Chapter 3

Sarah looked at the cup. 'How did he know? ' She watched him and wondered who he was, and where did he come from and why was this guy getting under her skin. Better yet why was she letting him get under her skin. Coffee preferences was one thing, but as the days went on and the mission progressed his antics, his presence forced her to put her walls up again. The four sat in the London office waiting for their next set of instructions scrolling their manifest when Sarah looked at Charles. She watched as his eyebrows raised and do this little dance as he read. One of many things Sarah had picked up on. Sarah read on and saw what her duties were knew her choices were limited. She had to make her move or she'd end up working with him. Working with him "closely" and she wasn't ready for that. Sarah stood up and grabbed Carina, motioning to McFadden that Carina would be honoured to work with Charles and she'd work with William. William heard his name, and looked up; he didn't care who he worked with. Both women were way out of his league and far beyond his experiences with women since working for MI6.

McFadden didn't have time to argue. "Any questions team?" He looked around the room. When no one answered or had time to challenged the idea he quickly spoke. "No, okay go home and pack, your flight leaves at midnight." Charles got up and looked at Sarah. He was surprised that she'd give up the lead on this mission as he figured she'd would want a chance to do some payback and having the lead would definitely do that. But when Sarah almost pushed Carina, Charles's way, he was confused as to why. Carina eyed Charles, like a sweet treat instinctively sliding her arm into his. This was a typical Carina move. Her kryptonite charm, but for Sarah seeing them together she couldn't help being jealous. But she had her chance and maybe the sting of something bigger was brewing. The four moved down the hall to what Charles called the company room. They scoured the room for devices and what they thought they would need for this mission. William went straight to surveillance equipment. While Charles just stood in the door way watching Sarah load magazines for her gun, her technique was almost hypnotic. She then grabbed a few knives which intrigued him. She looked up catching his gaze, snapping him out of his stare. He fumbled slightly then grabbed a steel looking case loading it up with a variety of pistols and headed out. Sarah watched him leave as a small tingle was felt in her stomach.

They boarded a jet this time feeling pretty special. William sat near the front. While Charles chose the back and instantly opened another book. Sarah boarded the jet shortly after and had only a few seats to choose from but lucked out ending up sitting near William when Carina slid in and took the empty seat next to Charles. Charles looked up and smiled then went back to his book. Sarah was tempted to say something but decided not to say anything. The jet took off as Charles kept reading, Sarah flipped through a magazine, completed a crossword then went back again to the same magazine. She looked up but got no response from him. She stood up and walked over to Carina. Carina leaned over looking back at Charles and wondered why Sarah wasn't conversing with him. She looked at Sarah and wondered if she didn't find him attractive. But this was Sarah, and Carina knew that if this guy wasn't the one or if she wasn't interested in him she could see why she was keeping her distance. But Carina knew her best friend and her being 'distance' and her stepping back on taking the lead she knew the two were connected. Wondering why Sarah didn't see that Charles could be the one that she could go down that road with. Carina had always looked out for her and wished that she'd find someone to share her life with, someone to care for her, love her and do anything for her. But she also knew that Sarah had a habit of putting up walls instead, fearing happiness that she was entitled to. But spying was all she knew thanks to her dad and the life he led. Carina snapped out of her thoughts and sat up not wanting Sarah to just accept 'this' life as her destiny. Carina looked at her friend but like her this job did allow one to be whatever they wanted and still be able to hide in the shadows, to be anonymous to be unseen.

Charles slid his cup aside and closed his book. He stood up catching her eye. He had to slouch slightly as the ceiling height of the jet was not made for tall people. He walked to the head returning shortly sitting down beside William as Carina got up to sit in his spot. And Sarah went to sit by Carina. Carina looked down the aisle then back at Sarah. "So Walker, spill it."

"Spill what?"

Carina laughed. "What you have been up to. I don't see you in almost six months and I end up here with you, lover boy and Poindexter."

"Not much, mission here and there and then this one came up."

"But MI6?"

"It's a joint CIA MI6 operation that they put together putting their best agents together."

"Best huh?" Carina bringing her knee to her chest.

