"What do you mean, when you go for dinner tonight?" Gran asked sharply.
"Lydia invited us to dinner," Jane explained. Then, since Maggie didn't look pleased at the news, she lifted her chin and added, "And we're going."
"No, no, no. I don't like this at all. They're already suspicious of you. You could be walking into a trap."
Jane's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean to say you believe that they're up to something?"
"Of course I do."
"Well, why didn't you say something to Nancy then?"
"Because it's mostly instinct. Nancy always had rotten instincts. But she's also as stubborn as you are. She won't change her mind until she sees something for herself."
"Well, maybe we can show her tonight," Jane said determinedly.
"I don't like it." Gran eyed her granddaughter grimly. "But I know that won't stop you. I want you two to be careful."
"We will, Gran," Jane assured her. Then because Maggie Spyrus looked more worried than Jane had ever seen her, she kissed the old woman's cheek and repeated her promise. "We'll be very careful."
"Where are you going?" Gran asked when she stood up.
"To offer to spell Nancy at the monitor. She's been at it since last night." Ignoring her gran's suspicious glance, she headed for the master bedroom.
Unlike Gran, Nancy wasn't the least bit suspicious of Jane's offer to take over; she was too grateful for the break. Jane waited until the other woman was safely tucked in bed before she set to work. She was deep into it when a mug of coffee was suddenly set on the table beside her.
"Mmm. That smells good." She straightened to offer Abel a smile in return. "Thank you."
"No problem. Are you going through the recordings?" He settled on the couch beside her.
"Yes. How did you guess?"
He shrugged. "Find anything?"
"Yes. And no. That swishing sound is there repeatedly. But Nancy's right: They don't talk much. They say good morning, they say good night, but after Lydia claims she's going to talk to their father, there isn't anything else."
"They don't strike me as the strong silent types," Abel joked.
"No." Jane shook her head. "Yet they don't say anything in the house. Not even after Josh was killed, or when Nancy killed the guy who broke in here."
"Definitely not normal," Abel decided.
Jane nodded. "I just know there's a basement."
Abel peered at her unhappily and asked, "What about the satellite dish, Jane? Nancy's right about that. Everything falls apart because there is no dish. What if we did follow the wrong tracker? Maybe Edie is somewhere else. Dead or--"
"No. We didn't follow the wrong tracker. Edie was in that hearse."
"How can you be sure?"
Jane wasn't. Nancy had managed to raise doubt in her, too, but she had to give Abel hope. She needed some of it herself. Then she smiled as realization dawned. "Because it disappeared."
He looked confused. "How does that--?"
"If Lydia or anyone else borrowed one and removed it upon reaching here, they would have thrown it out. It would be blinking yellow for neutralized. But it isn't. It's disappeared. That means it is somehow stopped from transmitting." She turned back to the screen. "Somewhere inside that house is an insulated room or basement."
She stood and, moving to her bags, began to sort out various weapons, choosing those they would take tonight. Then she moved to the closet and the box of equipment B.L.I.S.S. had sent, picking out what she would need. She would definitely place bugs around the inside of the Ensecksi house in case they didn't find the information they needed at dinner. But how was she supposed to sneak in cameras and conceal them?
She glanced toward Abel. "Can you watch the monitors?"
"Yes. Of course."
"Good, I have work to do." Grabbing up the equipment she'd gathered, she walked over, kissed him once passionately, then hurried out.
There was a worktable set up in one corner of the garage. Mr. Goodinov had obviously enjoyed tinkering before the Alzheimer's had kicked in. Jane would work on it now. No one would disturb her there.
------
"This is a tie-cam," Jane told Abel as she attached the tie clip.
Abel tucked in his chin and peered down at it. "Attractive and functional too. Just like its creator."
"I'm functional, am I?" Jane asked with amusement. She finished fiddling and stepped back to peer at her work.
"You're more than that. You're beautiful, smart, funny. But, Jane..." He caught her hands and drew her back when she started to turn away. "I'm thinking maybe you shouldn't go tonight."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Don't you want to see if Edie is there?"
