“B-Blair?” Maeve’s voice shook as she stared down the barrel of a pistol.
“Surprise,” Blair said, smirking.
“I-I don’t understand,” Maeve stammered. “What are you d-doing? I thought-”
Blair sneered. “You thought, what, that you could trust me? That we were on the same side?”
Maeve nodded weakly, and Blair laughed.
“Whatever made you think that?”
Maeve’s eyes darted around the room, trying to find a way out. “I thought we were partners. I thought we both wanted the same thing, to save lives, to be heroes.”
Blair snorted. “Really? Why would I want to be a hero,” she said, leaning forward, “when I could have so much money instead?”
“So, this whole time, you’ve been-”
“Working with a multinational conglomerate that would pay millions for this code, instead of whatever pitiful government salaries we were stuck with?” she asked, patting her pocket where a flash drive nestled. “Of course.”
“You know that software is too dangerous for anyone to have,” Maeve argued, trying to buy time. “That’s why we were sent to get it.”
Blair shrugged. “And what, you didn’t think the government was going to use it, either? At least this way the people using it are honest about their intentions.” She smirked. “Money is always more honest than politics.”
“So this whole time, the whole time we’ve known each other, the whole time we’ve been working on this, you’ve been-”
“Plotting against you? That sounds so dramatic, doesn’t it?” Blair asked, leaning against the wall, gun still trained on Maeve. “If it helps, I’ve only been working for this particular organization since we got the assignment.”
“What?” Maeve gasped. “You’ve done this before?”
Blair shook her head, tutting softly. “Oh, Maeve, are you really this trusting, this stupid? Of course I have. Didn’t you ever wonder why I always volunteered to do the extra paperwork, why I would take the annoying task of filing away evidence? Ah, now you see,” Blair grinned at the stricken look on Maeve’s face. “About time.”
Maeve’s voice was even quieter now. “So, this whole time… Even when we… In Warsaw…”
For the first time since pulling her gun, Blair’s sneer slipped. “Yeah,” she said, “even in Warsaw. Sorry about that.”
A tear slipped down Maeve’s cheek, and she brushed it away angrily. “I thought you cared. I trusted you, with so much! I told you everything!”
“Yeah, well,” Blair sighed, “that’s your problem.” Her smirk was back. “But the people at Valdivian are very grateful for your… forthcomingness.”
“Valdivian?” Maeve sniffed. “That’s who you work for?”
“Oops,” Blair said. “I wasn’t supposed to let that slip. You won’t tell anyone, will you, Maeve? A favor for a close friend, and all that?”
“Actually,” Maeve said, her voice still a little shaky, “I don’t need to tell anyone.”
“What?”
Maeve’s face twisted into a smirk of its own. “You already did.” She pulled the collar of her shirt down, revealing a hidden microphone taped to her chest.
“Why, you little… You’re wired?” Blair spluttered.
“You didn’t think I was that careless, did you?” Maeve said, her voice smooth and calm. “I noticed all your little trips to evidence, and how the paperwork was always slightly off. You aren’t that sneaky, Blair. Don’t think I didn’t notice when you slipped off to take those phone calls.”
“How long?” Blair snapped.
“Have I been recording you? Since we got up this morning. How long have I suspected you?” Maeve smiled. “Months. I just needed the right bait, the right evidence you catch you, make you confess, and tell me everything I needed to know.”
“Like the company I’m stealing government secrets for,” Blair said, bitterly.
“Precisely.” Maeve glanced at her watch. “I’ve had Cass on the line this whole time. Back-up should be here any minute to arrest you.”
“See, there is only one problem,” Blair said, slowly.
“What is that?”
“Well,” she continued, baring her teeth in a mocking smile. “You might want to check your transmitter.”
Maeve gaped at her, then her fingers flew to the microphone, the cord, the box it was connected to. “What? How…?”
Blair chuckled. “You really didn’t think I’d fall for your little trap, did you? Did you really expect your performance in Warsaw to work? I mean sure, it was fun, but Maeve, we’ve been working together for three years. Don’t you realize how out-of-character that little act was, for you?”
Before Maeve could reply, a car honked nearby.
“Well,” Blair said, “that’s my ride.”
She pulled the trigger, and Maeve screamed, collapsing to the floor and grabbing her leg.
“Don’t worry,” Blair said, “I missed anything important.” She made her way to the door, turning back for one last jab. “Maybe the scar will help you impress your next mark.”
And she was gone.
Maeve grunted as he pulled herself across the floor, leaning against the same wall Blair had. She panted slightly, trying to ignore the pain in her leg. It would pass, eventually.
She reached for the outlet in the wall, tugging at the already loose screws. The cover popped off, and she pulled a small camera and microphone from the empty hole.
“You were right,” she said, forehead furrowed in pain. “She did suspect me. The wire was a good decoy.” Maeve grinned. “She never even thought to search the room.”
© The Lightning Tower, 2020