Chapter 6
"Ready to go?" Jason proffered his arm to Elise.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked as she struggled to her feet.
"First, to get a new set of clothes for you, and then to Scotland." He held out the tickets to show her.
"Scotland…"she mulled the destination over for a moment.
At a store in the terminal they were able to purchase a Denmark t-shirt with the flag on the front. The sweatpants were kept – due to the comfort needed across her stitches, though a pair of jeans was bought as well. A black coat completed the look. Jason also bought a change of clothes, though he kept his current outfit on. A duffel bag from the store stowed all of their extra items.
Jason purposely steered them toward the wrong airport terminal –and they took seats among France-bound customers. Elise shivered as they watched the news. "I'll go get some coffee." Jason offered.
"I'm fine." Elise insisted firmly, but he walked off anyway.
Something seemed amiss as he headed for the café across from the terminal. Was someone following him? He changed his destination to a further point. He ducked into a shop. The person followed. He left and went toward the bathroom. Again, the stranger mirrored his action at a distance. Jason hurried back to the terminal without the coffee- he couldn't leave Elise by herself if they were being watched.
He was too late – he skidded to a stop as he watched a man sit next to Elise and commence conversation.
Don't say anything…don't give us away…He wished he could telepathically impress his thoughts upon her.
Carefully he walked a terminal over and watched the conversation. The man was dressed in a navy business suit – with an over-large jacket. His eyebrows were dark and his face in need of a good shave. He seemed to be pretending not to know English – waving his arms about in explanatory gestures. Jason's further surprise was in Elise – who caught on quickly, pointing to a nearby desk and suggesting assistance there. The man tried to pretend not to understand and ask some friendly questions about her travels. Rather strange – not the way these people normally operated – they were coming out of the shadows and drawing attention to themselves. Well now they would regret it.
As the man moved away, Jason zeroed in, quickly occupying the empty seat.
"I think we've been caught." Elise told him uncaringly.
"We're not trapped yet. They won't strike in such a crowded area." Jason told her.
"I know. But as soon as we get out of the airport in Scotland we'll be in trouble."
"We'll be fine." Jason's confidence was not arrogant, but firm, and though she would never have admitted it – it comforted her.
Jason watched her face as it screwed up in pain – she had shifted positions in her seat and it had hurt her injury. She should not have been put in a situation that would stress the body like this – but they had no choice.
- - -
"It's time to go." Jason nudged Elise from her sleepy position an hour later and led them to the correct terminal. A shadow darted behind – unwilling to come face to face with Bourne himself.
They were boarding their row and the two fell right into line. The shadow joined the line as well. They wouldn't shake the follower yet.
Elise was in the window seat. Jason was next to her, and a teenager was sprawled into the aisle. Jason was acutely aware that the shady figure sat four rows behind them to the left – aisle seat.
"Are you going to get some rest?" He asked.
"I don't know. I'm not feeling very well." She told him. The truth was that this trip was stirring up some of her memories – traveling with Jason. Their missions had never been too far from the Treadstone Safe House, but always different – always moving.
"How many open seats are there on the plane?" Jason had asked as the plane began to taxi the runway. They were about to continue the training in Italy. The plane was small – she didn't trust it. There were well-tanned, dark haired people everywhere. Some wore lots of silver and gold jewelry and spoke very fast.
"Three." Elise answered, hoping she was right. Jason seemed to have an inhuman ability for these sort of things and she never knew what question he would spring on her next – but with each new quiz she became more and more observant. It seemed to be too much to keep track of at first, but with time she was growing used to it.
"Good. And where are the exits?" He asked.
She told him, without looking. Good. She had passed this round. She hadn't slept in hours, and he wouldn't let her nod off quite yet. "Always aware." Was his rule. Many cups of coffee had been her key to getting through at first, and then he had taken that option away from her. Adrenaline was the only thing keeping her motivated – and sometimes that wore off too.
"Did you play hide and seek when you were a kid?" Jason asked when they landed.
"Yes, of course." She answered, fairly sure that she knew where this was leading.
"Good. I'm it." He sent her a playful grin and disappeared into the crowd at the airport. It was amazing how fast he was able to leave her sight- and how lost she seemed without him. Did she search the airport? Outside the airport? Local hotels? Or would that be too obvious.
"There are always clues." Jason's voice sounded through her mind. "Always clues…"
What had he mentioned about Italy? Some restaurants he liked, a job he had done, some evidence that had been found…where? He would want to go back and see the mess that he had missed.
Elise hailed a taxi and ordered the driver to a small residential village in Southern Italy, by the shore. She proceeded on foot for a few blocks, looking in alleyways and peering around corners. The taxi stayed put on her order. She had him circle around the town once – and then saw a restaurant that Bourne had mentioned. This was it – it had to be.
She paid the driver and walked inside – trying to casually look for him.
"A table for one?" The host asked.
"Yes, please." She sat down and ordered water. There was no sign of Jason. The bathroom? She left for the ladies room – and discovered by watching the door that there was only one stall in the men's room, and Jason wasn't in it.
She sighed and looked to the door again – Jason's back faced her as he headed out of the Italian eatery. She quickly left some money on the table and rushed outside. She frantically searched to the right and left – nothing. Which way first? The left side of the street had more possibilities to hide, so she chose that direction. It was hard to remind herself to travel quietly. Her feet pounding on the gravel would indicate her approach to anyone listening.
She went down a side street and found an abandoned stucco house with the door ajar. There was a disturbance in the dust on the walkway. Someone had definitely been inside recently. She forced herself to breath through her nose…the adrenaline had kicked in full force. Her target could be anywhere – and could disappear while she searched the vicinity.
She stood still in the entrance – listening…her heartbeat was the loudest noise. Would he go upstairs? No, that would lock him in if someone were searching for him. She chose to go toward the kitchen which was empty and falling apart. She quietly opened the cupboard door and peered inside – ready to jump at the slightest noise.
The dining room table was missing a leg, and slanted at an odd angle on the remaining three. Her steps sounded throughout the house. She was aware of every noise, and continuously glanced back at the entrance – making sure no one left. She rounded another corner – the sitting room. There were no windows – it was almost completely dark inside. Her hands trembled as she timidly entered, checking all the corners and reaching for the handle to the linen closet.
As silently as a ghost – a strong hand covered her mouth, stifling her scream. She struggled and fought against the imposter.
The stranger tried to pin her arms down – he was much stronger than she was – but she was faster. Within a second she had spun free and was about to send a hard kick to his chest –
It was too late – she recognized him just as she was about to make the blow, and in stopping herself ended up pushing him to the floor all the same.
A look of slight surprise filled his face for a moment, and then he smiled up at her.
"That was pretty good." He admitted – jumping to his feet.
"You shouldn't scare me like that." She scolded.
"Nah, it's good to be prepared. It might not have been me after all. But seriously, you can drop the act now." He grinned and rubbed a bruise forming on his arm.