Even before the exchange, Anna was on sensory overload. Her mind sought rest but the visit to the village of Kizilin had stirred old memories and feelings. Anna slept fitfully. Her body jerked once or twice hard enough to awaken her. She would wake and need a few seconds to recall where she was - on a plane headed home.
Beside her, Robert slept more peacefully than she. She refrained from touching him so as not to wake him. Her eyes roved over his features. In sleep, his rugged profile was relaxed. His silvery hair was always a reminder to Anna of time lost and the remaining time slipping away.
"You made me forget the rules - all of them," whispered Anna. She tucked the blanket around Robert more securely before curling her legs under her and leaning her head against the window. She adjusted her blanket and pillow. She watched her husband sleeping for a while. She remembered the wise words of a wise man - her first mentor Gabriel de Bruin.
Chicago, 1974
Gabriel and Anna stood to the side of the impressive Buckingham Fountain in Chicago's Grant Park. They watched as excited tourists took pictures of the skyline, the fountain and Lake Michigan's meandering shoreline. It was an ideal spring Saturday with cloudless skies and modest temperatures.
"Some day, the only thing you'll have to offer is yourself. Make sure you offer it for the right reasons," said Gabriel putting on a pair of sunglasses and adjusting his blazer. It was the first words he had said to Anna after picking her up at a downtown hotel. With Sean's permission, Gabriel had instructed Anna to meet him in Chicago for a test. He had to admit that Anna's intensive training at WSB headquarters had made for some visible changes. He wasn't sure how he felt about it.
Anna was dressed in a white blouse and a knee-lenght navy blue skirt. Her long dark hair was styled in a way that made her seem older and more sophisticated. The style and make up added at least five years to her real age. In Gabriel's estimation, her posture and bearing added another five years.
She walked beside him easily matching his stride. She said, "What about the mission? My objectives?"
"Not everything will be about your mission, Anna. You're not always on duty are you?"
"It's better if I always believe I'm working. I don't want to be caught unprepared. All this effort and time only to fail at a critical moment and-"
"I see the company line has been memorized. Years and months of preparation for that one moment when everything is on the line," said Gabriel. "That's a line and that's all it is. You're an agent now but that's not all you'll be in the years ahead."
"I want to be the best," said Anna. She adjusted her wide brimmed hat to shade as much of her face as possible. "No one will say I didn't give it everything."
"What do you do when you're not in training?"
"Sleep. Study. Read."
"Have you made new friends at the academy?"
Anna fidgeted. Gabriel could sense a crack in her carefully maintained facade of maturity.
Gabriel said gently, "What you say to me won't be reported to Sean or anyone else. This is between us. It's been four months since I last saw you. So, friends?"
"Not ... not really."
"Why not?"
"I don't fit in. My schedule is customized. In some classes, I'm the only student."
Gabriel was so surprised that the stopped in midstep, "That's unusual."
"And I found out that some of my instructors are not on the teaching staff. They're special consultants I'm told."
"Picked by Sean no doubt."
"The other students don't like me because I'm getting special treatment," said Anna. "It's not what I thought it would be like, Gabriel."
"The classes are rigorous for a reason. Your life or someone else's can depend on your skills some day." Gabriel's walk slowed as they approached an open park area with parents playing with their children and pets.
"I like the classes just the way they are. I like figuring things out like how to disarm a bomb in the shortest amount of time," said Anna. "It's like an exciting race."
"Then what's not to your liking?"
Anna searched for the right words. "I thought that I wouldn't feel so ... so alone. Isolated. You told me about the team exercises you did in training. I was looking forward to those."
"Let me talk to Sean and-" began Gabriel.
"No, please, don't. It's not important," said Anna putting a hand on Gabriel's forearm. "I understand why my training is the way it is."
"Well, I don't. Sean said he needed a special candidate for a unique mission. That doesn't translate to me as keeping you in isolation," said Gabriel. "No one succeeds wholly on their own. Believe me, I know the consequences of going solo when you don't have to."
"Sean needs me to be self-reliant. He said I wouldn't have a ... a safety net in the field so I had to learn not to even think I had one," said Anna.
"What? That's borderline cruel," said Gabriel. He sighed. "It sounds like Sean is training you in the old style."
"What's that?"
"It's training for deep cover operations. It's the way I was trained and Sean and a handful of people still in the service. Nowadays, the Bureau does more and more team operations so the training reflects that. It's less risky," said Gabriel selecting a bench and sitting down. Anna sat down next to him. "But deep cover training gives a person the most flexibility. For example, I can literally be dropped into any operation, any environment and be expected to complete the mission on my own."
"That's the training I want," said Anna.
