Chapter 18 – Deal with the Devil

15th February 2013 – 12:20 pm

Evony's Room - The Royal Horseguards Hotel, London

Bo called Evony first thing in the morning. She needed some time off. Luckily for Bo, Evony was not in the mood to argue. She was already dealing with an emotional Tamsin calling her refusing to continue any love scenes with Bo's character. Time apart would be the best for them both to calm down and Evony to execute plan B. They had both been granted time-off to clear their heads. Bianca managed to cancel the days' commitments citing Bo's need for space and privacy.

Vauxhall, London

As soon as Bo was granted her leave, she headed into the city to find Lauren. All she had was a single clue; Tea Cafes down Millbank. It was the only place Bo could think of going, remembering when Lauren told her about the café that stocked her favourite tea. If she was right, then maybe the other things Lauren said were real. And if those turn out true, then perhaps so were her feelings.

Fourteen cafes later, and Bo stood by the entrance to the last one. A small narrow building at the end of the street with tired letting above the door saying NSY Cafe. If Lauren was not there and no one knew her, Kenzi would be right; she was a ghost. Stopping before opening the door, nervous about what would she say if she saw her again? Bo needed a minute to gather her thoughts.

Taking deep breaths, Bo walked in and scanned the room, her heart literally sinking. Lauren was not there. It was filled with men and a handful of women all murmuring. Bo walked toward the male worker, ready to ask the same questions asked to all the fourteen other café workers.

"Eeloo 'dare," the worker looked up, his tight waistcoat accentuating his paunch belly, "it's just me working, so please be patient, and I'll be right with you." Pulling a spray from a pouch on the side of his belt, he cleaned the table, wiping dry with a cloth. Flinging it over his shoulder when finished, "Let me guess, green tea?"

Bo shook her head. "Can I get an americano?"

"Sure, not many folk order coffee in a Tea Cafe, but that isn't a problem."

"Thanks." This was her final place, and she did need the caffeine. She followed him as he walked to the counter, remaining on one side while he went around to the other, stepping on a purpose-built raised platform. "The reason I am here, in a Tea Cafe, having a coffee, is that I am looking for a tea fanatic and wondering if you might know her? Her name is Lauren."

He stood, finger resting on his chin as if giving Bo's question some thought. "Lauren, Lauren, I wanna say aye, as you seem desperate to find her, but I can't place the name. I'm sorry there, love." His soft Irish accent was evident, although Bo suspected it had been long since he lived in Ireland. While much of the pronunciation was lost, some of it still remained.

Bo sighed, "That's okay. It was only a whim." Bo pondered the idea of asking about Siobhan. The Irish did know the Irish, after all. It was almost as if they found each other in large cities and planned the whole thing. Bo smiled but also changed her mind. If Siobhan was as dangerous as Kenzi had told her, then mentioning her name could be difficult for them both. "It's okay, she might be away, or it might be one of the other fourteen places I've already tried. Some told me to try again later as not all staff were on duty. If it's okay, I will hang about here for a bit."

"Of course, it is. I have someone working with me, but he mainly stays outback, stocking up, helping me with the places I can't reach. So, tell me more about your Lauren. I'll see what my old memory has back there." The man asked, carefully loading the filter with fresh coffee and switching on the machine. "Who is she to you?"

Bo laughed. He had a way with words, "Who is she? That's a good question, and I'm not too sure. She was in my life for only a few weeks, but I fell in love during those amazing weeks. So now I'm on a romantic pursuit to find her and see if she feels the same way about me." Bo felt as the man had rested his hand on her arm.

"Well, she is boun' ter. If you don't mind me saying, you are a bonny young lass," He said, patting her arm and handing her a black coffee.

"Thank you, I don't know, we never really spoke about our feelings. I did once, and Lauren called them Gremlins, and how we should, erm, not get them, erm— ". Bo searched her mind for an alternative to saying wet, knowing it would make her blush. Instead, she settled on saying, "fed."

"I'm so not down with the kids, and I don't know what on earth you're on about. But one thing I know for sure, it's special when couples share their own language." He laughed.

"Do you think that, really?" Bo asked. "As two weeks is very sudden, and I sometimes feel foolish."

"I fell in love with my wife after one look." He reassured, "I saw her and said she would be my wife. I knew. Lucky souls find each other, and they know immediately. I do believe that. I have been around long enough to know that a 'gut' reaction is just a way of the universe letting you know something is right."

Bo held back a tear. What he said resonated with her in every way. Her rational part of her knew that two weeks and not knowing her fully was not love, but her irrational part didn't care. She knew she would love her the moment she fell into her deep brown eyes. In that instant, a million lives reached the same conclusion, she would be her wife.

"Thank you. I'm not sure how she will react to seeing me after last night I came out to the world with another woman on live TV." Bo took the first sip of her coffee, it was a nice rich blend, and it felt comforting.

"Is that a thing nowadays, to come out? It really is archaic. I'm sorry, love; I'm not up to date with current affairs. Are you a singer?"

