by AK Leigh
That was the first time he’d addressed her as ‘Miss Farris’. He was annoyed.
She cut him off, explaining, ‘It’s Australia Day on Friday. I dare say most of the athletes won’t be here.’
Marcel sighed in a way that showed he’d relented, then said, ‘Fine. When can you commit to full-time training?’
She thought for a moment then said, ‘Saturday onwards.’
He smiled and gave her arm a friendly pat. ‘Bon. See you tomorrow … then Saturday, Nina.’
She grinned at his change back to her first name.
As he walked away, she spied Andrei. A weird expression was on his face. He glanced at Marcel then back at her before turning around. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn she’d spotted jealousy on his face. She felt her expression baulk with the realisation. Jealousy didn’t make sense. He’d been the one to dump her. He’d told her he didn’t love her. He’d broken her heart because he ‘felt nothing for her’ and ‘didn’t love her’. He’d shown no signs that he was romantically interested in her now either.
Besides, eight years had passed since then.
Why would he be jealous?
She shook the conclusion free. The stupid reactions her body was having to seeing him again were starting to mess with her brain. That was all that was going on.
She sighed, collected her things, and walked from the room. She had precisely three days to get used to seeing Andrei Strasinski every day until the Olympics started.
That thought made her increase her pace out of The Snow Globe. Tomorrow morning, she would need to tell her sisters, and boss, about the unexpected change of plans.
Tonight, she was going to work on her suspect list and work out Andrei’s real motive for switching teams. She was known for solving motives for Pete’s sake! If she couldn’t work this out, she didn’t deserve the credit.
* * *
Had Coach Trusseau been flirting with Nina? Had Nina been flirting back?
An unexpected and unmistakeable sensation of jealousy rushed over him, like a swarm of fire ants taking out their latest kill. It burned once it reached his heart.
He stared after her, too stunned to do anything else as the sensation grew.
Once she was out of his sight, the feeling dulled. He shook it away as a new question came: what the hell had that been about?
The answer hit him before he was ready.
You’re still in love with Nina.
He inhaled and forced the thought away. It was a ridiculous conclusion. Sure, he couldn’t deny he was fond of her and found her attractive, but love was a big leap. They hadn’t spoken in eight years!
He stroked a hand through his hair and exhaled in frustration. It didn’t matter what he felt for her, or what it meant. She hated him and that was the best way for things to remain. If she knew the truth, she would despise him, and that would be worse.
Regret swirled in his stomach.
I should have called it off the second I’d realised my attraction toward her.
He’d done what he’d done because he’d needed to feel that way just once in his life. It had been selfish, reckless, immature. He’d ended up hurting himself almost as much as Nina.
The memories returned.
She’d been so damn irresistible. He’d felt a pull, like a magnet, from the first instant they’d locked eyes on each other. It had tugged and tugged, forcing him to draw closer. He hadn’t been able to keep away.
In the end, the conversations with his mission leader, and others, had torn them apart.
‘You knew the requirements when we offered you a position with us. Emotional attachment to subjects is strictly forbidden. You agreed it wouldn’t be a problem.’
Yes, he’d agreed … before he’d known what love was. Before he’d known a woman like Nina existed.
‘We choose people like you so this doesn’t happen, Andrei.’
‘People like you’. Scumbags. Criminals. Street trash. That comment had made his ears pound with blood-pumping rage. Still, he’d said nothing. Because, deep down, he’d known they were right about him.
He wasn’t a good man.
‘If you go back on the agreement, there will be consequences.’
Prison.
‘They will know the truth about you.’
That had sent fear coursing through his veins almost more than the prospect of the prison sentence.
A final recollection invaded. The words that had cut the bond between them: ‘Call it off. Make sure she understands it’s over’.
He could still feel the aching emptiness in his heart when he’d resigned himself to the deed. The ache intensified when he remembered lying to her face and denying the feelings he’d had—and clearly still had—for her. He’d been convincing. His training had helped there. It had been the only time he’d truly been thankful for it.
A burst of insight told him he was dangerously close to repeating the same mistake.
Keep her distant, keep her hating you.
It was the only way.
His thoughts were interrupted by the ringtone of his phone.
He pulled it from his training bag, and noting the ‘blocked number’ message that came up, he darted off in the direction of his dorm. This would be the follow-up call to the one he’d made earlier regarding Nina and her real motives for entering the games.
The phone was still ringing by the time he’d closed the door behind him.
Chapter 12
Later that night, Nina sat staring at the notepaper she’d been scribbling on. At the top was Andrei’s name. Underneath were the words:
1. Sexual
2. Emotional
3. Financial
4. Criminal involvement
5. Control/power issues.
After reading over each of the words again, she crossed off numbers 1, 3, and 5. Neither of them made sense. He wasn’t getting more money, or sex (as far as she hoped!), by changing teams. And what power would he gain by changing teams? If you believed the ‘Russian ban’ excuse, it made sense. Other than that, it didn’t.
Her attention went to number 2. Emotional was usually the top motive. Aside from moving for her—which was highly unlikely—emotion drew a blank.
