She did as he instructed, slipping her arm around his and breathing deeply. As her nerves subsided, she fell into step with him.

“Do you see anybody?” she asked.

His gaze was fixed as they walked. “Blue jacket, at the newsstand, three o’ clock.”

Reflexively she turned to look, immediately sensing her mistake. She locked eyes with a stern-faced woman, probably eastern European, in a blue track jacket and cargo pants. She quickly turned her eyes, hoping to pass it off as incidental eye contact with a stranger.

When they eventually reached the steps to the platform, he stopped and faced her. “Did you look?”

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it, I -“

“Do not worry,” he interrupted. “This is a normal reaction. It’s better you learn this now. On the first glance, they notice you. On the second glance, they mark you. Look at them a third time, and you are as good as dead.”

She winced, and his face softened. “I think this is enough training for now,” he said.