“Uh,” said Ida, shrugging and turning toward Chi. “I don’t know.”
Chi said nothing, only stared back at Ida with a blank expression.
“I know it’s unexpected, but he was genuinely impressed. Anyway, he’ll be in Paris with me for the week before I have to go back to Stockholm. Here.” Tina took a business card out of her pocket and handed it to Ida. “Think about it and let me know. We can fly you out and cover your expenses. I don’t think it would hurt to listen to what he has to say. Could be a great opportunity to learn about the industry.”
“Ok,” said Ida, wide-eyed. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”
“Great,” said Tina with a nod and a smile. “It was nice to see you. Chi, a pleasure to meet you too.”
Tina shook hands with Ida and Chi then marched away down the street, catching numerous glances from the Berliners around her.
Ida turned to Chi with a slack mouth. Someone from the fashion industry wanted to speak to her?
“You’re not going, are you?” said Chi abruptly.
“What?” said Ida, tilting her head. “You don’t think I should go?”
“People like her are one of the reasons I wanted to leave the States. All they care about is money. Those soulless companies bait you with success, then they suck you dry. It’s ugly.”
Ida crossed her arms and shifted her weight to her other leg.
“That’s business, no?” she said.
“I don’t trust her,” said Chi.
“Why not?” said Ida as her pulse quickened.
“Because I don’t. You’re better than those people. And I’ve seen too many of my friends get hurt.”
Ida’s jaw grew tense.
“I can take care of myself, you know?” she said.
Chi sighed and looked away down the street.
“You’re going to regret it,” she said. “You’re on a good thing already. You should stick with it instead of looking for shortcuts.”
Chi was getting on Ida’s nerves. Who does she think she is?
“Why are you being like this?” said Ida.
“Like what?” said Chi. “Also, don’t you have work at the cafe tomorrow and Friday?”
“I’ll tell them I can’t come in. I can’t pass up this opportunity.”
“If you say so,” said Chi.
Ida could not bear to hear anymore.
“Look, I need to go,” she said. “I forgot I have to pick up my jacket from the dry cleaner. I’ll see you later.”
Ida stormed off, immediately getting caught behind a group of three people sauntering side by side and blocking the footpath. She moved to the edge of the gutter and forced her way around, grunting as she brushed a man on the way past. She stomped forward without a destination, embarrassed by her retreat but also infuriated with Chi. Ida never thought Chi would be the jealous type. I guess you never really know people, she figured, speeding up her march to nowhere.
Frederich shoved his wet pants and underwear into his bag and tossed it onto the back seat. He stood out in the open for a moment, his head freezing over and goosebumps covering his arms from the breeze. The thought hit him to check in with Intel. He got into the driver’s seat and picked up his phone.
“Abel,” said Gerricks immediately upon answering.
“Gerricks.”
“What’s your status?”
“I’m still in Poland. I needed to take a short detour.”
“You still haven’t made it out of the country? Do you know the shit storm you created?”
“I blacked out.”
“You what? Shit. Ok, listen. The Polish police know you’re with us. They won’t give you trouble. They’re glad the Berlin bomber’s dead, but they’re pissed about the mess you left behind. But whatever, it’s what Scheffler wanted. I probably don’t need to tell you how happy he is with your work.”
“What’s the media saying?” asked Frederich.
“Nothing yet. They know what to report. Vigilante killing. Nobody’s going to grieve when they find out Drexler was the one you hacked up.”
“Ok,” said Frederich, numb to the significance of Gerricks’ words.
“Also, we need you to get to London straight away. We’re pushing forward with the counter-assault in two days,” said Gerricks. “I’ve got the brief for your next mission. We want you to take out five marks in one go. Can you handle that many?”
“Send it through,” said Frederich.
“Roger that. There’s a jet waiting in Brandenburg to take you straight there.”
“Ok.”
“Need anything in the meantime?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Good luck,” said Gerricks and hung up.
Frederich turned the car on and put it into gear. No point brooding about what happened in Poznan, he thought. Drexler got what was coming to him. It would be better for Frederich to focus his energy on his new mission. Next time just keep it together.
He pulled out onto the road and sped off, figuring he should tank up soon. A short while later, he turned his head and listened carefully to the constant wail behind him. He checked his rearview mirror and saw the blinking lights. The sound of the siren grew louder. Police. Gerricks said they understood the situation? There was no one around beside Frederich. The sirens were definitely for him. The police car raced toward him from behind before switching lanes and driving alongside him. The police officer behind the wheel, a fresh-faced young man with a prominent jawline, signalled for Frederich to pull over. Frederich continued along for a while, thinking hard, before finally planting his foot on the accelerator. Plan A would be to outrun him. Something in the guy’s eyes was unsettling. Why had he come after Frederich alone?
A small gap opened between them when Frederich sped up, which the rogue policeman quickly reeled in. Frederich’s three cylinders were not going to be enough to outrun the police car, especially in open country. He followed the road with the policeman inches behind him, the siren still blaring. The trail ended ahead at a T-intersection, and Frederich spun the wheel right without slowing down, shooting across the dirt before returning to the bitumen. He learnt his first lesson about
