Текст книги "Заговор мечей"

Автор книги: Джейн Doy Press

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Текущая страница: 27 (всего у книги 40 страниц)

“Right. Well, are we finished talking?”

Teren nodded again. “For now.”

Their eyes met once more. Alex nodded.

“I think I’ll grab the shower first, if you don’t mind.”

Teren stood. “Not at all. Just don’t use all the hot water.”

Alex grinned. “Nope. This shower will be rather cold, I think.” She raised an eyebrow at Teren, then left the room.

Teren called her name, and Alex stuck her head back in.

“You’re always welcome to sleep with me, Alex.”

They stared at each other for a moment, then Alex nodded.

“Thanks, Teren.”

Alex disappeared out the bedroom door.

*******************************************************

Teren ordered breakfast while waiting for Alex to finish in the shower. She ordered coffee for herself, and remembered the hot chocolate for Alex.

“Teren? Shower’s free.”

“Thanks.” Grabbing her kit, the dark haired woman headed for the bathroom. She ran a hand through her hair. “Damn, I wish I hadn’t had to cut this.”

Alex put her hands on her hips and cocked her head, eying Teren’s head.

“I don’t know, I think the short hair is kind of growing on me.”

Teren grinned. “Great. Now if I could just get it to grow on me.”

Alex blushed, but shook her head. “That wasn’t what I meant.”

“I know. But don’t get too fond of it, Alex. It ain’t staying short.” Teren winked at her blonde friend and closed the door.

Alex stood staring for a moment, imagining what the difference would be if she ran her hands through Teren’s hair now. She could remember what it had felt like, just a couple of nights ago, to sink her hands into the mane of obsidian, feel it glide over her in a caress as Teren’s hands slid —

“Okay, that’s enough, Alex.” She looked around the room. “Now, where did we leave that ice bucket?”

When breakfast arrived, it came with a complimentary newspaper. Although Alex couldn’t read it, she enjoyed looking through it as she ate. An item on the third page caught her eye. She folded the page back, setting it aside until Teren could read it to her.

Teren had to admit that it was easier to deal with short hair. A quick toweling, and a combing through, and she was ready. By the time she joined Alex at the table, she was fully dressed, and her hair was almost dry.

She slid into the chair. “Breakfast okay?”

“Yeah, thanks. You even remembered cocoa.”

“Of course. I’ve always been a quick learner.” She grinned at her blonde friend.

Alex pointed at the article in the paper. “Unfortunately I’m not quite as fast. What does this say?”

The smile left Teren’s face. “Umm, it’s an article on something that happened last night.”

“No kidding. I got that much. But it mentions the Altbusser Galerie. Why?”

“Uh, well, because there was an incident outside of the gallery.” Teren really didn’t want Alex to ask the question.

“Would you read it to me, please?”

Teren cleared her throat. “‘The body of Otto Keppelmann was found outside the Altbusser Galerie late yesterday evening. He had been shot twice in the head. The police suspect that he was killed in a robbery attempt.’”

She glanced at Alex, whose face had gone white. “Do you want me to go on?” Alex nodded.

“‘An employee, and co-owner of Altbusser’s, Mr. Keppelman was found in the alley behind the Galerie, approximately ten feet from the rear exit. Police surmise that he was heading to his car in the back parking lot when he was attacked. His briefcase, which he was seen leaving with, was missing, as was his wallet, and his watch. A police spokesman said there were few leads in the case.’”

Teren put down the paper, and looked up at her friend. Alex was staring down at her plate, her hand wrapped around her glass of juice. Teren could see the whiteness of her knuckles and hoped she didn’t squeeze any harder, or she’d break the glass.

“That’s the guy you met with yesterday, isn’t it.” It wasn’t really a question.

“Yes.”

Alex took a deep breath. “Do you think it was a robbery?”

Teren bit her lip and shook her head. “No.”

Alex sat quietly for several minutes. Teren stared at her plate. The only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock.

