Deep Cover

CHAPTER 11

SHELBY WATCHED KRIS, something she never tired of doing, as her companion drove them toward her mother's house in Arlington. She found her beauty simply breathtaking and the energy that rolled off the operative in waves, tantalizing. When she was with Kris, nothing else mattered.

Kris glanced at her unusually silent companion. "You're awfully quiet. What're you thinking about?"

You. "Just about how nice this weekend has been."

Kris shot a quick smile at Shelby. "Yeah, it has been." And it had, with the exception of her unpleasant meeting with Gregor. Today they hadn't even had a tail to shake.

"I think you're gonna like Jimmy and Jason. Don't be surprised at anything they ask you, though. Mom probably told them I was bringing a spy to dinner."

"You are kidding?"

"Nope. She thinks everyone who works for the Company is a spy. She's not very thrilled about where I work."

"How come?"

"She thinks it's too dangerous. I've told her it's not. That was pretty much true, until lately." Shelby grinned ruefully. "I'm glad I don't have to explain away the stuff that's happened the past week."

Kris said vehemently, "It'll be over soon. That I can promise you."

Shelby looked at Kris, concerned. "Hey, it's not your fault."

I wish I were absolutely positive of that.

"There it is. It's the house right past the stop sign with the black Tempo in the driveway."

Kris pulled into the driveway of a white ranch style house with green shutters. She rounded the car, waited for Shelby to get out and accompanied her to the side door.

She positioned herself slightly to the rear as Shelby knocked on the door, opened it and walked in. A woman of medium stature resembling the picture Kris had examined approached them with a strained smile on her face.

"Hi, Mom. This is Kris." Shelby glanced at Kris. "This is my mother, Lisa."

Lisa looked at the tall woman standing in her doorway, casually dressed in jeans and a blue polo shirt that seemed custom made to fit her body. She was beautiful, but Lisa found herself taken aback by the woman's commanding presence and the intense blue eyes that met hers unwaveringly. So this is the woman. "Nice to meet you, Kris."

She then hugged her daughter tightly for several moments before finally releasing her. She ignored the puzzled look Shelby gave her, and said, "Why don't you both go into the living room. I'll get you something to drink."

Shelby smiled. "I'll get our drinks, Mom." Turning to Kris, she asked, "Coffee or Coke?"

"Coffee."

Shelby got two mugs from the cupboard and filled the two cups from the coffeemaker sitting on the counter. She handed one to Kris and led her companion into the living room.

Lisa watched them walk into the living room, anger and concern warring for control of her emotions.

"Shelby!!" Jimmy jumped up and hugged his older sister.

Jason watched the show of affection with amusement. "Hey, sis." His attention turned to the tall woman. "Are you a spy, too?"

Shelby started laughing. "Jason, how many times do I have to tell you I am not a spy?"

"I know. I know." He looked at Kris, curiously. "Are you?"

Kris quirked a half-smile and decided to play along. "I'm a field operative."

Jimmy piped up, "What do you do?"

"Whatever they need me to do." Kris grinned when Jimmy rolled his eyes.

Shelby said, "Hey, you two! Where are your manners?"

Jason and Jimmy both stood up, towering over Shelby. Jason was the taller of the two, and both had unruly dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Jimmy had a smattering of freckles across his nose and Jason a more mature face, but except for those small distinctions, they could have been twins.

Jason extended his hand, "Hi, I'm Jason."

Kris took the proffered hand gravely. "Kris." She repeated the exercise with Jimmy, then joined Shelby on the couch. Glancing at the baseball game playing on the television, she asked, "Who's playing?"

"Baltimore and Cleveland."

Kris winked at Shelby and engaged the teenagers in a lively conversation about baseball.

Lisa waited a few minutes to allow Shelby to greet her brothers before making her way to the living room doorway. "Shelby, could you help me for a few minutes?"