She moved to number 4. Criminal involvement. She was about to cross it off—it was ridiculous to think that Andrei would be involved in crime—but something made her pause. His secretive behaviour towards her, the lack of information about his past …
Could Andrei be involved in something illegal?
Her heart started a double beat as his words returned: I’m not a good man.
An unanticipated conclusion followed. Was he Russian mafia?
She gasped, ‘Oh God.’
Though her hands shook, she dialled her sisters into a three-way conference call.
* * *
Andrei sat on his bed, a wrinkle to his mouth, as he thought over the information he’d been given in the phone call earlier.
‘The Australian Federal Police have shared no intelligence with us regarding Ms Farris’s entry.’
‘But we haven’t shared anything with them either.’
‘That’s right.’
‘Which means my suspicion is probably correct?’
‘We can only speculate at this time. Keep an eye on her, see if she can be useful.’
He’d frowned at the déjà vu phrasing, but had given the expected, ‘Yes, sir’, response.
He moved his thoughts to the intelligence he’d been given about the terrorist threat at the Winter Olympics.
Though the Russian contingent hadn’t been targeted, he was now in the Western contingent, and other people he’d known and competed with could be implemented in any threats regardless. Terrorists weren’t known for their discernment in where they set off their attacks. Non-Westerners were bound to get caught up too.
He sighed. Now he had his training, a terror suspect to work out … and, once again, see if Nina could be useful to Russia!
&n
bsp; The irony of it made him want to laugh with bitterness.
So much for his resolve to stay away from her too. Events kept popping up that threw him in her way.
It was getting complicated and emotionally tangled. Again.
He needed to discern as soon as possible whether Nina was undercover then he could go back to keeping her at arms-length. How was he going to do it? She was smart. He couldn’t use the regular techniques on her. He’d discovered that the first time around. There had to be a way to find out for sure, as well as discover any information she had that would help them … without blowing his own cover.
His mind raced with varying ideas on how to extract what he needed in the least invasive, most timely manner possible. It would not be easy. In fact, it was probably the hardest of the missions he’d been given.
* * *
Nina’s heart cramped as she waited on the phone for a response to the suspicion she’d shared with the AFP. Was it possible for Andrei to be Russian mafia?
The woman she’d been speaking to cut into Nina’s thoughts by saying, ‘There is no intelligence on Andrei Strasinski as far as the Russian mafia is concerned …’
She caught something in the way the woman trailed off, and said, ‘But?’
‘But he has a substantial criminal history.’
Criminal history.
Something snapped into place.
I’m not a good man.
Had his crimes been the thing he’d been referring to?
She stammered, ‘What do you mean?’
‘From the age of thirteen to his early twenties, he had been charged with a variety of crimes such as stealing cars, break-and-enter, and theft.’
His early twenties, but …
‘I met him at the Olympics when he was in his early twenties.’
‘Yes. There was a sudden drop to his criminal career the year before his entry into the Olympics.’
‘Why?’
The woman inhaled, ‘Are you ready for this?’
She felt her heart steel, preparing herself for anything, as she replied, ‘Yes.’
‘There are two possibilities. Andrei could be working for the police, which is highly improbable due to his criminal history. Also, his record was sealed, which leads us to believe the second option is more likely.’
‘Which is?’
‘He’s a spy.’
She gasped. ‘He’s a spy? Why? What motive could he have for being here?’
You’re meant to be working that out, remember?
‘We’re not sure yet. We’ve got agents on their way to Cairns to check him out as we speak. In the meantime, if you can get close to him –’ Why does everyone want me to get close to him! –‘And see what you can dig up, that would be great. If he is a spy, this could cause a tricky international incident. I’m sure you see the gravity of the situation.’
‘I do.’ Once she’d composed herself, she added, ‘Is there anything else you can tell me?’
‘Not at this stage. But I’ll keep you posted.’
‘Thank you.’
She ended the call and sat in the silence of her townhouse.
Andrei could be a spy.
And he was a criminal.
She placed her head in her hands as the past tumbled through to her present. All her unanswered questions made sense. Even more so than being Russian mafia. The reason he’d been secretive all these years. Why he’d never spoken about his job. Why he hadn’t been able to leave Russia. He’d lied to her … because of his … could she call espionage a ‘job’?
Her heart hardened against him. She’d been used by a spy. Of course she’d believed he’d loved her. Spies were trained in telling convincing lies. She would remind herself of that fact while she figured out what other secrets he was hiding.
Chapter 13
The following morning, Nina and Lizzie were in Carrie’s apartment, chatting about the events of the previous day. They’d been so consumed by the possibility of Andrei being a spy that she hadn’t gotten around to telling them about her new training schedule. Thankfully, before she’d come over, her boss had approved her time off.
‘Oh-oh. What does that look mean? You haven’t been recruited by the KGB, have you?’
Nina aimed a playful eye roll at Carrie. ‘Ha. Ha. And, no, the KGB aren’t even a thing anymore … I think.’
‘You should ask Andrei.’
