Chapter 13

13

Bianca didn’t even stir as Billy slipped off the mattress at dawn and padded into the bathroom.

He checked his phone. Still no word from Rogers, which probably meant the agent hadn’t been able to find out anything useful. That was disappointing.

He sent a text to Vesna, asking if her sources had come up with anything yet, and received an immediate response.

Not yet, but soon I hope.

He texted back.

Any way to speed that up?

His phone buzzed again.

I see someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I’ll crack the whip.

He shot another message to her.

That’s all I ask.

Twenty minutes later, Billy was showered, dressed, packed, and in the middle of writing a note to Bianca, when he heard the sheets rustle.

“Leaving already?” she asked, her voice heavy with sleep.

He sat beside her and threaded a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I’m afraid the train waits for no one.”

“There are trains to Venice all day. Take a later one and play with me some more.”

“Tempting, I assure you. But you know how these tours are. I wouldn’t want to give our PR person a heart attack.”

“True,” she conceded. “Then I must settle for a memory of what was.”

He leaned down and kissed her. “And what a memory.”

She laughed and kissed him back. “I hope we can do this again. In Venice, perhaps?”

“The invitation is open.” He stood. “Get some more sleep, then order breakfast. I’ll tell the desk the room will be occupied until noon.”

She stretched and yawned. “What a wonderful idea.”

“Take care of yourself, Bianca.”

“Safe travels, Billy.”

The others were in the lobby by the time Billy arrived. With them was the six-member team from Strategic Services. Instead of wearing suits that would draw attention, they were dressed casually. Their job today was to make sure Billy and the others made it onto the train with little fuss and hopefully unnoticed. A new team would meet the travelers when they arrived in Venice.

Billy had a quick word with the receptionist, then Lizzie led the group out to a pair of waiting vans. The Centurion people climbed into one, the Strategic Services team into the other, then they were off.

“I wish we’d had time to do a little sightseeing,” Adriene said, looking wistfully out the window.

“That’s why they call this work and not a vacation,” Peter said.

“You’ll just have to settle for attending parties and rubbing elbows with Europe’s elite for now,” Tessa said.

Adriene shrugged dramatically. “Well, if I must.”

Lizzie put a hand to the side of her mouth and stage-whispered, “You want to know a secret?”

“Of course,” Adriene said.

“Tessa and Mark will be the only ones working during the day tomorrow. You don’t have anything on your schedule until the evening, so you’ll have plenty of time to roam Venice.”

“Seriously?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“Then consider me a tourist! Stacy, if you’re not doing anything, you want to come with?”

“As long as Billy won’t need me,” Stacy said.

“I will not,” Billy told her.

Stacy smiled in excitement and said to Billy, “Thank you! Hey, you and Hattie will also be free. You should come, too.”

“That’s a great idea,” Adriene said.

“Count me in,” Hattie said. “But, Billy, didn’t you say something about visiting a friend?”

“I did,” Billy said, feigning disappointment. “I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on your Venetian adventure. But I’m sure you ladies will have a great time without me.”

“What friend?” Stacy asked. “You didn’t mention anything to me.”

“I’m mentioning it now.”

She frowned. “You really need to work on your communication skills.”

“I’ll put that on my to-do list.”

“See that you do.”

When she turned away, he mouthed thank you to Hattie. Her comment had help him cover the fact that he would be busy all day as Mark Weldon.

In short order, they arrived at the train station.

Tessa, Peter, Hattie, and Billy donned sunglasses and face masks to avoid being mobbed by fans.

Tessa then handed a spare mask to Adriene. “You should wear one, too.”

“No one’s going to know who I am.”

“You may be surprised. But even if that’s true, they will someday, so it’s good practice.”

Adriene put on the mask and her sunglasses.

“Everyone, wait here for a moment,” Lizzie said.

She hopped out and was immediately approached by three porters pulling luggage trolleys. She directed them to the back of the van, and they began transferring everyone’s bags to their carts. As this was happening, the Strategic Services team exited their vehicle.

Lizzie had a quick conversation with the bodyguards, then she reopened the van door. “All right, we’re set. Remember, act casual, and try not to do anything that will draw attention.”