Gabriel chuckled. "You would."
"I want to know how to ... to handle myself in any situation. I always want to be in control," said Anna. "No one is ever going to make decisions for me."
Gabriel knew her attitude stemmed from her childhood and being shunted from one relation to another. "Unfortunately, you're exactly the kind of person who would take to this kind of training. It's why I recommended you."
Anna brightened. "Thank you, Gabriel."
"You may be cursing me in a few years because this method carries quite the personal risk," said Gabriel. "The only advice I can give you is to believe only in the absolute truth even if you're the only one who believes in it and to tell only the lies that you can stomach. If you do that, then you'll be able to live with yourself. Eventually." He took out a slim brown envelope from inside his pocket. "It's time for your test."
Anna looked around at the happy adults, children and families enjoying their weekend. Under the canopy of tall trees, people were lying down on spread blankets and having picnics. "Here?"
"Were you expecting to be dropped by parachute into some war ravaged country? That's only happened to me once. The movies exaggerate," said Gabriel. "Do you see that woman in the violet top with the ... the small son in the blue shorts and gold top at the far end of that patch of grass?"
"The little boy with the leg braces?" asked Anna.
"Yes, that one." Gabriel gave Anna the envelope. "You are to give this to the woman but make it look like an accident. Don't be surprised if she knows what you are."
Already formulating a plan, Anna eyed the park looking for anything that could help her create an accident. "Can I talk to her?"
"Yes but keep it neutral and short. You mustn't spend too much time with her," said Gabriel scanning their surroundings. "Call her by her name. It's Leah and the boy is named Michael."
Anna felt the envelope. She guessed what was inside. "Cash? A payout? Is she an informer?"
Gabriel in the cold tones of an instructor said, "You have the information you need. You have twenty minutes to complete your assignment and meet me back at the hotel."
Anna spotted an ice cream vendor and made for it. She ordered a scoop of vanilla on a waffle cone. She made a wide circuit around the woman and the playing child as if she was looking for a spot to sit and enjoy her ice cream. As she walked, Anna drifted closer and closer to the woman until she was too close and she tripped sending the cone into the air and on to the grass quite close to the boy. The child looked up at Anna.
"I am so clumsy sometimes," said Anna. She held out a napkin and looked at the woman. "Did I get anything on Michael?"
"No. Not at all," said the woman as she scanned her surroundings. "Where is he?"
"He's such a good boy isn't he?" Anna dropped the envelope on Leah's blanket next to her purse.
"Please, tell me where Gabriel is," pleaded the woman. "Wait. Please."
The woman's tone of desperation touched Anna. She paused for a few vital seconds pretending to wipe a stain off her skirt.
Leah shoved a small white photo processing envelope into Anna's palm. She whispered quickly, "Give this to him. The doctors say the operation was a success. The braces will be coming off and he won't have a limp."
Anna began to walk away but not fast enough to not hear the woman's last softly spoken words.
"Tell him I miss him."
Anna walked briskly back to her hotel. She found Gabriel at the hotel bar. There was a glass of Chardonnay for her. Without a word, she slid into the stool next to him and put Leah's small envelope on the counter close to his gin and tonic.
"She said that the operation went well. The braces will be coming off. No limp," said Anna. "And ... and that she misses you."
"I told you to be brief," hissed Gabriel.
"It was. I was. No one saw us talking. I don't think."
"It was a simple drop and exit. How could you botch it?"
Anna realized he was angry but it wasn't truly because of her. "She begged me. I couldn't-"
"You should have walked away. Why can't you follow simple instructions?" asked Gabriel. His voice was cold but his eyes were on the envelope. "Emotions can get you killed."
Anna sipped her wine. "Who is she?"
Gabriel put a train ticket on the counter. "You're booked on a train back east. Leaves in two hours. Get a cab to the station." He rose. "I won't tell Sean you failed."
"I didn't fail. I got the package to her," said Anna.
"You never bring something back you're not supposed to," said Gabriel. He pocketed the envelope. "Don't forget the rules. They're there to protect you and everyone else." He began to walk out of the bar.
Anna waited a full minute before she left the bar and looked for Gabriel. She had a feeling that he wouldn't have gone far. She found him in a secluded part of the lobby seated at a couch partially blocked by ornamental plantings. In his hands were pictures of Michael and Leah. Gabriel stared at a solo picture of Michael wearing a blue shirt with the words "Daddy's Boy" on the front.
Anna sat on one end of the couch.
"Are you this insubordinate at the academy?" asked Gabriel.
"Of course not. I don't care about anyone there," said Anna. "I'm sorry for failing and giving you pain,Gabriel."
