Finding Thyme

by TJ Hamilton

“I swear that device should just be fixed to his head.”

  Tench chuckles. “Yes, Luka does a lot of the groundwork for our business here. But he’s probably talking with his string of girlfriends half the time also.”

  I roll my eyes. “I gathered.”

  “A friend of mine here has a dress up in the room for you, ready for the ballet tonight.”

  I grin. He knows my ultimate weaknesses in life: couture and the ballet.

  “Well, I’d better check out this frock to make sure it’s to my liking,” I tease.

  “I’ll be up there shortly.” Tench kisses my hand as I pass.

  The dress is the first thing I see when I enter the suite. A vivid green full-length dress hangs from the window in front of me. It’s a beautiful garment. The material is a silk-taffeta blend that just asks to be touched. I take it from the hook and race into the bedroom to try it on.

  It fits like a glove when I pull the zipper up at the back. The sleeves are capped and the neckline plunges down low. I take the little white fur cape off the hanger also and slide it over my shoulders. I spin from side to side and let the full skirt swing around me. It’s exquisite. I pull my hair loosely back and pin it into a bun at the back of my head. I brush my face with some bronzer, coat my lashes with mascara and apply a blush-pink gloss across my lips. Finally, I decide to brave it and wear the fake Shadow of Love diamond necklace that has a wire.

  “Here goes nothing,” I say under my breath as I clasp the back of the necklace around my neck.

  “Gorgeous, as always.”

  I turn to see Tench in the doorway. He eyes the diamond straight away as he approaches me. He holds me in his arms and looks down at the large jewel, then presses his forehead against mine. His eyes stare into me. Tench’s finger runs up the plunging neckline and he takes hold of the black diamond.

  “I never thought I was going to have you in my life like this when I first won this diamond, and now it’s almost like I’m back full circle.”

  “What do you mean?” I frown.

  “I won this in Brussels, not Vegas, like I told you.”

  “Yes, I knew that … Google.” I wonder where he’s going with this.

  “When I won this, I was at a crossroads in my life. Firstly, I wanted to get out of this trade I’m in. And then I wanted to settle down.”

  My mind races at the word trade. What trade are you in, Tench?

  “I always knew there was something special between us, Miranda. From the very first moment I met you, I knew we had to be together one day. I was going to wait until after the ballet to do this … but it just feels right to do it now.”

  Tench reaches into his jacket pocket and kneels down in front of me. Oh. My. God! My legs start to tremble and my heart feels like it’s cracking under the pressure of the moment.

  “My gorgeous Miranda, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my whole life. I worked hard to keep you by my side, and now I finally have you. You are everything I could ever imagine having for the rest of my days. Miranda …”

  He holds out the black box and opens it. A smaller version of my heart-shaped Shadow of Love black diamond sparkles from inside.

  “Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” His breathing is solid, and then it quickens. He’s nervous.

  I stand in total bewilderment and deliberate over his words. Even in the most romantic moment of my life, Tench still manages to make it feel like I’m his possession. That’s all I’ll ever really be to him; this is not real love. His face drops inch by inch with every second I take to answer. There’s no turning back now.

  “Yes!” I squeal.

  FOURTEEN

  I can’t help but stare at the enormous diamond ring dangling from my left ring finger. I’m engaged to Joe Tench … my target.

  The limo slows as we pull up at the Mariinsky Theatre, yet another grand building in the city. The colour scheme outside is green and white. Tench kisses me longingly before he exits the car when the door is opened for us. His grin is ear to ear—he is so happy. I’ve never seen him this overjoyed. I think about his trade again. Why does he want to get out of his trade?

  Luka and Dima step out of the limo behind us. Luka beams the same nauseating grin as Tench, and stretches his arms out wide. He slaps Tench across the back repeatedly in congratulations of our pending nuptials. Not surprisingly, Dima gives Tench a subdued congratulations and fires off some frustrated Russian before he storms into the theatre. I watch Tench’s reaction; he remains deadpan in his expression. Luka comes to Tench’s aid and eases my mind.

