This was the big deal? I figured if I was getting piggybacked with some Russian floozy, there would be a threat, but no. Some rich Russian celebrity guy goes missing, or so the intelligence would have us believe. Of what little there is. His plane landed, the driver took him to that big fancy hotel and then poof. His escorts arrive and he’s not in the room and no evidence shows he ever left. I was told the place has already been torn apart by the Russians and us. Yet here I am, saddled with this girl on the way to the joint. I should have spent my morning picking up a dog instead.
A car ride back through the city. My car didn’t even have its usual summer heat scent. It stunk of orange vanilla perfume the Russian gal had slathered on heavy handedly. Could feel my head throbbing from it or the awkwardly silent ride. She wasn’t saying anything. Should I say something? I didn’t have trouble at the meeting. Maybe I should break the ice. I could say, what? Goddamn it Jenny. Just say something.

‘So what’s the special deal with this guy anyway?’

Every word I croaked out was more difficult and coarse than the last. 

‘War criminal.’ The Russian lady said it so bluntly and flatly.

‘Whoa hang on sugar, what?’

‘War. Crim. in. al. You have dhose right?’ She was mocking me and not even bothering to look away from the window.

‘I’m not stupid. The briefing didn’t say much about the guy. So it’s just unexpected. My boss didn’t know this, did he?’

‘He knows.’

‘You know what I’m going to ask next don’t you?’ I looked away from the road and stared at the back of a blonde head. 

‘Why didn't he tell? Zimple. He doesn’t like yoo. Has no respect for bright red hair agent.’ She was speaking truths I knew, but hearing them come from a stranger’s mouth in such a way had my knuckles going white on the wheel.

The coming of the giant “Mint Plaza” sign couldn’t have come soon enough. Felt like if the current topic lingered on I’d find myself in more hot water. Thankfully there it was. A mega structure of a hotel stretching as far as my neck could bend back. We didn’t exchange any words on the way to the door. I flashed my badge to the nosey doorman, and he was suddenly in a hurry to be helpful. Too helpful if you ask me. When we were brought into that large dome of a golden lobby. Lined with the most welcoming and comfortable looking couches. I could feel myself already sinking into one when I felt that pesky Russian gal prod my back.

‘Ahead, look. Something deceitful comes.’ She whispered awkwardly close into my ear and I knew she was being serious by that plain flat tone. I was far too enthralled with the lavish fountain to bother taking note of the balding man strolling towards us. Looked mid 40’s clean trimmed mustache that twirled at the ends. He was just barely dressed nicer than the rest of the staff. Had to be a manager by that look he was giving us. The all too familiar look of self importance. 

‘Ah hello so sorry for the door, terribly so actually. If we had known you were returning I’d have met you personally. As I told your earlier associates I, or rather, we. Fully agree and wish to keep this whole matter away from the prying eyes of the public. So please, what can I do to assist?’
He flabbered those weasley thin lips away at us. I was always on edge when a guy managing a place like this was a bit too friendly with me. Not this city’s style. Still I kept my aura of that friendly southern gal.

‘Don’t hurt yerself with worry there fella. I’m Agent Russel, this is Agent Masha. We were jus’ sent on in fer a follow up. Check the scene, review a few things. Standard procedure ‘n all. Sure a guy like you understands.’ 

‘Of course, of course! Please, please wait here. Let me fetch the key. Why don’t you both have a seat in one of our exquisite booths?’

‘That’s quite alright. We’ll be fine waitin’ here, and you won’t make us wait that long right?’

He chuckled like someone who was hiding something. ‘I wouldn’t dare ma’am. Please give me just a moment.’ The manager scurried off like a rat back to it’s cozy nest. That Russian was strangely quiet. Maybe all the hushed conversations and lounge singer had her distracted. I let the girl’s eyes wander about the glamorous interior, figuring she hadn’t seen such a place before. Besides, the weasel was already skittering on back over. Dangling the key we probably didn’t even really need.

‘Awfully sorry for the tremendous wait my dear madam. I come not empty handed. One key for room 561. Be a dear and return it when you have settled your agency affairs. I do hope to have this unfortunate situation behind us.’

