Pursuing Pandora

by Maggie Brown

  Then respite came from an unexpected quarter. Someone at the balcony door caught her eye and she looked around to see Brenda approaching.

  “Ah, here you two are. I was wondering where you disappeared to. Come on inside. I’d like you to meet Andre, our other artist in the exhibition. He knows no one, poor boy, and looks overwhelmed with it all.”

  Winter smiled with relief at the gallery owner. Now they could quit discussing her love life and concentrate on someone else. Her emotional state was frayed. However well Veronica was taking her rejection, she still hated being the cause of someone’s pain. God knows she had been the one in that situation often enough.

  The rest of the night passed pleasantly enough. They stayed until midnight chatting with Brenda and her friends. On the footpath outside, they shared a rather awkward hug before Veronica climbed into her cab.

  In her own taxi, Winter sat in silence to digest the events of the evening. The ghastly scene with Christine and the subsequent “talk” with Veronica, had left her emotionally exhausted. She hated conflict and having to justify herself was always a strain. Now she was alone, all the old misgivings came seeping back. Was she really boring? Would Pandora tire of her soon? Had someone at the club caught her eye tonight. Even though she knew it was a reaction to stress, she couldn’t help wallowing in doubt.

  By the time she walked up to her front door, she felt like weeping. She fumbled with the key which refused to go in after four tries. She rummaged in her purse for her phone to light up the door. Crap! At this time of night, she needed this like a hole in the head.

  She felt the air shift beside her. Her heart gave an almighty thump. She swung around to find Pandora standing beside the door, a lopsided smile on her face.

  “Holy hell, Pandora,” she gasped. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Then she threw her arms around her and burst into tears.

  “Hey, hey. What’s wrong, babe?”

  “Tough evening and I’m just so glad to see you,” Winter snuffled out. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”

  “I know. I didn’t feel like socialising at the club. All I wanted was to see you.”

  “You…sniff…did?”

  Pandora planted a soft kiss on her forehead. “I wanted to wake up beside you. Um…how did your date go?”

  Something in Pandora’s voice made Winter pull back and look at her closely. “Were you worried I went out with Veronica?”

  “A little. She’s a hot doctor. That’s hard to compete with.”

  “Not as hot as you. And I’ve seen you stark naked. Wow!”

  “Wanna see me nekid again?” Pandora said, waggling her eyebrows.

  “Yes please.”

  She plucked the key from Winter’s fingers. “Good. As soon as I get this door open, I’m taking you to bed. You can tell me in the morning what upset you. Tonight will only be about your pleasure.”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  As the days slipped by, Pandora was starting to forget this wasn’t permanent. She found herself longing to see Winter, wanting her touch. If they couldn’t be together, they talked on the phone. Long conversations, about everything and nothing.

  The days became weeks.

  The atmosphere at the Fox seemed to be getting tenser, though she didn’t know if this was because of her ever-increasing disquiet over the club’s heightened security, or it was a genuine vibe. Real or not, it was becoming harder and harder to remain comfortable in her role. She dreaded she would accidently blow her cover at any moment.

  On top of that, more people on the Interpol list had visited the club in the last month, and she had to find inventive ways of contacting Adriana. If she was exposed, it was essential no one else was compromised. She rang her with coded instructions where to meet, but never told her anything more over the phone. They didn’t linger face-to-face, just discreet, quick drop-offs in dark places. Then she changed her work phone number using the list of numbers in the Hushed app after each call. As for her daily habits, she kept the same routine when she was home. A jog around the park in the morning, a takeaway morning coffee at the café around the corner, a weekly visit to the gym.

  She made no attempt to hide she was seeing Winter and stayed over at her house on her nights off. And Winter occasionally slept at her apartment. It was normal for a woman her age to be dating and the mob would know who it was. The organization wouldn’t be worth their salt if they didn’t have tabs on all their employees. Yuri had never interfered in her life outside the club. As long as she turned up for work and performed to his satisfaction, the rest was her business.

  And then it finally happened.

  On Wednesday evening, Yuri sent his office girl home until the following Monday and began locking his office door.

  As soon as she was home after the show, Pandora sent word to Adriana that Boris and crew would more than likely be at the club on the weekend.

  Then she texted Winter. U still up.

  Yes

  Be there 20 min

  The outside light was on when she parked her car round the side of the house. Feeling the familiar tightening in her stomach, she pressed the doorbell. Winter opened it almost immediately.

  Pandora’s face must have said it all.

  Winter didn’t say a word, instead kissed her with a hunger that surprised them both. She kissed her back with matched ferocity. Then she was pulled through the door and led upstairs.

  When Pandora slipped off her clothes and lay beside her, Winter rolled over into her arms. Then she began to cry quietly. Pandora held her tightly, rocking her gently until the tears ceased.

  “You’re going.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “I have to,” she whispered into her hair. “We have all day and night tomorrow.”

  Winter pulled away, throwing an arm over her face. “Why am I torturing myself?”

  “We knew the day would come.”

  “But you also said this would burn itself out.” Winter gave her an anguished, slightly accusatory stare. “But it hasn’t for me. It might be easy for you to move on, but I didn’t realize it was going to hurt quite so much.”

