Sunday papers:

nostalgia

Anna looked at her watch and noted she had been at the party for a little over an hour. It
had felt much longer than that and the alcohol was not helping. She had begun with the usual tour
and introductions, lead by the arm of her husband who schmoozed al his clients and laughed at
their lacklustre jokes. She had managed to give him the slip and had taken up residence in an
alcove near the bar where she had spent the rest of her evening. Anna reached into her purse and
plucked a cigarette from the silver case inside and lit it with the matching silver lighter. She forced
the smoke out of her lungs and up to the high ceiling of the penthouse apartment. Taking a sip of
her fourth martini she watched a young girl, a baby in her eyes, work her magic on a thirty year old
junior partner. She was so green when it came to seduction but girls these days found it easier to
rely on their skimpy dresses than actual skill. It was all about sticking out your chest and giggling
like an idiot than making your mark believe that he needed you. None of these girls would last two
minutes in the eld, theyd probably shoot themselves squeezing into what was classed as a dress
these days. Anna grew even more restless and tired of watching the circus performance happening
in the middle of the crowded party. The war had been won some forty years back and the cold war
was coming to an end or so shed been told but she wanted nothing more than to be back in the
eld. She hated being bored.

It was rapidly approaching midnight and Anna was nearing the end of her game. Her target,
the third son of the wealthiest oil tycoon in the world was currently unconscious in the back of her
speed boat, covered by a deep black blanket and surrounded by equipment cases. He had gone
with her as planned, several drinks and a very close dance later he had been willing to sign over
every penny he had to the mysterious woman with the thick black curls and bright red lips. Anna
had lured him away from the party and down to the waterfront with the promise of a night he would
never forget. Once positioned next to the boat she had been supplied with she had taken him down
with the hypodermic needle disguised in her pendant, functional, stylish. The new equipment boys
really knew how to make her happy.
She traveled at speed but not so fast as to alert the authorities. Too many missions had
failed because an agent had gotten cocky and claimed the victory too early. The river was quiet
and passed only couples along the banks, holding hands and taking in the crisp clear night. For a
long time she had convinced herself that if she were ever in Italy it would only be for love. This was
her third business trip in as many years and now the thought was nothing but a childish fantasy.
Her job was her life and she was damn good at it. There was more fun and excitement to be had
extracting security risks and communist supporters than any romantic stroll though the streets.
Anna slowed to take the turn as the river bent around to the left and turned the wheel deftly.
Taking a last look back over her shoulder before clearing the bend revealed she had been right to
be cautious. A second boat sped towards her cutting though the ripples her boat had left and
bouncing off the larger swells. The boat was lled and she knew exactly who would be in it. At least
four if not ve members of the KGB packing a variety of Russias nest weapons and only one goal
in mind. Retrieve their money man or make sure no one else can claim him. Anna pushed hard on
the throttle, slamming it backwards as far as it would go. The boat roared on the still river as the aft
dug into the water, pulled down by the increased revolutions of the propellor. She looked back once
more and saw the pursuing boat take a wide arc around the bend. Soon it would be right behind
her. Anna pulled down a panel next to the wheel revealing her radio equipment. She icked down
the toggle switch with her thumb and jabbed at the large red button with her index nger. Static
shot from the small round speaker followed by a mechanical whine before the channel cleared and
a voice could be heard through the transmitter.
Im enroute to the extraction point but have picked up a few strays. I need a clear run
though and back up on stand by. Anna said, her voice level and calm.
Youre two minutes out. Back up is ready on site. Get there and deliver the package. The
voice from the radio replied. Anna scrunched up her mouth and gave the radio a hard stare. She
reached for the panel to close up the radio but found a bullet would beat her to it. She snapped her
head around and saw the muzzle ash from the boat behind her. She ducked as the windshield
splintered in three successive strikes from speeding lead. Looking up saw how close they had
come to hitting her. The nal impact just inches from where her left arm had been. Another barrage
came from behind and added more fractured circles to the glass. With one hand on the wheel
keeping her craft straight and true Anna returned re with a pistol hidden under the wheel housing.
She aimed for the pilot but could not see if she had hit her target from so low down in the boat.
Anna kept ring, switching her vision from fore to aft as quickly as she could. All the time thinking
back to the couples on the banks. This was far more exciting than any moonlight stroll though the
city.