Deadly Interpretations

by Andie Alexander

  “What about Elizabeth?”

  “It made more sense that she was killed. She didn’t want to work for them anymore, but couldn’t leave because of the threats to her family. The difference between the two of you is that she didn’t contact MI6 until it was too late. We knew they’d be looking for someone, and heard it would be you.” He paused for a moment. “Also, there is no mole in MI6. We promise to keep you safe.”

  “But you can’t do the same for Felix?”

  Kent shook his head. “No, that would raise too many eyebrows. I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be. One sacrifice for millions seems fair to me.”

  I continued to watch Kent as I moved to the back of my chair. One sacrifice was too many, in my book, and I intended to keep Felix safe, somehow.

  Jim touched my arm. “I can see what you’re thinking, and no, you stay out of it.”

  I turned toward him. “Stay out of what?”

  “Keeping Felix safe. It’s not your problem and not your job. It’s also not your fault. He has guards to keep him safe, just like always.”

  I searched his face for some sort of compassion, but it just wasn’t there. “I could warn him. No one would ever know.”

  “No, Harley,” Jim said. “Let it go. Concentrate on the millions who really need you, because if you tip your hand, all those men, women and small children will die needlessly.”

  “Small children?”

  “Babies. It would be their best target because it would hurt you more than you know. They’d get back at you more than if they killed you. If you remember, that’s one of your weaknesses.” He leaned closer. “Maybe even your new nephew. It’s hard to tell where they’d strike. They may even know where the commune is located. You never know.”

  He knew this would get to me. Jonquil, the poor thing, needed to be rescued, not bombed. “Fine, but I want Felix’s guards told, too.”

  “I’ll do what I can,” Kent said. “However, if it gets out, it might mean your life.”

  He was right, but I couldn’t let Felix get hurt. I’d rather die myself than sentence an innocent bystander to death.

  Kent continued. “Now tomorrow, I want you to go to work and act like usual. You and Jim are dating heavily and I want it obvious to everyone.” He looked toward Jim. “Make it believable. Fight if you have to.”

  Jim chuckled. “I’ve been doing that.”

  “Wait just a minute.” I turned toward Jim. “You’ve been fighting with me on purpose?”

  He sat back and laughed. “Yep.”

  “Have you meant anything you’ve said to me at all?”

  He glanced at Kent then over toward me. “We’ll talk about that later.”

  “No, now. I want to know.”

  “Later.” He glanced toward Kent again. I instantly knew I’d been had. He didn’t care about me at all, but was playing a game.

  I turned toward Kent. “I want a new fake boyfriend. This one doesn’t—,” I raked my eyes over him. “—measure up, if you catch my drift.”

  Kent started to laugh, but Jim just stared at me. Yep. Two could play this game and I intended to win.

  “I need Jim there,” Kent said. “His cover is solid and you two are perfect together. No, you stick with Jim and you’ll be safe.” He checked his watch. “You both need to get back. I’m so glad you had a nice vacation out of the city so you could work out your differences.” As Kent laughed, Jim offered his hand to me. I glared at him, stood on my own, and walked out the door. He caught up to me as I headed out of the plush offices.

  “It’s not what you think,” Jim whispered.

  “I’m never going to believe a word you tell me, ever again.” I crossed my arms, stopping us near the guards at the outer door. “I trusted you to handle things, and you’re nothing but a liar. You’re probably not even a doctor and that tuxedo was probably fake.” I headed up the stairs, but he stopped me mid-flight.

  “I am a doctor and the only thing I misled you on was where I lived. I do have a house—a nice house, but I’m not allowed to tell anyone where it is. I didn’t even lie on that one, but just never told you.”

  “How can I believe you? You’re playing the game they told you to play, and you think I’m stupid.”

  “I never called you stupid.”

  “Right. You said, ‘that’s an understatement’ when I said they’d find nothing when searching my head.”

