Deep Cover, page 18
"But he's history, right? What's he got to do with here and now?"
"Last time I saw him, he threatened me. I'd like to know what he's doing here."
That was all the justification Shelby needed after the events of the past week. Maybe Michael was here because he knew Kris was. Maybe someone wasn't shooting at her at all, but was shooting at the operative instead. She scooted her chair over making room for Kris and grinned. "Ready?"
Pushing her own chair across the room, Kris settled behind the desk next to Shelby and watched her work the keyboard until Michael's mug shot appeared on the screen.
Shelby advanced to Michael's history and scanned the information, knowing Kris was doing the same. "Did you know he's Jeb's brother?"
"No. But Jeb's a nobody. Whoever protected him before had a lot more power."
Snickering, Shelby said, "Jeb'd have a fit if he ever heard you say that. Doesn't matter that it's true."
Kris winked. "Just calling it the way I see it."
Shelby finished reading and looked at the screen in front of her. "He's currently assigned to Israel. He must be on leave or something. I'm surprised he didn't show up on the list. No wait! I know why. The search only included regular field agents, not advisors. Maybe we should add him."
Kris nodded. "Good idea." She quickly wrote down his home of record in Maryland, but as a precaution asked Shelby pull up Jeb's file to get his address, too. It didn't hurt to cover all the bases. It was disturbing enough, given the events of the past week that he was in town right now.
* * *
Shelby laughed as she won the battle for the remote. "Uh uh. We are not watching Cops again."
"Why not?"
"Come on! It's been on for an hour already. Let's watch Miracle Pets."
Kris grinned and raised an eyebrow dubiously. "Sure. Whatever you want."
"Oh ye of little faith. I think you'll like it. It features stories about pets that saved their owners. Some of the stories are really incredible. It makes you stop and think." Shelby reached over to Kris' lap and stroked Stormy. "Our little furry friends are pretty special."
So are you. Kris nodded, watching as Shelby raised her shoulders, rolling her neck, before relaxing again. Sympathetically, she asked, "Neck stiff?"
"Kinda. Sitting hunched over the monitor all day takes a toll sometimes."
"I hear you. I don't know how you do that all the time."
"You sorta get used to it."
Kris had her doubts about that. "If you say so."
Shelby chuckled when Stormy scampered off of her partner's lap to chase a shadow across the room. "It's not like I have much choice."
Casually, Kris suggested, "How about scooting over her and letting me see what I can do?"
The analyst barely hesitated before sliding across the couch and turning her back to Kris. Shelby sighed deeply and let her head drop forward as her partner's strong fingers began manipulating the tight muscles.
After a few moments, Kris took a pillow and dropped it on the floor between her feet. "Why don't you move down there? It'll be more comfortable." Once Shelby was sitting between her legs, she picked up where she'd left off, letting her fingers expertly probe and stroke her companion's neck and shoulders.
Shelby was in her own personal paradise, enjoying the feel of Kris' long legs bracketing and supporting her body almost as much as the fingers working their magic. She was much too content to move when the hands slowed, instead leaning back and settling herself comfortably against the operative.
Unable to resist, Kris began to lightly stroke the golden hair that was resting on her thigh, entranced by the silky feel as she drew her fingers lightly through the blonde locks.
Time ceased to have meaning as they sat there in silence, enjoying the closeness. When she could no longer delay a visit to the bathroom, Shelby sighed inwardly wishing she hadn't had two glasses of iced tea earlier. She regretfully stood up and smiled. "Be right back."
Watching the analyst walk out of the room, Kris sighed contentedly. The evening had been perfect. Everything felt so right with the smaller woman at her side. She found herself more and more often finding a reason to touch Shelby and her overtures were always met with a smile. I could get used to this.
She started thinking about the things she liked about Shelby and suddenly realized that it wasn't one thing, it was everything. Her laugh, her way of expressing herself, the sweet sound of her voice, the way she walked, her intelligence, her consideration and warmth, the way her eyes flashed when she was angry and danced when she was happy. Everything.
