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

calmed to a gentle purr as they pulled out of the harbor.  
    The moonlight played on the water, kissing the choppy waves and creating a silvery trail across the sea. The slight breeze brushed her face and swept her hair back, fooling Marisa into feeling relaxed. She enjoyed the night and didn’t speak until they were farther out on the water.  
    “Is this your boat?” she asked.  
    “It’s available for me to use.” He reached for binoculars stored under a seat and then scanned the shoreline of an island. He put them away, shut off the motor, and dropped anchor.  
    Feeling a bit lost and unsure of why she was even needed, Marisa charged forward with a question. She could imagine her daughter, leaning against the side, scoffing at her wimpiness. “What’s the big mission this time?”
    Will didn’t say anything at first. With controlled motions, he lifted a bench and pulled out a flask of vodka. The clear liquid splashed into a shot glass, and he downed it. He wiped his lips. “I’m in charge tonight. We don’t want any surprises.”
    A slow burn spread across Marisa’s cheeks. In other words, they didn’t want her screwing up again. “Why am I here?”
    “We, that is you and I, are going to infiltrate a monastery on that far island, do a little poking around, then return to the boat. Simple.”
      “Oh, gee, that’s it?” Her arms trembled and a flush pricked her skin. “Regardless of what you think, I don’t really have that kind of experience.”  
    He didn’t even look her way but kept his eyes on the far island. “Our experience together so far says otherwise.”  
    Marisa decided to be brave. She sucked in a deep breath and asked the question that had been troubling her for days. “We’ve been working together now for a while. On that first trip to England, you said it was to observe me, to see if I was truly a threat.” She steadied her voice and continued before she lost courage. “Your family takes their time investigating targets. What’s the verdict on me? When is this going to stop? How can I convince you that regardless of my mother and ancestors I’m just a mom and that’s all I want to be?”  
    Her questions opened a gap between them. Silence hung heavy. He never answered her questions.
    He opened a trap door in the floor and pulled out a scuba suit. He stripped down to his boxer briefs. Marisa had seen younger men before, in magazines and such. But to have one undress, one with firm pecs and a flat stomach, did nothing for her. Relief rushed through her. Yes, the bared chest and muscular legs were nice to look at it but her heart was with Stephen, extra tummy flab and everything. If anything, she was a bit embarrassed at the tight quarters.  
    “How long will you be?” she asked.  
    Will zipped up the front. “About two hours. I’ll swim to shore. Scout out the monastery. My family hid a rowboat in the tall reeds on the eastern side of the island. I’ll return in it and then you and I will head ashore. I don’t want there to be any surprises.”  
    “You’re not going to kill anyone or anything, are you?” She ran her hands along the wall behind her for support as the boat moved with the water.
    “Don’t plan on it.” Will smirked. “But as you know, anything can happen.” He fit his feet into flippers and sat on the edge of the boat.  
    She followed him, thinking of all the things that could go wrong on a boat this far out from shore. “Where are the life jackets?”  
    “Under the benches.” He slipped on the air tank. “Pour yourself a drink and enjoy the solitude. He sat on the edge, nodded goodbye, and fell backwards into the water.  
    Marisa couldn’t help but think how very dark it seemed now that she was alone. She peered into the night and didn’t look away until Will disappeared under the water.  
    The inky blackness rolled back on her causing a shiver to ripple across her shoulders. Alone as can be, she snuggled into the padded bench at