"You didn't fail. I was weak." Gabriel took a long breath. "It's nice to have pictures."
"She misses you. Why not-"
"I was the reason Michael was nearly crippled and Leah almost killed. I won't let that happen again," said Gabriel.
"You can retire and-"
"Normally I just send her a package but I ... I wanted to see them with my own eyes. I've put you at risk for a personal indulgence. I'm sorry," said Gabriel. "Forget this ever happened and get on that train. Don't ever look back."
"You want to be with them, Gabriel, and you should be."
"They need to be safe more than I need to be with them," said Gabriel. He put away the pictures. "When you meet him, you'll know what I'm feeling."
"Meet who?" asked Anna.
"The man who makes you forget the rules about agents and marriage. Like my Leah did to me," said Gabriel. "If you follow through with the training and your career, can you live with what you'll be losing? All of them were at the park today - a husband, children, a family?"
"I don't know," replied Anna in complete honesty.
"You will know when it happens," said Gabriel. "I'm going to leave now and you are going upstairs to pack. No shadowing or I WILL fail you."
"When will I see you again?" asked Anna fighting the urge to give her mentor a long hug.
"That's up to Sean and work. I'll keep an ear out though," said Gabriel. "I have a feeling I'll be hearing about a certain Anna Devane and soon."
Anna watched Gabriel disappear from the lobby. As she packed, she reran the conversation in her head. She took all he said to heart.
"Sean says the best agents never fall in love. They follow the rules. Gabriel says different," muttered Anna. "He was in so much pain looking at the pictures. I couldn't live like that. Stick to the rules. That's best. Emotion can get you killed."
She zipped her small suitcase shut. She looked around the hotel room making sure she hadn't left anything. For extra measure, she used a damp handkerchief to wipe off counters, doorknobs, fixtures and other surfaces she may have touched.
She made sure she had cab money and her train ticket. She opened the door and stepped out. She didn't look back.
Slight air turbulence caused the plane to shudder. It was enough to wake Robert from a sound sleep. He felt someone watching him. It was Anna.
"Did you catch any sleep?" asked Robert.
"Not much but you did," teased Anna. "I think I heard the faint sound of a buzz saw."
"Exhaustion doth make dreamers of us all and snorers."
"Good dreams?"
"A mixed bag," said Robert. "I dreamt about O'Reilly."
"That's sweet."
"No, it isn't. I dreamt about the day she died in my arms after saving me, Luke and Laura from a bad setup. We got her to some place safe but the wound was mortal. There was no saving her, Anna. I would have given anything to save her," said Robert. "Seeing Charlotte get shot brought it back I guess. I know a fraction of what Alex must be feeling. I forgot the rule that you never lose control of a situation. It's my fault. I can't blame Faison for outsmarting me."
"You can't always live by the rules. They don't always work."
"They do most of the time. It's us who make the wrong decisions," said Robert.
"Or the right decisions," put in Anna. She moved a little and felt a twinge of pain on her neck. "Ouch."
"Turn around a little and let me massage your neck. You're probably stiff," said Robert.
Anna changed positions to allow Robert to give her a quick massage. He was right. She was stiff and sore.
Robert whispered, "I miss the long hair."
"I don't. It was a bother to shampoo and long hair on a woman of my age doesn't seem right."
"I miss playing with it. I miss seeing it spread out over my pillow," said Robert. "Your hair holds a lot of memories for me you know." He continued kneading her shoulders.
Anna smiled. "Like what?"
"The way I stroked your hair, Mrs Wonderful, on that memorable morning after," said Robert. "That was the first time I played with it. Every time I touch your hair I'm reminded of it."
"It's the harbor bells for me," said Anna.
"I'll get a set for the house."
"The sound may drive the staff mad," said Anna. "How about if I grow it another inch? Would that make you happy?"
"Do it and I'll let you know," said Robert.
"It won't look very professional."
"Don't care." Robert finished massaging her neck and shoulders.
Anna changed her sitting position back to the right way. She flexed her shoulders and neck. There was no pain. "What a relief."
Robert put an arm about her. With the other he tucked their blankets around them. "Let's see if we can sleep better this way."
Anna snuggled into his embrace. She closed her eyes but she wasn't asleep. The talk about her hair had triggered another set of memories to surface. Memories about a mission with Sean, Gabriel and two defectors and the first time she'd ever been near the Goksu Bridge.
July 1974 Turkey
The Sybele hotel in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul was a hotel in name only. In reality, it was a little known WSB safehouse. It had two floors, a four room apartment on each floor, a brown Fiat automobile that had seen better days and a middle-aged caretaker couple who smiled a lot and spoke very little English. Its cover was as a short stay boarding house run by the couple who lived next door.
