14
Val woke when a door down the hall shut. The noise wasn’t loud, but it was distinct from the subtle noises of their room. The door at the end of the hall opened and closed, and she heard the faint fall of feet going down the stairs. Relaxing, she continued to listen for anything that suggested hostile intent. When there was nothing, she pushed her hair away from her face and lifted her cell phone. Almost six in the morning. Smith sighed and rolled over onto his side, facing her. She smiled at the memories of last night. The sex was always great, but last night, there was something more than just sex. There was a connection, a type of reverence that usurped the physical desires. He cared for her. In Smith speak, that was huge.
She cared for him, too. The thought was painful and liberating. Painful because she thought she’d never care for anyone again. Liberating because she knew it was time. Time to let go of the past and move on. Val closed her eyes and thought of her late husband.I will always love you, but I need this. I need him. He’s a wonderful man.Val knew it was time to move on, and she’d go forward with Smithson.
“Why are you awake?” Smith mumbled in her ear. Even half asleep, he’d remembered to speak in Russian.
“We slept for seven hours.” She reached for her phone and logged in now that the light wouldn’t wake her sleeping partner.
“Bright.” Smith rolled onto his face.
She chuckled and signed into the email account. There was a message, and she read it. “Come on. We have to get up, showered, eat breakfast and make it to the train depot by ten.” She tapped him on the shoulder, and he lifted his head, squinting at the cell phone screen.
He read the screen and dropped back down into the pillow. “It doesn’t take me four hours to get ready.”
“Fine, you sleep. I’ll shower.” She slipped out of bed and went into the bathroom, where she turned on the shower and placed her cell phone on the sink. Komal was either seen on the train, or they suspected he was now on board.
She let the warm water pour over her. According to the information in the packet, Komal was a narcissistic bastard. She knew exactly how to play on that particular brand of crazy. The unknowns for the mission, though, were legion. She knew Smith would have her back, and thankfully, she didn’t have to worry about Komal’s chief of security. She’d make sure Smith knew Vossar Blanton was his to eliminate before they boarded. There would be others, for certain. Val washed her hair and worked through what would give them the best chance of survival and escape. She’d have to ensure she was alone with Komal before they hit the switching station. She’d kill him, and then she and Smithson would need to take out whatever contingent, Russian guards, personal bodyguards, or loyalists would hinder their escape. Phones would be a problem if there were reception in the area. Cell coverage could be obtained if not in the rural areas as they passed through towns.
Val felt the cool air as Smith opened the bathroom door. He pulled the shower curtain back, and Val couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. His hair stood up in a cacophony of directions, and his morning stubble would take most men a week to grow. “It’s too small for both of us.”
“I’m done.” Val stepped out of the spray and reached for a towel. Smithson moved sideways, and they changed positions. She stood beside him and towel-dried her hair. With the water running, they could talk quietly. “Blanton is yours. Keep him away from the target and me. We’ll make our move the night before we meet with Harbinger and the team. By that time, we’ll have identified all his entourage.”
He nodded. “The rest of the security team may have to be eliminated.”
“Acceptable. Civilian casualties are not. But if it’s the only way to eliminate our targets, we do what we must do.” She wrapped her towel around her body and reached for her comb. “We’ll need to figure out how and when to separate Komal from his pack.
He cocked his head at her and nodded. “We’ll think of something.”
“Good. Now, soap up and get a move on. We don’t want to be late.” Val closed the shower curtain. Smithson whipped it open again and grabbed her, pulling her toward him. He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Good morning.”
Shocked, she laughed, “Well, good morning to you, too.” Smith shut the curtain again, and she shook her head. The man was an enigma, to be sure.
* * *
Val extendedher hand to the conductor as she stepped into the luxury coach. “Welcome. Your tickets please?”
Val turned around. “My husband has them.”
Smith stepped into the coach and removed the tickets from the inside pocket of his jacket. “Very good. We have your accommodations ready.” He lifted his hand, and a young woman in black slacks and a red vest stepped forward. “Daria will show you the way. Your luggage will be delivered to your quarters.”
Daria greeted them. “This is the bar car. Cocktails are served in the dining car also.” They moved from one car to the next. “This is the dining car. Meals are at eight, noon, and six. We have full-time kitchen staff, but room service is not offered. Seating is open.” They walked into another richly appointed car. “Here we have the game car. The gentlemen have a self-serve whiskey bar here, and we have supplies for card games. Wagers are illegal.” Daria smiled. “If we find out about them.” She laughed and led them out the door and to the next car. “Next, we have two sleeping cars. You will be in this one.” They entered another car, and Daria escorted them to their room. “We will convert the seats into beds while you are at dinner.” She looked at Smithson. “I think you may be cramped, sir.”
Smith glanced at the small seats and shrugged. “I’ll be fine.”
“Your luggage is already here. Your private shower is through this door. Once you empty your luggage, please let us know, and we will store what you don’t need.”
“What are the other cars up there?” Val asked, wide-eyed, pointing out the window.
“The first is the kitchen car. Above that is a supply car. We can carry enough food and water for three round trips, if necessary, but always refill when we stop in Moscow. Then the luggage storage car is after that. Next is staff lodging. Beyond that are the coal car and the engine.”
“So, all the guests are in these two cars? That’s amazing.”
“Normally, we have more passenger cars, supply, and staff cars.” Daria shook her head. “The schedule and number of cars always change.”
“Thank you so much for the tour.” Val gave the woman a few rubles before she stepped into the compartment and shut the door behind her. Smithson handed her the scanning device, and she conducted a quick sweep. “Nothing, and you will be a pretzel by morning.” She waved at the small red crushed-velvet benches that would be their beds.
Smith sat down on one and leaned into the corner. He put his feet on the cushion across the small aisle and crossed his arms. “I’ve slept in alleyways and behind dumpsters. This is good enough for me.”