Out of the Shadows (Falcon)

by Foster, Geri

  A chill raced down Abby’s spine and her skin prickled. The air around them slowed and the noise faded away. She hadn’t seen him in so long, yet nothing in her heart had changed. She blinked back tears. Especially her feelings.

  On the opposite side of the bars Archuletta slowly came to his feet. He snarled like a wild animal then spat at the guard.

  Red faced, Boris backed up then put his hand on the gun in his hip holster. “Do that again and I will kill you.”

  The prisoner stood unfazed by the threat.

  “We do not want him dead.” Abby quickly grabbed the guard’s arm, her blood pumping harder and faster. . We do not want him dead. Abby quickly intervened “He must be alive if we are to get anything out of him.” Had he lost his goddamn mind? Being a smart-ass, Tony could incite the guard to do something foolish.

  Archuletta’s malicious gaze slid to her face like a wolf sizing its prey. His strong, sharp features grew even harsher...cold.

  A different kind of fear crawled up her back. One she’d never expected from Tony. Swallowing, she stepped back as he looked ready to pounce.

  “Come closer,” Boris ordered.

  After a moment the prisoner complied and put his hands through the small square slot in the bars. He’d probably been through that drill several times. Earlier, Abby had provided Boris with her handcuffs, and he now snapped them into place around the American agent’s wrists.

  “Step back,” she ordered, hoping he wouldn’t refuse. Tony moved to a safe distance. Boris’s eyes narrowed as he cautiously unlocked the door. These two had fought before and something told her Boris hadn’t fared too well.

  The guard took out his revolver and entered the cell. He jabbed Archuletta in the back and nudged him out. “The FAS might want you alive, but I tell you this. You fuck with me I will blow your brains out.”

  “Now, that would be a relief,” Archuletta said.

  Abby grimaced at Tony’s behavior. She wished he’d quit the wise guy act and cooperate. The sooner they escaped the better.

  With the prisoner leading the way, they marched up the stairs. From behind, Abby noticed Tony still had that loose-limbed stride that bordered on a swagger. Rags and all, Tony still had the sweetest ass on earth for a guy. At the top Archuletta turned left, but the guard stopped him. “You are not going back there. The GRU has a special treat for you, my friend.”

  “Yeah, and I have a special treat for you, buska.

  She inwardly groaned and yearned to smack Tony in the head. He’d just called the Russian guard a fat pig. If he kept up the wise cracks, in all likelihood, he’d get them both killed if he didn’t shut up and play along.

  God the man was impossible.

  “Shut up,” Abby said, before hurrying ahead to hold the door open. Boris marched the prisoner out into the cool autumn air while she trotted ahead to open the rear door of the rental car and stepped aside.

  Boris kept the gun against Archuletta’s back. “Get in.”

  The Falcon agent ducked and folded his long frame into the backseat, but not before sending her a glare that would ignite paper.

  Boris turned to her. “Hold your gun on him until I get him buckled in. He makes a wrong move, kill the son of a bitch.”

  “Of course,” she replied quickly. Abby licked her dry lips hoping Boris didn’t notice her eagerness to leave.

  When they were alone, Abby would have a few choice words she planned to bestow on Agent Archuletta and she didn’t plan to hold back. As she pulled out her gun, the Falcon agent gave her a look of disgust.

  Well, thank you, too.

  After straightening, Boris slammed the door and turned to her. “I get off in two hours. If you have the prisoner transported by then maybe we could go for a drink.”

  It was hard, but Abby managed to keep a straight face as she slid behind the steering wheel and started the engine. “I’m working the late shift.” She waved and smiled. “Maybe some other time.”

  Instead of waiting for a reply, she gunned the engine and backed out of the parking space hoping they’d get away before someone figured out their deception. Then they’d be back in Lubyanka Prison and she didn’t think the officials would show them any mercy.

  It had rained earlier and the tires squealed on the wet pavement as she sped across the designated parking area and on the main street.

  Abby turned right toward Red Square and merged with the normal daily commuter. After several minutes she searched for an isolated place where she could remove Tony’s handcuffs. Even a little miffed, she knew he had to be uncomfortable. No doubt he’d want food and clean clothes immediately and she needed to contact the Embassy to notify them of their arrival.

  Spotting an abandoned warehouse up ahead, Abby turned into the deserted area and moved around behind the building into an alleyway used for deliveries. She pulled the emergency brake and put the car in Park.

  After taking off her brown wig, she shook her head, allowing her hair to fall free. Finally safe, she hunched her shoulders then allowed them to drop and release all the tension in her upper body. To ease her stiff neck she turned her head from side to side, and then slumped back in the seat. God, she’d never do that again,

  Looking through the review mirror, Abby wanted to strangle the stubborn agent. “You know, Tony you could have made it a lot easier back there. That wasn’t the time to insult the guard.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. I could have ended up in that cell with you. I told Frank I wasn’t comfortable playing the role of a spy. You need to be thankful our bosses are on such good terms.”

  “Should I?” He arched a dark brow and stated at her from beneath lowered eyelids. “You asking for a thank you?”

  “Hell, yes. I managed to get you out of prison where you were deteriorating to nothing. How much longer do you think you’d survive?”

  His gray eyes didn’t show any gratitude or appreciation. With two weeks in lockup, the beginning of a thick black beard covered the bottom half of his face. No matter how obnoxious she thought he might be, she still felt sorry for his condition and the way he’d been treated

  “It won’t be coming.”

  “What?”

  “A thank you. I don’t do apologies or appreciation.”

  “Now you’re just being an ass and we both know you’re capable of that.”

  “We do?” He chuckled.

  Tilting her head, Abby wondered at his choice of words. He mocked and taunted her like a schoolboy, and his one liners were getting on her nerves. Thankfully this would all be over in a few minutes.

  Just as she turned, a metal rope swung past her eyes and wrapped around her throat instantly choking her.

  Oh God.

  She clawed Tony’s hands trying to release the pressure so she could breathe. Why would he want to kill her? What had she done?

  She managed to get her left palm wedged between the chain connecting the handcuffs and her throat. His grip tightened. Black spots danced in front of her eyes and Abby fought the urge to panic. She honked the horn, desperately trying to get someone’s attention.

  Using what little strength she had left, Abby pulled out her gun. She brought the weapon behind her head and pressed it against Tony Archuletta’s temple. Closing her eyes, she squeezed the trigger.