“You think you’re being followed?” Eddy asked.
“Maybe, but it could also be nothing. Still, I trust my gut, and it’s saying to watch my back.”
“Yeah, I’ve been there before, and honestly, with your background, I’m not taking this lightly. If you were actually a rookie, then I might feel differently.”
“Thanks, Eddy, that makes me feel better.”
“Good. It was supposed to. Seriously though, in my experience, nothing is never nothing. Keep a sharp eye out for anything odd.”
Zahra snorted. “Have you seen the world lately, Eddy?”
“You know what I mean.”
“So, while I’ve got you…”
“Yes?”
Zahra needed to choose her words carefully. “This Yana woman, are you sure I can trust her?”
“More or less.”
“That’s not what I wanted to hear,” Zahra said, sighing hard.
“Look, Zahra, all you need to know is that her abilities will be invaluable if needed.”
Zahra looked out the window. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
“Fine. Yes, she’s trustworthy… ish.”
Zahra rolled her eyes and fell back in her seat. She decided that she was never going to get the answer she wanted, so she shifted gears mentally. Zahra’s driver shifted gears in real life and sped up. The sudden acceleration, combined with the poor condition of the vehicle, caused her to panic.
Holy crap!
“W — what about our Palmer Station contact?” she asked, looking for something to hold on to. But there was nothing available. Both ceiling handles were missing, having long since been ripped out of their mounts above each door.
“Captain Kyle Ford of the United States Air Force. Has logged hundreds of hours in the Antarctica air over the years. He’s supposed to be the best they have. I’m sure you’ve been on a C-130 before, correct?”
“Many times, unfortunately. I swear, riding in one of those things should get you an automatic visit to the chiropractor or at least a deep-tissue massage.”
Eddy laughed softly. “Yeah, can’t say I disagree. What about one on skis?”
Zahra’s eyes opened wide. “No. That would be a first for me.”
“All I’ll say is that it’s an ‘interesting’ experience.”
Zahra shook her head and closed her eyes. “Why can I feel you smiling from here?”
Eddy cleared her throat. It was clear that she had been smiling. “As far as Captain Ford is concerned… He’s a real straight shooter. Professional. A real no-nonsense type.”
“Oh, so you mean a no-fun type?”
“We don’t need fun, Zahra. We need results.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Eddy.” The cab stopped outside her hotel. “Okay, I’m here. Talk again soon.”
Chapter 8
Eddy
The start of Zahra’s first official operation hadn’t gone as smoothly as Eddy had hoped. The nature of the discovery in question was incredibly sensitive, and she knew other parties might eventually get involved. Nazis in Antarctica, specifically being stationed there, had been a hot topic since the war ended. Until now, there had been no evidence of them actually setting up shop there.
Conspiracy theorists loved to tell tall tales of Nazis ending up in all corners of the globe, building massive subterranean complexes and continuing their sadistic societies. As far-fetched as these stories seemed, Eddy knew there was a fantastical element to them that made them attractive fodder for those who believed in Lizard People and the Illuminati.
A U-boat in the ice changed everything. It was proof that they had, at least, tried to get men there. The model of Unterseeboot lent to that even more. Based on the handful of pictures that had been taken, Eddy had Googled the model and saw that it had been designed to travel long distances and carry heavy cargo.
It wasn’t a prototypical attack sub. This U-boat was a gigantic transport vessel.
Eddy looked at her phone. She wanted to call Raegor but quickly decided against it. His mission with Jack had done a number on him. Raegor’s body didn’t respond well to stress, not since his chemotherapy. He had fought and beaten cancer, but it had also won part of the battle.
No, leave him out of this. She took a deep breath. We can handle this.
Chapter 9
Yana
The Garden Hotel sported a spacious, outdoor, full-service bar — and that was precisely where Yana Fedorov sat now. She’d been instructed to meet TAC agent Zahra Kane here. That was good. Yana always preferred to get pleasantries out of the way early.
The athletic blonde was tickled when she saw a bottle of Jewel of Russia Ultra Black behind the bar. Yana gleefully ordered a heavy pour of the premium vodka. It featured a creamy mouthfeel, subtle peppery notes, soft rye spice, and very little burn on the finish. She always drank it neat, much to the dismay of most other people. Ice watered down flavor and, to Yana, brought out more of the alcohol taste.
Her last mission with TAC had been a doozy; she hoped this one would be too. Yana loved a good challenge. She also loved the adventure that came with the challenge.
“Cerveza por favor.”
Yana’s eyes darted left. In her periphery, she watched a woman sit next to her. It only took a second, and in that short time, Yana read the newcomer as thoroughly as she could.
Her skin tone could only be described as “coffee with cream.” She was well-built but not as muscular as Yana was, and her raven-black hair owned perfect waves.
In short, she was gorgeous.
Middle Eastern, perhaps?
“What are you drinking?” the woman asked.
Yana’s eyes lifted to the mirror built into the back wall of the bar. They found the other patron. The question wasn’t what had gotten Yana’s attention; it was a classic conversation starter. What had raised the hairs on Yana’s arms was what language the question had been asked in.
The Middle Eastern woman had asked the question in fluent Russian.
Yana stayed calm, took another sip, then held the lowball glass, inspecting its contents. “Jewel of Russia black top,” she replied in English. “It doesn’t get better.”
The barkeep returned and placed a bottle of Cerveza Cristal atop a napkin, setting both in front of Yana’s new friend. Yana took another sip of vodka, but this time, instead of admiring her drink, she set it down and turned. She met eyes with her neighbor and noticed how striking they were.
Yana said as much. “You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
Zahra Kane grinned. “Is this how you always begin introductions?”
“What can I say? I speak my mind.”
Zahra took a long pull of her beer, then sighed. “I’ll have to remember that…”
The two women never formally introduced one another. They just sat there and shot the shit, getting to know each other through informal conversation. Yana was grateful for it, too. Meeting new people — people she was going to have to rely on whether she wanted to or not — was always more awkward than it needed to be.