  Pandora took a deep breath. “You think I can just walk away like that?” She clicked her fingers irritably. “That I want to leave you? I don’t have a damn choice.”

  Winter didn’t reply, instead rolled over to the other side of the bed.

  Pandora felt despair engulf her. Was this how it was going to end, their connection crumbling before she’d even gone? She tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder. “Babe.” Her voice broke. “I…I—”

  Then Winter was in her arms, stroking her hair, peppering little kisses over her face. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry. I promised myself I wasn’t going to make it any harder for you. I know you don’t want to go. So let’s make the best of the time we have left.”

  Pandora pulled her closer. “Let me make love to you. I want to touch every part to keep in my memories.”

  * * *

  Pandora shrugged on her coat, then tucked the little box into her pocket. On her way out the door, she took a last look round. Everything was in order, her belongings stacked against the wall for the clean-up crew. She had no qualms leaving the small apartment, but she was sorry to have to part with the rented RAV4. It was a great car in traffic.

  Now that they had confirmed that Boris and crew were flying in Saturday morning, Captain Milton had organized for a convenient “accident” to happen on her way to the club tomorrow afternoon. At two o’clock, a motorcycle would knock her down as she stepped off the curb. An ambulance would be waiting around the corner to answer the bike rider’s call. Yuri would be notified that she had sustained a fractured leg and her “father” was taking her home to Sydney. She would be unable to continue to sing at the club.

  All quick and neat. Extraction complete.

  In truth, the ambulance would be taking her to the Amberley aerodrome, where she would board an air force plane for some R & R at an overseas destination only
Milton knew. Four months later she’d be ready for the next assignment.

  Pandora squeezed her eyes shut, feeling sick. She had to sever all ties with anyone associated with this current mission. How was she going to be without Winter? She had already claimed a large piece of her heart.

  Today, they had spent leisurely hours in Toowoomba, lunching at a winery, strolling through the botanical gardens, and browsing the antique shops. Doing ordinary things, like normal people. But she wasn’t normal people. She was an undercover agent for the bloody government.

  Great dating material.

  She had dropped Winter off and gone home to dress for dinner. When Pandora told her she had booked a reservation at the exclusive Aria restaurant, Winter had just given a sad little smile. “Our last supper.”

  Nevertheless, sad though it was, Pandora went all out to make it a memorable evening. She bought a bouquet of flowers and hired a luxury car to take them to the Aria.

  By the time she drove into Winter’s driveway, she was well in control of her emotions.

  Jinx greeted her with an excited meow when she pushed open the door, rubbing himself against her legs. She looked down at him fondly—another thing she was going to miss. He had wormed his way into her affections as effortlessly as his mistress.

  Winter’s voice floated down from her bedroom. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

  “No hurry,” she called back. “We’ve three quarters of an hour before our ride arrives. Time for a drink before we go.”

  When Winter appeared in the doorway, Pandora caught her breath. She looked stunning, dressed in a tailored cream dress with a single pearl pendant around her neck. Her hair was piled high on her head, held in place with a mother-of-pearl comb. The heavenly scent of her perfume wafted in the air.

  “Wow,” Pandora exclaimed. “Don’t you look terrific.”

  Winter gave a twirl. “You think?”

  “Uh-huh.” She produced the bouquet of flowers. “For you.”

  “Oh, Pan. That’s so sweet. Thank you. Could you pour us a drink while I put these in water? There’s a bottle of white wine in the fridge.”

  Pandora stood for a moment watching her arrange the flowers in a vase—she even did that without any fuss. Pandora handed her a glass. “Come into the lounge. I’ve got something to give you.”

  “You’ve bought me something more than flowers? You’re spoiling me.”

  “I want to give you something special. Something to remember me by.” She reached in her pocket for the box.

  Winter laid her hand on her forearm and squeezed gently. “I’ll never forget you, with or without a present.”

  “I know. Me too, babe.”

  Winter slipped off the red bow and unwrapped the box. When she opened the lid to reveal the pearl drop earrings, she gave a cry of delight. “Oh, they’re so beautiful.”

  Seeing the light in her eyes, Pandora felt a flush of pleasure. “I noticed you like pearls.”

  Winter laughed, waving a hand at the jewellery she was wearing. “How did you guess?” She bounced up from the chair. “Wait there. I’ve got something for you upstairs. I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but now will be the right time.” She picked up the earrings. “I’ll put these on while I’m up there.”

  Pandora stretched out her legs, brushing her fingers over the stem of the glass. Oddly enough, the exchanging of gifts made their relationship feel more intimate, even though it spelled the end of their affair. The look on Winter’s face when she’d seen the earrings had made Pandora feel ten feet tall. She wondered what her gift was going to be—knowing Winter it would be practical not frivolous. She was surprised though, when she returned with an envelope.

  “I hope you like it,” Winter said shyly.

  Pandora turned it over in her hand, noting the words on the front. With all my love, Winter. Consumed with curiosity, she pulled open the flap. She skimmed her eyes over the letter inside, not realizing at first what she was seeing. It was an invitation from a major record label to audition for an album. If successful, she would be signed up for a two-year contract.