Kris had spent a considerable amount of time that day debating the wisdom of filling Shelby in and asking for her help. She entertained every possible scenario she could envision, from the younger woman hating her to the one she hoped for, in which Shelby agreed to help her. Logically, Kris knew she had to be demented to even consider revealing her secrets, but the idea of returning to the only adult life she'd known had become intolerable because one thing was becoming increasingly apparent to her – before Shelby, she hadn't been living, she'd merely been existing.
The operative also faced another certainty. She would not go back to that life. She would risk it all for the chance to share a future with Shelby. If she wants me.
Shelby returned and sat down on the couch. She leaned over her taller companion and picked up the remote. "What're you thinking about? You looked a million miles away."
Kris breathed in her partner's unique scent, fighting off the urge to pull Shelby into her lap. No, not a million miles away. I was with you every minute you were gone.
Instead, she waited for the analyst to sit back and then stood up. "I need to go out one more time." She leaned down and brushed a lock of hair away from Shelby's eyes, her decision made. "You'll still be up when I get back, won't you? I want to talk to you about something." She wasn't sure what she was going to say or how she was going to say it, but the trip outside would give her time to formulate her thoughts.
The blue eyes gazing at her were fraught with meaning, and Shelby's heart began fluttering. She smiled warmly, allowing her eyes to convey what they would. "I'll be waiting up. Just like I always am."
Kris grasped Shelby's hand and squeezed it before releasing it. "I'll be back soon."
Shelby nodded in anticipation. We're going to talk. Really talk. I never thought I'd see this day. She accompanied Kris to the door and locked it behind her. Yes!
Kris took the steps two at time, her Blue persona in place by the time she reached the ground. Instincts honed by years of living on the edge suddenly screamed out a warning and she quickly pulled her weapon and faded into the darkness behind the building, searching the shadows for the slightest movement or sound.
Hearing nothing, she kept her back to the cement wall and soundlessly worked her way along the length of the building. She silently cursed when she felt something impact against her shoulder and felt a burning sensation travel down her arm. Immediately dropping into a defensive crouch, Kris began edging her way back around the building. She had to get back to Shelby.
She heard a sound and focused her attention in the direction from which it came, but suddenly found it hard to concentrate. Kris watched in disbelief as the gun fell from her hand onto the ground only a moment before she toppled over next to it. Her mind screamed out a warning. Shelby!
Gregor waited for a full two minutes before commanding his men to converge on the agent's location behind the building. Speed was of the essence. Not only was it vital that they were not spotted, Dimitri had stressed the importance of minimizing the length of time the operative would be absent.
Not taking any chances, Gregor waited until his men were present before approaching the fallen operative. The tranquilizer was very fast acting, but they only had thirty minutes before she would start waking up and it was imperative that she have no knowledge of where she had been taken.
He knelt down next to her and roughly shoved her from her side onto her stomach. Removing a pair of handcuffs from his pocket, he snapped them in place, tightening them brutally. This woman had caused him enough grief, and he intended to exact his revenge in any way he could, knowing that once he turned her over to Dimitri, he would be summarily dismissed.
He glanced at two of his men. "Get her to the car." The operatives flanked her, each grabbing an arm, and began pulling her along.
Gregor would have preferred to let them continue dragging her, letting the movement take its toll on her wrists, but knew better than to leave evidence of their presence. "Pick her up. Hurry up!"
Within minutes, she was stuffed into the back of a blue Ford Taurus and her journey to an unknown destination began.
* * *
Shelby picked up Stormy and sat where Kris had been sitting a short time before. She listened to the contented purring of the small kitten, allowing her thoughts to roam freely. She had asked herself over and over again why she was so attracted to Kris, but knew the answer was the magic between them.
