I hope you have a good holiday, my dear. Check your closet; there may be a little gift for you to wear to one of your holiday parties. X JM

You’re a doll, Cherie. Thank you. ((Thank you!!))

Jim laughed when Cherie’s shoe dropped off under the table with a thud. It had been a meeting, a sort of dinner meeting. But Jim never ate much, and Cherie had actually eaten on her way, because Jim was usually late but today he’d actually been on time.

So dinner and plans had turned into drinks and plans. And then the plans had somehow been forgotten? And they were mostly on to drinks.

And drinking, they congratulated themselves, was something they were very good at. One could barely tell they’d had anything, they reassured one another.

However, when the shoe dropped, then both bent to look at it. Cherie shrugged, reaching for her drink again. But Jim? Jim toed off his shoe and immediately tried to slide his foot into the black shiny high heel.

“Don’t think it quite fits…though my mum always said I have small feet…” He laughed. “There, look! Almost!”

And the two criminals were nearly in tears, Jim’s hand over his eyes as he laughed. And so it was that he didn’t see, but Cherie did. Not that she could stop laughing as she poked her employer’s arm, trying to get his attention.

“Boss? I…think you’re ready to go home. Think you were ready an hour ago.”

Jim sat up straight, dark eyes wide.

“Oh…hello, Sebastian.” He subtly pulled his foot out of the shoe, looking over at Cherie. The two nearly collapsed in laughter as soon as they made eye contact.

I’ve been alright, my dear, busy traveling, actually. Are you in the mood to track down someone who thinks he’s too good to pay me for services rendered? X JM

Not really…quiet night. Do you have anything of interest for me? X JM

Well, they suit you. I trust the next job will be a bit quicker, hmm? You know I don’t like to wait. X JM

No, no…ha-ha, did you take a bit of time for shopping? Because I don’t think those shoes are old ones, are they? X JM

I was wondering when I’d hear from you. That took a bit longer than expected. Run into any trouble? X JM

I think you’ll enjoy it. And you never mind when I send you to Paris for work, do you? X JM

As a matter of fact, I was hoping you’d call, my dear. How good are you with handguns and meringues? X JM

My dear, I never worry. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be working for me. X JM

I hope to hear a good story over my morning tea. Have a fun night, my dear. X JM

I hire specialists for a reason, my dear. Be creative; you know I like a colourful story with my information. X JM

Two out of three isn’t bad, darling. I need information out of a certain Nathan Bartholemew on the whereabouts of the most recent shipment he was in charge of, and then we desperately need milk, carrots, and olive oil. X JM

• Turn off. Someone being too submissive. Ugh. So dull!
• A dirty thought about you, my dear? I always wonder what pretty lingerie you’re wearing whenever you wear that white dress. You know the one I mean.