“Do you think it was because he talked to us?”

“Talked to me. I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Alex finally looked up at Teren, but the dark woman avoided her gaze. “Does the article mention Rolf?”

Teren picked up the paper, and scanned the article again. “No. He’s not mentioned.”

Alex let out a breath she haddn’t know she was holding. She stood, carrying her juice as she paced across the living room floor.

“Are you sure we have to involve Meinhard in this?”

“Yes.” Teren didn’t hesitate. She knew if she did, Alex would try to talk her out of it, and she really didn’t think they had a choice.

“There’s no other way.”

“No.”

Alex was quiet. Teren hoped that she’d accept it, but had a bad feeling she wouldn’t.

“Alright. Will we be coming back here after we meet with him?”

“No. I’d like to go directly to the train station.”

A nod from the blonde head. “Then I’d better go finish packing.” She left the room without looking back at Teren.

Teren sighed, and rested her head on her hands. After a moment she sat up and grabbed the paper, crumbling it into a ball and throwing it towards the wastebasket. It bounced off the side and landed on the floor under the coffee table.

“Fuck.” She pushed her plate away, covering it with her napkin. She’d lost her appetite.

Teren reached for her shoulder holster and slid it on.

Chapter Twenty-six

“Teren, I have an idea.”

The two of them were packed, and their bags were by the door. Teren had called and made their reservations on an evening flight to Munich while Alex checked their email. Ken had sent word that Derek White had been seen, but no one had picked him up yet. Apparently he’d been using a disguise, and this sent Alex’s mind spinning.

“What’s your idea, Alex?”

The blonde sat at the table next to her friend. “I don’t think we, as in you and me, should meet with Meinhard.”

Teren groaned. “Alex —”

“No, Teren, hear me out.”

“We need the data on the account.”

“I agree. I’m not suggesting that neither of us meet with him, just not both of us.”

Teren leaned forward. “You don’t want to be there?”

“Oh, I do. It’s you who shouldn’t be.”

There was a negative shake from the darker woman. “You’re not meeting with him alone.”

“Well, no, not really. We’ll be in the middle of a cafe, you know?”

“No, Alex.”

Alex sighed. “Teren, please listen to me.”

“I’m listening, I’m just not liking what I’m hearing yet.”

“Okay. How about this. If you’re meeting with Meinhard, you can’t keep your full attention on the surroundings. It puts you at a disadvantage.”

“That’s why I have you.”

“Right. But I don’t know German. Which means anything I might overhear will be little more than gibberish.”

Teren frowned. “Okay.”

“But, if I meet with Meinhard, it leaves you free to slip into the background, to listen and observe. If there’s anything out of the ordinary, you’ll spot it sooner than I will, probably.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you’ve been here before, and you know what to look for.”

Teren sighed and rubbed her forehead. “I don’t like it.”

“Think of it this way. It’s never a good idea to compromise your sources, and we’ve already lost one.”

A nod. Then Teren shook her head. “Damn. This is getting complicated.”

Alex put a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Teren, you know it’s a good idea.”

The blue eyes raised to hers. “We don’t even know for sure if Keppelmann was killed because of us.”

“You said you thought he was.”

“Yes, but I’m paranoid.”

Alex nodded. “Paranoid’s okay. I can work with paranoid.”

“And you really think this will protect Meinhard?”

“Not completely. But it’s better than nothing. Besides, you have to admit I look less intimidating than you.”

“And that’s important because?”

Alex grinned. “Nobody would believe that someone as sweet and innocent looking as me could be an agent of some kind.”

Teren snorted. “Sorry, Alex, I don’t see you as innocent.”

“Wait ‘til I get into tourist mode. You won’t even recognize me.”

The two of them stared at each other for a minute. Alex refused to look away. If she did, she thought, Teren would win. And she really thought her plan could work.

Teren didn’t like it. If she blended into the scenery, it meant limited communication with Alex, which would put the younger woman at risk. She didn’t like that at all, but, finally, she looked away.