  He sighed. “I told you it was a joke. I don’t consider you stupid at all. You’re great at hiding things and better at your job than anyone I know.”

  “You don’t really know anyone else who’s a professional interpreter and still alive.” I turned and kept walking.

  “Oh, no.” As soon as he caught up with me, he grabbed my sore left elbow, making me wince as I dropped my arms. “You’re not going to win this one. I’m fighting to get you back and as tough as it’s going to be, I intend to win.”

  I stared down at my elbow. “Can you be nice for a minute and let me go?”

  “Why?”

  “Remember Sami? He hurt my arm.”

  He let go of me. “I’m sorry. I forgot. Want to get it X-rayed?”

  “No.” I turned and ran up to the top of the stairs.

  I pushed the button, but he pushed it again, from right behind me. “Not yet.”

  “Why?”

  He pointed toward a television monitor, on the wall beside the door. “Someone’s watching.”

  I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed.

  “Talk to me,” he said. “We have to work together and I don’t want a lack of communication.”

  “You should’ve thought of that before you jerked me around and lied to me. How long was I going to be a play thing for you, anyway?”

  “You’re no play thing and I can’t tell you anymore.”

  “Why? Is it because after tomorrow night, I’m on my own in some foreign town all alone?”

  He kept watching the monitor as many people walked on the path. “Not exactly.”

  “Then what is it? If you want me to talk to you, it’s got to be a two-way street.”

  “I can’t tell you anything else. Just give me a day. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “Why? You always have a comment about everything.”

  “That’s odd.”

  “You’re right. It is odd that you don’t talk. You never seem to be at a loss for something stupid to say.”

  “No, this is what’s odd.” He pointed toward the monitor. “See those two guys over there?”

  I glanced at the monitor. “Yeah, why? They conveniently let you stop talking to me. How coincidental.”

  He sighed. “Not at all. I’m being serious here. I saw them in the bar, then in the store where you were being held hostage while we were buying clothes for Squirt and his family. They look American. Who are they?” He pulled out his cell phone and spoke while watching the monitor. “It’s Jim. On the path to the office, there are two American-looking guys with shaved heads hunting for someone. They’re just standing there. Who are they?” He looked over to me, and turned back to the monitor. “You’re kidding. Tell their boss DHS is on it and they can call off their guys. We don’t need cross-over governmental agencies.” He ended his call and turned toward me. “Ready to go?”

  “But those guys—”

  “FBI. You’re considered subversive and they’re tailing you. We’re going to have a little chat with them.”

  “Do they know who I am?” I asked.

  “They probably know as much as I did when I first met you. You’re considered a threat to national security to most of the government. With your meetings with Boris and Mr. Wing, even more so, now.”

  I hated this type of thing. “Oh, brother.”

  “You got that right.” He opened the door and we both walked out to the path. Jim pulled me to him when we got close to the FBI men, and kissed me, hard. We walked up to the two men who were just standing and talking, then Jim made me stand still right in front of
them.

  “So, the United States is just a stopping place for you?” Jim asked me.

  “I guess so,” I said. “But it is my home.”

  Jim turned to the two men. “Do you think she should stay or go?”

  “Go,” one of them said.

  “I figured you’d say that.” Jim pulled out his badge and flashed it at them, holding it low. “Idiots. She’s working with the DHS,” he murmured. “You’re going to mess up our operation. Now tell your boss to talk to our boss and leave us alone.”

  “You’re kidding?” the talking man said. “But we’ve been instructed—”

  “Wrongly. Go home, talk to the big man, and get it straight. You may have compromised our position and may be responsible for killing millions.”

  “Yes, sir,” the man said.

  He lifted his hand to salute, but Jim stopped him. “We’re in the open. Don’t be stupid.” Jim wrapped his arm around me and kissed my cheek as we walked away.

  “Don’t play games with me,” I said.

  “I’m not.”

