[Their agents are going missing, one after one until it was a clear pattern. There was either a mole in their midst, or perhaps one of their own had went rogue or mad and was lashing out. Lorraine had seen both, more times than she cared to count. There was something about being a spy that made one paranoid, to the point where it became difficult to trust even oneself. Fortunately, Lorraine had never had that problem. She knew what needed to be done, no more, no less.
She was on her way to meet a man who claimed to have information about the last agent that had went missing, James Gascoigne, but first thing was first. Lorraine wanted to rid the man of his tail, a thin blonde man who wouldn't attract any attention at all on these London streets if it wasn't for the fact he had been following her informant.
So, as he was getting closer to the park she was supposed to meet her informant, she made her move. She bumped into him, hard enough to spill the contents of her purse out onto the sidewalk.]
My apologies, oh I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking clearly.
[She knelt down by her purse, hoping he was a gentleman. If not, she had other means of subduing him, but they wouldn't be as kind.]
[ The impact causes him to grunt, to stop, and while his eyes continue to follow the target for a few seconds more, he doesn't maintain his pursuit. If Prior tipped off the mark, there was little chance he'd have a case left — better to regroup now, because he hated the idea of starting over more than waiting.
While he wouldn't typically be considered a gentleman — not in proper company, at least — Prior finds he does a decent job playing at it. He dips down to help gather some of the items, the darkness making it slightly more difficult. ]
I wouldn't imagine thinking clearly and looking where you were going would be mutually exclusive. [ A little snark, but nothing meant to harm. More a reminder of how ridiculous the statement sounds without any additional context. ] Are you all right? I'm sorry, too.
I'm fine, I'm sorry, I should have looked at where I was going.
[Lorraine took that small barb with grace, ducking her head down almost shyly, hair falling in front of her face. She was glad that he had stopped to help, quip or no, and it made it easier for her to press the muzzle of her gun against his kneecap, tipping her gaze back up. Her demeanor had changed completely, face expressionless and neutral, her stance solid and confident.]
Don't make any sudden moves. I have a few questions for you, and I'd prefer this go smoothly and peacefully as possible. If you understand, nod once.
[ Well, that certainly went south quickly. Prior's so busy wondering about the feeling of the gun pressing against his kneecap, he's taken entirely unawares. His blue eyes focus sharply on her face and he gives a short, curt nod. Better to follow directions than limp the rest of his bloody life. ]
Is there a reason a gun needs to be involved? It seems counter intuitive to this going smoothly and peacefully, but only for me.
[ She hadn't said he couldn't talk, and honestly, he'd be tough to stop even with a gun pointed at his knee. A couple inches different, it might be another conversation altogether. ]
Couldn't take the risk of you being uncooperative.
[Throughout the exchange, Lorraine's face was neutral enough, her gaze meeting his as she studied him almost indifferently. When it seemed like he wasn't going to disobey, she nudged him into a nearby alcove that was more secluded.
She slipped her gun into her pocket, but never let go of it. Better to lose a jacket than the upper hand.]
[ A total and utter lie, of course, but it comes out so smoothly, it might as well be the truth. Prior's feeling his demeanor shifting, senses that even with a gun pointed at him, for it to be in her pocket, she must not be that interested in actually shooting him.
A conversation, then. He thinks he can handle that. ]
My condolences. What were your plans for him once you got him alone?
[Unfortunately, the mark's dossier didn't mention anything about who he was sleeping with, which was undoubtedly sloppy work. She had no reason to mistrust this man's words, but her profession allowed for little else.
She gave him a small smile at the question, tilting her head to the side.]
If I am, it would seem we have similar interests. How long has the affair been going on?
[ Prior imagines all sorts of things he might do if he'd gotten his target alone, but none of them revolved around questioning. It felt better to get his evidence elsewhere so there's as little talking as necessary. ]
It's been a couple months, at least. Sara hasn't been the same...
[ It's the tone that's supposed to convey his frustration with it, but he doesn't seem all that bothered. Trouble at home, perhaps? Other than the obvious lie he's trying to play off. ]
[Whoever this man was, he wasn't a very good liar. Lorraine was tempted between just taking him out altogether just so this wouldn't become a mess later, but this area was still far too public. And if she didn't have to, she'd rather not kill an unarmed and potentially innocent man.]
I suggest then you take this up with Sara, and leave him to me.
[She didn't relax her stance or her expression, but her demeanor was more dismissive than dangerous, like it had been before.]
Whatever you had planned for him would have been kinder than what I have in store for him.