“Alright,” she said with a heavy sigh. “You’ll meet with him. I’ll find a disguise and show up first, maybe with a book or a newspaper. I’ll keep watch, and you retrieve the material.”

“Good.”

“We need to work out a few details, though.”

“Right.”

“We need signs, a way to communicate if we need to to.”

“Okay.”

“And you need to really be convincing, Alex.”

Alex smiled. “No problem. I can play tourist with the best of them, Teren. Just make sure I have enough money, and point me towards a souvenir shop.”

The look in the green eyes made Teren believe Alex could do it.

*******************************************************

“Das ist Herr Meinhard.”

“Herr Meinhard, das ist Frau Olind.” Teren waited for him to answer, then switched to English. “I’m presuming you have information for me, correct?”

“I do. Are we still meeting for lunch?”

“Yes. The information is in written format, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Before you go to the cafe, stop and buy a magazine, or a book. Then place the material in the bag. When the meeting takes place, it will be as if you’re giving a friend a present.”

“Yes, I understand. That is a good idea. We are still set for one o’clock?”

“We are. You’ll be meeting with my associate, Miss Reed. You remember her, right?”

“I remember. You will not be there?”

“No. So if you see me, you won’t speak to me, understood?”

There was a touch of confusion in Meinhard’s voice, but he answered yes, and Teren ended the conversation. She put the phone down and picked up her jacket.

“So, it’s set? He knows I’m meeting with him?”

“Yes. And I told him to put the stuff in a bag. He’ll be giving it to you as a present.”

“Great.” Alex glanced at her watch. “Well, if I’m going to go play tourist, I guess I’ll have to get moving.”

“Right. Make sure you take my cell phone. Do you have the money I gave you? “

“Got it, and yes.” She stood by the door. “And after lunch we’ll meet in the lobby, right?”

“That’s right. The bags will be in the car, but we won’t check out ‘til you get back, so your story about me being back at the hotel will work.”

“Good.” Alex slipped her coat on, and zipped it up. She pulled a fluffy blue hat over her blonde hair, the white yarn ball sticking up from her head. Teren couldn’t resist reaching over to tug on it.

“Hey. Leave my snowball alone.”

“Oh, is that what you call it? Looks like a rabbit’s tail.”

“Teren.” Alex tried to sound indignant, but couldn’t fight the grin on her face.

Teren took hold of Alex by the shoulders. “You remember our signals, right?”

“Of course. You drilled me on them for half an hour.”

“You remember how to get to the cafe?”

“Yes. Plus, if I get lost, I’m sure there will be someone who can tell me where I’m going.”

Teren tightened her grip. “Are you sure you want to do this? You could just wait here while I get the data. Then we could go to the airport and —”

“No.” Alex was emphatic. “Everything’s going to be fine, Teren.”

Their eyes met, and for a second Teren couldn’t breathe. Then the moment passed, and she let her hands drop from Alex’s blue clad shoulders.

“Better get going then.”

“Right.”

Alex opened the door, and Teren pushed it shut. Alex turned to look at her, and was surprised by the feel of Teren’s soft lips on hers. The kiss only lasted a moment, then Teren backed away, her face red, her eyes looking anywhere but at Alex.

“Right. I’m going, now.”

“Okay.”

This time when the door closed, Teren was alone in the room, and her stomach clenched. A fleeting thought went through her mind, the idea of running after Alex and not letting her leave the hotel burned bright for several seconds. Then she shook her head, and pulled on her own jacket. She needed to get their bags stowed in the car, then get into her disguise. Teren wanted to be at the cafe at least ten minutes before Alex and Meinhard, and to do that she had to hurry.

She had to be there for Alex.

*******************************************************

It was a short walk to the tram again, and then a short ride to the city center. Alex got off a few blocks from the cafe. After a moment to orient herself and consult her map, she started walking, intending to hit as many souvenir shops on her way to the restaurant.

She slipped into one that had several tshirts showing in the window. This would be as good a place as any to begin her cover.