Its chief selling point was its location. The district was home to the majority of Turkey's tourist destinations like the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. The district also had a busy waterfront and train station and both handled global traffic. No one fussed over seeing foreigners buzzing about in the area.
Anna sat in front of a small dresser fixing her hair. Per Sean's orders, she had begun to let it grow. It was now at the point where it was more infuriating than pleasing.
"I'm going to need a liter of hair spray," muttered Anna as she combed and brushed trying to decide what style was suitable for the current operation. "It would be nice if Sean would give me a hint on what the assignment was."
Anna was extra nervous because this was her first real field assignment. One week ago, Sean had pronounced her graduated from the academy and had whisked her off to Paris. Once they had arrived, Sean had introduced her to a few of the operatives stationed in the city. She had been dazzled by everything and everyone. It made her more eager to get to work. She had explored Paris practicing her French every chance she got. Sean had indicated an assignment was forthcoming and she wanted to do her best.
Yesterday, she had arrved in Istanbul. Sean had treated her to drinks, a delicious dinner and a boat tour of the old city. She had been entranced and feeling very confident. She'd woken up with a hangover and no confidence whatsoever. She only got grouchier over a solo breakfast. The caretaker Mrs. Haladim had told her in halting but clear English that Mr. Sean was out but would return. As if reading Anna's mind, Mrs. Haladim had given her an ice pack for her pounding head.
"One day I am going to invent the world's best hangover cure," said Anna. She settled for a simple, all-purpose bun.
Two sharp knocks at the door startled her. She strained to hear noise or a voice from the other side. She heard nothing.
Quietly, she got her Luger revolver, turned off the safety and approached the door. With the gun held ready, she pressed her back against the door. "Who is it?"
"Sean," came the familiar voice.
Anna fairly whipped the door open.
Sean came in not making any mention of the gun. "Good morning, sunshine."
"At least you're following door protocol," said a bearded Gabriel coming into the room behind Sean. He had noticed the gun.
Anna flew into his outstretched arms. "Gabriel!"
"I hear congratulations are in order," said Gabriel once Anna had let him go.
"Well deserved ones," added Sean. "I drafted Gabriel to be your wingman on your first mission, Anna."
"I thought that would be you, Sean," said Anna.
"I'm the cavalry this time," replied Sean. He began to explain the mission. "Anna, your mission is to meet with a defector. His name is Leonid Prenevski. He's a high level attache at the Russian embassy here. Attache is another word for?"
"An important and knowledgeable spy," came Anna's instant reply.
"The information he's bringing over to us is hot, scorching hot. His desire to defect is real. The Brits want him bad but I got to him first," said Sean. "Unfortunately, he's likely being watched closely or have heavy security. That's where you come in, Anna. You're someone that no one here knows. Gabriel hasn't been around these parts in at least ten years so he has some level of anonymity. Anna, you are going to approach Prenevski and let him know the time and place of the pick up. For this assignment you're a university student on an exchange program for three months. Your code name is little bird. Gabriel, you're a travel writer on a fact finding vacation. Your code name is the barber."
"The little bird and the barber. Very original, Sean," said Gabriel.
Sean put passports, credit cards, maps and files on the bed. Anna and Gabriel began memorizing the details of their cover identities while listening to Sean continue his briefing.
"Getting Prenevski out of Turkey undetected is my problem. Prenevski made it a point to include the condition that he has to die instead of just disappearing. Considering that DVX traitors who disappear are later found dead, I can see his point," said Sean. "This isn't London or Paris where a certain finesse is required. This is Istanbul. This is East not West. The DVX doesn't bother with hiding their crimes too much. If they suspect Prenevski is defecting, even in the slightest, he'll be taken out no matter where he is. So, assume at all times, Anna, that you're under surveillance."
Anna nodded. "I'll stick to my cover no matter what happens."
"Let's hope we don't get to no matter what territory on your first field operation," said Sean. "Gabriel will run interference as necessary and be the getaway driver. Your primary task, Anna, is to contact Prenevski and make sure he knows where he needs to be."
"Where is the pick up?" asked Gabriel. "How is he getting out?"
"A small street cafe not far from here. It's frequented by locals and tourists. You or Prenevski won't seem out of place. I wish I could just hide him in the American Embassy but that would cause a diplomatic flap we don't need," said Sean. "I have two options land or sea. I'm leaning towards sea with land being the backup option. There's a cruise ship in the harbor called the Adriatic Star. Her captain will be very happy to do us a favor. Anna meets him at the cafe and gets him disguised if possible. Gabriel, you will pick up both of them and head for the cruise ship docked at the harbor. I'll be on board. I'll take Prenevski off your hands and you two return to the safe house and then fly the coop a few hours later."
