My sibling recommended that I set up a surveillance device in our home prior to departing on a one-month professional journey to a different town. I chose to heed his suggestion…

Protects them, cares about them. Doesn’t abandon in trouble. This is rarity in our world, I nodded.

Michael spoke sincerely, with conviction. But still something was wrong. Something didn’t fit in this story.

We approached a small pond in the depths of the garden. Beautiful, quiet place. Bench by the water, weeping willows leaning over the water.

We sat on the bench. Michael, tell me the truth. The whole truth.

What is really happening? Why does Mark so want me to help? Why not just arrest John, hand the case to the police? The brother paused, looking at the water. Because it’s not only about John. There is someone else.

Someone higher, more important. Mark thinks that John doesn’t work only for himself. That behind him stands someone very influential.

And he needs evidence. The name of this person. So that’s what it is.

Finally something like the truth. And he thinks that I can learn this name. How? John never told me about his work, didn’t tell.

But perhaps, in your apartment, there are documents, recordings, something that can lead to this person. Something that John stores at home, considering this place safe. And if I find this, something, what then? Then Mark will act.

Arrest not only John, but also his patron. Return the money to investors. And you.

Protect you. From consequences, from scandal, from possible revenge. I nodded.

This sounded logical. More logical than everything I heard before. And if I refuse? What then? Michael sighed.

Then Mark will act himself. Arrest John, pressure him, trying to get the name of the patron. But without your help, the chances are less.

And John will surely go to jail. For a long time. And you think I should agree.

After everything he did, I think you should do what you think is right. But remember, Emily, the stakes are very high in this game. It’s not only about John, not only about you.

It’s about big politics, big money, lives of people. We sat silently, looking at the water. I pondered what I heard.

So, behind John stands someone influential. Some patron, who, perhaps, came up with the whole scheme with stealing money. And Mark needs to know who it is.

For what? To neutralize a competitor? To protect his business? Or for something else? I’ll think, I said finally. I’ll give an answer tomorrow. Michael nodded.

Good. And now, perhaps return to the house? It’s getting cool. We stood up and slowly went back to the house.

I looked at my brother, trying to understand if he is telling the truth. Everything he said sounded logical. But something still bothered me.

Something in his behavior, in his words, seemed strange, unnatural. Returning to the house, we found that Mark is waiting for us. He stood in the hall, talking on the phone.

Seeing us, ended the conversation and approached. How was the walk? Did you like the garden? Yes, very beautiful, I answered politely. Lunch will be in an hour.

Michael, are you staying? No, unfortunately, can’t. Affairs in the office. But I’ll return tomorrow, to learn Emily’s decision.

Mark nodded. Of course. I’ll order to prepare the car.

He stepped away, leaving us alone. Emily, think well, said Michael, lowering his voice. This is important.

Not only for you, for all of us. I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll make the right decision.

We hugged goodbye. I watched Michael leave, and a strange feeling of anxiety did not leave me. Something was wrong.

Something in his behavior, in his words, seemed fake, played. But what exactly, I couldn’t understand. After lunch, I returned to my room.

Sat on the bed, trying to gather my thoughts. What to do? Who to believe? How to proceed? If to believe Mark and Michael, John plans a large theft. Behind him stands some influential patron.

And I need to help find out who it is. In exchange, Mark promises safety to me, the possibility to avoid prison for John. But what if this is a lie? What if Mark manipulates me, uses me for some of his purposes? And Michael too.

What if he helps Mark not of his own will, but under duress? This would explain the strangeness of his behavior, the unnaturalness of his words. I walked around the room, trying to make a decision. Time passed.

Soon I need to give an answer. What will I say? Whose side to take? The phone rang in the door interrupted my thoughts. I flinched.

Yes. The door opened. Ian entered, the same one who brought me here.

Anastasia Sergeevna, you have a call. He handed me the phone. The same mobile, as yesterday.

Who is this? Your husband. I froze. John.

How did he learn, where I am? That I’m here? Took the phone, put to the ear. Hello? Emily. It’s me. Are you okay? His voice.

Such familiar, such dear. And at the same time such alien now, when I knew the truth. John.

