IV
The next morning, after Buck and Wilma had enjoyed their morning meal in their accommodation they prepared to join the other guests. They had spent time the previous evening and again this morning devising the next steps in their plan.
As they were about to leave Buck turned to Wilma and with a twinkle in his eye said. "I certainly hope you appreciate the sacrifice I will be making for the good of this mission."
Wilma gave him a quizzical look.
"Flirting with all these other women will be hard work."
Wilma looked at him over the top of the glasses and said. "Captain Rogers just remember who you are going home with!"
Buck and Wilma mingled with the other guests and during the midday meal, Buck made sure he chatted with several of the other young ladies in the group. Wilma appeared to not notice but she did hear other people commenting on Buck's behavior. Later in the afternoon, Buck was even more obvious in his flirtations. At this point Buck and Wilma appeared to have an argument, but out of ear shot of any of the other guests. As an apparent result Buck and Wilma headed out to the open area near the equipment shed. Here they settled into lounge chairs apparently for a nap. There weren't many other guests in the area and most of them were, like Buck and Wilma, napping. As the time to return to the main building to get ready for the evening meal approached, Buck got up from his chair, glanced around and quietly slipped around the side of the maintenance shed. Wilma waited several more minutes and opened her eyes.
"Antony? Where are you?" She looked around but could not see Buck around the side of the building. She got up from her chair and looked around, calling "Antony." Other guests, disturbed by her voice, watched her.
"I think he went that way" someone said indicating the shed.
Wilma marched over to the door. Here was the moment of danger. Buck was nearby, just around the corner, but this was the moment that would mean success in the mission. Wilma put her hand to her forehead, adjusted her glasses and then she pulled open the door to the shed.
The reaction when Wilma opened the door was immediate and somewhat chaotic. The room was full of people. Eight to ten of them, all but one male, gathered around a table. Most were seated but there were a few standing behind the table.
"What the hell do you want?' "Who the hell are you?" "What the " was shouted at Wilma from several people at once. She blinked several times and stammered "I'm looking for Antony I thought he was in here" she said meekly.
It was Jake Hoover who spoke. "She is one of our guests." He told those assembled. To Wilma "your Anthony isn't here, do you see him here?"
Wilma slowly moved her head as she scanned the room blinking furiously. But she backed out the door as soon as one of the men at the table stood up.
"I am sorry, I am so sorry" she stammered as she retreated out of the door, closing it as she did so.
Buck quickly came around the side of the building and up to where she was standing.
"There you are Antony! Where have you been I was looking all over for you." She said.
"Now now, I was just stretching my legs. We need to get ready for dinner so let's go back to the room" he told her as he took her by the elbow and started up the e path towards the main building. As they past Wilma overheard one of the other guys say, "someone isn't going to have a very pleasant evening".
Buck and Wilma arrived in the dining room for the evening meal a bit late and were noticeable quiet during the entire meal. After the meal there was a musical performance scheduled but Wilma told Buck, loud enough for several people to hear, she had a headache and wanted to return to their accommodation. So, they both retreated back to their room.