Spy, Spy Away

by Diane Henders

  “Yeah…” The word came out on a long breath as we made our way slowly to the restaurant. “I’m just…” A mirror in the front entrance reflected my strained white face. I averted my gaze from the unrewarding sight and glanced into the restaurant instead. “…shit, I can’t go in here.”

  “Why not?” Kane stopped beside me, signalling a ‘wait’ gesture to the smiling maître d’ who had approached as soon as we entered.

  “Look at me,” I hissed, indicating my faded jeans, scuffed boots, and the old parka I’d worn in case of any further misadventures at the Hogback.

  “You’re fine.” Kane slid an arm around my shoulders and turned to the maître d’. “Kane, for two.”

  The maître d’ didn’t even blink, his expression of warm welcome unruffled. “This way, madam and sir.”

  Slinking self-consciously through the small, elegant dining room with its well-dressed patrons, I kept my eyes to the front and my head high. Maybe everybody would think I was some celebrity, too important to dress up. Maybe they’d think this was the cutting edge of fashion. Somewhere.

  Yeah, right. Not even in Tuktoyaktuk.

  I dropped gracelessly into the chair the maître d’ pulled out for me, thankful for the privacy of the table and the cozy dimness. Kane smiled and took the seat across from me with his usual aplomb.

  Squinting at the menu, I sighed and extracted my reading glasses, but even with their help the fine script defied my tired eyes in the half-light. I fumbled again in my waist pouch and withdrew my tiny LED flashlight, only to catch the humorous quirk of Kane’s lips.

  He leaned across the table. “Do you trust me?”

  “Um… yeah…” I frowned, not feeling very trusting at all.

  He smiled and gently closed my menu. “Let me.”

  I slumped in the chair and nodded, too tired to even speak.

  When the waiter returned, Kane ordered in what appeared to be fluent Italian. I felt my eyes widening while he and the waiter exchanged a flow of incomprehensible words and the waiter departed, smiling and bowing.

  I raised my eyebrows at Kane. “So you speak Italian.”

  “I just exhausted my entire repertoire to order our meal.”

  I studied his modest smile with skepticism. “How many languages do you speak?”

  “English and French, of course.” He shrugged as if fluency in Canada’s two official languages was the norm. “Russian. Enough Putonghua and Cantonese to get along. Enough Italian, German, and Spanish to order a meal, a drink, and a room for the night.”

  “Holy shit, you’re amazing. Where the hell do they speak Putta-whatever-you-said? Africa?”

  Kane chuckled. “No, Putonghua is the standard dialect for mainland China. They have nearly three hundred languages, but that’s the one most people can speak and understand enough to function.”

  “Wow.” I absorbed that for a moment while comprehension dawned. “Fluent in Russian and Chinese. Pleasure to meet you, James Bond.”

  He grinned, and we fell silent as the waiter returned bearing two glasses of wine. When he placed the white in front of me, I eyed it dubiously. “I’d better not. I’m too tired, and I want to be able to drive if I have to.”

  As I reached to return the glass, Kane gently stopped my hand. “It’s all right. You said the first couple of sips are always the best, so enjoy your two sips and leave the rest.”

  “But it’s a waste…”

  “It’s not a waste if you enjoy it. If you only want two sips, have two sips. If you want to finish it, go ahead. I’m driving.” He raised his glass to me. “Just relax and enjoy.”

  I lifted the glass to my nose. The delicate bouquet tickled my senses and I smiled and acknowledged Kane with the glass before sipping. The fruity, floral notes caressed my palate, and I couldn’t restrain a little hum of pleasure, my eyes slipping closed for an instant. When I opened them again, Kane was watching me, smiling.

  I returned his smile. “You’re a very wise man.”

  He offered me a half-bow from his seated position. “I know.”

  We both laughed and turned our attention to food as the waiter arrived with some tiny, rich-looking tarts.

  A couple of courses of antipasti later, Kane spoke as I reached for my wine glass again. “Were you planning to finish that?”

  “Oh!” I pushed the glass in his direction. “No. Here, take it if you want it.”

  “No, I didn’t mean that. It’s just that you said you weren’t going to.” He inclined his head at the half-empty glass.

