by AK Leigh
A wide grin worked its way over his mouth. ‘I have a special announcement to make.’
He looked right at her and grinned. Oh-oh. What was going on?
He moved his focus over the group, and continued, ‘I have decided that we will be entering another event … the mixed relay.’
Gasps replaced the former whispers. She was too shocked to make a sound, because her mind had already started filling in the gaps of what the coach hadn’t said. And why he’d stared directly at her as he’d spoken.
To her horror, his next words affirmed her suspicion, ‘The competitors for that event will be Amber Cransen, Oliver Grossman, Andrei Strasinski, and Nina Farris.’
Even though she’d been expecting it, she still heard herself yelp, ‘What?’
Nobody heard her over the cheers and applause of the other three competitors. She sat there, stunned. Fellow teammates came over and started shaking her hand and offering their congratulations, but she was only partially aware of it. She was being offered a place on the mixed relay team. For the first time in her Olympic career. It was a huge honour, with equivalent pressure.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Andrei turn in his seat. He aimed his steel-grey eyes on her then made a move in her direction. He might try to shake her hand, or hug her. Or both!
Absolutely no skin-on-skin contact.
That shook her from her frozen state.
She shot upright and darted toward Marcel, ‘Coach, can I have a moment, please?’
He faced her, a broad grin on his mouth, ‘Oui?’
‘What are you doing? I can’t be in the mixed relay.’
‘Why not?’
Um. How about: she still wasn’t reaching her times in the biathlon, she was freaking out about that event already, she didn’t need to be concerned about another event that had the future of three other people relying on her … and it would mean even more training time with Andrei.
She looked away and shook her head, ‘It’s too much.’
Marcel reached over and, with his finger on her chin, turned her face back in his direction.
He beamed at her. ‘Nina, you can do it!’
She grunted at his enthusiasm and belief.
He laughed as he took his hand away, ‘You can. Trust me.’
‘But I haven’t reached my times for the biathlon yet.’
‘You will. Give it time.’
‘I only have ten days!’
‘Oui, and God built the heavens and the earth in seven. Imagine what you can do with three extra days.’
She frowned. ‘Marcel, I need some time to think about this.’
‘Bien sûr. You have until tomorrow. Noon.’
‘That’s not a lot of time.’
‘According to you, you don’t have much.’ He threw her a cheeky look.
She felt the crease between her brows deepen.
He took a step closer and gave her upper arm a gentle rub. ‘It would be a shame to lose this opportunity. This is another chance to win gold. Your last chance.’
The way he’d said that shot to her heart like a biathlete’s bullet hitting a bullseye. His eyes glimmered, showing he knew what he’d been doing when he’d said it. At that moment, she understood just how good a coach he was. Finding the right motivation for reach competitor was a necessary skill. They’d only known each other a few days and he’d already discovered hers.
If only it was that easy. There were other things to consider.
As if he’d heard her unspoken thought, he asked, ‘What’s the problem?’
‘How will I fit in all the extra training? I’m guessing the schedule for the mixed relay will be on at different times to the biathlon sessions?’
‘I will work something out. But you do know you can live here if that makes it easier for you?’
She felt her eyes bulge, ‘I can live here? On site.’
‘Oui. Your friend, Strasinski, does. There are dormitories out the back for interstate and international competitors.’
The news made her breath stop. Andrei lived at The Snow Globe. How had he missed running into her when she’d come in over the past three months since he’d been in Cairns? He must have seen her in that time.
Had he purposely avoided her?
Movement behind Marcel made her glance over the coach’s shoulder. Standing a little to their left and back a few feet, was the man in question. His gaze was directed straight ahead. She followed his line of sight … towards a stunning woman, with flowing gold-brown locks falling just past her shoulders. Amber Cransen, the other woman who’d been named in their mixed relay team, and one of the suspects on her list. Why was Andrei staring at her?
Nina felt her body tense and her lips press together as an unexpected knot of jealousy tightened in her tummy.
She focused back on Marcel. ‘I will have a think about it and get back to you tomorrow.’
‘Bon.’ He grinned then reached into his pocket. He produced a business card and handed it to her, ‘Call me.’
She nodded, accepted the card, and turned. Before she could take a step, a thought occurred to her. Amber’s gay. Carrie had mentioned that when they’d been narrowing down their lists. She spun back around and surveyed the room until she found the woman. People were coming up and congratulating her, yet she didn’t look happy. Even with the fake smile she’d pasted on.
Why a fake smile?
Andrei pulled her from her question, ‘Can I talk to you for a moment?’
Her head flicked around and her heart spiked from the shock of his voice. When had he sidled up to her? She threw him a reprimanding look, ‘Geez, Andrei, warn a girl before you sneak up on her.’
* * *
‘Sorry, but I need to talk to you.’
Her brow furrowed, ‘What is it?’
‘Are you seriously considering not doing the mixed relay?’
She crossed her arms. ‘What business is it of yours?’
Ooh. She was irritated at his interference. He needed to be gentle. ‘I just think it would be a shame.’
