by AK Leigh
She shrugged, ‘Not sure yet. I’ll get back to you.’
She left the skis where they were and tugged on her shoes. Once she was out of earshot, her first call was to the detective superintendent.
He barked upon answering, ‘I thought I told you to sit tight.’
She ignored his reprimand, blurting out instead, ‘I think I know who the terrorist is.’
* * *
Had to be a Chinese suspect. The motive was strongest. All the dossiers and information he’d gathered since this case had been assigned to him confirmed it. So did his gut. But who was it? The FSB couldn’t go to the Chinese officials based on a gut feeling. They weren’t even supposed to have anybody investigating.
He went over the list again: Chenguang Mu, Wang Wei, Jun Chan, Li Jie Jin, and Zhang Tao Wu.
Which of you did it?
Via his phone, he re-read the notes he’d taken on each of them.
Nothing stood out.
It didn’t make sense. It had to be one of them.
Frustrated, he did what he always did when he was at a dead end and went back to the beginning. He loaded the original list back up to his phone.
Scanning it, he was feeling more and more despondent … until he reached one name.
His eyes widened when it clicked. It was a friend of Nina’s. She would be—
Nina! Where’s Nina?
Snatching up his phone, his heart pounded in fear as he waited for his mission leader to answer. They needed to work fast. If Nina wasn’t safe, he’d never forgive himself.
Chapter 36
‘I want to go in first.’
The Chinese police officer shook his head, ‘That’s impossible.’
‘She’ll be less likely to run or destroy evidence if she sees me first.’
He seemed to think the logic of her comment over, then gave a reluctant nod. ‘Okay, but you don’t get involved or stop us from arresting her.’
She nodded, ‘Agreed.’
He looked over her shoulder. ‘And your sisters stay here.’
She glanced at Lizzie and Carrie, who shot her a sympathetic look each, then turned back to the cop. ‘Agreed.’
‘Come on then.’
A short time later, she stood at the door, key in the lock, staring. The entire way up in the elevator, she had tried to reconcile this. It still didn’t make sense.
The Chinese police officer whispered in her ear, ‘I can take over if this—’
She whipped her face around and cut in, ‘I can do this.’
He nodded. She turned back around and drew in a breath. Then she turned the key and opened the door.
She could hear singing as she stepped inside.
The songbird stopped and called out, ‘Is that you, Nina?’
Nina stepped deeper into the room and came face-to-face with Willa. She made herself speak, ‘It’s me.’
She couldn’t keep the grim look from her face, and Willa caught on that something was wrong right away.
Her friend—could she call her that anymore?—stepped forward, frowning with genuine concern, ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Wil … I need to—’
Sounds beside them made Willa turn. Nina saw the exact second Willa spotted the police and realised what was going on. The likely terrorist took a step back, and asked, ‘What’s going on?’
The head cop took a big step towards Willa and said, ‘I have authority to check your room.’
‘For what?’
‘Evidence linking you to the bombing of the Olympic Village.’
‘What!’ Panic swept across her features. She faced Nina. ‘Nina, please. Tell them I couldn’t do this.’
Nina looked away and stepped aside so more police could enter. Under low eyelids, she watched them ransack Willa’s side of the room. Willa tried to protest, so a cop restrained her by her arms. A few seconds later, one of the searching police officers turned and held up some sheets of paper in the air, announcing something in Chinese that Nina took to be a declaration of having found something. The head police officer she’d been speaking to downstairs stepped forward and looked over the sheets.
Handcuffs were clicked into place over Willa’s wrists. She didn’t resist.
As the terrorist was being led past her, Nina looked up and mumbled, ‘Why?’
Willa whimpered, ‘I’m so sorry.’
After she was led away, Lizzie and Carrie were at Nina’s side.
Carrie said, ‘We should get you back to our hotel.’
Nina shook her head, ‘This has to be a dream. I mean, Willa. How could she do this?’
Lizzie rubbed her arm. ‘That’s what the police will find out. Come on, let’s get you out of here.’
‘I just don’t understand why.’
Lizzie nodded, ‘I know.’
Her sisters gave her a gentle nudge and she allowed them to move her from the dorm. It felt tainted anyway, and she was grateful her sisters knew her well enough to know she would feel that way.
As they walked to the elevator, numbness seemed to overtake Nina’s mind. First Andrei had turned out to be a liar, now Willa. Did she really know anybody?
They were outside the building a moment later. People had milled around. As usual, the news had travelled fast. Police officers and security guards were doing their best to keep everyone back. The sound of footsteps rushing towards them made Nina and her sisters turn around at the same time.
Andrei, his face filled with concern, darted towards her. ‘I’m so sorry. I know Willa was a good friend. Are you okay?’
She nodded.
Clearly not believing her, he pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. Her sisters didn’t try to stop him. She let the warmth and comfort and familiarity of his embrace lull the numbness from her.
