Page 62 of Diagnosis Attraction

“Well, I want everyone extra alert.”

Elizabeth and Matt spent the day preparing for their invasion of The Mansion. After breakfast, they both went to a local department store where Elizabeth bought a negligee like the ones she’d seen the women wearing. None of them had been wearing underwear. But because she hated the idea of walking around in a gown so revealing, she also purchased a chemise she could wear underneath.

Matt bought a sport coat and slacks on sale, an outfit that would make him look like the bordello’s upscale patrons.

“We’d better stop at a drugstore,” she said when they finished the clothes shopping. “I need some cosmetics, or I’m going to look out of place in there.”

She’d already bought grey eye shadow and lipstick. She added foundation, blusher, and mascara, going for products that weren’t too expensive and hoping she’d be able to apply them artfully.

She and Matt brought lunch back to the motel room and spent the next few hours discussing various scenarios, but it was clear they could only go so far with the plans. Neither one of them knew exactly what would happen when they arrived at the bordello, and all they could do was outline several contingencies—which basically involved Matt’s keeping the management busy at the front of the house while she got the women out the back.

“How are you going to get away?” she asked.

“The same way I got in.”

“You may need me to reinforce the messages you’re sending. I can …”

He gave her a grim look. “Once you get the women out of there, you will not return.”

She knew she had to agree, and she worked hard to keep him from realizing that she might be unable to keep her word.

“Get some sleep,” he told her as she paced the motel room.

“I don’t know if I can.”

He closed the drapes, then lay down in the bed with her, cradling her in his arms.

They were both too keyed up to sleep, but it was comforting to be together like this.

Finally, it was time to start getting ready.

“We should eat. I’ll get more burgers and shakes.”

“We haven’t exactly been following a healthy diet, Dr. Delano.”

“But it must do, for now, Ms. Social Worker.”

She laughed, glad that they were able to joke a little in such dire circumstances.

But when he returned with the food, Elizabeth could barely choke any down. Finally, she gave up, changed into the chemise and gown she’d bought, and went into the bathroom to start playing with the cosmetics.

She began with foundation, then went on to lipstick, blusher, and eye shadow. Standing back, she studied the effect, astonished at how different she looked.

When she came out, Matt did a double take.

“Wow.”

“You like the effect?”

“You know I do.” He eyed the gown. “I guess you fixed it so you can’t see through it.”

“I hope so.”

She slipped her feet into mules, then reached for the light raincoat she’d bought.

Glad it was already getting dark, she crossed to the car and got in. When they arrived at the rendezvous spot, Sabrina was pacing back and forth, looking anxious. As they pulled up, she visibly relaxed.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

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