[ Prior likes to believe he's inscrutable, that there's no way to see past his lies. Like the stories say — a powerful and ghost-like man who has no secrets when asked. It's not the image he's presenting, though. He'd be bloody stupid to let himself assume anyone would be fooled. It's better to approach with caution under the assumption that this woman isn't buying it, than give up his game and ensure it. ]
Would it be too much if I asked for a taste of that? [ He looks darkly into the distance. ] I'd been planning to propose, but she got herself pregnant. Not my child, you see — can't be — but she keeps telling me it is and—
[This one really was persistent, and Lorraine wasn't sure whether she should be irritated or amused. It was difficult to tell his actual intentions, lying aside, and she supposed if she took precautions, it might be best to play along in order to rule him out as a suspect or not.
She spent a few careful moments looking him over, before nodding.]
On a few conditions. You turn out your pockets of everything, you don't leave my sight, and I do all the talking. Understood?
[Most men wouldn't have approved at the tone of her voice, commanding and unimpressed, but she wanted to know how badly this one wanted a 'taste'. Was it enough to go along with something he might find tasteless?]
[ How fortunate for Prior that he doesn't have anything on him. Working for the Ministry of Munitions, he isn't exactly cleared to carry a gun, which is hilarious (oh ha ha) all things considered. Of course, heading out to the Front, a hundred guns would be shoved in front of him. A thousand, maybe.
He gives a curt nod and starts doing exactly that. A billfold, some Woodbines, a condom or two — nothing of consequence. ]
Lead on.
[ He's assuming everything's okay, of course — that she's going to give him the all clear. ]
[For a murder suspect, he was rather helpful and quick to comply. But perhaps he was under the assumption she couldn't or wouldn't hurt him. It would be interesting to see what it was exactly, so she nodded when he turned out his pockets willingly and nothing seemed to be amiss. She didn't let go on the grip of her gun on her pocket, but she let it drop slightly so it wouldn't be so obviously, gesturing with her unoccupied hand for him to lead along.]
I caught the bastard coming out the window on my way home. I was due and... Sara had said she was expecting me. I had expected that meant she was ready and waiting, not that she was preparing to hide her indiscretions.
[ The lies feel like they're coming easier now and Billy almost wants to believe them himself. Too bad his Sara was the right amount of pure that she never thought to sleep around even when Prior wasn't giving the same accommodation. It's different for men, after all. Particularly those in the military. ]
She acted as if she'd been waiting for me all day, of course, so I knew they had no idea.
[It was an idle comment, just to keep him talking to see if there might be any inconsistencies in his story or if he might trip himself up. So far, while it was flimsy, it seemed like he was crafting his lie well enough.
When they got to the main road, she pulled closer, keeping a heavy eye on him.]
[ He glanced up and down the main street. It was quieter than expected, an overall eerie experience despite being entirely coincidence. Prior thought she might shoot him and no one would notice. They;d find him, of course — there's no hiding a body in London these days — but to put a pin on this woman as the assailant would be a challenge even in a more aware city.
Billy frowns. ]
I thought to ruin her. Telling her mother would do it. [ A sigh, then, as he tries hard to sound resigned. ] But calling off the marriage ought to do just fine. An unwed mother isn't seen as anything but rubbish where she's from.
[It was more a means to keep him talking, if this Sara even really existed, but she was also curious to how elaborate his lie would go.
Besides, she didn't have much time left with him. They weren't too far from the park, and as soon as they were upon her target, she'd know all she would need to.]
[ Prior affects annoyance. Honestly, he has to be detail oriented for his job so he expects everyone else to be the same. Instead, he's finding himself repeating himself. Either she's testing his story — looking for obvious errors — or she's distracted. Either way, it's a piece to this puzzle Billy didn't have before. ]
No, they have a child together. Or they will soon enough. And I'll tell you now, there'll be no pretending when the baby comes. It's not going to look a thing like me.
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She was on her way to meet a man who claimed to have information about the last agent that had went missing, James Gascoigne, but first thing was first. Lorraine wanted to rid the man of his tail, a thin blonde man who wouldn't attract any attention at all on these London streets if it wasn't for the fact he had been following her informant.
So, as he was getting closer to the park she was supposed to meet her informant, she made her move. She bumped into him, hard enough to spill the contents of her purse out onto the sidewalk.]
My apologies, oh I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking clearly.
[She knelt down by her purse, hoping he was a gentleman. If not, she had other means of subduing him, but they wouldn't be as kind.]
