"Now I can talk seriously about you joining The Force. I know how talented you are, and I'm not convinced things between us will work out with me running around chasing the bad guys while you're home doing the laundry. You're not made that way."
"Oliver, oh, my gosh, thank you."
"It's a no-brainer," he said with a grin. "It's not going to be easy though. My natural instinct is to protect you."
"Back at ya, handsome."
"Ah, yes, quite."
"Don't immediately say no," she abruptly declared. "I'm going to suggest something, and I repeat, don't immediately say no. Please just think about it. I want to—"
"Join me in this meeting with Andy."
"Must you always know what I'm thinking?"
"It comes with the territory."
"I know," she sighed, "but it's just a teensy bit annoying. Can you just pretend sometimes?"
"Sure."
"So? Can I?"
"I won't be walking into the hotel through the front door and taking the elevator."
"Well, duh!"
"Have you ever scaled down the side of a building?"
"Please! You know I would have done that in my training. Have you ever climbed El Capitan in Yosemite?"
"I did once. About five years ago."
"I did it six months ago."
"Really?"
"Really! And you know Andy will be thrilled to see me. I'm sure he'll be much more inclined to help if I'm there."
"I can't argue with that."
"Yay, I'm hearing a yes."
"Fuck."
"Did you just say fuck?"
"Sometimes it's appropriate," he admitted. "It was the only word that came to mind. There is one problem. You can't see Leo."
"Why not? If I'm going to be a member of The Force—"
"That's not a given, and it's not up to me."
"What do you suggest?"
"I'll call him," he said, climbing from the bed. "Your presence with Andrei is more important than his, but we might still want him around in case something goes pear-shaped."
"Oliver, Andrei calls himself Andy because it's Western. He doesn't like to be called Andrei. Just an FYI."
"Good to know. I'll be right back."
Grabbing his robe from the foot of the bed, he pulled it on as he walked from the room. He'd already decided Natalie should be with him for the all-important meeting, but he needed Leo's blessing and input. They were partners and that meant they worked in unison. He wasn't going to just show up with Natalie at his side.
"Leo?"
"Hey, Oliver. How did it go tonight? You're still in one piece obviously."
"I should have called you earlier, but I got—"
"Distracted?" Leo chuckled, cutting him off. "I knew you'd made it out. I was working at the bar and I heard the commotion. When I wandered out into the lobby I heard gossip that a party crasher had hurt Victor's boyfriend and managed to get away. Then I heard the Ferrari blow up. That worked a treat."
"It pulled Victor's goons away from me exactly as we knew it would, but when I rode past it and saw it was on fire I was surprised. I thought they might clobber the life out of it, but setting on fire? That was extreme."
"What happened with Xavier?"
"Victor decided to use the poison nib in a ring ploy, but I was able to use Xavier as my pin cushion."
"You'd better hope Victor never gets you alone."
"This is quite true."
"Are you calling to check in before meeting Andrei?"
"Yes and no. I need to talk to you about Natalie."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Natalie had left the bed and showered, and was in the closet searching for something to wear when Oliver returned.
"You're officially invited, and here are the right clothes," he declared, walking in and handing them to her, "and since you're up and looking for something to wear, I must assume nothing was going to stop you."
"That's not true," she said defensively as she pulled on the climbing gear. "If you'd said I couldn't join you I would have respected your decision and stayed put, but you're not the only one who can see several moves ahead."
"Apparently."
"What did Leo say?"
"He's glad to have you on board. He knows how valuable you'll be with Andy, but he agrees until you're a member of The Force it's best you don't see him."
"I totally get that."
"He'll meet Andy as arranged and let him know you'll be there, and that we'll be arriving through the window and to leave it open."
"I assume Leo will be around."
"He'll be lurking in the shadows. If we need him, he'll be there."
"These clothes fit perfectly, but where are the shoes?"
"I'm embarrassed to say I couldn't remember your size."
"Seven. Why is this reminding me of a certain cave?"
"We do our best to make sure all our safe-houses have whatever we might need. Knowing I'd be bringing you here I made doubly sure. I'll fetch those shoes, and Natalie, I'm very pleased you're going to be a part of this."
"Really? Thanks, Oliver. That means a lot. Thank you for everything. Rescuing me, believing in me, loving me, everything."
Impulsively wrapping her up he hugged her tightly, and closing his eyes, relishing the feel of her in his arms, he took a long deep breath.
"You're easy to believe in, and even easier to love," he mumbled, then stepping back he locked her eyes. "You must remember one thing. This is my mission. I'm your leader. If I give you an order you can't hesitate, not even for a second. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir, and I said that as your soldier."
"I know. I felt the difference."
"Can I please have my shoes, Captain? My feet are getting cold."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Enraged and unable to sleep Victor was pacing around his suite, and though he knew Oliver was long gone, he felt an overwhelming compulsion to march around the hotel and search for him in every nook and cranny. Then there was Xavier. His lover was finally asleep and would recover, but Victor was desperately worried about him. The antidote had been administered in plenty of time but Xavier hadn't responded as he should have. The doctor who examined him declared the issues arose because Xavier wasn't in the best of health.