She wasn’t sure how long they were like that, but she was interrupted by Carrie clearing her throat and saying, ‘We need to get you out of here. People are staring … and taking photos.’
Nina and Andrei pulled away. The last thing they needed or wanted was a media frenzy over their relationship.
That is non-existent.
She frowned when she realised she didn’t believe the unspoken words. Neither would the press when the photos got out.
Nina didn’t look at him when she said, ‘I have to go.’
‘Do you want me to come?’
She shook her head, but couldn’t help peeking up.
He hesitated then added, ‘My heat is before yours tomorrow. Will you come early and watch me?’
‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’
Carrie snapped, ‘That means no.’
In a kinder tone, Lizzie added, ‘I think it’s best if you go now.’
He pressed his lips together, then walked away.
* * *
He was relieved that his information had been enough to get the Chinese police involved, stop a terrorist from hurting more people, and keep Nina from sharing a room with a psychopath.
Yet Nina’s clear sorrow hadn’t left his mind. He hated that she didn’t know that his efforts had brought the woman down. That he’d made the call that had stopped all this. That he’d helped her with her own probable investigation.
It was more secrets he had to keep from her.
At least she let you comfort her.
There was that. A minor consolation. Still, it was another tangible, wonderful memory he could take back to Russia with him. That, and the one where he’d made love to her one final time.
He shook the thoughts free. Tomorrow, he had a heat to win. With the case solved, that was going to be his sole focus.
* * *
The three of them were sitting in the hotel room, soothing their sorrows with a cup of hot tea, when Nina got the call. She listened to everything the DS had to say, asked the occasional question then hung up.
Carrie was the first to break the silence by asking, ‘Why did she do it?’
‘Her boyfriend Felix’s father is in prison.’
‘So her boyfriend was in on it too?’
‘Yes, and Brad Peters, the one Liu was hooking-up with. Along with a few dozen other sources that have been named, and who I assume the police are rounding up as we speak.’
‘So it’s over then?’ Lizzie’s voice was hopeful.
Nina nodded, ‘The police have been given the exact locations of the other bombs in exchange for lighter sentences. Oh, the locations were quite close to the ones Kerry suggested, so I’ll have to remember to thank her when we get back.’
Her sisters nodded.
In the silence, Nina’s thoughts returned to her former friend. The only thing in Willa’s favour was the fact she had confessed her involvement and hadn’t struggled against being arrested. As would the fact that she’d named the others who’d been involved, and had really only gone along with it out of blind devotion to her boyfriend.
Nina felt sympathy for her with that. It could be easy to be blinded by love and get caught up in something that was out of your control. She tried not to think about how natural and wanted Andrei’s arms around her had been … but her brain wouldn’t let her forget. She cursed it for that.
Chapter 37
From her hidden position, she watched Andrei walk out of the competing area. He’d won his heat. Of course he had. A sudden panic overwhelmed her. Why was she here? Her duty had been fulfilled. Due to her involvement in the arrest of Willa Davidson, the Chinese authorities had realised she was there undercover.
Still, they had rather graciously allowed her to continue to compete so long as she kept her role under wraps and let them take credit. She was more than happy to agree to those terms. But now the doubts were setting in.
She hadn’t been training long or hard enough. Everyone would believe what the reporters had said. That she’d only come back for Andrei. She would be a laughing stock. Her heart pounded so hard against her sternum, she thought it might burst out.
She shook her head and turned away, muttering, ‘I can’t do this.’
She wasn’t sure whether she meant sitting through Andrei’s explanation or the humiliation of certain defeat.
Carrie said, ‘But you’re up next.’
‘I don’t care. I just want to get out of here.’
‘No. You are not doing this over a man.’
‘It’s not only that, it’s … everything.’
‘Tell us.’
Nina shrugged, ‘They have Willa. The threat’s over. I’ve done the job I was sent here to do. So what’s the point?’
Lizzie grabbed her by the shoulders and aimed a steely glare at her. ‘The point is that this has nothing to do with the mission. Or Andrei. This is a dream you’ve had for almost twenty years! You choose how you want it to play out. You know what you have to do. So get out there and do it.’
‘I don’t know.’
Carrie came into her line of sight, a serious expression on her face. ‘Are you going to let that slimeball ruin your life? Again. You get out there and win this thing, Neens.’
She glared at her little sister, ‘You know I hate when you call me that.’
‘I know. I did it so you’ll use that irritation and anger to fuel you.’
She threw Carrie a wry smile.
Carrie added, ‘It’s only a heat anyway. No pressure.’
Nina scoffed, ‘Yeah. None.’
Lizzie grinned and gave her a smack on the arm, ‘We’ll be at the finish line.’
Nina smiled at the faith her sisters had in her and gave a reluctant nod. ‘Okay.’
After hugs, her sisters left her to her thoughts.
You can do this, Nina.
As if in confirmation, Marcel came up behind her and said, ‘This is your first step towards gold, mon étoile.’
She didn’t know whether to smile or frown. Yep. No pressure. At all.