Sarah grinned. "Graham sent me here about a year ago and I ended up working high end missions which led to this one."

"And when we were in San Tropez, you didn't tell me."

"You know I couldn't."

"Where you on a mission?"

Sarah lowered her head. "No."

"Liar."

They both laughed. Charles couldn't help look up at the two of them laughing. A smile came to his lips then he returned to his conversation with William.

The next morning – (Athens Greece)

William decided to order a British breakfast and looked up as he took a bite. "You care to join me?" Charles looked at him. His stomach growled as he looked at the rather bland and cold items on the table. Charles reluctantly grabbed a plate as Sarah walked in shaking her head as she moved in beside him. Whispering. "You might not want to eat this."

Charles took a bite then spat it out in a napkin. "What is this?"

"Don't know. There's a cafe down the street. Breakfast there?"

Charles put down his plate and the two of them exited the door as Carina came out of her room with a cup of coffee watching the two leave. Instantly smiling as she took a sip and joined William. Charles and Sarah headed down the steps and out the door reaching the café. Sarah noticed what Charles was wearing. He was wearing a baby blue cotton button down shirt with white cotton pants. His hair was still dampish which added to the mystery about him. He kept his sunglasses on which Sarah wondered what he was thinking. Sarah wore a sundress far from her jeans and knee high boots that she was wearing the day before. She blamed the heat but for that morning she felt like dressing like a girl. Charles pulled her chair out allowing Sarah to sit down facing the street as he grabbed the other chair. They ordered a lovely breakfast and started to enjoy their time together when they looked, seeing Carina dragging William by the arm then sitting down disrupting the moment. Charles slipped his sunglasses on but not before they shared a subtle disappointing look of intrusion. Carina gave Sarah wink as Sarah wasn't sure if she was relieved or ticked off by this intrusion.

Carina nudged William as to why they had arrived. "Oh yes, we got an address of the building where we think the device is being auctioned off." Charles gets the attention of the waitress and slips her twenty euros. He gets up and pulls Sarah's chair back then Carina's. The four exit the café and they leave with their respective partners. They reach the building but it wasn't an office building that they assumed but a hotel that was a few blocks from the café and start taking notes on the building. The four look at the abandoned looking hotel but when they entered the lobby it was bustling with tourists. They split up making use of their time there. Charles takes William and the two head down to the basement to find the electrical room. Carina and Sarah move through the lobby grabbing a few coffees monitoring the security team and locating cameras and anything else that they might need to be aware of. Sarah walked towards the windows facing the front desk as Carina pulls up a chair near the elevator. Maintaining her surveillance she slides her wrist along her face and speaks into her watch. "Did you enjoy your breakfast?" Her tone rather snoopy. Sarah didn't look at her and kept on walking till she found a seat. "It was fine." She finally replied.

"You two going out again?" After the fifth inquiry question Sarah turned to face her and walked up to her. "What do you want to know?"

Carina looked at her. "You like him?"

"Who?"

"You know darn well who?"

Sarah was getting a little warm under her collar, though she wasn't wearing one . "He's all right. A little stuffy for my taste."

"Stuffy?" Carina thought to herself. 'He's exactly her type. If she had a type.' Carina thought to herself. For as attractive as Sarah was on the outside, on the inside she didn't feel pretty. Or thought she was and Carina knew that. But Carina knew that Charles was different. She knew that he wasn't like those men who drooled over her. Sarah stepped away as Carina continued to think to herself about this guy named Charles. Maybe there was something different about him and she was going to find out why.

Charles and William came up the back stairs. Charles shook his head at Sarah. She knew they came up empty but they couldn't allow this disappointment to stop them from finding the device. Carina got up as Charles walked by and slid her hand onto his and the two of them headed down the hall hopefully making their way upstairs. Sarah watched the two leave then inwardly sighed as she and William headed outside to check the street area. Sarah had partners before but her and William were complete opposites, as black and white but William was here for the job and he made sure that Sarah was too.

"Team."

Sarah and William stop. "I think that Carina has found something. Meet us upstairs east wing third floor."