"And the land option is what?" asked Gabriel.
"Much trickier. Bring Prenevski here. Drive the Fiat to a remote village called Kizilin. It's so tiny and out of the way it doesn't always appear on all the maps." Sean tapped a map on the bed. "I've marked the route on this map. Talk to the mayor and mention my name. He's trustworthy. He'll help to hide you in the town. If the town gets a little toasty, he'll take you to the secondary hiding place some miles from the town down the river. It's a landmark, a ruin called the Goksu Bridge. There are tombs in the cliffsides that are good hiding places. It's not a tourist mecca at all. You'll be safe. The worst thing you'll catch is a bad sunburn. Make sure you have enough supplies to last you at least two weeks."
"Two weeks?" asked Anna.
"I expect the DVX to be in a tizzy once they realize Prenevski is gone. They will put pressure on the local authorities. There will be border checks and extra scrutiny at the airports, harbor and train station. It's best to lay really low until things cool down," explained Sean. "I'll meet you in Kizilin in one weeks' time and I'll take Prenevski away. If I don't show, give me another week."
"What kind of death are you planning?" asked Gabriel.
"Something loud and public. Probably a car crash with no survivors," said Sean.
"What happens if we're still there after two weeks?" asked Anna.
"You won't be. I need to have Prenevski in the West in two weeks. That's my deadline," said Sean. "You two concentrate on retrieval and protection until the hand off to me. Is that clear?"
Both Anna and Gabriel nodded.
Sean continued, "Prenevski will be doing a tour of the Hagia Sophia tomorrow morning at ten. That's where you need to meet him. Before dinner, we'll do a quick walkaround of the area to get you both acclimated. We'll have lunch in the dining room here. Gabriel, you've got a bunk next to mine in the other bedroom. In the meantime, rest and study up."
Anna and Gabriel spent the day as Sean had suggested resting and studying their cover identities, maps and a dossier on their charge Leonid Prenevski.
Meeting Prenevski the next day was easier than Anna had expected. Nervous energy had consumed her until it was time to head out for the Hagia Sofia. At that point, committed to the mission, her nerves vanished. She was ready.
Prenevski was relieved to have met someone but he added another condition to the escape - his very pregnant wife Marta had to be included. One look at Marta and Anna knew there was no leaving her behind. Anna could only nod and say that he and his wife should be at the cafe in three hours time.
Back in the safe house, Anna told Sean and Gabriel about this newest wrinkle in the plan. No one was happy about it.
"The water option is out. I don't have time to get papers made for Marta," said Sean. "You two will have to take them both to Kizilin."
"Does Kizilin have a hospital?" asked Anna.
"It's too poor to have one. Why?" asked Sean.
"Marta was very pregnant." Anna mimed the size of Marta's belly. "I think she's close to delivering. Weeks maybe."
"That's just wonderful!" exclaimed Sean. "Three identies and three deaths."
"Is this man's information that vital?" asked Gabriel.
"Yes, it is. Inner DVX information," said Sean. "He's the chief liasson here to DVX Central Command."
"Ah, I see why they're not going to be happy when he's gone," said Gabriel.
"They're going to be starving rabid dogs," said Sean. "I really, really hate complications."
"If time is of the essence, can't we go straight to Kizilin from the cafe?" asked Anna.
"She has a point," said Gabriel.
"I don't know. This place has the advantage of being a temporary hiding place if something goes wrong," said Sean. "It's not much but it's solid. Once you're on the road, you're on your own."
"The element of surprise may be on our side though. Shouldn't we take advantage of it?" asked Anna. "We have the night to hide in after we get out of the city. Are the roads patrolled here?"
"Once out of Istanbul, patrols are few. You're going to be in remote country. I suppose it'll be safe enough," said Sean. "All right. Go straight to Kizilin. I'll check the provisions and supplies in the Fiat. Gabriel, Anna, make sure you have the routes down cold. Turkey doesn't have a lot of directional signs."
Anna and Gabriel spent the next hour frantically memorizing the map and planning alternate routes to Kizilin just in case. Sean left to arrange for the Prenevskis' fatal car accident. Over lunch, Gabriel and Anna caught up.
"This is my last job, Anna. I turned in my notice to Sean last month just before Leah and I got married," said Gabriel. "She and Michael are waiting for me at home."
Anna smiled broadly. "I'm so happy for you, all of you."
"Sean got us new identities for a wedding present. I bought a place for us in Churchill. It's in Manitoba territory. I'm hoping the sheer sub-arctic cold will keep everyone away," said Gabriel.
"Does that include me?" asked Anna.
