THE LAST SPY

Chapter six

Kelvin sat at a corner table in Le Mirage, the elegant hum of conversations and the soft clinking of glasses filling the air. The restaurant was bathed in warm, golden light, its high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers. He glanced at his watch, his nerves hidden behind a mask of calm. Maria wasn’t late, yet but every passing minute felt heavier than the last.

He took a sip of water, his mind rehearsing the conversation he planned to have. He couldn’t afford to slip. Every word mattered.

The soft sound of heels clicking against the marble floor drew his attention. He looked up to see Maria entering the restaurant, her red dress once again catching the light. She scanned the room before spotting him and smiled apologetically as she approached.

“Kelvin,” she said, her voice warm but slightly breathless. “I’m so sorry. Traffic was a nightmare.”

“No need to apologize,” Kelvin said, standing as she arrived. “I just got here myself.” It was a lie, but one he told smoothly.

They sat, the waiter appearing almost immediately to take their orders. Once they were alone, Kelvin leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully.

“You look distracted,” Maria said, her head tilting slightly as she met his gaze.

“Just thinking,” Kelvin replied. “It’s been... a long few days.”

Maria smiled faintly. “I know the feeling. I can’t seem to get a break lately.”

Their small talk flowed easily, but Kelvin’s focus never wavered. He watched her closely, gauging her reactions, searching for any hint of duplicity. When the waiter brought their drinks, Kelvin decided it was time to steer the conversation in the direction he needed.

“Maria,” he began, his tone cautious, “can I ask you something?”

She set her glass down, her eyes meeting his. “Of course.”

“What’s your opinion of Victor Alonso?”

Maria blinked, the question catching her off guard. “Victor?” she echoed. “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve heard things,” Kelvin said carefully. “And I’m curious. Do you trust him?”

Maria’s brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded. “Yes, I do. Victor helped me during a difficult time in my life. He’s always been kind to me. Why? Have you heard something different?”

Kelvin hesitated, his fingers brushing against the edge of his glass. “Let’s just say my perspective is... complicated.”

Maria’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face. “Kelvin, if there’s something I should know, tell me.”

He drew a deep breath. This was it, the moment he’d been dreading and anticipating in equal measure. “Maria, I’m not just some businessman,” he said quietly. “I’m a spy. My mission is to uncover Victor’s drug operations. He’s been shipping narcotics under the radar for years.”

The silence between them was heavy. Maria stared at him, her expression unreadable at first, before she laughed softly.

“Victor?” she said, shaking her head. “Kelvin, that’s impossible. He’s a childhood friend. I’ve known him for years. He wouldn’t get involved in something like that.”

“I thought the same thing about someone once,” Kelvin replied evenly. “And I was wrong. Maria, I need you to consider the possibility that Victor isn’t who you think he is.”

Her expression darkened slightly, skepticism creeping into her voice. “And what proof do you have?”

Kelvin leaned forward. “I was the one who infiltrated his casino two weeks ago.”

Maria’s eyes widened, her hand tightening around the stem of her glass. “That was you?”

“Yes,” Kelvin said, his tone unwavering. “I didn’t kill the driver, Maria. That was one of Victor’s guards. And the guard with the tattoo, his death was an accident. I never intended to kill anyone.”

Maria’s shock was evident. She looked down at her hands, as if processing what he’d just told her.

“You’re saying Victor knew about this? That he... let it happen?”

“I don’t know how much he knew,” Kelvin admitted. “But I do know that working for someone like him isn’t safe. Maria, I’m telling you this because I believe you don’t know the full truth. You deserve to.”

Maria’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze fixed on the table. Before Kelvin could say more, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting into something unreadable.

“I have to take this,” she said, standing abruptly.

Kelvin watched as she answered the call, her voice low and clipped. After a moment, she turned back to him, her face carefully neutral. “I’m sorry, Kelvin, but I have to go. We’ll talk again soon.”

“Maria—”

“Thank you for telling me,” she said, cutting him off. “I’ll think about what you’ve said.”

She left before he could respond, leaving Kelvin sitting alone at the table.

Later that evening, Kelvin called April, pacing his study as he spoke.

“Did you tell her?” April asked, her voice sharp with concern.

“Yes,” Kelvin admitted. “She was shocked. I could see it.”

“Kelvin, do you realize what you’ve done?” April said. “Victor isn’t someone you mess with. If he finds out you told Maria—”

“I had to,” Kelvin interrupted. “She deserves to know the truth.”

“She deserves to know the truth?” April’s voice was incredulous. “Kelvin, this isn’t a game. If Maria runs back to Victor, you’ll be dead by morning.”

Before Kelvin could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, Maria.

“Hang up, April,” he said quickly.

“Kelvin, don’t—”

“Just hang up.”

The line went dead as Kelvin switched to Maria’s call. “Maria?”

Her voice was shaky, barely above a whisper. “You were right.”

Kelvin’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

“Victor isn’t who he says he is,” Maria said, her words trembling. “I have a document, a file that proves everything. I need to give it to you.”

“Where are you?” Kelvin asked, his voice urgent.

“There’s a parking lot,” Maria said, naming an isolated location on the outskirts of the city. “Meet me there in an hour.”

“Maria, are you okay?”

“I... I will be. Just come.”

The call ended, leaving Kelvin staring at his phone, the weight of her words settling over him like a storm cloud.