In the early morning hours, Annie became uncontrolled frenetic while sleeping, flinging her arms madly about angrily. Hitting Eyal, bringing him out of a deep sleep and his quick instants to protect himself almost got Annie killed. Pinning her down with force on the bed attempting to calm her - yet, she still tries to fight him. Eyal speaking softly but held a firm grip on her, she slowly relaxed. Her skin wet from sweat and her hair tingled for tossing about wildly she started to cry, heavy uncontainable sobs. Eyal reach for her to hold her close but she pushed him away, climbing out of the bed. He let her go, it had been a nightmare and he was very aware of the outcome. Give her time to regain her composure and then they would talk.
He turned on a dim light and set on the edge of the bed, being there when she was ready. Annie had developed demons in her soul from being in the dark without help and now taking a toll on her. She curled in a corner and a cried until there wasn't much left, she was drained emotionally.
"You knew this would happen to me didn't you?" Annie with a crackling edge to her voice.
"For someone as compassionate as you, yes I did."
"Does it get better?"
"You can't do it on your own Annie. You have to get some help. I was lucky, I had Mossad."
"All the killing and evil do you ever get accustom to it all?" Annie's voice still distressed.
"You have to come to terms with it all. Having been with Kidon you know how this sort thing works. Mossad has professionals on staff to help and I have talked to one or two. I've had people being killed and I have also killed a few and at first it really wrenched my heart and soul. But over time they no longer seem to affect me. I've come to learn to put it in prospective."
Annie starting to see the inter Eyal, the man who knew what her sacrifice would cost, maybe her soul. He knew better than anyone as he has walked the road for years, that dark merciless road and at the expense of his own wishes for happiness. His wife was gone and he has forsaken everything he loves for revenge of his sister's death, now turned to duty and patriotism to Israel.
Annie came over to sit beside Eyal, he wrapping his arms around her, holding her close for comfort. Annie stirred in his arms hearing him talking about Kidon and how she too has hardened with no sentiment to killing but the nightmares were relentless. Her walk on the dark side had not taken her soul completely but close and this was her price.
"Kidon was five years of my dark side, you never truly get completely use to killing but just get harden and become numb to any feelings." What he didn't say was his asking for a transfer out before he became a monster, a killing machine and totally losing his soul to wickedness.
"That's part of you I don't know."
"You never will Annie. When I left Kidon for special field work, I buried those five years."
Perhaps this man could show her the way back to finding what she has lost, she wanted to talk - rehabilitation if you will. Annie could feel his muscles tense ever so slightly and appreciate his need for closure, not to experience again or rehash that dreadful time, turning a decent man into an assassin. She put her arm over his chest and tenderly stroked his cheek. He responded, pulling her tighter to his side and kissing her finger tips.
"We make good partners don't we." Annie so lightly whispered.
"Impressive partners and for me that is saying much."
"I know, you work alone." Annie kissing him on the side of his chest and snuggling her head down for the night. What she needed was Eyal, his understanding and tenderness.
"Appears that is changing. Let's get some sleep Neshema."
Sleep came easy for Eyal but not for Annie, she was beginning to feel alive once more but still lingering issues. Closure to her dark walk, the demons and Auggie kept her awake staring at the dim light that was left on. She loves the closeness she and Eyal had formed and she did have very deep feelings for him. She twisted somewhat but Eyal remained still in deep sleep, meaning he felt safe even after her beating on him. Being in the dark for nearly a year without any contact with Langley or Auggie she had fallen out of love with him or was she ever in love with Auggie. She knew she love Simon Fischer deeply and was Auggie a convenience to deal with her lost of Simon. Another ghastly vision crossed her mind, Simon being shot. Death seems all around her and she was having confusing thoughts. Love and death all mixed together. Had she sorted out her total feeling for Eyal, there was the undying trust, close friendship and caring, the profound emotional compassion for his wellbeing but was death following him also. She had fallen quickly and hard for Simon but would it have lasted, she didn't really know the man. With Eyal it is a measured growth, getting to know him or was it her dependence on him, someone from her previous life to pull her through this depressing time. She already had closure with Simon's death but she could only move forward once she could bring final closure to her brief romance with Auggie and his betrayal to her. Uncertain of what tomorrow would bring, she could only take pleasure in the time she's spending with the Israeli beside her - the mysterious Eyal Lavin.
