Page 28 of Undercover Infidel
“Progressing according to schedule. Our contact says we’ll be ready for the demonstration within the month.”
A new voice joined the conversation, Scottish and refined. “The consortium is growing impatient. We’ve invested considerable resources.”
“Your impatience is noted but irrelevant,” the first Russian voice replied coldly. “Our developer works at his own pace. Push him, and you risk everything.”
Suddenly, a mobile rang above us, followed by a hushed conversation.
“Patrol identified intruders,” the Scottish voice said.
Con gripped my arm. “We need to move. Now.”
We retreated down the passage, but the footsteps overhead tracked our movement. A door somewhere ahead of us opened, light spilled into the tunnel, and Con pulled me into a small alcove barely large enoughfor one person to squeeze into, pressing me against the wall and covering my body with his.
In the darkness, every sensation was intensified—Con’s heartbeat against my chest, the warmth of his breath on my neck, the tremor in his hands as they braced against the wall on either side of me. My own pulse raced, partly from danger but more from his proximity.
While one person stopped briefly, shining his light in our general direction, the alcove’s depth kept us hidden in the shadows.
When the sound of footsteps faded, neither of us moved immediately. Con’s eyes found mine in the dim light, questioning.
“We should go,” I whispered, yet made no attempt to move.
“Yes,” he agreed, his voice rough. Still, he remained where he was, his gaze dropping to my lips for a fleeting instant before he stepped back, releasing me from the confines of our hiding place and the spell of the moment.
We made our way back to street level in silence, both of us processing what we’d overheard—and what had nearly happenedbetween us.
“We got what we came for,” Con said, checking to see if the alleyway was empty before we emerged, blinking in the late-afternoon sunlight. “Time to return to Blackmoor.”
“If the developer they mentioned is Orlov and he’s preparing to test Labyrinth’s capabilities, we’re running out of time,” I said once we were in the SUV.
Con nodded grimly.
“With Janus at the helm,” I added quietly, the name sending a chill straight through me.
Just as Edinburgh faded from view behind us, Con’s secure mobile buzzed with a distinct tone.
“Something from Kestrel,” he said, passing it to me.
The message was brief but significant.Confirmed Viktor Orlov alive. Brother Oruzhiye deceased.“Good God,” I muttered, then read it aloud.
Con gasped. “Viktor isOruzhiye’sbrother?”
“According to Kestrel, yes.” Sergei Orlov, whose code name meant “the Gun,” had worked for the KGB for many years before becoming a freelance assassin. He was killed a few years ago in a shootout in Islamabad.
“Familiar with him?” Con asked.
“Isn’t everyone?” I said under my breath, already scanning the files I could access via my secure mobile to see if I’d somehow missed the connection. “I first saw his name in a briefing that crossed my desk during an op I was supporting in Ukraine. He was ruthless, effective, and for sale to the highest bidder.” I frowned. “Something he and his brother apparently have in common.”
“If Viktor moved in his brother’s circles, the consortium could be building a dangerous network,” Con finished grimly.
We drove the rest of the way in silence. The clues we collected today were troubling yet got us no closer to Labyrinth.
When we arrived at Blackmoor, I was too exhausted to put two thoughts together.
“You should get some rest,” Con said as we entered the castle. “It’s been a long day.”
“What about you?”
“I have some work to follow up on.”