  I handed it to him. “I wasn’t going to, and I won’t. That’s why I never even have one drink if I’m driving. It’s too easy to keep going. Thanks for stopping me.”

  He eyed me seriously. “I didn’t mean to stop you. Finish it if you want. You don’t have to drive.” He raised a wicked eyebrow. “Since I talked you into it, though, I didn’t want to be accused of contributing to your debauchery.”

  I laughed. “A glass of wine hardly qualifies as debauchery, but really, I don’t want it. I’d rather be in full control of my faculties.” I couldn’t quite suppress a yawn. “What’s left of them, anyway.”

  He leaned back in his chair, sobering. “You really don’t trust anybody, do you?”

  My shields sprang up and I deflected the question with a smile. “My trust for you is evident in the fact that I accepted the wine at all. And the way my life has been going lately, who knows when I might have to drive?”

  He chuckled, and the subject dropped when the braised beef arrived, its mouthwatering aroma seducing my nose.

  Later, I moaned unashamed over a silky chocolate panna cotta. “Oh my God, this is amazing.” I spooned up another luscious mouthful. “I’m in pain, but I can’t stop. This is so good.”

  Kane smiled. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Too rich for my taste.” He sipped his espresso, the cup ridiculously tiny in his big hands.

  “I don’t know how you can drink that rocket fuel. I think my head would explode if I did.”

  “Then I’m glad you’re not drinking it. I couldn’t afford the cleaning bill.”

  “Very funny.” I scraped up the last few delectable vestiges of dessert and shot a surreptitious glance at my watch.

  Not surreptitious enough. Kane drained his cup and rose. “I was just thinking the same thing. Let’s go.”

  He held my parka for me as if it was a sable coat and I fumbled into it, embarrassed by both the garment and my lack of finesse.

  As he turned away from the table, I touched his sleeve. “Wait, we need to pay.”

  “Already taken care of.”

  I frowned up at him. “When did you… never mind. How much was it?”

  “My treat.”

  “No, you can’t. That was an I-don’t-know-how-many-course meal. It must have cost a bomb. Let me get half.”

  “After you.” He smiled and gestured toward the door, and after an exasperated moment, I decided that engaging in a heated debate about splitting the bill while dressed like white trash in the middle of an upscale restaurant was simply more humiliation than I needed.

  Chapter 26

  En route to the hospital again, I leaned back and stifled a groan as I furtively undid the button on my jeans to make room for all that Italian food. When I glanced down to make sure the open waistband was hidden by my sweatshirt, I spied the message light on my phone.

  “Shit, I missed a call.” Fear rising in my heart, I fumbled the phone free with shaking hands. “Please don’t let it be the hospital…” I sagged with relief at the sight of the call display. “Thank God. It was just Lola.”

  Kane relaxed, too, his grip easing on the wheel. A thought struck me, and I glanced over at him. “We’re missing the self-defence workshop. Did you cancel it?”

  “No, I got Germain to cover for me. He’s bored hanging around Silverside, so he was glad to do it.”

  “If he’s been undercover for months, he must be eager to get home to Calgary.” I eyed Kane cautiously. “
Do you know why Stemp is keeping him around?”

  “Stemp wants him to act as Tammy’s guard in the network the same as I do for you.”

  “Oh. So he might end up having to relocate?”

  “Unknown.” Kane reached to collect a parking stub from the machine at the parkade entrance before giving me a cautious glance of his own. “Tammy should be in less danger than you are, so it’s likely only a temporary measure until Stemp can be sure everything is working well. And if Webb doesn’t get over being ‘sick’ soon…” He gave the word an ironic inflection as he parked. “…Tammy’s project will be dead in the water until they can find someone else with the skills and security clearance to take over his role.”

  “Poor Spider,” I said as we got out and headed for the exit. “He’s stuck between his own principles and Stemp’s orders. Talk about a rock and a hard place.”

  “I thought it might be something like that.”

  I stared up at him. “You didn’t know. You were fishing. Dammit, you sneaky spy, I shouldn’t have said anything.” I assumed a severe expression. “Spider is sick with the stomach flu, and don’t you forget it.”

  Kane grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  As we approached the entrance, the weight of worry descended on me again, and I hurried forward.

