Chapter 25: The Mirage, Part 2

"You need any weapons, Annie?" I called down the stairs.

"No," she replied. "I'm all geared up!"

"Good," I replied, darting at vamp speed down the stairs. "You never know what we might need."

Rick rolled his eyes, familiar with my passion for toys. "Let's go, ladies!" he bellowed as he darted out the door, and we followed.

"Now, who did you say was good?" Annie asked mischievously, getting into the back seat of Rick's vehicle, as I slipped into the front passenger's seat.

Rick rolled his eyes again. "Never mind ..."

I laughed, clearly enjoying Rick's discomfort. "Rick, here, was just telling me what a great agent I am!"

"Oh?" Annie asked, her eyebrows lifting, eying Rick.

Rick gave me a look that said to watch it. "You're going to pay for this," Rick said, looking at me. Between Annie and me, he didn't stand a chance.

"Sorry, Rick," I said, laughing. "I just couldn't help myself."

Then, Rick gave me a look that said he was happy to see me laughing again. The three of us bantered back and forth as we drove all the way to the city. We probably would have gotten there quicker running, but Rick thought it was a good idea to take the van if I was going to shop. He was probably right.

We drove for a while, then noticed shoots of pink and purple mixed with deep blue across the sky, signaling the end of the day. On the ride, my thoughts wondered to Zac. In my mind's eye, I could see his beautiful almond eyes, his sun-streaked blonde hair ...

I looked out the window, watching the scenery go by as Annie rambled on in the backseat. I tuned her out and let my thoughts drift to Zac. The way he held me so tenderly, like glass, his sense of chivalry ... he was a gentleman through and through, with a caring, open heart ...

I glanced at Rick, and he was watching me. He silently raised an eyebrow with concern, silently asking me if I was alright.

I nodded seriously, smiling. "Thanks," I mouthed.

Rick returned the smile. "You're welcome," he mouthed in reply, then turned his attention back to the road, letting me have a moment with Zac ... at least, in my mind.

It was pitch black outside as we turned onto 178th Street in New York City, then made a left onto Canal Street, on our way to Broadway. It seemed like we just left Cooperstown, and now we were here. I went immediately into agent mode, knowing The Mirage would be right around the corner.

"Rick, it's still early yet," I said. "I need a car. Pull into a car lot."

"What kind you want?" Rick asked. Looking for a car dealership in the city would be difficult.

"Surprise me," I said, looking at Rick, smiling.

"Okay," Rick smiled mischievously. "Hummer, here we come!"

I sighed and shook my head, still smiling. "Low profile, Rick." Then, I thought for a minute and said, "I know! Let's go to Manhattan." In the back seat, Annie gave a little squeal and clapped her hands.

"Low profile, Star?" Rick said, raising an eyebrow.

"Leave me alone," I said, teasing. "That's where all the good car dealerships are."

So we drove twenty minutes to Manhattan. Rick actually spoiled me, pretty much giving me what I wanted. As we entered Manhattan, I felt excited to be back again. It had been a while since I'd made a trip to the city.

"What are you looking for?" Rick asked as we passed a few dealerships.

Then, I saw exactly what I wanted. "Pull in here, Rick."

"A Camaro?" Rick asked, pulling into the dealership. "What happened to low profile?"

"Hey, a Camaro's not that bad," I countered. "A high school student could have one."

"Yeah," Rick added, parking the car. "If Daddy's rich."

I laughed. "Okay! So you're rich!"

Rick rolled his eyes.

"Actually," I added, "you're into law enforcement."

"Oh?" Rick said, rolling his eyes. "Doing what?" Rick knew I was talking about his cover.

"Don't know. You tell me," I said, spotting exactly what I wanted as Annie ran her hand along a red Camaro, probably thinking of buying one, too.

"This is it!" I said, crossing to a black 45th Anniversary Edition Camaro. I knew it was modeled after the 1967 edition. I'd know it anywhere. It was a very good year for cars. "There's nothing like the classics."

"Star ..." Rick said, warning.

"What?" I asked, feigning innocence. And for me, this was low profile. I had a Mercedes SLS worth $183,000 in storage.

"May I help you?" A man dressed in a cheap black suit crossed the parking lot to us.

"Yes. I'd like to take this one," I said, pointing to the sleek black anniversary edition Camaro.

The man held his nose in the air and looked me over, seeing a teenager, then promptly replied, "Honey, you can't afford this. It's a 45th Anniversary Edition Camaro. Now we have some other selections over here ..."

"I can't afford it?" I asked this rude man, as Rick shot me a warning glance. "I want this one. Wrap it up."

The man turned and laughed, still seeing a teenager before him. "Miss, that car is $45,000."

"Here," I said, looking him directly in the eye, crossing to him. "Put it on my bill." Actually, I could use mind control on him, but I'm not into stealing cars. This guy had no idea who he was playing with. "Here's my card," I said, handing it to him, my eyes flaring.

"I think you'd better do as the lady says," Rick said, as one side of his mouth curled into a smile.

"You're putting a car on a credit card?" the idiot smirked, almost losing out on a sale.

"Actually, it's my ATM card," I said, smiling sweetly, then my eyes flared again. "Run it."

"Uh ... yes, Miss ... right away, Miss ..." Cheap Suit stammered, realizing how close he came to losing out on probably his biggest sale of the day. I was paying cash and I hadn't even quibbled about the price ... every salesman's dream.