Chapter 24

-Jianna-

**2007**

Berlin, Prague, Milan, Tokyo.

I looked at all the places I have to go to this month and I wasn't looking forward to any of them.

I've been doing this shit for as long as I can remember and I'm so tired. I need out but they're not going to let me. I've bought my way out just like the other girls. Twice over if we're counting. But they won't let me go.

"You're the best we have *Rosso*," said Giovani. "Papa isn't ready to let you go yet."

*Rosso*--Red

That's what they called me. They never told me my name but I got curious. I looked for records of who I was and trust me, it wasn't easy to find. Especially when people are always tracking my every move. Be it the organization or people who want me dead.

Jianna Spencer. That's my name. I was dropped off in a convent in the south of Spain, I know how cliche that sounds when I was barely a day old, and according to the nuns that took me in, I was left with only a paper that said "Jianna" and "I'm Sorry".

*Southbound train to Berlin, Germany is leaving in 20 minutes*

That's my train. I gulped my coffee and folded up my newspaper. I checked the time, 9:30, I'm a little late but still on time.

I got up and started walking towards the platform. I noticed a man in a leather jacket behind me. He's trying hard to be discreet. I knew I was being followed, it was not the first time. I've been in this game for too long to not notice the signs. I turned my head slightly to the left and caught a glimpse of his face. He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him.

I glanced around, searching for any sign of trouble. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, but my instincts were telling me otherwise. I don't know if he's alone but I sure hell ain't going to risk it.

I've seen him before. He's been following me since Paris. He's not one of ours so he's probably sent by someone who I've killed before. There's been a lot so trying to figure out who would take me months.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. It was the convent. "*Hola*?" I hear Mother Superior in the other line. "*Si hermana. estaré allí el domingo*."

She always wants to know if I'll be showing up for Sunday mass. I hung up and chuckled. I guess I have to finish this one quickly.

I completely forgot about Leather Man until I got in my train compartment and I saw him pass by and glance at my car quickly. Not very discreet there leather man. Hmm... I guess he IS following me. I don't have time to worry about that now. I need to get to where I need to be and get back to get my sins atoned, I guess.

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until the overhead speaker in my car started to come to life. "Berlin station up next. Nächster Bahnhof Berlin" Better get going.

I got up and started heading to the exit. I knew Leather Man would be behind me so might as well let him catch up. The train slowed to a stop and I got off. I headed to the window that said "**IMMIGRATION**" to get my passport stamped.

"Vat iz your business in Berlin, *Fräulein*?" the man in the window asked.

"Holiday. My husband just passed and we always talked about traveling Europe before he did so I'm doing this for him" I responded. The widow act always gets people to not look too closely at my credentials. Not that it would matter.

He looked at my passport and looked at me with pity in his eyes.

"*Ja. Es tut mir so leid, meine Liebe*. I'm very sorry for your loss," he said as he put his hand on mine. People and their feelings. "Very well Mrs. Rogers. Enjoy your stay and Willkommen in Berlin." he stamped my passport and gave it back to me. If he did manage to look closely, he would have seen that I'm not a middle-aged blonde woman. Even though I did have my hair in a blonde wig, I look nothing like the picture in my passport.

I stepped out onto the bustling streets of Berlin, leather man still trailing behind me. I needed to lose him, but I also needed to be careful. I couldn't risk blowing my cover in a foreign country. My mission was to eliminate three men and retrieve classified documents that were being kept in a secure building in the city center. It was a routine assignment, but with the leather man tailing me, it was anything but routine.

I was about to do some recon but I need to check in my hotel first. I usually book three hotels under different names and decide which one I'll use at the last minute. As I checked into the hotel closest to the station, I looked around and checked if Leather Man was still following me. No sign of Leatherman. I knew he wasn't going to check into the same hotel as I did. If he's any self-respecting hitman, he would have checked in the hotel across from mine. That's what I would've done.

As I entered my hotel room, I quickly scanned the room for any signs of tampering. The curtains were slightly drawn, but that could have been the cleaning staff. I walked towards the window and peered outside to see if anyone was lurking around. The streets were busy as usual, but there was no sign of Leather Man. Maybe it was just my imagination. Or maybe he's really good at hiding.

I took off my blonde wig and let my natural red hair fall down my shoulders. I took a quick shower and changed into my all-black ensemble. I needed to do some reconnaissance before I headed out. I picked up my laptop and started searching for information on the building where the classified documents were being kept. I found blueprints of the building, and I started studying them. I familiarized myself with the layout of the building and the location of the security cameras. I also looked for any possible escape routes in case things went south. I paused a moment and was about to have one of the tech guys search who the leather man was but I didn't want them to get alerted that I had tail. I needed to know who he was first and then decide what to do.

I finished my research and memorized the plan I had drawn out so I grabbed my equipment, including my silenced pistol, and headed out into the streets.

I walked for a few minutes until I got to a small café and settled in. I was going to be there for a while. I ordered a coffee and sat down. From there, I could see everyone coming in and out of the building across the street. That's where the three men are going to be today.

I sipped my coffee, keeping an eye on the building. My mind wandered to the leather man. Who was he? And why was he following me? I couldn't let my guard down, not even for a moment.

I need to do recon on him too. Might as well. I have time to spare. I searched for the closest hotel to mine. It wasn't hard to find. Fortunately, there were only two. And with a quick Google Maps search, I saw that the only hotel he could be staying at was Hotel Berlin. It's the only one that has rooms directly in sight of my room. "How original." I thought to myself.

I went to the bathroom and called the hotel. The line started ringing and depending on who answered, I could either be a jilted wife or the health inspector.

"Good Morning, Hotel Berlin. This is Matilda speaking. How may I make you smile today?" she said, hearing the forced customer service voice coming from the other line. Jilted wife it is.

I started fake heaving like I was crying and her voice softened. Works every time.

"What iz wrong, frauline?" she said sympathetically.

"My-my husband. I followed him to your hotel with some-some bimbo and I think he's cheating on me." I rolled my eyes as I fake cried on the phone.

"Oh, der Liebling. I'm so sorry to hear that. What is his name?" she asked.

Shit! I don't have a name.

"He might have checked in under a different name. If I describe him do you think you'd be able to recognize him? Maybe someone you've checked in today?" I tried to make it sound convincing. She's not going to give it to me. Fuck!

"Well, I can't just give you that information mien liebe. I'm going to get in trouble," she said sounding dejected. One last ditch effort. I started crying hysterically.

"Frauline, frauline. Please don't cry. Tell me what he looks like. I can try to remember." she's really trying to help me. Bless her heart. I feel a little guilty using her like this but it's all just business.

I described leather man to her and her voice instantly perked up. "Oh! I remember him! I checked him in not 2 hours ago.." she paused and I could hear her thoughts going. "He didn't come in with a woman though, frauline. Are you sure?" She asked. Damn!

I started over the top crying again.

"If I give you his name, do you promise not to tell you got it from me?" she said trying to calm me down.

"You'll do that?" I asked, heaving loudly. I can just imagine what the people in the cafe were thinking.

"Yes. Yes. Of course." she paused. "Ok. Here we go. It looks like he's registered under "James Barnes". Does that name sound familiar?" she asked sounding concerned.

"N-no. Can you maybe give me his room number? I can call and check if it's him?" I said.

"Room 601. But if you tell anyone I told you I'm going to get fired. I have children, frauline. Please." she pleaded.

"O-of course. You just helped me so much. Thank you." then hung up.

Hmmm... James Barnes. Interesting