Triple Terror

by AK Leigh

  And Andrei. Where was he? He’d been on the plane from Hong Kong with her …

  As if in answer, there was a sudden thump at the back of the bus. Somebody’s luggage was being loaded. Then he appeared in the still open doorway. He turned his face, and locked her gaze. Déjà vu made her feel dizzy as visions of the same situation eight years ago streamed through her brain.

  * * *

  Andrei froze. It was an odd experience, as if they’d somehow looped to the past. Nina looked as young as she had back then. Even more beautiful. Her eyes wouldn’t leave his, exactly the way it had happened back then. The same heat radiated through his body; his stomach clenched.

  He smiled. She smiled back.

  Oh, God!

  Just as he was enjoying the Groundhog Day type experience, the driver came up behind him and barked, ‘Are you on or off?’

  Andrei turned, and replied, ‘I’m on.’

  A round, grey-haired man stared back at him, an incredulous expression on his face. ‘Then get on. I don’t have all night.’

  By the time Andrei turned and stepped inside, Nina’s attention had been distracted by her friends. He frowned with disappointment then took the only available seat, at the front right of the shuttle. Once he was settled, he realised he could see Nina through the rear-view mirror. He couldn’t pull his eyes away.

  When she peeked up and caught his eye through the reflection, his chest felt like it was being compressed by a vice. She maintained the eye contact for a few seconds before looking away. She avoided glancing back in his direction for the remainder of the trip. He knew, because he kept checking. And, each time, his chest squeezed a little tighter.

  Chapter 28

  Another case of déjà vu hit when Nina stepped into the Olympic Village. The same emotions she’d felt the first time she’d stepped into the one in Russia filled her. It was both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. Around her, competitors flooded the building, moving in every direction. Seemed there was still a decent enough contingent who hadn’t been put off from the terrorist threats, though she knew a couple of people had pulled out.

  While she inspected the place, the enormity of the situation she’d agreed to crashed over her. How am I going to do this? She had to track the movements of her friends, be a convincing Olympic biathlete, and then there was Andrei …

  She sighed. It was too late to back out now.

  Her thoughts were cut off by a Chinese man approaching, with a clipboard in his hand and an ID tag dangling from his neck. In accented English, he said, ‘Name?’

  ‘Nina Farris.’

  He scanned the clipboard then said, ‘Building B. Dorm 32.’

  Ha! Her age. That had to be a good omen. Right?

  ‘Um, where is building B, please?’

  The man gave her a tight smile then pointed behind him. ‘That direction and to the left.’ He turned and walked away before Nina could get further clarification.

  Under her breath, she mumbled, ‘Okay, then.’

  She adjusted her luggage and took off in the direction the man had indicated. After a few steps, she noted all the other competitors. She drew in a breath. This is where it all began.

  She saw a building marked with a large, black ‘B’ and grinned.

  As she took off towards it, a female voice called out behind her, ‘Nina!’

  She turned, and came face-to-face with her old friend, Willa Davidson. The pair had been inseparable in South Korea.

  Nina grinned, ‘Wil!’

  The pair dropped their bags at the same time and embraced.

  Willa said, ‘It’s so good to see you.’

  ‘You too.’

  ‘It’s been too long.’

  ‘It has.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’re here. Last I heard, Korea was your last Olympics.’

  Nina shrugged, ‘You know how it is. The snow gets in your veins.’

  Willa chuckled, ‘It does.’

  Nina grinned, ‘Where are you rooming?’

  ‘Ah …’ Willa glanced down at a piece of paper then back up, ‘Building B, dorm 32.’

  ‘No way! That’s where I’m bunking.’

  Willa squealed, ‘Yay! Dorm buddies again.’

  Nina laughed, remembering why she and Willa had gotten along so well. The years hadn’t dulled any of her old friend’s joie de vivre.

  Willa slung her arm around Nina’s shoulders, picked up her bag with her free arm and said, ‘Let’s go show these Chinese how it’s done.’

  Nina laughed, grabbed her own bag, and marched with Willa inside their assigned building.

