The Shadows of Diplomacy

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Back in Geneva, Alexei, after calming down, had agreed to meet with Keller. His sleek black car navigated the cityscape with urgency, on a path towards the meeting spot Keller had established. It was a very risky encounter, but one he had to undertake for Arya's, and possibly his own sake.

A faint hum of distant traffic underscored the hushed tension as Alexei reached the location. Keller, leaning against a graffiti-covered wall, exuded an air of quiet confidence. Their eyes met, and the unspoken understanding of adversaries converging settled between them like a thick fog.

"Where is Arya?" Alexei's voice was laced with a controlled intensity, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the man who held Arya hostage.

Keller straightened, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. "Straight to business, as always. I appreciate that. Arya's safe. Let's talk about what I want."

A tense silence lingered in the air as the stakes of the exchange became palpable. The dim glow of the setting sun highlighted the mischief that danced in Keller's eyes.

"What do you want?" Alexei's jaw clenched, every fibre of his being on high alert.

Keller stepped forward, bringing the two men within arm's reach. "I want you to turn yourself in, Alexei. Confess your involvement in espionage, in criminal activities... in killing the President-"

"I did not kill the President," Alexei retorted.

"And I didn't kidnap Arya," Keller shrugged.

"Except you did kidnap Arya. I did not kill the President."

"Listen, how about you turn yourself in, we'll make a show of it, we arrest your cronies, but you'll walk free, we'll credit it to your diplomatic immunity, and Arya will live. Well, you'll walk free in Russia, not here. You'll never be able to step foot in Western Europe ever again."

Alexei's gaze bore into Keller's eyes, his blood boiling beneath his skin. Keller's 'out' was pinning a target on his back and sending him squarely back to the shooting range.

"You're fucking delusional," Alexei commented. "Where the fuck is Arya?" Alexei grabbed the collars of Keller's shirt.

Keller's smirk widened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "This solves nothing."

Alexei slammed him into the wall. "Where is she?" Tears were welling up in his eyes.

Keller grunted as the impact with the wall reverberated through his body, but his defiant grin remained. "You won't find her by resorting to brute force, Alexei. This isn't the solution."

Alexei's grip tightened, his emotions teetering on the edge of unbridled rage. "I don't give a fuck about solutions. Tell me where she is, or I swear to God, I'll make you regret crossing my path," He spoke through gritted teeth.

Keller chuckled, the sound a disconcerting melody in the alley.

Alexei's restraint snapped. With a swift motion, he drew a concealed knife, pressing it against Keller's throat.

"Where. Is. She?"

Keller's gaze flickered for a moment, a subtle crack in his composure. "I could tell you anything right now and you'd have no choice but to believe me. Yet, if you kill me, then, surely, you'll never know."

Releasing his grip, Alexei stepped back, the knife still poised in his hand. It was so sharp that having only rested against Keller's neck, Keller suffered a knick.

Keller straightened his dishevelled collar, an air of nonchalance clinging to him. "Consider my offer, I think it's fair."

He walked away from Alexei, his posture playing no traitor to his fear of getting stabbed in the back.