A/N: Hello everyone! Firstly... so sorry for the long wait, but my life has been a bit overwhelming lately and it doesn't leave me much time for writing. Hopefully it will change soon. On the other hand, someone generously offered to beta this work, and this is the first chapter of our cooperation, which I'm very excited about. So a big thanks to her!
As I expected, my afternoon is spent in front of the computer. The work is slow though, and more often than not my mind still diverts to the heavy rain violently hitting the window in front of me. I was still finishing up when my roommates returned for the night, yet I still have no sign of Delphine.
She has arrived though. Her beat-up SUV is parked in the rain along with Daniel's vehicle, so I know she's in. I wonder if William even delivered my message to her or if she's just being careful not to rush to meet me. Probably the latter since it would look suspicious if she gives no justification to come see me in such a hurry. As it seems, Delphine is nothing if not careful.
Heavy clouds have turned the night moonless and darker, bringing a relentless and uninterrupted downpour that violently hits against the living room windows. Sarah and Felix are uncharacteristically calm and no one is really paying attention to what's playing on the flat screen. With the volume of the TV low and nearly muffled by the sound of the rain, we were all nodding off in the couches. It doesn't take long before we call it a night and head to our respective bedrooms.
I've just stripped off my shirt when the landline in the living room rings. Only the main house has access to that number and that's the only reason why I get out of my room to answer the phone.
"Yes?" I say, picking up the receiver, aware of Felix and Sarah's heads poking out of their rooms.
"Ms. Niehaus," I hear Albert's voice on the other end, "Ms. Cormier is currently requesting your presence."
"Oh…" I manage to say. "I'll be there in a moment," I add after a long, awkward silence.
My roommates' eyes follow my steps as I go to my room and slip the shirt back on. They continue to watch my every move when I return to the living room and grab the coat from the hook next to the front door.
"I'll be right back," I say over my shoulder as I step outside, only to quickly turn back and grab an umbrella.
It makes very little difference though because the wind is strong, making it a struggle for me to even keep the umbrella upright. I feel water pelting against my legs and seeping into my clothes during the short walk to the main building. Only my head is relatively dry when I reach the back door that leads to the kitchen. Albert is waiting for me by the door and eyes me with ill-disguised antipathy as if, somehow, I should be able to control the weather. I mumble a "good evening" while I close the umbrella and leave it by the door, checking myself and trying to shake off some of the water. Still disgruntled, he tells me to follow him.
In the dining room, Delphine is standing in the farthest corner by the beverage cart with her back turned to us.
"Can I offer you something to drink?" She asks without turning.
"Sure," I answer, shedding my coat and handing it to Albert, who takes a moment to eye it with aversion before taking it with the tips of his fingers.
The man stands there for a few seconds, as if he's not sure whether to leave us or stay and make sure I behave properly. But once he realizes the small pool that's forming beneath the coat, he takes his leave. Only then do I allow my discomfort to come to the surface. Maybe it's because the previous times I've come to the house was at Daniel's request; or perhaps it's because I feel like I'm barging into his territory somehow; maybe the discomfort is also coming from meeting Delphine not in a neutral ground with no prying eyes - at least that I know of - inspecting our every move. The thought makes me turn my head back to notice that the door was left open - any sense of privacy is an illusion.
When I look ahead again I see Delphine approaching me with slow steps, each hand holding a glass with one large ice cube submerged in a brownish liquid. It's warm inside: the fire burns and crackles in the hearth on the left side of the room, with the heating system spreading its warmth to the entire house. It feels too hot for the clothes I'm in though - my wool sweater is too stifling and I feel the need to loosen my long scarf, letting it hang over my shoulders and nearly brushing the floor. Delphine, on the other hand, is dressed in a silk blue blouse, loose around her torso - the collar is a long bow that drapes over her chest. Her black pencil skirt, however, seems to be of a thicker fabric - appropriate for the weather roaring outside, unlike the high heels she's wearing that would probably make navigating the wet terrain outside next to impossible even if her legs are protected by clear stockings. I don't realize I'm gawking until I meet her eyes to see that she has a pretentious smirk while her extended hand awaits for me to take the glass it's holding.
