“You know, Sabine,” Axelle mused as they queued to get through security, “the more I look at that hair color, the less I am convinced it suits you. Is it not time for a change, my dear?”
Suddenly self-conscious, Nina ran her fingers through her hair. She had never liked the new color, chosen at random for the sake of a quick change of appearance. “You may be right,” she said. “I suppose I ought to book myself an appointment at the hairdressers as soon as we get home. You’ll have to advise me on what color I should try next. Red, perhaps? I think it might suit me…”
As she chattered, Nina glanced around as casually as she could, noting the other travelers around them. Near-interchangeable men in suits, differentiated only by the colors of their ties, women in designer coats, identifiable by their handbags and hairstyles, tourists distinguishing themselves from one another by the colors of their souvenir sweaters. She tried to memorize them, every single one, and to be alert to any of them paying particular attention to her. The plane would not board for another half hour. Plenty of time for things to go wrong. Best to stay vigilant. Best to be aware of who got on the plane along with them — and who got off and went in the same direction.
Chapter Thirteen
Catching sight of Nina in the main hall of Bruxelles-Midi, Sam threw caution to the wind and rushed over to scoop her up in a tight bear hug.
“Eventful trip for you too?” she asked, using what little air he had left in her lungs.
The moment Sam had let Nina go, Axelle ushered them swiftly towards the main exit. The taxi rank outside was empty, but they had to wait for no more than a few moments before a minicab drew up.
“Pour Axelle de Bastide?” she asked. The driver nodded and got out of the cab, and while he threw Sam and Axelle’s bags into the boot Nina climbed into the back. Then, to her surprise, the driver simply walked away and left the cab unattended. Axelle climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Isn’t he going to be a bit pissed off?” Nina asked, gesturing at the departing driver as Sam got in beside her.
“You didn’t see the roll of notes she just gave him,” Sam muttered. “I think there’s been an arrangement of some kind.”
“Where’s Purdue? Shouldn’t he be here too?”
“I don’t know. I was wondering that myself. But he said to do as we were told, and while that doesn’t come naturally to either of us it’s not as if we have a lot of choice. Are you ok? You look like you’ve had a hell of a time.”
Nina managed a weak smile. “It’s been interesting. But I’m fine. You?”
Sam nodded. “I’m fine. Let’s just hope Purdue is too, wherever he is.”
They fell into silence as the car sped through the streets of Brussels, out toward the motorway, dashing north. Sam leaned his head against the cool glass of the car’s window and watched the lights of the traffic flashing by in the opposite direction.
“Sam. Sam, wake up. We’re here.”
Blearily Sam opened his eyes and looked around. They were on a run-down street that could have been anywhere in Europe. Eighteenth century buildings, dilapidated but still elegant, stood alongside their modern counterparts, incongruous and anonymous. The darkness gave him no clue as to how long he had been asleep. “Where’s here?”
“Ghent. Somewhere in the center. Come on.”
He climbed out of the car, fetched his bag and followed Nina and Axelle through a wide archway into an overgrown courtyard. Set back from the street, behind one of the grimy modern buildings, stood a tiny chapel. Behind that was a much-repaired building, signposted as a hostel.
“This used to be a monastery,” Axelle informed them in hushed tones as she hustled them into the reception. “You will find it a little sparse, perhaps, but it is the safest place I could find for you.” She rang the bell. A tall, bored-looking man appeared from an office and handed over a key at her request, scarcely troubling to look at Sam and Nina. Axelle assured the man that she knew where she was going — not that he seemed inclined to offer directions even if she had not — and led them up three creaking flights of stairs to their room.
The door swung open to reveal a spacious but unadorned cell. Two twin beds were pushed against opposite walls, and the ceiling sloped sharply upwards. “I must leave you shortly,” said Axelle, “but first, take these.” She handed each of them an envelope. “New papers. Those are new identities for either one of you. You will also find pre-paid credit cards in there, which you can use without incurring activity on any bank accounts that might alert anyone to your presence. We have included all the information you will need in order to use your cards. I would urge you to remain in this building as much as possible. Meals are served in the refectory and you will be given directions to the courtyard where you may take exercise. Any other excursions should be—”
“It’s alright, Axelle,” Nina interrupted. “We know the drill. Will we be seeing you again?”
“I do not know. I was engaged at short notice for this task alone; I have no further agreements with Mr. Purdue after this. Though I would expect that I will help to facilitate his own arrival, when the time comes.”
“Then just in case we don’t see you again, thank you for all your help.” Nina took Axelle’s hand and shook it. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing,” Axelle replied with a modest little shrug. She gave them both a smile and turned to leave, then thought better of it and paused on the threshold. “May I speak frankly for a moment? I know you have no more reason to trust me than anyone else, but… beware of Mr. Purdue. He is your friend, I know, but he is a dangerous man. Take great care in your dealings with him.”
Sam nodded slowly. “We know. Thank you, Axelle.” He smiled and closed the door behind her, then looked around at their new accommodation. “Well… Of all the places I’ve ever found myself in, I never expected to be hiding out in a monastery. Coming down for Vespers, Nina?”
Unsurprisingly, Sam was not in earnest about investigating whether the little chapel still carried out evening services. After a long day of waiting, travelling and hiding, both Sam and Nina were exhausted. They collapsed into their hard, narrow beds gratefully. Nina was asleep within minutes, but Sam found himself caught between fatigue and wakefulness, longing to sleep but unable to still his racing mind.
Not the most contemplative person at this hour, he found himself staring at the little bundle of curves on the opposite side of the room. Involuntarily his mind went there — what he was to Nina, what he really was when she was alone and did not have to lie to the world. It was a bittersweet thought, but one that carried a weighty warning that he had to remember that she chose Purdue over him. He had no doubts about her undying friendship or even her amicable affection, but there was the paining sting of a thorn in his heart every time he dared ponder on her true feelings for him and the admittance that she was far more to him than just a friend, whether she knew it or not — whether he could acknowledge it or not.
The kiss in the car under the haunting sky of Baciu, the little hugs that lasted mere moments too long to just be hugs every time they were reunited, the night in Wrichtishousis after Val left the two of them alone….
Sam could think of a hundred different opportunities they had had to make love, even just to confess what he could feel as clear as a cat scratch to the soul when they were alone together. His dark eyes ran over her contours, and for a brief moment Sam wished he could graze his palm over her warm skin and feel her lips on his again. But there was no place for these notions now. She was asleep and he was exhausted.
He reached for his jacket, which he had deposited on the floor beside his bed, and dug out his lighter. Its faint glow confirmed his worst suspicions — there was, in fact, a No Smoking sign on the wall. Fortunately there was also a fire escape right outside their window.