Freedom's Promise: Task Force 125 by Lisa Pietsch Page A

you.  And you?"
    Will closed the gap and appeared quietly at her side snaking his arm gently around her waist.
    His touch and familiar scent reassured her.
    The man nodded at Will and then swigged down what was left of his drink in the short, etched crystal glass.  "I always enjoy a party."
    The buxom blond walked up to the horse joke guy.  "Honey, the Ambassador has someone he'd like you to meet.  They're over by the East entrance."  She straightened his tie and gave him a stern look.  "Don't ever tell that joke again."
    "What's wrong with the joke?"
    The blond just smiled at him like a mother might smile indulgently at a child.  "The Ambassador is waiting, darling."
    He shook his head and sighed.  "Probably some policy wonk."   He nodded to Sarah and Will.  "If you'll excuse me."
    The blond extended a hand to Sarah and grinned as though she were on the pageant circuit.  "I'm Buffy."
    "Nice to meet you, Buffy.   I'm Sarah and this is Will."
    "I know.  We've been waiting for you."  Buffy handed Sarah a calling card.  The name on it was 'Buffy Davidson' and there was an address below the name.  "Mark and I would love it if you'd join us for a nightcap after the party."
    Dread washed over Sarah.
    Will took the lead.  "Buffy, we were really hoping to get back early tonight.  Is there any way we could visit with Mark privately for a few minutes?"
    Loud laughter came from the East corner of the ballroom. 
    Sarah looked over and saw that it was Davidson again, the horse joke guy.  She and Will shared a disappointed glance.
    "I'm sorry.  That just won't be possible here.  Meet us at this address after the party.  We'll have some drinks and a few laughs."
    Sarah's heart sank to the soles of her Manolo Blahniks .  She gave Buffy a weak smile and acquiesced with a nod.  "We'll see you later then."
    Buffy was suddenly distracted like a kitten who'd just spotted a butterfly.  "Pamela!"
    And she disappeared into the crowd.
     
    Chapter Fifteen
     
    Vince was escorted to a large, black marble bathroom where he was allowed to shower at gunpoint.  The water washing over him gave his mind pause to escape back to happier times.  He remembered the one rainy day he and Sarah spent together in Italy .  He'd built a fire in the master suite's fireplace, and they spent the whole day in that room, exploring each other's bodies and making love.  It was a very good day. 
    Vince grabbed the fresh bar of soap.  He put it to his nose.  It was simple.  There was no fragrance, just the smell of clean.  A scent he hadn't smelled in several days.
    This is just another delay.  We'll take care of Nikolai and then Sarah and I can run away and never look back.
    After he dried off, Vince wrapped the towel around his waist and ran a hand over his now bearded chin. 
    How many days has it been?
    He looked up at the guard and hoped for the best.  "Any chance I could shave too?"
    "No blades, mate.  We don't invite trouble."
    Invite trouble?  You stupid son of a bitch, you've already invited more trouble than you can possibly handle.  Giving me a blade and letting me walk out the front door is pretty much your only option for survival.
    "Looks to me like you've already sent those invitations out, pal."
    The Aussie glared at Vince.  "You think so?"
    A smile curled Vince's lips for the first time in days.  "Oh, yeah."
    There was a glint of light off metal and pain shot through his head as the Aussie hit him in the face with the butt of his gun and hard steel hit with the force of a baseball bat.  He fell to the floor and scrambled to get up, looking around for anything he could use as a weapon.  Unless he could pull the toilet from the floor, there was nothing. 
    The guard tilted his head.  "You talk tough for a guy who's about to be in a world of hurt.  You want some more?"
    "Nah."   Vince groaned as he stood and looked in the mirror at his quickly swelling cheek and eye.
    No blood, no infection.  Could be worse