  “Don’t worry about him.” Luka’s eyes are gentle. “He only thinks of business.”

  “Dima is currently divorcing wife number four,” Tench adds. “Marriage is a waste of time to him. Not for me, though.” He runs his thumb along my chin before giving me another soft kiss on the lips. “I found the right girl first.”

  A slight feeling of guilt is creeping its way up from the pit of my empty heart.

  “This is happy moment.” Luka grins. “I’m very happy for you, cousin.” He grips onto Tench’s shoulders.

  I weave my arm through Tench’s and we all make our way inside.

  The theatre is breathtaking. We sit in the huge centred private balcony that stretches up three tiers. Heavy blue velvet curtains drape along the top of the balcony. Tench points to the front seats. I scoop up the full skirt to my dress and squeeze past the rows of chairs until I’m at the front. I look around the space and stare at the absolute beauty of the whole theatre. Gold shines from the intricate features across the front of the five tiers circling around the length of the space. The entire room sparkles. Every little detail looks like I’ve stepped back in time where the tsars still ruled the country.

  I delicately take a seat and Tench sits next to me. Our hands lock into one another’s, and he wiggles the engagement ring between his fingers. I catch his eye and we both grin. I have to enjoy this moment for what it is. It’s not like I’ll get marriage proposals in the future, so I might as well enjoy this one while it lasts.

  Luka sits on the other side of me and hands me a program, written in English. I have to continuously remind myself that these guys are bad guys, because it’s really easy to accept them outside of what they do.

  Except for Dima. I could happily see him get put away. He’s a prick on every level. I always feel him watching me. I can feel him now. I turn my head slightly and see him sitting two rows back from me, smoking a heavy cigar like a fat-cat crime boss. I smile but he doesn’t. His hawk eyes remain fixed on me. It gives me the creeps. I look down at the program and try to shake the feeling of that monster behind me.

  Swan Lake

  The Mariinsky Ballet Company

  St Petersburg, Russia

  Odette/Princess: Tatiana Pavlenka

  Siegfried: Victor Oblakov

  Von Rothbart: Alexei Bulgakov

  Odile: Mila Karpakova

  I smile at all the distinctly Russian names of all the dancers. This is the real Swan Lake as it should be performed—in Russia with Russian dancers. Warning chimes sound to tell people to get to their seats, and soon the lights dim and the clarinet plays its beautifully eerie opening piece.

  An hour into the ballet and I can’t take my eyes off the ballerina playing Odette. She’s stunning and her movements are very familiar. I look at the program again to read the dancer’s name. Tatiana Pavlenka. I don’t recognise her name, but I feel like I know her.

  The curtain draws at the end of Act I, and the lights go up across the sparkling theatre.

  “This is almost surreal, Joe. I still can’t believe I’m here in Russia, watching Swan Lake … with a huge rock on my finger, and engaged to you.” I can’t help but smile.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying the ballet,” he says as he kisses the back of my hand.

  “The prima ballerina is stunning, but I feel like I know her dancing from somewhere.”

  Luka leans over to join the conversation. “Tatiana Pavlen
ka. She’s something, isn’t she?” he gushes.

  I chuckle at Luka. Everyone always wants a piece of the prima.

  “Joe tells me you used to be a ballerina.”

  Tench talks about me like that to them? I look to Tench and catch him smiling.

  “Yes. It was a long time ago. I was a kid.”

  “Did you go to an Australian ballet school?”

  I nod. “Yes. Why?”

  “Then that’s how you may know Tatiana. She spent some time at a school in Australia. Maybe you were at the same school?”

  “Maybe.” I smile, but highly doubt it. I never had the privilege of dancing with a Russian. Then again, I wonder if I do know her and just forgot her name after all these years—though I just don’t remember ever dancing with a Russian girl.

  “Do you know Tatiana?” I ask.

  Luka glances down at his program to hide the slight look of embarrassment. “We are friends. She is ex-wife to one of my cousins. They were very young when they married. I think it was arranged.”

  I realise the reason for Luka’s embarrassed look. She must be out of bounds, despite his obvious feelings towards her.

