“We need to get into the office.” Ashley says.
“Lots of guards.” Sandy cautions.
“We can distract them.” Natalie practically jumps out of her seat.
“How?” Ashley frowns.
“With Auntie Jess, of course!” Alex crows. “She’s so pretty. No one can take their eyes off her.”
“I agree.” Ashley whispers. I catch her eye and my cheeks burn hot. She smiles, the slight dip of her eyes letting me know she loves all of me, not just my face. I smile back at her, shyly.
We get ourselves organized. I squeeze myself into a tight, short sundress and high heeled sandals, putting on a bit of makeup and fluffing out my hair. Sandy and Natalie wait by the door.
“I can’t go.” Ashley says. “I’ll stay here with Alex. You guys, good luck.”
We hurry out the door, heading for the office. Sandy and Natalie let me get a lead on them and I start sashaying up to the guys waiting in front of the office. I engage them in conversation easily, pretending to be lost as I step away from the door and point left and right.
I see the guys sneak in and try to keep the guys attention on me. They seem to be taking a long time and I have to do a few arm touches, hand squeezes and twirls to keep their attention on me.
Then I see a senior officer striding down the deck. I see Sandy’s face at the window, panic stricken. The guards are turning around! The senior officer is about to nail all of us!
Time for the big guns. I step forward, pretend to trip and drop my purse. It slaps the ground and cards and cash fall out everywhere. All three of the guys are totally distracted as I lean forward, almost falling out of my halter top.
“Oh! Geez! I’m so clumsy! Let me pick that up.”
Bigger guns are needed to get them out undetected. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I turn around and bend over… All the way over.
A cool breeze whips up the deck at exactly that moment and lifts my skirt. I almost groan out loud. I wanted it to be dramatic, but not quite that dramatic.
What a day to be wearing a lace G string. Oh well. If they were full cotton briefs it wouldn’t be as distracting, would it?
While the guys desperately try and help me pick up my stuff—and see what else my bending and the errant breeze might reveal—I see the others scurry out of the office, shut the door, and run, shooting me a thumbs up.
I grin, ready to run myself.
And realize I have three very excited shipmen staring me down, holding my stuff and helping me put my purse back together.
Oh, shit.
I know what’s coming.
“So, Miss. How about I buy you a drink?” The senior officer grins at me and the other two back away grumpily.
I start to back away, giggling. Sometimes the best answer is no answer at all.
I turn and run, unable to stop myself laughing like a maniac. Hopefully, he’ll think he just dodged a bullet, and won’t go looking for the foxy redhead. Who is clearly out of her mind.
Twenty-Nine
Ashley
I’m pacing nervously around the little room, waiting for Jess to reappear and tell me that the plan is a go. As I turn again I see that Alex has left the couch and has been pacing along behind me. For reasons I can’t quite fathom it makes my heart ache with fondness for the sweet little boy.
I drop down to one knee and beckon him close to me. “Hey Alex, what do you say to having a really important role in our little plan?” I whisper, grinning conspiratorially.
Alex jumps up and down in excitement. “Yes please, yes please, yes please!” He chants.
“Okay, when I confront the bad man, I want you to come up behind me and shout ‘Corporate Espionage’ at the top of your voice. Can you do that?”