SLD-90 (Book 2 Chapter 30)
Philips Fashions at the Megaplex
Upon entering the shop, Tiffany and Felicia had efficiently marshaled the store staff to help the ladies choose a dress for Anna. It was the fourth store they had hit and the duo of Jones and Hill had their routine down pat. They came to a store, saw all the dresses, took notes and marched out again.
Mouth shut, ears open and stomach grumbling, Sean had dutifully followed them from store to store. He murmured under his breath, "Fashionista blitzkrieg part four. What joy!"
"What was that, Sean?" asked Tiffany.
"Nothing, sweetheart," said Sean. "Can we break for lunch after this?"
"Where is your stamina?"
"I left it at Wyndhams two stores ago. This sort of shopping hit and run scenario is not covered in WSB manuals," said Sean. "It's downright exhausting!"
Fortunately for Sean, Nicole Philips, one of the owners, walked briskly over to them and distracted his wife. "I got your call early, Tiffany. I've put together a short fashion show so you can relax a little while you make a decision."
Tiffany gushed, "You are a DARLING!"
"Well, Grandma Claudia wouldn't like to hear that we were less than accommodating to one of her oldest friends and best friends," said Nicole. "Does Anna have a favorite color or style? Is there a color theme?"
"Classy, fitted, feminine but not too much skin or cleavage," said Felicia. She gave a note to Nicole. "These are her measurements. Color, hmm, that's going to depend on the dress. Is there a theme, Tif?"
"I don't think so," said Tiffany.
Nicole smiled at the measurements. "We shouldn't have any problems with these measurements. Follow me to the back showroom and we can get started."
As they were led to the back, Sean trailed the ladies. His phone began to ring.
"Don't even think of getting out to take that call, Sean," hissed Tiffany. "You promised to stay with us."
"I don't actually remember doing that, honey," said Sean. He pulled out his phone just as he sat down on the seat.
It was a text message from Connie. It said: F staying put 4 now. G case stopped. R dead.
Nicole continued to pepper them with questions. "What about accessories? Shoes, gloves, hats, jewelry, hosiery? Lingerie?"
"It's summer in Australia, maybe a hat?" mused Felicia. "Anna has a good face for hats."
"No!" exclaimed Sean.
Seated in front of him, Felicia and Tiffany looked at Sean.
"Okay, no hats, we get it, Sean," said Tiffany.
Sean looked up from his phone. He said, "Ah, sorry about that. I … I was just recalling how long it took Robert to choose a hat for their last wedding."
"Anna changed her hat several times, too," added Felicia. "This is sort of last minute. We should skip the hat."
"Good because we have no hats or fascinators in stock," said Nicole. "What you'll see today is what we DO have in stock. Most if not all are available in Anna's size."
With a wave of her hand, the lights dimmed slightly. A spotlight focused on the front of a set of drawn curtains.
"Our first offering is …" began Nicole as a model stepped on to the runway.
The first dress, known as Dress 1, did not elicit any oohs or aahs from Tiffany and Felicia. While the peach and gold strapless bodice with a sweetheart neckline was pretty enough, the bottom half with its large rosettes over a billowy ballroom style skirt was not favorable.
"I don't know it's … it's …" began Felicia.
"If we want to stay on Anna's good side, that dress won't help at all," said Tiffany. "It's like a … a torso set on top of a scoop of ice cream. Just no."
Dress 2 in off white had a more fitted silhouette with a half shell sweep train in the back.
"I don't know about that train," said Tiffany.
"She had a bustle on the last dress that hugged the floor a bit," said Felicia.
"But that wasn't like a train with length as this is."
"Is that bust line too prominent you think?"
"She wore a similar style at Robin's wedding." Tiffany peered at the dress as the model turned several times in front of them. "Sean!"
"Present!" exclaimed Sean looking up from studying something on his phone.
"Dress consultation please."
