Heart of an Assassin (Circle of Spies)

by Laura Pauling

  The man at the door checked my forged invitation and waved me in. I’d decided to play up the mysterious woman in green and not say a word. I followed the hallway and entered the party room, trying to not trip on my heels.

  I drifted from group to group, playing up the charade that I knew people but not talking to anyone. The women were all beautiful, dressed in many different colors, with jewels dripping from their necks and fingers and elaborate masks hiding their faces. The men all wore black and white tuxedos, most of them older and showing it with their paunchy stomachs. I searched for Constance and my mom. I assumed she’d be here and on the alert for any action that Will’s family might make. She wouldn’t be looking for me and I was sure that was the plan.

  The small orchestra in the corner played everything from classical music to the Beatles. The room swayed as couples circled the dance floor. Even I swayed back and forth as I stood by the buffet table, taking it all in. The appetizers and dishes smelled delicious but the thought of eating turned my stomach.

  I felt the gentle touch around my waist first and soft Greek words in my ear second. I jumped and pulled away. Adamos offered his hand.

  Then he spoke in English, “Would the beautiful lady like to dance?”

  “Why yes, she would.” My heart leapt for joy as I followed him onto the dance floor.

  A new song started and he whisked me across the floor, the room blurring. I tried my best to remember the dancing lessons, but it was all I could do to stay on my feet. We finally got into rhythm and I waited. And then I waited and waited. I assumed he’d tell me to do something just like everyone else. Do that. Do this. Not what do you think about this? What are you comfortable with? Nope. It was do this or possibly die. Not many options. When the colors of the party blurred together, my mind wandered.

  What if this was Malcolm dancing with me, his arms around me, his voice whispering in my ear. We’d dance the whole night away and let any worries or pressures from our family drop off piece by piece. The room would fade and it would be just him and me. Then we’d go back to his boat for a private party afterward.

  “You seem sad,” Adamos said.

  I smiled and pushed Malcolm out of my mind. The song slowed and he showed no intentions of letting me go, but twirled me under his arm just in time for me to see Constance enter the room with Mom on his arm. I sucked in my breath. She was stunning. I’d never seen her so dolled up. Her mask sprouted a rainbow of feathers that framed her face.

  “Is something wrong?”

  I shook my head.

  He followed my gaze to Constance and my mom. “A couple years ago, a woman washed up on the shores of our monastery, barely alive, barely breathing. I found her and nursed her back to health.” He hesitated, then said, “That woman was your mother.”

  I bit down on my lip. What?

  He continued. “I felt it was my calling to protect her. Then the visions from God started. The brethren couldn’t argue with that. We all have our calling in life. Just like you struggle to put your family back together.”

  My throat tightened.

  “The monks may live in the shelter of stone walls, but they’re not ignorant of the evil in this world. They followed me just as a mother might follow her child. They found you. They discovered the connection between your mother and a family of assassins they’d been seeking for decades. Over the years, both sides have murdered in the name of God. And they felt called to bring swift justice for the slain.”

  He twirled me in his arms and circled me round the dance floor again. “It is my duty to protect you after leading my brethren to you.” He ducked his head as if ashamed. “I’m here. Go do what you have to do.”

  The song ended and Adamos led me to the edge of the dance floor, then melted into the landscape like he does so well. I drifted through the clumps of party guests twittering like canaries and giggling from champagne while the truth replayed in my head. Mom had crashed on the shores of the monastery barely alive? What had happened?

  Before I could do anything, someone brushed against me and briefly grasped my hand. I turned to see the back of my mom’s blue velvet gown swishing behind her.

  In my hand was a note. It said, “Meet me in the bathroom.”

  Twenty-nine

  I pushed open the bathroom door and realized this could go really, really bad. Mom would be absolutely pissed that I showed up here, working for the other team.

