Chapter 20 - Leon

Cindy was out when I woke. Mila said Konstantin had dropped her at her apartment to collect some of her things. I was so busy searching for solutions during the day I skipped lunch.

Heading down for supper, I wonder where Cindy has gone as I haven't seen her all day. Making a mental note to ask Mila, I stop at the bottom of the stairs, hearing her whispering with Piotr. Gradually and silently, I move closer. I needed to hear what they were discussing so secretly.

As their words hit my ears, I felt my rage exploding. No longer wanting to be quiet, I barged into the room, fuming. "What the hell? How could you let Cindy go back to work?" Stopping just before them, I looked at one and then the other and screamed at them. "What were you thinking? She's not equipped for such things. You're going to get her killed."

Before either could reply, I turned and stormed out. Driving to the lab, I considered my options of getting in. I parked my truck where I did the night I took Cindy with me. I had considered going in through the small side door. But as I got out of my truck, I received a text.

Swiping at the screen, I saw Mila had sent a message from Cindy she had just received. There was a party happening, and Cindy was escorting Kiera. This was the perfect time to get access. I waited a while and watched the people as they arrived.

In the dark area where I had parked, I noticed quite a few cars pulling in and parking. A couple who had just passed me waved and entered. Then another car pulled in, not far from me. Walking around my truck, I headed to the Merc as the driver got out.

"Evening, sir," I said as he locked his vehicle.

The tall elderly man turned to me, smiling, unaware that he was about to stay in his car for the evening. Holding out my hand as I approached him, he did the same. "Evening, young man," he said, taking my hand.

I pulled his arm toward me, bending his hand slightly. I applied pressure to the spot just under his hand to put him to sleep. I knew this to be the Shen Men in acupressure. I couldn't be sure how long he would sleep, but I felt confident I would get in and out before he awoke.

Holding him up, I opened his car and placed him in the seat. After putting on the air conditioner and soft music, I took his jacket, hat, and invitation before heading inside. I hoped no one knew him personally, at least no one I met, as I searched the lobby for Cindy.

My disguise held well, and I managed to get all the way in. Entering the party, I saw Cindy across the room. Moving through the crowd of people, I sneaked up behind her. I was livid at her for placing herself in such a position. Yet, I knew this wasn't the place or time to confront her about it.

I waited for her to finish her chat with an elderly woman before taking her hand. Cindy swung around as I made contact, breathing sharply as she faced me. "What, what…" she stumbled on her words.

"Not now; come with me," I whispered in her ear. Holding her hand, I felt my skin warming up and tingling. I led her toward the corner of the room with fewer people. Turning back to her, I asked in a low voice. "Is there somewhere we can talk?"

Cindy nodded and pulled me with her as she walked to a door near us. Entering what looked like a back stairwell, she closed the door and waited for me to speak.

"Fill me in before you get yourself into a mess," I said, glancing up and down the stairs.

She pulled out a keycard from her pocket as she replied. "I picked this up earlier; it will give you access to most of the floors and offices.

Stepping up to her and taking the card, our bodies collided as she was up against the wall. Feeling her heat penetrating me, I grabbed hold of her hips and kissed her passionately. Cindy returned my passion lifting her leg up against mine.

Placing my hand on her thigh as the dress fell away, I couldn't resist. My hand traveled up, my fingers toying with the rim of her underwear. Cindy pulled her head back, breathing heavily as my fingers pushed in under her panties and the tips slipped into her pussy.

"Oh, Leon," she breathed out over my shoulder.

This wasn't safe, and even though I wanted her as much as she wanted me, I knew we couldn't do it there. Pulling back, I let her leg go. I inhaled sharply before speaking, trying to calm the monster, which was half awake. "It's not appropriate, Cindy; get back in there."

Straightening her dress, she smiled at me. "Yes, I know. Kiera is the guest of honor, and I will be missed soon."

"I wouldn't trust her, Cindy, but you need to be careful."

