C. Paradee - Deep Cover

So that's it? End of conversation? Shelby never spoke the words and even though she was not surprised at the operative's evasiveness, she was disappointed. She turned her attention to her cereal and took a bite.

Two things were obvious to her. The first was that Kris didn't trust her to be objective. The second was that the operative was very likely one of those five names or she would've come right out and said she wasn't. So which one? I think Blue fits, but that would be too obvious. Besides, if any of the stories in the rumor mill are true about Blue, it couldn't be Kris. Or could it? After the events of the previous evening, Shelby wasn't nearly as certain.

She looked up from her cereal at the sound of her name and found herself gazing into serious blue eyes.

Shelby's silence bothered Kris and she felt the need to explain, which disconcerted her to no end. "Do you trust me?"

What a loaded question. Shelby smiled. "I guess I'd better. You're keeping me safe."

The corner of Kris' mouth turned up at the neutral answer. "I know trust is something earned, and you don't really know me. But trust me when I tell you that it's better for you not to know who I am."

Shelby wasn't quite sure what to make of the odd expression that had appeared on Kris' face, but the intensity of the words washed over her and she suddenly realized the tall woman wasn't evading her question, but rather was answering it with total honestly. She gazed back into the operative's eyes and nodded. "Okay."

"Thanks." Kris searched for a way to dissipate the tension, and her eyes landed on the bookcase holding Shelby's knickknack collection.

"That's a pretty interesting collection you have there. Some of the pieces look kind of old. When did you start collecting them?"

Shelby's eyes took on a faraway look as her thoughts turned to her childhood. "I've always loved to read. When I was ten, I started reading fantasy books. I became intrigued with unicorns first. They were so beautiful and magical. I used to imagine riding away on one them."

She laughed quietly. "It's kind of silly really. The little people are to keep them company. I didn't want the unicorns to be lonely. The dragons came later when I learned they are supposed to bring good luck."

"I don't think it's silly. It's a nice collection." Kris sensed that Shelby had given her a very abbreviated version of the history behind the pieces. And why did you want to ride away? What aren't you saying? Were you lonely, and that's why you didn't want them to be? I know about lonely. "When did you...?"

"It's 7. I gotta start getting ready."

Kris watched Shelby abruptly rise and quickly rinse out her bowl as she passed through the kitchen on the way to her bedroom. I guess we all have secrets. Just leave it be. I need to know. She's my partner. No you don't. You're already becoming emotionally involved.

Deciding to use the time to check out the parking lot, Kris donned her clothes, carefully locked the door, and then departed. As she performed her surveillance, she positioned herself so that the door was within her view the entire time she was out of the apartment, and she could easily reach the stairs should it become necessary.

Kris had shown no interest in talking about personal things and Shelby had been caught totally off guard by the question about her collection. Her childhood memories were not happy ones, and she seldom revisited them. She focused on pushing the thoughts from the forefront of her mind and concentrated on what else was bothering her. I wanted to tell her what my childhood was like. And that doesn't make any sense. It's ancient history and I don't even know her.

She'd understand.

Shelby shook off the thought as she gazed into the closet, trying to decide what to wear. She heard the door close as Kris left the apartment. Turning her eyes toward the sound, she absently picked up Stormy and gently hugged the kitten. I wonder what she's thinking?

Kris returned a short time later. She stepped through the doorway and swallowed - hard.

Shelby was walking out of the bathroom, toweling her hair dry, with her robe hanging open. When she saw the operative step into the apartment, she let the towel fall and hastily pulled her robe closed.

Cheeks blazing, Shelby mumbled, "Oh, you're back," and rapidly walked into her bedroom. That was really dumb. I never even heard her. How embarrassing!

Taking a deep breath, Kris closed the door. She had only caught a glimpse of the beautiful body that the robe quickly covered, but her heart was still pounding wildly. As she attempted to regain control of her recalcitrant libido, she tried to blow off her reaction as typical, but was unable to. None of her previous encounters with men or women had ever elicited such a visceral response. Kris didn't know if there was any truth to the proverbial value of a cold shower, but she intended to find out and headed for the bathroom.

Kris returned to the kitchen after showering and reached for the cup of coffee Shelby was holding out to her. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." The analyst felt awkward and looked away.

Shelby's sudden shyness was endearing, and Kris wanted to hug her and tell her it was no big deal. Knowing that impulse was one she couldn't act on, she suddenly said, "Three."

"Three?" Shelby's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"Our bet. I think we'll get the list down to three."

After the tense conversation about her code name, Shelby had figured Kris was no longer interested. "It's still on?"

"Of course, but be prepared to lose."

"I don't think so!" She matched the smug grin on Kris' face with one of her own.

Chuckling, Kris looked at her watch. "'Bout time to go."

"You didn't see anyone?"

"No."

Shelby smiled and said emphatically, "Good."

The operative quirked a half smile as she shook her head, wondering where the analyst found her optimism. Send some my way, woman. I could use it right about now.

Totally unaware of the warm smile covering her face, Kris watched as Shelby bade the kitten farewell.

The operative waited until Shelby was thoroughly engrossed in her work, then pulled up the embassy file on the Russian Federation. She scrolled through the short list of names and their purported jobs. Locating Markov, Kris found that he was officially assigned as a driver to both Gregor Mikhailovich Koslov and Dimitri Nekitych Pyetsky, who were both listed as political attaches. Yeah right.

Not recognizing either name, she clicked on Koslov first, and a close up photo opened on her screen. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the man. She read all the biographical information available, then returned to the main screen and clicked on Pyetsky.

Kris blanched as the familiar face appeared on the monitor before her.

Shelby glanced at her companion. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."

Quickly pressing the ALT and TAB key on her keyboard simultaneously, Kris nodded and smiled wanly. "Yeah. It's just a little warm in here today."

Shelby hadn't thought so, but Kris did look uncomfortable. "I was going to get something to drink. Want anything?"

Regaining her composure, Kris smiled. "What are the choices?"

"Cranberry or orange juice, Coke, Cherry Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Sprite, and Iced Tea."

"Coke sounds good." Kris reached into her pocket, but Shelby waved her off. "I'll get it this time."

Kris watched her walk out of the office, then quickly switched the screen back to the man she knew as Sergei Pavlovich Yanov. You rotten bastard. You've done pretty well, haven't you? She read his biography noting that some key information had not been uncovered, which didn't really surprise her. If it had been, he would have been deported upon his arrival in the States.