"Okay," Stella said, joining Nikki at her table in the cafe. "We have reason to believe that your mark is going to be making a trip to Paris sometime next month."
"What?" Nikki asked after a sip of her coffee. "No 'hi, how you doing?' Just straight to business?"
Stella smiled.
"Hi. How you doing?" she asked.
"Quite well thank you," Nikki replied. "Missing Ike. But fine."
"You're not still mooning over him are you? I thought you said you broke up with him. Again."
"I did. I still miss him though."
Stella sighed and shook her head.
"You have to make up your mind one way or the other."
"I know. I know. How have you been?"
"Good. Busy. With 'work'. The usual."
"Sorry. You were saying?"
"Your mark. Paris. Next month. Get him to invite you along."
"Okay."
"We have reason to believe that he'll be access Alion. We need to know the exact location, and what security they have in effect. If you can get us security clearence, that's a bonus, but obviously we understand that may be beyond your expertise."
"Flirting can only get you so far?"
"Your contact in Paris will greet you will be wearing a red flower and will ask you if you want an eclaire with your champagne. Remember that. No variations no matter how close they seem."
"Right."
"Your contact will give you further information. Let me know in the usual manner of your success in getting to Paris."
"Okay."
"And now that that's done," Stella said, visibly relaxing. "Did you hear about Josh?"
"No, what happened?"
And thus the two girls moved from work to inane gossip.