"Sure." Looking at her half-brothers, Shelby said, "Hey, come on you guys. Give Kris a break, would ya?"

Trailing her mother into the kitchen, Shelby watched as she closed the door. Her brow furrowed. "Why did you do that?"

"Because I want to talk to you privately. Jonathan was over here earlier." Lisa raised a hand and said, "Wait a minute. Let me finish. Then you can go off, if you still think it's necessary. Those are his sons. He has every right to visit them. He said he stayed away while he was on probation because he realized how wrong he'd been for all those years and wanted to find some way to make it up to us."

"Yeah, right, Mom. And how many times did he tell you that while you were married to him? A hundred? A thousand?"

"People change. I think he deserves another chance." When Shelby did not respond, she continued justifying her feelings. "The boys really missed him. They were so happy to see him." She looked at her daughter's disbelieving face, and mumbled, "He wants to see you, too."

Finally exploding, Shelby said, "It'll be a cold day in hell before I let that bastard near me!"

"You watch your mouth in this house!"

Shelby's eyes were flashing as she looked at her mother angrily. "He couldn't change in all the years he was married to you. All of a sudden you think he's seen the light? I can't believe you. That is so naïve."

"God is the only one who judges, not us. Our responsibility is to forgive and help those who need our help. If I can forgive him, why can't you?"

"He is a control freak, Mom. And he's sick. He'll never change."

Lisa's hazel eyes stared pointedly into Shelby's green ones. "I thought you told me your job was safe."

Puzzled at the abrupt change of subject, Shelby said, "It pretty much is."

"Pretty much? What does that mean? It is or it isn't."

Shelby felt her stomach tighten. "Why are you asking about my job?"

Lisa looked at her daughter accusingly. "Because you lied to me. You said it was safe and it's not. Why didn't you tell me you were shot at on Thursday?"

Because I knew this would happen. Shelby said defensively, "Who told you that?"

Tears began tracking down Lisa's face. "Jonathan went to visit you Thursday. He wanted to apologize and ask your forgiveness. He pulled into the parking lot just as someone shot at you. He said a tall woman knocked you down. Once he saw you were safe, he left because he just got off probation and didn't want to be there when the police arrived."

Shelby struggled with both anger and fear. Jonathan had been at her apartment complex. He knew where she lived. That in itself was frightening, but that he had been there the evening she was shot at, was even more so.

She took a deep breath, and hugged her mother. "Mom, don't cry."

"I'm so worried about you. I want you to quit that job. I've been worried sick ever since he told me this morning."

Shelby released the older woman, watching her intently. "He told you this morning? Why didn't he tell you before now? If he was there, why didn't he call you right away, Mom?"

"He naturally assumed you'd tell me. When he asked me about it, I had no idea what he was talking about." The accusation was clearly evident.

"I suppose you told him I was coming over today?"

Lisa nodded. "That's when he told me what happened."

"What kind of car does he drive?"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"A lot."

"A silver Cavalier. But I don't see..."

"The driver of a silver Cavalier is the top suspect in the shooting right now, Mom," Shelby informed her flatly.

Deeply ingrained defense mechanisms kicked in. "He would never hurt you."

Shelby raised her voice angrily. "What in the hell did he do for years, Mom? Did you forget about that already? Did you forget he threatened me at the trial? How do you know he's just not covering his ass by telling you I was shot at? There weren't any other cars around."

"Are you sure you didn't misunderstand him at the trial?"

Pursing her lips, Shelby shook her head, struggling to control her anger. "Why don't you ask Jonathan?"

"I did. He said he was angry with you, but didn't threaten you. Wait!" Lisa beseeched as her daughter opened her mouth to protest. "He said he's glad you testified against him. That he was sick and now realizes that. Couldn't you please just give him a chance?"

Shelby momentarily closed her eyes. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It wasn't that she didn't think someone could change. But she'd never forget the hatred in her stepfather's eyes coupled with the malevolent look on his face that day.

