Footprints in the Snow

He had a couple of hard decisions to make. Fermi had outlined his plan to use Shana to provide the expert geological analysis at the four mine sites. If she was a spy, they’d be handing over valuable information to her. But Shana’s involvement wasn’t the worst of Luke’s worries. He couldn’t think of a safe way to transport Fermi across the open countryside to the mines while there was a sniper in the area. “This is one hell of a SNAFU,” he muttered.

“A what?”

“SNAFU,” he repeated. “Situation Normal: All Fouled Up.”

Shoving open the door to a bedroom, he marched inside and unceremoniously dumped Shana’s knapsack and skis on the floor beside the three-drawer knotty pine dresser. “You’ll be staying here.”

She glanced at the bare whitewashed walls of the small square room. The only window was covered with blinds. “Am I a prisoner?”

“You’ll be watched.” He didn’t like having her here. She was a problem, a possible security risk. And he was damn sure she didn’t have amnesia.

Casually, she sauntered over to the bed, leaned down and pushed against the mattress with both hands. She frowned. “Hard as a cement slab.”

“Government issue,” he said. “In case you haven’t heard, there’s a war going on. Luxury is not a top priority.”

She perched on the edge of the bed, crossed her long legs and looked up at him though her thick black lashes. Though he doubted that her intentions were sexual, his mind went in that direction. Their night together had been unforgettable. Too easily, he remembered her arms wrapped tightly around him, could almost see the way she’d leaned toward him, filled with longings and desires as great as his own.

“Thank you,” she said, “for saving my life again.”

“The sniper wasn’t aiming at you.”

Twin frown lines creased her brow. “Do you think he was after Dr. Fermi?”

“Yes.”

“Luke, it’s very important that you protect him.”

Just what he needed. More of her so-called “expert advice.” For a woman, she was damned pushy, not a bit hesitant to give orders. “Do me a favor, Shana. Don’t tell me how to do my job.”

“If anything happens to Fermi, the course of history will be forever changed.” There was an urgency in her voice. “Don’t ask me how I know, but I do.”

Her dark eyes glittered with a passion that had nothing to do with sex. This fire came from the soul of a true believer. A fanatic. Who was she? Why had she come here?

He took out his pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes and tapped one out. Before he could light up, she said, “I’d appreciate if you didn’t smoke in my bedroom.”

“Fine.” He returned the cigarette to the pack. “If I’m going to give the go-ahead on Fermi’s plan to take you along on his visits to the mine, I’m going to need some answers, Shana. And I need them now.”

“There’s only one thing that’s important. I promise that we’re on the same side.”