Allyn and Ransom – 30

 

Allyn and Ransom left the restaurant and, after they'd shared a few kisses when Ransom dropped Allyn off at his car, headed to their separate homes.

 

On Saturday, Allyn spent most of the day trying to rein in his nerves. It was one thing to plan how to catch the man in black. It was another to actually realize he was the bait in said plans—something that was really hitting home now.

 

Ransom called in the middle of the afternoon to tell Allyn to meet him at the station house at seven so he could set Allyn up with the bug. That did nothing to calm Allyn's unease. Ransom telling him, "By this time tomorrow he'll be in custody" did, because Ransom sounded so positive.

 

Allyn was dressed and ready to leave at six thirty when Miranda came dashing down the stairs to join him.

 

"Turn around," she said. When he asked why, she showed him the silver hair clasp she was holding. "This is for luck. Mama gave it to me after my first shift."

 

When he turned, she removed the one he was wearing, replacing it with hers. "There. Now go forth and slay the beast."

 

Allyn chuckled, giving her a hug. "Not sure there will be any slaying, but we will catch him."

 

"I know you will." She kissed his cheek. "John and I will see you in a couple of hours. Love you."

 

"Love you too."

 

The first thing Ransom said when he came down to get Allyn from the station's waiting area was, "You look so damned handsome. I like the touch of red." He flicked Allyn's bow tie.

 

"There's also the cummerbund." Allyn opened his jacket to show Ransom. "You look pretty handsome too. You wear tuxes well."

 

"Thanks. I've decided it's all in the attitude." He grinned. "If you have it, flaunt it."

 

"And you definitely have it," Allyn replied, relaxing for the first time that day. It only lasted until they got up to Ransom's office and Ransom held up the tiny bug, telling Allyn to turn around. While he affixed it in Allyn's hair, the tension returned—and not all of it was because of the reason for needing the bug. Some of it came from Ransom touching his hair and the sensual feelings that evoked. Allyn did his best to tap them down and regain his composure when Ransom said he was finished.

 

They then tested the bug, both physically—by having Allyn shake his head hard several times to check it was securely attached—and vocally to be certain Ransom could hear anything Allyn said, even when whispering.

 

"This is for everyone else linked to you," Ransom reminded Allyn. "You and I will be mind-speaking."

 

"Thank God," Allyn replied. "If he does take me—if we get that lucky—knowing you're in my head will help keep me from blowing things."

 

"You'll do just fine," Ransom assured him, accenting his words with a firm kiss.

 

Allyn prayed he was correct as he drove to the airport. He arrived there, fifteen minutes before the ball was officially scheduled to start, and found a place to park. Strolling as casually as he could master, he joined the small group of early arrivals at the main entrance to the terminal.

 

The doors opened exactly at eight. After taking a deep breath and handing his ticket to the man at the door, Allyn entered the main concourse. He paused, taking in the elegant art deco design. He knew the airport had been restored after the damage wrought by Katrina. He hadn't realized the extent of the restoration. It was like stepping into a past era—despite the large fabric airplanes, hanging from the ceiling of the two-story atrium, which were part of the ball's decorations.

 

"Impressive, isn't it," Detective Lane said as she and Thornton joined him. Sotto voce she said, "Relax. You look like you've got a stick up your ass."

 

Allyn chuckled, now looking around to see who he knew. He spotted a couple of old friends, going to join them. From there, the evening progressed as expected—hundreds of people dining and dancing to the music of a small orchestra at the far end of the concourse.

 

Miranda and John joined Allyn midway through the evening, as did Ransom, moments later.

 

"You're a hard man to track down," John said. "If it wasn't for your hair…"

 

"I know," Allyn agreed. "A black tux is a black tux. You on the other hand…" He eyed Miranda's dress. "Beautiful and perfectly you."

 

"She does look like a glimmering ruby in a sea of drab emeralds and sapphires," Ransom commented.

 

"How descriptive and poetic," Allyn said, chuckling. He didn't move closer to Ransom. If their predator was here and watching—although Allyn hadn't seen him so far—it wouldn't do for him to think Allyn was with Ransom on a personal level, or at least so Allyn thought. Apparently Ransom agreed since he stayed where he was.

 

::I take it you haven't spotted him,:: Ransom said.

 

::No. I gather you and your people haven't either?::

 

::No. But it isn't midnight quite yet.::

 

Allyn smiled dryly. ::The witching hour.:: He immediately said, aloud, to Miranda, "Have you danced with anyone except John?"

 

"As if." She smiled up at her fiancé. "From now on, he's the only man I'll ever dance with. Well, except maybe you and Ransom, Allyn."

 

"Yeah, you're safe with us," Ransom replied, winking at her.

 

"That reminds me of Liam's…" Allyn swallowed hard. "He said that about the guys you danced with at the masked ball."

 

Miranda patted Allyn's arm. "He's a good man. And yeah, I'm going to keep saying 'is' until we know differently. So there."

 

"He…is." Once again, Allyn scanned the people he could see from where he was standing, hoping to find the man in black. Then he had an idea. Excusing himself, he crossed to the stairs leading to the balcony surrounding the concourse. When he got to the top, he walked halfway down and, leaning on the railing, looked at the party attendees from his vantage point above them.

 

::Anything?:: Ransom asked.

 

::Not so far. But at least I can see everyone. If I spot him, I'll let you know.::