  Kane laid a restraining hand on my arm. “If you’re going to call Lola, you should do it now. You can’t use your phone inside the hospital.”

  “She’ll be at the self-defence workshop now anyway, so I’ll call her later. We’ve been away too long. Arnie will be wondering where we went.”

  “Aydan, he’ll be all right.”

  But despite his confident words, I had to hurry to keep up to his long stride as we crossed the lobby.

  We found the ward without difficulty, but when we checked in at the nurses’ station, the nurse’s expression closed a tight band of fear around my heart.

  “He’s been quite agitated,” she cautioned. “You can see him for a few minutes, but if the stimulation is too much for him, you’ll have to leave. He needs to stay as calm and relaxed as possible.”

  Kane’s hand closed around mine, and we followed the nurse.

  As soon as we entered the room, Hellhound’s rasp greeted us. “Aydan. Cap. Fuck, where ya been?”

  His rigid shoulders relaxed as we hurried to his bedside. I stroked his hand. “I’m sorry, Arnie. We didn’t want to go, but they kicked us out while you had your scan and got moved up here. They said we had to stay away for at least two hours.”

  “Fuck, I hate hospitals. Lucky ya showed up or I woulda started kickin’ ass.”

  Kane grinned. “Well, we’re here now. Leave the ass-kicking to us.”

  Arnie let out a long breath, the tense lines easing from his face. “Good to have ya back. Pull up a chair.”

  We did, and were rewarded when he relaxed even further, easing his head back on the pillow with another deep sigh.

  Mindful of the nurse’s admonition, I leaned close to whisper. “What happened? Who were those guys who attacked you?” Kane leaned in, too, listening intently.

  Arnie’s gaze darted up to the corner of the ceiling before returning to us. “Just some dumbfucks lookin’ for trouble.”

  “Well, they found it.” Kane frowned at him. “What exactly happened?”

  Arnie’s eyes closed. “Whatever I said in the police report.” He opened his eyes again to frown at us. “My movies ain’t workin’ quite right yet. Doc said that one might not come back.” He grinned and squeezed my hand. “Hey, darlin’, don’t look so worried. I ain’t as fucked up as ya think. I never mentioned my movies to ya before, did I?”

  “Um… no…” I clutched his hand tighter and shot an anxious glance at Kane. To my relief, he didn’t look as concerned as I felt.

  “It’s how my memory works,” Arnie explained. “It’s like watchin’ a movie. Pictures, numbers, conversations, whatever.” He grimaced. “Sometimes smells fuck me up, though. Make me sick. That’s why I like it that ya never wear perfume, darlin’.”

  “Oh.” I eased my grip on his hand. “Thank God. I thought you were just babbling. You scared me.”

  “Sorry, darlin’.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it, giving me a contrite look.

  The nurse reappeared. “That’s enough for now-”

  “They ain’t leavin’.” Hellhound stiffened, his grip tightening on my hand. “Ya kick ‘em out, an’ I’ll sign myself right outta this fuckin’ joint an’-”

  He struggled to sit up, and Kane barked, “Helmand!”

  “Ain’t gonna work this time, Cap.” Hellhound grimaced and levered himself higher.

  Kane and I each seized a shoulder. “Arnie, please, just lie down,” I begged, trying to press him back onto the bed without hurting him. “You’re supposed to stay calm and quiet...”

  “It’s all right, they can stay,” the nurse put in hurriedly. “Just relax. They can stay.”

  Hellhound subsided on the pillow, glaring suspiciously. “They go, I go,” he snapped. “Got it?”

  “Just relax,” the nurse repeated. “There’s no need to upset yourself…” She made a strategic withdrawal.

  Hellhound glowered at the empty doorway a few moments longer as if assuring himself that the threat had passed. Then his eyes slipped closed, his tense muscles slackening under my hands.

  “Fuckin’ bloodsuckers,” he mumbled.

  “Just rest,” Kane urged. “I’ve got your back.”

  Hellhound’s face relaxed. “Thanks, Cap. Couldn’t close my eyes never knowin’ when somebody was gonna be messin’ with me.” He blew out a long breath and lay in silence for a few moments. Just when I thought he might be falling asleep, his eyes opened again. “Darlin’, can ya do me a favour?”

