C. Paradee - Deep Cover

Masha gazed at the worried, friendly woman speaking to her. "Little." She raised her hand, pantomimed writing, and smiled when Shelby got up and returned a moment later with a tablet and pen.

She began laboriously writing in English, struggling to describe what had happened in the foreign language. Finishing a short time later, she handed the paper to Shelby.

"I was brought from my room to where Natasha was waiting for me. We hugged. My daughter knocked me down. Many guns. Sergei is dead, shot in the head by another Russian who I saw before at the house. Natasha went with the Americans. I was brought here."

Shelby felt her stomach tighten as she read. Her voice sounding hollow, she asked in disbelief, "Sergei is dead?"

Masha nodded, instinctively reaching for the younger woman's hand. In halting English, she said, "Natasha..." breaking off frustrated when she couldn't find the words to assure her companion that her daughter hadn't been hurt.

Understanding what Masha was trying to say, Shelby said, "Natasha is okay." She was devastated at the news of Sergei's death. He had been Kris' ace in the hole and his murder threw her partner's deal into jeopardy. Her fears for the operative escalated rapidly, as did the throbbing in her head at all the unanswered questions.

"Shelby?"

Her name sounding strange with the Russian inflection, Shelby squeezed Masha's hand, determined to be strong for Kris' mother's sake, even as she resolved to insist on some answers the next day.

Knowing there was nothing she could do that night, she gestured for Masha to follow her. She gave her a towel and washcloth and showed her where the bathroom was. Then, she led her to the bedroom and gestured toward the bed.

Masha shook her head. "No." She pointed at Shelby, then at the bed.

Shelby couldn't bear the thought of sleeping in her bed alone and her voice pleasant, but firm, she said, "Masha."

The Russian didn't understand why the American would give up her bed to a stranger, but she understood Shelby's message and nodded. She watched curiously as Shelby walked over and picked up a large unicorn before leaving the room.

Shelby made up the couch and sat down, placing the unicorn on the floor by the couch. She was too worried to fall asleep. When Shelby finally did doze, her rest was fitful; and she found herself pacing the floor long into the night, setting up a pattern that would become repetitious in the nights to follow.

Even Stormy fled to the refuge of the bedroom, unwilling to share the couch with her unhappy, restless owner.

The next morning, Shelby made breakfast for Masha and herself, but only picked at her own. Showing the Russian how to turn on the TV, she explained in writing that she had to go to work, but would return in a few hours. She intended to take a few days off to get Kris' mother settled and into some sort of a routine before returning to work full time. Hopefully, her partner would be released shortly and help with Masha's transition to American life.

Later that morning, frustrated, Shelby walked out of Earl's office. The brief, superficial questions Earl had asked her about everything that had happened hadn't made sense. Of even more concern was his refusal to answer any of her questions about Kris.

Suddenly, the cursory nature of the questioning became crystal clear. When Kris had been debriefed, she'd protected her and made sure she wasn't considered culpable in any way. Unbidden tears came to her eyes as Shelby realized that Kris was still looking after her, while she couldn't do anything to help the woman she loved.

In the week that followed, neither Shelby nor Masha were allowed any contact with Kris. And somehow, the CIA had managed to keep the entire incident quiet. There had been absolutely no mention in the news media other than a small blurb about an accidental shooting at the Russian embassy resulting in the death of a high embassy official.

The only progress at all was the arrival in the mail of an immigration packet addressed to Masha. Shelby explained each form to the Russian and helped her fill out the paperwork. The brief flare of hope that the packet had signified as part of Kris' deal, soon died with the continuing silence about her partner's whereabouts or status.

Shelby glanced over at the Russian as she drove to her mother's house. Lisa and Masha planned to visit while Shelby went grocery shopping. The two older women had met earlier in the week when she'd visited and her mother had suggested she drop Masha off while she went to the store.

After Shelby left, Lisa smiled at Masha and invited her to sit at the table, fetching them both a cup of coffee. Shelby had been teaching Masha to speak English and Lisa was amazed at how quickly the Russian was learning to speak the words she could write.

"Have you heard from Natasha?" Lisa had learned from Shelby that Natasha was Kris' real name and Masha had spoken of their long-term separation when she'd first met the Russian.

Masha turned worried blue eyes toward Lisa. "No. I am worried for her."

Lisa said reassuringly, "She's just busy on a case. Sometimes, I don't see Shelby for weeks at a time."

The Russian nodded. She understood that Lisa was trying to make her feel better, but she was distressed. It had already been a week, and even though she'd written a letter that Shelby had taken to work to be delivered, her daughter had not responded.

When she and Shelby had visited Lisa earlier in the week, the discussion had turned to Jonathan, and Lisa's hope that he would not contact her again.

Turning the conversation to her new friend, Masha asked, "Have you heard from Jonathan?"

Lisa shook her head, then smiled when Masha said, "Good! He bad man."

"He needs help." Lisa shook her head. "I still can't believe he hurt Shelby."

"Shelby good daughter. I like her."

The simple comment brought tears to Lisa's eyes. Yes, Shelby was a good daughter. She wished she had been a better mother.

Lisa looked at Masha, and asked the question Shelby had refused to answer. "Is Natasha American?" She was still trying to make sense of why Kris' mother was here and the operative wasn't.

Masha gazed into the kind eyes, sensing only friendliness. "Yes. She Russian, too."

"Why did she change her name?"

"Kris spy. She do what she think good."

Lisa's eyes narrowed. "Is she a Russian spy?"

Masha answered emphatically, "No. She American." Shelby had explained what Kris had done, and she was very proud of Natasha for standing up for what she believed was right.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

The Russian reached over and laid her hand on Lisa's, smiling. "Okay."

When Shelby returned to pick Masha up an hour later, the older women were deep in a cheerful, if slightly one-sided conversation. As they left, she promised her mother they'd return for a visit over the weekend.

Shelby anxiously walked into Earl's office. He had called and requested to see her. "You asked to see me."

"Yes. There have been some developments on the case and we're pulling the agents off of surveillance. We found out Michael was responsible for all the attacks against you, including the shooting at the mall. He's in custody now and no longer a threat to you or Kris' mother."

"What about Kris? Where is she?"

Earl adopted an intimidating stance, looking pointedly into the worried green eyes. "That is not your concern. I want you to quit asking everyone up the chain of command about her. Just drop it."

Shelby stared at Earl. "What do you mean drop it?" Knowing Earl was aware of just how close they'd become, she voiced a more business-like argument. "She was my partner. Her mother is staying with me. Surely her mother has a right to know."

Earl empathized with Shelby's concern. In truth, he didn't even know the details of Kris' status or how long she would be held, but his superiors had insisted he curtail the analyst's queries. "You don't have a choice. We can always place Masha in custody while her paperwork is processing."