Teren, meanwhile, had stowed hers and Alex’s bags in the car, and taken the tram to a stop well past where the cafe was located. She switched cars, and headed back, keeping an eye out for anyone following her. She breathed a sigh of relief when no familiar face showed up.

Stopping at a clothing shop, she bought a new jacket, stuffing hers into the shopping bag. She also bought a beret, and a matching scarf. Teren debated with herself as to whether or not she should keep her old jacket. It wasn’t one of her leathers, and although she did like it, it would be a hindrance should she need to move quickly. Finally, with a sigh, she slipped into an alley behind a sausage shop, and dumped the package into a dumpster. After donning her new hat and sunglasses, she came out of the alley on the other side. With a stop at a corner newstand she bought a newspaper and a couple of magazines, and headed to the Striecker Cafe.

“Excuse me, ma’am, do you speak English?” Alex was in a small used bookshop, where she had stopped to make one last purchase.

“A little. You vould like to purtzase zese?”

“I would. And I think one of those books on the Alps, the one on display in the window.”

“Of course.” The woman found the book, and added it to the small stack in front of Alex. “You are American tourist?”

“Yep. I’m here with a friend of mine on a short vacation.”

The clerk began slipping the books into a bag. “You read German?”

“No, but my friend does, and she promised that when we get home she’ll teach me.”

“So, ze books are for her?”

“Well, yes and no. If she’s going to teach me, why not teach me on stuff that I want to read?”

The woman looked confused. “It is a good idea, but how did you know vitz books you might vis to read?”

Holding up a tiny book, Alex chuckled. “First stop today, I got myself an English-German dictionary. It’s been helping, a lot.”

They shared a laugh, and Alex paid the clerk. “Could you do me a favor and put this,” she pulled a book out of the stack, “in a different sack? I’m meeting someone for lunch, and wanted to give this to him.”

“Him? You have a boyfriend?”

“No. He’s just someone I met last night. A really nice guy.”

The clerk smiled. “Vell, I hope you have a nice time viz your young man.”

Alex couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, I think it’ll be a very interesting time indeed.” She added the two bags to her growing collection, and left the store.

Making her way to the corner, Alex tried to juggle her packages in such a way that she could look at her map. She thought she had a handle on things, but two bags started to slip from her hands.

They were caught before they hit the ground, and Alex looked up to see Meinhard.

She greeted him with a big smile.

“Herr Meinhard! I’m very glad to see you.”

He smiled. “It is nice to see you, Ms. Reed. Will you allow me to help you?”

“That would be great. I was just trying to find my way to the cafe.”

“Then follow me. It is across the street, and down a few shops.”

“Thank you.”

He relieved her of half of the packages, and led her across the street to the opposite curb. Together they walked to the cafe.

Meinhard held the door for her. “Will you trust me to order for you this afternoon?”

“Absolutely.” She stopped for a moment. “As long as it’s not cow tongue.”

He laughed and followed her in.

*******************************************************

Teren was seated at a table close to the door, facing the street, and she surreptitiously watched the other patrons of the restaurant. She was nervous, but she didn’t know why. After all, there’d been no sign of anyone watching their hotel room, and no one had been following her. Besides that, the most suspicious act she had seen in the restaurant was a waitress that cheated a customer. Even that didn’t seem to be on purpose.

So why was she still so jumpy? She mentally chastised herself, and focused her gaze, if not her full attention, on the newspaper that she’d spread out in front of her. She wasn’t reading it really, but it was a decent cover.

Moments later she glimpsed the silly white tassel attached to a blue cap as it passed in front of the window. She forced herself to not look up, even when Alex and Meinhard came through the door laughing. She waited until they were seated, then she glanced up, taking a drink from her cup, and made eye contact with Alex.

Curiously, her nervousness vanished.

Alex sat back in her chair, and gave a big sigh.

“Did you enjoy your Buendnerteller, Ms. Reed?”