Long used to the drill, Sean looked the dress over. He put on a thoughtful expression on his face then said, "She might like that one."
"Thank you." Tiffany signaled Nicole to put Dress Two on the list of possible choices.
Dress Three, floor length and sleeveless with a heart shaped bodice, was a vision in a shade of pale maize.
"This IS wedding number three to Robert and …" Felicia's lips moved as she catalogued Anna's total marriages. "And marriage number five in all. Maybe white isn't best."
"Uh huh. It's not as fitted down below as the other one. We're not twenty or thirty any more," said Tiffany.
"It's probably going to be hot," added Felicia. "Loose is better."
"Sean!" Tiffany called out. "Consult!"
Her husband's fingers paused typing a word. He looked up. He studied the dress. "I could see Anna in that."
"Fine!" Tiffany signaled Nicole to add Dress 3 to the possibles list. "Next!"
Dress Four was an off white floor length gown with a strapless bodice above a straight skirt under an overlay layer of sheer embroidered lace.
"Hmm, elegant with a touch of sexiness," cooed Tiffany.
"More like the other way around to me," said Felicia. "But Anna could pull the look off."
"And it's not traditional white," added Tiffany. "Sean!"
"I'm looking," said Sean. He gave his verdict. "That could give Robert heart failure on the spot if it was in red."
"Oh, right. Anna told me once that Robert likes her in red," said Felicia.
"We are picking for the ceremony not the boudoir," said Tiffany. "I suppose Robert would thank us if we chose that one. Add it to the list."
Tiffany's eyes widened as Dress Five was paraded in front of her. The headpiece was sheer and floated above the model's head like a gauzy halo. The ballroom skirt was enhanced with a sheer pleated layer.
"Look at that! It reminds me of the dress I wore when I won the Miss Georgia Peach beauty pageant not too long ago," said Tiffany.
At hearing this, Sean cleared his throat. "I'm sure you were stunning, honey." He sent his reply to Connie's text message.
"I was, darling, I truly was," said Tiffany. She called out to Nicole. "Does this come in a junior or teen size?"
Felicia blinked away her inner vision of Anna tearing the headgear into shreds. "Um, I don't think … teen size?"
"Belle is going to her school's Valentine Dance with Andrew. He's going to be kitted out of course. I want Belle to just … just knock everyone's socks off," said Tiffany. "That child of mine could win ANY pageant she entered if she'd only pay attention to presentation. It's all Sean's fault."
"Yes, dear," said Sean absently.
"He wanted a tomboy daughter and he molded her into one," said Tiffany.
Felicia hid a smile. "Belle is so sweet and sensible."
"But she has … is so much more. I just cannot get her to … to bloom like the butterfly I know she can be."
"Give it time. She's only thirteen," said Sean. "She can stay the way she is for as long as she wants."
Felicia turned around and said to Sean. "All fathers say that. You are in for a rude awakening. Soon."
"Our little girl is growing up, Sean. You can't control her."
"Who says I ever did?" asked Sean. "She's YOUR daughter remember."
Tiffany groused. "She is such a daddy's girl and you know it. You take advantage of that every chance you get."
Tiffany's point hit it's target and Sean flinched inwardly. "That may be but I KNOW she'd HATE that dress. It's too … too girly and too fussy."
Tiffany rolled her eyes. "Do you see what I have to deal with, Felicia?"
"Let's focus on what we need to accomplish today, Tif. We can go shopping for Belle's dress another day," advised Felicia. "I really don't think that dress is for Anna."
Tiffany sighed wistfully. "I suppose you're right."
Dress Six made its way down the runway - a strapless lemon vanilla wrap.
"Sophisticated but fun," commented Felicia.
"Casual but still right for a wedding. Modest cleavage," said Tiffany. "Sean!"
Sean said with a snappy delivery. "Modern, figure flattering and good color."
"Nicole, put that on the list, please," said Tiffany. "Next!"
