fanatics. I have a morning runner and a midnight runner. What are you going to do when it's too hot to run our just too dangerous for your daily runs while on missions? We're not always going to be in friendly runner's territories"
"Well a treadmill would be nice, it would put life in the safe house. By the way you two seemed well rested, had a nice soirée"
"The best" Sharon answered, "Eyal propose a most interesting outing, a walking ghost walk around Lafayette Park"
"Give it to Eyal to organize an outing at a minute notice, always have the best seats in the house or the best food. An evening with Eyal is always first class, interesting and always a bit out of the ordinary." Annie was eying Sharon to see a reaction but couldn't read her.
"And he's a great cook, I'm really looking forward to safe house time with him, Sharon responding to Annie's very generous description of Eyal"
"Girls are you finished buttering me up, it's getting down right embarrassing, you can have your treadmill."
To that Annie and Sharon shot themselves a high five!
Auggie and Eric were literally buzzing. They had succeeded in locating an old, out of site and unoccupied warehouse. The three targets were presently there.
"Eyal, we have a possible head quarter. It's an out of the way warehouse in the Virginia area. We have the full address on screen." Auggie welcoming Eyal.
"Nice to see you two so actively buzzing this morning. You guys really like tinkering with all those gadgets. Well hope you had a nice rest because our day seem to be off to a very hectic pace. I'm calling Andy and Vincent, we are going to play with bombs today. Would some of you like to come and play with me?"
"Could you be a little clearer Eyal" Annie shot to him
"Well, AALY doesn't know we are on to them and I like it to stay that way. In yesterday's mission, we neutralize them but it passed as an unexpected fire alarm. With Auggie and Eric knowhow we can scan that building and assess the threats. Vincent, with the help of the FBI, can descent on this warehouse arrest everybody in the building. All the while, Andy and I will plant well placed bombs to have the building "securely" blown up but not before we collect computers, paperwork and anything else that could be of interest to us. The word would then be put out that the targets blew up their headquarter before FBI could effectily searched the place. We cover our traces, the organization is left thinking that their operatives have been arrested but have blown up any damaging evidence, the FBI will think that they have had an effective bust and we can securely analyze any data coming out of the place. And if I know that organization, the operatives arrested will not be alive long enough to be interrogated by the FBI. They have quite a way with one of theirs being arrested. End result: The American part of AALY is neutralize for some time and were still not on their radar. What do you think, can we pull this off.
"I don't know about the team but I really like your way of thinking" Eyal jumped and turned around to see Robert standing right in his back.
"Woa, didn't hear you come in, how did you manage that?!" Eyal was startled and that didn't happen to him often.
Sharon responded "Think he was IN the house, he just came out of the girl's room. Auggie, Annie thanks for the heads up!"
"Don't mention it, didn't think you needed to be warned about his arrival, you knew he was coming. He's your father after all" Auggie told Sharon
"But I couldn't find any girls in that room. Made myself at home when I realized that my daughter was spending the night out. Auggie and Annie were otherwise occupied so I just wished them a good night and turned out in the girls' room. Care to tell your father what you were up to?"
"Daddy still checking up on me… you never change.. Love you anyway….If you want to know I spent the night with Eyal at his apartment."
Annie, Auggie and Eric were enjoying this matchup. Robert might not be Sharon real father but they definitely were blood related. Annie was realizing that both Sharon and Robert were very "British" in their type of humor. She knew that a strong theme of sarcasm and self-deprecation, often with deadpan delivery, runs throughout British humor. Jokes are told about everything and almost no subject is taboo, though often a lack of subtlety when discussing controversial issues is considered crass. This is going to be quite a show down, Annie was thinking, with Eyal, a gentleman, caught in the middle. Wonder how he is going to handle this.
"OK Mrs. Welby, let see how I see our night out: I'm only guilty of inviting you to a Ghost Walk, after that it's all you're doing. You wanted to go to my apartment, you wanted us to share the bed, hell you even came an got me off the couch, you're the one who was cuddling and for the topper: You're the one who told me I was cute" Eyal looking at Robert with a cocky grin.