“I did. It’s an interesting mixture of foods. In the US you really don’t see a salad mix of meat and melon.”

“That is because Americans are not as adventurous. They do not know good food.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, Herr Meinhard. I think American food is the best.”

“I have heard, and please, forgive me, I mean no offense, but I have heard that there is no such thing as American food. It is only a mixture from many different nations.”

“That’s true, but I think that’s what makes it so wonderful. We Americans think nothing of taking a dish and adding our own touch to it. It is our way of paying homage to the cuisines of the world, and putting our own stamp on them.”

“Ah. What is the word? Assimation?”

“Assimilation. And, for good or bad, it’s what Americans do.” Alex reached out and patted Meinhard’s hand. “Okay, I think I better be going. I’ll have to see if my lazy friend back at the hotel is ready to do anything.”

“Your friend – she is alright?”

“Fine. She had a little headache, and she doesn’t like cold weather.” From the corner of her eye, Alex saw a half-smile cross Teren’s face. “But, I’m hoping to coax her out of the room sometime today.”

She snapped her fingers. “By the way, I have something for you.” Alex reached amongst her bags and pulled one up to the table. “Here it is. It’s that book I told you about. You know, the German translation of Tom Sawyer?”

Meinhard raised an eyebrow, but accepted the bag. “Oh, yes, thank you. I thank you for that very much. And,” he reached for the bag on the chair next to him, “this is for you. The magazine we discussed.”

He handed the bag to her very carefully, and she opened it just enough to see a thick folder.

Alex nodded. “Great. I’m glad you found it for me. I was looking for this at the bookstore I visited, but didn’t see it.” She set the bag carefully inside one of her other parcels. “Well, I do believe it’s time I went back to the hotel. I need to make sure my friend hasn’t overdosed on chocolate.” She smiled and held out her hand. “Thank you for lunch, Herr Meinhard. It’s been very nice.”

“It was my pleasure, Ms. Reed. I hope your friend is well, and perhaps we shall see each other again?”

“Of course. The next time we’re in town, we’ll call, I promise.” Alex slipped her coat on, and pulled the hat over her head. Meinhard helped her gather her bags, and then picked up his own.

“You will be alright going back to your hotel?”

“Oh, sure. Just point me in the direction of the tram, and I’ll be just fine.”

Meinhard chuckled. “The nearest tram station is just two blocks from here. Go back up the way we came, and then turn left after two blocks. It will be on your left.”

“Thank you, Herr Meinhard. You have a wonderful day.”

He bowed slightly. “You as well, Ms. Reed.”

Alex left first. Teren watched Meinhard leave the restarurant. After that she made a great show of looking at her watch, and gathered her things. She walked out of the cafe just as Alex turned the corner. Teren hurried, wanting to be on the same tram car as her friend.

*******************************************************

When Alex reached her tram stop she carefully maneuvered her way off the car, lugging her purchases with her. She began the walk to the hotel, and was startled when someone came up beside her. A quick glance and she noticed that under the beret and glasses, it was Teren. They didn’t speak to each other, but merely walked next to each other.

When they got closer to the hotel, Teren veered off. Alex watched as she entered by a side door. She herself went in the front door, dropping her packages into a comfy chair in the lobby. She stood next to them, watching for her friend.

Teren joined her after a moment, and grinned. “Did you buy enough souvenirs?”

“I think so. I got one for you.”

A dark eyebrow rose. “Really? What?”

Alex shook her head. “Not telling. You’ll just have to wait.”

“Aww, Alex, come on.”

“Nope. Uh-uh.”

Teren grumbled a moment longer, then glanced through the packages. “Where’s the last one you got?”

“Here. I put it inside the bag with the books. It’s safe.”

“Good.” Teren stopped to look at all the bags. “You know, if you’re really bringing that stuff with us, you’ll need another suitcase.”

Alex grinned. “Funny you should mention that.” She opened one large paper bag to show a folded up duffle. “I was just thinking the same thing earlier.”