"You need to keep him quiet, no stress," he'd advised. "Once he's over this, and he will be, you need to get some food into him. Is he anorexic?"
"He was when we met," Victor had said, a deep frown crossing his face. "He was a successful model, worked for all the big names, but the job was destroying him."
"Anorexia is difficult to overcome. If he's not getting it, I strongly recommend professional counseling."
Victor had taken exception to the last comment. He didn't trust or believe in psychiatry, but the doctor had been convincing and the option was weighing heavily on Victor's mind.
And a burning hole in his stomach was craving revenge.
Oliver Barton and Natalie Freeman had to be dispatched to the gates of hell…slowly. Agonizingly slowly!
After a grim conversation with the hotel's management, extra security had been hired and armed men were patrolling the halls and grounds. Victor had also ordered Dean Parks to have every officer on the force out searching for them.
But Dean was having trouble.
The Car Rental Agency that owned the Ferrari had produced documentation showing Victor Pichenko's credit card number, a signed authorization form, and a request to have the car delivered and parked in the hotel lot. The form had been faxed from the hotel, and the manager had told the detective working the case that the man booking the car had spoken with a Russian accent.
Dean didn't know which way to turn. It was one big mess. The Police Chief was furious. He didn't appreciate cars blowing up in his town, and he was very aware Victor Pichenko was a Russian mobster. There was no way he was going to have his officers scouring the city searching for someone whose only crime appeared to be shoving a party guest.
<
br /> Victor's entire evening had been a complete and utter disaster, but he had one consolation. The artifact was safe and well-hidden in a place no-one would ever suspect, and even if by some miracle someone discovered where it was they'd never be able to get to it. It was so simplistic as to be laughable, but that's what made it so cunning.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sitting on the edge of the bed surrounded by boxes, Andy was trying to stay calm. The brawny Italian had arrived and introduced himself as Leo, then handed him a letter from Natalie.
"She's really okay?" Andy asked anxiously. "I've been so worried about her."
"She's not just okay," Leo replied with a warm smile. "Prepare yourself. She's going to be here any minute with Oliver Barton."
For a moment Andy couldn't speak. The news was too wonderful—but his joy was fleeting.
"No, she can't come here. Victor's men are all over the place. She can't risk it. They'll catch her."
"Don't worry. She won't be walking through the hotel and knocking on your door," Leo said reassuringly. "She'll be dropping in through that window."
"NO!" Andy exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "That's even worse. How can she manage that?"
"She's an accomplished climber and Oliver is with her, but it would be helpful if you could open it for them."
"I can't believe it. Are you sure she can do it?" Andy asked fearfully, moving quickly across to the window. "How are they reaching the rooftop safely?"
"They'll be taking the service elevator from the garage to the top floor, then it's just a short flight of stairs up to the exit door."
"I'm so worried," Andy muttered, putting his head out the window. "This isn't possible. It can't be."
"Be careful. You could get hit by the rope."
Quickly moving back into the room, with a puzzled frown he looked into the eyes of the muscled Italian.
"Why are you doing this? Why do you want to help me, and how can you help me?"
"It's about the artifact. Natalie will explain."
"Who do you work for? The CIA? FBI?"
"We work for people like you. For everyone."
"Work for everyone. What does that mean? Victor thinks Oliver Barton is with Interpol."
"I know he does, but Oliver and I don't work for any recognized institution. I was serious when I said we work for everyone, but Natalie is on her way. Look."
Darting his eyes back to the window Andy could see the thick rope, and the thought of Natalie using it to scale her way down to see him made his stomach turn.
"I have to go," Leo declared, placing his hand on Andy's shoulder. "I'm going to keep watch on the roof."
"Thanks, Leo. I hope we meet again."
"I'm sure we will."
As Leo opened the door, checked the hall, then disappeared, Andy ran his fingers through his long scraggly hair. He hadn't had a haircut in months and he knew he was a mess, but as Natalie appeared at the open window she completely captured his attention. She looked like a superhero, and as she maneuvered her way into the room he stood stock still, not sure what to say or do.
"Andy," she exclaimed, moving quickly across to him and hugging him tightly. "How are you?"
"I can't believe you're here. I can't believe you just climbed down that rope. I can't believe any of this."
"I don't blame you. It's a lot to take in, but I'll explain everything."
"Hello, Andy, I'm Oliver Barton," Oliver declared, closing the window and walking over to him. "It's a pleasure, though I wish it was under better circumstances. Natalie has told me so much about you."
"Hello, Oliver. I, uh, I'm not sure what this is all about. Leo mentioned the Roman artifact."
"Let's sit down," Oliver suggested. "I think the best place to start is with you."
"With me? I don't understand."
"Andy," Natalie began, "you're the brains behind Victor's security system, right?"
"Uh-huh, and he makes me put bugs and cameras everywhere. He has to know what people are doing and talking about, but I promise I didn't listen to you hardly at all, Natalie, and I wasn't going to let the guys watch you so I interfered with the camera feed to protect your privacy. They had no idea."
"You're such a sweetheart, thank you."
