The next evening the three were scheduled to be at a party at the chateau Prieure de St. Cyr. Their target, Charles Govet, would also be attending. Govet owned a bio-pharmaceutical company that intelligence had recently discovered was researching and manufacturing much more than potent anti-wrinkle serums. Communications intercepted between Govet and his associates had three vials of an anthrax-like biohazard already created and ready for delivery with more to come. Their job was to determine if the vials were still in the lab and if so to steal them.
French intelligence officials suggested Germaine D'Aubet be sent in with the American agents to appeal to Govet's affinity for younger, beautiful women. French intelligence knew Govet would have a difficult time turning Germaine down. Her cover as an heiress with a sizable fortune would also appeal to him since he was now looking for investors in his company, plus they hoped her years of experience would bring things to a resolution quickly. They could not afford to waste time. As far as anyone knew, the vials were still in Paris at his lab but that could change at any moment. Where they were going and who else was involved, they hoped Germaine could coax out of Govet.
Germaine arrived at St. Cyr alone before the others. Her early arrival allowed her time to look around the place and gather as much information as she could before the Americans appeared. She also wanted the extra time to get comfortable in her old alias. Wearing the clothes, changing her hair, donning the attitude and the dark-colored contacts was the easy part. Asking the right questions and getting people to talk about their secrets without raising suspicion was the part she hoped she still knew how to do. French authorities assured her that her cover from years ago, heiress Dominique Seignet, was still intact and usable. They would all find out if that were true and if she was as good as they thought in the next day or so.
Bill Hoyt let Leo and Steven out of the limousine in front of the chateau and notified Germaine of their arrival. She met the two suited gentlemen at the entrance as their names were checked against the guest list.
"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Seignet. You look stunning, as always," Leo said doing his best not to stare. It had been years since he had seen her like this; usually she was dressed casually with little to no makeup when they saw each other. Now she was wearing a crimson sheath dress, eyes and hair artfully done. He had forgotten what she looked like all dressed up and wished he had insisted on being her escort for the night. "I hope the evening is going well."
"Superb. There's a tent set up outside with about 100 people, in addition to everyone in here. I haven't seen Govet yet, but I haven't been outside," Germaine replied as Steven held out his arm for her. "The tent's all yours, Nash; there's a woman in a hot pink dress going that direction who seemed just your type."
"They told me you were dead," Steven told her as they walked away. Not the best conversation starter he had ever come up with but it was important to him that Germaine not think he went back to America and forgot her and their time together. "I tried to get in touch with you after I got back to the States but everyone said you had been killed during an undercover mission."
"I was told the same thing about you," she replied. "I believed it, too, until Leo let it slip. Of course, I did have to coerce it out of him. But by then, everything had changed."
"You haven't changed," he told her as his eyes traveled over her. Leo was right she looked stunning. "You're as beautiful as ever and that dress … amazing." She looked up into his eyes and started to say something as her hand ran over the lapel of his jacket. Then it seemed she thought better of it and remained silent while she looked away, over his shoulder. It was obvious to Steven that something was off with Germaine. She was restrained in the way she acted towards him, even now while undercover. It was understandable while Leo was near, but now he wondered what she was hiding.
"And if every man looked like you do in a suit, the world would be a much better place. Now that our little love-fest is over, mon amour, we should get to work," she told him with a mischievous smile before addressing their behind the scenes contact, Bill Hoyt. "Hoyt, do you have the floor plan in front of you? I'd really like to get started before I make Steven a proposition he can't refuse."
Their ears were met with silence before a stunned Hoyt slowly replied, "R-R-Ready, Mademoiselle D'Aubet."
"Hoyt, it's Germaine. I see Leo and Steven didn't warn you about me. Left or right at the top of the stairs?" she asked laughing before being stopped by an older couple she recognized from years ago while she was actively using her cover. "Bonsoir, Monsieur Lawson. How are you? You made it in from Lancashire, how nice! And Geraldine, you're looking well."
"We're very well. I haven't seen you in ages Dominique; I was getting worried. Looks like I needn't have been concerned, though," Daniel Lawson said looking towards Steven.
"No, I've been in Austria quite a bit, that's all. Markus has been monopolizing my time, not that I'm complaining. Daniel Lawson, this is Markus Badem," she said as she turned to Steven. "You've heard of Badem/Drasche Electronics, yes?"
"Ah, yes. It's an up and comer. It's good seeing you again Dominique. I hope you both have a good night."
"And you," she said as they turned and started towards the staircase. "They're very nice people. I like them."
As they neared the first step a man in his early sixties approached Germaine. "Pardon-moi, you are Dominique Seignet, yes?"
"Yes. And you are?" she asked, even though she had already recognized the man speaking to her.
"Charles Govet. I own Govet Biomedique," the man told her. She quickly glanced at Steven, who was hanging a step back. This was the man they were looking for. "Daniel Lawson pointed you out. I hoped to be able to speak with you."