Chapter 740: Georgetown Townhouse
Wednesday, March 22nd, Evening
The image in the mirror was striking; even though she was approaching thirty-two and birthed three children, she still looked like she was in her early to mid-twenties. Her stomach wasn't as flat as it once was, but she kept it at bay by working out regularly. Her undergarments were black and custom-fitted for the gown she was about to wear. She looked over herself and smoothed down her stockings and garter belt. The Pit Crew was in rotation as the ones that did her hair and makeup rotated out. She wore her brunette hair in a stylish bob, making it easier to fix up, whereas her sisters still wore long hair. Looking over her shoulder in the mirror, the next group of the Pit Crew came in carrying the gown. It was a Brooke Davis couture of custom design, a one-off original; of course, this event had been planned for months.
"Are you ready?" The lead of the pit crew said.
"Yes," Izzy said.
They carefully slipped the gown on her slight frame; as always, the gown fit perfectly, and everything tied together perfectly. It was all planned out using all the experience of her mom and her tailors. The look pulled together in front of her eyes; it always amazed Izzy how this happened. Izzy wiggled her toes in her moccasins. Izzy turned to look at the two women that would be her entourage tonight.
Skye Gregory, one of Izzy's closest friends, would be her handler tonight. Skye was dressed elegantly but in a working style. As per protocol, Skye looked beautiful but was dressed so that she didn't draw attention to herself. Skye's ever-present tablet was in her hand.
Kari Johannson was dressed to attract attention, contrasting Skye's look to hide in the background. That was Kari's role tonight: attract attention. Kari was Izzy's expert in finding intelligence. Like any significant center of power, many types of intelligence-gathering methods exist. Kari was a master of gathering what would be known as soft intelligence. Izzy smiled, one of the oldest methods.
"Well, what do you think?" Izzy asked.
"You look, wow!" Skye said.
"You're going to blow their minds. One question," Kari said.
"Yeah, Kari?" Izzy asked.
"Why so conservative?" Kari asked.
"Her job," Skye said.
"It would look good with a split to show some leg," Kari said.
Izzy shrugged, "I want to look conservative," she said, "I'm the last Davis that regularly does public appearances."
"Yeah," Kari said.
"The limo is here," Skye said, which caused Izzy and Kari to nod. Skye pulled her tablet back, looking them over. Izzy grabbed a bag and headed down, with Skye leading the way. Heading out via the driveway, and got into the back of the limo.
Izzy leaned back and closed her eyes. It wasn't far from the National Portrait Gallery, but it was long enough for Izzy to lean back, take a moment to catch her breath, and center herself. She hated this part of the job; it harkened back to her life in New York City.
Counting down in her head, finally, she sat up. Izzy reached over to the larger of her two bags and pulled out her wrap and heels. Izzy slipped off her moccasins for her black six-inch heels, and she locked an anklet made of gold chains on her right ankle.
"What's with the anklet?" Skye asked.
"I want to feel a little edgy; I'm thirty-two, not sixty-two," Izzy said.
"But you're wearing a garter belt and stockings that's not racy enough?" Skye asked.
"I hate pantyhose," Izzy said.
"So, how many days?" Kari asked.
"Saturday," Izzy said.
"Skye said you were checking out Leighton," Kari said.
"I want to make sure my home is ready," Izzy said.
"Well, I've, I don't know," Skye said.
Izzy nodded, "So, other than the usual dirty old men, who do you think will approach me about business?" she asked.
"Well, I think Representative Kat Collingwood will approach you about supporting her proposed highway bill. Representative Lee John will want to talk to you about their current crusade. Representative Sandy Barr will talk to you about the up-and-coming vote just to ogle you. Finally, Mister Kevin Spencer will want to talk to you about releasing the Epstein List or some other conspiracy theory," Kari said.
"On Collingwood and John, should I engage or play coy?" Izzy asked.
"The staff is still reviewing both bills, so play coy," Skye said.
Izzy watched as the limo pulled up before the venue. Shaking her head, Izzy turned to look at her companions.
"Are you ready?" Izzy asked, "Game faces on."
"Yeah," Skye said.
"Always ready," Kari said.
"I wish Chase was here," Izzy said.
"So she could say, smile, be strong, and I'm standing right next to you," Skye said.
Kari changed into her heels and shook her head. Skye looked at Izzy and smiled.
"Exactly," Izzy said.
"I'll be right next to you," Skye said, removing her shoes to change into her heels. Izzy nodded as the limo pulled up, and someone opened the back door. Skye and Kari slipped out first.
Izzy took a deep breath, centered herself again, and slipped out of the limo. The Valet offered Izzy his hand, and Izzy took it. She straightened to her full height, which the six-inch heels boosted to make her stand closer to five foot ten inches tall. She thanked the valet and walked into the National Portrait Gallery.
Once inside, Skye took her place next to Izzy, but a step behind. Walking through the room, a server approached Izzy and offered her a flute of champagne. With a simple nod, Izzy walked into a gallery. The pictures were all from a particular time and place in history, Paris, the early twentieth century. That was when everyone wanted to be the center of culture, fashion, and the arts. Izzy took in the pictures and wondered about the women behind the images. What were their thoughts, and did they live up to their dreams?
Izzy looked up and saw Representative Collingwood standing to one side. They made eye contact. Izzy turned to Skye. Izzy also noticed Kari was walking the crowd with her particular type of charm.
"Are you ready?" Izzy asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"Time to go to work," Izzy said, and Skye nodded.
Izzy sipped her champagne and moved from portrait to portrait. This was making it challenging for Collingwood to come over. With a sigh, Izzy moved away from the pictures. With one last hard, deep breath, Izzy moved out to mingle and have the expected conversation with Collingwood. This was going to be a long night for her.
