Chapter 7:
They settled into their box and Allie handed Flint opera glasses that were sitting by their seats. Leaning close, she murmured, "I had the box wired where our Cobra agents will be," she said, nodding towards a box across from them. "We'll be able to hear any conversation through the glasses."
He had to admit, he was impressed. When she had said she was going shopping, he had actually thought she meant to get her dress. She had obviously done more than just shopping. Then again, this was her area of expertise, and she probably had contacts all over the world.
The box across from them stayed empty until the curtain rose. Once the lights were down, they noticed shadows slipping into the box. Allie nodded at Flint, and they both picked up their glasses, seeming to watch the performance, but really listening in.
There were several male voices, along with a female. At first, conversation was casual and could have been anyone sitting over there. For a moment, both Joes thought that it was, in fact, the wrong box until a statement had them sitting straighter in their seats.
Allie focused hard on one of the voices, thinking it sounded familiar. She turned a dial on her glasses and gestured for Flint to do the same. Glancing over at the box, she was able to see through the dark to make out the people in the box.
Two men, twins by the look of them, were talking to a masked individual and a dark-haired woman. They were discussing an alliance, a business deal between the men and Cobra. Allie wasn't sure who the men were and her contact hadn't known the identities of the ticket holders. A phrase made by the masked man had her gasp silently. Flint squeezed her hand, glancing at her questioningly. She motioned that she was okay, but she felt frozen. She did know that voice. Anger rose in her as she thought about what the man was doing to her family!
She got up, not able to stay in the box any longer, her anger making her restless.
"What are you doing?" Flint whispered.
"I'll be back," she told him, starting to move away, but he caught her hand.
"The team stays together. We don't split up," he told her, his voice firm.
"Well, unless you want to escort me into the ladies' room, I think you might be out of luck!" she told him, irritated.
He let go of her hand and she stalked out of the box and into the hallway.
As she rounded the corner, she ran into a solid body. Looking up, she saw the source of her irritation.
"Excuse me," the masked gentleman said, helping her up.
"You!" he said suddenly, ripping his hand out of hers, recognizing her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" demanded Allie, speaking in Gaelic, knowing that even if they were overheard in the empty hallway, there were few in this part of the world who would understand them.
"Alison, dear, I didn't know you were attending the music festival. I had heard you weren't working for MI-6 anymore," he stammered, taking her cue and using Gaelic as well. Why of all places did he have to run into his niece here? Not when this merger was so important. He couldn't let it affect the deal, or it might be his life!
"Don't you Alison dear me, Uncle James! So you're keeping tabs on me? Good to know, since I know exactly why you're here and what you're doing! So this is the "country" you claimed had ordered all those weapons and vehicles, and you were waiting on payment. You filthy liar! Does anyone know the truth? I can assure you, if Ian or Collum knew…"
"This is not the best place to discuss family business," he interrupted her, his tone cold. "Why don't we make an appointment tomorrow to meet…."
"Destro! So here you are. I can't leave you alone for one minute! And who is she?" hissed the black-haired woman who had been in the box with him. She crossed her arms, glaring at Lady Jaye.
"Oh, I can assure you, I'm not interested in your boyfriend. You can have him!" Allie said coldly, her fists clenched. "He'll have to answer to a higher power." With that, she turned and stormed away, not caring if she had just compromised her position. She needed to get in touch with her cousins immediately! Hawk would just have to understand. What she had just learned was invaluable information to the Joe team, but her family business came first.
Allie felt herself being whirled around, and she stood face to face with the woman, who was seething.
"I don't need little sluts messing up our evening!" snapped the woman.
Allie's eyes narrowed, ready to engage. If it hadn't been for her uncle stepping between the women, she would have grabbed her knife strapped to her inner thigh and used it on the woman!
"Ladies, please! I am sure we can discuss this in a more proper fashion," Destro said in a soothing tone. "My dear Baroness," he said, turning to address the black-haired woman, "you have it all wrong. This is my niece. I had no idea she would be here," he said, his voice almost pleading.
"Your niece!" she scoffed, her German accent strong. "You expect me to believe that?"
"Believe it," growled Allie.
"Is everything all right?" asked a new voice, and Allie saw the men who had been in the box with "Destro" and the woman. She filed away the name "Baroness" for later.
"And who is…" began the first man.
"…this lovely creature?" finished the second.
Both men bowed to her. Sharing a glance, they wondered at the situation since the lady's face was flushed and she obviously looked angry. Did the Baroness catch Destro red-handed?
"May we introduce ourselves…." began the first one again, which was beginning to give Allie a headache, feeling like she watching a tennis match when the two men spoke.
"I am Xamot…"
"…and I am Tomax…."
"…at your service!" they both proclaimed together.
Destro hissed at the two men he deemed fools. While Cobra needed their financial support, what were they doing giving away their names, even if they were coded? He was surrounded by idiots, he inwardly groaned.
"It's nice to meet you gentlemen, but I'm afraid I must be leaving. My escort will be wondering where I went to," Allie managed to say in a polite tone, figuring with her luck tonight, Flint would come stumbling on the situation. Yeah, he'll really trust you after this! she thought with a silent groan. How had things gotten so out of hand?
"Uncle," she said, glaring at the man, as she bade him goodbye. "This is not over," she said in a low tone as she passed him.