‘Why?’
‘Together, we could win it.’
She shook her head, ‘My times suck at the moment.’
‘Coach Trusseau was right, they won’t always be.’
His expression flattened when he realised what he’d unwittingly admitted: that he’d been listening in on her private conversation.
She shot him an accusing look. ‘How do you know what he said?’
There was no point denying it. She knew.
‘I couldn’t help overhearing.’
‘Meaning, you were …’ She hesitated, as if searching for the right word, then spat, ‘eavesdropping.’
He stood there, unable to say anything.
He had been listening in. Sure, it hadn’t been on purpose, but still.
She exhaled in a display of clear annoyance, and barked, ‘Stay out of my private life.’
Then she stormed off without a backwards glance.
He shouldn’t have been eavesdropping—it had been a private conversation that had nothing to do with his cases or his intended medal—but the knot that had tightened in his stomach when he’d seen Marcel place a tender touch on her chin had triggered something primal and protective in him.
He’d marched over to … he hadn’t known what … which is why he’d stopped himself. Nina wasn’t ‘his’ anymore, and even if they had been together, he still had no right to behave like a caveman about something as harmless as that interaction had been.
From his position, it had been impossible not to overhear, and as he’d listened, he’d taken the chance to scan the group for anything suspicious. Which is when he’d noted Amber, and her unusual reaction to the news of being placed in the mixed relay team. She’d plastered on the expected smile, but he’d detected the underlying tension.
Why tension?
He made a mental note to dig deeper then turned his attention back to what had transpired with Nina.
Was she really going to let her
feelings towards himself stop her from competing? Sure, she was a little rusty. But now that she could train properly, she would be up to a decent standard in time. She had always had a natural ability. She just needed to exploit it to its full potential.
Maybe he could suggest—
He shook the thought free. As she’d clearly stated, her life was not his business. All he had to do was find out if her investigation could help his. That was the only business he had with her. He frowned, knowing it wasn’t that simple, and walked in the direction of the dorms. Might as well get his mind off Nina by following up on Amber Cransen.
* * *
A blaze of fury whooshed around Nina’s head, confusing her even more than she already was as she drove back to her place. Andrei had been sneaky and secretive eight years ago and the eavesdropping proved he hadn’t changed at all.
Her heart hardened at the conclusion that followed: all his behaviour pointed to him being a spy. Which meant he could never be truthful with her; which meant he was skilled at manipulating people into thinking what he wanted them to think; which meant … she’d fallen in love with a myth. Just like Carrie had tried to tell her.
Disgust made her scoff out loud.
She was not going to fall for his tricks ever again.
With her resolve steeled once more, questions came: why was he here? Did it have something to do with the terrorist plot, or something else? Why had he been spying on her just now? For that matter … had he been spying on her eight years ago?
She frowned. That conclusion made no sense. She was a Scenes of Crime Officer. The position held no state or classified secrets. Why target her? Was it all just a big coincidence? Why hadn’t the AFP gotten back to her regarding the agents they’d sent to track him? Surely they should have some pertinent information by now?
As soon as she got home, she would call.
She would not let Andrei Strasinski—if that was even his real name—hurt anyone else. She would discover his secrets one-by-one and the second she had the proof of his espionage, she would turn him in …
She swallowed hard as her brain bucked against her determination. Could she really turn him in? She was required by law, ethics, everything her own value system stood for … but could she?
She drew in a deep breath.
If he did prove to be a spy, she would hand him over; she would stop him from causing further harm. She nodded and, as if to convince herself, redirected her thoughts to another set of problems.
How was she going to improve her speed? Was all of this just a waste of time? How convincing was she going to be? If she lagged behind the other competitors too much, it would cause a stir in the media, more attention would be on her, and she needed to be able to get around without too much interference.
Chapter 18
Nina had been awake all night pondering the pro’s and con’s—mostly con’s—of joining the mixed relay team. The AFP had been no help. Thus far, the agents had found nothing suspicious or noteworthy in his behaviour. It was time to get her sisters’ input. They were outside of the situation and could be objective. She had too much emotion and just as many questions.
She dialled her sisters into a three-way conversation on her phone then gave them a brief explanation of Coach Trusseau’s surprise announcement the day before.
She finished by saying, ‘I can’t do it. I won’t do it.’
There was a noticeable pause then Lizzie said, ‘It’s a brilliant opportunity.’
‘I agree. And even though I know you don’t want to hear this, it’s also a good opportunity to get closer to Andrei and find out his motives.’
Nina growled, ‘I don’t want to get closer to that lying, secretive … probable spy!’
Carrie said, ‘Oh no. What happened this time?’
‘He was eavesdropping on Marcel and I.’
‘Did he say why?’
Nina grunted at Lizzie’s question, ‘Because he’s a spy.’
Carrie said, ‘I never trusted him.’
‘I know.’
Carrie had made it plain on numerous occasions how she felt about Andrei and his secrets.
Lizzie added, ‘I’m sorry you have to go through this again … actually, I don’t think you’ll have to.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Ignore him.’
