The man gave a curt nod.
“There you have it. Negotiating it is. So, how about you initiate the give and take, Lena. What is it you want?”
“Take me with you when you go.”
That shocked everybody in the room, including and, perhaps especially, her fellow researchers.
“Oh my. That was unexpected. Look at the expression on these faces. It was unexpected for them as well. Take you with us when we go. Why would you ask that?”
“I want a cut.”
More shock and surprise. “Lena, you’re really keeping me off balance here.”
“You can afford it.”
He shook his head and turned away. He started to walk slowly, reflectively around the room.
“You could make that argument. I can see how you could. To be completely honest, it was originally to be a five way split. My current partner and myself decided that a change in the numbers would be much more lucrative for us, so we made a staffing adjustment on the way here. We downsized, to use the current popular lingo. Oh my, weren’t they surprised. It wasn’t exactly a pink slip, it was more of a red splatter.”
He turned and meandered along the far wall. His voice was still easily distinguishable in the otherwise silent environment.
“So we went from a five way split to a two way split. Now here you are proposing what…a three way split?”
“Yes.”
“Three way. Hmm. Doesn’t have the same nice ring to it as a two way split.”
“What do you get without the samples?”
He was walking slowly back toward them now.
“You are brazen and bold, Lena. What do we get without the samples? We get zilch, zip, zero. Did you like what I did there? Those were all words that start with z. We get bupkis, diddly squat, jack shit. So, I do get your point. A three way split of a large amount is better than a two way split of nothing. I commend you on your negotiating skills and tactics. Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that I’m not absolutely opposed to the idea of taking you on and bringing you with us. Where do we go from here?”
“I leave with you. We do a split. And these people are left behind unharmed.”
“Now there’s your problem right there, Lena. The old morality thing. Really? Does that even seem feasible in the midst of a deal that is intended to give a deadly virus to someone who probably plans to use it? And now you worry about five researchers and put this whole negotiation in jeopardy? You’re trying to balance the slate by saving five as opposed to the deaths of possibly millions? Sorry, even I know that won’t come out in the wash. So why even bother?”
“Those are my terms. Also, I have a question, if I may? Would you come over here so I can whisper something in your ear? I don’t want the others to hear.”
He wagged his finger at her. “Oh, Lena. You’re a saucy one. You wouldn’t be planning on kicking or biting me, would you? Because that would definitely sour the negotiations.”
“One way to find out.” She was utilizing her husky voice now.
“Okay. My friend here can keep an eye on the proceedings while you distract me, I suppose. If you do anything inappropriate, I’m going to shoot your chunky friend in her gut. Just saying.”
He sauntered over, got close, and then hesitated. “You’re not going to put your tongue in my ear or anything like that, are you? Because I’d rather you didn’t. Unless you really mean it, of course. I assume that this is simply you wanting to screw over your comrades here, and you don’t want them to know.” He leaned in close.
She pressed her lips in until they brushed his skin. She whispered softly for a moment. And then, in what she hoped was a well calculated move, she did, in fact, flick her tongue in and out of his ear.
He pulled away, looking puzzled.
“I asked you not to do that unless you meant it. So I’m going to assume you meant it. We can discuss the implications of that later. Now, back to your proposal.”
He sauntered toward the table where his partner sat. He pointed toward him.
“So, would it be okay if I let my partner in on the secret proposal?”
Her eyes grew wide. She shook her head.
“Oh, come on. I can see why you didn’t want your companions to hear, but my partner? Of course I have to tell him. So, partner, you’ll never guess what she proposed.”
“What?” He continued to be a man of few words. As he would forever be.
“She said the two-way split was still the best.” He whipped up his pistol and shot the man in the back of the head. Parts sprayed across the table, and he jerked off the seat and flopped onto the floor.
“And I happen to agree. Besides, you never offered to put your tongue in my ear even once in all the time I knew you.”
Francis was way too close to the action. It took every ounce of concentration and willpower he had not to throw up.
“Hamlin, I almost forgot you there in all this excitement. Hang tight, little buddy. I think we’ll have this resolved fairly quickly.” He looked at the table. “Oh my, what a mess. If this all ends well for the rest of you, I recommend you don’t eat here at this table any more. And I’ll tell you something else; I’m certainly not cleaning that up.”
He started back toward the group.
“What’s next, Lena? Lena, with the big, long legs. How do we wrap this up? We should be going as soon as possible. There is a schedule to maintain, my dear. So help me out.”
“I could think better if your hand was in my shirt.”
He laughed long and loud. “Oh, Lena. You’re a hoot. I’m so glad I got to meet you. You’ve changed my life in some small ways already. But mixing business with pleasure, now you know better than that. And speaking of knowing better, who do you really work for?”
She maintained a blank look. The question came out of nowhere. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, don’t give me that. You might have fooled these idiots, who are only smart when their nose is in a book or a microscope, but you’re not fooling me. Come on, you can tell me. Think of it as an exercise in building trust between us. Besides, I really want to see the expression on all of their faces. I’m starting to enjoy that shocked look that they do so well. So what do you say?”
“I…”
“Wait, wait. Let me guess. This might help to jog your memory. Obviously KGB. Right?”
She had no response.
He looked up at the ceiling. “Spetsnaz, no doubt.”
She remained silent.
“Okay, shot in the dark here. I’m swinging for the fences…I would say…Vega group. Right? Am I right?”
She gave him a hard look.
“I knew it. It’s standard operating procedure. They put Sokolov in as the overt overseer, and sneak in you as the covert backup plan. And the shocking thing, children, is that if push came to shove, you really would be Sokolov’s superior and boss. Again, don’t make me say it, am I right?”
She smiled. “One of only three women to ever make the rank of Colonel.”
His raised his eyebrows. “Oh, sweetie. I had no idea. I probably should be saluting you. You’re a few steps ahead of me. Why would they jam somebody as high as you down here? Aha. For the same reason I’m here. Because of your friend and mine, Mr. Deadly Virus. Right? Wow, this is going to look really bad on your dossier. No more promotions for you. You bad, bad girl. You’re going to get a good spanking when you get home. Or maybe that’s why you don’t want to go home. Hmm. Or maybe it is why you do want to go home. Maybe that’s how you got this rank in the first place.”
He started pacing again. “Okay, I’m talking too much. This happens sometimes when I get a little excited. We need to get back to basics. So, Colonel, would you be as good as to give me your proposal? All of it, please, with as much detail as possible.”