"She is innocent, Leon. She has nothing to do with all this. Go look for yourself." Cindy leaned forward and kissed my cheek before turning and going back through the door.

I was glad that she hadn't insisted on coming with me. I didn't want to put her in harm's way. If I or we got caught, she would be in a lot of trouble. Glancing up and down the stairs, I decided to go up. I had explored most of the bottom sections, but there wasn't much to see.

But even Cindy couldn't access the upper levels. I felt sure it was where they were hiding the truth. Moving up, I passed level ten, which, according to Cindy, was the highest she had seen. But there were quite a few more levels above it. I was almost sure the top one or two would be offices.

Walking up to the top floor, I scanned the keycard. The door clicked open, and I peeked into the hallway. The floor seemed vacant of all life. There were no lights and no sound. Moving down the hall, I saw a board up ahead, it read ‘Restricted Access.'

This was it; I was very sure and moved quickly. Scanning the card, it opened the door, and I felt relieved that the keycard she swiped worked on this door. Pushing it open softly, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I didn't dare turn on a light as it may attract attention should someone enter the floor.

Taking out my flashlight, I scanned the room. There were four long tables with burners, glass jars of some sort, papers, and what looked like bottles of chemicals. Moving carefully around them, I saw a smaller table to the back with files stacked on it, a filing cabinet, and what looked like a cold room with a glass door.

Putting my face up against the freezing door, I tried to see inside, but the place was filled with white smoke or rather steam, I thought. Looking at the files, I noticed that each had some abbreviation on the cover. Most of the papers inside held formulas and notes in shorthand.

Pulling at the filing cabinet drawers, I found they were locked. Searching the long tables, I found a thin piece of steel similar to a nail file. With this, I was able to unlock the cabinet. The top drawer held more notes in short hand, but the second and third drawer gave me what I wanted.

This was the jackpot; the files contained all the notes on bioweapons and experiments the lab was doing. Additionally, it also held contact information and details of their sales. I noticed most of the sales were with other Bratva groups.

After putting all the files in the briefcase that I found under the table, I called Mila. "Right, I have put the computer on. What do you need me to do so you can get access?"

Mila gave me instructions which I followed to the letter. Once she told me she was in I could leave. Mila would wipe out their systems from her side, and my part was over. Once I was back on ground zero, I found a bathroom and handed the briefcase to Piotr who was waiting outside.

He would ensure it got where it had to go, so, I headed back to the party to find Cindy and get out. I walked through the crowds of almost drunk lab technicians and professors as some tacky song played. Many of the people were hanging on each other. Some slurred their words as others jumped up and down in little circles, singing along.

Trying my best to drown out the noise and focus on the faces, a couple of young men barely able to stand bumped into me. I had to push back with force to keep from stumbling onto a table to my right. Two of the young men laughed as the group moved the other way.

Cindy was nowhere to be seen. I did another sweep, walking down the other side of the room hoping I had only missed her. My heart started racing as I got to the other end with no luck. She wasn't in the room.

Bringing out my phone, I dialed Mila. "Hey, can you trace Cindy? You said she had a tracker on, right?" My voice sounded a bit high-pitched as fear crept up my spine. I headed back to the stairwell. I needed some quiet so I could hear Mila.

"It's off, Leon, I can't track her, sorry."

As Mila's words echoed through my mind, I felt my body filling with ice. This was what I was afraid of, but no one would listen. My heart slammed at my ribs. It felt like my lungs were being crushed as I took deep, slow breaths. I needed to stay calm; going into panic mode would not help anyone.

"Leon, Leon, you still there?" I heard Mila calling through the phone. I was staring at it as if it was something from another world.

Placing it to my ear, I spoke softly. "I'm here."

"You want us to come over?" Mila asked with worry in her voice.

"No, I'll find her," I replied and hung up. After taking a couple of deep breaths, I pulled myself together and went on the hunt.