6. Goodbye Gabriel
GOODBYE GAbrIEL
HALSTON
At five past nine in the morning, Halston stood in the spacious lobby of the Russian Embassy with twenty other new employees. Most were huddled in groups of three or four. The cacophony of voices filled the two-story space. Though she’d been told to speak English, everyone was chatting in Russian.
On purpose, Halston waited alone. She offered a polite smile and “good mornings” to anyone with whom she made eye contact, but that was the extent of it.
Earlier, in her hotel suite, she’d dressed in a brown suit, pulled her hair into her signature Minka bun and long bangs. With her brown contacts in place, she’d slid on her James Bond eyewear and left.
While getting ready, Evangeline had texted her.
Good luck today. Anything I can do for you?
Thanks! All good
She’d swung by the low-rent furnished apartment near the embassy to check out the place she was supposed to call home.
What a shithole.
She’d lived like this in Russia.
Not anymore.
But she had an address to provide, should anyone ask. Otherwise, she’d say nothing to anyone. Flying under the radar worked best.
Always had.
As she glanced around the pristine embassy lobby, her thoughts flashed back to her late-night fun with Gabriel Santini. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Before she could smack it down, one of the new employees said, “You look excited to start new job.”
She regarded the short, middle-aged man with thinning hair and a pleasant smile. Even though he spoke softly, she heard his Russian accent.
“I’m Grigori.”
“Minka.”
“Have you had chance to see city?” he asked. “Museums are free!”
Been too busy screwing my mark.
“I just got here,” she replied. “You?”
“One week,” he said.
Natasha—flanked by four—walked to the top of the short staircase that separated the expansive lobby from the first floor where her and the ambassador’s offices were located.
“Good morning,” Natasha called out.
A silence fell over the chatty group.
“I’m Natasha, social director, or better known as Director of Everything.”
She is definitely full of herself.
Her four attendants broke into energetic applause while the group of newcomers clapped politely.
Natasha spent the next ten minutes talking about herself.
Her various jobs, her importance, how she was involved with a list of projects that went on and on…
and on. She made herself sound so grand, Halston wondered how Ambassador Bulgrov would adapt to her.
Or if they’ll butt heads.
Halston was mindfully aware that Bulgrov had a big ego. So, she stroked it. Staying on his good side meant he kept her on the inside. That was what Langley wanted, so that’s what she did.
“Time for tour,” Natasha boomed. “I’ve got busy morning, so we will be short.”
The embassy was toasty warm, so Halston draped her black winter coat over her arm. The group fell in line as their tour guide—the Queen of Everything—pointed out several paintings, discussed the history of the building, touched on her own history and her quick rise to power.
While Halston didn’t care, she did listen. Even if Natasha’s power was self-perceived, she was involved in a vast assortment of goings-on. Though Halston would be pressed for time, Natasha would be someone to get to know.
Especially since her fiancé was killed by a mafioso.
The tour ended in the cafeteria on the lower level.
“Breakfast today is from embassy,” Natasha announced.
Since Halston had eaten at the hotel restaurant—appreciating the delicious over-easy eggs, turkey sausages, and small bowl of oatmeal—she poured herself a coffee.
There were four large TVs mounted on the wall, so Halston made her way over. Natasha stood nearby, head down on her phone. When she looked up, she made eye contact with Halston.
“You’re… we met last week.” Natasha’s phone binged and she glanced at it.
We met last night.
“I’m Minka. How are you doing?” Halston asked.
No response from Natasha.
“I was with you when you got the horrible news about your fiancé,” Halston said.
“This is nightmare. I would take week off, but embassy comes to stop without me. Did you find place to stay?”
“I’m all set,” Halston replied, grateful Natasha hadn’t remembered her.
On one of the TVs, a local news anchor was talking about electrical blackouts in seven different cities. Natasha whipped her head toward the screen. Then, her fingers flew over the keyboard, before she muted the three other televisions.
Halston adjusted her eyewear, tapping the frame to snap a picture of Natasha.
“City officials are baffled,” reported the anchor.
“Each claim that weather did not play into the twenty-two minutes of complete electrical failure. Four of the seven cities are offering preliminary conclusions that the overloaded grids caused the blackouts, stating that the grids are outdated and can no longer handle the draw. We’ve been told it will take months for anything conclusive.
” The anchor turned to the other and said, “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen here. ”
“Time to get that generator,” said the other. “We’ll be back in a moment.”
After Natasha unmuted the other televisions, she got busy on her phone again.
