Zahra’s eyes burned into Cork. “No, it’s just me. The wind is really howling here. Sometimes, it sounds like the whispered words of an idiot.”
The Brit frowned, crossed her arms over her chest, and sat back.
“Yes, well, I was just making sure it wasn’t that tree trunk of a pilot of yours, Ms. Milton. I’ve looked into her. She reminds me of a blabbermouth I had to deal with a couple of years back.”
Eddy’s words must have been loud enough for Cork to hear. The “tree-trunk-shaped blabbermouth” shot Zahra a death glare. In turn, Zahra was forced to hold back a laugh.
“What about travel?” Zahra asked, moving the conversation forward.
“Already arranged. You’ll be getting the details shortly.”
“Copy that.” Zahra blew out a long breath. “So, where to first?”
She heard Eddy clack on a keyboard. “You’ll be heading to Punta Arenas to rendezvous with the first member of your team?”
“Team?” Zahra asked, standing. She paced back and forth. “I thought TAC missions were normally done solo, minus a local contact and whatnot?”
“They usually are, yes. This is technically a solo mission. You alone will be representing TAC. The individuals you are meeting are not agents of ours, but they do possess the skillsets to make this operation successful.” Eddy sighed. “Unfortunately, they also represent foreign nations.”
“Why is that unfortunate?”
“Because of the way we operate and what our goals are. We like to stay in control.”
“Obviously. There’s a lot of money to be had out there.”
“Exactly. Trust is a must.” She laughed softly. “I know it’s cliché, Zahra, but it’s also true.”
“Can we trust these team members of mine?” Zahra asked.
“I believe so, yes,” Eddy replied. “Okay, so the first member of your team will naturally represent the German government.”
“Naturally…”
“My contact has assured me that he will find you someone you can rely on.”
“Good to hear. What about the other member?”
“So, there’s something you should know…”
Here it comes. Zahra knew everything couldn’t be this cut and dry.
“First things first, how’s your Russian?”
“Fine, but what does that have to do with this?” Zahra replied, speaking fluent Russian.
“Excuse me?”
Zahra repeated the response in English.
“Oh, yes. Well, your next team member will represent the Russian third of your lineup, though…”
“Though, what?” Zahra asked, pausing her pacing.
“Though Yana doesn’t actually represent the Kremlin.”
“Who does this Yana represent?”
“Theoretically, she represents herself. Yana did some work for us recently, and she comes highly recommended by one of our best agents. Her off-the-books profession includes cold climate operations.”
Zahra put two and two together. “You’ve set me up with a Russian mercenary?”
“Um, yes… Yana is a disgruntled former FSB operative, which is a good thing. You won’t have to worry about her intentions. She is being paid to be loyal to you and TAC only.”
“Good, I guess?” Zahra started to pace again.
“Look, Zahra, Yana was our best option. We don’t exactly have a lot of friends within the current Russian regime.”
“It’s fine, Eddy. I trust your judgment. Raegor does, too. That’s enough for me.”
“Thank you, Zahra. Yana will act as your number two. She has a lot of field experience and her personality… Well, let’s say that you two should get along great.”
Zahra wasn’t sure how to take that. So, she ignored it and kept her mouth shut.
“Okay, Zahra, that’s about it. Pack lightly and wait for your itinerary to arrive via email. Your gear will already be in your hotel room in Chile. More will be waiting for you when you land in Antarctica.”
“Sure. Uh, thanks, Eddy.”
“You’re welcome, and Zahra?”
“Yeah?”
“Take a moment to breathe. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Eddy out.”
Zahra turned and placed her phone on the patio table. Then she leaned on it with both hands, closed her eyes, and breathed, just as Eddy had suggested. Zahra knew she was more than qualified to take on a job like this.
Cork was the first to speak. “Antarctica, huh?”
Zahra nodded, opened her eyes, and looked at her friend. “Yeah, Antarctica.”
Cork picked up her mug. “Well, like I said, wear layers or freeze your nips off.”
Chapter 6
Zahra
Zahra despised layovers, especially when she traveled internationally. Her internal clock was already getting screwed up by the time zone crossings as it was. Add in a four-hour period of nothingness, and Zahra’s mind and body morphed into sludge.
She checked her watch. “Come on…” Based on what the lady had said over the intercom, her plane would start boarding in about twenty minutes. She was this much closer to sleeping soundly.
Over the years, Zahra had become an expert at sleeping on planes.
Or in the back seat of a car.
Or on a rock in Afghanistan.
Zahra could pretty much fall asleep anywhere and on anything.
She zoomed through her Instagram feed for the hundredth time, dying from the wait. This was the only place she couldn’t pack it in and pass out. Zahra was too on edge to nap right now. She was too nervous. There was nothing that would relax her, knowing that she was closer to getting the mission underway.
A baby cried somewhere off to her right. She reflexively looked that way and locked eyes with someone who was not a hollering newborn. This was a grown man in a black trench coat… and he was staring right back at her.
Zahra zeroed in on him and waited for the guy to break contact first. But he didn’t.
Dammit, she thought. Who knows I’m here?
A family of six passed between their gazes, and when the way was clear again, the trench coat wearer was gone. A chill ran up and down Zahra’s spine. She contemplated calling Eddy and warning her that her mission might already be compromised.
You can’t do that.
First, Zahra had no proof that the man was following her. He could have just been the run-of-the-mill creep who had gotten caught people-watching. Second, phoning Eddy now would only make the woman lose confidence in Zahra the Newb.
“Or…” she said aloud, “you’re overtired, and he was never there.”
That was also a distinct possibility.
A familiar voice announced that Zahra’s flight was now boarding. Zahra gathered her carry-on and headed for the entrance to the jetway. Every few steps, she looked for the trench coat guy, but she never saw him again.
Chapter 7
Zahra
After landing in Chile, Zahra still couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being followed. Begrudgingly, she called Eddy back at TAC HQ. She didn’t want to, but she owed it to the company to be truthful with them.
She sat in the back of a cab that was inbound to the Garden Hotel, trying to speak over the obnoxiously loud jazz music. It’s not that Zahra didn’t enjoy the genre. It was just really loud.