"Thanks," I say, clearing my throat and trying to maintain my dignity as she intentionally provokes me with a simple brush of her finger on my hand.
"Come, take a seat," Delphine says, and turns around so quickly that I'm not sure if the wink I envision is voluntary or imaginary.
She stops near the fireplace where two armchairs are displayed in a "V" shape. She takes the seat which gives her a better view of the door, crossing her legs and waiting for me to take a sit on the one that's left - which unfortunately places me with my back to the door.
I never truly acquired the taste for whiskey and it takes a considerable effort on my part not to wince when it burns down my throat, despite it being much smoother than my previous experiences with this particular beverage. Still, I realize that my effort doesn't go unnoticed when I meet the amused stare Delphine gives me before she takes a nonchalant sip of her own drink.
"I got your message," she says in a low voice. "Do you have something for me?"
"Straight to business, is it?" I comment. "No, how are you doing? We haven't seen each other for weeks, after all."
She gives me a slightly annoyed look, twisting her lips. "I don't think we have much time by ourselves, I figured we better make good use of it," she answers with a slight edge to her voice.
I lean forward in my seat to be nearer to her. "You sure it's safe for us to speak here?" I barely whisper.
"As safe as any other place," Delphine answers with a shrug. "Daniel wouldn't want his house bugged, not when it could be exploited against him." She shakes her head and brings the glass to her lips. "Besides, as far as I can tell, Sarah's the one who's overseeing the installation and operation of the security system. Has she mentioned anything about hidden microphones?"
"No, only cameras," I say, starting to bring the glass to my lips, but deciding against it at the last minute.
She tilts her head to the side and smiles a little. "There you go! We need to mind the staff working around here," she says as her eyes go to the door, "not hidden bugs."
"I have news regarding the identity of his potential partner," I decide to reveal, causing her eyes to focus on me with distinct curiosity. "I imagine the fellows you have are still not talking."
Delphine shakes her head again. "They had to be let go, we had nothing that would stick. If we held them much longer it could cause a diplomatic embarrassment that everyone wants to avoid, given the current political climate."
"Fucking great!" I murmur, shaking my head. "Just like that?"
"Just like that," Delphine repeats. "They were put on a plane and that was it. That source has dried up."
"Damn…" I whisper to myself and this time I do take a small sip of the drink. "Well, someone has mentioned a name, maybe that'd help," I say after I clear my throat.
"That would certainly be useful," Delphine nods, expectation making her slide to the edge of the armchair.
"Volkov," I say quietly. "It's all I got."
"It might be enough," Delphine smiles subtly. "I'll check out records."
"He also has a daughter… hmmm… Sasha… or something along those lines," I continue while struggling to remember. "About our age, tall, dark hair, attractive, very subtle accent, maybe educated in the West."
Delphine raises a brow. "That should help narrow it down, although it sounds like a nickname - very common with them, as well as sending their children to study abroad," she says. "And how do you know about her?"
In the distance, we hear a door open and close which made both our eyes look to the door from where the sound of footsteps is approaching. We resume a more relaxed position: sitting back on the chairs, just before Daniel comes through the door
"Sorry it took so long," he says as soon as he enters the room, his eyes on Delphine.
"It's quite alright," Delphine says in a steady voice that doesn't betray her, and yet it has a different, slightly higher pitch. "I had Cosima to keep me company."
Daniel smiles and looks at me. "I can see that. I'm glad the two of you are getting along," he says with a quick nod of his head.
"We are," Delphine agrees as I observe the exchange between them. "I was just asking Cosima to go to the city with me tomorrow afternoon."
I hesitate for a brief moment, worried that it might appear suspicious for us to suddenly be spending so much time with each other after so much resistance at first. "As I mentioned, I don't know if I can," I reply, giving Delphine the best apologetic gaze I can fake. "I've been a bit swamped with work since I was away for so long."
"Well, work does take precedence over a girls' outing, my dear. Cosima has obligations," Daniel says in a tone that's entirely too patronising.