  For a moment she was speechless. This was every aspiring singer’s dream. What she wouldn’t have done for a chance at a plum opportunity like this when she was trying to get her big break. “Wow. Thank you, Winter. This is absolutely fantastic.”

  “I wanted to give you something you would really value.”

  “I…I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then don’t say anything.”

  Pandora swallowed back the lump in her throat. “I’m leaving you…I don’t deserve it.”

  “If anyone deserves a break, it’s you, sweetheart. You’re a wonderful singer.”

  “How on earth were you able to swing this? This company only handles well-known artists.”

  “Believe it or not, I know the CEO quite well. I did some of their legal work when they were expanding overseas and we’ve remained friends.” Winter smiled reassuringly at her. “You can take some credit. He’d heard of you and was quite enthusiastic when I asked for the favour. Once you sign the contract, you have a year to take them up on the offer.”

  “You’re an extraordinarily kind person. I just wish…well, that things were different.”

  “I’m going to miss you dreadfully.”

  “Me too,” Pandora replied feeling guilty. “Now we’d better get out the front. The car is due any minute.”

  “Right,” said Winter, rising from the chair. “Let’s go and enjoy ourselves.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Pandora looked over at Winter sleeping peacefully in the faint glow of the approaching dawn. Her eyes took in the soft curves, the sweeping planes and angles, the full lips and arch of her brow. Reluctantly, she forced herself not to linger, and glanced at the clock on the side table. 5:00. Time to go if she wanted to be back by eight thirty. She slipped out from under the sheets, careful not to wake her. It took only a minute to pull on her track suit and tiptoe out of the room with her joggers in hand.

  Downstairs, she scribbled out a note saying she’d gone for a run, then hurried through the side door to the garage. As quietly as she could, she eased her car down the driveway into the gloom without turning on the lights. There was no traffic in the quiet suburban street, nor were there any vehicles parked on the side of the road. To be on the safe side, she kept the headlights off until she had turned the corner. Better to be paranoid than sorry.

  Twenty minutes later, she parked the car in an alley half a block away from the secondhand bookstore in the side street. She pulled up her hoodie and jogged to the staircase in the recess next to the shop. With a last look around, she ran up the stairs. At her third knock, it was opened by the guard.

  He stared at her in surprise. “Colly. What are you doing here? I wasn’t told you were coming.”

  “Hey, Bart. I need to see the captain. He in yet?” she said a little impatiently.

  He gestured for her to come in after a quick perusal of the stairway behind her. “Got here half an hour ago. He’s in his office.”

  When she tapped on the door, Milton’s deep voice echoed from within, “Enter.” He looked up, his eyes widening as she came in. His brows drew together as she took a seat opposite. “What the hell are you doing here, Colly? Has something happened at the club?”

  She cleared her throat and shook her head. “No. Everything’s fine there.”

  “If that’s the case, you’d better have a good excuse for coming here. You were given specific orders this office was off limits until you go.”

  Pandora’s stomach gave a hitch. From the sour look on his face, this wouldn’t be easy. Perhaps it was better just to come straight out with it. She took a deep breath and blurted it out. “I want to stay in Brisbane. I’ve given ten years of my life to the agency and I’ve had enough. I want a normal life.”

  “Take a deep breath and calm down,” Milton said sternly. He put down the pen and studied her. “Now, let’s get this straight. You don’t w
ant to be extracted as planned but want to stay here. You also don’t want to do any more undercover work again.”

  When she nodded, he continued, “I suppose this is about the woman you’re seeing? Adriana told me you were dating someone.”

  She squirmed in the chair. Though she never used alcohol as a crutch, she could do with a brandy right now. A large one. “Yes, she’s the corporate lawyer who helped me get away from Boris Anasenko. We’ve become close.”

  “Close? What’s that’s supposed to mean—an affair, or something more serious?”

  Pandora cleared her throat. He looked properly annoyed now. “More serious. It’s only been a couple of months, but I really want to continue seeing her.”

  “Ignoring the fact that you broke one of the cardinal rules of undercover work—no romantic attachments—how do you propose to stay here without any repercussions? Once we fake that accident, you’ll have to go. They’ll put two and two together and you won’t last a week after that. Your body will be found in some dark alley.”

  “I’ve been turning that over in my head all night,” Pandora replied with more enthusiasm. At least he was prepared to listen. “Up ’til now, they don’t suspect I’m anything other than an entertainer. I’m very sure about that. So the only way for me to pull this off, is to continue to go to work and be picked up in the raid. Throw me in the watch house with the rest of them.”

  “You really want this?”

  She nodded, waiting, holding her breath.

  Milton thrummed his fingers on the desk, then his expression softened as he made his decision. “The operation is being handled by the police. Detective Rachel Anderson will be going in with their SWAT team who will be armed to the teeth. They haven’t any idea we have someone on the inside, and they’ll never know. They have a warrant to search the place, and all employees and persons of interest in the club will be taken in for questioning.”

  “Will you have anything to do with the cross-examinations?”