"Shelby? Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, Shelby said, "No, Mom. I'm not. He's still lying."

Kris sat in the living room listening to the murmur of angry voices through the door, but the words were indistinguishable. She glanced at the two boys, and found Jimmy looking at her.

"Don't worry." Jimmy smiled weakly. "They're probably just arguing about Dad. Shelby doesn't like our Dad."

Jason said, "Yeah. He used to do some really mean things to Mom. He came over this morning and said he saw a doctor that helped him. Brought Mom some flowers, too. Said he had a lotta things to make up for. He's gonna take us to the game next Saturday. Mom's probably telling Shelby that he's better now. That's probably what's goin' on in the kitchen."

Kris tensed. Shelby didn't need this added stress, but her hands were tied. She couldn't very well go barging into the kitchen and rescue Shelby from her own mother; and even if she made the attempt, the analyst would resent it. Her partner had proved on more than one occasion that she could handle herself in stressful situations. And Kris very much respected that.

"Can't you let God into your heart and forgive him for the past? He's changed. You wouldn't believe how good he looks."

Calming down, Shelby studied her mother's face. "I don't give a damn how good he looks. How good is he inside? He's not. He's rotten to the core. I can't believe you're falling for his looks again. Do you want to end up back in the hospital? What about the boys?"

"You know he never touched the boys."

"No he didn't. But do you really think they'll believe the next time he hurts you that you just happened to fall? Do you want them exposed to that?"

"They won't be. He's changed. I thought you would be more understanding and forgiving. Have you forgotten everything you were taught?"

Shelby met her mother's eyes. "No, Mom. I haven't forgotten anything at all. I especially remember the lesson he taught me. I'm not looking at the world through rose colored glasses like you are right now."

Lisa's disappointment was evident. "Well, I can see this conversation is going nowhere."

"You're right, it's not." Shelby thought of Kris and resisted the urge to forget about dinner and just leave. Determined to salvage what she could of the afternoon for the agent's sake, Shelby resolved to ignore her aggravation and resolutely set it aside. "Want me to set the table?"

Lisa nodded. She watched her daughter gather up the plates and silverware and wondered how she could convince her to quit her job. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to her.

She wasn't really surprised Shelby was so adamant about Jonathan, but she would keep working on her. Jonathan had stressed how important it was for him to make a clean start with each one of them. She would do her part to help him.

Kris looked up when Shelby returned to the living room and joined her on the couch. Noting the strain on the younger woman's face, she gazed at her with concern. "You okay?"

Shelby smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah."

Jason looked at his sister. "Mom tell you Dad was here?" When Shelby nodded, he nodded. "He's been seeing a doctor. He's not sick anymore, Shelby. He apologized to me and Jimmy for not visiting."

Shelby was spared having to formulate a suitable answer when Lisa summoned them to the table. The two boys jumped up enthusiastically and hurried out to the dining room.

Kris looked at Shelby. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. Just worried, that's all. I'll tell you about it later."

Distressed at how upset Shelby was, Kris could only nod.

They walked into the dining room and joined the others at the table. Kris looked at the feast set out on the table - fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, salad, and dinner rolls. She followed Shelby's lead and sat in the chair next to her across from the two boys. Kris covertly watched Shelby as her mother sat down at the head of the table and glanced up to find Lisa regarding her gravely.

"Thank you."

Kris raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Thank you for protecting my daughter."

She took in the worried look and red eyes. The operative could see the woman loved her daughter, yet she hadn't taken the steps to protect her children when they were unable to protect themselves. She couldn't respect that no matter how much Lisa loved Shelby.

Kris nodded. "Any time."

Jason and Jimmy looked up, their attention piqued. "What're you talking about, Mom?"

Lisa hedged. She didn't want to tell the boys, yet. She'd only found out herself shortly before Shelby arrived and wanted to wait for the right moment. "I'll tell you about it later. How about passing the chicken?"

