[Milliways]: Catching up with 'Diane'
The thing that really burns is that he hadn't even suspected. Usually there's an inkling at least, some little feeling like something's not quite right.
But this time...nothing.
He'd been so caught up in his plan, so excited about the prospect of never having to deal with the Cabal again, that he'd never even considered the possibility that she might have been playing him just as he was playing her.
He heads to New York almost as soon as he hears what's happened, only stopping to make sure Yrael and Axel get back to Milliways all right.
It's not difficult to find her. She's actually waiting for him at his apartment.
“Diane,” he says when he steps inside, anger simmering just under the surface.
“It's Dana, actually, Nikola.”
At least she's not still calling him Nikki.
“Dana, then.”
“I suppose you'd like to know what went wrong with the information I gave you.”
Nikola shakes his head, stepping toward her. She circles around him, moving closer to the door. It's a wise move all things considered.
“Not really. I think I've got the gist of it. Been promoted yet?”
“Just this morning. There've been quite a few positions that needed filling. And I was just the right person to step into one of the high-level ones.”
Nikola nods. He'd guessed that was the reason.
“I really owe you a debt of gratitude,” she continues. “Without you and your friends, I'd never have been able to do it. Who are they, by the way? We don't have so much as a scrap of information on either of them. Very resourceful finds of yours.”
“Good luck finding them again,” Nikola answers, and it's the one bright spot in all this, the one thing he can still feel vaguely smug about.
“Oh, I'm sure we will, Nikola. Given time. It's difficult to hide abnormalities like that. As for you...”
Nikola supposes she's about to tell him there are Cabal agents surrounding the building and he has no chance to escape. He's prepared for that. He isn't quite prepared for what actually comes next.
“I really do appreciate the assistance you've provided, and in gratitude, I'm going to let you leave New York peacefully. You'll have until the end of the day. If you're still in the city tomorrow, I'm afraid I'll have to send a team after you.”
“That's...generous of you.”
“Consider it a thank you for the memories.” She turns then to step out the door, and the only thing that stops Nikola from killing her right then is the knowledge that she'll have been expecting it and likely has some plan for that eventuality.
“Oh, and Nikola?” she adds when she reaches the door. “I wouldn't go back to Brazil if I were you. I have no proof you were involved in this, of course, but there are certain parties who would be all to glad to see you brought to justice for it. Best to keep a low profile for the moment.”
And then she's gone, and Nikola's only outlet for his anger is his apartment.
It's probably a good thing he won't be coming back to this one.