From Russia Without Love by Stephen Templin Read Free Book Online

forward. “Why’d you come here? To Greece?”
    “My name is Chris. I’m a legal attaché for the US State Department,” he said. “I’m searching for information about the kidnapped American, Michael Winthrop.”
    Her eyes widened.
    “Is something wrong?”
    She fidgeted with her handkerchief. “Nothing.”
    “You seem troubled.”
    “You better go,” she said in response.
    Chris paused for a moment. “A moment ago you were smiling…”
    “You should really go.”
    “Do you know something about Michael’s kidnapping?” he pressed.
    “You have to go. Now .”
    “I can protect you,” Chris said. “Michael’s life is in danger.”
    Abruptly, she stood up. “I’m sorry.” She walked briskly across the patio, opened a French door, and disappeared inside the mansion.
    Having stumbled upon something important, he felt dazed. Somehow, Xander or his family was involved. Concern for Hannah and Sonny filled him at the thought, and he hurried into the mansion. Once inside, he slowed down and tried to present an appearance of calm. There seemed to be nearly a hundred people inside the mansion now, and although Xander continued to mingle with his guests, Hannah and Sonny were nowhere in sight. He checked one of the restrooms, but it was empty. After more searching, he found Sonny in a hall, but he shooed Chris away. Maybe Hannah was searching for intel inside one of the rooms while Sonny stood watch.
    Chris returned to the main room and waited. Feeling conspicuously alone, he spotted some guests serving themselves from a wide silver platter of hors d’oeuvres and realized he still hadn’t eaten anything. He made his way toward the table. Xander and a gaggle of guests flowed through the crowd in his direction, heading for the hors d’oeuvres, too, until Chris and Xander stood almost face-to-face.
    “I met your daughter,” Chris told him.
    “Oh?” Xander raised an eyebrow. “I was not aware she was here.”
    “She seems like a nice girl.” Chris ate a cube of feta cheese from a toothpick that also skewered an olive and some meat.
    Xander glanced around the room. “She must have come through another door.” His gaze returned to Chris, and his normally smooth demeanor ruffled around the edges. “What did you two talk about?”
    “Nothing much. My understanding is that she was at the embassy party with you the same night Michael disappeared.”
    Xander picked up a drink without hesitating or trembling and took a sip. “Yes, she was,” he said, his voice equally smooth once more.
    “I’d like to ask you another question, if I may.” Chris ate the olive from his toothpick.
    “Yes, of course.”
    “How strongly do you support the creation of TAP in Greece?”
    The mention of TAP seemed to cause the ears of nearby guests to perk up, and heads turned in their direction. Xander didn’t answer.
    “The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline?” Chris clarified, popping the piece of meat into his mouth.
    “Yes, I know what TAP is,” Xander said impatiently.
    “Would you say you support it strongly?”
    Xander’s eyes were calm. “It is not for me to support or oppose.”
    “I like how you put that,” Chris said with a nod.
    “How is that?” Xander asked.
    Chris forced a grin. “Carefully.”
    Xander stared.
    “Maybe you can help me understand how you feel about Michael Winthrop’s kidnapping,” Chris whispered, glancing around. Now others were not only looking but listening to their conversation.
    Xander frowned. “As I said, it is a terrible thing. I hope he is rescued soon.”
    Chris’s gut told him Xander was lying, but he kept the tone of his voice polite. “Thank you. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
    “No bother. I hope he is rescued soon.” He picked up his drink. “Now if you do not mind, I would like to talk to some more of my guests.”
    “Certainly.”
    Xander walked away, and Chris couldn’t get over how calm and cool he was—too cool.
    He felt a gentle hand on his back and glanced