Sharon looked at Eyal, Robert and Eyal again but could not utter a single word.
"I believe you just had the last word with her. Think I never succeeded in doing that. You are the right man for this job in more ways than one" Robert and the rest of the crew were now heart achingly laughing.
"Eyal 1 Sharon 0" Eric spurted out between bouts of laughter, Annie and Auggie clapping him on each his shoulder.
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There's a time to play and a time to work and it was now time to work for our A-Team. The second part of this mission was being planned out. Auggie and Eric would take the teck van the closest possible to the warehouse and would monitor the interior of the warehouse. Vincent had his part all figured out: a full FBI stakeout of the warehouse with orders to herd all the terrorist present and proceed to arrest them.
The Warehouse was a real electronic fortress, they had heat, movement and sound detectors aided with sweeper and jammers. It seemed impenetrable. Eyal knew a way to give them a 45 minute working time frame, he had asked Robert who had the necessary security level, to retask a British satellite. It was to do a reconnaissance path over the warehouse. Auggie would then intervene and the fortress high-tech security would be temporarily out of order but no alarms would go off to alert possible outside onlookers, the satellite acting as a jammer. Sophisticated laser mazes design by Auggie would counteract this electronic fortress, rendering it to it's off line for about 45 minutes. Time needed by Andy (Dr Michel) and Eyal to place small bombs to help the hardware that was already there to completely destroy the equipment and inside of the warehouse. No sensational blowing up of the building, only enough firepower to completely destroy the interior. That way it would not make the first page of the Washington Post"
Annie and Sharon would be in a backup cars to pick up Eyal, Andy and any equipment they pulled out. Eric had the important task of timing all of their actions while downloading all the Intel that was on the databases and other sources in that warehouse. He also had the same 45 minutes.
Eyal speaking up: "We went thru the chain of events enough times. Are you all OK, is there any questions, none OK then. One more thing, if me or Andy are in any way not able to come out after 45 minutes, everybody get out of there. Act as planned. No rescuing anybody. After that 45 minute period the electronic sweeping come back to life, we can't communicate with one another and Eric can't monitor us anymore. Anybody that's breathing in that warehouse will surely be ID and neutralizes. Those terrorist have backup plans in place and my guest that after our 45 minutes, they will know that the FBI raided the place and will be in complete destruction mode if they see a presence in their building. So no heroic from any of you, am I clear. Good luck and stay safe"
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FBI raided the place successfully and had gotten everybody out. Let's say that they had help from friends. Eric and Auggie were instructing Agent Rossabi to where people were. Let's say that Vincent's crew were impressed! Vincent Rossabi liked what he was presently doing. Being part of this team was what he had always dreamed of. The fact that he was working with Eyal as his team leader was quite a change in their relationship. His opinion of Eyal had evolved from thinking of him as being an enemy of the US in the form of a Mossad agent spying on US soil to Eyal being a very competent spy, team leader and most of all Eyal had recognize and had confidence in his skills. Heck, he even like working with Mrs. Annie Walker since they were now on the same side.
Now came the delicate part of the mission. Every action and movement was timed. The satellite was on target, Auggie had activated his laser maze let say it was quite a site, a nice show of lights, Annie and Sharon had dropped Eyal and Andy off. Eric was doing a very good job of directing and timing everyone.
Eyal was on the second floor of the warehouse and Andy on the first. Everything was going smoothly. They had successfully installed all of their firepower and were now browsing about for equipment, hard drive anything that Eric could not connect to. Eric instructed them "Eyal, Andy time to make your exit we have less than 10 minutes left."
At that moment, a first explosion occurred setting a domino effect, in other word all hell broke loose. The area around the building shook, shock wave reaching the girls' cars and even the teck van. Communication between the team members were cut, all were in the dark. Sharon, Annie bough the cars to their point of rendez-vous and waited for Andy and Eyal to come out but no sigh of either of them. Both girls had an emergency timer and knew the 45 minutes was up. Annie took the risk of calling Sharon on her personal cell phone. It was her personal phone and nothing was abnormal about two friends living in the neighborhood calling themselves and inquiring about the earth just shaking a couple of minutes ago. Sharon answered and quickly caught Annie game. They got their car out of the area and met in a secure place. As soon as they looked at each other, both of them knew they were going to disobey Eyal instructions.
