In the distance, she could see James pacing with the satellite phone. He was usually very contained when it came to his emotions, but she knew his moods well enough now to know he was furious, based on his short choppy gestures and the way he ran his hand through his hair. Her steps slowed apprehensively, but when he looked up, he nodded to them both before continuing his conversation.
***
Watching the two head in the other direction, James forced his attention back to his phone, where Kingston was ranting about Fassell. "The stupid bastard tried to kidnap the president's wife! As if the man gives a shit about her! For god's sake, he had three mistresses waiting in the wings and..." James pinched his fingertips on the bridge of his nose, trying to push back the headache forming there. "...so now the government's alerted to a possible coup and the military's on alert!"
"Morgan, have calm. We own the military, remember?" James advised. "Where is the president's wife now?"
"Oh, Simon killed her, of course," she said. The headache James tried to avert slammed into his temples.
"Bloodthirsty arsehole!" he groaned. "Pull everyone back. Let's send out a standard ransom note requesting money and let the local police chase around after that for a while. She must... her body must disappear with no trace."
"Agreed," Kingston said sourly. "Let's hold for seventy-two hours. Goddammit!" she hissed, "That's another twelve million pounds to keep our hired men in place."
James ground his teeth, trying to control his temper. "What happened to the Corporation rule? No families?"
"That's your worry at this moment?" snarled Kingston, "This is the most lucrative operation in our history and you're worried about a wife? Are you getting soft on me? This isn't the time!"
Rolling his eyes, James returned coldly, "Setting up a round of press hysteria over a murdered First Lady doesn't help our cause, Kingston. That unstable bastard has undermined everything we planned for a quick coup." After another half hour of tense conversation, the two hung up. Averting his eyes from the blazing sun, he shook with rage. The sick fucker murdered an innocent woman. It was all coming apart. The ground shook from a massive explosion, and his head shot up to see a plume of sand soar up into the sky. Shaking his head, James walked in the direction of the melee to see O'Connell and - was that his Maura? - jumping up and down wildly, shrieking with excitement.
"NOW YOUR TURN, MISSY! HAVE AT IT," encouraged the ruddy Irishman.
"Five. Four. Three. Two. ONE!" Maura screamed with excitement as she detonated another round of explosives. The two deranged children of Ireland high-fived each other, cheering the enormous plume of sand and smoke.
James shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. "I'll be damned..." he murmured, trying not to smile at their obvious excitement and glee.
"SO. RIGHT THEN, BELFAST. IT'S THE COMBINATION OF THE PLASTIQUE TO START WITH THE FINISH OF THE DYNAMITE TO OPEN THE ROCK UNDERLAY, AND THEN-"
"O'Connell!" shouted James with a grin, "What are you teaching Maura? Are you mad? Do you think she needs another way to murder me?"
The two spun around guiltily, suddenly abashed. "Oh! We didn't see you!" Maura was desperately trying to wipe the huge and ridiculous grin off her face.
"I could hear you two lunatics screeching from across the camp as if the explosions weren't loud enough," he chuckled, "O'Connell, what wildly dangerous things are you showing my- are you showing Maura?"
"SHE'S A NATURAL, PINE! THE GIRL'S GOT A FEEL FOR IT, THAT'S CERTAIN!" O'Connell beamed fondly down at Maura, still flushed and laughing with excitement.
"Really," James shook his head, still chuckling, "I must remember to keep the two of you separated at all times." Walking her back to their tent, he kept glancing down at her. Maura's cheeks were bright pink and her eyes were glowing. "I don't think I've ever seen you look happier, Pet."
She flushed, looking up at him. "I never knew. It's just... so satisfying. Blowing shite up."
James burst into laughter, putting one long arm around her waist. "Perhaps we've found you a new hobby, then."
***
The sun was hovering over the edge of the endless expanse of sand as they arrived back at the tent. Mr. Sahnoun was just approaching with a large tray of food, followed by another porter with drinks. "I took the liberty of thinking you'd wish to dine alone tonight, Mr. Pine, rather than with the men?"
"Thank you," James looked at Maura, who suddenly looked exhausted and hungry again. "That would be perfect, Mr. Sahnoun." The two sat quietly as he served them, smiling and taking his leave as quickly as he came. She rubbed her left ear as she spread her napkin over her lap. "Still ringing?" James said knowledgeably.
"Yes," Maura flushed, but laughed a little. "It's worth a little temporary hearing loss for an afternoon like that!"
"AS LONG AS YOU DON'T START TALKING LIKE O'CONNELL." he barked, and she nearly spit out her roast lamb as she laughed. A rare warmth spread between them as they finished dinner, Maura talking about the location they were detonating for the dig. The lamplight glowed more gently than regular electrical lighting. Everyone opted to use lanterns in the tents to reserve the generator's electricity for mining work.
James admired the glow along her pink cheeks as they finished dessert. She paused for a moment as he reached over, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. "You've still got gunpowder on your cheek," he said, holding up his fingers to show her.
"Oh!" She put a hand to her face, "I must look ridiculous."
"Not at all," he gave her a rare, unguarded smile. "I just never knew you had this 'Boom' gene."
Maura smiled back. "It's genetic. I'm Irish, and I like to-"
