Treacherous Impulses: Day 3

Word Count: 18,009

Summary of Events:

Hilton and Mackenzie set out in their car to drive to Marseille; in their conversation Mackenzie learned that Hilton was a professional driver, which she found highly interesting. They stopped for lunch in Paris before continuing on. At their hotel they discussed their plan and Hilton came up with Mackenzie posing as a socialite and getting Dr. Haner's son to take her to meet him. They rented an evening gown, got her hair done, and got her to the hall. Inside, Mackenzie succeeded in getting all the way to Dr. Haner without seeing his son . . . 

Excerpt of the Day:

""You seem rather young to have an interest in such academics, my dear," Dr. Haner said.

"Well, I don't," Mackenzie admitted.

Dr. Haner stopped abruptly and turned to look at her with appall. "You don't have an interest in academics?"

"No," Mackenzie replied.

"Then what are you doing here?" Dr. Haner asked.

"Well, I've come to tell you something," Mackenzie replied.

"Hey!" someone exclaimed. "Brian!"

Dr. Haner startled and looked toward the voice. A very American-looking man walked up and Dr. Haner seemed to recognize him. He released Mackenzie and went over to embrace the man.

The two men spoke with animation. Mackenzie shifted her jaw, determined to follow after him and try again, when a firm hand settled on her shoulder. She turned. It was the uncle — whose resemblance to Dr. Haner she could see now quite strikingly.

"You look familiar," the uncle said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Mackenzie replied. "I've never seen you before."

"Don't like to me," the uncle said firmly, his face going stony. "I saw you recognize me."

"I was surprised, you look a lot like Dr. Haner," Mackenzie replied.

"That's what you get when you're brother's with someone," the uncle said. "But you've seen me before."

"No I haven't," Mackenzie replied.

"I've worked for the CIA," he said. "I've worked in interrogation. I can tell when people are lying, and you, Miss Thomas, are lying."

Mackenzie didn't say anything, she merely gave him an arrogant glare.

"You can't hide from me Miss Thomas," he said. "I'm also good at facial recognition, and you're the same desperate reporter who came to visit last night."

"Last night?" Mackenzie asked. "Why, I was dining here in Marseille last night, and then I spent an intimate evening with my dear friend."

"Dear friend who?" he demanded.

"James Sheahan," Mackenzie replied.

"Fancy name," he said. "But you're not pulling the wool over my eyes missy. Let's go."

He wrapped his substantial hand around her upper arm and rather roughly escorted her to the door and out.

"Good night Miss Thomas," he said. "I should hope we don't see you again in Milan."

The door closed firmly. Mackenzie crossed her arms. Part of her wanted to throw a tantrum, and part of her wanted to crumple into a ball and sob.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself and thrust her shoulders back. They would be off to Milan in the morning and she'd have to come up with a better disguise that would absolutely fool Dr. Haner's brother."