Clandestine Affairs, Part Ten
Ani and Rhys put their plan in action.
The Italy trip is really heating up… If you aren’t caught up, make sure you check out the previous chapters of Clandestine Affairs before diving in!
I take a long, hot shower to rid my pores of the rest of last night’s alcohol. When I finish, I find a plush robe hanging next to the shower for me to wrap myself in. It reminds me of the robe I used in Nassau, soft and cozy. I emerge from the bathroom to find someone has laid some clothes on the bed. Everything still has tags, so I wonder how or why Rhys has brand new designer clothes just hanging around his villa… and mostly in my size, or really close to it. There’s even a gorgeous tan Italian leather satchel on the dresser. It’s empty, so I wonder if it’s for me.
I’m towel drying my hair when there’s a soft knock on the door. “Come in,” I call, hoping it’s Rhys and not one of the staff. I smile and let out a quiet sigh with relief when it’s him who walks in. He smells fresh and his hair is slightly wet.
“I hope these are okay,” he says, motioning toward the clothes. “My sister was here a few months ago and left these behind… I think she was going to return them but forgot,” he shrugs. “Are they your style and size?”
“Well, you can’t really go wrong with jeans and a white shirt, or the sundress in this weather. Size is fine, thanks. Are you sure she won’t mind?”
“Not at all. She probably doesn’t even remember she bought them, if I’m being honest.”
“So, which should I go with? The dress or the jeans?”
“Definitely the dress. We don’t want Lisette thinking you’re here to do more than relax and shop, right?”
“Yeah. Jeans for sure send a business vibe, don’t they?” I laugh. “And the satchel?”
“Yours. She won’t miss it. And I think you know what I mean, darling. Please, help yourself to anything here. How much time do you need?”
“Give me, like, ten? I’ll meet you downstairs.”
He closes the door behind him. I finish my hair and quickly apply the small amount of makeup I have in my clutch — eyeliner, mascara, and some gloss. Enough for a summery sunny day, I think, feeling glad I had the foresight to stow it away last night before I left Chuck’s villa. I rummage through the bathroom drawers and find some Dior perfume and a tortoise headband to finish off my look. I give myself a once-over in the full-length mirror behind the bathroom door and am grateful Rhys’s sister seems to have the simple, chic style I strive to maintain. I find myself wondering if I’ll ever meet her. I give myself a final look in the mirror before heading downstairs.
“You look lovely,” Rhys says as I enter the main salon. His eyes tell me he means it.
“Thanks. Please, thank your sister, it’s because of her.”
“I will. Shall we?” He asks, motioning toward the table where he has paperwork spread out.
“You’ve been busy, I see.” I pick up a file and open it to find Lisette’s profile.
“Well, I tried. Chuck certainly helped by sending me some things this morning. I printed everything I could while you were showering. Can you tell me if I’m missing anything on her?”
I study the pages and it feels complete — if he’s missing something, I can’t tell him what it is. There is a lot within these pages that I don’t know about, so this file feels more robust than I could have ever pulled together last minute. If Chuck has shared his knowledge with Rhys and they’ve cobbled together this dense profile, I’m sure it’s golden. I skim another stack of pages on the table and come across one for Carmine.
“That one…” he trails off, giving me a moment before speaking again. “I can’t begin to understand how difficult this assignment must be for you, Ani. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s a job. Just like any other.”
“Are you sure? Are you really okay with this?”
“No, but… I have to be.” I sigh, heavily. “I want everyone to stop asking me if I’m okay with it, if I’m being honest. Of course I’m not. But, I read his file. He’s done some pretty awful shit, Rhys. And so has his girlfriend or whatever she is to him. It helps that I haven’t seen him since I was ten. So, I’ll use that anger to fuel me, to get me to the finish line.”
He studies me with concern. “You’ve done this before, used your anger as fuel to power through a job?”
“Sure. But not to this degree.” I shrug. “It’s not like I have a choice, Rhys. I have to do what I’m told. Something tells me you know better than anyone that’s how this works, right?”