  As soon as the door clicked shut, Mom smiled. She flushed the toilet, then put a finger to her lips and motioned for me to lock the door. She turned on the faucet and let the water run as if someone was washing their hands. I wanted to say, “Mom, really? I doubt anyone bugged the bathroom.” But if I spoke she’d probably kill me. I wouldn’t have to wait for the monks.

  Then she turned total spy on me. She pulled out a small black box with a tiny switch from her drawstring purse and flicked it on.

  “Okay, we can talk but not for long.” She focused her full attention on me, her eyes devoid of compassion and understanding. “I was absolutely appalled when I heard from Mr. Rottingham you never arrived. But we’ll talk about that at another time.”

  “What is that thing?”

  “It’s a scrambler. If there are bugging devices nearby then whoever is listening on the other end will get nothing but static.”

  I huffed. “We’re in the bathroom.”

  “That’s a beautiful dress, Savvy. Who bought it for you?”

  Was this a trick question? I hesitated but then said, “Will’s family.”

  “That was nice of them.” She ran her fingers along the collar of the dress and touched the embedded diamonds. “I suppose you’re working for them tonight.”

  I nodded. “Mom, it’s okay. Constance isn’t in trouble tonight.”

  She glanced sharply at me, then grabbed my hand. “Feel along your dress, along the diamonds.”

  I did.

  “Do you feel the thin wire between the stones and inside the seam?”

  I wanted to scoff but pressed my fingers against the material, hoping and wanting to find nothing. But there it was. A thin piece of what felt like wire in the seam. My face must have shown my disbelief because Mom nodded with satisfaction.

  “They’ve heard everything you’ve said so far tonight and everything you will say.”

  It seemed obvious to me. “They want to protect me, Mom. Make sure I’m okay.”

  She slapped the side of my cheek with a sharp clap. Tears stung my eyes but I left my hands by my sides.

  “What will it take for you to get it? They’re not your friends. Sure they act nice, like they’re training you, helping you. Just in exchange for a few favors.”

  My stomach felt queasy at her words.

  “I’ve been there. Right where you are. Sucked into Will’s world, influenced by his promises. All up until the point where Will tried to kill me when they didn’t need me. Don’t you understand? You’re playing with fire. One you can’t put out when the game is done.”

  I remember what Adamos told me about Mom arriving on the shores of the monastery barely alive. I gulped. That must’ve been on one of her weekends away. A scrapbooking trip.

  “Why did you let him influence you? Why did you do it?” I asked, wanting to understand. Then maybe I’d understand my decisions too.

  “That’s not a story for right now.”

  “What I have with Will’s family is different. They wouldn’t hurt me. We have a deal.”

  She shook her head. “When are you going to wake up? That deal will only last until you give them what they want. Then you will be expendable. One more loose thread they can’t afford.”

  I backed away. No. They wouldn’t do that. Would they?

  Mom glanced at the scrambler. “We only have a couple more minutes before they figure out what’s going on. What are you supposed to do for them tonight and tell me the truth.”

  My voice trembled. “I’m causing a little distraction so Constance will be unavailable for a bi
t.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What kind of distraction?”

  I squirmed.

  “Tell me. Hurry.”

  “I’m supposed to slip a sleeping drug into the flask of brandy in his desk so he’ll sleep. Will didn’t really tell me what was going to happen next, but I’m pretty sure Constance will be okay for tonight because they’re pretty thorough with making sure people are guilty first.” I stopped talking because I ran out of breath.

  Mom bit back a laugh. “Oh my God, Savvy. They’re assassins. Have you forgotten that?”

  My back prickled in defense. “I’m not stupid.”

  Mom’s face softened. “I know that. You’re smart. Too smart to have gotten mixed up with them.”

  I wanted to tell her that I was doing this for her and Dad, so they’d be safe and so that when this big mess was over we could be together again, happy, safe, and a family once more. But what if she didn’t want that anymore?

