My attention shifts to the teacher who slaloms for a short distance, stops, then waves us forward. “Show us what you’ve got. One at a time.”
From the back of the line, the two Iranians continue to converse.
When I catch the word ricin, my skis slide out from beneath me. Holy shit. They’re talking about a deadly nerve agent.
Standing, I brush off the snow. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous about this steep slope.”
“No problem.” Brows furrowed, the larger guy tilts his head and studies my face. A beat of silence later, he utters something under his breath to the other man. All at once they both switch to English, discussing the weather.
Dialog at an end, Lochlan whispers hoarsely in my earpiece. “What the bloody hell have you stepped into?”
Jesus, I wish I knew.
I wait until it’s my turn to ski before lowering my mouth to the mic. “Did I hear the word, ricin?”
“Damn straight, mate. Keep your head down. Don’t let on.” For once, the operative didn’t crack a joke.
Shit. I am so fucked.
When I shoosh to a stop next to my border guard she shoots me a scowl but beams at Ahmad.
“Babe, I’m sorry. Can we talk?” I must get her alone—tell her what I heard.
Ignoring my pleading eyes, she continues the sham. “Well, I’m still mad, Jack. You can’t simply say what you did and expect me to forgive you right off.”
Her authentic tone makes me wonder. It doesn’t sound like an act.
I think back to the restaurant. Okay, I guess stones-of-steel wasn’t the best praise, but she didn’t appear to mind.
While I second guess myself, the interloper smirks. “Perhaps, you should afford the lady some space.”
What the hell is this? Fists clenched, my vision blurs. For a moment, I consider arresting the bastard. It would be reckless, but right now, I don’t care. She may be playing a role, but he’s a shark, contemplating his next meal.
Focus, Hunt. You’re better than this.
Needing intel more than a pissing contest trophy, I banish my jealousy.
Finally, the class ends. Now she sits in my SUV, warming her hands over the heater. As I start to back out of the parking space, she stretches over the cup holder, pulling my sunglasses to the tip of my nose. “You can turn off the scowly face, Hunter.”
I shove my mirrored lenses back in place. “We can talk at the hotel. Right now, I have to concentrate, babe.”
“Wait!” She grabs the wheel. “Don’t go. What if someone tampered with your vehicle?”
Fishing out my phone, I press the security app icon. “No one has been near our car. See?”
“Wow.” Her shoulders drop as she sinks into the heated seats. “Would’ve been nice to have that program, a few days ago. My poor Kia was totaled.”
“We didn’t know the risks. I’m not taking any more chances. You’ve sort of grown on me.”
Done checking for tails, I ease onto the highway. “ETA to my room, ten minutes.”
Once I’m sure we’re not being followed, I ask Lochlan James, the question lying heavy on my mind. “Have you had enough time to translate the video?”
The Aussie hisses. “Some, but not all. Your two Iranian friends were describing a mass poisoning event. They stopped talking when you showed too much interest.”
Eyes widening, O’Malley stiffens and digs her nails into my thigh. “Oh my God.”
“Dammit. I can’t believe it.” A cold sweat prickles my neck as I tighten my grip on the steering. “Shit. If I hadn’t reacted, we could’ve learned more.”
