INFERNAL WORLD » kyle GAZ garrick

18 - champagne problems: part 1

Before their dresses and suits, long showers, and mirror checks, they all stood in Price's office again, with several maps and documents laid out on the desk. Sam and Price were standing next to each other on the other side, the rest of the group scattered throughout the room.

''A mob boss lives in a mansion. How typical,'' Price heaved a sigh and observed the faintly drawn map of what Sam could remember.

''Guy doesn't like to lay low. That I know,'' Sam added. ''But the place is quite massive... but in a way, that makes it easier for us. Will take them a long time to spot that one of us is going for the room.''

''Top floor... golden handle...'' Price said quietly, looking over the drawings and then at Boisieu's picture.

''And he never lets anyone in his room... He might be throwing big parties every weekend, but the man doesn't get to his rank without being cautious,''

''That's true,'' Price nodded.

''Wish we knew the safe code at least,'' Soap spoke. ''No way of figuring it out now?''

''It might be written somewhere there, but who knows...'' Price replied.

''Worst case scenario, we just take the safe and-'' Soap began jokingly but Ghost cut him off.

''Hold on,'' he said, staring down Sam. ''How you gonna get us all in there?''

''Sorry, pal, but your mask isn't gonna cut it,'' Sam shrugged. ''Unless you wanna take it off.''

''I'll pass,'' Ghost replied in a scolding tone, as he crossed his arms. ''But the rest of 'em?''

''I'm not the closest with him but I can get your names on the list... fake names, of course,'' Sam replied. ''Can you make IDs in a few days?''

''Already on it,'' Kate replied instantly.

''Good,'' Sam said, clasping his hands together.

''So you just gonna arrive with one, two, three-'' Soap began saying suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at Sam.

''Five other people?'' Gaz asked and crossed his arms as well.

''I can get you inside... or you can stay back,'' Sam replied as if directly threatening Gaz, his voice cunning and quiet. Then, he turned his face to Elena. ''But she can just go as my date. Less suspicion.''

''What?''

''Pardon?''

''What?''

A few voices called out instantly, offense and jealousy clear in some.

''What?'' Sam asked, placing his hands on his chest, as he looked at everyone with a slight smirk on his face. ''What's wrong with that?''

Elena couldn't help but roll her eyes at the expression on his face.

''We can work something out there better if I don't JUST come with four other men to a party I've only been to twice before,'' Sam explained, placing his hands on the desk. Then, finally, having earned the reactions he apparently wanted from the men, he looked at Elena. ''What... something on your mind, dear?''

''Oh, I've got a few things on my mind, Sam, but for everyone's sake, I'd rather not say anything now,'' she replied without a doubt in her voice.

Elena couldn't look at him for too long. She felt too much. Turning around, she walked to lean toward the wall next to Gaz, leaving Sam by the desk.

''Reminds me a lot of when we went to El Sin Nombre's place, rite?'' Soap said, giving Alejandro a small bump on the side.

Elena's hair was down, having been washed deeply and slowly. Her makeup only accentuated her eyes and, more importantly, the black dress she had worn so many times before on secret missions as the one they were on. One leg placed on the other, they faced the other way, as she looked out the window, the dark sky with faint lights of the city nearby, as they drove down the countryside of Eastern Brazil. She and Sam would reach the mansion soon.