  “Our time is up. You have to trust me. I’ll take the vial. I’ll do the drugging. Will is not a passive killer. He would never kill with poison. Too easy and not enough of a challenge for him. When Constance falls asleep, I’ll hide in the shadows, and wait and see what Will does. If he goes to hurt Constance, I’ll do whatever I can to protect him.”

  Her words rushed over me, sparking a panic that spread to my limbs. This was becoming way too real. Mom talked like she knew Will, really knew him. But she didn’t fully understand my side of the story.

  “Mom, you’ve got to listen to me.”

  She cut me off. “I have to turn this off or they’ll get suspicious. His whole family is probably listening. I’ll do the work. Leave the party now. Adamos is here. He’ll take you home. When I get back, we’ll call Dad and make plans to meet in England. How about that?”

  Then Mom turned off the scrambler making it impossible for me to explain. She gave me a quick hug and kissed the side of my cheek. She pulled the vial out of my purse, without giving me much of a choice, and then she left.

  I slumped onto the toilet lid and pulled my legs up to my chest. She didn’t let me finish, but that was probably her plan. She didn’t want to hear my arguments or hear me defend Will or his family. If this wasn’t about my family, I’d gladly go with Adamos, but Mom didn’t know the whole truth. I pressed my forehead to my knees, confused. As much as I wanted to trust Mom and go obediently outside and leave with Adamos, I needed to finish this mission for my family and Constance. I’d promised. But what if Mom was serious about leaving to get Dad? And that was the problem.

  Were any of them telling the truth?

  Thirty

  Anything could happen tonight. But I knew one thing for sure. I couldn’t sit in the bathroom forever.

  I dug around in my purse thankful for Edith’s training session on cool spy gadgets. Dad would be in spy heaven. I found the lipstick tube that was a nice shade of red. I turned the doorknob and then shut the door so there was no click. I’d kicked off my high heels so my feet were a whisper on the floor. Because of the catastrophe with the vase, I knew exactly where to find the office filled with the birds. I opened the door a crack, but Mom wasn’t there. I had to find her before she drugged the flask.

  I returned to the ballroom and let the flamboyant music lead me in the right direction. The party swirled with colors and noise. The laughter was louder. The voices more belligerent as the wine flowed freely.

  A flash of my Mom’s velvet dress left the room in the direction of the gardens. It dawned on me that Mom might’ve lied to me. Maybe she was on her way to Constance. I cut straight through the dancing couples much to their annoyance. I didn’t bother with excuse me, not if Will was listening to my every word.

  At the edge of the room by the open door, I peered into the gardens. The sweet aroma of flowering plants gave me a false sense of security. The large ferns and low hanging flowers offered perfect hiding places and I moved from one umbrella to another until I smelled smoke. Cigar smoke. And I heard Mom’s voice.

  “Constance, please, we need to talk.”

  “Marisa dear, it’s a party. We can talk later.”

  I cringed at his frivolous tone of voice that told me he had no clue what was going on behind his back.

  “There are things we must talk about.” Mom insisted. “Tonight.”

  Constance took his time answering, probably trying to figure out some kind of concocted story to get Mom off his ass. “How do I put this?” Smoke puffed into the air above their heads. “This is a party.”

  Mom persisted. “Please, listen to what I have to say.”

  Prickles ran down my arms. Mom sounded bitter. Again, I felt the power of her past with Will and his family. If only she trusted me to tell me everything. Then again, I wasn’t telling her everything either.

  “Marisa, Marisa. Let’s talk about more pleasant subjects like the next bird watching expedition we must take together. Damn,” Constance muttered. “My cigar went out and my light’s inside. If you’d excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

  “No problem. Let me hold your drink for you?”

  “Thanks, darling.”

  Constance left and I panicked. Mom would pour the vial in now but it needed to happen in the office. If Constance fell asleep in the gardens then guests or servants could stumble upon him, and I wouldn’t be following the plan. I couldn’t wait. The swiftness and obvious skill of my movements surprised me. Somewhere along the line I’d truly become the secret agent. With lipstick in hand, I approached Mom without a sound, twisted up the needle and stabbed her neck. Guilt flooded my veins as the drug flooded hers.