"Yes, of course." Somehow Delphine manages a smile that appears genuine, but a slight flexing of her hand on the arm of the seat says otherwise. It's obvious she won't press it - like me, she also has to navigate her requests carefully. No matter how much we need to find a more private venue to talk, making a stronger push for it is out of the question.
"Why don't you meet for dinner, then?" Daniel suggests. "I'll be in the city for a business dinner as well. Maybe we can meet after for drinks - all of us." He pauses to glance at his watch and that's the moment Delphine and I exchange confused looks. "I was going to talk with you in the morning," he's saying, his eyes now back on me, "but since you're already here… if it's not too late, that is."
"No, no… not at all," I answer quickly, getting up, still dazed from the sudden turn of events.
"Good, good…" he mumbles and turns around rather abruptly and heads to the door.
I'm frozen for a moment, with the glass still in my suspended hand, only blinking again when Delphine enters my line of sight and takes the glass from my hand.
"I'll pick you up around six," she says, a subtle smile on her lips as she brings my glass to them.
"Yeah… yeah… sure," I managed to utter, my legs refusing to move until she tilts her head towards the door, as if to show me the way.
Well, that worked out somehow, I think as I walk to the library where Daniel is waiting for me by the door. I'm still trapped in my thoughts when I enter and hear him close the door behind me.
"I'm really happy to see that you've decided to put aside your hesitations regarding Delphine," Daniel says casually while sitting on his chair. "She can be… difficult, but I think you can be a good influence on her," he finishes, crossing his arms on top of the desk.
Me, a good influence? Now that's something I've never been accused of before, but I'm not about to challenge his observation - no matter how wrong it is. Instead I take on a more analytical approach. "You mean… while she's spending time with me, she's not with William," I comment, taking a sit on the chair which by now is my usual one.
Daniel smiles, "it's not that I don't trust Delphine," he says. "It's my brother I'm worried about."
As he should well be, but not for the reasons he thinks. "I understand," is what I say, nodding my head and adding nothing else, waiting for him to take the lead in the conversation. These days I prefer to give him the initiative rather than being blindsided by what comes next.
"Well…" Daniel finally says, after a brief pause, unclasping his hands and adjusting his tie. "It's late and I don't want to keep you longer than necessary," he clears his throat and fixes the cuffs of his shirt. It's obvious he's not sure how to broach the subject, whatever that may be.
"Have you got in contact with your business partner?" I put it out in the open in the most diplomatic way I can.
"Ah…yes," Daniel nods and releases a long breath. "I just got off the phone with our Russian friends, and they've agreed to a new meeting, in three days time."
"That soon?" I raise a brow.
"They want to see this through, and the sooner the better," Daniel raises his arms as he shrugs.
"Did they say where?" I ask, but I suspect I already know the answer.
"No," he answers, giving me the reply I'm expecting. "They'll give us directions while we're on the move."
"That's a terrible idea!" I say, not holding back in expressing my disagreement, but making sure I keep my tone stable.
"I know, but it's a non-negotiable condition for the meeting to happen," he says. "And this will happen, Cosima… it has to."
I give him a suspicious look, aware that there's a hint of desperation in his words. "Okay… what else?" I ask, predicting further demands.
"The number of people present should also be limited," Daniel explains. "I manage to convince them to allow me to bring two people with me. So, I thought you and Sarah should accompany me."
Daniel says this as if it's something to be proud of, when in fact, he didn't convince them of anything. Two people are the bare minimum to give him a false sense of security and, I'm sure, it won't make a difference if this goes tits up again. This is especially true if these limitations don't apply to our Russian friends, which I'm almost certain it doesn't.
"Are they going to be doing the same?" I ask either way.
"They've assured me they would," Daniel says with a confidence he really shouldn't be feeling.
You gullible fool, I think to myself. Sure, maybe they'll only have two other people visible, but that makes it even more dangerous. After all, they've chosen the location and it won't be difficult for them to have another half a dozen men hidden somewhere in the shadows. Meanwhile, we'll be nothing but sitting ducks.
"Don't you think that perhaps you're putting too much trust in their word?" I ask with caution, not wanting to flatly call out his naïvité.
"I understand your concerns, Cosima, I really do," Daniel says. "But there's a point where you need to trust the people you're doing business with." He starts to get up, signaling that he has had enough of this conversation and wishes to hear no more of my concerns, although I suspect he knows they're legitimate. He's simply choosing not to address them.
"I trust you'll bring Sarah up to speed and make all the arrangements necessary," he continues to talk as he rounds the table and walks to the door where I reluctantly join him. "We should be ready to leave at 3 p.m."
I don't linger on the subject - it's obvious he considers this meeting absolutely necessary and nothing I can say will make him change his mind. As I make my way to the kitchen to leave via the back door, I peek into the dining room but there's no sign of Delphine. Albert is in the kitchen, my drenched coat hanged on the back of a chair, which I pick up and throw over my shoulders before I get out, muttering a "good night" between my teeth.
The rain hasn't stopped, it remains relentless and only when I'm already outside do I remember the umbrella I left behind, yet I choose not to go back to get it. As a result, I'm soaking wet when I enter the cottage and I immediately go to the bathroom for a warm shower before bed. As far as I can tell, my roommates are fast asleep and haven't noticed my arrival. It doesn't take long for me to do the same.
The following morning while Felix is in the shower, I take the opportunity to fill Sarah in on last night's conversation with Daniel.
"Terrible idea!" Is what she says right off the bat.
"I know," I say, while I spread some jam on a toast which Sarah promptly takes off my hands. "But Daniel's not budging - he's desperate to make good with the Russians."
"One more reason for him not to be making any decisions," she says, taking a big bite of the toast.
I put another slice of bread in the toaster. "You don't need to be telling me that, Sarah," I say with dwindling patience, but I know she realizes it's not aimed at her. "But there's no way around it…believe me, I've tried."
"I think Daniel is decompensating," she says around a mouthful. "He's going to get us all into a fucking load of trouble."
"Seems about right," I say and Sarah gives me a side glance. "What do you expect me to do?"
"He listens to you, Cosima!" Sarah says, turning to me, leaving us face-to-face. "Talk to him!"
"I have!" I raise my voice. "Which part of he doesn't care don't you understand?"
"So… we're stuck," she sounds resigned.
"We're stuck," I confirm with a nod of my head. "But that doesn't mean we can't be a little more proactive."
"What do you suggest?" Sarah raises a brow.
"Daniel is going out tonight," I explain. "He seems to be going alone. It may be worth following him, see what he does when he's on his own and get a sense of his routines."
"And you expect me to do that?" Sarah's not entirely pleased.
"You're free to leave after hours," I shrug. "Take Felix, and if anyone asks just say you're going out for dinner."
"And you can't come with us, why?" There's suspicion in her stare, Sarah's onto me even if she doesn't know it yet.
"I already have plans," I answer, turning around pretending to need something from the fridge.
Sarah doesn't say a thing, but she immediately stops moving, and when I turn around she's staring at me with an angry expression: an eyebrow arched, her lips a straight, thin line, and her jaw line flexed. Yet, Sarah remains silent and if she has any observation it dies on her lips when Felix enters the kitchen, hair still mildly wet from the shower.
"What's up?" He asks with his eyes moving between us. "You two look pretty intense."
"Nothing!" Sarah answers a bit too harshly. "It looks like we have an assignment for tonight."
"Daniel's suppose to have a business meeting," I explain further. "It might be useful to learn as much about him as we can."
"Cool, road trip!" Felix says with fake enthusiasm.
"Just make sure he doesn't spot you," I continue, ignoring his sarcasm as I fill my mug with coffee for the second time this morning. "And let's keep in contact." I finish, carrying the mug with me as I head to the door.
"We've done this before, you know…" I hear Sarah say before I leave.
"Good! Then it should go down smoothly," I say over my shoulder.
"What's up her bum?" I can still hear Felix comment after I cross the kitchen door.