  As they moved towards the information board on the wall beside the elevator just inside the entry, a pang of guilt stabbed Nina in the chest. Willa, and the women she’d been speaking with on the shuttle, were people she’d known for years. How could she suspect, let alone accuse, any of them of doing such terrible things? None of them could be capable. Surely?

  The only other option was one of the men.

  She frowned as Andrei’s image flashed into her mind.

  This sucks.

  Willa pulled her from the thought. ‘Looks like we take the elevator to the third floor. Room 32 is first on the left from the elevator. Should be easy enough.’ She faced Nina, smiling confidently.

  Nina smirked and pressed the ‘up’ button on the wall beside the elevator. ‘I recall you saying that another time …’

  Willa burst into laughter. ‘Hey, that was an adventure.’

  ‘Having to distract stone-faced Korean security guards to get back into the Olympic Village after hours is not how I’d define adventure.’

  Willa’s eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘It’s a great story though, isn’t it?’

  Nina chuckled as the two of them stepped inside the elevator. ‘I guess it is.’

  When the doors closed, Willa asked, ‘So … are you seeing anyone?’

  ‘Oh … not really. What about you?’

  Willa chuckled, ‘Nice change of focus.’

  Nina winked, ‘I know. So are you?’

  ‘I am.’

  ‘Is it serious?’

  ‘We just moved in together.’

  ‘Whoa. That is serious. I want to hear all about him. What does he do?’

  ‘He’s an electrician.’

  ‘How old is he?’

  ‘Thirty.’

  Nina gave an approving bob of her head. ‘Good age gap.’

  ‘Yep, only two years older than me.’

  ‘How long have you been together?’

  ‘Ah, almost two years.’

  ‘What’s his name?’

  ‘Felix.’

  ‘Ooh, interesting name. Where does he come from?’

  Willa chuckled. ‘You really don’t want to talk about your mystery man, do you?’

  ‘There’s no mystery man.’ She’d said it a little too defensively.

  Willa lifted an eyebrow, clearly catching it. ‘Really? Then, why are you firing so many questions at me?’

  Nina shrugged, ‘I’m interested.’

  ‘Mm-hmm. Is that what they’re calling distraction tactics these days?’

  Nina laughed then nudged her friend in the side with her elbow. ‘Ha.’

  Willa grinned, ‘I intend to find out what—or should I say, who?—you’re hiding from me, missy.’

  Nina exhaled in silent relief when the elevator doors opened. She announced, with a little too much enthusiasm, ‘We’re here!’

  She saw the amused look Willa threw her as they both adjusted their luggage and walked from the lift. As they did, Nina couldn’t help noticing a security camera set into the roof. It was a little off-putting knowing they would be monitored. There’d better not be any in their rooms!

  Willa pulled her from the conclusion by saying, ‘It should just be around the corner here …’

  They turned left from the elevator. A plain wooden door, with a simple black ‘32’ came into view. Willa used her key to open it. She stepped inside; Nina followed and c
losed the door behind her.

  Inside, the decor was plain: grey linoleum floor, black curtains, and white walls. No pictures or artwork. No mats. The furniture was just as basic: two single bunk beds against each wall, a bedside table with an ugly 70s style lamp beside each, one five-drawer tallboy, a built-in cupboard, four plastic chairs, a wooden fold-out table with a kettle and toaster on top and mini fridge underneath, a sink, as well as a small wall-mounted television.

  ‘Ah …’ Willa faced Nina, frowning. ‘It’s a little depressing, isn’t it?’

  Nina sighed. ‘Why are they always like this? It’s like they don’t want us to find the motivation to get out of bed and win.’

  Willa whacked her on the arm, ‘That’s it! That’s why they do it. They don’t want the other countries winning.’

  Nina laughed, ‘I’d say it’s more a budget consideration.’

  ‘Uh-uh. I think you hit the nail on the head.’ At Nina’s unconvinced smile, Willa added, I’m telling you, it’s got to be that!’

  Nina grinned, ‘If you say so.’

