First off I'd like to say a huge thanks to Hawkslayer, Batteredpen and Antonia Caenis for taking the time to review the first two chapters, it's great to hear what you think and your comments/encouragement are appreciated! :) Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 3
Elena stood at the door, waving her husband and son goodbye as they made their way to work the next morning. As soon as they were gone, she fastened her flame red hair into a simple bun, put on her winter boots, coat, scarf and gloves and made her way out towards the park. Her son's news had disturbed her greatly. Until that moment, she had believed that her group was secure, that no one knew of their plot to stop the partnership talks. Who had told the FSB? How did they know? How much did they know? She could keep Sasha close, play the part of the concerned mother to persuade him to stay at the house. She cared about her son of course, she loved him. But her primary goal was to extract as much information as possible and regain control over the situation.
Once she reached the park, she pulled out a small black phone and dialled the only number in its phonebook. A man answered.
"I assume you have heard about the leak." His voice was deep, and he spoke with a no nonsense, business like manner.
"Of course I have, Mikhail. Who is the leak? And why wasn't I informed?"
"It was an informer for the FSB, we executed him little over 24 hours ago. We believe the FSB know very little, yes?"
"They know nothing that could lead them directly to us, if that's what you mean. All the same, these partnership talks are top secret. They will suspect a traitor."
"What do you want us to do?" the man asked amicably, aware of his failure to spot the leak and hoping to avoid any discussion on the subject.
"Nothing. They know very little, and there is nothing that could lead them to us. I will keep a close watch."
There was a silence. "Your son is investigating, isn't he?" Mikhail guessed.
Elena hesitated. She was reluctant to provide such information. Knowledge was power, and right now she was the most powerful player. Giving Mikhail this could possibly keep them away, provide reassurance that she was in control. "He is." She replied. "I can use that and ensure our plans go ahead. Do not contact me again unless it is necessary." Thinking of Kuzmin, she added. "Some may suspect me already." Elena put the phone into her purse and continued her walk. She strolled along the freshly fallen snow, her flame red hair standing out against the blue white glare of the snow, her eyes as cold as the icy lake.
Mikhail hung up the phone and turned to the two men who had been listening to the conversation.
"I don't trust her," one man said. "She is probably more worried about her son more than our mission."
"I agree," added a tall, broad shouldered man. Tattoos covered his large arms and broad neck, and a scar ran across the side of his face. "Mothers love their sons."
"Enough!" Mikhail interrupted. "Elena has given us no reason not to trust her. We continue as planned." Mikhail often felt a great deal of frustration when dealing with less intelligent individuals. These two were recruited for their muscle, not their intellect. They could be useful, but needed to be kept under control. It was better to stop such conversations before the two men formulated any ideas of their own.
Mikhail turned to leave. "Do nothing. That is an order." He turned and walked smartly out of the door.
"He trusts us with nothing, Anton," growled the first man. "We could do so much more."
Maxim looked curiously at the other man, a stupid grin growing on his ugly face.
