Val sat next to him and stretched out, putting her feet on his legs since they wouldn’t reach the other side of the compartment. “Can I tell you again how much I think your parents are troglodytes?”
His laughter under her ear was a precious sound. “You like that word.”
She chuckled and shrugged. “I do. It has a ring to it, doesn’t it? I learned it from a friend, who you’ll meet one of these days. His name is Flack. He called his sister Trisha’s in-laws that. I had to look it up. Don’t tell him.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
The horn on the train blew plaintively. “We’ll be moving soon.”
“When we do, we’ll remove our guns but keep them hidden and stash most of the money where we can access it. We'll need cash to buy favors and silence if we need to improvise and leave the train.” Val snuggled against him. “Besides, I have what I need right here.” She lifted her shoe and twisted her ankle to show him her prized possession.
“Black shoes with high heels. I can see how that could kill someone. A heel through the eye.” Smith poked fun at her.
“Well, close, but a little different than you think. Don’t judge a book by its cover.” She crossed her leg and twisted the heel at the rubber heel guard. A long, pointed, thick needle slid out. “I have these installed in every set of high heels I own.” Val held it up in the air and turned it around. “Strong enough to go through the ear into the brain if you shove it just right. But normally, I use the eye. Bigger hole in the skull.”
He took the small base of her heel and examined the needle. “How do you get close enough to shove this in his eye without them suspecting it?”
She twisted to look up at him. “It’s an acquired skill.”
She saw the moment her words hit pay dirt. He didn’t say anything for several moments. Then he asked, “You’ve used this before?”
She took it back and slid the needle back into its home, twisting the rubber heel guard to lock it into place. “Carbon steel and titanium alloy. Strong enough to go through bone. And yes, I’ve used it many times. There is very little, if any, struggling afterward. Effective, efficient, and usually silent.” There’d been an occasion when she’d had to break a neck to silence a target. She hated that cracking sound. It sent shivers down her spine, so she avoided using that tactic if possible.
“How many assignments have you been on for Guardian?”
She looked back at him. “Does it matter?”
He gazed at her and shook his head. “It doesn’t. I’m sorry for asking.”
“Don’t be. I do the work I’m assigned. Maybe once or twice a year, I’m given an assignment or a support role to assist one of the others. Other than that, most of my time is spent alone or training.”
“Living a solitary life is difficult at times.”
She turned so she could see him better. “It’s difficult all the time.”
The train jerked forward, and Val lurched closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and dropped a kiss on her lips. “Time to get to work, Mrs. Young.”
Val exited the room after retrieving their personal sidearms. Her Beretta PX4 Storm weighed less than two pounds, was slightly over five inches long, and held eleven 9-millimeter rounds. Ten in the magazine and one in the chamber. It sat comfortably in the purse she carried. For the rest of the day, they planned on getting the lay of the train and the individual cars. Things like where the roof hatches were located and if there were any floor hatches would be valuable to know. Additionally, they needed to assess the passengers and, if possible, find Komal.
Val made her way back to the bar car. Several people were lounging by the windows, and she chose a seat away from them and made herself comfortable.
“Would madame like a drink?”
She smiled at the waiter and ordered a Chardonnay. After the waiter delivered it, she sipped the wine and examined the bar car. Two ways in and two ways out. There was a roof hatch in the middle of the car. It was centered between two chandeliers and trimmed with crown molding, but it was available if needed.
“May I sit?” a woman about sixty asked and pointed to the chair across from Val.
“Of course.” She smiled at the woman and resumed her examination of the bar car.
“You must have gotten on in Novosibirsk. I don’t believe I’ve seen you before.”
Val blinked back to the woman across from her. “We did, yes. My husband and I decided to extend our honeymoon. When we found out tickets were available, we couldn’t resist.”
The woman tilted her head. “Congratulations. My husband and I are celebrating our fortieth wedding anniversary. I’ve always wanted to ride this train. My father told stories of the grand cars and the pampered service. We boarded in Moscow, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the less populated areas. Are you traveling all the way to Beijing?”
“Yes, we are. Are you?”
“Yes. There really isn’t any other place that will do, is there? These villages are … less than adequate.”