thoughts. “Ginning up the publicity for an illusion like that, booking the venue, selling the tickets, getting the equipment, and shit, just practicing, will all take time. The NUFO convention is in what, a few weeks?
“If we’re going to beat Sol to the punch…” Rock shook his head. “You’re asking the impossible.”
Nelson finished his drink. “You misunderstand, Rock. We’re not booking any venue. You’re not performing this on stage or on television. You’re orchestrating it, setting it up to look like a real invasion at the gates of Area 51. And doing the reveal at the last minute to stop the crowd from storming the perimeters.”
“I don’t understand,” Rock said. “Isn’t that risky and unethical? Why panic people? Why take the chance of someone getting hurt or killed or the plan backfiring?”
Nelson’s look was penetrating. “Because we have reason to believe some high-profile RIOT agents will be involved. Terrorists high up on our pack of RIOT playing cards, our list of most wanted. We want this chance to draw them out, apprehend them, and cripple their organization.
“We’ll create some intelligence deception of our own and let it slip that NUFO, with its list of heavy-hitting, wealthy backers, has hired you to perform a surprise secret show for them during their annual picnic at the black mailbox near Area 51. We’ll trot out a few details of Outlandish Marauders. And then we’ll see who bites.” Nelson grinned.
“As for impossible, all of our resources are at your disposal. As you probably suspect, we’ve been making preparations of our own since we first discovered RIOT’s plans. But we’ve lacked the master illusionist’s touch and knowledge. Lani can fill you in on where we stand.”
Rock stared at Lani again. “Good. Damn. My act is in hiatus. Reappearing her would be the perfect way to reintroduce her to the world. The perfect act of showmanship—”
Nelson cleared his throat. “About that. We have another plan for Lani.
“Your shared history and competition with Sol presents us with an opportunity to place Lani exactly where we need her to keep an eye on Sol so she can tip us off to any details of RIOT’s plans—”
“No!” The word exploded out of Rock’s mouth involuntarily as he realized exactly what Nelson had in mind. “I will not put Lani in danger, or let Sol have my prestige to reappear her and humiliate me again.”
He shook his head, sat, and grabbed Lani’s hand as if he wouldn’t let them whisk her away again. What the hell? They weren’t giving him time with her? How was he supposed to discover the truth about her and how she felt for him now?
“I’m sorry,” Nelson said. “It’s part of the deal. Getting revenge on you will distract Sol while we make preparations for our strike. And Lani will be in an ideal position to gather intelligence to see whether RIOT’s biting. Who they’re planning to send, how they’ll be disguised, that kind of thing.
“Even in the midst of the chaos, it will take a specially trained, skilled agent to get all the way into the secure area. Catching him will be a big prize worthy of the risk.”
“It’s too dangerous for Lani.” Rock was vehement.
Nelson arched a brow and shook his head. “For one of my agents? You underestimate our abilities, especially Lani’s.”
“She may be a damn fine agent,” Rock said with his heart hammering in his throat. “But Sol is ruthless. He takes too many risks. He doesn’t pay attention to safety. And these RIOT people you describe…”
Nelson cocked his head. “We’ll take that under consideration. But it doesn’t change the facts—we need Lani in Blackledge’s inner circle.”
“And you think you can just insert her there?” Rock was dumbfounded. Was Nelson some kind of idiot?
“Sol’s been advertising for new assistants. Don’t you think he’d jump at the chance to bring your wife back to the stage? To steal your prestige. Maybe even
“If we’re going to beat Sol to the punch…” Rock shook his head. “You’re asking the impossible.”
Nelson finished his drink. “You misunderstand, Rock. We’re not booking any venue. You’re not performing this on stage or on television. You’re orchestrating it, setting it up to look like a real invasion at the gates of Area 51. And doing the reveal at the last minute to stop the crowd from storming the perimeters.”
“I don’t understand,” Rock said. “Isn’t that risky and unethical? Why panic people? Why take the chance of someone getting hurt or killed or the plan backfiring?”
Nelson’s look was penetrating. “Because we have reason to believe some high-profile RIOT agents will be involved. Terrorists high up on our pack of RIOT playing cards, our list of most wanted. We want this chance to draw them out, apprehend them, and cripple their organization.
“We’ll create some intelligence deception of our own and let it slip that NUFO, with its list of heavy-hitting, wealthy backers, has hired you to perform a surprise secret show for them during their annual picnic at the black mailbox near Area 51. We’ll trot out a few details of Outlandish Marauders. And then we’ll see who bites.” Nelson grinned.
“As for impossible, all of our resources are at your disposal. As you probably suspect, we’ve been making preparations of our own since we first discovered RIOT’s plans. But we’ve lacked the master illusionist’s touch and knowledge. Lani can fill you in on where we stand.”
Rock stared at Lani again. “Good. Damn. My act is in hiatus. Reappearing her would be the perfect way to reintroduce her to the world. The perfect act of showmanship—”
Nelson cleared his throat. “About that. We have another plan for Lani.
“Your shared history and competition with Sol presents us with an opportunity to place Lani exactly where we need her to keep an eye on Sol so she can tip us off to any details of RIOT’s plans—”
“No!” The word exploded out of Rock’s mouth involuntarily as he realized exactly what Nelson had in mind. “I will not put Lani in danger, or let Sol have my prestige to reappear her and humiliate me again.”
He shook his head, sat, and grabbed Lani’s hand as if he wouldn’t let them whisk her away again. What the hell? They weren’t giving him time with her? How was he supposed to discover the truth about her and how she felt for him now?
“I’m sorry,” Nelson said. “It’s part of the deal. Getting revenge on you will distract Sol while we make preparations for our strike. And Lani will be in an ideal position to gather intelligence to see whether RIOT’s biting. Who they’re planning to send, how they’ll be disguised, that kind of thing.
“Even in the midst of the chaos, it will take a specially trained, skilled agent to get all the way into the secure area. Catching him will be a big prize worthy of the risk.”
“It’s too dangerous for Lani.” Rock was vehement.
Nelson arched a brow and shook his head. “For one of my agents? You underestimate our abilities, especially Lani’s.”
“She may be a damn fine agent,” Rock said with his heart hammering in his throat. “But Sol is ruthless. He takes too many risks. He doesn’t pay attention to safety. And these RIOT people you describe…”
Nelson cocked his head. “We’ll take that under consideration. But it doesn’t change the facts—we need Lani in Blackledge’s inner circle.”
“And you think you can just insert her there?” Rock was dumbfounded. Was Nelson some kind of idiot?
“Sol’s been advertising for new assistants. Don’t you think he’d jump at the chance to bring your wife back to the stage? To steal your prestige. Maybe even
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