Charles walked off leaving Carina to do her enticing with the security guard. Charles walked a few feet down the hall waiting for Carina's cue. In seconds Carina had the young steward in the palm of her hands. She caressed his arm sliding down to his wrist then slipping her hand around his waist, releasing the key card that was attached to a wired string. Carina looked up giving Charles the cue. Charles walked by grazing his hand with Carina's as he took possession of the key card. He walked the hall meeting Sarah's eyes as she reached the landing of the third floor. He shows her the key card hidden in the inside of his hand. He walked up to her as if they had practiced this move. She moved in beside him and reached for his hand encasing hers in his as he rests the key card into her hand. She doesn't smile at first but the way he looked at her she couldn't help it. Sarah takes the card and meets up with William who found a place to sit down. He opens up his laptop as Sarah sits down beside him. He slides the key card to the left of his laptop into a scanner, creating an instant duplicate. He smiled then held it in the air as Sarah walked by taking it walking back towards Charles. She looked up and saw that Charles was being detained by an elderly woman who obviously took an interest in him. He shook his head not breaking character as Sarah walked past him and onto Carina slipping her the key card back into her hand as if nothing had happened.

Carina continued to pay attention to the young security guard till they were interrupted by someone talking in his ear. He smiled as Carina backed off. Charles saw Carina heading down the nearest flight of stairs as he continued walking towards the stairs seeing Sarah waiting for him. They smiled at each other making them both feel pretty good as they head down the stairs meeting William and Carina in the lobby. They returned to the hotel later that evening making use of the key card. Carina and Sarah headed to the basement and went the opposite direction that Charles and William had gone earlier. They noticed quickly that this particular wing of the basement had its share of security. "There's a camera on our left." Sarah looked up to confirm. "I see that." They both eyed the camera but sense that there had to be another one somewhere. Sarah extended her arm stopping Carina from moving forward. Sarah pointed up. Carina looked at what Sarah was pointing to. The upper part of the remaining wall had been altered. The wall was freshly gyprock and wall and plastered as if something new was added recently. Sarah then noticed an employee carrying way too much heading their way. Sarah called Charles to come down. In seconds, the three of them are hiding in a corridor watching the entourage of people entering and exiting the small passage way. "So what do you think is going on in there?" Charles leaning forward to take a look. "Not sure, all of a sudden traffic got heavy and trolleys of items were being rolled into the hall and through that door. Charles looked at Sarah then slid his wrist to his face. "William can you check the east door probably near the shipping area and give us eyes on what is happening there." "Give me sec, this old building is giving me some pains."

William headed to the back up to the third floor where his system had worked for him. He tapped into the hotel's feed giving him an overlook of the docking area. "Team, we have a few loading trucks, one catering truck." Sarah looked up. "I know that look." "What look?"

Charles just catching on to what the two of them were talking about watched as Sarah grabbed what looked like a uniform off the rack near by. Slipping on the vest she waited till she heard another cart coming down the hall. The cart stopped shy of the door blocking the entrance. Sarah grabbed Charles's hand. "You coming?" Charles looked at her. She didn't wait for an answer and pushed the cart through the door slipping inside. She ditches the cart and they head further into the area still holding hands, till they see where their hands are, realizing that they are still holding hands, they quickly release their grip.

The two slip in behind a wall looking into down into a narrow hall. One each side were rows of benches and artifacts with what Charles could see as expensive rare artifacts. Sarah slipped in front of him slightly grabbing her phone and snapping some photos. Charles pressed his finger to his ear hearing Carina nattering. He whispered into his feed. "It looks like some museum storage." Just then William gets into the conversation. "Folks, it looks like there is an auction here, so our intel was right. It is happening this weekend."

Sarah looked at Charles. "But what about the device?"

Charles waited till he felt the room was empty. He walked out from where they were standing and headed towards the first artifact. "William is there any camera's down here?"

William typed away and only saw one that was active, "We got one at the doorway. It looks like the rest are off, not sure why but." In seconds William blurted out. "Don't move." Charles and Sarah froze. "What's going on?"