He doesn’t respond right away but I can tell he understands. He takes the files out of my hands and sets them down on the table. “Right. Well, I am happy to see this one through with you. Something tells me your team needs all the help they can get.”
I surprise myself by not taking that in a negative way. He’s absolutely right. I’m not usually able to accept help this quickly, and from a stranger nonetheless… but there’s something about this job — something about him — that says to roll with it. The fact he’s worked with Chuck in the past, and knows the other members of our extended team, certainly helps. “Thank you, Rhys. I really appreciate it. Let’s get through today — I want to figure out what Lisette is up to before we cross the next bridge.”
“You got it. Here’s what I’m thinking. In about an hour, you’ll text Lisette and have her meet you at the cafe you and Noelle picked out yesterday. Hopefully she agrees, that’s the only way this won’t work. We’ll be incredibly lucky, I think, if she doesn’t object.” Rhys starts to walk around the table as he continues walking through the plan. “Our guys are already heading that way and will establish a perimeter. I will have six on the street, and a few more in the surrounding shops. We will have someone working in the cafe, too. I’m sure it goes without saying she’ll need to at least have one drink…” he trails off, as if he’s treading lightly, unsure if I’m aware of that part is sometimes necessary.
“Of course,” I say, to give him the confirmation that I know how these things go. “I’m impressed. You can assemble a team in that short of notice, while on holiday? My, my, Rhys… you’re well-connected.”
“It pays to have friends in low places, what can I say? Now, you’ll arrive at the cafe before she does. We’ll have you sit outside, and my team will be watching. Once she joins you, I’ll move over to the bookshop nearby, but you will not see me. Your job is to get her in the shop.” He points to a photo on the table of the interior of the bookstore. “There’s a door in the children’s section. Get her to that door and we’ll take it from there.”
“And what does that mean?” The question flies out of my mouth and I’m not exactly sure I’m ready for the answer. I nearly cover my mouth and apologize, but to be frank, I do want to know. I deserve to know. This mission is just as much mine as anyone else’s. Judging by the look he gives me, he’s not sure he wants to tell me.
“You asked Noelle last night how important it was to find out what she’s up to. I think we all agree it isn’t really that important.”
“Right. Noelle didn’t exactly answer me, but her expression… well, I can read between the lines.”
Rhys hesitates. “Would you like full transparency, Ani?”
I look down at the paperwork strewn across the table and ponder what that actually means. It sure feels like the next step in my career. Although I must admit, it’s been kind of nice being in the dark on some matters. Plausible deniability. But if I want to advance… and if the door is opening… I should walk through it. On the other hand, are my handlers okay with it? I don’t report to Rhys. I report to Chuck. I know better than to go above or around him. I’m nothing if not loyal — Chuck’s been good to me, he deserves that from me.
“Does Chuck know you’re offering to read me in, Rhys?”
“He does. And he approves. You’re ready.”
I wonder when he spoke with Chuck about this and decide it must have been during my shower. “Well then, out with it. And please know — later, I’m going to revisit this and find out how you became the person to level me up.”
Rhys smiles. “There’s something about you, Ani. I think you’re more than ready.”
“You hardly know me. How have you already come to that conclusion?”
“Call it instinct. I trust my gut based on what I’ve learned about you. And before you wonder what that could be, please know Chuck and Noelle are the source. I don’t make a habit to investigate someone I’m interested in.”
I blush and am desperate to play it cool. “Oh… so now you’re interested?”
“We’ll get back to that after the job is done,” he says full of regret. “Fair?”
“More than fair.” I try hard not to let the butterflies erupt again. I have to focus. “Alright. Tell me Rhys, what’s our plan?”
“To start, I will have another man in the shop to cover your tracks. You’ll follow us through the door and we’ll have a car waiting. Chuck is working out the rest as we speak and we’ll know before you’re in position.”
A few hours later, I’m seated at Caffè dell’Arechi. I have a magazine and two iced lattes in front of me, knowing full well that Lisette will go inside and order her own drink. Can’t be too careful, she’ll say. I wait to see if I’m right. I check my phone as it dings with a message from Lisette. Walking over now!