Nina threw Carrie an unimpressed look, making her sister laugh. Ignoring it, Nina continued. ‘I have some news regarding training... Marcel wants me to start training every day.’
Lizzie asked, ‘How does Jack feel about that?’
‘He’s granted me the leave. With pay.’
‘Woo hoo. Paid holiday!’
Knowing her little sister was teasing, Nina aimed a playful scowl at Carrie, ‘Hardly. Training is pretty intense.’
‘I remember.’
‘Well, I think it’s fantastic. You have another chance to win gold.’
Nina sucked in a breath and faced Lizzie, ‘I know. I’m desperately nervous about it.’
‘But quietly confident too?’
Nina shrugged, ‘Some moments, yes. Some moments, no.’
‘You’ll be fine once you get there and the adrenaline sets in.’
Carrie nodded in agreement. ‘You’ve got this.’
Nina grinned. ‘Thank you both for believing in me. I have a feeling I’ll need the support.’
For more than just the competition.
She left it unsaid, but a look that passed over both her sisters’ faces told Nina they’d picked up the unspoken words.
She quickly changed the subject, focusing on Lizzie. ‘Speaking of … how’s Gabe feel about us stalling his family’s investigation?’
‘He’s disappointed, but he also understands.’
‘Oh, no. I haven’t caused a fight, have I?’
Lizzie smiled and waved away her concern, ‘No, don’t be silly. He’s fine.’
The look on her middle sister’s face told her there was something else.
‘What is it?’
‘I feel guilty about keeping the real reason for you going to China from him. You know how difficult it was for us to get together.’ Gabe had kept his reason for moving to Cairns from Lizzie: to track them down to ask them to take on his family’s cold case. When she’d found out, it had almost ruined things between the couple. ‘I made him promise there would be complete honesty … now look what I’m doing.’
Nina wrapped an arm around her sister. ‘It’s not the same thing, but I can understand why you feel guilty.’
Carrie nodded, ‘This is your job and has nothing to do with your relationship. What he did was keep important information from you that affected you directly. That’s different to what you’re doing.’
‘I guess.’
It was unconvincing, but Lizzie had cheered up at least.
Nina frowned. The last thing she needed on her conscience was trouble between the new lovebirds. Though she’d never admit it aloud, they gave her hope that she could find something similar one day. A relationship based on love, support … and complete honesty.
‘I’m sorry, Lizzie.’
Her middle sister smiled, ‘Don’t be. I want to be there for you.’
Nina smiled, ‘Thank you.’
Lizzie gave her shoulder a squeeze then pulled away. She seemed more relaxed now.
Nina took the opportunity to return to business. ‘All right, shall we get back to the case? Where is everyone at?’
Carrie answered first, ‘I’ve written a couple of notes, but still need the analysis from Kerry before I have anything concrete to give you.’
‘Any ideas on an ETA from her?’
‘Not yet. If it’s not here by tomorrow, I’ll call her again.’
‘Thanks.’
Lizzie piped up, as if something had just occurred to her, ‘Wait. You won’t be expected to defuse bombs, will you?’
‘No. From what I was told, there
are bomb experts making their way to Beijing in the next couple of days.’
Lizzie sighed in visible relief, ‘Oh, good.’
‘What stage are you at with the profile?’
‘I should have it later tonight. I’ll work on it between my classes.’
Which reminded Nina: she needed to work out her strategies for investigating under the radar once she was in Beijing! She made a mental note to work on it after her sisters left.
‘Excellent. What about suspect lists?’
Lizzie said, ‘I’ll finish narrowing mine down as soon as the profile is done. Maybe by tomorrow?’
Carrie said, ‘Mine will be finished by tonight. What about you?’
‘Ah.’ Another thing she needed to work on! Luckily, she didn’t have training until this afternoon. She could use that time to finish scaling back her lists. ‘I should be okay by tonight. Should we chat later tonight then?’
‘Suits me. Conference me in when you’re ready.’
Lizzie nodded, ‘Me too.’
‘Great. Now, changing the subject: what time are you two getting to my place for our Australia Day sister-time tomorrow?’
Lizzie said, ‘I was thinking about eight. Get there early before the sun starts biting.’
Carrie agreed, ‘I can be there by eight.’
After giving Carrie a hug and kiss, Nina walked with Lizzie to their cars.
Before she could hop in, Lizzie asked, ‘Are you really okay about this whole Andrei spy thing?’
Nina shrugged, ‘I don’t know.’
Part of her, her heart, couldn’t believe he was a spy. Yet he had a criminal past. And all those secrets …
Lizzie gave her a hug. ‘If you need to talk, give me a call.’
Nina smiled and parted from her middle sister, ‘Thank you.’
They said their goodbyes, hopped in their cars, and drove away.
A short time later, alone in her townhouse, Nina pulled out her list of suspects. The sheets of paper already had scrawled notes and crossed-off names over them. There were still twenty too many names though. She’d been spending so much time focused on training—and Andrei—that the mission had taken a step back.
She had the entire morning free. She would spend it reading through the list, and not thinking about winning gold at the Olympics. Or Russians.