"We're moving right along aren't we?" noted Felicia.
"That final choice is going to be a killer."
Dress Seven was lemon chiffon number with an embroidered sweetheart top. Its flared skirt lengthened several inches in the back.
"I'm trying to think back if I've ever seen Anna in a dress like that," said Tiffany.
"The length is fine. Is the top too, I don't know, glittery?" asked Felicia. "I like it."
Tiffany signaled Nicole to add Dress Seven to the list.
"No asking Sean?" asked Felicia.
"Glitter is never out of place," Tiffany responded.
From the side of the runway, Nicole said, "This is our last dress, ladies."
Hearing the word 'last' made Sean sit up and pay attention. Three pairs of eyes raked over the details of Dress Eight.
"That reminds of something," murmured Felicia.
"Yeah, me too. But I can't place it," added Tiffany.
"From pictures I've seen, it reminds me of Anna's first wedding dress," said Sean. "This is longer but it has something of the same simplicity."
"That it! That's what it reminds me of," said Felicia. "We have to add that to the list for nostalgia's sake."
Tiffany whined. "But it's so plain. There's no bling or style except for the bits of lace on the neckline."
"She'll like it, honey," said Sean. He signaled Nicole to add the last dress to the list.
The five chosen models walked down the runway and took their places in a row. Felicia and Tiffany walked over for a closer look. Sean stayed where he was but he was listening to conversation.
"I like most of these far better than the ones at the other stores," said Tiffany. "What do you say, Felicia?"
"Whichever we choose I think Anna is going to look perfect," Felicia answered.
"Robert won't be able to take his eyes off her."
"We have to choose the most perfect one," said Felicia.
Perfect
The conversation brought a past memory to Sean's mind. A long ago voice echoed:
She's perfect, Gabriel. How did you find her?
New York City - 1976
Seated in a small highway diner, Sean sat on the counter nursing his soda. He risked a slight nod at the middle-aged bearded man entering the diner with a raven-haired young woman. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the pair take a seat at a back table. They gave their order to the waitress.
After another minute, the woman rose from her seat and approached one of the other patrons who sat a few chairs from Sean. A smile played on his lips as he listened in on the conversation. As he ordered a sandwich from the waitress, he angled his body so he could manage a full look at the woman that he had been told in no uncertain terms was an ideal prospect for his latest project.
The young woman was striking in appearance. Her height was neither too short or too tall. Her build was slender but not thin. She moved with easy grace that one was either born with or not. Her eyes were open and expressive. Her smile was sweet. Her voice was pleasant and melodic to the ear. Overall she was charming and articulate just as her recruiter Gabriel de Bruin had noted. One thing surprised Sean. She seemed to show her genuine self yet he detected a natural reserve. This quality was rare. It made him want to know more about her.
Her impromptu assignment was to acquire a certain amount of information from a complete stranger within a five minute conversation. As far as Sean could tell, she had captivated the stranger who was volunteering far more than what was expected. She was a good listener. She kept the conversation on point without appearing to be purposely guiding it. That was a valuable skill for any field operative. At exactly five minutes, the conversation was ended with a smile. The young woman returned to her seat.
Sean ate his sandwich and surreptitiously observed the prospective recruit and her companion Gabriel. He suppressed a chuckle at seeing her eat everything on her plate. As they ate, Gabriel quizzed her on describing everyone in the diner in detail without a second look. After a half hour, the pair rose and went to leave. As he made his way to the door, Gabriel bumped Sean.
"I'm so sorry," said Gabriel.
Sean felt Gabriel deftly drop a set of keys into his coat pocket. "Quite all right. No harm done."
Sean paid his bill and then sat in his car for ten minutes before taking the key out of his pocket. It was for the Horizon Lodge. He remembered passing a sign for it. He maneuvered out of the parking spot and headed for the lodge.
He took the stairs two at a time and entered the room number shown on the key. As expected, Gabriel was waiting for him.
