Vladivostok, Russia
Hunter ran half a block after getting word on his radio that his men had found something. He turned into an alley following the deep barks of the search dogs.
"What have you found?" asked Hunter of his lead man on the scene.
"Some clothes that were in her closet inventory list. Scent is confirmed. The dogs went crazy," said the officer. He held up the small backpack. "It was inside this dump along with other kinds of clothing. Some from the inventory and some not."
"She's adopted a disguise then," said Hunter. He looked up and down the alley. "And had the wits to dump it somewhere hard to find."
"If we didn't have the dogs, we wouldn't have found it at all," said the officer. "Hunter, who are we after? She seems to be a few steps ahead of us."
"I know. I'm beginning to have doubts about the story Sinclair is giving us," admitted Hunter. "She steals a phone then hides leaving a false trail. She gets on a freighter unnoticed with all evidence of ... of nesting and good food. This place is a good hike from the docks. A weakened individual would not have trekked this far and in this weather."
"They do say she had a plan."
"That's probably true but why does it seem like a professional plan more and more? Who the heck is Robin Sinclair?" asked Hunter. "I'm going to talk to Sinclair after this. Do you have any scents from here?"
The officer watched his words. "That's the thing, Hunter. I get nothing."
"Nothing?"
"The dogs are going in circles from here to the storefronts," said the officer. "I think she changed almost all her clothes and dumped them. I would bet that we'll find different pieces of clothes stashed and dumped in other places. She changed her shoes, too. New shoes with a different scent."
"The dogs are useless?"
"Not necessarily. We can find the rest of her clothes and maybe figure out her path from that. Zero in on likely hiding places."
"Wherever she is, she's picked one heck of a good hiding place. Door to door inquiries haven't yielded anything."
"But she should be getting weaker without her medication. She'll make a mistake, soon."
"Maybe and maybe not," said Hunter. "I'm going to run her name through Gem HQ. I feel like I'm missing some vital piece of information. It's not a feeling I like."
Robin slung her large tote bag on her left. Her waist pack was secure on her side under her coat. Her trainers were dry and snug under black rubber overshoes. In her jeans, coat, gloves and fur hat, Robin seemed like a local on her way to work. She avoided walking alone and stuck close to clumps of people or pairs. She crossed to the other side of the street at random.
After an hour of walking, Robin had spotted a cafe. She was about to cross the street when she spotted Jerry on the opposite side of the street coming out of an office. There was a caduceus - the universal sign of medicine - on the office door.
"They're checking the clinics I'll bet," whispered Robin to herself. Nonchalantly, she changed direction and walked away.
After three blocks, she saw Peter animatedly talking with a tall man with a dog on a leash. She barely had time to dart into an Oriental food store before they passed her by. The dog snuffled once but did not stop walking.
Heart hammering, Robin decided that she had to get back to the flat. They were too close. She wasn't safe. They were searching the common neighborhoods and would probably skip her forlorn little building entirely.
In the next few minutes, she busied herself getting supplies. She'd stay in the flat for the rest of the day and figure out what to do next. She wasn't going back. Never again.
Robin peered outside into the street and made sure she didn't see any likely searchers. She crossed the street and began to walk staying close towards doorways in case she had to duck in. She was too busy looking around that she ran into a person coming out of a store.
Unthinking and rattled about her close call, she began to babble apologies in English. "I'm so sorry. It was an accident."
"Robin?" asked the person.
Robin looked up straight into Hilda's face. She made to run but Hilda was quicker. She grabbed hold of Robin's forearm.
"Please, don't. I ... I can't go back there," said Robin even as she struggled against the tight hold.
"I don't work for him anymore," hissed Hilda into her ear. "I want to help you."
Robin stared at Hilda in astonishment.
"They're combing the city looking for you. Are you all right?" Hilda pointed to a gray car. "My car is over there. I'll take you wherever you want. I assume you have a hiding place."
