Read Women and Other Monsters for Free Online Page A

type of assignments my good friend Charles has you on normally.  I am sure you are simply devastating in the honey trap.”
     
    Amelie blushed and held her hand to her cheek, “Non, monsieur.  le General would never insult a woman in such a way.”
     
    “Then you do not know de Gaulle like I do.”  Donovan glanced down at his watch and said, “It’s time to go.”
     
    “Is Omega here?” Amelie asked. 
     
    Donovan held the office door open for her.   “Right downstairs.”
     
    She shivered slightly and took a deep breath.  “I cannot wait.” 
     
    “Listen.  He just came back from a bad break overseas and he might be agitated.  Stay behind a little until I get him settled.”
     
    “Oui, Director.  Thank you again for having me.  I admire what you have done in such a short time, considering.”
     
    “Considering?” 
     
    “Well, the spy business has always been so beneath you Americans.  ‘We do not read other people’s mail,’ no?  And now, you are the same as the rest of us.”
     
    Donovan smirked and said, “Maybe not exactly the same.”  
     
    “Ah, this is true,” Amelie said.  “Even MI-6 does not have anyone like Omega.”
     
    “That’s because there is no else like him,” Donovan said.  “Trust me, I’ve looked.”
     
    ***
     
    The elevator doors slid open, showing a long corridor with a man leaning against the wall at the farthest end.  Smoke billowed up from his cigarette toward the lights overhead.  He did not turn around when he said, “Who’s the girl?  New assistant?”
     
    “Amelie Brevot.  She’s one of de Gaulle’s people.  She’s loyal to the cause, same as you.” 
     
    Price turned around slowly, squinting through the haze of cigarette smoke.  His eyes were watery and rimmed with dark circles on the skin beneath.  His lips curled into a cruel smile as he pinched the cigarette between his teeth and said, “Is that it?  I thought I was just a lap dog.  Here to do anything his master says.”
     
    “You look tired,” Donovan said.  
     
    The agent’s eyes narrowed, “Maybe that’s because Ivangorod was a complete nightmare, Colonel.”
     
    “I know it was,” Donovan said.  “We had bad intel going in.”  
     
    “The Nazis were executing civilians.  I watched one of the bastards shoot a woman in the back at point blank range while she was trying to protect her baby.”
     
    “I read that in your report.  I also read the statement of a terrified SS soldier who said a naked man appeared out of nowhere and ripped the shooter’s innards out.  The sole surviving witness escaped while his comrades arms and heads were being ripped off like dandelions.” 
     
    Price grunted and said, “Give me his name.  You won’t have to worry about him for long.”
     
    “We have other things to do right now.”   
     
    Amelie came around Donovan’s side and walked toward Price, her hand extended.  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Agent Omega.”  
     
    Price rolled his eyes and said, “I’m done.  The only reason I’m here today is to tell you that.  Find somebody else.”
     
    Donovan sighed and said, “I understand.  Listen, this young woman came all the way from Algiers specifically to meet you.  Can you at least sit in for the briefing?  She has people to report to, just like we do.” 
     
    Amelie studied Price’s face, boyish except for the nasty scar along his right cheek.  Price lit another cigarette and inhaled deeply.  “I’m free for a few hours, sure.”
     
    Amelie pulled Donovan aside and whispered in his ear, “I was told he was the finest Special Agent in OSS.  This boy is not even old enough to shave!”   
     
    Donovan smiled at her and patted her hand with his.  “I gave him the name Omega for a reason, Miss Brevot.  I picked it personally, and every kraut-eating son of a bitch in Hitler’s army understands why.”  
     
    “And what could the Germans possibly understand about this