  Willa smiled, scanned the room once more, then sighed. ‘Well, if this is it, I bags this one.’ She dumped her belongings on the bottom bunk bed closest to the door.

  Nina put her luggage on the bottom bunk opposite then walked to the window. A slightly damp smell had set into the room. Some fresh air would take care of that. She pulled the curtain aside … and was staring at the building across from them. ‘Oh, great …’

  Behind her, she heard Willa ask, ‘What is it?’

  Nina glanced over her shoulder, ‘Our view is a brick building.’

  Willa darted up to her and peered out. Her forehead crinkled at the sight. She exhaled, ‘Wonderful. I was hoping for a tree at least.’

  ‘I know.’ Nina shrugged and moved back to her bed. Best to get her unpacking done.

  As she unzipped her first bag, Willa cackled.

  Nina looked over and said, ‘What?’

  Willa pointed at the wall to the right of the curtain, to a metal canister they’d both missed in their initial inspection. Nina squinted at it and soon saw a sticker on the front of the canister. A condom sticker.

  Willa beamed. ‘Free condoms! Looks like the Chinese know what the Olympics are really about after all: dull rooms and even duller sex!’

  Nina couldn’t stop the laughter from rolling out in a crashing wave. Once she’d regained her composure, she was able to reply, ‘Seems so.’

  * * *

  Andrei waited until Nina had finished with the volunteer helping competitors find their buildings before proceeding towards the man himself.

  Without waiting for the man to ask, he said, ‘Andrei Strasinski.’

  The volunteer looked down the list and said, ‘Building C, dorm 31.’

  ‘Great. Thank you.’

  The man waved behind him. ‘Go that direction and to the left.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  Andrei picked up his bags and took off. As he walked, he observed the number of people milling around. A lot more than he’d anticipated with a terrorist on the loose. The media reports had played down the explosion, but still, he’d assumed teams would pull out, or wait until the literal dust had settled before flying in.

  A few minutes later, he was standing at a door with the number ‘31’ on them. He drew in a breath and slipped the key into the door. It was about to begin. The thrilling combination of competition, anxiety, and adrenaline that was the Winter Olympics!

  He stepped inside the room and was surprised to hear someone humming. Getting here so early, he’d guessed he’d have the room to himself for a few days. But now that he thought about it, some of Nina’s friends had already arrived—a couple of whom were on his list—and the village had been busier than he’d expected. Seemed a lot of competitors had come to acclimate and prepare themselves early.

  He frowned. This wasn’t a good thing with a terrorist on the loose. A terrorist nobody really knew about.

  Closing the door behind him, he moved further into the room. Noting the basic decorations and furniture first, he then shifted his attention to the source of the sound.

  A brown-haired man, with a closely cropped cut, had his back to Andrei. An open suitcase had been placed on one of the bottom bunk beds. He seemed to be sorting through it, pulling things out and lumping piles of items together on the bed.

  The fact the man hadn’t reacted to Andrei’s presence told him he hadn’t realised he had a new arrival.

  Andrei took another step in and said, ‘Hi.’

  The man turned his head and smiled. ‘I was wondering when you’d get here.’

  Recognition sparked. It was Oliver Grossman. His teammate. He hadn’t realised at first because the man had cut his long, women-luring hair.

  Andrei smiled, ‘Ollie, it’s you.’

  ‘Who were you expecting? The King of China?’

  ‘There is no King of China.’

  Ollie’s expression hardened, ‘Could have fooled me.’

  Noting that reaction, and remembering he was a suspect on his list, Andrei changed the direction of the conversation to something lighter. ‘I didn’t recognise you with the haircut.’

  ‘Oh, yeah.’ Ollie lifted a hand to his head and grinned. ‘It’s my lucky haircut.’

  Andrei laughed, ‘I hope it works for you.’

  Ollie winked. ‘Always does.’

  A thought occurred to Andrei, making him ask, ‘Why are you here so early? I assumed I’d have the place to myself for a few days.’

