Page 24 of The Valiant (Spy Girl 4)
"And what thread is that?" Ari asks.
"We have never been able to tie Marquis Dupree to the dirty underworld, but we've been hearing buzz from a few sources in organized crime that Worthington just might be the man Dupree uses for the illicit side of his pharmaceutical business. Worthington trades drugs, weapons, and currency, depending on your needs, often in the same deal. Our source indicated that something big just came through his pipeline. It's not much to go on honestly. And the fact that his party is next door to someone we know is a lucky break. If Dupree was in on the hiring of the assassin, which the Moneyman indicated under extreme duress, then our cases could be colliding here. If they do, this is the team I want on it. Just because the bombs are in London doesn't mean they are going to stay here. We know that something is going to start in Montrovia. Considering that one big event starting soon is the Olympics, which hosts athletes from nearly every country in the world--"
"It would definitely have worldwide ramifications," Ari agrees.
"I don't think so," I say without thought.
"Why do you say that?" The Bartender asks me. "It makes sense."
"Because I don't think they would destroy Montrovia in that way. It's perfect now. Our father thought so. Arcadia is perfection. If Arcadia is the goal, they wouldn't cause an environmental catastrophe that would have long-lasting effects."
Intrepid shakes his head, not wanting to have a theoretical discussion. "Fine. We have no idea what they are going to do with the bombs or where they will detonate them, but at this point, it really doesn't matter. We need to find them and stop it. It's imperative, Huntley, that you make contact and get the man alone, preferably getting an invite to his home. We need access to his laptop and cell phone."
"You had access to the Moneyman's electronic devices. Have you found anything useful there?" I ask. "Will getting those items be enough?"
"A large portion is encrypted, and we're having trouble breaking through," The Bartender states. "What we were able to find were obsessive files about each of his girls, and once we have it all compiled, we'll be giving it to the proper authorities. We believe the information will help break down much of the sex trafficking in London."
"Thank you," I say, giving him a fist bump. "It needs to be stopped completely."
"The team has been working around the clock," he says proudly.
"All right," Intrepid says, "I think that's it. Dr. Kate has acquired suitable attire for us." He turns to The Bartender. "You may speak with Huntley in private now."
Everyone files out of the room, leaving us alone, but it's not good enough for The Bartender.
"Come with me," he says, leading me out to the garden where he takes a seat on a bench.
I sit down next to him. "Am I in trouble?" I ask, feeling a little like I've been sent to the dean's office.
"No, I just wanted to give you this in person. I wasn't sure who knew about it." He hands me my father's watch. "The first thing I did was take it apart and remove the tracking device."
I wrap it around my wrist and fasten it. "Thank you."
"I secretly made a couple of modifications. It now takes pictures, records video in the dark, and has a built-in GPS jammer, which is illegal in most countries. Be sure to turn that function off before you fly," he says with a laugh.
"All that and the darts?"
"Yes," he says. "But only midnight darts from now on. Things are going to get more dangerous for you as you move up the chain. Although Henri and I are working with the British agent, our alliance falls only with you. Do you understand?"
"I do. But you two had better not hurt anyone I care about, including Intrepid, or I'll hunt you down myself. And, this time, I won't care about Chauncey being an orphan."
He reverently bows his head and leaves through the gate.
We've barely stepped foot in the party when the British lads, who seem to have already had quite a few pints, noisily fawn over our presence as we exchange hugs and kisses.
"I will never in my life forget how you made the birthday boy ride in the limo with you when we could literally see the casino," the redhead says, laughing hysterically.
"It was the shoes!" I counter as Wesley joins us. "Happy birthday!"
He gives me a rakish grin, and then he wraps his arms around me and gives me a sloppy kiss on the lips.
I'm still in his arms and laughing when a tall, thin girl with long, dark hair and an irritated look sticks her hand out.
"I don't think we've met. I'm Wesley's girlfriend."
"Do you have a first name?" I ask politely.
Wesley is still all over me, clearly inebriated, making it a tad awkward.
"It's Jodi," she replies curtly.
I hold out one hand while holding her boyfriend upright with the other. "And I'm Huntley."
"We met Huntley and her brother in Montrovia and became lifelong mates," the redhead tells Jodi.
Jodi's face goes from irritated to angry, the tops of her ears turning red. "So, you're the slag?"
I look at the boys in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound good." I push Wesley toward her. "Here, why don't you deal with your sloshed boyfriend? He's a little too hands-on for my liking right now."
This gets Wesley's attention and, thankfully, his hand off my ass. "Jodi. Jodi. Jodi. It's my party. Have some fun or"--he turns to his buddies and yells--"off with your head."
"Off with your head," his buddies chant in unison and then immediately slam their pints.
"Drinking game," one of them tells me when I raise my eyebrow.
I slide over next to the redhead and then prop the birthday boy against him.
"I don't recall your name on the guest list," the girl continues, not backing down.
I realize she's been hitting the sauce, too. Clearly, they were pre-partying, something I don't have the time to deal with.
"I invited her!" Wesley yells out, causing his chums to clink glasses and drink again.
They all start talking about how they can't wait to go back to Montrovia, how they need a boys' weekend, and how they are going to win big at the casino.
"Huntley," the redhead says, straightening himself to stand tall and proper, "if I come back to Montrovia, I would like to request a sail on His Majesty's royal yacht."
To which all the boys agree, holding up their glasses and drinking more, this time toasting me.
I can't help but laugh. They are incorrigible. "I think I can arrange that."
"And how are you going to do that?" Jodi snarls.
"'Cause she's dating the man who owns it," the redhead blurts out before I can reply.
"Prince Lorenzo?" the girl asks.
"He's the king now, but yeah."
She holds her arms across her chest. "I don't believe you."
I breathe out of my nose, like a bull ready to charge. Huntley's done being nice. I'm tempted to give her a tranquilizer dart just so she doesn't ruin Wesley's party before I remember I only have midnight darts. I decide to make my point in a different way. I simply make a call.
When Lorenzo answers, he says, "Your plane has just arrived in London and is awaiting you at the airport we always use."
"You are the sweetest," I tell him. "Thank you. But the reason I called is because I'm at Wesley Windsor's birthday party."
"I hate that guy," Lorenzo says.
I ignore his comment and say pointedly, "I knew you'd want to wish him the best. I'm putting you on speaker. Say hi to Lorenzo, everyone!"
There are more cheers.
"Many happy regards for your birthday, Wesley. It was a pleasure to have you in my country," Lorenzo says diplomatically but then adds, "Next time you visit, may you win back some of the money you lost." His voice softens. "I miss you, Huntley."
I quickly take the phone off speaker and say good-bye. Wesley's little sister, Isla, and her friends are watching me and appear to be swooning over Lorenzo's sweet words.
Intrepid comes to my side and hands
me a tumbler. I take a sip of the fizzy drink, hoping it is spiked. Who knew a friend's birthday party could be more stressful than a mission?
"Worried about getting drunk and taken advantage of, William?" I tease when I realize it has no alcohol. "Where did Ari go? I swear, he ditched me the second he got to the party."
Intrepid points toward the bar where Ari is watching the neighboring room like a hawk.
"That boy has definitely not learned the subtle art of surveillance yet."
"I should probably go tell him that," Intrepid says, "but I thought I should come save you from the jealous girlfriend first."
"You can save me anytime--wait. Isn't that him?" I switch my position, putting my back to the room across the hall so that Intrepid has a good line of sight.
"Make your move," he says. "Remember, your only goal is to get a date. His men are armed, so if they won't let you in, don't push it. Maybe you should--"
"Go to the bathroom, pretend to be drunk, and slip into their party room by mistake?"
