“Dr. Danvers?” he asked in a husky voice as he entered.
I considered telling him she wasn’t in, that I was her secretary, and offering to take a message to deliver to myself after he left, but for some reason I decided against it. Something about this visit already had a very Indiana Jones feel to it. I could see this easily turning into an opportunity to get out into the field. It was likely he wasn’t here to ask about any of my past research.
“Yes, sir, how can I help you?” I replied, trying to sound willing instead of scared and shaky-kneed. I stepped from beside my chair and offered my guest a seat in one of the chairs in front of my desk.
“Thank you,” he accepted, sliding the chair back and sitting down in his blue jeans and black leather boots. He rested one of his large hands on his knee and leaned forward with one of his massive arms on my desk, giving me a better shot at the tattoos on his arm and hand. The bold ink on his arm was certainly impressive, as was the definition of the muscle underneath.
I took my seat as well, feeling more comfortable sitting behind my desk, though if he wanted to get to me, it wouldn’t have taken much for him to get through the old solid wood. I adjusted my skirt and sweater nervously, repeating myself. “What can I do for you, