"A Killer Plan"

PG-13

Drama

Knowing the truth about your friends could prove deadly. Sydney's new friend has a deadly secret that may affect her and those she loves.

Words in italics are translations for the foreign languages used.

Chapter 4: Ground Rules

LOS ANGELES

"Mr. Sloane," a woman with a deep Russian accent whispered into the receiver, "There are going to have to be some ground rules if we are going to continue working together."

"But of course miss-"

"That is the first rule. Never say my name when there is a chance someone could hear."

"Yes, I will try to be more cautious."

"Now, I only have three rules; one, you know, the others are; never contact me, I will contact you, and, do not tell me how to do business. Are we clear?"

"Of course."

"Do you have any questions for me, Mr. Sloane?"

"Just one, how will you do it?"

"I never kill and tell, Mr. Sloane. The one thing I have never shared with anyone is how I kill my targets. Besides, it usually comes to me in the moment."

"And when will that be exactly?"

"Mr. Sloane, Agent Bristow is well trained. I have to gain everyone's trust first, and then I can do the deed. There is one thing, however, the matter of payment."

Meanwhile:

Sydney looked lovingly across the table at Vaughn. Just as he was about to reach over and take her hand in his, the waiter arrived with their meal. Vaughn's hand snapped back across the table into his lap and Sydney couldn't help but laugh at his antics.

"Vaughn," she said tenderly when the waiter left, "You seem nervous tonight. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong Syd." He answered quickly as if he didn't want her to press any further.

"It's as if we are on a mission that I don't know about and you are hearing sweet nothings in your ear from someone back at headquarters."

"Well the only one that would be there that I would like to hear sweet nothings from would be Weiss." He paused to look up at her slightly confused and disturbed expression. "That sounded bad, didn't it?"

"That it did. I would had been a lot less disturbed if you had said the same about my sister, but I suppose that would be odd as well."

"Well, let's just put it to rest that there are no sweet nothings, or any other kind of nothings being spoken to me tonight, unless they come from you. And, there is nothing going on that you should be worrying about. Everything is absolutely normal tonight." He smiled at her reassuringly before looking down at his meal. Sydney couldn't help but feel slightly unnerved, however, she trusted Vaughn and simply went on with her meal.

When they were finished, Vaughn asked the waiter to bring them the best dessert they had and Sydney waited anxiously for what was coming next. She had dreamed of this day since they had made plans to go to Santa Barbara over three years before. She was smiling brightly when the waiter placed the chocolate box shaped creation in front of her. She opened it carefully and stared at what lay before her eyes.

"Now, Mr. Sloane," The Russian woman continued, "we have a deal that when Bristow is dead I will have one of my people contact you and you will give me my five million dollars. Is that correct?"

"Yes, of course. Why? Is there something wrong with that arrangement?"

"Well," she continued after a short pause, "I want partial payment now, just in case."

"How much do you want?"

"Half."

"Half? Fine, how will it be transferred?"

"You could always bring it directly to me."

"I can't do that. I will have an unmarked car parked in the parking lot outside APO at nine o'clock tonight. You can come and get it then. Come alone and unarmed."

The Russian woman didn't respond immediately, but when she did, she said, "Alone, yes. Unarmed, no. I never travel unarmed. I will be there Mr. Sloane, nine o'clock tonight." She hung up the phone before he was able to respond. Sloane hung up the receiver and made his way to the door of his office. He opened the door to find Maggie and Nadia talking.

"Good evening ladies. What are you still doing here?"

"A little too dedicated dad," Nadia responded.

"Go home, both of you. I can see Vaughn and Sydney have already left for the day."

"They went out to dinner as soon as I was done showing Sydney the tech for tomorrow's mission. It took a little longer than expected though."

"Why is that Maggie?" Sloane asked.

"I got a phone call from a friend of mine. She wanted to know if everything was going to plan here. She just wants to make sure that I get everything while I'm here. You know, before I have to leave."

"Leave?" Nadia asked shocked.

"Yes, I'm going to work for the CIA branch in Washington DC after I'm finished training here. I really wasn't supposed to say anything, but I feel I can trust both of you." Maggie smiled and Nadia and Sloane smiled back. They all departed the office for the subway entrance. Maggie looked at Sloane out of the corner of her eye, but made sure he wouldn't notice. She was trying to be as careful as possible to keep them both from knowing exactly what she was there for, at least until it was time for everyone to know, including Sydney.

DONE! Still doing my short chapters, but I promise I will try to make them longer. Please review. I want to know what all of you think. Without knowing that people are in fact reading this, I would be very sad and I would have no reason to continue. I want to keep this going so please let me know what you think. ¡Gracias!