"You guys have company. Coming from your right through the north doors." Charles and Sarah slid under one of the benches with Charles sliding onto his side in the back and Sarah laying down in front of him. Sarah glanced back over her shoulder to see his face, uncomfortable at first but those feelings escaped her when they heard voices. "I want to make sure that this place is secure tomorrow night. We have a short window to move this thing and I don't want any problems. My investors hope to get rid of this thing just before the auction. Using this space will not tip off what is going on upstairs. These other artifacts will be stored here in the meantime giving us the excuse to be down here." "Sounds good, I will make sure that our people know what they are suppose to do." The two moved around the room and stopped right in front of where Charles and Sarah where lying. Sarah reached for Charles hand instinctively. Charles carefully obliged as they watched what was unfolding inches away from them.

"Well we better go." The female voice called out."

"Where do you want to leave the device?" The male voice replied.

"We will take it with us till tomorrow. One more night won't hurt." Charles and Sarah heard the click of a case being closed and the two of them leaving. They waited till the door closed. Sarah let go of Charles's hand and spoke into her wrist. "William get eyes on the north door, they have the device. Carina follow that case."

Carina slipped back and out the service entrance. "They are heading out the north door." Carina headed north seeing two people that fit Sarah's description coming her way. "Got eyes on them." Charles and Sarah slipped back out the door they came in and out the same door as Carina slipped out of. Carina continued to snap what she could as the two got into a car and drove off as Sarah and Charles ran out the door. The female in the car looked out her window catching a quick look at the two of them. Sarah and Charles run down the street as Carina waits for William. They lose the car in traffic as Carina and William meet them coming back.

Hotel

Sarah and Carina give William their phones as he uploads the photos bringing them up on his screen. Charles passes out some drinks as the four of them debrief with each other. Charles sits down on a bar stool watching the photos come up. Sarah watched him intrigued at his focus. She sat down with her legs under her and watched. The four stared at the photos as Sarah began to talk. "So this is the room that Charles and I were in and as you can see, lots of artifacts. Not sure if they are real or not but we can hand that over to Interpol. But as we see this is the ideal place to have an unsanctioned auction. I'm guessing that these two that we saw are not part of a legal auction establishment." William brought up Carina's photos. Carina stared at them and they weren't the best. Carina got up. "Great, now we can't see their faces." Charles took a sip and leaned forward. Sarah had been watching him waiting for something to happen. Charles looked at the photos then walked up to William. "Can I try something?"

William leaned back and got up. "Sure I need to go to the loo."

Charles nodded then sat down. He opened a new window and started typing. Sarah unfolded her legs and stretched them out in front of her watching him. Curiosity got the best of her as she got up and grabbed a chair and sat backwards on her chair looking at him. "What did you see, like Carina said they aren't the best pictures."

"No, but it's not the end of the world, yeah their faces are unclear but everything else is decent."

"What do you mean?"

Charles pointed to the first picture of them coming out of the hotel. "William took this and we got a side view of the guy so we can then run it and see what we get. We know from them standing in front of us." Sarah's mind goes back to them lying under the bench and her hand finding his. "Sarah?"

"Right."

"She is at least 5'9' with those heels on and he's close to that. From the photo she has dark hair, maybe brunette, dark red and he's fair haired."

Sarah smiled at all the info she forget that she had available to them. She looked at the photo and got a glimpse of the case. "Can you zoom on the case?"

Charles smiled and highlighted the case and opened it up in another window bringing the small image of the one photo enlarging it in another. The two looked at the case and despite not getting a decent visual of their faces the case spurred them on. He printed the photo and got Carina looking into the case and where it might have been purchased and who might have bought a case like that recently. Charles went back to looking at the photos with Sarah beside him. Charles enlarged every inch of the photos making sure that he hadn't missed anything. Sarah joined Carina narrowing down the list. Sarah looked up. "Charles did you look at the car's mirrors?"

Charles looked over his shoulder. "Just a thought, maybe Carina got…"

"Possibly."

Charles turned his shoulders and scanned the photos again. Carina and Sarah looked at the list. "We have ten purchases within the last two years. Four were sold to a law firm in New York City, One was purchased online and shipped to a post office box in London." "So that leaves five."