Bo laughed out loud. Her singing voice was definitely one solely for the confinement of a shower, "No, I'm an actor, and I came out during the BAFTAS last night. I knew she was there. I felt her. Then she saw me being kissed by someone else. Now I need to talk to her to explain."

"So, describe her." The man asked. "We get a lot of people in here, but I'll try my best to place her."

"She's beautiful, blonde, brown-eyes, tallish maybe 5' 6'', 55kgs there about," Bo scratched her head, trying to remember any detail possible. But all her thoughts turned dirty, and she knew none of them would help. "She drinks tea with three sugars, full-fat milk, and it has to be made in a particular order. Little milk, tea, then water but not boiling. Then add the sugar after removal of the bag."

"I'm sorry, I can't be one hundred per cent sure." The man looked at Bo and gave an apologetic smile. "But a year ago, a bonny lass visited every day who drank sweet tea and was particular on how it was made. She was studying nearby."

"Studying. Of course? Is there a Culinary School nearby?" Bo got excited; another memory was in her head. "Le Cordon Bleu school, is that near here?"

"I wouldn't say near." He replied. "I believe it's near Holborn, which is a good thirty-minute walk away."

"Most of my customer's study or work in the academy around the corner. You see, this is mainly used by Law Enforcement from New Scotland Yard; hence our name NSY Cafe. Across the bridge is the MI6 Building and behind me is the Supreme Court, and we get them all in. I can't be sure what she was studying. Still, if it is the lady you want to find, then speak to Ryan Lambert or Dyson Thornwood at the training centre next door."

Bo's world started to spin. In all the scenarios she had thought, this was not one. She believed Lauren was either in witness protection as Siobhan or working for a tabloid newspaper. One thing for sure, she never expected law enforcement, but maybe that could be the link. Undercover law enforcement as Siobhan, then Karen, or Lauren. Bo wasn't sure of her name, and the café owner hadn't said it either. Finishing her coffee, she kissed him on the side of his cheek. "Thank you, sir." Stopping, she looked back, seeing the man blush and what was plainly evident that she had missed before. Everyone was either in uniform or had badges around their neck. She never knew how she had missed it when she had first walked in.

New Scotland Yard, London

Exiting the café, Bo darted down the road to the New Scotland Yard building, recognised immediately by the iconic revolving triangular sign. Bo ran up the three giant concrete steps that led to the fully glazed entrance pavilion. Passing through the metal detector to the front desk. There was a commotion to her left, a man being held down by three officers and two security. Bo edged to the turnstiles jumping over them in an easy, swift action. Not being seen, she made her way to the lift, pressing the call button and stepping inside, lighting up the basement floor for Training.

Outside the office, she was stopped and questioned by security. She lied about being Ryan Lambert's girlfriend and buzzed through the double glass doors leading to the training room. She passed empty desks busy with monitors, lined up classroom style. Then she saw it, a coat stand with a pink cardigan hanging from it. She walked over, picked it up and smelt it. It was fresh with Laurens' scent. She had definitely been there.

"Hi, can I help you?" A man took the garment from Bo and threw it back on the coat stand. "How did you get up here?"

"Walked," Bo answered flippantly, arms across her chest. The officer was taller than her, athletic build who wore jeans, a denim shirt and a leather waistcoat with his badge pinned to his belt. Mid-length reddish-blonde hair and unkempt beard that suited his muscular frame.

Dyson half grinned; Lauren was not wrong about her. Bo was somewhat intimidating; hair tied up with thick Dior sunglasses pushed back on her head. Her outfit was a pleated skirt, white blouse, and designer heels, perfectly matching a black leather jacket. Dyson eyed her up and down; she looked sassy, and he liked her. That didn't stop the fact that she was trespassing.

"I'm looking for Lauren", Bo perched on the edge of the desk, "Is she in?"

"This is a training centre, Miss, no one in beside me and a few others, and no one here is called Lauren, so I must ask you to leave."

"Can you tell me where I can find her then, please?"

"Any details would be confidential." Dyson walked towards Bo, "please now leave the building."

"Fine, I want to speak to Dyson Thornwood." Bo stood and reached over the desk to the name plaque and picked it up. Showing him the name, then pushing the plaque into his chest.

Dyson took Bo by the arm and pulled her away from the desks. Bo thought she was about to be kicked out. Instead, she was ushered into a small room at the back. "That is me. I am Training Officer Dyson Thornwood, now what do you want?"

"I want to speak to the owner of that pink cardigan?"

"As I've already told you, all candidates and their information are confidential," Dyson replied.

"I hear a Torontonian accent, am I right?" Bo watched as he nodded his head, one step closer, "So for a fellow Canadian, please give me her number, or tell me where she lives?"

"I cannot confirm I know the person who owns that cardigan, however," Dyson added. "If you give me your contact number, and if she exists, she can call you instead."

"No, I can't give it out for security reasons. Listen, I'm not leaving until I speak to her." Bo would not back down now when she was so close to seeing her again. She had to try everything. "So call her and tell her I won't leave until she shows up."

"I could just have you arrested," Dyson sighed and opened the door. "Sit down and wait in here. I'll be back in a minute."

