Game of Shadows
Chapter 3
After formal introductions, Barbara took her place, standing behind her employer as he sat in front of Secretary Chu's large mahogany desk, adorned with green bonsai trees and family pictures displayed in beautiful platinum frames.
"You have a beautiful family, Secretary. Your wife is lovely" Her boss began, looking at the largest portrait, a professional shot of the Secretary and his whole family
"Thank you, Ambassador. That's my beautiful Jean, and my sons, Geoffrey and Michael. My son Geoffrey's wife Anna, and my grandchildren Sophia and Tom"
Barbara smiled a little at the mention of the name. She remembered it very well and felt a small pang of sadness. Tom. The beautiful stranger with his lascivious smile, porcelain skin and undecipherable eyes that seemed to reach in to the innermost corners of her mind, reading her darkest and intimate secrets. He seemed almost… out of this world. Suddenly running off, leaving her with only a name and a smile.
She suddenly felt a small cold breeze, almost like a breath, upon her neck. She shuddered and looked behind her. There was nobody there.
"The Russian Ambassador? Very well. I have contacts in Moscow. It will be done in a matter of just a couple of hours." Barton informed Loki, handing him a tablet "The base is almost ready. We should be there by tomorrow morning. The Doctor has completed a concept design for the device"
Loki observed the 3-D CAD model. It featured a round base with two large laser beams to hold the Tesseract. On top was a circular engine which held a rotating dome with a cylindrical pointer tip that looked eerily similar to the byfrost. "Excellent" Loki purred.
He handed the tablet back and walked over to Selvig, who looked up from his work, giving him a big smile. "Hey! Did you look at my design? Isn't it amazing? I can't wait to get to work on it! My calculations for the energy surge are almost complete!"
Loki smiled "You are serving me well, Doctor. Rest assured you will have everything you need. I will make sure of it"
"There is a complete lab waiting for you with a testing facility, doc" Barton said "I also made sure they brought in the same equipment you had at S.H.I.E.L.D. Should already be up and running when we get there." Selvig smiled from ear to ear and looked at Loki with adoration in his glowing blue eyes.
"See?" Loki asked the Doctor, patting him on the back. "I am generous to those willing to serve me"
"Got it! Departs at 1830. Blue Jet Charter. Dulles. Hangar 12. Thank you!" Barbara quickly scribbled the information on her pad and hung up her phone. Then she ran into the master bedroom of the Presidential suite.
"Ambassador! Plane leaves at six thir…" She came to a halt to find her boss sitting on a chair, holding his head in his hands. When he heard her, he put his head up and nodded. His eyes were red and fresh tears trickled down his cheeks.
"Just got off the phone with Boris again. Her leg is broken, two cracked ribs. Internal bleeding. Damage to her organs. She's having trouble breathing on her own… It came out of nowhere" his voice cut off as sobs rocked his shoulders.
Barbara knelt in front of her boss and held his hands. It had barely been over two hours since his oldest son Boris had made the terrible call. The Ambassador's wife Tatiana had been hit by a car as she left their home in Moscow; the driver running off as quickly as he had appeared. Barbara felt her own tears spill from her eyes.
This man had turned her life around two years ago. Believed in what she thought she no longer had. Taught her to look life in the eye and not be afraid to go after what she deserved. Had helped her plant her feet on the ground and walk with her head held high. He had given her the best gift she could ever receive – herself. He was the father she never knew and the uncle she had lost. His pain was her pain.
"She must not see you like this, sir" she pleaded through her tears "you must be strong for her, for both of you. She needs you now, more than ever. And Boris and Sasha and Emma. She will be well, I know she will!" She stood up and put her arms around him
"Thank you Barbara" he said, welcoming her comfort "what would I ever do without you, my child?"
She gave him a sad smile. "I need to get my things ready" she said looking at the Ambassador's luggage already packed and stacked on top of the bed. "We leave in an hour"
"No Barbara" he replied, taking her hand. "You must stay here. You must wait for Ms. Pott's call, and if possible, meet with her on my behalf. She will be in town tomorrow working on the zoning for the next Stark buildings. I will call and let her know you will represent me. You will then report directly to me"
"But, I… I'm just your assistant, sir. I am not qualified for all this. This is your life's work. What you've dreamed of for years. What if I say something wrong or accept a term you do not approve? I can't"
"Barbara, you are more than able. You are a brilliant young woman. You know what my goals are and my terms. You know how I work, how I operate. I trust you completely, and I know you will not let me down. You will stay here. Our work is too important. We will meet again in Germany, for the gala. I must be there for the opening of the Revolution exhibit. Can't get out of it, you know that. Please Barbara, I need you on this"
She nodded. "Very well, sir. I will try my best"
"Good. Then let us pray for the best, and hope for the same"
The sun was setting as the SUV carrying Barbara back to the hotel exited I-395, turning onto 14th street. The receding sunlight bathed the white marble of the DC landmarks in glowing red light, but Barbara was oblivious to the beauty unfolding outside her car window. The vehicle stopped at the entrance of the Mandarin Oriental and she quickly entered the hotel. Upon opening the door to the Presidential suite, the emptiness that welcomed her was overwhelming. Her boss gone, the magnitude of his expectations weighing heavily on her shoulders, the sudden tragedy that befell him, it was too much. What had begun as a promising day had turned dark and dreary. Tears of exhaustion stung her eyes, and she felt her stomach growl. She realized she hadn't eaten since this morning.
She reached for the phone to call room service, but she quickly stopped herself. No, she was not going to spend her evening wallowing in sadness in front of the T.V. There was a chic Mexican restaurant and bar on the corner of 12th St and Independence Ave she had noticed on her way back. She quickly changed her professional attire into a pair of sexy, stylish jeans, a sheer blouse and high wedges. She freshened up, reapplied her makeup, spritzed her favorite scent, grabbed her purse and cell phone, and headed out the door. It was now dark.
As she approached the corner of 12th and Maine, she noticed an alley that would cut through D street, shortening her walk. She looked both ways and began walking quickly. As she neared the middle of the alley, she saw someone enter in the opposite direction. As the figure got closer she noticed it was a tall man with dark, long hair that almost reached his shoulders. He was elegantly dressed in slacks, and a long black coat. He seemed to be holding a cane. The man seemed to be deliberately walking directly towards her. Her breath caught in her throat when he stood before her. It was Tom.
End of Chapter 3