C. Paradee - Deep Cover

The operative didn't have any illusions about the likelihood of living a normal life. Quite frankly, there was absolutely nothing normal about it. Could that ever change? Kris focused on that question as she explored her options for doing just that. It would be almost impossible, unless she had help. Unbidden, a certainty rose in her mind. Shelby would help. She immediately discarded that notion. If she asked Shelby, the details she would have to reveal might cause her to lose the very person for whom she was willing to risk everything. It might also put Shelby in even more danger. Unacceptable. Kris shook her head in frustration. But, if not Shelby, who then? She returned to the apartment without an answer. There wasn't one.

After spending an enjoyable day together, the two women were relaxing on the couch watching TV and talking. Now that she had forgiven them for taking her to the vet, their feline companion was content to alternately grace each lap with her presence.

Kris stood up. "I'm going outside for a while."

Shelby nodded. Kris had already been out once that evening and she'd expected her to leave again, but not quite this soon.

Standing there gazing at Shelby, Kris made a decision. "I'm going out the back way."

"What back way? The balcony?"

"Your bedroom window."

Shelby became uneasy. "Why? You've never gone out that way before. Besides, we're on the second floor and there's no fire escape in the back. Is someone out there?"

"Not that I know of." Kris hoped that was true. She was going out over an hour early to prevent being caught unawares.

"So, why?"

Kris had known Shelby would question the sudden change in her routine and had an answer prepared. "In my line of work, it's dangerous to establish patterns. I think it's time to vary it. It'll be safer."

Although Kris' reasoning made sense, Shelby was still uneasy. She decided not to push it. The most important thing was the operative's safety, and if Kris felt it was safer to leave from the window, Shelby didn't want to dissuade her from doing so. "Makes sense."

"Would you mind closing the window and screen after me?"

"No problem."

Blue pinned Shelby with her eyes. "And stay away from the window after I leave."

A chill made its way down Shelby's spine. Something was going on; she began worrying about Kris. She nodded. "Be careful."

Kris smiled reassuringly. "I always am."

Following the operative to the bedroom, she watched Kris open the window, slide the screen to the side, and maneuver her tall form through the opening until all that was visible were her hands. She stepped up to the opening and watched as Kris dropped from the window and landed in a roll on the grass below, then quickly disappeared in the darkness.

After closing the screen and window, she moved to the side, out of sight. The warm air let in by the window vied with the cooler product of the air conditioning for control of the room. She directed her attention to the darkness beyond. Please don't let anything happen to her.

Still wondering how Kris could disappear so quickly, Shelby sent every good vibe she could muster after the operative. She slowly turned away and walked back into the living room to begin the wait for her return.

Blue was standing in a circle of trees behind the apartment, gazing at the window from which she had just emerged. She caught a brief glimpse of Shelby backlit by the hallway light as she left the bedroom, and then forced her attention to the situation at hand. Fading into the darkness, Blue began hunting.

Gregor had Markov drive by the apartment complex several times before instructing him to park out of sight on a side street. He got out and approached the structure from the rear. He had arrived early, intending to conceal himself in the dark area behind the building. The element of surprise was always an advantage when dealing with subordinates.

Reaching his destination, he melted into the shadows, his hand on his gun. He planned to interrogate Blue in the car and didn't expect her to accompany him without a show of force. He also intended to fully drive home the seriousness of her situation.

Gregor stayed in the shadows as he slowly crept along the rear of the building until he had a good vantage point. He'd considered hiding among the trees, but discarded that as too obvious. Gregor was quickly losing patience. The time set for their meeting was almost upon them, and he was surprised that she hadn't made an appearance yet. Maybe the reports in their files exaggerated her abilities.

He jumped when he heard a low voice say, "Looking for me?"

Turning around as he drew his gun, he growled, "Too many stunts like that will get you killed."

"Not likely, unless someone is more skilled than you are."

Gregor grunted in pain as his gun fell soundlessly to the ground and he straightened up to find the operative's gun trained on his chest. He hissed, "What are you doing?"

"You might try answering the same question. You pulled your weapon, first."

"You startled me." Gregor met Blue's intense gaze. "I have to protect myself."

Blue smiled sardonically. "You don't lie very well. You knew who I was when you drew it."

"We can talk in the car." Gregor bent down to pick up his weapon, then froze when he heard a round being chambered.

"I wouldn't."

Slowly standing back up, Gregor's stomach tightened in fear. "Are you crazy? When my superiors hear of this..."

Blue interrupted. "Hear what? That you drew on me and I acted defensively? They would expect no less."

Gregor narrowed his eyes. What she said was true. If Dimitri found out she got the drop on him, he was finished as a controller. "What do you want?"

"Hand me your gun. Nice and easy."

Blue took the weapon, and then ordered Gregor to place his hands on the wall as she expertly searched him, removing a small 38 special from his waistband. She removed the ammunition from both guns. "You can turn around, now."

Handing both weapons back to Gregor, she unchambered the round in her own weapon and secured it at the small of her back. "Now we can talk."

Gregor desperately tried to think of a way to regain control of this meeting and cursed his lack of foresight in not bringing Markov with him. "It's not secure here. We can talk in the car."

Blue nodded at the wooded area. "We can talk there." She had no doubt that he had pulled his gun to ensure that she would accompany him to the car and knew that the ensuing talk wouldn't have been a very pleasant experience.

Gregor cursed inwardly, but decided his only option was to do as she suggested. Once they were out of sight, he demanded, "Where is the information I requested?"

Kris handed him a folded piece of paper. He took it and opened it. "There are only three names here."

"Patience, Gregor, patience. These things take time."

Startled at her use of his real name, he growled, "I expect you to have more on Monday."

"I'll do what I can."

"You will do what I say."

Blue subdued the urge to just kill him and be done with it. "I said I would do what I can."

Gregor's stomach tightened. This woman was dangerous and unpredictable. Once he got what he needed, he was going to recommend to Dimitri that she be eliminated. "Make sure you do."

Blue smiled coldly at him. Gregor turned away, anxious to be done with this meeting.

"Not so fast." Blue smiled, humorlessly. "Know of any reason why someone is shooting at me?"

Gregor couldn't believe he'd forgotten to ask her that himself and realized he was more shaken by her actions then he had realized. Turning around, he met her gaze steadily. "No. I was going to ask you the same question."

Blue keyed in on his words. "Oh?"