Bo sat as told, hands sweaty, suddenly nervous. She was either getting arrested or about to come face to face with Lauren. She wasn't even sure that was actually her name. Dyson hadn't confirmed anything and was unsure if she would fancy a Siobhan or Karen. Not that there was anything wrong with those names. Still, she had fallen for a Lauren, her Lauren, her Bubba Lo.

15th February 2013 – 13:00 pm

Kings Gate Apartments - London

Lauren paced her tiny flat. Her visitor was making her uncomfortable.

"I don't know why I let you in, Evony," Lauren finally spoke. "We have nothing to talk about. You should be in HMP Thameside with your rancid dog Massimo. Now, what do you want?"

Evony studied Lauren and licked her lips. Her hair hung loosely over her shoulders and not in the regulation bun she was used to seeing when she was her chef. Evony liked her relaxed look. Unlike her work uniform, she wore a simple pink V-neck tee and black jeans. If only Bo hadn't been around, she would have had her in Morzine instead of Bianca.

"Prisons don't suit me, dearie," Evony leaned forward over the kitchen counter, exposing more of her cleavage. "That's why I have a Massino. Besides, he will be out soon. After all, you were the one that shot him."

"I didn't. The pillock must have shot himself!" Lauren was angering and was not in the mood for Evony today. Her heart was broken after seeing Bo kiss Tamsin. After what she had written in her letter, she thought Bo would wait for her, not move on with her co-star.

"Only you two know what really happened that day," Evony flippantly replied.

Lauren tutted, "Well, don't tell me that you didn't know about his activities? You see, I have a hunch that it was you who ordered these attacks and that the Police only have the pawn."

"Hunches don't hold up in court, though, dearie." Evony smiled, "I'll deny everything, and Massimo won't say a word about me."

Lauren clasped her fists. Evony was right; she had failed. Her operation was to study Evony and Massimo, not fall in love with Bo. Once her cover was blown, Lauren only had time to write a note and grab Massimo's box from his room. Giving the agency at least something. Jack was on the scene minutes later, and Lauren was rushed out of the area, her chalet emptied and her bags packed.

As if Evony could read her mind, "And, you can kiss goodbye to any relationship with Bo. She's with Tamsin now. Been together every day since you left. At it like animals they are, day and night."

"You do not own Bo, nor do you have a say in what she does." Lauren felt as her heart literally shattered into pieces. "Bo is her own woman. I won't let you use her as another one of your pawns."

"Well, maybe then I will just go ahead and show your bosses your letter to Bo." Evony added, "just to keep everything in the open."

Lauren stood, not saying a word.

"That's right, Agent. How do you think I found you and knew that you work for the NCB? Bo gave me your note. Oops, was that a secret?" Evony loved to watch people squirm, and they usually did when she gave her big reveal. Lauren, however, was as cold as ice, her jaw tight and face expressionless, which angered Evony. She needed to up her game. "How would the NCB react to the fact you told your lover that you were an undercover agent. Hardly their best spy, are you?"

Lauren couldn't believe what she was hearing. Bo would never betray her. There was another explanation. Lauren already suspected that Evony had friends in high places, and the slow pace of Massimo's charge was only strengthening that point. "I hate to upset your plans, but can't you see these packing boxes. I have quit, so the NCB and you can go fuck yourself," Lauren smirked, happy to have got one up on Evony.

"How romantic, but why now? For two months, you made no attempt to contact her?" Evony smiled knowingly. Evony knew very well where Lauren had been. After all, her contact made sure that Lauren was unavailable for eight weeks.

Lauren dismissed her with a wave of her hand, "I don't need to explain anything to you."

Lauren wasn't going to explain that she had been kept in isolation under Police Arrest since returning to the UK. That she was held in a six-by-four room in the basement of the NSY headquarters until last night when Dyson broke protocol and released her a few hours early. It was the worse thirty days of constant interrogation, followed by the loneliest forty days in solitude. It was protocol for anyone suspected of leaking national secrets. They had to remain in isolation until the last mission they were aware of had been completed. Lauren didn't know anything about the whereabouts of the other agents from her training, but that didn't seem to matter to her bosses. As far as they were concerned, rules were rules. During those lonely hours, Lauren spent replying her hours with Bo and wished she had done so many things different. So many hours were wasted trying to brush it aside as a fling, but Bo would haunt her each night. Those eyes shone a light right to the very heart of Lauren, and she had fallen for her. Before, her love life had been a string of one-night stands, but this was nothing like that. It felt like nothing ever had before. It drove her crazy to imagine that Bo might not have felt the same way, and sleepless nights would follow. Worry, anxiety, restlessness and repeat. She was tired.

Evony had studied Lauren. Her eyes moved rapidly from side to side. There was so much that she knew Lauren must be thinking. She was weighing it all up in her mind. Evony now had to topple those thoughts over. Evony took Lauren for a 'do the right thing' kinda woman, and her next play was her last. It had to work.

"Well, maybe you don't care about your career suicide, but what about Bo's." Evony saw the change in Laurens' expression; she was now on the right track and winning this fight. "How will you feel when Bo's career is over?"