Disclaimer: I don't own Human Target and intend no copyright infringement.

Ilsa's reaction to the detective's question was adorable. Around the time of the Crane's death Guerrero had started teaching her how to control her physical reactions, trying to make her a better liar, and she had improved her skills. But still her eyes grew bigger the second Meierle asked her about the necklace, she straightened her back a little, took a slightly deeper breath…

Yeah, the description definitely sounded familiar to her.

Chance could see it and he was pretty sure, Meierle could, too. This mole-in-the-sunlight act he was putting up… – it was exactly that, an act, designed to put suspects at ease, lure them into a false and potentially disastrous feeling of superiority. And Chance had to give credit where credit was due. He was good at it.

Winston and Guerrero had noticed it, too – the detective's tiny, mouselike eyes, squinting at them so seemingly clueless, were actually quite keen. Not an opponent to underestimate…

"I have no idea what you're talking about", Ilsa told him in her most high-toned British accent.

Not a bad idea in general, British accents did have an intimidating effect on people with the Britannia rule the waves thing and all, but she was overdoing it, sounding haughty, and haughtiness usually indicated some kind of insecurity.

If the insurance detective had done his homework, and Chance was quite sure he had, he knew that Ilsa was known for being a philanthropist, determined to make the world a better place. Haughtiness didn't match with that kind of reputation. Meierle was surely wondering why she was displaying that kind of behavior.

Hmmm… Chance frowned.

Or did he already know more? What if he wasn't just snooping around, testing the water, trying to kick up some dirt and see where things would go? Had he maybe come here with a very specific plan in mind?

"Our client's necklace was stolen during a traditional costume ball at one of Vienna's most famous and finest hotels, the Kaiserhof Hotel. It has come to my attention that you, Mrs. Pucci, attended that ball incognito. You gained access with a counterfeit invitation. When the deceit came to light, security apprehended you and tried to hold you captive till the Gendarmerie arrived. Obviously you managed to escape."

Chance leaned back in his chair, quite astounded – Ilsa, hauled off by security? After sneaking into a high society ball? Why that incognito shit? Her name surely would have gotten her an invitation in no time. And what did Meierle mean by "escaped"?

Damn it, he would have paid money to see all that…

"I wore a replica of the necklace you described. Together with a matching replica of Empress Elizabeth's summer dress, as on display in the Vienna Hofburg. Or are you accusing me of having stolen that, too?"

Both Guerrero and Ames sighed deeply and a bit resignedly.

"What?" said the look Ilsa threw Guerrero.

"The correct answer, Mrs. Pucci, would have been "I've never been at that costume ball. That security staff's identification is highly doubtful." Meierle's tiny eyes gleamed.

"As of yet, that is." He smiled at her.

Ilsa stiffened. Small dark patches appeared all along her neck. She was getting angry.

"I'm not a thief."

"Don't get me wrong, but illegally gaining access to a private costume ball, blowing a hole into a heritage protected building of Vienna's world famous old quarter and fleeing from the police tells a different story." The detective's smile didn't waver.

Chance almost fell off his seat. Ilsa had really managed to build that bomb with Baptiste's instructions? And detonate it?

Jeez, all the fun he had missed!

"This is nothing more than a coincidence. The necklace I wore that evening was a very well done duplicate."

"A duplicate meant to replace the original. Countess Brunswik von Korompa Wankel de Martonvasar almost didn't notice the difference when she retrieved this most prized of her possessions from her hotel room's safe. A tiny scratch on the inside of one of the rubies gave you away."

"My presence at that ball had nothing – I insist, nothing – to do with any jewelry theft." Ilsa was slowly losing her composure. If an accusation like that found its way into Connie's ears… This could put their funding at risk…

"If that is so, Mrs. Pucci, then why don't you show me your duplicate and prove to me that you didn't use it to replace it with the Countess' priceless family heirloom."

At "family heirloom", Ames looked up and frowned. She got up, went to get one of the laptops and started typing.

Ilsa sighed in frustration. "I can't…"

Now the insurance detective was grinning in obvious triumph. "Of course not… because I have it." He produced a transparent plastic bag from one of the many pockets of his coat. It contained a beautiful necklace.

"We found your DNA on the clasp. You definitely wore it."

… … …

Detective Meierle was not the only one leaning back in triumph because a plan was working out so well. Emma switched off her phone and let herself fall onto the hotel bed, satisfied smile on her face. Getting that e-mail address had been a pain in the ass, but she was sure it would be worth it. Now all she had to do was sent a short, encrypted message, and the wheels would start moving…

Granted, this was all pretty devious… not only regarding Chance and his team, who had helped her out of a tight spot more than once, she also felt sorry for the informant she was putting at risk for this. But there was no other way. She had wrecked her brain about this, but had not been able to come up with any alternative. She had promised her superior to deliver Guerrero. If she didn't manage that, she was done.

And she couldn't, absolute couldn't afford that. She needed her position with the Bureau.

The problem with selling out Guerrero was that it was already widely known in both FBI and CIA that he was dangerous and a criminal, but they had no proof against him, couldn't nail him for anything.

That was her job now, finding something to nail him.

In the end coming up with a plan had been simple. She would create a situation in which the team wouldn't be able to say no. In order to protect a client they'd do something very criminal and while committing that, Emma would call in her colleagues. Guerrero and, unfortunately, also the others, would be caught red handed.

The crucial point was to create a threat for the client that was perilous enough to make the team take desperate measures.

Arnie Grunnit, one of her informants, was a father of two small children, his wife was suffering from a chronic disease. In order to save that poor man from the grasp of one of the world's most dangerous underworld bosses, G. Brax, the team would surely go to great lengths. Such as breaking into United States Penitentiary ADX Florence in Colorado to get Brax the only thing that would make him give up wanting to punish Arnie Grunnit. His younger brother, who was serving time there for double murder in the first degree and human trafficking.

Granted, to create this situation, she really had to give up Grunnit to Brax, had to inform him about his snitching. But if everything went well and according to plan, she'd not only nail Guerrero but also be able to save Grunnit.

She was quite optimistic about that.