"Come and visit when you can, little bird," said Gabriel. "I'm going to see my boy grow up. That's the best reward I could ever hope for."
"What finally convinced you?" asked Anna.
"The pictures. I couldn't stop looking at them or thinking about them. I thought I was going to go mad," said Gabriel. "When Sean mentioned this op, I knew I had to be your wingman. After this, I'm flying home and beginning a new life. Happy endings are possible."
Anna and Gabriel arrived twenty minutes early at the cafe. They ordered Turkish coffee.
"See anyone unfriendly?" asked Anna.
"No," said Gabriel. He eyed the crowded cafe. It was a good spot for a pick up as it was just crowded enough so one could disguise one's actions. Once the Prenevskis had entered the cafe, Gabriel left. He would get the car and be in front of the cafe in four minutes.
Anna waited while the Prenevskis ordered coffee. At the three minute mark, she slowly passed by their table on her way out the door. Thirty seconds later, the Prenevskis left their table and followed. Anna waited until she was certain Prenevski was right behind her before approaching the car. She held the door open as they got into the back seat.
"Stay down you two," ordered Gabriel. "Anna, I think we have company."
Perhaps, the defecting couple had been less than careful in the intervening hours since meeting Anna at the Hagia Sophia. In any case, the element of surprise was no longer a factor. At the corner across from the restaurant, Anna spotted two DVX operatives. One of them was pointing at their car. Gabriel pulled into traffic.
"Ready for a chase, little bird?" asked Gabriel.
Throat dry and the adrenaline pumping in her veins, Anna said, "Yeah. I could use the excitement." She fished her gun out of her purse and took the safety off.
Their car was bumped by another car from behind.
"There's the trailing car. Hang on." Gabriel hit the gas pedal making the tires spin and squeal.
The trailing car was hard to shake off. Bullets whizzed by their car. Gabriel dodged and weaved among moving and parked cars trying to make them as hard to hit a target as possible. Anna leaned out of the window twice to return fire when the DVX car got too close.
"Get in, Anna. Nearly at the highway," wheezed Gabriel clutching his left side.
After thirty minutes and no sign of pursuit, Gabriel stopped the car on the side of the road. "Anna, we ... we need to switch." Anna got out of the passenger car while Gabriel slid over to the passenger side.
Anna put the car in gear and sped off. It was still light enough for pursuers to follow them. She noticed Gabriel's pale face. "What's wrong?"
"Got hit. Side. Hard to breathe," said Gabriel. "Ribs hurts. Left side."
Anna began to go over what she had memorized. "I think there's a hospital close by. I'll-"
"No. Mission comes first. Keep driving," said Gabriel.
"Let me get the first aid kit in the back."
"I'll be fine. Don't stop," said Gabriel. "Don't look back, little bird."
"You hang on. That's ... that's an order!" exclaimed Anna. In the quiet car, she could hear Gabriel's labored breathing. Her foot pressed down on the accelerator. "Remember Leah and Michael waiting for you. You have to see them, Gabriel. You have to."
"Yeah, I will," rasped Gabriel lying back in his seat.
"Prenevski, you all right? Marta?" asked Anna.
"Yes, we are unhurt." Prenevski looked at Gabriel. "Thank you, Gabriel."
"Just ... my job," said Gabriel.
"Anna, I will be your look out." Prenevski began to scan the road around the car.
"There's a pistol under the passenger's seat," said Anna. "Use it if you have to."
Marta dug into her purse. She came out with a small bottle. "I have Paracetamol. Would that help, Gabriel?"
"Maybe," said Gabriel.
Prenevski took two pills from his wife and placed them inside Gabriel's open mouth. He swallowed.
An hour later, Gabriel coughed several times in succession. He swiped a hand across his lips. Tiny drops of blood smeared on his fingers. "Oh, gods."
Anna drove the car off the highway and into a grove of trees. She got the medical kit from the trunk. She undid his coat and assessed his injuries. A rivulet of bright red blood streamed down his left side just under his armpit. His breathing was shallow. His skin was clammy. His eyes were glassy as he went into shock. She pressed his left side next to his ribcage eliciting a yelp of pain from Gabriel.
"I should have gone straight for the hospital," said Anna. "I can't get the bullet out. It's too deep. Punctured lung I think."
She wadded gauze pads and pressed them against the quarter-sized hole she could feel with her fingers. Each time Gabriel coughed she could feel the trickle of blood increase then ebb then surge with the next cough. She applied more gauze then wrapped the cloth band that was supposed to be used for a sling around Gabriel's torso with Prenevski's help. Maybe that would staunch the blood flow a little.
