”
Tina looked up and smiled at the cheerful intern, “No, thanks…Alice and I already went there earlier this morning. I’m addicted to their pastry…I think I gained more weight in three days here than I had in a whole year back home.”
“Whatever…you always look good, Tina. Okay, I’ll be back in a few…” Dylan laughed, leaving Tina to continue working on the senator’s talk.
Dylan bought bagels and coffee and walked behind the bakery to the phone booth. She dialed the number from memory and said calmly, “The senator is less careful since she has the Secret Service agents with her. She accepted a few invitations for the openings of the women’s centers in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Portland in July…though she didn’t confirm yet which one she will attend. I’ll fax the dates as soon as I get back to the hotel.”
“Good…” the voice on the phone was indistinct and Dylan couldn’t determine if she was speaking to a man or a woman. She didn’t care as long as she got the payment. The person was silent for a moment and then said, displaying no emotions, “The money will be transferred tomorrow…on the same account.”
~~~~~~~~
Agent Haspel emailed Bette every day, informing her about the tour and about any changes or unusual occurrences. Everything was normal, nothing out of the ordinary happened and agents began to relax a little, enjoying their visit to London, though everyone had to abandon their hopes of sightseeing.
Tina was staying in the hotel every night, exhausted from each day’s activities. She was the main coordinator of the meetings while Alice was helping the senator with press conferences that they set before Barbara left the United States.
Tina was looking forward to Friday evening. It was their last day of meetings and lectures and she was hoping to spend the remaining time in London relaxing and finally visiting some of London’s famous attractions.
Helena Peabody was getting ready for her flight to DC. She was taking a regular flight on Saturday late afternoon because she didn’t want to involve the Foundation in her plans, especially since she was traveling under an alias. Besides, the company’s private jet was on the ground for servicing for the entire week anyway and Helena wanted to leave as soon as she made contact with Tina Kennard before her departure.
Early this week Helena checked the local news and found out where and what time the senator was speaking on Friday. She decided to attend at least one of the lectures, “Need to start somewhere…”
London, Friday
After 15 minutes of the senator’s talk Helena was absolutely bored. She was sitting on the back of the room, wearing a blonde wig and dressed in a simple grey business suit. After another 30 minutes of what she thought was the ultimate boredom of the century, the Brit quietly sneaked out and breathed with relief when she found herself alone in the hall.
“So much for getting closer to the target,” she chuckled, looking for the restroom and talking to herself. “I find politics rather dreary. If I have to seduce Tina Kennard, who is so hot, by the way, I hope she likes talking about books and movies…or maybe she’s just one of those stereotypical blondes and we won’t have to talk at all and just…fuck.”
She finally found the women’s restroom and went inside one of the stalls. She was almost finished when two women walked in. Helena was about to open the door and come out when she heard Tina’s name being mentioned.
‘Better stay inside,’ she thought, remaining inside the stall and listening intently on the conversation.
Alice and Dylan were chatting while attempting to clean the blonde’s blouse. Alice looked at the big orange spot and uttered, “I can’t believe that woman missed Tina but managed to spill that awful concoction all over me.”
Dylan laughed at Alice’s complains, “Sorry…I know it’s not funny but you have to admit that Tina has better reflexes than you.”
Alice joined in the laughter, “Oh well…at least we both got a good excuse to get out of this damn lecture. If I hear one more time about pregnant teenagers, abortion and single mothers, I will quit and go back to being freelance reporter who’s better at making Best Top Ten lists and spreading the gossip.”
“If I didn’t know you, I would think you paid that woman to get mad at Tina for voicing her opinion about abortion but throw the drink at you instead.”
“Hmm…maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” Alice winked, checking her blouse for any spots.
“Hey, Al…wanna go to a club tonight? I heard the Candy bar in Soho is great and it’s only a few blocks away from the hotel.”
“I don’t know…this week has been so exhausting that I think I want to sleep for the rest of the weekend.”
“The girls there do striptease…” Dylan said casually, knowing Alice’s weakness for this kind of entertainment.
Alice pretended to think, which took whole 5 seconds and then smiled at Dylan, “You do know me…I’ll talk to TK. I know she’ll enjoy it too.”
The voices grew distant and Helena finally heard the bathroom door shut. She let out a deep breath and slowly came out the stall. The bathroom was empty and Helena hurriedly washed her hands.
She left the building and walked towards her car, already planning her next step, “Well, well, well…I haven’t been to that bar in years but as they say, meeting a woman in the bar is like riding a bicycle…or was it about sex? Either way, let’s see how you’ll like this brunette, Tina Kennard.”
TBC???