"Make that pure white snow and traceable back to Africa... I don't need much but it has to be pure, no cutting." Eyal raising his eyebrows as Annie moved in bed but didn't awaken. "I need to know where Dolph Branstrom is, if he has left England and the whereabouts of his wife, Carina... Paris would be my first guess, the fashion houses...He might be a player so check that out... Add the latest Jack Cracker also...Did we find anything on Branstrom money movement...Need MI6 chat once I'm in London... Thanks and make it the same pickup in London."
Making his morning call to Tel Aviv and his last call to Sandra, his asset in London. Eyal had the coffee brewing away when Annie opened her eyes after finally falling to sleep in Eyal's arms. She didn't know how long she had been asleep but now felt rested.
"Are you feeling better?" Eyal asked with his warm smile and caring eyes.
"I'm sorry Eyal."
"Don't be Annie. I've told you before, you are an amazing woman and going dark without realizing the full implications will knock down the strongest of the strong." Holding up a cup indicating coffee was ready.
"Yeah, I need coffee. So are we heading to London today?"
"Yes, just finished talking with Sandra and she is on board with my strategy. I've also arranged for MI6 to give us an assist. It's all system go to take out one Dolph Branstrom."
London was typical London, chilly and misty with spots of rain. They were on their way to met with the MI6 agent and Sandra Sims. "Up there around the corner is our meeting place. Before we go in I need to tell you something about Sandra."
"You've slept with her."
"No. Nothing like that. Every time I'm in London we have a standing date for dinner and the theater. Sandra is a devoted mystery novel reader and belongs to the club where we are meeting for our late working lunch. She is a good friend but knows almost nothing about me. Now she has a strong personality much like yours and at times a sharp wit. I can tell you she wouldn't take any bullshit off anyone."
"I like the woman already." Annie wrapping her arm in his and they continued their walk toward The Royal Cat Pub. The place was appropriately named; two somewhat large gray cats keep guard, Sherlock and Lewis. Maggie Kane, the owner of the pub was a staunch reader of mystery novels and holds monthly meetings of a small mystery book club on the second floor of the pub - Gas Light Mystery Club. The menu reflected her love of a good mystery, most of the meal selections had recommendations from the finest British detectives of yesterday and current.
Sandra had arrived early and she with Lawrence Carter were seated near the back, like all good spies trying to drift into the woodwork. Eyal took a second look at the man with Sandra, he wasn't sure but the blonde-headed man looked very familiar.
"Sandra it is good to see you again so soon." Eyal with his hand on Annie's back as they walked to the table.
"Eyal, I brought an interested partnered myself, Lawrence Carter, inspector with Scotland Yard."
Eyal shaking his hand, "I have the feeling we have met before."
"We did, I recognized your name when Sandra told me who she was meeting. Back in 2000 during training camp...
"Hell yes now I remember, Law Carter." Looking at Annie, "We were two novices back then, bunked in the same shack."
Sandra looking at Lawrence, "You were training for the Air Force?"
"Something like that." Lawrence turning to Eyal, "I take it you still with the same outfit?"
"I am." Annie tugging at Eyal's sleeve, "Oh don't mind me and my bad manners, this is Nicole Remy my partner. Sandra Sims and Lawrence Carter."
"Happy to see you." Annie extending her hand to both, "I'm enjoying my visit to England."
"You're an American?" Sandra picking up on Annie's accent not been English.
"No, French but I went to school in Boston."