  I pushed his arm from my shoulders and crossed my arms. He opened the car door for me and helped me in, then shut the door. I had the sudden urge to lock the doors from the inside, but I knew he had the key. While staring at me, he got inside and turned the key.

  “Aren’t you going to check for bugs?” I whispered.

  “Nope. We’ve been watched over like a hawk.” He pulled out of the parking lot and I looked out the side window. I had to get away. I just needed a plan.

  Chapter 25

  It was a quiet trip back to the safe house and I welcomed the peace. Jim kept glancing over at me and after pulling my hand from his more than once, he got the message. I was done with him. He was nothing but a liar, trying to weasel his way into the bed of a woman. Three letters ruled his life—S-E-X.

  As soon as he pulled into the driveway of the giant safe house, Dr. White ran to the car. “Kent called. Harley, I want to see you right now.”

  “What did I do? I’m not the liar here.”

  “No, but I need to talk to you.” He stared at Jim. “Both of you.

  I glanced toward Jim. He smiled and blew me a kiss. I narrowed my eyes and clenched my jaw, making him laugh.

  I followed Dr. White into the house, who ushered us into a small office off the living room. We both sat on one side of the big desk, while Dr. White sat behind it. He stared at each of us, tenting his fingers in front of his face. I really hated this guy.

  “I understand there’s a problem between the two of you,” he said. “But that’s not why I called you in here. I have some updated information and it’s not good.” He stared at me and the suspense was terrible.

  “Tell me already!” I shouted.

  “Do you have a problem with patience?”

  “Just tell me. Enough psycho games.”

  “Fine.” Dr. White sat up and stared at me. “Your brothers are being held hostage at the commune.”

  I didn’t know what to do or say and fell back to my seat, stunned. “That can’t be. I just saw them two days ago. Did I hear you right?”

  “Yes, you heard me right. Some terrorists got past our agents. They’re holding everyone hostage. We think they’re a Chinese gang.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. I felt my stomach drop in terror, thinking about my brothers and Jonquil. “Is anyone hurt?” My voice sounded almost timid, but I just wanted to cry.

  “We don’t know,” Dr. White said. “We can’t get close enough to find out. But that’s not all.”

  Tears teased my eyes. “There’s more?”

  “Yes. Someone broke into your apartment this morning and since we bugged the place with cameras after you left town, we were able to watch what they did. They searched through everything, but found nothing. After they left, it looked like nothing has been touched. They were very good at what they did. We’re thinking they were professionals.”

  “What would they be looking for?” I asked.

  “There were two of them, speaking Russian. We’ve listened to the tapes and watched the video, and they were saying something about Dieter. It might have something to do with the items Dieter gave you.”

  “Figures. Do they know what those papers are yet?”

  “No, but we suspect something. We have to verify it first. If it’s true, you’re in more danger than we suspected.”

  I was done playing damsel in distress. I was done with a lot of things, and not being passive was just the first step. “Can I carry a gun now?”

  Both men laughed while staring at me.

  “No,” Dr. White said. “We want Jim to live.”

  “True,” Jim said.

  Neither one of them had a sense of adventure.

  Dr. White continued. “Two different groups of people are up here watching you. They saw you in the park, but walked around hunting for you after you went to see Kent.”

  I turned toward Jim, realizing it was time to step up to the plate. “Now I have to make that meet. I don’t have a choice. I have to save my brothers and Jonquil.”

  He slid down in his seat and crossed his ankle over his knee. “I think that was the plan. They knew you ran from the city and had to make sure you returned. They want you, Harley, just like a lot of people.”

  His little innuendo hit me hard. He was in love with me, but didn’t know how to handle it. Instead, he used me for his job. Nice going, bucko. Way to wimp out.

  “He’s right,” Dr. White said. “I’m glad you’re both in here, because I want to talk about this next. You two have to work together, and I want to make sure you know how to behave like a couple in love. You’re not in love, and I can tell that.”