  She turned and disbelief flashed across her face, then sadness. “Savvy?”

  “Sorry, Mom,” I whispered it over and over.

  She slumped over, the drug taking effect, and I dragged her behind the bench and landscaping. Thankfully the bushes weren’t pruned too short. I laid her down gently on a pile of mulch and moved the hanging leaves to hide her body. It didn’t take long to find the vial tucked down the front of her dress.

  Her eyes fluttered. “Savvy.” Her one word spoke volumes. She wanted to know why.

  I whispered to her again. “Please forgive me. I’m just trying to protect you and get our family back together again.”

  “Oh, Savvy.” Then her head lolled to the side and her eyes closed.

  I’d be back.

  I practically ran to his office. Various birdcages with shades pulled on them filled the room. I went straight to the desk, opening and shutting drawers until I found his flask in the left bottom one. The cap unscrewed easily and I poured the contents of the vial into it and then sloshed it around. Cap back on, I placed it carefully back in the drawer.

  Footsteps sounded in the hall. I rushed to the far corner of the room and crouched behind a rather large floor cage.

  The door flew open and Constance rushed into the room. “I’ve got you!”

  Thirty-one

  I expected the lights to flick on and the alarm bells to ring with the announcement that there was an intruder in his inner sanctum. But the lights never came on. His feet slapped against the floor, and he headed in my direction like he knew where I was hiding.

  His large shadowy form appeared first and then his face. “Why good evening, Savvy. How nice of you to drop by.”

  He wore goggles. Night vision goggles. Like he’d invaded my mom’s secret stash of spy gadgets. Or she’d given him access because I’d looked and never found it.

  “I said good evening, Savvy.” He pushed the goggles back on his head, causing his hair to stick up in all directions.

  “Um, hello. Nice cage collection.” I scrambled to my feet.

  He held out his hand. I took it with my teeth clenched.

  “You really should’ve mentioned you were crashing the party, I would’ve sent you an invitation.” He strutted over to his desk and then whipped around. “Your mother would’ve loved to see you.”

  His pointed words caused a burn to rise from my nec
k to the roots of my hair. He set a chair near his desk that had been standing against the wall.

  “Please, sit.”

  I glanced at the door as if maybe I could make a run for it but Will’s words were branded in my brain, so I took a seat. I had to make sure Constance drank his liquor and fell into dreamland. And then get Mom to safety.

  “I’d love to show off some of my darlings but they’re all asleep. You’ll have to visit sometime with your mother.” He put a finger to his lips. “But wait, you’re not living with her, are you?”

  I forced a laugh. “Not at the moment. I moved in with friends.”

  “Hmm. Interesting.”

  I rubbed the silk fabric of my dress between my fingers as he drummed his against the desk.

  “So how about those magpies?” I asked.

  He gave me a funny look. “I know you don’t care about my birds.”

  “True. But you’re friends with my mom and she’s shown a sudden interest in birds.”

  “Let’s not pretend.”

  Pretend? “Sure, let’s not.”

  “Would you like a night cap?” he asked, opening his desk drawer.

  “I’m not allowed to drink. You know my mom.” I rolled my eyes as if I were some rebellious teenager.

  He poured a bit from his flask into a cup and pushed it toward the edge of the desk.

  “I’m sure she won’t mind. We’re on the same team.” He downed a shot and let out a sigh. The grip he had on the flask relaxed.

  I pressed the cup to my lips and pretended to drink. He poured himself another one. His words struck a chord deep inside. On the same team? I wanted to be a team player but Mom wouldn’t let me. That was why I ended up at Malcolm’s house. But tonight? Directly disobeying Mom, and letting the man she was trying to protect get drugged? What if she was right about Will?

  He poured another shot.