"Yes. But not at the risk of losing you. I'd rather go by myself and--"
"Abel," Jane interrupted, "that's so sweet. Now, let's go."
She turned away and picked up a plant she'd brought.
"What's that?" he asked.
"A thanks-for-inviting-us-to-dinner potted plant spy-cam," Jane said cheerfully.
As she tried to step past him, he stopped her again, catching her arms. "Jane, I'm serious."
"So am I, Abel," she said solemnly. "Edie's over there and I intend to find her tonight. It may be our last chance if Nurse Nancy has her way."
He let his hands drop and nodded. "Do you have weapons or something?"
"Right here." Jane patted the purse she was carrying. He frowned at its size.
"Don't you think that's rather large? They're already suspicious. What are they going to think when they see that?"
Jane shrugged. "If they check it, all they'll find is a bunch of makeup, some vibrators and condoms."
"Vibrators and condoms?" He blanched. "You aren't bringing those?"
Jane grinned. "I hope not to have to use them, but you never know. Oh!" Setting her purse and plant down, she reached into her pants pocket to dig around. She hadn't bothered with a dress tonight. She needed the pockets that pants offered, so had settled for a pair of silky black trousers and a low-cut gold top. She tried not to think what the choice of gold might mean. Was she falling under Ensecksi mind-control? Good Lord! They had to resolve this tonight. From amidst the handful of bugs she had in her pocket, Jane pulled out a necklace--a long silver chain with a medallion. It looked rather feminine, but she hadn't had a lot to work with.
"I want you to wear this necklace. Knockout powder is inside. You push this"--she showed him a tiny lever--"and the lid comes off. Pour the powder into Lydia's drink if you get the chance. That will neutralize her."
"I suppose you have that knockout lipstick on again?" he asked as she slipped the chain around his neck and tucked it under his shirt collar.
"Yes. And truth serum perfume, bomb earrings, a laser bracelet, dart-shooting shoes, and my necklace is a spy-cam." She stepped back and smiled at him. "I have a few other tricks too. We're loaded for bear."
"Well." He smiled slightly. "That makes me feel better."
Nodding, Jane slipped her purse over her shoulder and picked up her plant again. Despite her confident attitude, she was extremely nervous. They were walking into danger, after all--she, shy Jane Spyrus from development and creation, and an accountant. "Let's go."
"All ready?" Gran asked as Jane and Abel came upon her in the great room. She used a remote to turn off a TV she'd been watching.
"All set." Jane walked over and bent to kiss her on the cheek.
Gran caught her hand as she straightened. There was worry in her eyes. "You'll be careful?"
"I promise," Jane said softly.
Maggie Spyrus gave a sharp nod. "Well, then, wheel me up those damn steps and into the master bedroom. I want to watch you at work."
Between the two of them, Jane and Abel got Gran up the short flight of stairs with little difficulty. Nancy and Mr. Tibbs looked up as they entered the master bedroom. Neither looked terribly pleased to see them, although with Mr. Tibbs, Jane suspected it was only Tinkle's presence he protested. The cat gave a show of power,
a bored hiss, then went back to sleep in the center of the bed. It was enough to make Tinkle cower and whimper in Gran's lap. She'd learned finally not to mess with Edie's cat.
Nancy, on the other hand, was definitely put out by their appearance. "You're still going through with this nonsense?"
Gran had broken the news to her of their dinner invitation next door when she'd gotten up from her nap. She hadn't thought a foray into the Ensecksi home was a good idea, and apparently still didn't.
"Sure. Why not? There's nothing going on, you say. It's perfectly safe." Jane couldn't resist baiting her. She suspected the agent was having second thoughts and feared their discovering something and making her look foolish. Too bad.
"I didn't say there was nothing going on," the woman argued quickly. "I said there was no proof, and--"
"And we'll get you some," Jane finished calmly.
Nancy scowled. "It could be very dangerous if they really are up to something."
"Well, it's a good thing we have you for backup then, isn't it?" Jane turned to Abel. "Ready?"
He nodded. "Ready."
"Let's go, then." She started toward the door to the hall, calling over her shoulder, "I've programmed the computer. It's all ready and will start relaying images the minute I turn our cameras on. The bugs should already be activated. Wish us luck."
