Chapter 7: I Can't Do This!
Alfred smiled slightly as he walked through the front door of Joyce's townhouse, setting his suitcase down to remove his coat and shoes. The woman approached to take the things away, putting them in the hall closet. She was clearly upset, but Alfred wasn't even about to attempt to comfort her.
Not after seeing her pitch a fit the previous day, when she found out who he really was. She had even swore at him in multiple languages.
"I hope we can get back to our normal lives soon. At least for your sake."
"Tch," she frowned. "My normal life is out the window. The neighbors saw what happened yesterday."
"Oh well. It'll all settle down eventually." he moved his suitcase to stand beside the stairs. "Don't worry."
"I don't think I can help it, America." oh, so she was still pouting.
"Joyce-" he broke off as she disappeared to the kitchen, sighing before he gave in and went for the couch.
Joyce was sighing as well, leaning over the sink before deciding to prepare lunch. She threw together something simple, but couldn't help the slight smirk when Alfred's eyes lit up upon seeing the tray appear in front of him.
"Thanks!"
"Yeah." he watched her sit beside him, putting the tray between them. They ate in silence, but he soon broke it.
"I forgot. You need groceries, don't you?"
"A few would be nice."
"I'll head out and get some then." Alfred smiled, getting to his feet as soon as he had finished eating. Minutes later he was gone, and she was cleaning up. But then the sound of her house phone ringing distracted her. Joyce walked over to answer it, and when she did her pulse dropped.
{Hello sestra} it was the commander from Moscow. {Ты один?} [1]
"Da." she held the phone closer to her ear, her heart beating against her ribs in fear.
{How are things going? According to plan, da?}
"Not… quite."
{...Elaborate. It may mean your life.}
She froze, not sure what to do. Her thoughts flashed to Vladimir, and his attempted murder. There was indeed a Soviet in New York, and he was operating under orders.
She needed to proceed carefully.
"I was arrested under suspicion of being a spy. I've already been released, but I'll have to lay low for a while. I don't… want to risk our mission."
{Of course, of course sestra!} the voice purred. {But, why were you released so easily?}
"I made a friend. He's been very useful to our cause."
{Does he suspect?}
"Not at all."
{Keep him around. He may be a useful shield.}
"Of course."
{...From this point on you will operate under radio silence. Good luck, sestra.}
"Thank you." her hand felt heavy as she replaced the phone. She couldn't help it.
She sat down and cried.