  I raised my eyebrows. This man was an idiot. The problem was that we were in love but didn’t know how to hide it.

  Dr. White stared at my face. “I’m a professional and I can tell when two people are in love. Neither of you are, but that’s beside the point.”

  Jim glanced over at me, but I kept my gaze on Dr. White. Jim was still in the doghouse, and he knew it.

  Dr. White continued. “Anyway, I want both of you to behave like you love each other. Just remember this isn’t forever and you’re acting. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” I said.

  Jim just stared at me. “No, it’s not okay. I have to be honest here and I want this off the record.”

  “Let it go,” I muttered.

  “No, you think I don’t do anything but lie to you, and it’s time this came out.” He sat up. “I don’t want you to hate me, but we need to talk about this. Yes, we have to work together, but can’t we at least be friends?”

  I rolled my eyes. “This isn’t the time to discuss this.” Men were so needy and couldn’t wait for anything.

  “Why not?” Dr. White asked me in his snotty psycho voice.

  “Because this is between Jim and me and doesn’t involve a third party who’s probably taping my ever word.” I turned toward Jim. “We can be friends, but that’s it.” I moved closer, showing him I meant business. “Now, move on.”

  Dr. White and Jim stared at me.

  “We’re friends?” Jim asked.

  “Yep. Move on.”

  “But I’m not taping this and it’s off the record,” Dr. White said. “I love conflict and would love to help you out with this.”

  I crossed my legs away from Jim, and then crossed my arms to show I wasn’t going to back down. “No.”

  Dr. White sat back, glanced down over me, and then returned his gaze to my face. “I get this now. You’re in love with Jim, but know you’re just a client to him. He’s not allowed to reciprocate, but you’re getting mixed messages from his actions and where his head is supposed to be.” He sat up. “Am I close?”

  “I don’t want to talk about this.”

  “But I do,” Dr. White said. “If it takes a lie detector, I need to know what’s going on here.”

  I was cornered. Dr. White couldn’t interfere, because it would
either mean Jim would lie to me or lose his job. From where I was sitting, it was a no-win situation.

  I had to find a way out that would throw them off and get me out of the corner. I crossed my arms tighter, lifted my chin, and faced my two tormentors. “I can’t answer anything without my attorney.”

  Jim’s eyebrows flew toward the ceiling. “Your attorney?”

  Even Dr. White seemed surprised.

  “Yes,” I said. “I don’t want to be charged with treason for something out of my control.”

  “Treason? We’re talking about you and me and nothing about the mission.” Jim pointed at me and then at his chest. “Unless you refuse to help us out.”

  Dr. White had been silent for a long time before he turned toward Jim. “I understand this. She’s afraid you’ll lose your job if she’s honest, and she’ll also be rejected. I have a feeling she’ll beat you up, and may end up in jail for hurting a DHS agent.” He turned to me. “Am I right?”

  It sounded good to me, at least the part about the beating up stuff. It certainly fit with my treason bluff. “Can we move on, please?”

  “Fine.” Dr. White still stared at me. He was trying to get into my head, but he wasn’t going to get very far. I made sure Jim was right. There was nothing there for him to get. I could hide things very easily and Jim was brighter than I thought. I’d have to be nice to him in return. I hated the thought, but he deserved it.

  Dr. White was talking, and as much as I wanted to tune him out, I had to pretend to listen. “Now, you have about a three and a half hour trip back to the city,” he said. “I want you both to take that time to talk to each other.” He glanced at his watch. “If I didn’t have a meeting to attend, I’d go with you and counsel you.”

  I looked over at Jim, who had his eyebrow raised, staring at me. Thank heavens for Dr. White’s important meeting he had to attend, because this discussion was going to be a doozy.

  Dr. White looked at both of us. “Now, go save the world and at least be civil to each other.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said.

  Jim and I stood and we both walked out of the room. He went upstairs and got his suitcase, while I waited for him at the bottom of the stairs with my stuff, which was at the door already.