Robin hesitated.
"I've resigned but I could be in a lot of hot water for helping you. I'd like to know my heroics are for a good reason."
Robin followed Hilda to her car. Once inside, Robin got into the rear seat and crouched on the floor. She said, "If you really want to help me, you'll get me to a phone and, I'd kill for a hot shower."
"The shower I can do. The phone is tricky. I found out from Jerry that they have access to the local and wireless phone carriers," said Hilda.
"Where are you taking me?" asked Robin.
"To my flat for a shower then my tailor to use his phone."
"Your flat could be watched."
In a cryptic tone, Hilda replied, "No, they have other ways to ensure my loyalty."
"But you said-"
"I don't believe in what he's doing. I just have to appear so. That I can do very well," said Hilda. "Anyway, today is my last day in the flat. I'm leaving first thing for home."
"Home," said Robin wistfully.
"I wish I could help you more."
"Get me to a phone. That's all I need," said Robin. "I need to contact the cavalry to come get me."
"They will just like that?"
"Just like that."
"What about your medication?"
"I'm fine for a few more weeks."
"I see you prepared."
"I am my parents' daughter. You never start the game unprepared and you always make sure you're the one still standing at the end." Robin took a cautious peek out the window. She recognized the street. She saw Peter and Jerry walking down the street. She gasped. "You ... you're turning me in!"
Robin felt frantically for the door handle. She pulled but the door wouldn't open. "I'll never go back, Hilda. I'll die first but I'll be free."
"It's not like that, Robin! Stay down!" cried Hilda.
Robin pulled on the door once more. It didn't budge. She slid across the seat to the other door. She pulled at the handle. The door flew open. Heedless of injury, Robin jumped out and fell into the street..Slowly, she got up wincing as pain shot through her shoulder. She heard the squeal of brakes then shouts of "She's there! There!"
Robin didn't look back. She ran.
Her legs pumping furiously, Robin turned down an alley, a short street and then on to a busy boulevard. She felt rather than heard the pursuers behind her. She slowed and blended into the walking crowds still looking for a quick escape. She found it.
"Taxi!" cried Robin. The driver turned his head and nodded. Robin scampered into the back seat and said the first Russian location she could remember from studying her map and dictionary. She told the driver she wanted to go to GUM, the large department store. "Goom?"
"Da," said the driver.
Still panting from her run, Robin managed to scoot across the back seat to sit behind the driver. She snuck looks at his rear view window.
The driver asked her a question that Robin replied to in one of the stock Russian phrases she had learned telling him she was a visitor from America.
"Billy Joel. USSR," replied the driver. "Yes?"
Robin smiled and nodded. Checking the mirror and side mirrors she had not seen any sign of pursuit. Yet. The taxi was too conspicuous. She could have been seen entering it. She looked around at the passing scenery. The sidewalks were clear of snow but icicles hung down from roof edges and lamp posts. Snug in her coat, Robin was warm enough. The chill she felt in her bones was entirely from fear. The sense of alarm still gnawed at her insides. She didn't feel safe at all.
"I'm not going back. No way," she said to herself.
At the street where Robin had gotten the taxi, Peter Sinclair leaned against a wall trying to get air into his burning lungs. Beside him Hunter shouted into his cell phone. "I lost the target! She's fast. Obviously really healthy!" At this, Hunter glared at Sinclair. "Get in your cars and begin searching from my location. Two of you drive around." Hunter proceeded to give his people a good description of Robin and the clothes she was wearing. "One more thing. Do not, I repeat, do not show your hand too early. She is a runner! Hunter out."
Hunter turned to the wheezing Sinclair. "I have some questions for you, Doctor, about your wife."
"Later," said Sinclair. "I ... I have to deal ... ask Hilda some questions first," said Sinclair. "She must have been helping Robin all along."
"That's a moot point now isn't it?" asked Hunter. "I doubt she'll be able to help again."