The Alliance by Shannon Stoker Page B

whispered back.
    â€œTo prove he is in control,” Albin said.
    â€œWe have a strict schedule,” Agent Barker said. “Please keep up.”
    The trio broke off their conversation and followed the agent down the hall. They stayed on the first floor of the empty hotel and nobody noticed their presence. When the group went outside the two black SUVs were waiting. Agent Barker opened the door to one and climbed inside. The driver grabbed Mia’s bag and loaded it into the rear.
    â€œWhere is our security?” Flo asked him.
    The driver did not respond.
    â€œSir,” Albin said. “Please answer the question.”
    â€œThey are in the second car,” he said. “Already loaded up.”
    Mia took note of the fact that the driver responded to Albin with ease yet ignored Flo altogether. She was more used to this behavior than the prime minister but had a feeling it wasn’t affecting Flo in the slightest. Mia wished she had the older woman’s self-­control.
    The three entered the SUV. Flo sat next to Agent Barker and Albin sat across from him, giving Mia the seat farthest from the man. She was grateful for that distance.
    â€œWe have an eight-­and-­a-­half-­hour drive,” Agent Barker said. “Then we’ll stop and tour a youth home. After that we’ll drive four more hours and rest for the night. All your meals are scheduled.”
    â€œWe didn’t get breakfast,” Flo said.
    Agent Barker kept his eyes glued to Albin.
    â€œThere are pastries for you and your guests in the side compartment,” he said.
    Albin smiled and leaned over, coming back with a white box. He offered Flo the first choice, then Mia. She shook her head. There was no way her stomach could hold food. Albin shrugged and picked out a frosted treat before putting the box on the seat.
    â€œThey should be serving you,” Agent Barker said.
    â€œCan we keep it civil?” Flo said. “If you have such a problem with our ways maybe you can switch places with a member of my security? They have been much more agreeable.”
    Barker didn’t look at Flo. Instead he tapped twice on the partition and the driver took off. Mia gazed out the tinted window. She didn’t want to stop at the orphanage. More than anything else Mia wished this trip was over with.
    â€œYou look so familiar,” Agent Barker said.
    â€œI am in many pictures with the prime minister,” Albin said.
    â€œNot you,” Barker said. “Jeanette.”
    Mia turned to face him.
    â€œWhere do I know you from?”
    Her heart jumped in her throat. The man was examining her face and Mia tried her best not to tremble. The government might have destroyed all photographs of her, but if Agent Barker had been active during her escape there was no doubt her face had crossed his desk on many occasions.
    â€œJeanette used to model,” Flo said. “Mainly cologne.”
    Barker laughed. “Cologne is for men,” he said.
    â€œSorry for the translation issue,” Albin said. “She means perfume.”
    â€œI bet you could sell a lot of things to men,” Agent Barker said.
    The car went silent.
    â€œI value my mind more than my appearance,” Mia said.
    â€œThat’s a shame,” Agent Barker replied.
    He appeared content with the explanation and reached for the box of pastries.
    â€œTell me, are you married?” Albin asked.
    â€œNo,” Agent Barker said. “I want to wait, maybe another ten years. My wife will be beautiful. Perfect.”
    â€œThen maybe you should stop speaking of things you have such little knowledge of,” Albin said.
    Agent Barker leaned back in his seat. He did not have a response and Mia was grateful. She went back to staring out the window, certain the agent’s eyes were still fixed upon her. Mia closed her own, hoping sleep would come and take her away from the ill feeling that she would never make it across the