"Well, what do you think of Anna?" asked Gabriel.
"That you are still the best recruiter I've ever met," said Sean. His eyes scanned the sitting room and saw no sign of the young woman. "Where is she? In the bedroom?"
Gabriel nodded. "I've kept her moving and active for several hours. She was due some rest."
"Your report wasn't your usual style. There were very few facts to help me decide," said Sean.
"I felt that an in-person evaluation was better."
"And?"
Gabriel took a seat on the sofa. "And as you already suspect, Sean, there are aspects of her … case that I feel needs personal explanation."
Sean made himself comfortable on a chair. "I came here because of your recommendation, Gabriel, not the facts. I'm already impressed by her performance at the diner. I have to say though that she may be too good to be true."
"She is that." Gabriel smiled. "I have recruited many agents for the Bureau. This one is special."
Sean's brows rose. "Do tell."
"I did not find her. She found me."
"What?"
"One of your requirements for this new project was youth and freshness. I sensed that you wanted someone who would never have thought of the business as a good career move."
"Yeah. I didn't want anyone who thought our work was anything remotely like a Bond movie. I wanted someone with no preconceived ideas. None whatsoever."
"And, reading between the lines, you wanted someone with ambition or with a need to prove themselves. Was I right?"
"Dead on," said Sean. "I need someone who can be molded from the very beginning of their career."
"With those requirements in mind, I put flyers about an early entrance exam at various universities in Canada, Alaska even Hawaii in addition to the usual recruiting areas. Anna was planning to enroll in one university when she saw one of my flyers. Do you know what she did?" asked Gabriel.
"I think I'll let you tell me," said Sean.
"Anna packed everything she possessed into one suitcase and came here on the day of the test. She was so focused on taking the test that she had not even bothered to plan for someplace to stay."
"Not averse to risk. A gambler and-" began Sean.
"I thought the same at first until I talked to her more. The test wasn't a gamble for her, Sean. It was her way out."
"Succeed or fail, Gabriel, she had no safety net. That's a classic gambler trait."
Gabriel chuckled. "Why does a wire walker walk the wire but to get to the other side. That was … is Anna's mindset. Everything has to have a purpose and if there are risks so be it. She doesn't see it as winning or losing, right or wrong. It's simply a goal to be reached."
"Interesting that you would use right or wrong, Gabriel. Are you telling me she's amoral?"
"Her personal ethics are very traditional but I believe you would find her professional ethics to be … bendable," Gabriel clarified. "I've found you the rarest of the rare, a natural born chameleon but I do have a favor to ask of you."
"Name it."
"I want you to promise me that Anna won't be used for honey trap operations."
"But with her looks she could be a total natural. She'll only get more beautiful with maturity."
"How do I put this? I don't believe she has had all of life's experiences." Gabriel looked meaningfully at Sean. It took a few seconds for Sean to discern Gabriel's true meaning.
"She's a uh … you're sure? Did you ask her?"
"Of course not. I see her as a much younger sister. I couldn't possibly ask. I told you her personal ethics are traditional," said Gabriel.
"Obviously."
"Sean, you and I both know that our job is far more demanding of a woman than a man. Anna is so hungry to make something of herself that she may commit all of who she is and all she has to the service. And this drive may prevent her from exercising restraint appropriately."
"Curbing her enthusiasm will only come with time and experience."
"But that hunger, that need inside her, makes her fearless, Sean."
"And that's bad?"
"I fear that it will drive her to the point of recklessness in the future." Gabriel sighed. "Anna has had very little control over her life. She has been shunted from one relation to another. Always, she has adapted and become stronger at the expense of social maturity, I believe. She has no close friends. Her family is distant. She has had to be pragmatic and self-reliant from a young age yet I see glimpses of a young girl who still believes in knights in shining armor. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"Not really."
