From Russia Without Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

splendid idea. It is semi-formal. There will be lots of hors d’oeuvres, so tell them to come with empty stomachs. It starts at seven o’clock.”
    The ambassador turned to face Hannah. She nodded. “Okay, I’ll tell them. Thanks, Xander.”
    “If there is anything else I can do to help, just let me know,” the voice on the line said. “Anything.”

3
    _______
    A fter finding no more clues at the embassy, they parted ways with the ambassador and drove several more minutes to their hotel. Once they checked in and got their rooms, the three met in Hannah’s room to discuss their next steps.
    “What’s our plan to find out about Michael Winthrop’s disappearance when we visit Xander Metaxas’s estate?” Hannah asked.
    “I can talk to Xander,” Chris offered. “And you and Sonny can try to gain information from others at the party.” His teammates nodded in agreement.
    “And if we find ourselves on the wrong side of an unfriendly welcoming committee, what will our E & E be?” Sonny asked, moving on to their escape-and-evasion plans. “I’m not expecting such a committee, but just in case.”
    “If the threat is nonlethal,” Chris said, “Hannah can use some of her MMA to drop some bodies, and you and I can use our bags of dirty tricks.” For Chris and Sonny, dirty tricks meant exploiting any weakness on the enemy’s body to subdue him. And that weakness dictated using the weapon that was most readily available, whether it be a fist, a drinking glass, or whatever. In turn, the weapon influenced how Chris and Sonny would move. For those lacking experience in violent confrontations, such a process might seem complex, but for Chris and Sonny, dirty tricks had become a natural extension of their being.
    Hannah raised an eyebrow. “And if the threat is lethal?”
    “We’re all armed with pistols,” Sonny said, patting his firearm. “So unless I’m in close and my knife is quicker…”
    “That’s a last resort,” she reminded him. “If it gets too hairy, we can E & E to Olympus. Or if that isn’t practical, we can make the journey to Minotaur.”
    Chris nodded. “If we get split up, I’ll head for the water and try to lose them that way. Then I’ll catch up with you two at Olympus. Or Minotaur. Whichever comes first.”
    “Why doesn’t it surprise me that you’ll head to the water first?” Sonny said.
    Chris smiled.
    “Okay, then,” Hannah said. “Sounds like we’ve got ourselves something of a plan. I’m going to get ready.” She waved the backs of her hands at them, shooing them back to their room to do the same.
    Shortly before 1900 hours, they exited the hotel, got in the BMW, and headed toward Xander’s. They passed the Parthenon as they drove, and Chris wanted to take a longer look at the classical Greek building perched high on the rocks, but there was no time. On the opposite side of the road stood the Temple of Olympian Zeus. No time for that, either.
    Hannah sat in the front passenger seat, navigating as they cruised through the streets of Athens. “Did you enjoy being a diplomat’s son?” she asked when there was a lull in the directions.
    Chris flicked a glance in her direction. “I enjoyed the different people and their languages and food—the countries. The dressing up and the parties were just something that went with it all.”
    “Do you miss the dressing up and the parties?” she asked. He noticed her taking in his Agency-issued suit as she waited for his answer.
    He smiled. “It’s nice to wear a good suit once in a while. But at parties, too often I find myself against the wall not knowing what to do. How about you?”
    “Why are you two talking about such boring shit?” Sonny piped up from the backseat.
    “And what would you like to talk about?” Hannah shot back. She clearly didn’t appreciate Sonny interrupting their conversation, either.
    “I don’t want to talk about anything right now,” Sonny said, “but listening to you two talk about boring