When Billy climbed out, he whispered to Lizzie, “When we get back home, remind me to talk to Ben about getting you a raise.”

“Do not even joke with me about that.”

“I never joke about money.”

“Then expect that reminder,” she said, trying to stifle a grin.

As they headed inside, the security team fell in around them in a way that made it appear they weren’t all traveling together.

The station was a jumble of commuters and tourists rushing this way and that.

Lizzie did her best to keep the Centurion group away from the densest populated areas and was able to steer them nearly all the way to the platform before someone in the passing crowd shouted Tessa’s name.

Heads turned and several people began moving toward them. Before things got out of control, three of the Strategic Services team closed ranks around Tessa, Adriene, and Peter, and moved them quickly toward the platform, with Lizzie following right behind.

Billy, Hattie, and Stacy continued at the more leisurely pace. No one knew who Stacy was yet, and Billy and Hattie were seldom recognized in public. In case something did happen, the three remaining Strategic Services bodyguards stayed nearby.

“It’s times like this I’m glad I have no desire to be an actor,” Stacy said.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Hattie said, then glanced at Billy, a twinkle in her eye. “How about you? Any thoughts of working in front of the camera instead of behind it?”

“Me?” he said. “Not a chance.”

When they reached the platform, they saw a couple dozen people standing by the last car, craning their necks to peer through the windows. One of the bodyguards stood by the nearest door, and another at the entrance at the far end of the car, preventing any unauthorized boarding.

Excited shouts rang out as Tessa and Adriene appeared at one of the windows, maskless. The crowd coalesced just outside, and the two stars waved.

While this was going on, Billy, Hattie, Stacy, and their security team climbed quietly onto the train a few cars back and made their way toward the last car. On the way, Billy picked out members of the CIA team assigned to watch his back, sitting in the car two away from the end. They studiously avoided his gaze.

Vesna sat in the last row of the same car.

As Billy neared, she glanced up from her magazine, then returned her gaze to the periodical, acting like she had no idea who he was.

A sign on the door to the final car read No Entry Beyond This Point in Italian.

Instead of open seating, like in the passenger cars Billy and the others had just passed through, the last car was divided into eight private cabins off a hallway that ran the length of the car.

Lizzie stepped out of one of the rooms. “Sorry to have deserted you like that. Did you have any issues?”

“Not a one,” Billy said. “Good call on the security.”

“Yeah,” she said. “But they’re done when we pull out. Now I’m wondering if I should have hired them for the full trip.”

“Problems?”

“Not exactly, but did you get a look at the fans outside?”

“Just a glance.”

“Some of them have signs with Tessa’s name or picture on them. They were prepared.” She frowned. “Which means someone tipped them off.”

“How many people knew about our travel plans?”

“I thought only a handful.”

“Could it have been someone at the hotel?” Hattie said.

“That’s what I’m thinking. You don’t need to worry about any of that, though.” Lizzie smiled. “We have the whole car. Tessa and Adriene are in that cabin.” She pointed to the door she’d stepped through, then at the one next to it. “And Peter’s in there. You can join them or use one of the others.”

Billy and Stacy took the empty one on the other side of Peter’s, while Hattie joined her husband.

Once he was settled, Billy checked his phone again. While there was still nothing from Rogers, there was a message from Vesna.

Heard from one of my contacts who may have a lead on Paris assassin.

Should know more by tonight.

Finally, some good news. Billy tapped out an acknowledgment and hit Send , then settled in as the train began to move.

“Do you mind if I check on Tessa and Adriene?” Stacy asked. The trio had formed a tight bond during the filming of Storm’s Eye.

“Why would I mind?”

“I didn’t want you to feel like you were being abandoned.”

“I think my fragile ego will adapt to your defection.”

She snapped up her purse, gave him a wave, and hurried out.

The door had barely slid closed again when Billy’s phone vibrated. It was a text from Rogers. Billy had all but given up on him.

I have something for our mutual friend.

I’m guessing you left Rome already?

Teddy messaged back:

Yes. Just.

Rogers texted:

The 7:55 to Venice?

Teddy replied in the affirmative.

Nearly half a minute passed before his phone vibrated with Rogers’s response.

Will meet you en route.

Teddy sent a message to Vesna, letting her know about Rogers’s plan.