Teren rolled her eyes. “Great. You get packed up, and I’ll go check in our keys. Did you leave anything in the suite?”

“Umm, I don’t think so.” She thought for a moment. “But, knowing me, you might want to check anyway, just in case.”

“Fine. I’ll go get them. Just make sure you’re ready to go, alright?”

“Yep. I’ll be waiting.”

Alex carefully packed her new duffle bag, making sure the papers from Meinhard were somewhere near the top. Along with the books, and a couple of tshirts, she’d gotten small things, like a tiny stone sculpture, and a stone mug. They were little gifts, things she’d thought her friends back home would like.

If she ever got back home to give these things to them.

The thought hit her suddenly, and brought tears to her eyes. Frustrated, she wiped them away angrily, then zipped the bag closed.

“Alex.”

Teren’s voice sounded strange.

“Hi. Are we checked out?”

“Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”

“Okay.” Alex frowned as Teren grabbed her arm and pulled. “Take it easy. You payed the bill, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then what’s the hurry? Our flight doesn’t leave for a couple of hours.”

“I’ll explain when we get to the car,” Teren replied through tightly clenched teeth. Alex took one final look at Teren, and stayed quiet.

When they reached the car, Alex was surprised to see Teren open the trunk and begin pulling out their bags.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re leaving the car here. I’ve already called the rental company and told them where it is.”

“Why aren’t we taking it to the airport with us?” Alex was beginning to get very nervous, and she grabbed Teren’s arm. With a yank she turned the agent around to face her. “Teren, what the hell is going on?”

“When I went upstairs to get your stuff, there were two guys in the room. I guess I surprised them.”

Alex turned white. “Are you okay? What did you do?”

“I ducked, and you don’t wanna know what happened after that.”

For a moment Alex couldn’t speak. Then she swallowed, and rubbed a gloved hand across her forehead. “Shit. We’re in trouble, aren’t we?”

“Yes. Now, come on, help me with these bags. There’ll be a taxi picking us up any second.”

“And we’re going straight to the airport? Any chance of getting an earlier flight?”

“Nope. We’re not flying. They’ll be expecting that.”

“So, what are we doing?”

Teren closed the trunk, and picked up her bags. Alex did the same, her newest duffle slung over her shoulder.

“Have you ever ridden on a train, Alex?”

“No.”

“Well, you’re about to.”

Chapter Twenty-seven

For once, Alex was grateful that she had a cab driver that didn’t speak English.

After a short, but tense, conversation with Teren, it was agreed that the taxi would drop Teren off two blocks away from the station. Alex would continue on to the front of the Hauptbahnhof.

The CIA operative didn’t like the idea of leaving her partner alone, but recognized that not only was Alex a capable agent in her own right, she was also correct in her assessment of the situation. Making sure that the driver knew exactly where to go, Teren climbed out of the taxi, pulling her own duffel bags, along with one of Alex’s, with her. She leaned back in and gave Alex a glare.

“Be careful.”

“You too.”

The taxi dropped Alex in front of the brick building which housed the Zurich Hauptbahnhof, or Main Station. From this place, a person could catch three different kinds of trains: the Swiss Regional, that serviced all of Switzerland; the EuroCity, which connected many of the largest cities in Europe; and the InterCity Express. The ICE was the fastest way, on the ground, to get from Zurich to Munich, Germany. Only flying was faster.

Alex tightened her grip on her briefcase and slipped the strap of her remaining suitcase over her shoulder. She made her way to the ticket counter, and stood for a moment, referring to her English-German dictionary.

“Miss? May I help you?”

She looked up at a young man with a smile on his face. He beckoned her forward.

“I take it you speak English.”

“Yes. I take it you do not speak German.”

“I know Danke and Bitte. That’s it.”

He laughed. “So, where are you going?”

“Well, I need two tickets to Geneva.”

