Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(29)

"I could have them picked up, but that will tip our hand," Matt said. "I'm ordering my agents to tail them when they come off the water."

"Make it a discreet tail," I said.

"We're always that," Matt said. "Count on it."

*

Corinne

"Want dinner, cabbage?" Ilya woke me with a kiss. "I can't understand why you're not sunburned after sleeping beneath these lamps for four hours."

"Don't worry about that," I mumbled while stretching. "Thanks for two lamps," I blinked my eyes open.

"I'll find as many as you want," the corner of his mouth curled nicely. "I believe we've managed to flummox the enemy."

"Really? Flummox is a great word."

"The Mary clone at the wharf has escaped us, but Matt has agents tailing a few boat occupants after they came to shore. I believe they waited to record a show in the bay, and were more than disappointed when it didn't materialize."

"I think she's staying in Vancouver," I stifled a noisy yawn. "That's what I saw in her. Probably headed there, if she hasn't already arrived."

"Good information. Come, cabbage-I enlisted James' help, so we have spaghetti waiting."

"That sounds really good," I said.

"We made meatballs for the carnivores," he smiled at me again.

"I love your mouth-it's perfect," I reached up to touch it. He kissed my hand. "Come to dinner, my love. Everyone is waiting."

*

Marcus stared at me all through dinner. I considered sending him to Alaska to stay with DB for a few days. At least with the frenetic pace of the last two days, he hadn't gotten to torture me any. He wanted to, though-that was easy enough to see.

In my opinion, Auggie needed to find another job for Marcus. Rafe could get me through my exercises just fine. Opal and Nick were missing at the table, but Laci and her two guards had come. I recalled that Maye and Nick wanted a meeting with Rafe and me. That would have to wait.

"Spaghetti is wonderful," I sighed, giving James and Rafe the best smile I could. I was still tired, but the nap under sunlamps had helped a lot.

"Where did you learn to make this sauce-it's incredible," Laci asked Rafe.

"I had a friend who owned a restaurant in Parma," Rafe grinned. "Best sauce ever. I never get mine as good as his, though."

"This is more than good enough," Leo said. "Who has the parmesan grater?"

The gadget was passed to him.

"I'm all about the meatballs," Matt said. "They're excellent. Same teacher?"

"Yes. I've been making this for thirty years."

"They let you cook in prison?" Marcus asked, sarcasm evident in his voice.

"Marcus, I wouldn't say anything else if I were you," Auggie warned.

"I was in prison for protesting my son's murder," Ilya, accent and all, had come to the fore with a vengeance. "Baikov had him killed, because he asked too many questions. Now, would you like to know how good I am at Krav Maga?"

Marcus almost dropped his fork, he was so stunned. Yes, he was used to Rafe's American-sounding voice. This voice and accent he hadn't heard before.

"Sucks to be you right now, Marcus," I said and went back to my food.

"It does. You'll be reassigned tomorrow," Auggie growled.

You'll have to keep an eye on him, I sent to Auggie. I saw the slight nod-he understood that all too well. We didn't need another Becker on the loose, I knew that much. While Becker never had much in the brains department, Marcus just wasn't using his.

Marcus at least saw me as a more formidable target, now, so he wasn't picking on me. Instead of keeping his mouth shut, he chose to air his prejudices instead. He hadn't been briefed on the reasons Ilya was in prison; he only knew he'd been there before his escape to the U.S. and the Program.

He really didn't understand that Ilya wasn't Russian by birth, either. He should have done his homework. Now, he was getting the boot. We didn't need that sort of discord in the Program. We'd seen enough of that with Becker's intimidation tactics against me.

Marcus didn't say anything else during the rest of the meal, but he finished his food.

The schmuck.

"I think August is angry enough to strangle that boy," Laci said as she helped me clean the kitchen after dinner.

"Rafe is angry enough to strangle him," I said. "How are you doing, otherwise?" I asked. "You can go back to Seattle in a few days, I think, once they give the all clear."

"You know, I might only go back on weekends," she smiled. "I like getting my husband home every night. He says he'll spend as many weekends there as he can, so we can eat out and sightsee."

"That sounds like a great idea," I said.

"Need help?" Rafe and James were back after sending the others out the door.

"It's just about done. Besides, you cooked. We can clean," I said. "Sit down. Want some wine or something? I'm thinking about a drink."

"I'll have wine," Rafe agreed.

We offered a glass to Laci, but she wanted to follow Auggie back to their suite. I was fine with that. I needed some private time with Ilya. James took the hint and wandered toward his bedroom.