"I don't know what else to do, Gabriel," said Anna touching a hand on his face. "I'm sorry."
"You did what was right ... for mission," said Gabriel between gasps.
"But not right for you. You should have come first. You could have gotten help at the safe house. Stupid change in plan."
"Leah ... Michael ... I miss them," said Gabriel.
"I know you do," said Anna through misty eyes. "I'll tell them. I promise."
"Cold."
Anna got blankets from the trunk and a basket of food. She wrapped two blankets around Gabriel. The food she handed to the Prenevskis.
"Back ... road. Mission ..." said Gabriel as he began to drift in and out of consciousness. "Take long ... long way."
"Screw the mission," muttered Anna under her breath even as she got behind the wheel and drove back to the highway.
They had six hours to go. Anna put all her concentration on the road and on the mission. She couldn't do anything else. If they stopped at a clinic or a hospital, there would be a good chance that the authorities would be notified. Their escape from the city could not have gone had to keep moving.
Prenevski gave Gabriel water and wet his lips during the long ride. After the third hour, Gabriel barely moved. Only his breathing told them he still lived.
It was seven in the evening when they reached Kizilin. It was two hours after Gabriel had died and one hour after Marta Prenevski began to feel contractions.
As Sean had said, Mayor Sadik was a helpful man. He took them to his own home. A local midwife was summoned. Gabriel was laid on a bed in one of the bedrooms while Anna left a message for Sean.
She dialed the safe house and said, "The little bird is happy flying in the sky. The barber ... got lost on the road."
She trusted that Sean would decipher the real message. Exhaustion ate at her but she couldn't rest. She ate and drank but didn't taste anything. As full night fell, she prowled the front parlor of the house suspicious at every noise she heard. The midwife and Sadik's wife and sister bustled about the house preparing things for the birth. Marta's moans could be heard getting more and more frequent as the hours passed.
At two in the morning, the baby's cry echoed throughout the house. There were cheers and congratulations. Anna kneeled by Gabriel's bed, buried her face in the sheets and cried until she couldn't cry any more.
Over the next few days, she took frequent trips to the bridge. It was a good hiding place. She picked out a good sized tomb and stashed some supplies inside. She walked a radius of one mile from the bridge familiarizing herself with the terrain in every direction. She had a job to do and she vowed she'd do it right.
Sean arrived a week later in a brown late model van with a leather-faced driver. He was greeted by a cold, stone-faced Anna. The bright eagerness in her eyes was replaced by a watchful wariness.
"Where's Gabriel?" asked Sean.
"Mayor Sadik brought him to another town with a mortuary. He's there waiting for transport," said Anna. "The Prenevskis, all three of them, are upstairs safe and sound. It was a baby girl. They've named her Gabriela."
"How are you?"
"Numb but sane. I hope Prenevski was worth Gabriel's life," said Anna.
"He is. His information will help me get close to the DVX inner circle. Closer than anyone has ever gotten," said Sean. "It's the mission that I had in mind for you but you're not in the right condition and-"
"Whatever you want, Sean, I'll do it. For Gabriel," said Anna.
"You're not ready. This mission going belly up doesn't help your mental state. I'll pick someone else."
"No. I want this. Get me ready," insisted Anna. "This is my fault, Sean. If I hadn't changed the plan, Gabriel could have have gotten help at the safe house."
"Anna, don't second guess yourself. There's no guarantee that returning to the safe house could have prevented Gabriel dying. None," said Sean. "Honor his memory but don't beat yourself up about it."
"Get me ready," repeated Anna. "Train me. Teach me. I won't fight or be disagreeable. I'll be whatever you want me to be."
"Anything?"
Anna nodded.
"What if I asked you to be a traitor to your country, to the service? Would you do it?" asked Sean.
"Would it hurt the DVX?" asked Anna.
"It could stop them in their tracks. Put them behind for years," said Sean. "They may never recover."
"Then I'm in. I'll do it," said Anna.
"Don't be hasty. Let me clean up here. I want you to bring Gabriel home. Tell Leah what really happened. We owe her that. Then take a week off," said Sean. "If you still want in, then come to London. Call me when you get there and we'll start your new training. You have to be absolutely sure, Anna. There's no going back. This game is nothing like any game you've ever played. It's a future that you're going to have to live with. A future that would be a complete lie. Only you and I can ever know the full truth. Can you live like that?"
Anna began to walk away. "I'll see you in London in two weeks. Count on it."
In the present, Anna washed up in the lavatory. The cold water felt good on her hot face. She'd woken up with tears on her cheeks. Robert had still been asleep and she had been spared making an excuse.