Chapter 38
His heart felt like it had frozen in his chest as he waited anxiously for the results of Nina’s race to show up on the screen the following afternoon. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from watching her.
A resounding cheer went out as the numbers and names flashed up. His heart thawed in an instant when he saw the name he wanted to in the number one position. She’d done it.
He clapped and shouted as loud as he could muster, ‘Yes!’
He was watching her get her congratulations from everyone around him when, suddenly, she was alone.
He let the impulse that swept over him take him to her.
Visible surprise played over her face when she spotted him at her side.
Before she could reject his presence, he said, ‘You were wonderful out there.’
She looked away. ‘Thank you. So were you.’
Her eyes darted up to his in shock. She’d confessed that she’d watched him!
‘You watched my heat yesterday?’
She glanced away again. ‘Your times were good.’
‘Not as good as I’ll need for a gold.’
‘They only need to be gold good for one race.’
He smiled—did she remember how she’d said that to him eight years ago?
‘That’s true.’ They stood in silence for a moment, then he worked up the courage to add, ‘My race is tomorrow morning.’
She peeked up at him, and the second he thought she was going to say something, he heard Carrie’s voice say, ‘Come on, Nina.’
She turned and mumbled, ‘I have to go.’
As he watched her walk from his life, it hit him so hard in the chest he thought he would collapse. He gasped from the sensation. What did it mean? He’d experienced something similar the first time she’d done it, but this was something different. It meant something other than accepting the situation like he had last time.
She disappeared from his view, and in that instant, he understood. Though he could live without her—he’d done it all these years—maybe he was no longer willing to?
Chapter 39
Nina had woken up and visited the bathroom, as she had every other morning since she’d been in Beijing. There’d been nothing to suggest it was going to be the day that shook her past apart. Yet here she was, staring at the ceiling and feeling dumbfounded by what the DS had just told her. Her sisters had visited her dorm, she’d told them she’d need some time to process the information. How long ago had that been?
A knock disturbed her state of shock.
She knew who it was. There was only one person it could be. He would have been told about her, the same way she’d been told about him.
Both of your covers were blown.
She drew in a breath, used her hands to help her stay steady when she rose, then made her way to the door.
As expected, Andrei was on the other side.
She couldn’t read his expression.
They stared at each other for a moment, then he said, ‘Lizzie found me. She said you know, about me, and would want to see me.’
Bless Lizzie for knowing her so well. All she could do was nod.
He shuffled on his feet in a nervous action, ‘I couldn’t get here earlier. I had my race … I won silver.’
His anxious smile made hers erupt. He’d earned this. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thank you.’
She spied an aged, tattered green file under his arm. She nodded at it, ‘What’s that?’
He glanced around, ‘Are we alone?’
There was something in the way he said it, as if he was about to share top-secret information.
‘We are.’
‘Can I come in?’
She waved him in. As he slipped by, she felt her heart soften.
* * *
He sat down on the bed opposite the one Nina had positioned herself on and placed the file on his lap. Nina peeked over at him, a million questions playing over her face.
He focused on her and drew in a deep breath. ‘I’m not sure what you’ve been told.’
‘I was told you work for the Russian Secret Police. You were investigatin
g the terrorist and your cover was blown when your government had to contact the Olympic officials and police.’
They were lucky they’d both been allowed to remain and compete. The ensuing scandal the Chinese officials had realised would occur if they ousted the pair had been overlooked when both countries had agreed to let China take the credit for uncovering the identity of the terrorist.
Still, what she’d said wasn’t completely right.
No more secrets.
‘I want to tell you the truth. All of it, Nina. The first thing you should know is I work for the Federal’naya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti.’
She gave him a confused look, ‘Yes. The Russian Secret Police.’
‘Technically, it’s our main security organisation.’
‘Like the KGB?’
‘No. It’s more like ASIO.’
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
‘So you are a spy?’ Her voice quaked with that question.
He shook his head, ‘No, Nina. I’m a special agent. At least, I was...’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means I quit.’
‘What? Why?’
‘A lot of reasons that can wait to be explained.’ The FSB had agreed that since Nina knew he was an agent, and if he agreed to be used as an Australian-based asset when the occasion called for it, he could tell her the truth. ‘First, I want you to know the truth about what happened in Russia.’
‘Okay …’
He nodded at the file, ‘This has more detailed information, but the quick explanation is that the FSB sent me to the Russian Olympics to see if I could recruit you as an Australian-based asset.’
‘What does that mean? Is that a type of spy?’
He laughed, ‘No, Nina. What is it with you and spies?’
She gave him an apologetic look. ‘Sorry. Go ahead.’
‘An asset who is based in another country helps the FSB with missions related to Russian security. Assets are registered with the target government, and all missions are passed through them for approval. Nothing is done covertly.’
‘All right.’ What he hadn’t said seemed to click. She screwed her mouth in confusion and said, ‘Why would the FSB be interested in me?’