7. Party Crashers

            It didn’t take long for Andrew to get Heidi back to us. It happened in less than a week actually. Andrew must’ve done everything right if he got her back so quickly. I’d kind of wanted to be there for the trade should something go wrong, but nothing had since Andrew came back in one piece and came back in general.

            Once Heidi was welcomed back into the mansion, she and I caught up. I’d told her what was coming up, and from there she’d immediately wanted to tag along to help me find the perfect outfit for the occasion. Luckily, our faces weren’t known thanks to the papers or media, so we were free to roam where we pleased. With our pockets full of money, Heidi was the one to find the most expensive place possible. I wasn’t up for wasting all my money on a dress that I’d only wear once. Still, she’d somehow convinced me to at least take a look.

            After all, she’d pointed out that it was Jim’s money I was spending, not mine.

            So after pretty much squeezing the money dry from a dress and shoes, I spent a lot of time in the mansion. I wasn’t bored, though. Andrew, Heidi, and I all headed down to the basement level to do some target practice. I was adequate with a gun; I couldn’t call myself an expert when next to those two. They’d been in the business longer than I had. Andrew was more the long-range sniper whereas Heidi was versatile, happy to experiment with new brands of guns. I’d been in her room once to see that she had a variety.

            Between downtime and gun shooting, there didn’t leave much room for Jim and me to be together. Our relationship seemed to be on the thin line between no-strings-attached and the possibility of having feelings. There was still more physical attraction than emotional though.

Since Jim was busy doing what he did best, I was left alone. He was still around at night in my room, and I was lucky if I woke up the next morning to see him sound asleep or awake. He never slept or settled down, just like his work never did.

            How he never collapsed from exhaustion amazed me.

            Before I knew it, test day was here. Truthfully, I didn’t feel jittery in the morning. The nerves hit right around the time Heidi came bursting through my room, telling me that she was going to help me get ready and that I had no say in the matter. I didn’t question the gun-loving girl and let her take control. She’d told me before she started that she was open to criticism. Even after she said that I was hesitant to give her my input. Heidi could be a firecracker sometimes. You say the wrong thing to her and…well, let’s just say you better flee the country and change your name and appearance, otherwise she’ll find you. Heidi is a really determined person.

            So when it came to my hair, Heidi took her time. She spent at least fifteen minutes looking at my hair, wondering what on earth to do with it. Once she decided, she went to work.

            “Still no details?” she asked me. I’d grown accustomed to her accent in the time I’d known her, so she was much easier to understand now.

            “No.” I decided it was better to answer than throw her off by shaking my head. “Still a surprise.”

            Heidi shoved in another bobby pin. “You’ll do fine. Don’t be nervous.” Her head hovered near mine, staring at our reflections in the mirror in the bathroom. “With this look and that dress…Girl, you better be prepared for later tonight.”

            I blushed. “You’re not coming to watch?”

            “Nah, I’ve got other things to do.”

            “Another crusade with Andrew?”

            “Not one you’re thinking of, Raine.”

            “So what is it if it’s not a robbery?”

            “Dinner.”

            I bit back a laugh. “So you two are into each other.”

            “I’m humoring the kid. I know he’s into me. You should have seen how happy he was when he got me back. I was surprised he didn’t kiss me.”

            “He could be a good match for you; you two have known each other for years. You get along great.”

            “Attachment isn’t good for this business, Raine. We put ourselves in enough danger by our area of work and knowing each other. Being in a relationship with someone…I’m not really the dating type. I’m a lone wolf, girl. Miss Independent. Now come on, enough about me. Let’s get you into that dress.”

            “No makeup?”

            “Not if you’re wearing a mask.”

            My eyes widened. “It’s a masquerade party? How come you know that and I don’t?”

            “Jim let it slip accidentally, he told me not to tell you.”

            “Too late. I promise I won’t let him know that you told me.”

            “Good. Come on, dress time.”

            I was practically dragged from the bathroom to my room. Heidi let go of me long enough to shut and lock the doors behind her. My dress for the night was lying across the bed, the shoes on the floor. With all 5’2” of her, Heidi helped me slip the dress on. The front was technically see through, though there was a nude layer underneath so that no actual skin was being seen. The bottom half was see through, the actual length of the dress ended high on my thighs. The black, heeled sandals had a bit of flare on them.

            It was hardly a simple black dress.

            “Okay. Spin for me,” Heidi demanded. Feeling confident, I did a few twirls for her. She squealed, making me think I was wearing a wedding dress or a prom dress. “Good. Now, this.” She held a mask in her hand. “Don’t put it on until you’re close.”

            “If people don’t know who I am, why do I need this?”

            “It’s a safety measure. You don’t know what authority may be there. It’s to keep you safe should someone figure out Jim is at the party. Well, I guess I’m done with you. I’m sure he’ll come and get you soon. Good luck, Raine. I know you won’t need it, but it doesn’t hurt to give you some.” After an encouraging hug, Heidi flitted off and shut the door behind her.

            Adjusting myself carefully, I popped open the balcony doors. Dusk was here, and night was soon to be in full swing. I carefully stepped onto the balcony, letting my body adjust to the coolness from outside. Someone important had to be hosting this, or someone rich. The idea of a masquerade party sounded like something a wealthy person would throw.

