Cut and Run 3 - Fish and Chips

gone wrong.
    Even a team relegated to invisible emergency backup had to be more available than this.
    Zane had called an abrupt halt to the search so they could get ready for dinner, and they had arrived just after Lorenzo and Norina Bianchi. Now they were making small talk over the live band playing old, romantic torch songs, waiting for Vartan Armen and the show Zane was sure to come. Finally, after eight days, a real lead to the smuggling ring’s business would have to present itself. As undercover operations went, eight days was nothing. It was the environs and the whole “married couple” situation with Ty that made it so surreal.
    Norina leaned slightly toward Ty after the waitress set a champagne flute on a green napkin in front of her. “Are you enjoying the cruise, Del? Can you believe it is already halfway over?” she asked in a pleasant tone. Her husband looked on tolerantly from her other side.
    Ty smiled at her and nodded, leaning back a bit to make room for the server. “It’s been quite pleasant,” he answered stiffly. He couldn’t seem to muster the energy to be effusive with her anymore. He had done an admirable job before tonight, though. He’d lasted longer than Zane would have predicted.
    “Oh, my poor Del,” Norina said sympathetically as she patted his cheek with her hand. “You have had a stressful time, no? It is settled, then. Tomorrow while they play with their toys, perhaps you and I, we will have fun somewhere else? Perhaps some time with the masseuse?”
    “Del enjoys anything that makes him more beautiful,” Zane drawled as he listened in.
    Ty looked sideways at Zane, giving him a brief, hateful look. But he chose to ignore the comment and looked back at Norina with a weak smile. “As long as the fun doesn’t involve climbing,” he said to her.
    She laughed lightly. “My fun has nothing to do with climbing.”
    “I’m sure you’ll have a great time,” Zane said, trying to keep the atmosphere pleasant. “I’ll be happy knowing Del is entertained while I’m working.”
    “If they have money to spend, they will be happy,” Bianchi predicted as he leaned sideways in his chair.
    Norina lightly slapped his hand. “It will keep my lonely thoughts from you.”
    Ty sniffed at them both, obviously insulted but holding his tongue as Armen strolled up to the table.
    “Apologies for my tardiness,” the man murmured as he pulled out the seat next to Zane and sat down. He didn’t offer an excuse.
    Zane smiled politely. “Not at all. We were just passing the time.”
    “I ordered drinks for us all, Signor Armen,” Bianchi declared.
    “Very well,” Armen murmured as he glanced toward the bar.
    “I think I would like the seafood tonight, Lorenzo,” Norina said as she perused the menu.
    “After fish the last three meals, I am not surprised, my gioia . Order whatever you like,” Bianchi said.
    Ty looked down and rubbed at his forehead uncomfortably. Zane knew he wished the two Italians would ease up on the lovey-dovey stuff a little. It was getting on his nerves, so Zane knew it had to be aggravating Ty, who reached for his glass of Scotch. Apparently he was figuring he might as well make the best of it if the criminals were footing the bill.
    Watching as Ty picked up the heavy crystal lowball glass and raised it to his lips, Zane could almost feel the spicy liquid burning its way to the back of his throat, and the thought was enough to raise the hairs on his arms even before Ty took a swallow.
    He’d be able to taste it on Ty’s tongue.
    “I see Del is anxious for a toast, no?” Bianchi said with a hearty laugh.
    Ty cleared his throat before ever taking a sip, and he put the glass down with an apologetic smile.
    “We’re just pleased to be here,” Zane said. He glanced to his own glass and decided he wasn’t even going to pick it up. He’d toast with the water glass, bad luck and cover identity be damned.
    “Then let us toast to pleasure,” Bianchi started, raising his glass. Armen and Ty both held their glasses out, and Zane reached for his water glass. Norina delicately touched her champagne glass to her husband’s, and Zane couldn’t help but watch as Ty put his glass to his lips again.
    Ty had been right: putting two of the things Zane was addicted to together like this was sort of cruel.
    The band struck the opening chord on a new song, and Norina clapped and bounced excitedly as she grabbed at Ty’s arm. The whiskey in his glass sloshed, and he