  I gulped, remembering the last favour he’d asked of me. “Um…”

  “Can ya go to my place an’ get me some clothes? They cut mine off when I came in. This goddam gown ain’t worth shit.”

  “Um… they probably won’t want you to get dressed,” I hedged, hoping not to upset him all over again.

  “Yeah.” He winked. “An’ ya know I don’t usually mind flyin’ the flesh flag, but…” Despite his grin, I read the appeal in his eyes. “I gotta have pants. In case somethin’ happens.”

  “You won’t need…” Kane began, but Hellhound cut him off with a level stare.

  “Remember that hospital in Bosnia?”

  Kane’s face hardened and he nodded once, his eyes reflecting old ghosts.

  “I’ll get your clothes,” I promised.

  “Thanks, darlin’.” Hellhound glanced around the room, frowning. “My keys were in my pocket…” He tensed. “Shit, an’ my wallet…”

  “It’s all right,” Kane soothed. “Your things are in a locker. Secured.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll just get Miss Lacey to let me in,” I said hurriedly as Hellhound tried to sit up. “I’ll just run down to the lobby and call her.”

  “She’ll be home,” he assured me, relaxing. “Friday night’s her bridge club.”

  “Okay.” I leaned down to kiss him. “Do you want anything else from your place?”

  “Toothbrush an’ toothpaste. That’s it. I ain’t stayin’ here long enough to need anythin’ else.”

  I backed away from that impending argument. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  At nurses’ station, I caught the nurse’s eye and she closed the file she was working on and rose. I glanced toward Arnie’s door and spoke softly. “He’s calmer now. I didn’t realize it before, but he’s got some traumatic memories associated with a hospital from when he was in combat. I think he’ll stay calm if one of us sits with him. He’s just afraid to relax in case somebody sneaks up on him.”

  Her expression lightened. “That explains it. I’ll make a note in his chart. Stay with him then. Keeping him calm and quiet is our top priority. And if you can, try to prevent him from overtaxing himself mentally. Don’t encourage him to talk or think ab
out anything.”

  “We’ll do our best. I’m just going to get a few things for him from home, but John will stay with him until I’m back.”

  She nodded, and I made my way down to the lobby.

  When I extracted my cell phone, the message light was blinking again, and I punched the voice mail button.

  The sound of Hibbert’s oily voice made me collapse into the nearest chair. “You’re invited to a very exclusive party tomorrow night. You will be pleased to attend. Call me for details.” His emphasis assured me that my presence was not optional.

  My arm dropped nervelessly into my lap, the phone sliding from my slack grip. I rescued it with a frantic grab and slumped back in the chair, clenching the phone until my knuckles glowed bone-white. Hollow fear morphed rapidly into the burning adrenaline rush of a panic attack.

  No, no, no! My mind curled into a ball of helpless fear. Stemp had said they would likely move slowly. This couldn’t be happening. And Stemp was probably half-way to Bulgaria by now. No backup. Trapped…

  Shit, stop it!

  I jerked my spine straight, pulling my chin up to glare sightlessly at the vending machine across from me. A passing woman intercepted the look, flinched, and hurried away with a nervous backward glance. I gave my head a shake and tried to convert both my expression and my attitude into something a little closer to neutral.

  Okay, Stemp might be gone, but Dermott wouldn’t be acting director unless he was competent. I still had Kane in my corner, and Germain, too, if necessary. Two of the top agents in the service. I could do this.

  I eased out a shaky breath. It wasn’t like I had a choice.

  I’d do it and get through it. Or die trying.

  I forbade myself to contemplate the high probability of the latter and breathed deeply until I thought I had my voice under control. Just to be on the safe side I called Lola first, knowing I’d get her voice mail.

  It was a good decision. My voice trembled while I explained about my injured friend in the hospital and apologized for standing her up, but at least she wouldn’t question why I was upset.

  After a few more calming breaths, I was ready to call Miss Lacey. This time my vocal cords cooperated, and I gave her a reassuring report before confirming that she’d be available to let me into Arnie’s place. A few minutes later, I was on the road.