Sarah looked at the list. "It looks like here that someone purchased two cases but had them sent to two different locations."

Charles turned to listen. "Any of them near here?"

Sarah scanned the list. "We have one." Charles looked up. "What?"

"There was one sent to the Athens airport for pickup two days ago."

Charles got up and sat down beside Sarah. He reached for the list. "It was sent from an address to the airport." Sarah pointing the info to Charles. "So that means that they had to arrive here at that time as well." Charles looked up. "William." "On it."

William pulled up the airports feed from three days ago thinking that the two might have arrived early. Charles watched the feed almost about to give up when Sarah nudged him. She pointed to the screen. "There they are."

William froze the feed then cut and pasted their images into a scan hoping for a name. The three stood around his laptop.

Phone ringing

"Do you have the case?"

"Of course I do."

"Then what's the matter?"

"Just thought I saw someone I knew, or I think I knew."

"A disgruntled client?"

"No maybe someone from my past life."

"Here in Athens."

"The world isn't as big we think it is."

"Don't worry EJ, after tonight we are good to go and by the end of the weekend we will be on a beach somewhere away from both your lives."

EJ sighed. She didn't like her previous life for several reasons, and this one wasn't much different than the one she left, but it paid the bills. The only difference was he was gone.

"So this blast from the past, something we should be afraid of?"

"Not until I make sure it is who I think it is. Until then we move forward."

William brought up the names of the two. "We have a Trent Writenham last known address Paris France and one Constance Bell from Wisconsin."

Charles looked at Sarah. "It's a place to start."

Charles and William headed back to the hotel to see if they could swing some way to get into the auction. Charles sat at the hotel's café which was busier today that it was yesterday. He watched the patrons and wondered which ones where here for the illegal auction. He sat back and snapped photos of those he felt were possible candidates and forwarded them to William who sat on the third floor. Charles laughed at the Brit who was upstairs dressed in a three piece suit sitting in a chair with his laptop. Charles nodded as the waitress filled his cup again. He smiled then continued to watch the lobby. Carina and Sarah sat across the street sitting in a car with a telescopic camera lens doing the same thing. "Charles."

Her voice startled him slightly out of his thoughts. "You have incoming possibly a potential catch?"

"Thanks."

Sarah described the two down to a T and when they came into view, Charles snapped a photo. He sent it to William. Charles got up and walked over to the desk. "Can I help you?"

"Can I use your phone?"

The desk clerk passed the phone over to Charles as he pretended to dial. Keeping his eyes and ears on the two. They approached the desk. Charles kept the phone near his ear. Pretending to be on hold. He turned around and saw Sarah and Carina walk in. The three watched as their next plan was set in motion. Charles and Carina headed upstairs as Sarah remained in the lobby. For a second she forgot that she wasn't the lead on this. She watched as Carina slid her hand over his chest as they entered the elevator. Charles looked at her then at Carina as the elevator doors closed. Charles and Carina stayed close together as the elevator was full of guests and the two they had their eyes on where up at the front. The doors opened and as the two filed out Charles and Carina followed. They flirted with each other as the walked down the hall. The two slipped into their room as they passed them. Carina slid her arm up to her face. "Room 436."

William hacked into the hotel's registry. Charles was glad that he didn't have to do all the computer stuff, though he liked computers he was liking the spy stuff a little bit more. "Guys their names are Jason and Ann Steinbeck. Still waiting for additional info." Sarah came up the back stairs and waited till the two left their room and headed downstairs. Charles met Sarah at the stairs. "There are cameras on all the rooms, so getting in there might be a problem."

"Thanks."

Sarah looked around and saw her opportunity. She looked at Charles. Give me five minutes and I will meet you at their door." Charles smiled and joined Carina at the end of the hall. Sarah waited till someone from house keeping came by. She walked near the storage room and knocked on the door. "Sorry, to bother you." Sarah quickly scanned the room looking for something that was missing from the shelf. "How can I help you?"

"I need another blanket and pillow, if you have one."

