Flaneur ✅💋

13. Puissance

April 16, 1942

"Agent Mahlon!" Genevieve whirled around to see her superior gliding towards her. His crisp blue suit and tie made him appear even more handsome than he already was. Bronze skin, chocolate hair, hazel eyes, and a dimple in his chin accentuated his sharp features.

Genevieve stood straight and tall in her powder blue kitten heels. "Director Evans," she greeted in her thick French accent. He stopped a few feet in front of her and gestured to the short man at his side. Her eyes scanned over the newcomer, memorizing every detail of his oily face. Every scar, mole, and pimple.

"This is Agent Mahlon, she's running the ops for the capture of two third reich members, as well as the assassination of Adolf Hitler." The man at his side smiled smally, professionally, and held out his hand to shake hers. She placed her gloved hand within his and returned the smile, willing herself not to flinch at the man's clammy hand on the silk. "This is Snow, he'll be handling the weapons and making sure you get everything you need." It was the first time she had seen Director Bill Evans since she had been sent to Paris the year before. It was too risky to disappear, to have regular meetings, to make any move that could blow the entire operation, but she preferred to work alone. She'd spent months with the team he assigned her to and carefully crafted her persona. He'd provided her with photographers and money, and in return she played her part well. Too well, if her fame was any indication.

"Pleasure." She let go of his hand, clutching her files to her chest. She was wearing her civilian clothes, under the guise of visiting Lucile. Her powder blue shoes matched her blouse that had been tucked into her pleated white ankle length skirt. Waltz was undoubtedly being spoiled by the elderly couple above ground. "Is everyone here?" she asked the director.

"We're waiting on Belle still. We'll give it another few minutes before we have to start without her," he informed her. It was unlike Belle to miss a meeting, but not unheard of. Genevieve would be tasked with briefing the agent at their next meeting. The next tea time.

"What weapons do you have current access to Snow?" Genevieve inquired, not wishing to dwell on her friend's absence and longer. The man eyed her in a way that made her feel as though he was sizing her up. She was used to being underestimated. That was her job; to be looked upon as inferior in order to gain access to some of the most prudent information the world had to offer. It was the sole fact that this ally was giving her the same look her enemies did that made her blood boil. She snapped her fingers in his face. "What weapons?" she repeated, not one to enjoy waiting.

Snow blinked, annoyed at her air of authority. "I am one of the top specialists in the United States of America." His voice revealed his ire. "If the order requires-"

Director Evans stopped him with a raised hand. "The order is not running this particular operation. This was all Genevieve's plan, I just approved it. You would do well to remember that she is your superior, and treat her as such." She beamed internally at the sharp tongue of her director.

Snow grimaced, quickly shifting into a respectful expression to cover his tracks. "Sir, I meant no disrespect. I just don't see how a woman-"

"Are you familiar with the Luciano crime family?" Director Evans interrupted him.

Snow shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure. Everyone knows about the Five Points Gang."

Genevieve smirked, knowing where the conversation was heading. "Well are you aware that it took years for the FBI to gain even a smidgen of intellect that could aid in the imprisonment of Lucky Luciano?" Snow shrugged, clearly not entirely familiar with the current history. "Genevieve Mahlon, under the name of Marilyn Reed, gained twice as much persecuting information in one week. She was on the job one week," he held up a finger in front of Snow's face to emphasize, "and managed to shut down the mob and take out the king in one swoop. She alone plotted and executed an operation that brought about the end of a bootlegging, gambling, extortionist that was the head of an illegal prostitution ring exploiting young women. Do you know how old she was when she managed that?" He cocked a brow at the weapon's specialist.