InsaneJournal

Brent Cross Shopping Center was packed, overflowing with throngs of people who were looking for the perfect gift for that special someone. Considering that there were less than two weeks left until Christmas, everyone was in a relatively good mood.

The line to see Santa was long but manageable.  The sign for Santa’s Grotto said that Santa had gone high tech this year.  Parents could now schedule an appointment online, thus avoiding the long wait. The picture on the sign showed Santa sitting in front of a computer, reading his ‘letters’ electronically via email. It was a sign of the modern times, and Mrs. Jones couldn’t help but think that another piece of Christmas magic had died.

Mrs. Jones had arrived precisely at noon.  She stood off to one side of the Santa display, partially hidden by shoppers, and scanned the area for Yassen.  She’d missed him at first.  He was sitting alone on a bench, appearing to read a newspaper.  She was certain he’d already spotted her, and the fact that he was still there and not making his way to an exit showed that he believed she’d kept her word and had come alone.

She was under no illusion that if he wasn’t convinced of her sincerity, she wouldn’t leave here alive.

She walked slowly towards him and sat down.  “Mr. Gregorovich.  Thank you for meeting with me.  I know you have no reason to trust me, so I appreciate your being here.”

She waited, heart pounding, as he folded up the newspaper and laid it in his lap.  The position that he’d placed it in would easily allow him to conceal a weapon.  All it would take was a silencer, and he’d be gone before anything would appear to be out of sorts.  She had to hope that she’d guessed right about his feelings for Alex.

Yassen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He sat so still that it seemed almost as if he’d fallen asleep.  After a moment, he opened his eyes again, but did not look at her as he spoke. 

“Mrs. Jones.” He said it calmly, and with no hint of emotion in his tone.  It sounded more terrifying than if he’d shouted at her in anger.  “I have to say I was surprised to hear from you, given our…history.” 

He paused, then slowly turned to stare at her.  The hatred in his blue eyes was enough to make her shift slightly away from him.  “You know how I feel about you, and why.  For today, because you mentioned Alex Rider, you are safe.  However, my time is limited, so please, tell me what you want.”

She licked her lower lip nervously.  Yassen was the last person in the world she wanted to become indebted to, but if he could save Alex from MI6, it was an obligation she’d willingly take on. 

“I need you to shoot Alan Blunt.”