  I smile. “I’d love to meet her, maybe?”

  By the end of the last act, I am almost certain I know the dancer playing Odette. I know those movements. Every dancer has a slight variation to their extensions that makes them unique to the trained eye. She dances so beautifully and I’m eager to meet her and see if I do recognise her.

  My most anticipated part of the show begins. The music still reminds me of Tench in the ballet room, taking a piece of me. But this time, the music now gives me hope that this will all be over soon. I feel Tench’s strong fingers slide across my thigh to find my hand. He gives it a light squeeze. You can’t hurt me anymore, Joe Tench, I say to myself as I catch the whites of his eyes in the darkness. I wish I could enjoy this moment better, but with big fat hawk eyes Dima behind me, it’s making enjoyment difficult. Plus, I’m too interested in finding out who the dancer is.

  The drama builds to the end of the scene. The orchestra blasts out its final bursts of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. The hairs stand on the back of my neck; this music has meant so much to me for a long time now.

  After tonight, I never want to see this ballet again. I need to make a move soon on Tench. The lights fade on the performers and the entire theatre erupts in rambunctious applause. It was the best version I’ve ever seen. I can’t help but want to stand up and call out “bravo” as I clap. I glance next to me and see Tench is applauding with the same vigour as I am.

  This ballet was once one of the pieces that made me want to dance. Now, this ballet is my link to Tench—I need it out of my life.

  We wait in our private balcony for another hour. The conversation flows amongst Tench and his other guests that I have paid no attention to until now. They all congratulate me one by one in their broken English and tell me I need to make an honest man of Joe Tench. Little do they know what I have planned for him.

  Dima continues to keep his distance from me and I notice Luka is missing from the balcony. I make my way over to the edge and peer down again. The richness of the building is just so spectacular. Someone clears his throat at the balcony entrance and I turn.

  “We are honoured to be graced by the beautiful Tatiana Pavlenko tonight. She wanted to personally wish congratulations to the happy couple herself.” Luka beams.

  The balcony applauds the prima ballerina as she enters the area. I can’t see her properly yet. She still has her beautiful swan headpiece on. My heart races at meeting such a talent. Then I see her through the small crowd of people around her. Her green eyes catch mine and light up like saucers. My mouth drops at the same time as hers does. I look nervously at Tench next to me, but conjure up a smile when he stops his conversation for a moment.

  Luka guides the ballerina over to me. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. The prima ballerina for the Mariinsky ballet is none other than Kira Pemberton.

  “Tatiana, please meet Miranda. The future Mrs Tench,” Luka announces.

  “Miranda,” she repeats slowly. “I remember Miranda. You were one of the best dancers I’ve ever seen.”

  The moment she plays along and doesn’t reveal my real name, I grin like an idiot. Kira’s eyes quickly scan across to Tench then back to me for a moment. I’m bursting with adrenaline inside and I can no longer contain it. As if the years have never passed, Kira reads my body’s reaction and we both launch into each other’s arms. I grip tight onto her and giggle like the schoolgirls we once were. I feel tears welling in my eyes. The room falls silent and the attention is turned on Kira and I.

  “So, you do know each other.” Luka claps with joy.

  I turn to Tench to quickly explain myself. She is Tatiana. “Tatiana and I were great friends in ballet school together. Until you ran away to Russia.”

  The girl who I once knew as Kira Pemberton takes a moment before she speaks in perfect Russian. I watch her mannerisms and then scan across to Tench. His expression instantly turns to delight and he reaches out and embraces Tatiana.

  “I’m sure you girls have a lot to catch up on. Why don’t you join us at the Belmond Grand, Tatiana?” Tench offers.

  I look to Tatiana and plead that she sees me screaming yes inside.

  FIFTEEN

  “So what’s with the name change? Why are you still Miranda? Wasn’t that your stripper name?” Tatiana asks the moment we’re alone at the hotel’s bar.

  “I could ask you the same thing … Tatiana. Or should I call you by your stripper name, Tia?” I loudly whisper.