"Let's get down to business." Eyal wanting to pull the attention away from Annie, "Shall we have drinks and a meal, I hate doing business on an empty stomach."
The dinner ordering conversation turn into who was the best detective and Sandra with Annie order the Miss Marple recommendation while Lawrence opted Lord Peter Wimsey and Eyal went with Sherlock Holmes. Dark ale for all four and they were down to the business at hand.
"I believe we are all interested in one Prewitt Laroche." Eyal started the discussion. "We know for a fact he is a prominent black market dealer in art but also in diamond and gold smuggling and as late armaments including missiles. There is also strong evidence he may be dealing with Kyril Davy."
Lawrence becoming very interested, his training with MI6 kicking in, "I've heard of him and his connection to Lexington Global, power-hungry bunch."
"Right you are. We have a few more players on the grid and the more we dig, the more we'll find." Eyal taking a bite of his smoked salmon, cucumber with dill butter sandwich - very English.
"So you are after destroying the back bone of Kyril Davy and Lexington Global?" Lawrence asked.
"That is our mission. Break the European back bone of Davy and Lexington Global with fall on this side of the pond."
"Mission? Eyal aren't you with Interpol?" Sandra was thinking fast with the way the conversation was going, definitely not a normal police briefing.
"That was your assumption and I never corrected you."
"Guess it time we have to fess up. Sandra, I met Eyal when I was with MI6 and he being Mossad." Lawrence watching her reaction.
"I knew it, hot damn I was right. So you and Nicole are Mossad." Sandra being all smiles for guessing right about Eyal. "Gee I'm in great company."
"Go with what you have and don't let her exhilaration distract us." Lawrence chuckling at Sandra's delight. "You said there were other people on the game board."
"Yeah, Dolph Branstrom a Swedish jeweler with offices in New York, Amsterdam, London, Paris and Tel Aviv. One of Prewitt Laroche go to brokers for his illegal diamonds trade."
"Big network for laundering hot diamonds." Lawrence smiling at the potential excitement of taking down Lexington Global.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in planning and it was a good plan. Breaking up for the evening.
Lawrence with his partner said good night to Annie and Eyal. "I'll make sure the lady gets home safely."
Once they were away from ear shot, Annie had questions, of course she did. "Who is Lawrence Carter?"
"MI6 embedded in Scotland Yard."
"Is that legal?"
"Not my country so I wouldn't know or care. Don't be so naive about the CIA and FBI or Washington Metro for that matter."
"You know that for sure?"
"I do. Now let's have some fun tonight we have work to do tomorrow."
Later that night they had fast food of fish and chips and taken in a movie, wait - when in England it is a cinema. Eyal had brought her to his London flat, if that is what you could call a large room with bath on the second floor over a café/pub called The Green Apple near the end of Greek Street. They were in the Soho neighborhood of London, the entertainment section and a good place to find a prostitute.
"Hey Neshema, you slept very well last night."
"You have a way of making me relax." She reliving their wonderful love-making the night before.
"We'll have some coffee to get the juices flowing than go out for breakfast. Never know when I'll be in town so I don't keep any stock."
"Good with me." Annie pouring herself a cup of dark liquid and taking a seat at a small round table. Looking around the room, she could tell this was not a place for Eyal to linger but only a place to sleep. The bed was a double one giving her to think she was the first female to be in the flat. A night stand complete the two pistols and light, a stack of books on the floor the table with two chairs she was sitting at, in all probability purchased from a flea market but had soft cushions on the seats. There was a good size closet where she had hung some things and noticed Eyal's tuxedo, a dark blue suit as well as a gray one, several dress shirts and expensive ties. To one side of the closet were shelves holding plastic bin of his underwear, neatly folded jeans, knit shirts and sweaters. 'He must have clothes stashed all over Europe' she mused.
"You don't hang out here do you."
