Alien Diplomacy

to get lost there.
    D.C., on the other hand, seemed to live for winding streets that turned into circular turns and ended up dead-ending when you’d swear they should take you somewhere. I could no more look at the bus routes Len was showing me and know which line we needed than I could design a rocket ship. I’d probably have better luck with the rocket.
    Oliver took a look. “He’s correct. Though we can do several transfers.”
    I considered this. Taking the bus and going somewhere made sense. Taking the bus and then transferring several times didn’t seem like a way to stay under the radar. “Where would the bus we’re close to take us?”
    “One of the nicer shopping districts,” Oliver replied. He looked at Len’s phone again. “I believe the next bus will be arriving right about the time we’ll reach the stop.”
    “Super.” I pulled my phone out and dialed. “Hi, Jeff, where are you?”
    “Still in the car, heading back to the Embassy. Where are you?”
    “Heading to a bus stop. I’m taking the boys and going shopping.”
    “Why? You were all almost killed.”
    “Yes, but I don’t have anything to wear to the ball. And unless a fairy godmother’s going to show up and turn some fruits, veggies, and unsuspecting rodents into things to wear and ride, I need a dress.”
    “True. I just don’t understand why you want to take care of that right now.”
    “We’re not conveniently located, buswise. I figured we’d shop, and you could send another car to pick us up.”
    Jeff sighed. “Yes, fine.” I heard someone talking in the background. “James wants to know if you’ve come up with anything.”
    “Someone doesn’t like us.”
    “Other than that. He’s stressing that time is of the essence.”
    “No. We haven’t had time to get Mister Joel Oliver’s intel.”
    “He’s still with you?”
    “Yep. We bonded over exploding vehicles.”
    “Fabulous. I’m going to have Gladys track you.” He sighed again. “I mean, I’m going to ask Alpha Team to track you.” I heard the voice in the background again.
    “What’s James saying?”
    “That I’m allowed to sound like I’m still in charge.” He sounded frustrated, worried, and depressed.
    “You are. You always will be, no matter what title you have.”
    “I love you. Be careful, buy whatever you like, spend whatever you need. Go to good dress shops.”
    I sighed. “I know. I will. When will someone be coming to get us?”
    “James says he has that taken care of already. Huh? Oh, he says to take your time.”
    “First it’s hurry up, then it’s take my time. A girl could get confused around here.”
    “I promise to clear up when to rush and when to hurry later tonight.”
    “I love how you think.” We hung up and I gave the boys a bright smile. “Change of plans. We’re going to kill two birds with a pile of gravel. MJO, lucky you, you get to help me find a dress for the President’s Ball.”
    He grinned. “I consider it an honor.”
    “No photos.”
    “Of course not. At least, that you’ll know about.”
    We still had a few blocks to walk, and I decided to make the most of the day. I pulled my iPod out and tuned to my Kick Butt Mix. I hadn’t gotten to listen to this frequently over the past few months, but I figured us surviving our limo blowing up was a good reason to give it a whirl. As I clipped the iPod to my jeans, a taxi cruised by. The boys looked at it longingly.
    We started off again, and another taxi went past us. Then another. As yet another taxi went by I looked harder. “It’s the same taxi,” I shared, while noting that Chuckie’s conspiracy theories were again being proved true.
    “The others behind it have circled the block as well,” Oliver said.
    The taxis got closer. “Want a ride?” the driver of the first taxi asked. He was wearing a cap and sunglasses, and he had a beard on that looked extremely fake to me.
    “Nope.”
    “My rates are cheap,” the man said as the other taxis pulled up behind this one. The drivers all looked like they were trying to hide what they really looked like and I was sure this guy was disguising his voice. Not good. “It’s nice and safe in my cab,” he added.
    As the sounds of “Animal” by the Neon Trees came on, I made a command decision. Jamie was still in my arms, but I decided keeping her there was probably best. I put my purse around my neck, and ensured I had a good, safe grip on my baby, holding her body against my stomach and her head