After taking a few moments to conduct the transaction, he handed her a folded envelope. “Your tickets are here. Go down this hall, and past the restaurant. Then go the left, and you can take the stairs to the platform where you can wait for your train. Be careful to note which side of the platform you need to be on; there are two trains that pull up on each platform. They are well marked, but you should check carefully, just the same.”

“Okay.”

“Your ticket will be punched after you have boarded, so be sure to keep it with you.”

Alex nodded. “Thanks very much. I appreciate your help.”

“You are welcome. What is the English phrase? Have a nice day.”

She smiled at him. “You, too.” Then she hoisted her bags again, and followed his directions.

Teren made her way to the platform, keeping an eye out for her partner. She spotted Alex leaning against a post, next to a bulletin board. The train they needed to be on was already in the station. With a final glance at Alex, Teren boarded.

Alex watched her from the corner of her eye. She kept track of the darker woman’s progress, waiting until her partner actually climbed the stairs onto the train. Then, she ran a hand through her hair, and walked toward the opposite platform, toward where the train to Geneva would soon be pulling in.

She stopped a man in a porter’s uniform.

“Excuse me, do you speak English?”

He smiled, and nodded. “My pronunsation izt very bad, but I vill try to help?”

“Great. I just wanted to make sure, this is the side of the platform for the train to Geneva?”

“Ja —I mean yes. Zis next train vill go to Geneva.”

Alex smiled at him. “Thank you. Oh, by the way, is there anywhere here where I can get a newspaper or magazine?”

He looked confused for a moment, and Alex pointed to a woman who was reading the Swiss edition of TIME.

“Magazine?”

“Ah, yes, magazine. Izt shop. Come, I show you, yes?”

Alex followed the eager porter to a newstand at one end of the waiting area.She thanked him.

“Do not forget vizt train is yours,” he said. He motioned to the train next to where they were standing. “Zis vun iz going to Munchen.”

She nodded and smiled at him. “I won’t forget, thanks.”

The blonde agent wandered along the side of the stand, perusing the titles. With a glance around her, she saw that the conductor for the boarding train was indeed near the car closest to the newstand, just as Teren had said he would be.

Doors up and down the train began to close. Alex waited until only the conductor’s door was still open, then she stepped towards it, offering a sheepish grin and an apology to the man who stood in front of her. The conductor, who had been reaching for his flashlight, smiled at her, and waved her onto the train, just before he blew his whistle.Then the train began to move, and the conductor stepped onboard, closing the door behind him.

“Thanks,” Alex told the man.

“Well, you just made it.”

“I know. I thought I had a minute or two more.” Alex tapped her watch. “I think it’s losing time.”

“Well, it is obviously not a Swiss time piece. They are the best watches in the world.”

Alex laughed with the conductor.

“Do you have your ticket?”

“Actually, my friend should have it. I’m supposed to meet her in the dining car.”

The man nodded. “Well, then, you had better meet your friend. I will find you later to punch your ticket.”

“Thanks. Which way should I go?”

He pointed, his ticket punch in his hand. “Two cars up.”

*******************************************************

She found Teren in the dining car as they had agreed. Without a word Alex followed the darker woman into the cars with first class compartments.

Teren opened her compartment door, and ushered Alex inside quickly.

“We got lucky,” Teren said as she closed the door. “This is the only car with sleeper compartments. It’s unusual for an express to have them, and it’s really just being transferred back to Germany, so I had to pay extra to get it. I figured a nap would be good, though, so I took it.” She held a hand out. “What do you think?”

Alex nodded, and sat on the bed. “Not bad. Even our own tiny sink. Is there a bathroom?”

Teren pointed to a door.

“Oh. Thought that was a closet.”

“It is,” Teren grinned. “A water closet.”

Another nod. “Got it.”

“Did you have any problems?”

“Not really. I might have been followed, but I don’t think so. I didn’t see any faces I knew.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.” She looked at Teren. “Were you followed?”

The dark agent shook her head. “I didn’t feel anybody, and I can normally tell. I think your idea of using my beret and glasses again really helped.”