How did you learn, where I am? Not important. The main thing is that you are alive, healthy. Emily, listen attentively.

Don’t believe Mark. Don’t believe anything he says. He is dangerous.

He uses you to get to me. And you? You didn’t use me? Didn’t lie to me for years? Didn’t cheat with some Helen? Didn’t plan to leave me, leave me to deal with the consequences of your crime? Silence. Then heavy sigh.

So you know. Know everything. Michael told? Not only Michael.

I myself. Myself heard, John. Heard, how you talked about me, about your plans. About how you don’t care what will be with me after your escape.

Emily, I can explain. Everything is not as it seems. Yes, I planned.

Certain actions. But not for myself. Not for profit.

I work for the government, for a special service. We investigate Mark’s activities, collect evidence of his crimes. What you heard was part of the legend, part of the image I created for years.

I couldn’t believe my ears. Now he came up with a new lie. Now he is a secret agent, working for the government? I don’t believe.

Not a single word. Emily, I swear to you. This is the truth.

I couldn’t tell earlier, couldn’t reveal the operation. But now, when you are in danger, I must. Mark is a criminal, Emily.

He launders money for large officials, finances illegal operations. We have been collecting evidence for five years already. And now, finally, close to completion.

His voice sounded sincere, convincing. But I knew too well what a good actor John can be. And Helen? She is also part of your legend? Part of the image? Pause, Helen colleague.

We work together. What you heard was a staging. We knew that Mark can listen, so we played roles.

And you also went to bed in the framework of the legend. Also for the credibility of the image. Another pause.

Emily, I understand how this looks. But believe, everything is not as it seems. I love you.

Always loved. Everything I did was for our future. For you to be safe.

I shook my head, although he couldn’t see it. I don’t believe. Not a single word.

I heard how you talked about me. Heard your voice, your intonations. This was not a game, not a staging.

This was you real. Emily, please. You are in danger.

Mark uses you to get to me. As soon as he gets what he wants, you will become unnecessary. A witness, from which need to get rid.

And you? You didn’t use me? Didn’t lie to me for years? Didn’t plan to leave? No. I swear to you, no. Everything I did was for us.

For our future. I was going to tell everything when the operation ends. Show you documents, evidence.

Explain. I didn’t know what to think. What if he is telling the truth? What if Mark is the criminal, and John is the secret agent? But how then to be with what I heard? With his words, with his plans? With Helen, finally? What do you want from me, John? Leave from there.

Find a way to escape. I’ll send people, they will help. You need only to exit the territory.

There will be a car, it will take you to a safe place. And if I don’t want? If I believe Mark more than you? Emily, please. You are in danger.

I can’t lose you. Can’t allow something to happen to you. His voice trembled.

Is it sincere? Does he really worry about me? I’ll think, I said finally. Give me time. No time, Emily.

Mark has already decided everything. As soon as he gets what he wants, you will become unnecessary. Please, leave from there.

Today at night. I’ll send people to the northern wall of the garden. There is a gate there, it is rarely guarded.

Be there at midnight. I’ll think, I repeated. Can’t promise. Emily, please.

I interrupted the conversation, returned the phone to Ian. Thank you. He nodded, went out, closed the door.

This time, didn’t lock. Again a sign of trust. I sat on the bed, trying to comprehend what I heard.

What if John is telling the truth? What if he really works for the government, investigates Mark’s activities? What if I’m in danger here? But how then to be with what I heard? With his words about escape, about new documents, about that he doesn’t care what will be with me. And with Helen, finally. Is it all a game, staging for listening? I didn’t know what to think.

Who to believe? Mark, who holds me in captivity, but promises safety? John, who lied to me for years, but swears in love? Michael, who behaves strangely, but remains my brother? Time passed. Soon dinner, then night. And the decision I must make? Stay or escape? Help Mark or John? To whom to entrust my fate? I didn’t know the answer.

Didn’t know how to proceed. But one was clear exactly. I will no longer blindly trust anyone.

Neither husband, nor brother, nor unfamiliar businessman. I will decide myself. And answer for my decisions also myself.

