Page 47 of Stilettos and Outlaws

I tossed the taller agent a bottle of antimicrobial soap. “Go to the nearest men’s room and scrub every inch of your skin. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The agents bolted down the hallway.

Dante laughed. “If you ever turn to the dark side, we’d be in big trouble.” He took my plastic-covered hand and kissed my knuckles. “Querida, you are an amazing woman.”

“Thank you, sir.” I curtsied.

Grandpa ambled into the room. “Have you ever thought about becoming a CIA agent?”

“Hell no!” Dante and I shouted in unison.

Grandpa sighed. “Too bad. You have your mother’s devious nature.”

“Thanks, Grandpa,” I retorted sarcastically.

His cellphone beeped twice. “Time to leave.”

“But… I just got here.”

Grandpa grabbed my arm and pushed the cart into the hallway. “So did Agent Grimes. Let’s go.”

“Love you,” I called over my shoulder as Grandpa dragged me down the hallway.

Dante called, “Be careful.”

“I’m always careful.”

The love of my life burst out laughing.

“Lose the hazmat suit,” Grandpa ordered and stuffed me inside a janitor’s closet.

Well, that was just rude. Getting out of the suit was a lot harder than putting it on. The plastic clung to me like cellophane. Spotting scissors on a shelf, I quickly cut the suit off and stuffed everything but the mask in the trash can.

Gramps knocked on the door. “You about done?”

“Yes.” I opened the door and grinned. Grandpa was sitting in a wheelchair, with an oxygen mask covering his face. His demeanor had changed to that of a feeble old man.

“Let’s go. Grimes is on his way up.”

“He knows what I look like.”

Grandpa took a black wig out of the bag on his lap. “Put it on.”

“You can’t disguise my height,” I reminded him as I put the wig on.

“Don’t have to.” Grandpa pulled the fire alarm.

I threw my hands up. “Are you crazy?”

“Shut up and push.”

I wheeled him to the elevators. “Agent Grimes isn’t stupid. He’ll know it’s a false alarm.”

The elevator dinged. I tensed as Grimes and two agents got off. They ran toward Dante’s room.

“Move it.” Grandpa commanded.

I shoved him in the elevator.

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