Stockholm Syndrome by Miranda MacLeod

Author:Miranda MacLeod [MacLeod, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Apple Blossom Press
Published: 2017-10-25T23:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

Amanda surveyed the exterior of the house dubiously. Though its red paint and white trim were identical to the rest of the houses along the row, there was an air of neglect to this one that stood in contrast to the others. It had a creepiness about it that made Amanda shiver. Or perhaps she was just projecting her own worries about what they’d find on the laptop when Leigh’s friend managed to get a peek inside. “You’re sure this is the right place?”

“Positive.” Leigh seemed thoroughly unconcerned, though it was difficult to know for certain. They’d had to give up their more elaborate disguises so as not to alarm Leigh’s grandparents, but Leigh had still insisted they do the best they could with regular street clothes. Until they knew for certain that Vasiliev’s men weren’t tracking them, it was best if they were difficult to spot, and so today Leigh wore a wide brimmed hat and dark sunglasses, with the collar of her shirt turned up high. The combined effect was a face shrouded in deep shadow, only her lips visible. But her lips, at least, appeared completely at ease with the current situation. “I’ve known Max since we were kids.”

Amanda removed her own sunglasses and examined the small porch where they stood. A straw mat sat in front of the door, printed with the word välkommen in bold letters and decorated with a red Swedish horse. It would have looked significantly more welcoming if it hadn’t been caked with what appeared to be half a century’s worth of grime. There was a doorbell that, though screwed on somewhat crookedly looked like it might be in working order, and yet Amanda noted that Leigh had yet to press it. “Should we ring?”

“No need. It would just scare him, so I texted when we left the cottage. Besides,” she added, pointing to a spot under the eaves where Amanda could just make out the lens of a webcam, “I’m sure he already knows we’re here.”

As if to prove her correct, the door swung open the moment she said it, rusty hinges letting out a tortured squeal as if they’d gotten so out of the habit of guests that they weren’t sure what to make of being put to work. A tall, skinny man who looked to be in his mid-thirties stood in the doorway. His skin was the shocking white of a Scandinavian who hasn’t ventured out into the sun in quite some time. On his chin was a scraggly blond goatee, his unkempt hair yanked back into a short ponytail. His expression was almost menacing at first, and it was clear that he was as unused to greeting guests as were his front door hinges, but when he saw Leigh, his eyes lit up and his face was transformed with a warm smile.

“Leigh!”

“Max!” Leigh wrangled the man into a bear hug, which left him looking slightly startled, but not displeased. “So good to see you again. And this is my colleague, Amanda.

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