"The only thing that Anna has full control of is her heart. I do not want her to be faced with a choice of … of giving her heart for the sake of a mission's success. Because if it's ordered of her, she would do it. I do not want her used like that. She deserves better."
"She's gotten to you, hasn't she?"
"Yes. I see myself as I was. Like her, I was young when I was recruited. I remember being so hopeful and eager. I didn't realize that those same attributes would lead to my downfall," said Gabriel. "I do not want her to become like me. You promise me that you will let her own her heart, her hopes and dreams, then I shall hand her over."
"I want to meet her before I make any promises."
"No."
Sean was shocked. "I think she's got her first knight already."
"Maybe she has," said Gabriel. "She is here not for glory or even a desire to serve. She is here because we are her only option. I believe we can be as good for her as she will be to the service. But, she must have a chance to become the person she's meant to be. The Bureau cannot swallow her whole, squeeze every ounce of drive and talent she possesses then toss her away when she becomes a liability."
"Our job is all about risks, Gabriel. Operatives must accomplish their objectives."
"Risks AND choices, Sean," said Gabriel. "I'm only asking that Anna be given some choices that are purely hers to make."
"I can't play favorites when assigning missions. That's what you're asking me to do."
"No. Assign her to whatever mission you like. I'm asking that you leave it to Anna's discretion how far she goes if sex is involved. That's all."
"That's one hell of an exception," said Sean. "And that sort of thing is beyond my control anyway."
"No, it's not," said Gabriel. "You can order her to … to seduce and sleep with someone. Given her need to please, she'd do it."
"It's part of the job," said Sean. "If it happens, she'll have to cope with the, uh, aftermath."
"I guess I have my answer."
"I can't handle her with kid gloves like you want me to."
"I understand," said Gabriel. "I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Well, it doesn't have to be wasted. Let me talk to her. Five minutes max. You can sit in and listen," said Sean.
Gabriel was immune to Sean's brand of persuasiveness. He rose to his feet. "Good bye, Sean. I'll let you know when I have a new prospect."
"You're not budging on this an inch, are you?" asked Sean.
"I can't. I won't," said Gabriel.
"What are you going to do with her then?"
"Tell her she's gotten a two year university scholarship to study anything she wants with a small stipend for living expenses. I'll set up and fund the scholarship myself," said Gabriel. "She will have her way out with or without the service."
"She's THAT special?"
"I'm going on instinct and maybe a bit of wishful thinking that someone can have a happy ending in this business," said Gabriel. "Once you meet her you'll agree she's a superb candidate."
"And they call me the charmer," said Sean. "Fine. I agree. I promise to keep to everything you want. I'll train her for black widow jobs and exclude her entirely from honey trap operations until such a time that she's more … experienced or she asks to be involved in them. Sound good?"
"That's all I want. Thank you," said Gabriel. "I'll get her."
Sean stood up when Gabriel emerged from the bedroom with Anna. He blinked a few times. She looked him straight in the eye. He could see no fear in them only an intense and open curiosity. Up close and without a shred of makeup, she seemed so young and vulnerable. She smiled shyly. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
Gabriel did the introductions. "Anna Devane, this is Sean Donely."
"Sir?" began Anna.
"Call me Sean. Have a seat. Tell me about yourself, Anna."
Donely Penthouse
"Sean! Earth to Sean!" yelled Tiffany jolting Sean out of his trip down memory lane.
"Yeah, honey, what is it?" asked Sean.
"What is it? What is it?" repeated Tiffany. "You haven't heard a word we've been saying, have you?"
"Well, actually no," admitted Sean.
Felicia stepped in to defuse the potentially volatile situation. "We've settled on six dresses."
"But we can't decide on the ONE dress!" said Tiffany dramatically.
Sean felt the eyes of the woman on him. "And I'm supposed to make a choice? Me?"
Note: This is the start of delving into Sean and Anna's complicated past history. Thoughts? Likes? Dislikes?