Free Vanishing Point (Circle of Spies Novella) by Laura Pauling Page A

as if she were talking with Susanna. Through the conversation, she tried to make it sound like her career in scrapbooking consulting and selling supplies depended on this weekend. Savvy’s face dropped a bit as she listened.  
    “Okay, okay, Susanna. I’ll be there.” The words came out flat but Marisa had no choice.
    Savvy stared at her mom in shock, the hurt in her eyes quite clear.
    “But I’ll have to leave a bit early to get home in time for an important family event. Okay, bye now. See you next week.” Marisa shut her phone and shoved it back into her purse.  
    “You can’t miss my birthday party. You’ve been so busy this past year, locked in your office working on who knows what. This is important.”
    “Savvy.” Marisa reached across and grabbed her daughter’s hand. “I’m sorry I’ve been busy with work. Starting this business and learning the ropes of scrapbooking hasn’t been easy. I wouldn’t miss your birthday for anything.”  
    ***
    Somehow the week flew by as Marisa prepared for Savvy’s birthday while laying the lies of her big scrapbooking weekend and reinforcing what a wonderful opportunity it was for her career. After all, with Savvy growing up and being so independent she’d need a hobby that paid. After hugs and kisses and promises of being back in time for the birthday party, Marisa was off.  
    To Greece.
    The plane ride to Athens was long and a bit bumpy, leaving her slightly on the nauseous side. Or it could’ve been the fact that as she read Will’s letter of instructions she grew paranoid that the man three rows behind her was secretly taking pictures of her as he walked by to use the bathroom. Her husband loved spy gadgets and tiny cameras so she knew just about anything could be a camera: sunglasses, the end of a book, the top of a cane, anything.  
    By the time they arrived in Athens, the stranger went off in a different direction.  
    The taxi ride was bearable after Marisa convinced the driver to take her out of Athens to the Mediterranean Sea. To the shore. He didn’t seem to want to leave her at dusk by herself but when she paid him, he went on his way too.  
    Where was Will? Why were they meeting here?
    The stone wall beneath her feet kept the sea at bay. Music from local bars echoed in the evening air along with the laughter of men starting on a night of booze. She clutched her thin coat closer to her body. The drive through Athens and the seaside villages left her feeling nostalgic for an earlier time period. An old, no, ancient feeling permeated everything. Like crumbling stone temples should be on every street corner. But the nagging worry about the unknown details of the mission stole the romance of being near an ancient city.  
    Water lapped against the wall and boats bumped into the docks. No sign of Will yet. Marisa tried not to be too annoyed because she wanted to make it back early to Savvy’s party.  
    “Where’ve you been?” Will had walked up behind her.

 
    Eleven
    Marisa reined in her surprise then her annoyance. “I’ve been waiting for you, just soaking in the smells and sights of a coastal village.”
    “Let’s go.”  
    He strode along the dock, not bothering to help her down from the wall. He led her onto the biggest sailboat at the end of the dock. Large white sails that looked silver in the moonlight sagged by the beams. Polished wood gleamed across the hull. Will stood by the wheel.  
    “Welcome aboard,” he said, without a trace of a smile.  
    Marisa let out a little huff to show how rude he was being by not offering his hand. Instead, she slipped off her shoes and let her bare feet grip the slippery side as she climbed down. Unsure of where to go, she sat on a padded bench and tried to squelch the twisting feeling in her gut. The mystery of the mission hung heavy on her mind. The not knowing would kill her.
    With a glance back at her and a little smirk, Will turned the key and the engine started with a burst and then