She studied her drawn expression in the mirror. "Charlotte and Peter are off the board. Helena is going into hiding most likely. The real Game begins. It's time to pay a visit to Aunt Augusta. What can I safely tell Alex about the expansion of the family tree?"
A few minutes later, she emerged from the lavatory and made her way to the cockpit. She gave Genji a changed itinerary. She and Robert would stay in Vadsel for an extra day then make their way home in a few days. The rest of the team would head for home.
From Vadsel, she and Robert would go to Milton Keynes to pay the Court a visit. While there she had one private solo mission - find the place where the Minerva Project was born.
Gem HQ, Milton Keynes, England
Bleary-eyed from jet lag and stress, Chase and Arnold caught up on what had happened in their absence. None of the news was good.
"What do you mean they're gone?" asked Chase over a video link to their team in Mersin, Turkey.
"We got here before time but the place was barbequed already," said the field operative. "No sign of Sinclair anywhere. I bribed a storekeeper in the area. All he knew was that a lot of cars left earlier in the day. What's next?"
"Get out of there clean and back home," said Arnold before cutting off the video link. "The bird has gone to a higher bidder."
"Who could have outbid us?" asked Chase.
"You know who could and who could have wanted Sinclair more than we did," said Arnold.
"Scorpio and Devane," said Chase softly.
"To them it was personal. I'd probably do the same," said Arnold. "Sinclair is dead and so is Project Minerva."
Chase bristled. "Sinclair came up with the right formula before so can we. It will take time but-"
"Money and a lot of experimentation, Chase," said Arnold. "Look, we've survived this long by keeping out of the way of the WSB. We don't need Guardian. Instead of investing in Minerva, let's use the funding and the personnel to build our own Guardian. The more we do for the WSB, the higher the chance we'll tangle with Scorpio again. You want a repeat meeting?"
"No but I can't give up on our goals either."
"We keep flipping Project Minerva on and off. Our lab folks are feeling confused. We have to decide once and for all," said Arnold. "Is Project Minerva active or not? Yes or no?"
"How long would it take to create our own system?" asked Chase. "We have Tim Sidwell's initial design to work off of."
"We do but some of that stuff is pretty advanced. It's a steep learning curve for us," said Arnold. "I'd say five years."
"That's too long, Arn. Minerva, even without the perfect Compound A, will still take less time. We're guaranteed results with Minerva in the short term and if it succeeds then we get Guardian in less than five years," pointed out Chase. "I say activate Project Minerva and this time we put everything and everyone on it."
Arnold was thoughtful for a time thinking over every angle. "Agreed. Project Minerva is on. Full speed ahead."
"I'll tell Sean our decision at our next meeting," said Chase. "He won't be happy but I'll make him see reason."
Email Server Somewhere In The World
The first twenty-four hours has passed. The counter ticked away minute by minute waiting for a deactivation command that will never be made. Charlotte's email sat waiting in her private folder.
Tick. Tock. Tick.
Villa Scorpio Command and Control
Edgar and Alys watched the global news service on one of the monitors.
"The body of notorious scientist and world criminal Peter Sinclair has been found in a river in Turkey. Local authorities also found four other bodies in the vicinity. It is believed that Sinclair was killed during a confrontation with criminal elements in the area," said the announcer. "We will keep you updated as more information becomes available."
"That is that. The end," said Edgar.
"A fine mind wasted," said Alys.
Vincent appeared at the foot of the stairs. "Edgar, Robin and Andrew are gone. Maxie too."
"What? Where are they?" asked Edgar.
Alys swivelled in the monitor chair. She pulled up the locator display. "Tracker shows she's on the river. So is Andrew."
"What now?" groaned Edgar.
Vincent held up a yellow Post-It note. He said in an annoyed voice, "Robin says she felt like some air."
"So they head for a disaster zone?" asked Alys perplexed. "Genji has updated SIMON with a new itinerary. The team just landed in Budapest and will do a quick turnaround and head back home. But Anna and Robert are separating from the team. They'll be in Vadsel for a few days. Should I tell them about the children?"
"Not yet. They need some down time," said Edgar. "Patch me to Nyssa. I have some instructions for her. Vincent, get some rest. You'll take over Robin watch after you wake up."
"Nyssa doesn't like baby-sitting duty," said Vincent.
"I'm hoping that her presence can curb any strange schemes of Andrew's. He's bored and restless. He's bound to get into trouble," said Edgar. "Frisco and Felicia are in town. If anything comes up in the near term, give him a call. Alys, Dani is relieving you in two hours,. I'm going to talk to Captain Nyssa then get some sleep."
"You need to have more faith in them, Edgar," said Alys.
"I do. I have faith that trouble follows them wherever they go," said Edgar.