Annie to Sharon "I don't know about you but I can't do nothing. I got to at least go and see if they are alive and if so if I can get them out of there"
"I'm with you but we don't just go blazing inside. We need to figure out a plan and fast because if Eric and Auggie catch up to us, they are going to pull us out of here before journalists and the police arrive. Think fast Annie, here, I have FBI jackets that Vincent left in the car, put one on. The letters FBI are made to be picked up by electronic sweep. If the AALY are effectively monitoring everything they are going to see FBI coats, nothing unusual and maybe just leave us do our job since they are assured that everything went up in smoke and that they are not in any danger of delicate information about their terrorist act reaching the news. Wait a minute, Eyal was scribbling something while waiting for Eric to signal him the OK to enter the warehouse. When I asked, he said it was just thoughts he didn't want to forget for further mission actions. Go it" Sharon preceded to read the paper, the more she read the more she knew it was for Annie.
"Not quite a rescue plan. It's for you" Sharon handing the paper to Annie
My Lady, this is a letter that Napoleon Bonaparte wrote To Josephine Beauharnais. Sorry I can't remember the French original version, it would surely be more romantic. Just be a good spy and read between the lines.
Paris, December 1795
I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have left my senses in turmoil. Sweet, incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry? Do I see you looking sad? Are you worried?... My soul aches with sorrow, and there can be no rest for you lover; but is there still more in store for me when, yielding to the profound feelings which overwhelm me, I draw from your lips, from your heart a love which consumes me with fire? Ah! it was last night that I fully realized how false an image of you your portrait gives!
You are leaving at noon; I shall see you in three hours.
Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.
"Sharon if this letter was for me he would have written it to Neshama not My Lady. Don't you notice him calling you 'My Lady'? It's not a habit of his because he never use it on me. We talked Sharon and all is Ok with us, with him. He knows I love Auggie and he's OK with it. Girl this is for you and I think it's his way of apologize for cornering you this morning. Eyal can be quite a smart alec but he is always sensitive to other people feelings. We all realized he got you good, real good this morning and let's say we had quite a laughing spree at your expense. Knowing Eyal, he liked being on top of the situation but felt bad of how he was responsible for us laughing at you. I know that man quite well and I'm sure this is his way of apologizing."
Sharon was lost for words, she took the letter from Annie, folded it and put it in her shirt pocket, close to her heart. She couldn't help her eye from watering up. 'Get a grip girl, you have two agents that need help, this is not the time to come all soft and romantic. Shake out of it now and get back into being a bad ass disobeying spy!'
"He's going to be OK, Sharon, don't worry. Let's get in there and get them out"
Auggie and Eric were also in rescue mode. They called (on a secure line) Vincent to let him know of what had happened. He was on his way with an FBI team. But he informed Auggie that his team would probably not be allowed to enter the warehouse. It would certainly be off limits till firefighter could secure the place.
Auggie told Vincent that there was another problem "I'm pretty sure the girls are also in the building"
"What, are you sure? We were instructed not to recue one another, what were the girls thinking of" Vincent shouted in his phone.
"Vincent were talking about Annie Walker and Sharon Welby, those two are made out of the same mold. They don't listen to anybody in intense situation, only their gut feelings. And yes we are now sure, just found their cars, empty, in a walking distance of the warehouse. They're in the warehouse."
One word came out of Eric, Auggie and Vincent: "Dammit"
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Sorry for the delay in updating, two jobs and both had me in a rush. Also funny thing happened to me. I had an idea for a later chapter and decided to put it down on paper before I forgot about it. So I have a chapter prewriting that will fit in sometime but that took time so it added to the delay of this chapter. Hope you like it and please review. I love reading you review and don't worry I can take it, it will only help me get better.