She forced a smile as she took the platter from Jason and began passing the food around the table.

Kris could feel the tension emanating from Shelby, and moved her leg sideways, bumping the shorter one next to hers. When Shelby looked at her, Kris quirked a half-smile. The answering smile caused her heart to skip a beat.

It was just the briefest of contact, but Shelby felt her world begin to right itself. Some of her tension faded and she could sense Kris' diminish in concert.

Jason and Jimmy chattered excitedly about their upcoming baseball trip and when that didn't elicit anything except monosyllabic responses from the others, they began telling spy stories.

Shelby tried to introduce a neutral subject a number of times, but her heart wasn't in it and she was unsuccessful. Lisa and Kris' contributions were perfunctory and the analyst found it increasingly difficult to carry on the conversation with the boys herself.

Tiring of the lack of response, the teenagers eventually fell silent until the only sounds in the large room were those of silverware scraping against plates. After demolishing their food, both boys asked to be excused wanting to leave the tension behind. Lisa sent them on their way promising to bring in dessert.

Shelby and Kris remained at the table with the older woman, drinking coffee.

"So what are you, Kris? A bodyguard?"

Shelby started laughing at the look of shock that flitted across Kris' face before she quickly recovered.

"No. I'm a field operative. Once the case I'm working on with Shelby is completed, I'll be reassigned."

"Well, I'm really glad you are staying with Shelby. Jonathan said it was amazing how quickly you knocked her down and made sure she was safe."

Kris played along, even as she tensed. "And Jonathan knew this, how?"

"He was there. He saw what you did. He said it was nothing short of amazing."

"So why'd he leave?" she challenged.

Lisa nervously toyed with her coffee cup, looking for an answer that would excuse his actions. "Shelby and her stepfather aren't on the best of terms right now."

Kris raised an eyebrow. "So he left while she was in danger?"

Lisa suddenly felt like she was being interrogated and didn't want to tell this intimidating woman that her ex-husband had been on parole, so she stood up, and changed the subject. "How about some dessert?"

Kris seethed inwardly. She couldn't say what she wanted to because to do so would betray Shelby's trust.

Shelby smiled. "I'll have some, Mom." She glanced at Kris. "Mom makes the best apple pie around. Why don't you try a piece?"

The operative inwardly shook her head. Shelby was upset, yet she was still trying to ease the sudden escalation of tension. For her benefit only, Kris smiled at Lisa. "Thanks. It sounds delicious."

Kris and Shelby departed an hour later, after thanking Lisa for the delicious dinner and bidding her and the two teenagers farewell. Within five minutes of their departure, a silver Cavalier pulled into the driveway they had vacated.

"What'd you think of my mother?"

"Um...she seems nice. So how'd she know?"

"My stepfather. You know the car that pulled in the parking lot? It was him. He told Mom he was just coming to see me to try and make amends."

Kris glanced at Shelby. "Do you believe that?"

"I don't know what to believe. He's still lying. He told her he didn't threaten me at the trial. I'll never forget that. You had to see his face, how much he hated me. He said, "You bitch, you'll pay. I'll see you in hell even if I have to join you there."

Kris reached over and grasped Shelby's hand. "Hey, I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. I promise."

Shelby turned to face the operative, holding tightly to her hand. "Thanks, but you're only gonna be here another week at most. This is something I have to take care of."

The taller woman briefly scanned Shelby's pale face. Mind made up, she said flatly, "I'm going to pay Jonathan a visit."

"Kris!"

Kris smiled grimly. "I'm not going to hurt him." Unless he gives me a reason. "Just talk to him." And let the bastard knows that if he ever harms you in any way, he'll be begging to die before I'm finished with him.

Shelby looked at Kris and shuddered. But this was her battle. Squaring her shoulders, she spoke with conviction. "I think I should be the one to talk to him."

Kris quickly searched Shelby's eyes before turning her attention back to the road, nodding at the determination and strength she'd seen. "When do you want to go?"