Was there any specific reason why Jim chose this setting for me to kill in? Did he want me to do some dirty work for him? There was no way it could just be a test with him. Maybe this was another thing to prove that he could get away with things and nobody could stop him.

“So flattering,” his voice crooned. I smiled to the sky. “You’ll blend in so well.”

“Time to go?”

“Time to go.”

I turned around to meet him. Jim held a crooked arm out for me. Beaming, I slipped an arm through it. I saw he had both of our masks in his other hand as he escorted me out of my room, out of the mansion, and to the car. I climbed in first, getting myself situated.

Once the car started rolling, my heart rate spiked.

“I need details, now,” I demanded quietly.

“Like?”

“How big of an audience am I going to have?”

“It’s going to be a decent size.”

“Do I have to kill anyone specific?”

“No. But I am hoping you get a few people I think will be there.”

 “How am I killing them? I doubt I’m going in there armed with machine guns.”

“That’s the fun part.” He sat a clutch purse in my lap. “Your weapon is in there.”

“My knife?”

“I did put that in there too, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” He looked to me expectantly. “Go on, pull it out.”

I pulled out a small bottle, seeing it mostly full of a clear liquid. I tilted my head to Jim, my eyes expressing how confused I really was.

“Poison?” I murmured. “How much is in here?”

“Enough for a few people. It doesn’t take long to take effect. They’re dead in less than a half hour. Just slip some of this into a few drinks, then sit back and relax. No worries, right?”

I nodded. “No worries.”

I put the bottle back in my clutch just as the car rolled into the driveway. Jim and I put our masks on just in time before we got out. I rolled my eyes. I was right; someone high and mighty had to be hosting this party. The house wasn’t like our mansion, but it was still a pretty decent sized place.

“Did we need an invitation for this?” I whispered out of the corner of my mouth.

“Of course not. We go anywhere we please, Raine, you know that. Just don’t get caught up in the festivities, we’re not here for fun.”

“We should have a little fun at least.” I pouted. I picked up the bottom of my dress as we hiked up the stairs. “If things go bad, we’ve got an escape plan, right?”

“Of course, darling. Like I told you, I have everything under control. Don’t doubt me, it hurts.”

I pecked him on the cheek. “It can’t hurt you that much. We can make this fun, you know. Mess with people a bit, make up fake personas if anyone tries to talk to us.”

“Oh, you can be sure I’ll be doing that.” I heard the smile in his tone.

We followed the other elegantly dressed guests down the hall into the large ballroom. The scene gave off a movie-like feel with how people sat at tables and chatted, or how people were up and dancing in a traditional way. The music was soft and classical, but every once in a while I could hear the tune change into something with lyrics.

“When do I begin?” I whispered.

“Anytime you want, angel. It’s your test. Just so long as I see a good result, you can start anytime you like.”

“I’m going to seek out the drinks.”

“You go do that.”

“You won’t come with me?”

“I’m not holding your hand through this. You’re a big girl; you can be on your own.”

“How am I going to find you? You’re not exactly the tallest man here.”

“I’m not short either. I’ll end up finding you first. Go on, explore.”

With a nudge from behind from Jim, we separated. I searched for the drinks table, all while trying to avoid talking with people. I had to admit, this place, this event, it was pretty nice. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and some of the women made me feel like I was underdressed. Some of the outfits they wore, and the jewelry…

I kind of did want a drink once I found them, all neatly placed alongside one another. The alcohol can come later, when the job is finished. You need to be sober for this. I opened my clutch, keeping the bottle of poison hidden by my hand. Should I do it now or wait?

I decided on later, as I felt Jim’s hands on my hips. I stuck the bottle back in the clutch, trembling as I felt the heat of his breath warm my neck.

“You do look ravishing, by the way,” he purred. “I forgot to tell you that.”

“And you look sexy in that suit.” I snickered.

“Don’t you forget it.”

“Come on, let’s dance a little.”

I grabbed one of his hands and pulled him through the crowd. We turned a few heads, but nobody really bothered us. Jim danced with me like a respectable gentleman, though a few times he did try to grab my ass. As much as I was used to his suggestions, I wanted to relish this moment.

“You should do one of these sometime,” I suggested, looking around. “The mansion is pretty dark.”

“I’d have to kidnap people to make them attend,” he reminded me smoothly. He chuckled lowly in his throat. “You’ve got a bigger audience than I expected.”

“Who do you see?”

“Oh, only the world’s only consulting detective and his pet.”

“Oh, really.” Jim spun me around. “Did you tip them off about this?”

“I might have hinted that something big was going to happen soon.”

“Let me guess: it was one of your many texts or phone calls to Sherlock. You gave no details?”

“No. You should know how that goes: I give absolutely nothing to them, and Sherlock figures it out.”

“You must be in heaven knowing that he’s not dead. And you must love the fact that the world knows you’re back for good.”

A smile played on his lips. “I would be lying if I said I don’t.”

“Are they looking for you?”

“Why wouldn’t they be? They’re just looking in all the wrong places.”

“Hmm, well, if they’re still in this room, I think that’s my cue.”

“Make me proud, Ms. Whitmore.”

I kissed him. “I will, Mr. Moriarty.”

I waited until the song ended before I abandoned him. It’s time.

**I was going to have just the song but then I found this video and I kind of love it.**