The Game of Lies

As Alanna approached her room, she saw a man standing to one side of the door. He turned in her direction and she could see he was the taller, better built of the two Arab guards posted at the bottom of the pavilion staircase earlier that evening. In answer to her inquisitive look, he said, “Hakeem has asked me to stand guard at your door.” “For what reason?” she asked. “He has heard rumors that there are thieves among the guests,” he replied, “who plan to remain in the chateau after the other guests have left and rob those remaining here overnight. He thought it wise that someone watch over you while you sleep.” He apparently had been told to expect an argument from her, thus she saw a hint of surprise in his expression when she said, “Please tell Hakeem he has my thanks for his concern.” As she entered the room, she added, “Though your presence is reassuring, I still plan to bolt my door as an added precaution. Oh, and please tell anyone who wishes to disturb me that I have had a hard day, and plan to take a sedative to insure I have a good night’s sleep, and that they are not to wake me before morning unless it is an extremely urgent matter.” He nodded his assent, and turned his attention back to his duty. Alanna leaned her back up against the door she had just shut and bolted behind her. If Hakeem suspected her of intending to interfere with their plans, and had sent someone to make sure she didn’t leave her room via the bedroom door, it was a sure bet he would not forget the windows, and that there were people watching them as well. The surveillance would complicate matters. She would now, more than ever, have to rely on the diversion Aiden was about to unleash to attract attention away from her. She looked down at the face of her watch, which, despite the darkness in the room, was visible. In exactly four minutes, an Agency satellite would pass overhead. She removed her evening clothes and slipped on her robe. At the two-minute mark, she went to the first window and casually drew the drapes. By the time the satellite was in position to receive her signal, she was positioned in front of the second window. She held up her wrist as if to check the time, at the same time pushing in on the stem of the watch, causing it to send out a single burst, high-energy signal which the passing satellite would receive, and forward in various forms to Aiden, Jeremy and Granton, telling them her end of the mission was set to go. Then, she casually closed the drapes, and prepared to dress for the job to come.