Keeping her face blank, she began inching one hand slowly into her purse.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is this your idea of flirting with tourists, because I have to say, it’s not that effective.”

“You’re bluffing. I can see it in your face.”

“Would you prefer if I outright laughed at you?”

“We’ve been expecting one of your kind, you know. We received a message that tipped us off. Someone from your side, in fact. What do you call them? Ah yes, a double agent.”

His tone of voice was conversational, almost friendly. As if they were at a cocktail party. But Helena knew that her life was in danger. Somehow she knew that he would have no problem killing her out here on the street.

She smiled at him. “You’ve been quite entertaining, but I really should get going. My boyfriend will start to worry about me if I don’t leave now.”

As she turned to leave, she was able to insert one hand into her purse. It closed around the cold steel of her gun. She took one step forward, waiting for his next move.