A Number, Not a Name

We Walk Through the Fire

Present-day:

Scarlett stood in the ballroom of Dalmar's house directing where the delivery men should hang some paintings Dalmar had ordered specially for the gala that evening.

"Where should we place this piece ma'am?" One of the delivery men asked as he held a portrait of Tigran Hakobyan, a famous Krudian general.

"Place the portrait on the right side of the fireplace." She pointed in its direction.

"So is everything set for tonight." She heard a male voice come from behind her.

Scarlett turned toward Dalmar. "Nearly done Dalmar. The works by Sargayan were just delivered."

"Excellent. I want everything to be perfect for tonight."

"And it will be." Scarlett stepped closer towards him. "I must say I have never felt such a great feeling of anticipation for anything before. To know that we are on the eve of a new Krudia, a different world. You can't help but feel the excitement in the air."

"I must confess that after all the time, energy, and resources I have put into this project, I find it hard to believe that I am so close to accomplishing my goal."

"I'm just grateful to be by your side and to have played a small part in making your goal a reality. Your tuxedo is tailored, pressed, and ready for this evening. I laid it out on your bed."

"Very good. I best get ready for the gala. See you later this evening." Dalmar began walking to his bedroom.

"Of course." As she saw Dalmar leave the room Scarlett smirked to herself. All the pieces of her plan were falling into place; it was just a matter of letting things naturally run their course. That was until it was time for her to interfere with that course.

As Dalmar slipped on his shawl lapel tuxedo jacket he wasn't even the slightest bit aware of the tiny voice-activated recorder carefully placed in the left pocket of his suit.

.....

Jason stood in front of the mirror in his hotel room, adjusting his bow tie. Once he was finished he picked up the diamond cufflinks he'd placed on a table by the dresser and attached them to the cuffs of his white dress shirt. He then slipped on his notch lapel tuxedo jacket and did up the front bottoms. He glanced down and up at his reflection, checking his entire outfit, and took a deep breath. Jason wasn't one to be nervous but even he would admit that the thought of attending a Gala with a wanted criminal was jarring. He knew that the success of his and Tasha's mission depended on the outcome of this evening. They needed to get the necessary information tonight, otherwise, most likely his first field mission would be a failure. After all the time he had waited to prove himself as an agent on the field, he was going to do whatever it took to make sure that didn't happen.

He heard a knock at his room door and walked over to open the door. He opened it and saw Tasha. Jason was taken aback by how gorgeous she looked. She was wearing a dark blue off-the-shoulder gown. The dress had a draped ruffle cascading down the left side. All over the gown was embellished and embroidered with sequins. Her shoes were dark blue suede pumps. Her hair was pulled back and twisted in a crown braid. She also wore a pair of diamond halo earrings and held a navy clutch. He always thought she was breathtakingly beautiful but her evening attire seemed to accentuate her stunning features even more.

As Tasha looked at Jason standing in front of her she couldn't help but think about how good he looked. He was wearing a black notch lapel tuxedo suit, emerald-cut white diamond octagon cufflinks, and black Oxford dress shoes. From the time they met she thought he was very handsome but now, standing there in his suit, she found him even more good-looking. Though of course, she'd never admit it.