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because our boss wanted to put on a dog-and-pony show for those Capitol Hill types,” the American cowboy retorted.
    â€œOh for Pete’s sake, Bill,” Felicity chimed in, her sharp tone making all three of them start, “would you please shut up.”
    â€œShe hit me first!” Bill protested like a child caught at playground hijinks.
    â€œYou probably had it coming,” Felicity replied with a tilt of her head. Bill went to protest but the librarian held up a single finger. Apparently, that was enough to keep him quiet. “Mr. Books, Miss Braun, this is my partner, William Wheatley.”
    Eliza blinked. “William Wheatley?
Wild Bill
Wheatley? Is your
partner
?”
    He tipped his hat to her. “Nice to know my name gets around even in Her Majesty’s Empire.”
    â€œCan I hit him again, Welly?”
    â€œNo!” Wellington snapped. “For goodness’ sake, what can you possibly have against Wheatley here?”
    It was going to be embarrassing to bring up, but she was forced to now. Eliza glared at the grinning American. “Wellington, I cannot begin to run down some of the diplomatic disasters this wanker has left behind for my previous partner, Harry, and I to clean up. Ontario. The Bahamas. Newfoundland. We could always tell when ‘Wild Bill’ had been in town. I mean, what kind of secret agent runs into an objective and chooses to blow it to kingdom come when leaving? Hardly
secret
operations.”
    â€œYes,” Wellington said evenly. “Hardly.”
    Eliza held a gaze with her partner for a moment before returning it to the still-smiling cowboy. “But Harry and I officially ‘met’ Bill here when returning from an assignment in Hong Kong. We found ourselves making a stop in San Francisco for a few hours, so we popped into the pub closest to the aeroport for a celebratory drink.”
    â€œAnd that would be the Rum Runner?” Wellington asked.
    â€œBefore we finished the first round,” she continued, “a group of ruffians surrounded our table
and it is all this git’s fault
.”
    â€œYeah, not one of my best days with the Office,” William began. “My cover had been blown . . .”
    â€œReally?” Eliza interjected. “First time in the field with your ‘big boy’ guns, then?”
    Bill’s eyes darkened. “Look, that contact of mine had been a reliable one . . .”
    â€œExcept for that one time,” Felicity sang softly.
    â€œI was outbid. Found myself in a bad situation. Those varmints knew I had a meeting at the Rum Runner. So once the fire got hot under the skillet I looked for people that could pass for associates.”
    Eliza was having none of his smooth talk. “So you chose the British gent, immaculate haircut, stylish bowler, and with his fair lady on one arm.”
    â€œExactly.”
    Eliza remained flummoxed by his complete lack of logic. “I
am
going to hit him again!” she declared.
    The American threw his hands up. “I’m just going to stay down here then til you get over that!”
    â€œEliza!” Wellington implored.
    â€œHonestly, your other tell was the dress you were wearing.” Bill ruffled his dark hair. “Now I’ve known me a fine lady or three, but none that wore skirts with folds like yours. The way the fabric was layered didn’t look right.”
    â€œThe way the fabric was layered?” Wellington asked, blinking incredulously.
    Bill rested his arms on his knees and looked up to Wellington. “Partner, if’n you want to charm the ladies, it doesn’t hurt to know a thing or two about the latest fashion and what the phillies are wearin’.”
    Eliza pursed her lips. “So you knew I had access to a pair of garter pistols? Really, you expect me to believe that?”
    â€œYou didn’t look like no dockside whore, so I took an educated guess.” He then