The lady looked up at the shelves and saw not one. "Sorry, none here but if you wait I will check the other storage room."

"If it is not problem."

The older lady smiled and headed down the hall. Sarah ran her hands through the cart finding a spare key card in a small basket. She headed down the hall and whistled. Charles and Carina slipped out from the other end of the hall and slipped inside the room after Sarah. The three quickly did a search and snapped a few shots then headed out. Sarah returned to the storage room to wait as Charles and Carina slipped into the elevator. Sarah smiled as the lady came back with an extra blanket and pillow as Sarah tossed the key card into the small basket. Sarah took the items then headed down the hall. She headed down the stairs and returned the items to the desk on her way out.

McFadden listened then added his two cents. "So your plan is to pose as this couple assuming that they are here for the auction, and bid on the case."

The four all answered. "Yes."

"It sounds too easy, I would like to have more intel on these two. You are sure aiming high on these two. What about the ones with the case. Where are you on them?"

The four looked at each other then Charles spoke. "We believe that they are the one running this operation but unless we get access inside we will not get our hands on the device. From what Agent Walker and I found out, is this auction is happening just before the main one and probably under the noses of those running the actual legit auction." "You and Walker." McFadden interrupted. "I thought that you and Miller were taking the lead on this one."

"That's not the point here." Sarah looked at Charles as he quickly glanced over his shoulder. "We know what we heard and unless we get inside we are out of luck. Sir."

McFadden wasn't thrilled with who got the intel but he had to agree with Charles. "Okay, someone over there get what you need and get that device."

The four nodded then signed off.

The four headed back to the hotel and luck was on their side. The Steinbecks were heading to the lounge. Carina reached into her small purse and pulled out a vial. Chuck looked at her. He wasn't a fan of drugging anyone but knew it was their only choice. If they took them out now they would sleep it off till this time tomorrow and would miss the auction. Which was the least of their worries. Chuck headed to the bar followed by Sarah and Carina coming in from behind. Chuck ordered a drink. William came in last and sat in the corner. Chuck took a sip of his drink waiting at the bar. Sarah walked over making a pass at Chuck, getting Jason's attention. Jason walked up to the bar. Chuck turned around and looked at Jason. "That girl sure is hot."

Chuck looked at Sarah as she continued to walk by. Sarah smiled at Chuck lack of answer. The look on his face said it all. Chuck took a sip of his drink. "You American?"

Jason looked up. "Yeah, you?"

"Born and raised in California. And you?"

Jason turned to face Chuck as he extended his hand for Chuck to sit down. "New York."

"Wow what brings the NYC to Athens?"

"Business but I prefer pleasure but the wife has business here and I finally agreed to tag along."

"Business in Athens, you're either in trading or selling."

Jason brought his drink to his lips. "A little of both."

"Really?"

Jason leaned in. "Yeah some interesting stuff. She thinks I don't know about what she does."

"And you came here."

Jason nodded.

Sarah and Carina watched from their table. Charles and Jason continued to talk. "Charles, his wife is coming your way."

Chuck didn't have a plan but he had to hurry up. "Your wife who does she work for?"

Jason slid him her card. Chuck looked at it then slipped it into his pocket. Chuck saw Ann coming. Chuck leaned back to look at the girls. Carina downed her drink. "I guess it's our turn." Carina walked towards Ann, as Sarah came in from the other side. Carina passed the vial to Sarah. Then Sarah walked by and slid it to Chuck as Carina walked by giving Jason a show. Ann watched as her husband eyed the red head. Chuck unscrewed the vial and poured the contents into Jason's glass. Chuck looked up to see Ann standing beside him. Chuck coughed getting Jason's attention. Jason looked at his wife. "Honey, I didn't see you there." "Obviously."

Jason trying to explain his action was failing miserably. Chuck leaned forward. "Charles."

"Ann and this is Jason."

"Yeah we just started talking. He said that you two were from New York."

Ann looked at Chuck cautiously. When she felt that there wasn't a threat she responded. "Yes and you?"

"California."

"What brings you to Athens?"

Chuck looked at Sarah as she walked out of the lounge. "Just travelling."

