4 ½ Months Ago

St. Petersburg, Russia

A Park on the shore of the Neva River

Even though the temperature was still freezing, the sun was shining; causing the snow on the ground to partially melt and run into the Neva River. Abbey leaned against a railing in a park looking out towards the river. She took a sip of her tea that she held tightly in both hands for warmth. Every moment since she had been in Russia she had been on high alert. Today was the day that she was supposed to initiate contact with one of the arms dealers, Dimitri. If she was right, he would be walking through this park on the way to a meeting shortly.

Turning away from the River, Abbey scanned the park to look for her target. Sure enough about fifteen feet away there was Dimitri. He looked to be in a hurry as he practically sprinted down the walkway. If this was going to work she had to find a way to slow him down. Even though the method was over used, she was thankful that she had a drink in her hands.

Seizing the opportunity she began to briskly walk towards the man doing her best to look flustered. Right when they were about to pass each other she faked a stumble and crashed into her target, spilling her tea all over him.

"Fignya!" He yelled, stopping and trying to wipe the tea off.

"I'm so sorry. Sometimes I trip over my own two feet like a klutz. Can I-" Abbey rambled, but was cut off by Dimitri.

"Stop. Do you know how much this shirt costs just to have it cleaned?" He questioned with a thick Russian accent.

"I…I really am so sorry. I could have it cleaned for you or-" Again he interrupted her.

"You've done enough damage you little-"

"Dimitri." A deeper Russian accented voice said from behind Abbey. She quickly turned around and immediately knew she was in trouble. "There's no need for you to be so rude. She did apologize."

Abbey tried not to stare at the other man. Picking Dimitri as her potential connection to the arms ring was a strategic move. He wasn't the top man, but he was high ranking enough that she could still learn valuable information, but fly under the radar. The man that was coming to her rescue though was as high ranking as someone could get, Viktor Ivanov.

Abbey smiled sheepishly. "It really was my fault. I'm sorry. "

Dimitri went to reply, but Viktor stopped him. "It's alright. Dimitri here is a bit of a goryachaya golova… a hothead."

Dimitri grumbled something in Russian from behind her, but Abbey couldn't make it out. Viktor shot him a glance, but quickly turned his attention back to Abbey.

"Forgive me, I didn't introduce myself." He held out his hand. "Viktor."

Abbey smiled at him and shook his hand. "Emma."

Viktor smiled back. "A beautiful name. Please, let me take you to lunch as an apology for Dimitri's rudeness."

Abbey was surprised by his offer. "I…well alright." She answered.

"Wonderful. Dimitri, I will see you tonight." Viktor held out his arm for Abbey to take and she obliged.

As he led her through the park she was going over what had just happened in her head. Her whole mission had gone out the window AND flown back in smacking her in the face in the same ten minutes. Meeting Viktor was a fantastic opportunity, but also a dangerous one; especially since he had taken such an interest in her.

Now she could only hope for the best.