I pull my hair back in a low ponytail to signal she is close. The team has been in place for hours, well before I told her where I’d meet. Can’t wait!
I sip my latte and scroll the news feed on my phone aimlessly, but I’m actually observing the street. I noticed right before I went inside the cafe, a couple of guys appeared at the end of the street near the piazza. Another sits down at Banzai right after I received her text and he keeps looking my direction. Amateur, I think. I’m feeling more and more confident as Lisette rounds the corner.
“Aaaaah-ni!”
“Lisette, hi!” I stand up to greet her, giving her a kiss on each cheek. “Please, sit, I got you a latte,” I say, motioning to the drink across the table from me.
“I’ve actually gone decaf recently. Besides, I need something a bit stronger. Let me pop in and order something, I’ll be right back out!”
“Of course. I’ll be here,” I say with a sweet smile, hopefully hiding my nerves. As long as the distractions fire off at the right time, we’re golden. I flip through the magazine while I wait.
Lisette reappears with a cocktail. “It’s five o’clock somewhere — we’re on vacation, right? You sure you don’t want one of these, they’re delicious!” She takes a generous gulp of the Negroni as I say no. She sits down across from me and takes stock of me, my magazine, and satchel. “So tell me, Ani, what’s on the agenda today?”
“Let’s just see where the wind takes us. How much time do you have available today? I definitely want to hit a few shops down the street.”
“Oh, I cleared my day. We can hang until you’re sick of me,” she laughs, taking another drink.
“Slow down babe, the day is young,” I chuckle. “Besides, I don’t want you wussing out on me before we get to dinner. I have a few places in mind. You in the mood for seafood or pasta?” I ask as I pick up my phone. “I can go ahead and make us a rezzie, maybe we can stroll around until about, I don’t know, six or seven?”
Lisette polishes off the cocktail just as the server comes outside to replace it. She must have ordered two inside. The server asks if I want another latte and I decline graciously before Lisette continues. “Let’s chill here for a bit first. I wanna know what you’ve been doing. Why you’re here in Salerno, Ani. It’s crazy we’re here at the same time!”
“I know, right?” I kick up my aloofness a notch. “Well, let me tell you. The last year has been rough. I had to get away. I’m tired of it all, you know? It gets to be too much. So, I squirreled away some cash and decided I’d treat myself to a proper solo holiday, and well, here I am! I’m working my way up to Rome from here. I head back to New York in a few weeks.”
“A lovely summer vay-cay, eh? Oh! Wait! Tell me, how was that little date last night?”
“Incredible, actually.” For once, this isn’t a lie. “He’s going to join me in Sorrento in a couple of days. Maybe I’ll convince him to come to Rome with me too,” I wink, taking another sip of my latte.
“Hot. I love this!” She takes another drink and slouches back. “Speaking of hot, whew. I can’t believe how hot it is,” she laments, fanning herself.
“I know! So tell me, what have you been up to? What’s new? I haven’t seen you since… well, since you introduced me to Dominic and I did that job in Paris, right?”
“Yeah. It’s been ages.” Her speech, still quickly pouring out, is starting to slightly slur despite her mouth being unable to keep up with her thoughts. “I’ve been here, there, mostly everywhere in between it seems. I won’t get into specifics but…” she leans across the table toward me. “Ani. Listen. I’m working on something big. Like biiiig,” she says, drawing it out for a reaction. Like she’s begging me to ask her to elaborate.
I’ll bite. “Can you… can you tell me more? Or nah? I mean, you know I get it,” I say softly with a slight nod.
“Not yet, but… let me just say, if you’re looking for work in the near future, I could give you a call,” she says, almost as a question, as she finishes her second drink. “Whoo, that feels good! I’m nice and buzzed, so tell me, what’s next, are you ready to get out of here?”