  Tatiana looks around. All the men have left us alone to talk in the corner while they talk business at the other end of the room.

  “Okay, I’ll go first, but you have to tell me everything. Including how you’ve gotten tied up with these guys.” She frowns with concern. “When I first moved here, it was nothing like I was told it would be. They offered to give me a new identity to help me be accepted as a dancer here. They told me I could have a new life in Russia. I was sold to the highest bidder and married instantly. When my marriage ended, my career took off. Now, I’m a prima in Swan Lake … and sitting with my old best friend, Mia, who now goes by the name Miranda.”

  “What? Wait, you were sold? By who? Who’s they?”

  She frowns and looks confused. “These guys,” she says slowly and tilts her head in the direction of Tench and the others.

  Why I’m surprised, I’ll never know.

  “So what’s your story? Why do they call you Miranda?”

  I take a deep breath. “This is going to be a long one.” I take a sip of my champagne. “After you left for Russia, I went back to Sydney to become a high-class escort.”

  “You!” Her eyes widen. “You were a … prostitute? But you were a virgin? And sweet?”

  “Until I started swinging around a pole. Thanks to a certain someone.” I watch her sink in her armchair a little. “Anyway, Tench was one of my top clients, until he wanted more. So he bought me.”

  Tatiana rolls her eyes. “Go figure.”

  “The problem is that Tench shot someone in front of me. And murdered my best friend, so now I’m working under cover for an off-branch of the Australian government to find out what he’s up to here and take him down forever.”

  Tatiana stares at me for a moment. Have I just put more information on her than she was ready for? She sets her champagne flute down on the low table between us and bursts into a fit of laughter. She holds her stomach and hunches over as she falls into hysterics. I look over at Tench and the others on the far end of the room. He grins and shakes his head. I smile back and make it look like I told a really funny joke by laughing too.

  “What’s so funny?” I spit under my breath.

  “You. Mia Thyme. The shy, never-do-any-wrong girl, is now a kickass undercover agent who’s taking down one of Australia’s … and Russia’s most notorious criminals?” She continues to laugh.

  “
A lot happened after you left.” Steam rises as I become increasingly angry about just blurting all our top-secret information to her, only to be laughed at.

  Eventually Tatiana stops giggling and she takes a sip of her champagne. “So. You don’t know what Joe Tench and the other guys do from Russia to Australia?”

  I shake my head. I’m assuming drugs; I couldn’t think what else.

  “Come on, Mia. Isn’t it obvious? Look at the situation we’re both in. These guys sell girls.”

  The news hits me in the gut harder than a baseball bat. How did I not work this out sooner? It is obvious. Now I need details. Why would he murder Sally over this?

  “You need to tell me everything you know. But not now. You’re coming with me tomorrow. My brother is here, working with me on this.”

  Her eyes light up and she grins. “Simon? Your brother Simon is here working with you? How is Simon nowadays?” she coos.

  I shake my head. “Uh-uh, Kira Pemberton. He’s here with another colleague from the agency. They are fond of each other, and you will stay out of it.”

  She giggles. “Nothing like a bit of healthy competition to spark things up then?”

  I can’t help but laugh at my old friend. “You haven’t changed one bit … well, except for the brilliant ballet skills, fluent Russian and having a new name. But apart from that, you’re still my old best friend.”

  The old Kira—now Tatiana—reaches into her bag and pulls out a packet of Cartier cigarettes, just like we used to smoke when we were teenagers. I look around the bar area. Out of the dozen people sitting here, we’re the only ones not smoking.

  “Do you still smoke?” She holds the packet out towards me.

  I smile. “No, but I will for old time’s sake.”

  I reach for a cigarette and just as I put it in my mouth, Tench approaches with a lighter.

  “I didn’t know you smoked, Miranda.” He smiles, but it’s not an overly happy smile.

  “I don’t anymore.” I draw back on the cigarette as Tench holds the flame to my mouth.

  “But she did at ballet school,” Tatiana adds. “Do you remember how we were the only ones who used to smoke, so we were forever trying to cover our bad habit?”