The employee from earlier made his way over. “I’m one of the linguists,” Grigori said. “So, Minka, what is your job?”
“I’m also a linguist and Ambassador Bulgrov’s assistant.”
“Is your family with you?”
“I don’t have a family,” she replied.
“They’re back in Russia?”
“I’m an orphan,” she said. “Only child, so just me.”
“I’m sorry. My wife and three children came with me. Big changes.”
“Do you miss home?”
He glanced around. “It’s nice break. You?”
She offered her canned answer. “I’m happy to be of service.”
“Have you been to our department?” he continued. “We have new head linguist.”
“Maybe you can help me, Grigori. I’m the new head linguist. Can you introduce me to the team?”
“With pleasure,” he replied.
On the way to the second floor, he said, “There are five of us, including you. The other three have been here for a year or longer. Nice group.”
After he made the introductions, she scheduled a meeting before lunch so they could bring her up to speed.
She was used to taking direction and orders from Yuri Bulgrov.
It felt great to be leading a group. But she wasn’t na?ve.
This was a job where she had to keep her eyes and ears open…
all the time. On her way downstairs to her office, the burner from Evangeline buzzed.
Rather than use a handbag that she’d leave in her office, she wore a small crossbody.
While risky, she stored the cell phone from Evangeline in the false bottom.
After shrugging into her coat, she made her way outside. A small café stood nearby, so she hurried over. Once inside, she entered the restroom. In the privacy of a stall, she unearthed her phone. A text from Caroline.
Short notice, but can you come for dinner tonight? Sydney can’t wait to see you, so just us three
I’d love to. What time and what can I bring?
How’s 7pm and bring you
Caroline added her address and three heart emojis.
Can’t wait!
Something fun to look forward to.
Feeling hopeful, she returned to the embassy to prep for her first team meeting.
THAT EVENING, at ten before seven, Halston pulled to the curb in front of Caroline’s beautiful Alexandria home. She fished out her burner and called her.
“Are you here?” Caroline answered.
“I’m early,” Halston said.
“Park in the garage.”
Seconds later, the two-car garage door opened, Halston drove in, cut the engine.
Caroline stood there, smiling and waving.
After she tapped the remote, the door closed back down.
Halston collected the flowers, the small potted houseplant, and luxury chocolates before she exited the vehicle.
Driving the bulletproof SUV felt like a Mack truck. She loved it.
“Welcome!” Caroline said.
Halston followed her friend inside, the delicious aroma of Italian food making her stomach growl.
“These are for you,” Halston said.
“All of this?” Caroline asked as Sydney joined them.
Halston set the gifts on the large kitchen island.
“Maybe we should share with Sydney,” Sydney said with a playful grin.
Halston hugged Caroline, Sydney too.
Sydney Austin had braided her long dark hair, was about the same height as her sister but her long legs made her look taller. Her outgoing personality had always been one of the things Halston liked most about her.
“Glad you like the wigs I got for you,” Caroline said.
“They’re all great.”
Tonight, Halston hid her long dark hair beneath a curly blonde wig. As always, she’d worn her tinted contacts, but left her James Bond glasses in her room safe at the hotel.
“When I’m not Minka, I change up my wigs and style of clothing, and I most always use tinted contacts.”
“I’ve used wigs for assignments,” Sydney said.
“Same,” Caroline added.
Sydney held up the small plant. “This bonsai is coming home with me!”
Halston smiled.
“I love the flowers.” Caroline pressed her nose to the bouquet and breathed deep. “You’re so sweet to do this.”
“And we can chow on the chocolates after dinner,” Halston said. “I feel like someone should pinch me. I’m so happy to see you guys.”
Sydney pulled out a dark chocolate treat, unwrapped it, and bit into it. “Yummy.”
After they each gobbled down a piece, Caroline opened the oven. Inside a lasagna burbled, the scrumptious casserole reminding Halston of home.
“Ten minutes,” Caroline said. “I hope everyone’s hungry.”
“Starving.” Halston arranged the flowers in a vase, filled it with water, and set it on the table. When she finished, she said, “Your home is beautiful.”
The sisters took her on a tour. The house was filled with modern furniture, the décor black, white and grays. In the living room, she eyed a picture of Caroline with her man.
“Who’s the hair?” Halston asked.
Caroline and Sydney laughed. “That’s my fiancé, Greystone,” Caroline said. “He recently cut it all off. He flies jets for the Navy, most of the time.”
“Did you kick him out for Girls’ Night?”