"Not today. I've had enough unpleasantness for one day. Besides, I need to find out where he lives and works, so we're likely to catch him at home. I don't want to have to go back more than once."

"I requested his FBI file. I should have it Monday."

"Why did you request it?"

Kris shrugged. "He needs to be ruled out as a suspect."

"Okay, we'll decide when to go see him after we review it. I don't think he had anything to do with the shooting, though. I wish I knew why he really was at my place."

Shelby stared out the window for a few minutes, then turned troubled eyes to Kris. "I don't know what to do about my mother. She has all the classic symptoms of an abused woman. I really thought she was okay, now. She'd never indicated any desire to see Jonathan. I wish I could find a way to convince her to seek professional counseling. I can't help her. She thinks I'm too biased."

"Any possibility of getting her to go to a support group?"

"Not if she knew what it was. Maybe if I talk to one of the women's shelters, they might let me bring her to visit. Just to remind her of what it was like. I think she's forgotten. She wouldn't go if she knew where we were going, though. I'd have to fabricate something and I hate doing that."

"You don't know anyone who does any counseling?"

"Duh!! A good friend of mine travels around the country giving seminars to abused women. Geesh! I can't believe I didn't think of her! She's been out of town. I think she gets back on Wednesday."

Pleased to hear the obvious relief in Shelby's voice, Kris smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

Shelby suddenly said, "Let's go some place and do something fun."

Nodding, Kris grinned. "Okay. Your wish is my command."

Shelby looked away to hide the flush that crept up on her face. Don't even go there. "We could see a movie, or visit the monuments, or go to Baltimore."

"Baltimore's almost an hour away. Why there?"

"To see the ocean. It's really nice off the harbor."

Kris glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was only three, so they had plenty of time. She smiled. "Sounds good," and she started maneuvering her way to US-50.

Dimitri read the encrypted message he'd just received for the third time. Two of the three names Natasha had provided were agents that were no longer in place, having been reassigned only days before. It couldn't be coincidence. She was obviously playing games. He would know with absolute certainly when information on the third name was returned.

He forced himself to calm down. Anger was nonproductive. He'd actually been very lucky. Normally it would've taken several days to get operatives in place to verify the information, but they'd had men already close to two of the target locations, and headquarters had indicated information on the third name would be forthcoming within hours.

To achieve an invaluable advantage, his country needed to know where their counterparts were. Then it was just a matter of observing them. He was in a position to obtain that information, but this prime opportunity that could have been an information coup and a promotion for him, was quickly disintegrating into a huge waste of time and money, which he could not allow.

It was time for him to get personally involved. Obviously, Gregor hadn't done his job; but right now, he still needed him. It would take too long to train a replacement. He smiled cruelly. It was time to remind Natasha just who she was and what her job was. Knowing better than to underestimate her, he decided to be certain his ace in the hole was in place.

Dimitri leaned back in his chair, musing on his subordinate's actions. Gregor thought he was so clever in not sharing all the information he had obtained on Lubinyenka. Specifically, keeping the high level of access her partner had to himself. He looked up as the encryption machine came to life and waited until it stopped before retrieving the paper it had spewed forth. He read it and slammed his fist on the desk. Damn it! Does she take us for fools?

He began typing:

Priority one. Implement Plan G. Extract Masha. Next available flight. Attendants - three class A operatives. Inform K1 AXIS will be terminated after information extraction.

After encrypting the message and sending it, Dimitri summoned Gregor. When his subordinate arrived, he began issuing orders.

"Prepare the interrogation room."

"It already..."

"Not the one here, you fool! The other location. And have our visitors' quarters readied. Someone else will be joining us for the session." Dimitri smiled to himself. It would be most interesting to see the expression on Gregor's face when he learned who the visitor was to be.

