“My primary focus is serving the Russian government.” After a pause, she asked, “When does this new assignment start?”
“Tomorrow.”
She tried hiding her surprise, but her eyebrows had jutted up before she could check herself.
He chuckled. “I’m leaving in a few days, but I havespecialassignment for you on route to America.”
Oh boy.
“Of course.”
“Minka, you’re going to stop by a villa in Italy and collect a thumb drive.”
“From whom?”
“From no one.”
“YA ne ponimayu.”I don’t understand.
He handed her a piece of paper. “The address. The first code opens security gate, the second turns off house alarm. The occupant is away. You’ll be alone.”
She nodded along as she glanced down at the information on the paper. “Where is the thumb drive?”
“Probably hidden in desk, maybe a safe. One of our top scientists tried to defect with highly classified information. We think on thumb drive.” He stood. “Your job… find it.”
She rose. “And not get caught.”
“Minka, if you are captured, you are on your own.” He walked her into the corridor. “Your airline tickets will be emailed to you. First class.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your stay in Italy will be day and a half,” Bulgrov said. “With extra time, you can explore city. I noted you haven’t taken any personal days. You deserve it.”
“Thank you. And congratulations,AmbassadorBulgrov.”
As she made her way back to her office, thoughts came rushing in.
A day and a half. That’s nothing. Give me a few days. How ‘bout a week?
Even so, she was thrilled she’d been given this clandestine assignment.
My first big one.
Bulgrov and the higher-ups trusted her enough to do their dirty work. She couldn’t wait to tell her handler at Langley.
And I’m going home!
That, above all else, was the best news.
An hour later, she received an email with her flight itinerary. She was flying out tomorrow, stopping in Milan for a day before continuing on to Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia.
Tamping down her excitement, she focused on closing out tasks, then composed an email letting Bulgrov know what projects were still in play. She memorized the address of the Italian villa and both security codes, shredded the paper, and left her office without glancing back.
I won’t miss this place.
After securing her scarf around her neck, she buttoned her coat. Down the elevator and through the lobby, she pushed through the door for what she hoped would be the last time.
Outside, the thirty-degree temp chilled her bones, but she’d gotten used to the frigid air. She left the historic high-rise on Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square, walking the short hike to the small apartment she’d been calling home. In some ways, she felt like a zombie going through the motions. But she’d been adutiful employee so she could earn her boss’s trust. And he’d finally shown it by sending her on a mission to hunt down a thumb drive.