For dinner, Mark was unusually silent. Looked at me studying, as if trying to read my thoughts. «Have you made a decision, Anastasia Sergeevna?» He asked finally.

«Not yet. I need time». Time is little.

John plans to act in a week. On the 14th. The same words that Michael said.

Almost verbatim. «I know. I’ll give an answer tomorrow, as promised».

Mark nodded, didn’t insist anymore. We finished dinner in silence. Returning to the room, I sat on the bed, trying to make a decision.

What to do? Who to believe? How to proceed? If to believe Mark and Michael, John plans a large theft. Behind him stands some influential patron.

And I need to help find out who it is. In exchange, Mark promises safety to me, the possibility to avoid prison for John. If to believe John, everything is the opposite. Mark is the criminal, and John is the secret agent, investigating his activities.

And I need to escape, while it’s not too late. While Mark didn’t get what he wants, and didn’t get rid of the unnecessary witness. Who to believe? How to decide? I approached the window, looked at the garden.

Dark, only lanterns illuminate the paths. Security patrols the territory. Saw two men with flashlights, bypassing the perimeter.

Northern wall. Gate, which is rarely guarded. Midnight.

People who will help. I stepped away from the window, lay on the bed, closed my eyes. Need to decide.

Need to choose. Life doesn’t wait, doesn’t give time for reflection. Sometimes you have to act, even if not sure one hundred percent.

The clock showed 10 in the evening. Two hours to midnight. Two hours to the meeting at the gate, if I decide to trust John.

And if not? If I decide to stay, help Mark. What then? Tomorrow I’ll give consent, return to New York, will spy on my own husband.

Risk my life, my future. For what? For the sake of the person who holds me in captivity. Who lied to me, manipulated, conducted checks.

Or for the sake of the brother, who for some reason behaves strangely, unnaturally. Or for the sake of John, who, perhaps, deserves a second chance. No.

Not for their sake. For myself. For the truth.

For justice. For finally understanding what is happening around me. Who lies, who tells the truth.

Who is a friend, who is an enemy. The decision came suddenly, as if something clicked in my head. I knew what to do.

Knew how to proceed. And let it be risky, let it be dangerous, but this is my choice. My, and only my.

The clock showed 11.30. Time to act. I stood up from the bed, approached the door, cautiously opened it. The corridor is empty.

Quietly went out, closed the door behind me. Slowly, trying not to noise, went along the corridor to the stairs. The house seemed empty, lifeless.

Only the ticking of antique clocks, somewhere in the depths, violated the silence. I descended the stairs, crossed the hall, found the door leading to the garden. Locked.

Of course, doors are locked at night. But there must be another exit. Back door, exit for staff, something.

I looked around. Hall, living room, dining room. Somewhere there should be a kitchen.

And from the kitchen, surely there is an exit to the yard, for delivery of products, taking out garbage. Found the kitchen. Big, spacious, with modern equipment.

And the door. Ordinary door, leading outside. I approached it, pulled the handle.

Locked. But not with a key, but with a simple bolt. Pushed it away, pulled the handle again.

The door opened. Fresh night air rushed into the room. I went outside, cautiously closed the door behind me.

Found myself on a small platform, at the back entrance. From here the path led somewhere deep into the garden, bypassing the house. I went along the path, trying to move silently.

The moon illuminated the path, making lanterns unnecessary. Around was quiet, only rustle of leaves, on a light wind. The path led me to the main alley of the garden.

From here I could see the main buildings of the complex. The house where I was. Some other buildings, perhaps garages, or houses for staff.

And the wall. High stone wall, surrounding the territory. Northern wall.

Where is it? I looked around, trying to orient myself. The house behind me. So, if I stand facing the house, then north should be.

To the right? Or to the left? I never knew how to orient well. In the pocket of jeans, the phone vibrated. I flinched from unexpectedness.

Where is the phone from here? They took mine when they brought me here. Took the device out of the pocket. Not my phone.

Old model, button. The same one I talked to Michael and John. Someone planted it on me.

When? Why? On the screen message from unknown number. Northern wall, right in front of you. Go along it to the left…