Ophilia Villa, Willow Creek, 2000
Earlier that evening
"Just don't mention her," Bella said firmly.
"I don't understand," Mortimer objected. "Vlad's a friend. He knew Ari..."
"You're forgetting how... obsessed... he got with her at University," Bella said gently. "She was afraid of him, Mortimer."
"She didn't need to be," Mortimer said defensively.
"It's different for women, Mortimer," Bella said patiently. "Trust me on this, please. Just don't mention Gwen to him. Ari wouldn't want him to know she was here, I know that."
"Alright, Bella," Mortimer sighed. "You're right. I don't always see that side of him. What do we do if he mentions her."
"If he does, just let me handle it," Bella smiled.
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"Viking," a man's voice answered the phone.
"Rose Red," Bella replied. "Confirm secure."
"Line secure," Viking answered.
"Line secure," Bella confirmed.
"So, Bella, rumor has it you're pissing in Section 6's pool," Bjorn said brightly.
"Every girl needs a hobby," Bella smiled.
"You ever consider taking up lion taming?" Bjorn asked. "It would be safer than making an enemy out of Key."
"I did that fourteen years ago, when I left Section 6," Bella said with confidence she didn't feel.
"I need a favor," she continued.
"I figured this wasn't a social call," Bjorn chuckled, "this being an Agency secure line and all."
"Off the books," Bella added.
"It's never easy with you," Bjorn sighed.
"If you can't..." Bella started.
"Tell me what you need," Bjorn said. "I still owe you for that Tartosa thing."
"You should know better than to turn your back on a swallow with a knife," Bella said.
"What can I say, I have a soft spot for brunettes," Bjorn smiled.
"I don't remember it being soft that often," Bella smirked.
"What do you need, Agent Goth," Bjorn said with mock seriousness.
"A trail of false breadcrumbs," Bella said. "I've got some Code 5 interest complicating my 'pissing in the pool' situation."
"Jesus, Bella," Bjorn cursed. "Never easy with you."
"I need their attention somewhere else," Bella continued. "I can send you enough for you to lay out a trail, lure them away from me... but it has to be off the books. If Bridges knew there was Code 5 involvement, she might hand the op back to Section 6."
"She should!" Bjorn snapped. "From what I hear, this should already be their op. Add leeches and you are ass deep in shit, Bella, and sinking fast."
"Are you going to help or not?" Bella pressed.
"Of course I'm going to help," Bjorn snarled. "Send me your info, I'll lay out your breadcrumbs and lure the bloodsucking bastards off you. On one condition... you watch that fine ass of yours, Agent Goth. You might be a genetically enhanced, but you aren't immortal."
"I never should have told you about that," Bella sighed.
"What can I say? You couldn't resist my rugged Nordic good looks," Bjorn smiled. "Watch. Your. Ass."
"Don't worry," Bella smiled. "I'm working with Felix. The only time he stops watching my ass is to look at my tits."
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Standing outside, Bella deeply breathed in the crisp October night air. With each breath, she focused on slowing her pulse, setting aside her tension, her fear, her anger. Was it ironic, she wondered, that it was Doctor Key who had taught her that particular calming exercise.
Letting her mind drift, she slowly pulled down the rigorous mental barriers she had used to block Straud's psychic gifts. She knew she couldn't have blocked the old monster if he'd pressed, but it had been enough to confound his casual probes of her family. The headache that had been building behind her eyes all night was a small price to pay. Another trick in her arsenal courtesy of the good Doctor.
She was confident Bjorn would do what was needed to draw off Straud and his brood. It should be enough to keep the old monster out of her way for a while.
Leaving Bella to deal with the other monster on the field.
Doctor Key.
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Swallow - a female agent employed to seduce people for intelligence purposes... or so says the International Spy Museum website anyway, and it sounds cool.
Code 5 - Properly Code V, an Agency term for vampires which I first used on College Years, shamelessly lifted from a late '90s BBC vampire drama series Ultraviolet.
-L