"Are you aware that I hacked into your system?" Oliver asked. "I thought you should know."
"You didn't hack in."
"Excuse me?"
"I let you in."
"You let me in? I don't understand."
"The minute I saw you in Natalie's suite I ran you through my face recognition software. When I discovered you were Oliver Barton, Natalie's uh, friend, I opened up the system so you could do whatever you needed to."
"Why?"
"I knew you were there because, um, because you care about her."
"How could you possibly know that?"
"I told him about you, about us," Natalie said softly.
"Just so I'm clear," Oliver said slowly. "Andy, are you telling me you saw me attempt to hack in, you held me at bay until you learned who I was, then opened your cyber door?"
"That's exactly what I did."
"Did anyone see you do this?"
"Not a chance. The guys who watch the monitors are complete morons. They have no idea what I'm doing. I even have cameras set up in Victor's suite. Victor thinks he's keeping tabs on me, but it's the other way around. I watch him on my phone."
"You do?" Oliver exclaimed, feeling his pulse quicken.
"It makes me feel less…"
"Vulnerable?" Natalie offered. "You've got something over him and he has no clue."
"That's it exactly. So, um, what is it you need from me?"
"That's a big question," Oliver replied. "First, the artifact. We know the one in the exhibition is the copy and we need to find the real one."
"I know exactly where it is. Under his bed. I saw Victor put it there this afternoon. It's packed in a wooden crate."
"Oh, my God!" Natalie exclaimed, impulsively hugging him again. "You're brilliant."
"You certainly are," Oliver agreed. "This is incredible and totally unexpected. Now it's a matter of getting into that penthouse."
"Can I ask why you need to get hold of the relic?" Andy asked tentatively as Natalie released him. "If you can't tell me I'll understand, but I am curious."
"I'm tasked with returning it to its rightful owners. Victor has promised to make sure it gets there safely but we're fairly certain he'll stage a robbery and keep it for himself."
"Or sell it for an obscene amount of money," Natalie added.
"But there's something else," Oliver continued, "something far more important. We have reason to believe there's a document hidden inside the relic or its packing crate. It's imperative this document be retrieved before it falls into the wrong hands."
"The wrong hands being?"
"Terrorists."
"Wow. This is heavy," Andy mumbled. "Whatever I can do to help I will, but I'm not sure how I can."
"You just did, and in a big way!" Oliver declared. "You just told us where it is. Now I need to figure out how the hell I can get into Victor's suite. The hotel's security cameras are everywhere."
"I can take care of those."
"Could you repeat that please?" Oliver said, staring at him.
"I can mess with their surveillance equipment."
"How is that possible?"
"Their systems have holes all over the place. I hacked in the first day I got here. I thought it might come in handy."
"I told you he was crazy smart," Natalie grinned.
Oliver saw the blush cross Andy's face, and he suddenly wanted to do whatever he could to help him escape Victor's clutches.
"I'm truly amazed by what you're telling me," Oliver said, shaking his head. "I looked at their systems and there was no way I could get in. The tech geniuses at my office couldn't get in, but you were able to? I can't believe what I'm hearing."
"It's like anything," Andy said, shrugging his shoulders. "It'
s easy once you know how. Can I make a suggestion?"
"Absolutely. Make as many as you want."
"The problem is Victor. He hasn't gone out since Xavier got zapped, but if you can get him to leave I can freeze the hotel's camera feed wherever you happen to be so you won't be seen."
"I'm almost speechless," Oliver muttered. "This is so much more than I was expecting."
"We need a distraction," Natalie said thoughtfully. "What's something that would send Victor running out of there?"
"I can set off the alarms in the exhibition," Andy offered.
"You've just opened up so many options for us," Oliver said solemnly. "I need to think about this and come up with the right plan."
"I'll keep watching Victor for you, but whatever you do you should move quick. After everything that's happened he's likely to cancel the exhibition here, and leave for Los Angeles early. Oliver, may ask you something?"
"Of course, ask away."
"I saw everything that happened at that party. I was just wondering—how did you know Sergei was behind you? I've never seen anyone move as fast as you did."
"Years of doing this kind of work, but you said you were watching?"
"The whole time."
"The woman who approached me, Taylor Manning. What do you know about her?"
"She works for Victor but she's sort of aloof. We don't talk much at all. Sorry I can't help you more with that. OH! I'm such a dummy!"
"You're definitely not a dummy," Natalie exclaimed.
"I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I can give you the access codes to our security cameras, including the one I put in Victor's suite. You'll be able to watch everything yourself. Let me show you," he said, pulling out his phone and running his finger across the screen. "See, this is his suite, and that's the door to the bedroom he's using."
"I can't believe I'm seeing this."
"Besides his suite you'll be able to watch the exhibition room and Sergei and Boris's rooms, they're his two best men. He was really ticked off when you gassed them by the way."
"I was really ticked off when they tried to shoot us," Natalie muttered.
"Andy, this is incredible, and now it's my turn," Oliver said, leaning forward and looking at him intently. "There's something I can do for you."
SPY: His Mission. His Orders. His Promise. Page 10