Chapter 19

Meredith was still getting ready for work, so Kostya and Will turned on the re-run of Sunday’s game between the Redskins and Packers downstairs. While she was out of earshot, Kostya leaned over to Will.

“Who has Vlasenko sent after me?”

“That’s a fair question, but one I don’t have a precise answer to,” Will said. “The closest I have to an answer is ‘the Assassin’, which is what the CIA called the guy. He’s known as a go-to-hire for hard to find kills.”

“I guess I should be flattered he had to hire someone good,” Kostya said cynically. “Are his kills clean or messy?”

“Are you asking if he tortures his targets?” Kostya nodded hesitantly. “It depends. How high is the value is on the information the target has?”

Kostya leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and watched the next few plays quietly, letting the unspoken answer sink in. “Does Meredith know about the Assassin?”

Will weighed his answer carefully before responding. “No, she doesn’t. I believe in being honest with my little sis, but maybe this information would be best between us.” Will leaned forward toward Kostya. “Besides, you’re planning on protecting her from any danger, right?”

Kostya looked past Will to the top of the stairs where Meredith emerged. He rose to receive her. “I’ll certainly try.”

“You’ll try what?” Meredith descended the stairs.

“Kostya just said that he’ll try to keep you safe on your trip. We’re starting to get the specifics squared away.”

“What specifics have gotten clarified?” Meredith asked, taking a seat next to Kostya.

“Dr. Singh is helping us to get supplies and he’s in contact with some people to help us with the ‘medical aid worker’ role.”

“That’s positive, I guess.” Meredith’s brow wrinkled.” Has he thought up a story to tell my co-workers to explain why I’m getting so much time off when they’re stuck with all midnight shifts?

“He’s telling them that you had a death in the family,” Will explained.

“I guess you’ll be going underground during the time we’re gone too. It wouldn’t be good for me to be off mourning while you’re partying at DuPont Circle,” Meredith said, being a little snarky with her brother. Will just rolled his eyes and turned to the game.

“We’ll leave at the beginning of the week,” Kostya said. “I assume you usually pack to work when you go to a clinic, but make sure your shoes are comfortable enough to run in and don’t bring anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving behind.”

“Are you guys sure this is necessary?” Meredith slumped into her overstuffed chair. “I’m still not totally convinced about this plan. Isn’t this a little dishonest? I mean, I’m lying to my co-workers, my boyfriend, and the Ukrainian government so that we can do some operation that will probably never be necessary.”

Kostya blew out a breath, ran his hand through his hair, and turned away.

“Fire of Dawn is a terrorist group, Mer.” Will scooted to the edge of the couch next to her, keeping Kostya in sight. “They would be willing to do anything to get what they want, and a nuclear missile is a big piece of leverage for them.”

“That’s just it, Will. They’ll use it as leverage. They’ll never use it for real.”

Kostya paced until he stood behind her chair. He placed his hand on her shoulder as he moved around her and knelt by her.” Meri, their leader, Petro Vlasenko, burned my parents alive. The group he led admitted they shot their captured enemies during the demonstrations in Kiev for no reason. To them leverage is a demonstration of power, deadly power. I know they are close to having the ability to launch these missiles, and they will if they think it will help establish Novorossiya.”

Meredith’s face had become ashen as Kostya spoke of his parents. She reached out to Kostya and took his hand.

“I am sorry about your parents. Their murder was unforgivable.” She ran her hand along his face. “I fell in love with the Ukraine during those days we had in Cherkasy. Your parents inspired me to learn Ukrainian, to help everyday people in the villages of the Ukraine.”

“They were so impressed with you. They called you ‘Meri, Kostya’s doctor friend’ for years after we met.”

“We called you ‘the Mysterious Ukrainian’,” Will added.

Meredith took a deep breath and stood, committed, between Kostya and Will. “Okay, guys, I will do this. But, you better have a plan that will get us in and out safely.”

“Have I ever let you down, sis?” Will grinned.

“Have you ever had a chance to?” she asked.

“If you haven’t noticed, I must be doing a fantastic job.” Will smiled proudly and turned back to his game on the television.

Meredith sat down next to Kostya brushing her hand against his. He wrapped his hand around hers, thinking about the adventure to come.