‘How is that going to help?’
‘If my instinct is correct, and I’m sure it is, based on how he’s been behaving with you so far, he will try to make up with you and apologise.’
Carrie chimed in, ‘Meaning he will give you the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on him without being obvious.’
Lizzie said, ‘Exactly.’
‘It sounds risky. What if he decides to keep his distance?’
‘I don’t think he will.’
‘But—’
‘I think Lizzie’s right.’
She stared at Carrie. ‘You do?’
‘Yes, he’s been approaching you a lot already, hasn’t he?’
‘Yes, but to be fair, the coach asked him to.’
‘What about at the waterhole?’
‘I kind of tricked him into that.’
It has been a desperate act, using her half-naked body to gain compliance, but it had worked. It was no worse than what he’d done to her.
‘He could have chosen to leave. You didn’t hold a gun to his head.’
‘That’s true, but—’
‘Something is going on with Andrei. He is keeping close to you for a reason.’
She’d thought the same thing herself, hadn’t she?
Lizzie added, ‘If it’s a strong reason, he will do the hard work and come to you.’
Nina exhaled her relief. It was a good plan. She could carry out surveillance on him without having to lift a finger. ‘It could work. Very mischievous, Lizzie. I like this side of you.’
Lizzie laughed. ‘Thanks.’
‘I have the perfect way to get closer to him too. He’ll be in my sights at all times, and me in his.’
‘Ooh, what is it?’
Nina laughed at Lizzie’s eagerness. ‘There’s on-site accommodation at The Snow Globe and Coach Trusseau offered me one, so that it would be easier for me to arrange my life around the training schedules.’
It would make things easier. And she only had to endure Andrei’s company for nine more days.
Carrie asked, ‘How is that going to impact our investigation though?’
‘You’ll have to come to me. But we’ll have to be careful to make it sound like sister time and not investigation time.’
She could almost hear Carrie’s mind working out ways to conduct a ‘not party’ over the line. ‘I’m so in.’
Lizzie said, ‘Me too.’
‘Okay. I’d better ring Coach and tell him.’
She hung up and dialled the number Marcel had given her earlier in the day. He answered after two rings.
She heard the cheer in his voice, when he answered, ‘I hope you have good news for me?’
* * *
‘Is it true?’
Coach Trusseau turned around, with a perplexed look on his face. ‘Is what true, Strasinski?’
‘Has Nina agreed to the mixed relay?’
Marcel gave a nod in the direction behind Andrei, ‘Why don’t you ask her yourself?’
Andrei wheeled around. Nina was walking toward them. Over one shoulder was a black, carry-on luggage-sized bag. In her right hand was a smaller matching bag. Her full attention was on their coach. She was still mad at him for listening to her conversation.
She stopped in front of the coach, her back to Andrei. ‘Hi Marcel, where do you want me?’
Andrei lifted an eyebrow. Had she made it sound seductive on purpose?
Marcel grinned, clearly catching the meaning too, ‘Come this way.’
She took a step, still without having acknowledged his presence.
‘Wait.’
He hadn’t meant to blurt it out so bluntly, but it had t
he desired effect. Nina paused and peered over her shoulder at him. The look on her face showed disinterest, but the glint in her eye told him a different story.
In a lower tone, he asked, ‘Can I talk to you for a moment?’
‘I need to—’
Marcel interrupted. ‘I’ll wait over here for you, Nina.’
She sighed then turned back to face Andrei. ‘What do you need?’
He cleared his throat. ‘I just wanted to apologise … for the eavesdropping. I didn’t do it to upset you.’
‘Why did you do it?’
‘It was an accident. I’d been walking your way and realised I would be interrupting, so I stopped, and from my position I could hear what you were saying. I should have left, but I felt … awkward.’
It wasn’t completely true, but at least what he had admitted was honest.
She paused then replied, ‘Thank you. I appreciate the apology.’
He smiled. ‘Thank you, Nina.’
They stood together in silence for a beat, then she said, ‘Is there anything else?’
‘Oh, no. That’s all.’
She nodded, mumbled a goodbye, and walked away.
Alone, Andrei stared after Nina as she followed Marcel from the training area. The knot that had been there when he’d been eavesdropping on them the day before returned. It got tighter the further away they went.
It was only when they’d disappeared through the far end door that he realised something. She had bags with her. And they’d gone in the direction of the on-site dorms.
Wait a minute … is Nina moving in to the dorms?
An impulse to know made him dart after them. At the door leading out to the dorms, he waited, listening for sounds of their presence on the other side. There was nothing. Still, he used a slow, tentative action when he opened the door and peered out. All clear. He crept along the concrete walkway toward the back of the training centre.
A few metres away were two rows of compact steel units. He stopped and ducked back when he spotted them up ahead. Marcel led Nina to one of the units at the end—the one opposite Marcel’s. Andrei pressed his lips together as the knot in his stomach tightened. There were five available units, which meant there was only one reason why the coach had placed her that close to him. He was interested in Nina.
But wait, isn’t Marcel married?