If the woman had thought to have an attitude about finding clothing for Kate, Tazer set her in her place quickly.
Tazer took Montanas arm, pointed to a cushioned seat and ordered, Sit.
The attendant took Kate to a dressing room and then disappeared into the back of the shop with Tazer. They returned with a handful of dresses, blouses and trousers, and disappeared into the dressing room.
Already antsy and ready to be outside, Montana rose from the cushioned seat and paced.
Tazer emerged from the dressing room, looked around and spotted Montana. She pointed a finger. You. Come with me.
She took him to the back of the salon, where a barbers chair stood in the middle of a small office. A woman with bright blue hair, armed with scissors and a comb, smiled at him. Lets get started.
Unsure as to what they were to get started on, Montana shot a glance at Tazer.
She hooked his arm, led him to the chair and pointed. Sit.
Montanas brows rose. Im beginning to feel like a dog in training.
Then act like one, and do as instructed. Tazer clapped her hands sharply. Come on, we dont have all day. You two have a meeting tonight.
We do?
Yes. Ill fill you in once were through the transformation.
Half bent toward the seat, Montana paused. Transformation?
Tazer rolled her eyes. Trust me.
He figured hair grew back, but his buddies wouldnt let him live down blue hair. Still, he knew they didnt have time to argue, and Tazer seemed to know what she was doing.
Montana sat.
By the way, Im Karen, said the hairstylist. This shouldnt take too long.
Her scissors flashed and hair flew around him. She shaved his face with a wicked-looking straight razor, trimmed his eyebrows and plucked some of the wild hairs.
So far, he didnt have a problem with what shed done. Hed needed a haircut after being on vacation for two weeks, and his brows were a little on the bushy side. But when she brought out a bowl with powder and mixed in liquid from a bottle, he held up his hand. Whats that?
Bleach.
For what? he asked, leaning away from the bowl and what appeared to be a wide, flat paintbrush she was using to stir the contents.
Im going to lighten your hair. She held up a photo of Rex Masters, Micas bodyguard. Im told you need to have this hair color.
Yeah, but will it be permanent?
She shook her head. Itll grow out in a couple months.
Months!
Relax. Its just hair. With your tan, the blond will look fabulous on you.
Not liking the gleam in Karens eyes, Montana sat back and allowed the stylist to do her job. Tazer chose that hour to be absent.
Figures.
By the time the stylist finished and dried his hair, Montana was ready to bust through whatever doors stood in his way to getting outside.
Karen slapped a handheld mirror in his palm. See? You look great.
He glanced into the mirror, relieved he didnt have blue hair, and was amazed at the resemblance between him and Mica Brantleys bodyguard.
Karen had even lightened his eyebrows to a shade darker than his now sandy-blond hair.
Good, youre done. Tazer appeared in the doorway with an armful of clothes. Put these on.
Ever consider the word please? Montana asked. The SOS agent might dress like a fashion model, but she was as lacking in manners as some of his SEAL buddies.
No time. Again, she clapped her hands. Chop, chop! Tazer disappeared again, leaving Montana with the stylist, who was gathering the tools of her trade.
Thank you, Karen. Montana pulled his wallet out of his pocket, prepared to tip the woman for a job well done.
She held up her hand. No need to tip me. Miss Steele took care of everything. It was a pleasure. She held out a card. Look me up if youre ever at a loose end. With a wink, she left the office, closing the door behind her.
Montana shucked his clothes and slipped into the trousers and matching suit jacket, freshly altered. Though he preferred jeans and T-shirts, he had to admit the outfit, now that it had been adjusted, fit like a second skin. He drew the line at putting on the silk tie. Dressed, buttoned and wearing the new patent leather shoes Tazer had delivered with the suit, he stepped out of the office and went in search of Tazer and Kate.
The female attendant hed met earlier found him wandering through the warehouse of dresses and clothes, and took his arm. Miss Steele asked that you wait in the viewing area until the ladies are ready. She ushered him into the lounge with the dressing room doors Kate had disappeared behind earlier.
Montana paced, his patience worn thin, his need to get outside an obsession.
Fifteen very long minutes later, Tazer walked out of the back warehouse area.
Kate followed, wearing a pale cream skirt suit that fit her long, athletic body like a kid glove. The matching high heels made her legs look even longer, the tight muscles of her calves bunching with each step.
Montanas groin tightened and he fought to keep his jaw from dropping to the floor.
Her shoulder-length hair had been swept back into one of those French twist things women liked to wear. She looked amazing.
Kates gaze swept him from top to bottom. I like you with dark hair better, she said. But youll do.
Not to worry. Tazer nodded to the attendant. Could you get the handbag I left in the back?
She nodded and hurried through the door.
Once they were alone, Tazer handed Montana a bottle of dark liquid. Before you go out tonight, put this in your hair and let it dry. You two are now Monty and Kayla Lindemann, good friends of the Brantleys. While youre Monty, youll put the dye in your hair. When you have to switch to fill in for Rex, just wash it out.
What about me? Kate asked. I cant just dye my hair black in a flash.
No, but you can wear this. She handed Kate a bag.
Kate fished inside and pulled a wig halfway out. It was long, dark and straight, like Mica Brantleys hair. Kate nodded. Got it.
Ive arranged for you and Mica to have matching outfits for the yacht club gala. You will arrive as the Lindemanns, but if anything happens that puts Mrs. Brantley in danger, were pulling her and Rex out and putting you two in as their replacements.
The event is tomorrow. Whats happening tonight? Montana asked.
Youre going to meet up with Mica at the Jefferson Hotel in downtown DC. She has the Martha Jefferson Penthouse Suite. The Lindemanns will be a floor below. Youre having dinner together. Well have the hotel covered with your SEAL team and SOS electronic surveillance. She handed Montana a leather briefcase. Everything youll need is in the case. Familiarize yourselves with the contents on the way over. Once inside the hotel, consider everything bugged. Act, live, breathe as if you really are the Lindemanns. We dont know how deep the traitors are entrenched and in what government entities. Trust no one but the members of the team.
Montana nodded, his free hand tightening into a fist. To think there were traitors within the organizations he would have thought he could trust made him all the more determined to take them down.
* * *
KATE AND MONTANA stepped through the front door of the dress shop and slid into the waiting limousine. Their new clothes had been packed into designer luggage and stored in the trunk of the car. They would take the long way around the city, be dropped off at the airport and later picked up by Mica Brantleys car.