Monique sat at the vanity brushing her silken hair, her reflection filling his eyes with her naked beauty aglow from their lovemaking. Richard stretched and threw the sheet back as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He crossed the room and kissed the flower tattoo on her shoulder.

It was another warm sunny day in France, this time in a rented villain the small town of Juan-les-Pines on the Mediterranean coast east of Cannes. Richard had arranged his itinerary to coincide with Monique's holiday on the Riviera.

Her advancement to his old position had transitioned smoothly and very successfully; the Agency had accepted his recommendation. Richard knew that was simply more of the same convoluted way they operated. His own duties were compressed to vetting possible new contact sources, which allowed for considerable travel throughout Europe.

Juan-les-Pines was awash in tourists and film festival addicts all searching for a glimpse of a star and using up every square inch of parking spots. The cafes and patios were packed and drinks were consumed in quantities worrisome for when the parking places emptied.

Tanned and fashionable women paraded their goods along the main street much to the lecherous pleasure of equally tanned men with exposed hairy chests and medallions, cruising in their convertibles.

The relationship between Monique and Richard had developed into something much more than two business partners having a side fling. Essentially, it had taken deep root and aside from the physical pleasure of their encounters. A financial scheme, not unlike that of their predecessor's but more secure, had gradually established roots of its own below the Agency's radar . . . or so they believed.

"Something bothering you?"

"I'm not sure. Nathan seems different somehow. I can't put my finger on it."

"What do you mean different?"

"That's just it, I don't know." Richard leaned on the window frame and stared out at the busy boulevard. "The debriefings have an edge to them that I never noticed before. I mean they were always annoying but lately . . . I just don't know."

"Do you think he suspects something?"

"That wouldn't be anything new, that's his nature. But this . . . I really don't know."

"We've been super careful, Richard. I don't see how−"

"Have you ever heard of another organization operating out of the Agency's sight?"

"Who?"

"Have you ever heard of one?" He turned to watch her response.

"No. No idea what you're talking about."

Something pinged in his head at her tone and Richard gave a mental shrug, annoyed at his easily roused paranoia.

"Why? What's going on?"

"I never told you about my toxin purge vacation with Murray but I think now you should know."

"What happened?"

Richard took the brush, continuing the long even strokes through her hair.

"You're very good at that." She cooed, turning in the seat and wrapping her arms about his waist.

He detailed the three days and climactic finish with the murder of Alexi Grugeris and the mention of some mystery outfit he wouldn't reveal. Monique froze; her arms still about his waist.

"I think it's about time we considered saying goodbye to the Agency."

"You think we have enough?"

"My God, Monique, how much could the two of us need?"

"Enough to ensure a fire wall against our people."

"Waiting for that may be folly. Nathan concerns me more and more with his oblique comments."

"Such as?"

"Just comments. I think it's his tone more than his words. Not to mention the graphic lesson in Italy." Richard shrugged. "Look, the account is set up with secure cover names; we should transfer the money out and go."

"Once we use them they'll be burned."

"Isn't that why we created them, to use? And Monique, it would be a good time to share our halves of the password for the account. Now that we are closing it out together that safeguard isn't necessary anymore . . ." He felt her lips on his chest and he closed his eyes.

"You really think now is the time, Richard?"

"What better time? You know if the Agency digs deep enough they'll find what we've done. They'll just keep looking and then it could be game over."

She kissed his stomach. "Then I suggest it is time to go. I'm flying to Canada at the end of this week, we could meet there and-"

"What's in Canada?"

"Just the finalization of some business then I'm free to leave to wherever we choose." She rose from the seat and pressed herself against his cool skin and Richard tossed the brush on the vanity and grasped her tightly to him.

He would meet her in Toronto in one week. Together they would arrange to transfer the money and from there they would vanish from the eyes of Nathan and the clutch of the Agency-- forever.

******

Instead of Monique awaiting his arrival in Toronto at the Royal York Hotel, Nathan Fischer and Murray greeted him with craggy smiles and cool handshakes.

"Richard, my boy. You didn't report the fact that you would be visiting the colonies."

He forced his breathing to regulate and did a bit of business with his luggage until he calmed.

"Apparently you knew anyway."

"Murray." Nathan uttered the name and Richard knew immediately what he was in for as he was hustled from the hotel lobby to a room upstairs.

"I'm sorry that was necessary, sir. I've grown rather fond of you." Richard lay on the bed, his kidneys screaming and his stomach doing multiple flips. "Mister Fischer doesn't like it either but we do have rules, sir."

"And one is to cripple me because I took a trip, eh?" Richard groaned.

"Unauthorized, sir."

"Right." Richard struggled to a sitting position with the aid of a now solicitous, minder. "I think it might be a lot more than that."

"Not my place, sir. Mister Fischer will explain that."

It was explained, in detail and while being spirited back across the ocean he had time to examine what might have gone wrong and how it could be salvaged. Did Nathan already know what they had planned? How did he know about Toronto at all? Did Monique do this?

The next leg of his journey was to the French coast once more, only this time to a different Agency site in Nice. Here he was imprisoned under the watchful eye of Murray while awaiting his interrogative interview.

He searched his thoughts for a reason or a sign that might have revealed Monique's betrayal, if indeed it was.Maybe they already had spoken to her and he pictured Murray offering the same solicitous apologies after delivering Nathan's message.

Richard thought back to the Chat Noir and the woman blandly throttling Alexi Grugeris and worried that he might be headed for the same fate.