"Put ten of our people on standby to move at my command. Make sure each is intimately familiar with the apartment layout and the location around the building at which they are to be positioned. I want every window and door covered. It has to be quick and quiet. You know what to do."

Dimitri suddenly stood and walked up to Gregor. "Once she is down, you will not touch her. Is that clear?" He knew the man had a personal grudge since she'd obviously outwitted him on their last meeting, but this was his game.

"Yes, Comrade."

"Good. I'm glad we understand each other. Have you found out who else has an interest in her?"

"No. All my contacts have come up dry. Perhaps the shot was intended for the analyst."

"Perhaps. Have two men remain on location to guard her."

Gregor was relieved, but suspicious. Because of his own agenda, he didn't want anything to happen to Shelby, but why was Dimitri protecting her? "Why, Comrade? She is not our responsibility."

Dimitri had expected the question. "If she turns up dead, Natasha will be reassigned before we have the names we need." Sarcastically, he continued, "Now if you are done questioning my decisions, you're dismissed."

Bowing his head slightly, Gregor held his anger in check as he exited the room.

The Russian eyed the departing man contemptuously. You'll enjoy Siberia, Gregor.

Kris grinned, genuinely happy as Shelby's delighted laughter rang through the air, the look of joy on her face warming the deepest recesses of her heart.

"Oh, I love it! Thank you! You shouldn't have. I love it!" She gripped the large, white plush unicorn with both arms, hugging it close to her. Her eyes were shining as she bumped Kris with its horn.

Laughing, Kris said, "You're welcome. You want me to carry it for you?" It had been a stroke of luck to find a unicorn in one of the shops they had visited.

"No. I've got it." Shelby had no intentions of letting go of her gift even though it was almost four feet long and a foot and a half wide. She held it against her, securely wrapped in her arms, her face resting against its head.

An hour later they arrived home. Kris unlocked the door and picked up Stormy while Shelby deposited her unicorn in the middle of the couch. She took the kitten from Kris and sat her next to the stuffed animal. The little feline hissed and backed up, her fur standing on end.

The two women laughed at the kitten's antics. Kris teased, "I don't know? Maybe we should get rid of it. She doesn't seem to like it."

Shelby turned and wrapped both arms around Kris. With heartfelt conviction, she said, "That's the best gift I ever got."

Kris suddenly swallowed hard and momentarily struggled with her emotions as she hugged Shelby back. "I'm glad. Because you're very special."

She was reluctant to let go of the smaller woman who fit so comfortably against her and rested her chin on the blonde head lying against her breasts.

The moment extended into minutes when Shelby made no move to extricate herself from the comfortable arms in which she was encased. Kris's breasts were so soft, and the touch of the lean body against her own felt electrifying.

Kris barely grazed the top of Shelby's head with her lips and then released her. She needed some space, quickly. Her body was aching with desire, and her control was rapidly diminishing. I am so far gone. What am I going to do?

Shelby sighed inwardly, but didn't want to push Kris. "Want something to drink?"

Smiling appreciatively, Kris said, "A Coke would taste great right about now. How about if I take the unicorn to your bedroom so we have somewhere to sit down?"

"Well...okay, if you must."

A couple of hours later, after Kris returned from her final security check, Shelby stood up. "It's late. Time to say goodnight." She paused, then added, "I really think you'd be more comfortable if you'd share the bed."

"I'm sure I would be." I know I would be. "But..."

"I know. Just remember, you're welcome to change your mind." Shelby walked over to Kris, hugged her, quickly released her and walked down the hall to the bedroom.

Kris had to use every ounce of her considerable self-control to keep from following Shelby down the hallway. Her sleep that night was even more fitful than usual. During one of her many waking moments, Kris walked down to the bedroom door and glanced in.

What she saw there, brought a smile to her face. Shelby was sleeping with Stormy next to her on the pillow and her arm thrown over the unicorn. Lucky stuffed animal. Kris walked back to the living room and sat down on the couch. There has got to be a way...