Chuck hoped that Jason was going to feel the effects of the drink soon. He wondered how they were going to get Ann to do the same. Just then William came in and sat down next to Ann, placing his drink near Ann's he twisted his wrist slightly exposing another vial. As he turned his wrist the vial dripped into Ann's glass. William then slid his hand down beside his side ordering another drink. Ann didn't even noticed the intrusion.

Ann and Jason took a sip of their drinks and in minutes they started to feel the effects. William came back over and grabbed Ann while Chuck took Jason. The four of them laughed and giggled their way out of the lounge and headed to the elevator. The four entered the elevator. Sarah and Carina were waiting near the elevator as the six of them headed to their room. Carina slid the key card into the slot and entered the room. Chuck and William laid the couple down on their bed. Sarah made it look like they had a party in their room. Chuck searched their bags and found the invite waving it in the air. Chuck turned the lights off and closed the door.

The four stared at the invite and had to come up with the next plan. "You and Carina will go in and pose as Jason and Ann while Sarah and I will near by in case something happens." Sarah looked at the photo and wondered if the plan was going to work. McFadden had given them a large bank roll but as Sarah looked at their photos she hoped that no one would noticed that Ann was a blonde and not a red head. But she knew that Charles could pull off being Jason.

Carina walked in wearing a wig that changed her look drastically. Chuck and William looked up and smiled. "We have our Ann." William answered sarcastically.

Carina sat down and adjusted her wig. Sarah knew she could pull this off and the wig was just part of that. Sarah sat back listening to the plan and agreed to take a back seat, cause that is what she wanted. Sarah listened as Carina and Charles discussed their plan. When it got to PDA she got up and headed to bed. Chuck looked at her catching her eyes as she closed her bedroom door.

Sarah rolled over hearing a cell then Carina's voice. She rolled over but when she heard Carina's voice again she sat up. Sarah turned on her light and saw Carina dressed and packing. "Where are you going? It's four in the morning."

Carina stuffed her suitcase. "Heading to Argentina."

"Argentina, what for?"

Carina came and sat down beside Sarah. "The creep that I was looking for before the accepted this mission finally came out of hiding and the DEA needs my help. I have been searching for this guy for months. That's who called. They have a plane waiting for me." Sarah got up and grabbed something to wear. "I'll take you."

"No, you stay here and finish this. I'll come back after I'm done."

Carina followed grabbing her bag and stepping into the main part of the room. By now it got Chuck's attention. He came out in pyjama bottoms and a muscle shirt while William came out in wearing a tailored satin ensemble and a robe. "What's going on?" As Chuck looked at Sarah sleep wear. "Carina is leaving?"

"Leaving?"

"Yeah boys, your on your own. I have something in Argentina that needs my attention."

Carina walked over to Sarah and gave her a hug. Whispering into her ear. "Follow your heart."

Sarah hugged her back. "Be safe."

Carina smiled. "Always am."

She placed a huge kiss on Williams lips leaving William speechless. Then she headed over to where Charles was standing. "Chuckles. Keep her safe."

Charles nodded then gave her a hug. Carina grabbed her bags and headed out. Charles closed the door behind her then saw Sarah hugging her self. William sat down as Charles grabbed a blanket from the closet wrapping it around Sarah's shoulders. The three sat down looking at each other and what they were going to do next.

Charles slid his feet into his dress shoes and headed out ordering breakfast for them. He didn't get much sleep after Carina left as her presence was missed. Charles hung up the phone looking up seeing Sarah come out of the bathroom then walking into the main room. "Hey."

"Hey."

"I ordered breakfast."

"Okay."

"Did you get any sleep?"

Sarah shook her head. Sarah sat down playing with her hair. She looked adorable catching Charles's glances.

"I better get ready."

"You okay with this?"

"I have no choice, do I?" Sarah smiled slightly then returned to her room. In a half hour she walked out wearing a red dress catching both men's eyes. "You look very bonnie Sarah."

Sarah smiled. "Thanks." She walked over to Charles and sat down. "You look amazing."

"I forgot to tell you that you clean up well, very dapper."

