"Darling, don't worry. Everything's fine here." Belle lounged back in Pietre's chair, the phone in one hand, a glass of chardonnay in the other. "Yes, I've introduced Wendee to the other two mermaids and they're getting along well. I'll send you a tape."
"Mmm," she nodded, then sipped her wine. "I've told Xavion about the threat. He has everyone on alert… Yes, yes, your computer boy is looking for them but there's some problem with the radar… No Armande wouldn't be game to…" Belle took another sip, allowing herself a brief smile that she knew must be kept out of her voice. "Have I ever let you down? Darling, you have to stop worrying. Concentrate on your problems there and leave Armande to us. I'm sure we can hold out for another two days… Yes, of course I'll be careful. Au revoir."
Belle severed the connection, then immediately activated another call. She took a sip of her wine, savouring the sharp, clean taste, thinking about the night to come.
A different voice came through the earpiece.
Xavion.
He sounded fuzzy. Indistinct. Had she woken him from one of his brief sleeps? Even better.
"This is Belle," she announced, pausing a moment for effect. He said nothing. "I've just spoken to Pietre. He's worried about the threat from his brother. Is there news on the radar?"
None. Christophe says we're completely blind.
Perfect. "We need to discuss this. Come to the control room."
The silence that followed her request was heavy, but Belle merely sipped her wine and waited. Would he ask what she was doing in Pietre's private domain while the 'Boss' was away?
The mice were about to play and there was nothing Xavion could do to stop it. Still, Belle was curious to see whether he'd try.
Ten minutes? he asked, and Belle had her answer.
Ten minutes. Time to shower and prepare himself? She smiled cynically. "Make it twenty." Let him sweat for ten. She cut the connection.
She'd been saving Xavion. Waiting for the right moment.
That moment had come.