"A bed and change of clothes. I'm never in London for that long. Kind of hard to spy on our ally." Eyal taking a set across from Annie with his cup of coffee. "I have some things I need to do after we eat, why don't I treat you to a few hours at a nice spa."
"I was thinking about a beauty parlor, hair and nails. I kinda been neglecting being a woman."
"You are all woman Neshema but if a beauty parlor is what you wish, than you know the rest."
Eyal is totally amazing, he was able to get her an appointment with one of the upscale beauty house in Kensington. She caught a cab and planned on doing a little shopping along High Street before their meeting with Sandra for lunch. She had the time and address of The Red Lion restaurant and Eyal gave her some money, he appeared to have an endless supply of funds. This was an Annie Walker or Nicole Remy morning, pampering herself.
The morning went by fast and Annie now traveling to meet Eyal and Sandra. As the cab pulled in front of the restaurant, she saw Sandra going in - good she was on time which Eyal was very punctual. Damn there she was, worried about pleasing Eyal. Paying the cabbie, Annie followed Sandra into the restaurant to find her standing, waiting on an empty table.
"Hi Nicole." Sandra felt someone walk up behind her and turning.
"Hello Sandra. Looks like we have a wait."
"Ladies, are you meeting Mr. Levin?" A waiter with a white apron asked. When both nodded yes, "This way please." He led the way to a back room - a private dining area.
"Wonder where Eyal could be?" Sandra not seeing Eyal in the room.
"Could be anywhere. Let's have a seat and order a drink." Annie pulling out a chair at the table that would seat four.
Sandra taking her chair, "You've known Eyal long?"
"Close to four years now. We've worked together on different missions."
"I could tell, there is an unusual rapport between you two that is not often found in work partners."
"Oh, what do you mean?" Annie questioned.
"Hello girls." Eyal entered the room giving Sandra an escape from answering Annie's question.
"You are three minutes late." Annie sneer at him.
"London traffic. Did you order me a drink?" Eyal putting down a briefcase and taking the third seat.
"We haven't even ordered ours." Sandra chuckled.
Their lunch dishes cleared away, Eyal begins laying out his plan. Placing the briefcase on the table, he hands Sandra her package, "Missy Burgess has been born. Passport, driver's permit, pictures of the family and credit cards - by the way, no limit but be careful, they could get cancelled rapidly. Here is your Scotland Yard ID and remember you are an investigator in black market gems." Eyal also handing her a used ladies wallet, "There is a tracking chip the size of a pin head, as long as you have your wallet we can find you."
"That sounds a little dangerous." Sandra looking at her the family pictures, "Who are these people."
"Whoever you wish them to be - it's your family." Eyal bring out another item, a ladies watch, "A GPS chip but only if you push the stem. If you really get in a bad saturation, push the stem three times and ditch the watch. A team will be on their way to find you."
"What am I getting into?"
"All of these are precautionary measures and you may never need to use them. I want you to be safe." Eyal patting her on the arm with his warm caring smile.
"Gee thanks... I think." Sandra smiling back at Eyal.
"Now, let's get to the good stuff, taking out of business Dolph Branstrom. Here is your ID package Mrs. Cohen and for the rest of our mission, that's who you are." Eyal handing Annie's package to her.
Annie shoving her package in the new purse she had purchased, she would look at it later but now it was all eyes and ears as Eyal starting with the strategy. An excellent strategist, he had the bases covered and the plan was neat and simple - Branstrom was going to be arrested.
Eyal finishing with the briefing, "By him being arrested, it will not alert the others involved we are on to them. Just Branstrom being greedy and dumb. Our hands stay clean. Any questions?"
"What about his secretary?" Annie constantly had questions - her nature.
"She is unattractive and chubby, unquestionably could use a little male companionship for a cup of tea." Eyal with one raise eyebrow. Looking at Sandra, "You good with the plan?"
"Yes, I can handle my part."
"Good. Make your call." Eyal closing the briefcase, he was pleased with Sandra being in his troupe.