“Thought you wanted to hang here for a bit? Never mind, it’s okay. I want to pop into that bookstore,” I point across the street, “and grab a couple of beach reads, and a gift for my niece. Do you mind? I’ll make it quick, I promise!” She nods, although it’s more of a bob. “Then we can go do some real shopping? I need some new dresses, especially if I’m going to see this guy again.”
“Works for me. Did you pay already? I paid inside, so I’m good to go when you are babe,” she picks up her bag and tosses her phone back inside, then retrieves her sunglasses.
“Yeah, let’s hit it,” I say, trying to be more enthusiastic about spending the afternoon with this woman.
We stand up to walk across the street and as we do, I hear a woman shout near the piazza down the street. A few seconds later, a couple of guys come running toward the woman yelling, nearly knocking into us. Perfect, I think.
“Wonder what’s going on over there,” I say just loud enough for Lisette to hear me as I gaze down the street. She shrugs and I pick up my pace in hopes she will match mine — she does — and we enter the bookstore.
Lisette is at my heels and I make my way toward the magazines when I see the kids section and as expected, the door in the corner. I make my move and start walking to my destination. “So, I promised I’d bring home a real Italian book for my niece. She’s so excited to start speaking Italian like her aunt, even though mine sucks,” I say with a giggle. Laying it on thick, Ani… I only hope she doesn’t ask me more about this niece because I didn’t take the time to make up a backstory as a precaution, although I am certain I could come up with something unquestionable on the fly.
Lisette follows me, just like I knew she would. She grazes her fingers across some hardbacks on display as I walk toward the back to pick out a book for my non-existent niece. No one is around, and I can see that her Negronis (with the special kick, courtesy of our friends inside the cafe) have started to take hold, before she can realize it herself. I also wonder what else she was on before the Negronis, given her overly enthusiastic demeanor and willingness to be so open about what she’s been up to. I try to draw her attention toward the door before I lose her completely, or before she falls over in the bookstore and causes a scene. I hold up two books and motion to her. “Here, Lis, which one should I get her?”
She nearly trips over her own feet and as soon as she has her back turned to the door, it opens and one of Rhys’s guys grabs her around the waist and covers her mouth. She doesn’t even really fight it and I silently thank the the Negroni special. I quickly follow, closing and locking the door behind me, trusting the person inside the bookstore blocks the it from the other side before Lisette’s detail walks in. We get to the back exit and find the car waiting. Right on time.
Once we’re inside the car, she leans back into the seat and wobbles a bit as I secure her with the seatbelt. “What’s going on, what are we doing Ani?” She’s full-on slurring now. “Where are we going?”
“Relax, Lisette. I called us a car so you can sober up before we start shopping. I picked a place on the other side of Salerno to give you time to rebound.” She nods, as if she believes me. Or she’s too far gone to argue. Either works for me. “You can close your eyes, I’ll wake you up when we get there,” I say, reassuring her, as I see her starting to slump in her seat. Perfect.
Once her eyes close, I say her name a few times and don’t get a reaction. I reach into her bag and take her phone. I take her index finger and place it on the button to unlock the phone, thrilled whoever she works for went cheap with the iPhone SE. I turn off location tracking and the fingerprint ID settings before putting it into airplane mode and ejecting the SIM card to save for later.
I fish the burner phone out of my satchel and call Rhys. “You good?”
“I’m good. Are you?”
“Sure am. See you shortly.”
“Looking forward to it.”
I power the phone off and slide it back into my satchel. The rest of the team should already have gone dark. Part of me worries this was too easy. The driver is cautiously taking us through Salerno until we’re finally in the hills, weaving our way up desolate roads that only residents seem to use. I take a deep breath and sit back, running through the events to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I certainly didn’t anticipate Lisette would be drinking so early in the day, so the alcohol definitely sped things up for us, but who knows what else she’s on. That same part of me wonders it might be a fatal mix, but I realize I actually don’t care. Shockingly. It’s sad I’ve reached this feeling, but maybe everyone in this position does at one point or another. Noelle’s words echo on a loop in my head. Lisette’s a liability. Liability. Liability.
I have a feeling it may get worse before it gets better.