Chapter Twenty
"Don't eat or drink anything while we're there. Pretend to if you must, but don't let anything past your lips." Jane paused at the end of the driveway and turned to hand Abel the potted plant so that she could turn on his tie-clip camera.
"Okay." He watched as she did the same to her necklace camera. "But what if it's something they eat or drink?"
"No. The glasses could be doctored, or the forks."
"So, how can I pretend to drink?"
Jane finished with her necklace and considered. To keep from raising suspicions they might have to pretend to drink. But if the rim of the glass was coated with something...Jane supposed she'd be safe enough; she was wearing Lipschitz's knockout lipstick with its base coat--
Smiling suddenly, she dug the lipstick out of her purse, opened the end with the clear gel and gestured for Abel to bend close.
"Open your mouth and flatten your lips," she instructed. When he did so, she began to smooth it on. "This is a base coat. It should protect you from doctored glasses and such if you have to put them to your lips." She paused a moment. "It should protect you. If it is a base coat," she added.
Abel glanced at her sharply. "If? You don't know?"
"I didn't develop it," she admitted with a shrug. "We'll have to hope for the best."
"It feels weird," he complained. Jane glanced up from putting the lipstick in her pocket to see him flattening and unflattening his lips in discomfort. Catching her watching him he asked, "Is there anything else I should know?"
He looked calm enough, but Jane knew he must be as nervous as she herself was. There was nothing more frightening than the unknown, and that's what they were walking into. They had no idea what to expect this evening. If they were right and the Ensecksis were evil plotters bent on world domination, they were walking into a tricky situation. If they were wrong...She didn't even want to think about that.
Pushing the unhelpful thoughts away, Jane tried to summon other warnings or advice to give, but nothing came to mind. In truth, her poor brain was blank. She shook her head and confessed, "Nothing I can think of. I don't know what to expect here, Abel. Just be on your toes."
He nodded, then brushed her cheek gently with one finger. "Okay, Jane."
She smiled, took the potted plant back, and switched on its camera. Abel took her arm, and they turned along the road toward the Ensecksi driveway. It was early evening, not full dark. The night was cool and the air fresh. Jane could almost have forgotten where they were going and why. Almost.
"Here we go," she murmured as they reached the front door.
Abel pushed the doorbell. "Jane?" he said as it sounded inside.
"Hmm?" She turned to glance up at him. How handsome he was. How considerate and smart and sexy, and how she wished they were back in Jamestown in the bed-and-breakfast, making love rather than here.
"If anything should happen, I want you to know--"
Jane covered his mouth with her fingers. She wasn't sure what he'd been about to say, but it had sounded like a last-minute declaration. She wanted no if-I-should-die, I-really-liked-you crap that he might later regret. She was sure such a thing would jinx the whole deal. If, after it was over, he wanted to say something like that, she'd be more than happy to hear it. But for now, she would have none of it.
"Nothing's going to happen," she said firmly. "Nothing bad, anyway. We're going to knock out the grabby twins, find Edie and bring her home, then let B.L.I.S.S. raid the house or whatever. It'll all go according to plan."
"Yes, but--" He was cut off as the door opened.
"There you are!" Lydia greeted them with a welcoming smile like a shark's, posing so they could get the full effect of the slinky silver dress she wore. Reaching for Abel's hand, she drew him forward. "Come in, come in. I could hardly wait for you to get here."
Jane glanced around curiously as she followed them inside. She wasn't terribly surprised by the interior of the house. While the Goodinov home was warm and welcoming, this one was a showpiece--contemporary everything made up of sharp angles, glossy surfaces, and cold colors. Much like Lydia herself. The ice maiden had an ice palace.
"Jane!" Dirk crossed the living room as if he couldn't wait to get to her side. He took her free hand and bent, obviously intending to kiss her in greeting, but Jane shoved her plant at him in a panic. She hardly wanted him knocked out yet, not with Lydia standing here looking on. The knockout lipstick would have had him down for the count.
"Oh." He jerked back from the greenery suddenly tickling his nose. "What--?"
