Heart of an Assassin (Circle of Spies) by Laura Pauling

think of this as a performance.” She tapped her chin. “Think of this as survival.”
    Huh?
    “You slip at these luncheons or dinner parties,” a fake smile crept onto her face and her eyes turned cold and heartless, “and it could mean your life and in your case that could also mean the life of your mother and father because without you they have no protection from us.”
    My hand trembled and the tea sloshed around in my cup. The emotions from my hidden place leaked out and reminded me of all I’d lost and the anger I felt against this family who controlled my life. Even though I’d accepted Will’s deal, he’d played me like a lovesick fool.
    “Oh, yes.” Janelle sipped from her iced tea. “Emotion will happen. Messy heartbreaking emotion that makes you want to crumble and cry right there on the spot. Because if your enemy has done research, he’ll know who you are, he’ll know your weak spots, your Achilles’ heel. He’ll use that and purposefully jab into those soft spots with his words. Because if you’re unnerved, he can best you. You’ll screw up. And that’s what he wants.”
    The cane rapped. “Start again.”
    Janelle crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. “What brought you to Athens? I see you’re not a native.”
    “Well, you see,” I paused, desperately seeking for the right words. “I’m here on summer vacation.”
    The cane rapped and Edith snorted. “It’s spring.”
    I hunched over. “I can’t do this.”
    Janelle reached across the table and held my hand, not grimacing at my sweaty palms. “Yes, you can do this. You must.” She pulled her hand away. “So what brings you to Athens?”
    I hesitated, crippled with fear at the stupid words I might utter. For a brief second, I closed my eyes and breathed deep, searching for something to say. “I’m visiting my uncle.”
    Janelle’s eyes lighted with approval. “What does your uncle do? Maybe I’ve heard of him.”
    I laughed even though it sounded a bit forced. “I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. He keeps his business private.” And this was the truth. I was visiting them for a brief stay and I couldn’t break through to their secrets for the life of me. Maybe that was what I needed to do. Take my truths and twist it for the situation with vague answers that don’t reveal a thing. Easier said than done.
    “What about holding silverware and that kind of stuff?” I asked, twisting my napkin in my lap.
    Janelle waved her hand. “No time. Small etiquette mistakes will slip by unnoticed but a show of nerves by bumbling your speech will be the death of you.”
    Bartholomew barged into the room. “Did I hear something about death?” Then he noticed me. “Are you two giving her a hard time? You know what Will said.”
    Janelle smiled, stood, and gracefully approached her husband. “Of course, we’re giving her a hard time, dear. That’s what we do, right?”
    He winked at me. “Let me know if you need any info. Edith is a sucker for love, and my wife here loves a challenge. That would be you.” He pointed to Edith. “Are you behaving yourself, Mother?”
    “Of course.”
    Edith had it down pat. The confident answers. The lies. The image. She emphasized and took advantage of her ornery nature and her age. Janelle was a middle-aged mom who could sweet talk a cactus into giving up its needles. Both of them, inside, were tough. They had to be. I had to be.
    “I’ll be in my office. I’ll catch you at dinner.” He kissed Janelle and squeezed her butt. Not what I wanted to see.
    She swatted his hand away, then patted her hair. “Are we set for our dinner plans this weekend?”  
      Bartholomew nodded. “Everything is set.”
    They closed the conversation. I didn’t feel rejected that I wasn’t invited. I saw opportunity. To sneak inside the office and look again for clues, something that betrayed their plans.

 
     
     
Eighteen
    A few days passed as I waited for the weekend and the