Charles passed Sarah a cloth napkin and they all enjoyed a wonderful breakfast.

Charles and Sarah entered the hotel looking for the sign that was mentioned on the invite. Sarah looked ahead and saw that they were scanning everyone. "We need to dump our ear pieces." As she pointed to the guys up ahead. "William we need to our ear pieces."

"Okay, but how am I suppose to keep an eye on you."

Charles looked at Sarah and they had to act fast or get caught. William looked at Charles as he stood in front of a beautiful woman and either he pick his ear for the ear piece and toss it or get caught. "Charles kiss her."

Charles swallowed hard. "Excuse me?"

"Kiss her or blow your cover."

Sarah over heard Williams words. "Charles have you ever kissed a girl?"

"Of course." Charles fumbling his words.

Charles looked at Sarah. "It's okay Charles."

Charles subtly licked his lips then stared into her eyes. He grabbed her face gently placing his lips on hers. Sarah's lips instantly tingled like a shock when through her system. Charles brought her close as their lips pressed together. Sarah tried to focus carefully removing Charles's ear piece then hers as he continued to kiss her. When he finally broke the kiss, her lips felt the void, felt cold. Charles leaned back as William walked by receiving two ear pieces from Sarah's hand, as Charles and Sarah were scanned and entered the door. They put on a show that had the other guests taking notice.

Charles and Sarah followed the line and entered the room that they were in the day before. They found a seat grabbing a paddle as they sat down. Charles looked around still coming down from what happened minutes ago. Sarah touched her lips instinctively then reached for the program as they were being handed out.

The music stopped as two people walked up to the front. Charles and Sarah saw who it was. "Good afternoon. My name is Trent Writenham and this is Constance Bell." The two looking out impressed at the crowd that had showed up. "We are pleased to be able to bring you those hard to find items that for some of us will make our lives much easier. All dealings are final and we do recommend that when asked where you obtained these items, you just say you don't remember." The room roared in laughter.

An hour into the auction the room was getting smaller as Charles looked and knew that only a few wanted the device by the looks of things. Or knew of its existence. Constance brought up the case and opened it exposing the device. "I won't go into what this device is used for so we will go ahead with the bid. Do we have 250,000?"

Chuck raised his paddle. "The couple over to my left."

Constance scanned the room but couldn't get a good enough look at who they were. "Do we have 300?"

Another paddle was raised. "350?"

Charles raised his paddle.

"400?" A voice was heard.

"450?" Charles replied.

Charles waited for the other to raise his. The room was quiet. Too quiet. Either Charles's opponent wasn't sure what he was dealing with or what purpose of this device was, he should have responded to the last bid. Chuck looked at Sarah. Sarah nodded. "500." The voice called out.

Trent looked up. "We have 500, do we have 550?"

Charles wiped his nervous hands on his dress pants. "550?"

The room gave a subtle gasp. Trent drew out the last bid waiting for it to go higher. Silence filled the room. Seconds went by drawing out the moment. Trent cleared his throat. "550 going once, twice, sold for 550,000.

Charles nodded and gave a slight wave as. those who were left applauded. Charles and Sarah followed the case to the back. Charles walked up handing in his paddle and reaching for his bank card. He gave them his card as they slid it across the scanner. Charles then entered his password. The clerk waited then smiled at seeing the money come on the screen. William sat in his usual spot smiling as he now was able to track the 550,000 dollars and what account it was going in. He forward the intel back to London as someone else would then pick up that trail. Charles looked at Sarah as Sarah gracefully took the case taking a look at the device then closing up the case and heading out. Constance was eager to see who the buyer was. She headed to the end of the room catching a glimpse of the two as they left. Sarah smiled at Charles as he held the door open. Constance watched as the woman she saw earlier was leaving the auction with the device.

Trent came up to her. "We got to go, the other auction starts soon and we need to be out of here."

"Who was that?"

"They bought the case."

"I know that, but who are they?"

Trent walked back to the table and grabbed the guest list. "Jason and Ann Steinbeck. Why?"

"No reason."

Constance headed out the back leaving no trace that there had been anything going on.