Chapter Seven

Dinner and a Spy

Bond entered the restaurant, where he was to meet the 'reliable source', coolly as if he hadn't just made a visit to the hotel. Like always he looked around to be cautious, it was evident that the mole was on top of Bond. The amount of security at the hotel was uncommon and was only there to intercept Bond or the C.I.A.. What Bond wasn't sure of was whether or not, whoever the mole was, knew he was part of the British secret service. Bond didn't know what to look for, but Goodhead explained to him that the contact would find him once he sat down at a table, so Bond wasted no time in finding a suitable spot that faced the entrance and the kitchen entrance, this way he could be aware of everyone who came in or out. Bond sat at the table pretending to review the menu. He didn't suspect anyone quite yet as a mole, he made the assumption that it was an outside force spying on him, he looked around again to see if he noticed anyone from outside or before, but no matter who he saw they weren't of any importance. He would have to wait, eventually everyone makes a mistake and Bond would be there to catch it. Bond was also anxious to meet this Julio Acosta as soon as possible, whoever he was he was dangerous because he had pulled a lot of strings already to have Bond killed. The train bombing was extreme not subtle at all, for him to pull such a dangerous move off and not even be suspected or suffer any consequences from it meant that he had a lot of power and sense, he knew who to use and just how to use them. Julio may also give clues to the identity of the mole, Bond would have to strategically pull the mole into view. He knew for certain it wasn't Goodhead, mainly because she had also almost been killed, he wasn't sure yet, whoever they were they were tricky.

Bond also wondered how much MI6 really knew, when M had briefed him he didn't seem to be in the light on the situation, and then neither did the C.I.A, he didn't understand why both MI6 and the C.I.A. would be so adamant on capturing a man who they absolutely nothing about. It wasn't logical, he felt set up as if someone wanted him to take this mission. Bond put the menu down and a woman was standing over the chair. Bond raised his eyebrows as she sat down, even for Bond this woman was beautiful beyond imagination, Bond was taken by surprise at her beauty and for could even be called vulnerable but Bond caught his composure when she sat down and picked up a menu. Bond watched her moments and notice that her body moved with such grace, she was like a silk cloth billowing in the wind. A waiter came along quickly and waited by the table for their order, Bond waited for her to order but from behind her menu she spoke.

"I'm not ready, order." She said, Bond pulled his chair closer to the table.

"Vodka martini, shaken not stirred." Bond ordered, the waiter nodded and looked at the woman who silently continued looking at the menu, the wait was awkward and long but finally she gave her order.

"Red wine." She said simply. The waiter slightly bowed and walked off. Another awkward silence followed and Bond was the first to speak.

"What is it that you want to tell me?" Bond asked, for the first time the woman looked into his eyes and Bond felt something he hadn't felt in years, not since he had met-

"Its up to you to ask the questions." The woman said, Bond nodded.

"Well lets start off with your name." Bond suggested.

"Paris…" She simply answered. "…and you?" she asked.

"Stock, Jim Stock." Bond answered untruthfully, she nodded.

"Well Mr. Stock…" Paris started. "…what do you want to know?" she asked. Bond leaned a bit closer.

"I want to know why Julio Acosta is so dangerous." Bond asked. Paris didn't flinch.

"Because he's rich and he knows how to evade different governments." Paris answered.

"How do you mean?" Bond asked.

"I don't know for sure, and I rather not give you false information…" Paris started. "…but I've heard him talking about doing different things." Paris revealed.

"Like?"

"Like being rid of the American and British governments." Paris said.

"That's a job for a policeman how come you involved the C.I.A.?" Bond asked.

"Because a police officer won't stop Julio, he's too rich, too dangerous." Paris answered.

"What do you suppose that I can do to help you if you can't be specific? Bond continued.

"I'm sure you can do an investigation of some sort…" Paris explained. "…you spies have ways that normal people do not, I'm sure you can dig something up." Paris said.

"There's not much I can do without knowing anything about Acosta." Bond lied.

"Well I can guarantee you that whatever he's doing its starting in the Caribbean." She confessed.

"What do you expect is happening?" Bond asked. Paris shrugged, over her shoulder the waiter reappeared and gave them their wine and disappeared back into the restaurant.

"I don't know, but I wouldn't have contacted the C.I.A. if I didn't think it was important, I'm not a stupid woman." Paris said.

"No, no I wouldn't even suggest that." Bond said.

"He proved it with the train bombing this morning." Paris said before another sip.

"What do you know about that?" Bond asked trying not to seem suspicious.

"I know that a train blew up this morning and the authorities are trying not to reveal there was a bomb aboard." Paris said.

"How do you know there was a bomb, I heard it had derailed." Bond played devil's advocate to see how much she knew.

"I heard it from one of the officers, plus an explosion like that doesn't come from a mere derailing." Paris said.

"Well there was a bomb, but it could have been from anyone." Bond shrugged.

"I doubt it, too coincidental, especially the fact that you were on the train." Paris said.

"How did you know that? Bond asked.

"I heard him talking about it today, he said there was a British secret service agent and a C.I.A. agent on the train and there bodies weren't found…" She took another sip. "…I'm assuming that one of those bodies that weren't found is yours." Paris finished.

"You would be correct." Bond answered.

"Is your C.I.A. agent friend ok to…?" Paris asked. "…or did he not make it?" Paris continued.

"No they're fine." Bond cautiously didn't reveal that the C.I.A. agent was actually Goodhead and a woman.

"Good." Paris said, Bond took note at her emotion she seemed anxious to leave, Bond also felt that she was telling the truth about what she knew, she looked uncomfortable as if she were afraid someone was to come in and do something to her. Bond began to feel the same anxiety; there wouldn't be much he could do to protect her here, without giving away what cover he had left. He looked around again, he hadn't felt so paranoid before and not for himself but for her, there was something so familiar about her something he had his finger on but didn't want to admit it.

"Well I know all I need to know for now…" Bond started. "…should I take you back to your hotel, or am I to assume that you stay in Acosta's estate?" bond asked.

"Julio and I are separated, whatever contact I have with him its for the sheer purpose to deliver the information to you." Paris said.

"And the C.I.A. thanks you for that, so I'll take you back to your hotel." Bond said and the two of them got up and left the restaurant.

Outside Bond caught a cab for the two of them and without saying it, it was obvious that Bond somewhat agreed to be Paris' bodyguard.

"How do you enjoy your job Mr. Stock?" Paris asked. Bond thought for a moment.

"It has its rewards, I wouldn't do it if I didn't get some kind of kick out of it." Bond said. Paris nodded.

"But you can never stop." Paris asked, she said it with such conviction that it was clear to Bond that she meant something deeper.

"What do you mean?" Bond asked.

"I mean sometimes people have to stop and look at their lives to keep from going out of their minds, sometimes you have to just stop and let the worlds move around you." Paris explained. Again Bond thought before speaking.

"That's what I ensure for other people, their ability to 'stop' is compromised everyday, I'm one of the people who gives them back their right." Bond answered.

"At the sacrifice to your own right?" Paris asked.

"If that is what's needed then yes." Bond answered.

"Is that fair?" Paris asked.

"It's not about what's fair." Bond rebutted, there was a moment of victorious silence from Paris before she said:

"Then why do your job?" The cab stopped in front of a hotel, Paris and Bond quickly exited and instead of going up to her room Bond walked her to the hotel entrance and said his goodbyes, had it been any other woman he would have but there was something about this 'Paris' and he didn't know what exactly

it was, so in silence he left her, begging his mind to focus on the mission.