In all his travels in the military and even now with the CIA, he had never been to Hong Kong before. He now thought he could have lived without ever going. The crowds and push of the people – how did so many fit in one place? he thought incredulously.
The team quickly made their way across the city to the harbor, where the military boat waited, disguised as an ordinary fishing boat. It would reveal its true form once they were closer to Alexander's island, to help with their story.
The plan was to leave under the cover of darkness and put as much distance as possible without being observed. Flint felt frustrated. While Byrd had been friendly, Iron still maintained a hostile silence towards him. He couldn't understand why – he had never met the guy before. He supposed, like her other male cousins, that he felt Flint had been the bad guy towards Allie. He sighed, not knowing how to change his mind on that one. There were days he felt the same way.
Iron and Byrd had their heads together now, talking in quiet voices. Byrd looked concerned, shooting glances at the others when she thought they weren't watching.
"We need to tell them," she urged in a low voice. "They can't go in there blind."
"It's a need to know basis. I'm not sure if it's come to that," he hissed back. "The less they know, the less they can tell if they're captured."
"Alexander's not going to care!" argued Byrd. "He'll kill them regardless, whether they know or not! I'm just praying she's still alive, that he hasn't discovered her, and that she's just….caught up in something," she said, her voice breaking. She took a deep breath, to regain her control. It did no good to get emotional in her profession. The image of Alexander's last female victim popped in her head and she flinched. She didn't want her cousin – or any woman for that matter – to end up like that!
No, Alexander was better off dead. If they had the opportunity, they would take it.
Byrd shook her head, glaring at her cousin. "They're trained military professionals. Don't you think we could use their help?"
Iron tried not to sigh at his cousin's naiveté. "They're trained military professionals, that's right. As in, trained to follow orders. I doubt they'd respond well to a change in plans that didn't come from a general or high ranking officer!"
Byrd grabbed his arm. "Yes, I know that, as well as anyone in our business. But you're not thinking right. Don't you remember Al telling us how different her team was? There's what, three of them here now? Why not talk to one of them? I've established a rapport with the redhead, Scarlett. Let me feel her out, see how she is."
Iron shook his head. "I think you're making a mistake. It could compromise everything we've worked for."
Byrd looked at him pleadingly, her hand rubbing up and down his arm in a soothing motion. "I won't give everything away. Let me feel her out. If she's receptive, we could at least have one more set of eyes, one more set of hands…"
Iron sighed. "You're going to do it anyway, aren't you?"
Byrd gave him a brilliant smile. He just shook his head.
As she left the small cargo area, she noticed Mark, er, Bond she quickly corrected herself, talking with Flint. Now there was an enigma, she thought. She was well aware that he had a past history with Allie, and was hoping to use it to their advantage. Regardless of what either one said, she believed there was still a bond between the two. They were together for too long for it to simply disappear, especially with how upset Allie had been when she had returned to Scotland. Oh, of course she had tried to hide it, but Mary knew and finally, one night, she had confided in her about everything.
"Of course I know it was only my stupid pride not running after him…that and my temper," Allie had smiled sadly. "I guess I had thought he would be the one to cave in, but…" She had shrugged, leaving the rest unsaid. Mary could tell that maybe had been the hardest blow of all – the fact that he had turned and never looked back.
Of course, after Flint had shown up as part of the investigative team, he had definitely shown some interest, Ian and Collum had informed her. Unfortunately, it had also been the time that Alexander had resurfaced and Sir Philip had called her back in to duty. Between the desire of the family to destroy Alexander, and Allie's suspicions of the reporter, she had jumped at the chance.
Mary really couldn't blame her. If she had her cousin's talent for being able to immerse herself anywhere, anytime…she would've gone as well.