I bid the fella farewell and promised to return his precious key this afternoon. Masha had wandered off during my vital conversation. Now it wasn’t hard to spot her. Not many folk in this place wear bright teal high heels. She had taken the manager’s invitation and took a seat next to some sharply dressed businessmen. They were all smoking, laughing. Wow, laughing. I did not expect that girl to have such a big smile. She must have been gathering some kind of information. I was finding it hard to believe she would just take a load off right now. It sure did look like a grand time, but I had work to do. Big work, and I didn’t want to give somebody another reason to beat me down.There was no way I was walking up all those stairs. Plus I never miss a chance to take a ride on a fancy hotel’s lift wagon. Besides, it seemed like nobody was even waiting for them. What luck. The button made a heavy click when I pressed it. The elevator’s light chimed, already all the way up there. A long wait it’d be; and that meant time to be stuck in my head. I wondered what I was going to find that the initial investigation didn’t. Was I merely here just to occupy the Russian’s time while the others focused on more important duties of the case? I was spiraling down that pit of self doubt. Tearing myself down more and more. Then I suddenly felt the sharp waft of a familiar perfume. I didn’t even notice her walking over. The blonde Russian was just quietly waiting with me. That usual flat look on her face. Not that joyous smile she was spreading earlier. The steel box arrived, clad in gold trim and greek writing. I wouldn’t even think of trying to pronounce. We stepped in and I was tapping away at that chunky glowing button. Damn door felt like it took hours to close. Wanted a little moment of privacy before we arrived at the floor. Had some things on my mind that were itching to get out.

‘Good music?’ I said over to the Russian who looked like she was still regaling her little excursion.

‘It wus. Okay. Seen worse and bettur. Gurl was so nervous, but agh. So nice of voice.’ Her tone full of bitter-sweet admiration.

‘Right, right. Sure whatever. But what about the guys you were talking to?’ 

‘What of dem?’ A knowing glare was behind those glasses.

‘Ugh. Really? C’mon don’t –  Do you think I am blind? I could already feel my anger trying to push me over.

‘Perhap I am confused?’ She huffed dismissively and flipped her attention towards the door.

‘Did they know anything about your big bad war criminal?’ I stated firmly.

‘No, should they?’ Her shoulders popped up in a half assed shrug

‘Heck If I know sugar. You’re the one that pranced over there and had a drink with ‘em in the middle of an investigation. Just so you know. My boss would wring my ass for that kind of behavior.’

‘Take it easy there, blood pumper. So what. I had a smoke and drink. Still perfectly functional operative. No need to worry.’ She truly believed that. I could tell by the smug look on her face.

‘Whatever blondie just don’t screw this up for me. Already in enough dog houses as is.’

She flashed that wide coy smile at me. I knew I was losing my cool, becoming my damn dad again. Always having to be in control. Just need to relax. Breathing might help with that. Felt like I hadn’t taken a breath since I got into the elevator. The Russian was just eyeballing me. Seeming overly pleased with herself at my state. As if she never has had to deal with stress in her country. A part of me really wanted to keep plowing into her, but the elevator had other plans. The subtle chirping ding announced our arrival as the doors pulled themselves open. 

‘Ack. What es dat stench?’ The Russian scowled, and she wasn’t entirely wrong. The barren hall was full of that all too familiar chemically clean smell.

‘They don’t clean in Russia or somethin’ hon’?’ 

‘Do not be absurd wiff dis insult. That is no way clean. It makes me dink of- look let us just hurry along, okay?’

‘Now you’re in a rush?’ 

‘Yes. Yes. Can yoo believe?’ and down the hall the sassy gal stomped. 

I wonder if she remembers I have the key. Taking my sweet time I soon followed behind. This hotel had some stiff clean carpet in these halls, it sort of crunched under my steps. Each door I passed was open to an empty nicely done up room. I assume the staff emptied these rooms of guests, due to the investigation. Can’t have their pristine reputation sullied. Makes me curious what else they hide around here. This hallway was starting to seem endless. Like I was passing by the same room over and over. I would have passed by our lucky room if it wasn’t the odd duck with its door shut. More precautions to keep things quiet I bet. That blonde was still marching ahead, and I had half a thought to let her keep going.