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While he wouldn't typically be considered a gentleman — not in proper company, at least — Prior finds he does a decent job playing at it. He dips down to help gather some of the items, the darkness making it slightly more difficult. ]
I wouldn't imagine thinking clearly and looking where you were going would be mutually exclusive. [ A little snark, but nothing meant to harm. More a reminder of how ridiculous the statement sounds without any additional context. ] Are you all right? I'm sorry, too.
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[Lorraine took that small barb with grace, ducking her head down almost shyly, hair falling in front of her face. She was glad that he had stopped to help, quip or no, and it made it easier for her to press the muzzle of her gun against his kneecap, tipping her gaze back up. Her demeanor had changed completely, face expressionless and neutral, her stance solid and confident.]
Don't make any sudden moves. I have a few questions for you, and I'd prefer this go smoothly and peacefully as possible. If you understand, nod once.
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Is there a reason a gun needs to be involved? It seems counter intuitive to this going smoothly and peacefully, but only for me.
[ She hadn't said he couldn't talk, and honestly, he'd be tough to stop even with a gun pointed at his knee. A couple inches different, it might be another conversation altogether. ]
I am cooperating, you'll note.
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[Throughout the exchange, Lorraine's face was neutral enough, her gaze meeting his as she studied him almost indifferently. When it seemed like he wasn't going to disobey, she nudged him into a nearby alcove that was more secluded.
She slipped her gun into her pocket, but never let go of it. Better to lose a jacket than the upper hand.]
You've been following that man. Why?
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[ A total and utter lie, of course, but it comes out so smoothly, it might as well be the truth. Prior's feeling his demeanor shifting, senses that even with a gun pointed at him, for it to be in her pocket, she must not be that interested in actually shooting him.
A conversation, then. He thinks he can handle that. ]
Are you the wife?
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[Unfortunately, the mark's dossier didn't mention anything about who he was sleeping with, which was undoubtedly sloppy work. She had no reason to mistrust this man's words, but her profession allowed for little else.
She gave him a small smile at the question, tilting her head to the side.]
If I am, it would seem we have similar interests. How long has the affair been going on?
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It's been a couple months, at least. Sara hasn't been the same...
[ It's the tone that's supposed to convey his frustration with it, but he doesn't seem all that bothered. Trouble at home, perhaps? Other than the obvious lie he's trying to play off. ]
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I suggest then you take this up with Sara, and leave him to me.
[She didn't relax her stance or her expression, but her demeanor was more dismissive than dangerous, like it had been before.]
Whatever you had planned for him would have been kinder than what I have in store for him.
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Would it be too much if I asked for a taste of that? [ He looks darkly into the distance. ] I'd been planning to propose, but she got herself pregnant. Not my child, you see — can't be — but she keeps telling me it is and—
[ Have some mercy is the sentiment. ]
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She spent a few careful moments looking him over, before nodding.]
On a few conditions. You turn out your pockets of everything, you don't leave my sight, and I do all the talking. Understood?
[Most men wouldn't have approved at the tone of her voice, commanding and unimpressed, but she wanted to know how badly this one wanted a 'taste'. Was it enough to go along with something he might find tasteless?]
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He gives a curt nod and starts doing exactly that. A billfold, some Woodbines, a condom or two — nothing of consequence. ]
Lead on.
[ He's assuming everything's okay, of course — that she's going to give him the all clear. ]
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How did you first find out about the affair?
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[ The lies feel like they're coming easier now and Billy almost wants to believe them himself. Too bad his Sara was the right amount of pure that she never thought to sleep around even when Prior wasn't giving the same accommodation. It's different for men, after all. Particularly those in the military. ]
She acted as if she'd been waiting for me all day, of course, so I knew they had no idea.
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[It was an idle comment, just to keep him talking to see if there might be any inconsistencies in his story or if he might trip himself up. So far, while it was flimsy, it seemed like he was crafting his lie well enough.
When they got to the main road, she pulled closer, keeping a heavy eye on him.]
What do you mean to do about Sara?
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Billy frowns. ]
I thought to ruin her. Telling her mother would do it. [ A sigh, then, as he tries hard to sound resigned. ] But calling off the marriage ought to do just fine. An unwed mother isn't seen as anything but rubbish where she's from.
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[It was more a means to keep him talking, if this Sara even really existed, but she was also curious to how elaborate his lie would go.
Besides, she didn't have much time left with him. They weren't too far from the park, and as soon as they were upon her target, she'd know all she would need to.]
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No, they have a child together. Or they will soon enough. And I'll tell you now, there'll be no pretending when the baby comes. It's not going to look a thing like me.