"A thank-you for inviting us to dinner," Jane said, smiling brightly.
"Oh. Isn't that thoughtful." He didn't sound too sure as he accepted the plant, but he flashed her another of his patented smiles and took her arm. Pulling her close to his side, he walked her to the couch, his leg brushing hers with every step. Jane didn't sit down, however. She had no intention of getting trapped there on the couch with Dirk. Sidestepping along its length, she settled into the chair at the far end. She set her purse on the floor.
"Good Lord, Jane. Is that purse big enough?" Lydia snorted as she drew Abel toward the couch. "What do you have in that thing? A cannon?"
"Oh." Jane laughed and waved her hand vaguely. "Makeup, a brush, my day planner, a notebook and paper, and generally a novel in case of a moment to read. Essentials, really."
"Something for every occasion," Lydia said with amusement.
"You'd be surprised."
"I doubt it." She turned to Dirk and gestured to white wine in an ice bucket on the coffee table. "Will you do the honors, brother?"
"Certainly." He sat forward on the couch and reached for the bottle, uncorking it quickly and easily. He then proceeded to pour it into four waiting glasses.
"Dinner should be ready shortly. I thought we'd have a drink and get to know each other better before we ate, though," Lydia announced. She settled on the arm of the chair Abel had also chosen instead of the couch. "I hope that's all right?"
Jane murmured something that might be taken for a yes, her mind on other matters. Supper. The meal was cooking and should be ready soon. Yet there was no scent of food in the air. Her gaze slid around the living room, and she began to realize that there was more than just the smell of cooking missing. There were no signs of inhabitation here--no newspaper, no magazine, no TV Guide, no family photos. She wasn't surprised by the house's cleanliness, just its complete lack of personality. And the longer she looked at this room, the more positive she became that no one lived in it.
"Here you go." Dirk handed Jane a wineglass and she accepted it with a smile. Her gaze found Abel as he, too, took the wine Dirk offe
red. Their eyes met across the length of the coffee table, and they both set their glasses down.
"This is a California wine. You should try it."
Jane's gaze jerked to Lydia. The blonde was watching her coldly, her own glass in hand but untouched. Jane knew the gloves were off. They'd stepped into a web and the spider was tired of games.
"Drink," Dirk said quietly beside her.
Jane turned her head slowly to look at him. His usual amiability was missing. He looked terribly serious. His face held a cold beauty now, one that sent an unpleasant shiver down her back.
Jane considered the two Ensecksis, her mind racing. Then she lifted the glass to her lips and pretended to sip from it, hoping to God the base coat of Upschitz's lipstick would protect her from any contact drugs. She smiled as she set the glass down. "It's lovely."
Lydia didn't smile back. "Have some more."
Okay, Jane thought as she raised the glass to her mouth. Here was a pretty good indication her glass was probably drugged, and they would expect some reaction. But which? An immediate faint? A slow drowsy buildup? Oh, this was tough.
"You too, Abel. You've hardly even touched yours. Taste it." Lydia closed her hand over Abel's and urged it to his lips, then glanced at Jane again.
Deciding her best bet was to play innocent, Jane smiled, shrugged, and lifted her glass, tipping it and making her throat move so it appeared she swallowed. Abel did the same. Setting the glass back down, Jane glanced from Dirk's expectant face to Lydia's suspicious one. They were glancing between her and Abel as if watching a tennis match. When Lydia opened her mouth again, probably to urge her to have more, Jane blinked and said, "Oh, my, I don't seem to have a head for drink."
She blinked several more times, pleased to see this was the reaction the Ensecksis expected: Dirk relaxed and a small smile played at Lydia's lips.
"Oh," Jane said. "Maybe I should go splash water on my face. Where's the washroom?" She stood, swayed, then flopped back in her chair.
She should get an award for her acting.
"Jane!" Abel's voice was alarmed but faint. Jane slitted her eyes open just as he lunged to his feet as if to come to her; then he crashed forward onto the far end of the couch. She closed her eyes again, unsure whether he'd really drunk and was unconscious, or was following her lead and playacting.