Everything seemed so right when they were together. Kris was beautiful, yes, but there was so much more about her that Shelby loved. Like how she always puts me first, the way she looks at me when she thinks I'm not looking and how she makes me feel with just the slightest touch.
Shelby also felt an intense protectiveness towards Kris. She chuckled. Not that she'd ever need my protection. But there was something so appealingly vulnerable about the woman at the oddest times. Every once in awhile when she was able to covertly watch Kris, Shelby had seen a sad, lost look in those beautiful blue eyes that broke her heart. She knew the operative was unaware of displaying what she would certainly consider a weakness, but it woke a fierce desire within her to prevent anyone from ever hurting the woman who had claimed her heart.
Shelby smiled happily and continued her musings. She's so cute when her mouth curls up into that little smile she shares only with me, and I love her dry sense of humor. She is really protective, but I like that. Silly, she is supposed to be protective, she's your bodyguard. Shelby answered her inner voice. No. It goes way beyond a job. I can feel it.
Suddenly uneasy, Shelby lifted the kitten from her lap and stood up. Kris had been gone only a matter of minutes, but out of nowhere had come a strong feeling that something was very wrong. She dismissed the idea as ridiculous. Kris was fine. But her uneasiness continued to grow. She's in trouble.
Shelby usually trusted her instincts, but worried that her overactive imagination and emotional attachment might have conjured up the feeling rather than her gut. Trying to ignore the feeling, she discovered that it nonetheless persisted and grew. Should she go and look for her? She very clearly remembered Kris' admonition to stay inside no matter what. She'd agreed at the time, but she hadn't felt like this, then.
She picked up the phone only to set it back down. Whom could she call and what could she say? 'Um, you see, Kris went outside and she's been gone twenty minutes and I'm worried about her.' Yeah right!
Forcing herself to calm down, Shelby sat down on the couch and flicked through the channels before tossing the remote on the end table in disgust. It was no use. She couldn't concentrate on anything except the clock, and it seemed like only a minute had passed since she'd looked at it last. She decided to wait another half hour before doing something. Just exactly what that would be, she wasn't sure, but Shelby figured she had an interminable half hour to try and figure it out if Kris still hadn't returned.
* * *
Blue was slowly regaining consciousness, but deliberately kept her growing awareness of her surroundings hidden. She was lying on what felt like a cement floor with her hands and legs secured. Tensing her muscles slightly, she could feel the steel vises on her wrists tighten, and relaxed to relieve some of the pressure.
Sensing that she was alone, Blue opened her eyes and looked around. The room was barren except for two chairs, a table, and some leather restraints attached to chains hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room. She grimaced, all too familiar with the uses for the device. She hoped this action was directed only at her and that Shelby was safe, but her stomach tightened in worry.
She lay unmoving, watching as the door opened and five men walked in, only one of whom she recognized. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Sergei and suddenly she knew what had prompted her capture. Somehow they must have already found out the information she gave them was bogus. Shit! She'd known the risks, but had expected more time. Not bothering to ponder how they'd found out so quickly, Blue began to focus her energy on preparing herself both mentally and physically for the punishment she was sure was to come.
"Put her in the restraints."
The four burly men approached, two observing while two roughly grabbed her and dragged her across the room. Not willing to cooperate with the goons in any way, Kris kept her body limp, forcing the other two to hold her erect while her wrists and ankles were secured by the leather bands, then tightened.
"Nice to see you again, Natasha."
Blue glared at Sergei, but remained quiet.
"Not happy to see me? That wouldn't be because of the useless information you gave us, now would it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Sergei crossed the room and backhanded Blue viciously across the face. "You will answer honestly when I talk to you. Did you really think you'd get away with that?"
Blue could feel the blood trickling from her mouth as she stared back at Sergei. "Get away with what?"
At a look from the Russian, one of the men delivered a solid blow to Blue's midsection.
