Page 17 of Shadowfox

“Beckett,” Manakin said, his unflinching gaze boring into me. “Don’t get cocky. The moment the Soviets catch even a whiff of deception, they’ll act.”

I nodded. I didn’t need the warning, but I appreciated it all the same.

The train whistle sounded, sharp and final.

Time to go.

We gathered our things, moving toward the carriages, but before we could board, Manakin caught Will’s sleeve.

“If it goes sideways,” he said, “burn everything and get out.”

Will didn’t answer right away.

Then, just as quietly: “Understood.”

We had taken a private compartment—first class, of course. The Soviets expected Western diplomats to behave as though they weren’t walking through a minefield, and appearances mattered. Besides, America’s reputation as the richest nation in the world was on the ascent, and Manakin was determined for us to ride that wave all the way into Hungary.

As soon as the doors slid shut, I felt the tension shift.

We weren’t alone on this train. We couldn’t be.

That meant the act started immediately, not when we reached the border.

Egret plopped himself onto a seat, stretching like a man who had just settled in for an easy ride. “Ah, the joys of scientific travel!” he declared. “Nothing but long conversations about the most riveting of topics. Industrial production models, telecommunications encryption, post-war reconstruction! Ours is the life of academics—one of unceasing thrills.”

Sparrow made a quiet, choking sound, like she was trying to hold back laughter.

Will didn’t hold back at all.

“You’re in rare form today,” I said, smirking.

Egret sighed dramatically, crossing one leg over the other. “It is not my fault that our esteemed profession lacks a certain . . . shall we say, flair?”

I rolled my eyes. “It lacks a flair because it’s not supposed to be interesting. It’s supposed to be serious.”

Egret gasped in mock offense. “Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Beckett, I didn’t realize I was in the presence of such solemn devotion to our ‘scientific’ cause. Please, enlighten me—what would you have us discuss? The magnificent structural integrity of post-war railway systems?”

Will snorted.

“Railway infrastructure isquiteserious,” I said, deadpan.

Egret leaned forward, eyes twinkling.

“Then by all means, Professor,” he said, grinning. “Illuminate us.”

I glared.

Will grinned wider.

Sparrow, to her credit, had shrunk down into her seat, looking one degree away from disappearing altogether—though the small, betraying shake of her shoulders gave her away.

I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “We’re supposed to beprofessionals.”

“And I amprofessionallyenjoying myself,” Egret shot back.

The train lurched forward.

We were moving.

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