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"You know, it's not often I get to talk to someone like you." Sophia Hapgood locked eyes with the Russian woman. "I mean. Someone like me."
Some emotion flashed in the previously cold eyes. "You presume much, American."
Sophia leaned back in her chair. She wondered if the men outside the hotel room door were listening. The hotel in Kiev Sophia had been staying had walls that were like paper. She was fairly sure if she'd raise her voice the people staying in the next room could hear her.
But she wasn't stupid enough to scream.
"I don't presume, I know," Sophia informed her.
The Russian crossed her arms. "Impress me."
"Irina Spalko. Colonel Spalko. A decorated military scientist, and a member of KGB."
"All this is common knowledge. You expect me to be impressed with your hot reading?"
"You're right. But I see I underestimated you. I thought you would have figured it out by now."
"Explain yourself. I am not here to play games."
And yet she had not told Sophia what she wanted.
The three Russians who had appeared on Sophia's hotel room door had been polite, but nevertheless had effortlessly given the impression that if she did not let them to the room they would come in anyway.
The woman Sophia recognized from the files on Russian ESP experiments had seated across her at the small table and this weird non-interrogation had started.
Spalko was playing games. She was keeping her cards close to her chest. She wanted to see what Sophia would do. She wanted something specific but would not ask for it directly.
She wanted to figure out if Sophia would read her mind.
Fine then, I will play.
"I could have fled. I knew you were coming. But I was curious." Sophia looked her in the eye. "It has been a while since I have sensed someone this strong. Peculiar."
Irina drew in breath and Sophia knew she had an opening.
She wanted to believe.
Sophia resisted the urge to glance at the dresser in the corner. Her small pistol was in there, but she likely could not get to it before Spalko would draw her weapon.
Besides, Sophia had always been better at talking her way out of things than using raw violence.
Sophia had had a connection to something like a spirit once. But most of her seances had always been guesswork and performance and she was good at it.
She could always spot the ones who really wanted to believe.
Sophia reached out her hand. "Give me your hand. Don't touch me, I want to read your aura."
Spalko gave her an amused look and reached out her hand. She let it hover over Sophia's palm.
"Excuse me. I am used to more technical methods. Our research facilities have made great leaps in Kirlianography."
I know, Sophia thought. I read your paper on it.
"I am an old-fashioned woman, please indulge me," Sophia said. "I believe those aura-reading machines can be very informative, but bringing technology between people only creates barriers-"
She let her fingers brush against Spalko. "I believe the human body is the perfect instrument for a human soul to use to connect with other souls."
Spalko pulled her hand away. "Did you feel my aura?"
Sophia evaluated her. She seemed too smart to fall for the old 'I have never felt someone this strong! You really are special!' trick. And yet, if Sophia was right, she very much wanted that validation. But she'd have to be careful.
"I saw nothing."
Spalko raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"
"Which is peculiar. Usually- " She recalled what she had told her before. "I did sense you before, and I do even now. You are strong. But as soon as I attempt to connect, nothing."
That should satisfy her, and allow Sophia to tread carefully. The cold war had brought on a new kind of paranoia. The B movies with mind-reading and brainwashing aliens were only a sign of the fears people did genuinely have. But she could use it. It should be easy to sell Spalko the idea that her mind was instinctively protecting itself.
Spalko's eyes widened and Sophia knew she had hit the jackpot.
"Perhaps you are rusty?" Spalko said.
"No."
She wants to believe so bad... Not only that she has real power but that it's locked away? Or that her mind cannot be influenced?
Sophia cocked her head. "Some people can protect themselves through years and years of study and meditation. Is that you? Or could it be... Instinctual?"
Sophia reached to take Spalko's hand. This time the Russian did not pull away.
"You have piqued my curiosity," Sophia said.
"Very well. I am inviting you to take a look at our... Research."
Sophia returned her gaze. "And if I refuse?"
Spalko's fingers curled around Sophia's.
"I am certain you will make the right decision. We have an object in our possession I am sure you would be interested in."
She squeezed Sophia's hand, slightly too tightly.
"I am sure your expertise would be appreciated."