"You disgust me." Sergei knew there was a remote chance that she could be telling the truth and the computers just hadn't been updated, but he felt it unlikely. "I should kill you now, but I have another job for you. If you do it well, I might spare your life."
Blue tried to keep the pain at bay. She had no intentions of doing anything he wished, but she would have to play the game in order to leave this room alive.
The Russian agent paced back and forth in front of Blue. "The woman you're staying with is a highly regarded analyst with access to very sensitive information. Such knowledge would be of great value to us. I want her password and you will obtain it without arousing suspicion."
"That's...impossible," Blue managed to spit out.
"For someone less skilled than you, perhaps. But I'm sure you can find a way." Sergei smiled cruelly. "Just in case you doubt my seriousness..." He nodded to two of the men, and watched as they approached the woman.
Blue knew what was coming and began focusing her mind to ignore the pain that would be inflicted.
Sergei had picked the two men because they were interrogation experts trained to deliver the maximum amount of punishment without doing any major bodily damage. He had already briefed them that they were to leave no marks on any part of her body that would normally be exposed, not wanting to arouse the suspicions of anyone at the Company. The bruise he'd left on her cheek could be easily covered.
The Russian officer stood back with his arms crossed in front of his chest observing the punishment being meted out. He always enjoyed this part of an interrogation and smiled with satisfaction at the grunts of pain that accompanied the blows. He allowed the brutalization to continue for several minutes after she passed out before calling a halt. He hadn't forgotten her stubbornness as a child and wanted to make sure she understood his message. Sergei knew that every time she moved for the next week, she would be reminded of this lesson.
The fact that she would be terminated once they had the password was of no consequence right now. He walked over and began slapping her face lightly. "Wake up. I have another surprise for you."
Blue had allowed herself to fade into blackness instead of fighting it. Her slow return to consciousness was suddenly accelerated when she was drenched in cold water. Her eyes opened as she spat out water, gritting her teeth as pain rolled over her. She wanted to double over in agony, but her bonds denied her even that luxury.
"Oh, good. You're back with us. You had me worried for a while. Are you ready to see your mother now?"
Blue remained silent, her mind disbelieving. Her mother was dead. She'd been dead for almost twenty years. Obviously, Sergei wasn't done torturing her yet, but she'd buried her mother long ago. "She's dead."
"No, Natasha. She isn't dead, but that isn't what we wanted you to think. You had no reason to doubt us. You were but a child. It suited our purposes for you to believe that." He looked at one of the men. "Release her. It wouldn't do for your mother to see you all trussed up, now would it?"
Blue didn't know what to believe as she fell to the ground in a heap, her arms wrapped around her throbbing midsection. She tried to hold the pain at bay, but the men had been experts at plying their trade and it was unrelenting in its intensity.
"I'll be back after your visit," Sergei promised as he left.
A few minutes later the door to the interrogation room opened. A tall, thin woman with gray hair walked in and looked curiously at the female lying curled up on the floor. The last twenty-four hours had been so confusing. Twenty years ago, Masha had been told her little girl had died in a fire at the school. Then yesterday, she was rushed from her home and flown to America to meet with her suddenly resurrected daughter.
She didn't know what Sergei was up to, but she didn't trust him. Masha hadn't seen him since the day he'd informed her of Natasha's death, and she hadn't been pleased to see him again.
Masha approached the figure on the floor. She didn't believe this was her daughter, but the poor woman had obviously been beaten and she would try to help her. Kneeling down, she gazed into the pain filled eyes regarding her and rocked back on her heels. Those eyes! Could it be? She tentatively extended her fingers and brushed the woman's cheek.
Blue stared in disbelief. This elderly woman could be her mother's twin, albeit aged. Her hazel eyes reflected kindness, and her face mirrored the character and strength she remembered seeing as a child. She shut her eyes, refusing to be taken in by this cruel ruse. This had to be some kind of trick. A look alike actress hired to fool her.