  Ollie grinned, ‘Sorry to ruin your plans, but I’m here because of you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Coach Trusseau made Amber and I come when he heard you and Nina were getting here early.’

  ‘Oh, sorry about that.’

  ‘Eh, all good. It gives me time to check out all the hot competition.’

  The way he emphasised the word ‘hot’ told Andrei he was referring to the female variety.

  He smiled, ‘Have fun with that.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I plan on it.’

  During the brief pause that followed, Ollie frowned. ‘Hey, I’ve been meaning to apologise to you.’

  Andrei couldn’t help his eyebrows from rising in shock. ‘Apologise? To me? What for?’

  Nobody had ever done that before.

  ‘That day in the cafeteria, when I said that stuff about Nina, I shouldn’t have said it. I was acting like a jerk.’

  Andrei waved it away, ‘Forget about it. Most of it was true anyway.’

  Ollie laughed, making Andrei chuckle too.

  Chapter 29

  No other roommates had shown up, but Nina knew that would change in a few days. After unpacking, she and Willa had gone for a walk to inspect the layout of the Olympic Village. Radha and Maggie had joined them.

  Just as the group were leaving the café they’d stopped at, Amber approached them.

  Without much prompting, she admitted to being nervous about being in the mixed relay event. ‘What if I can’t keep up with you and Andrei and Oliver?’

  Nina studied the woman’s face for any sign of a reaction when she responded, ‘Is that what has had you so worried?’

  Amber shot her a surprised look, ‘How did you know something was up?’

  Nina shrugged, ‘Force of habit.’

  Amber looked away. In a low tone, she said, ‘It’s not only that. Tina and I are having problems.’

  Maggie said, ‘Oh no. What’s happened?’

  ‘It’s being here, in China, and not being able to be together.’

  Radha spoke what hadn’t been said, ‘Because of the law?’

  ‘Exactly. We have to stay away from each other, because if we get caught …’

  Willa sighed, ‘That sucks.’

  ‘You’re telling me! And the extra time I’ve been spending at training has made things even harder.’

  Nina gave her new friend’s back a comforting rub, ‘The Olympics will be over in a couple of we
eks. Surely a couple more weeks won’t do much damage.’

  Amber frowned, ‘I’m not so sure.’

  The other women offered their sympathy as Nina continued to watch. Everything in her told Nina that Amber was being genuine. They could officially strike her off the suspect list.

  Which brought her back to the only possible six targets. All of whom were stationed in the village. Some of whom had been with her on and off since she’d arrived in China.

  She felt her brow crinkle.

  Willa lifted the sombre mood by saying, ‘So … who else has hooked up with someone? I want details.’

  The women laughed, including Nina.

  Radha answered first. ‘I have a special someone.’

  Willa leaned in and grinned. ‘How special are we talking?’

  * * *

  Andrei’s other two roommates had arrived within three hours. Eddie Tiedle, one of his suspects, and a Lithuanian man he was yet to catch the name of. When his roommates had left to get some food in the village, Andrei had taken the opportunity to shoot off a coded email, telling the higher-ups of his movements and plans.

  Done, he sat and glanced around the room. The others had left it in a bit of disarray. It felt closed-in and stuffy. He needed air. Maybe he could catch up with the others? He grabbed his phone, wallet, keys and locked the dorm behind him.

  As he exited his building, someone exited from the building opposite. Out of habit, he peered over. His heart pumped with recognition as he called out. ‘Nina.’

  She looked up and walked over to him. With a bob of her head behind him, she asked, ‘Is this where you’re bunked?’

  ‘It is.’ He pointed behind her, ‘I’m guessing that’s you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  They stood in silence for a moment before he blurted, ‘I wanted some fresh air.’

  She grinned, ‘Then you came to the wrong country.’

  He laughed, ‘Good point … where are you headed?’

  ‘Oh, into the village. The girls and I planned to meet up for an early dinner before. What about you?’

  ‘The boys said something about food too. I was heading out to look for them.’

  She nodded.

  ‘Would you like to walk together?’

  She hesitated, then said, ‘All right.’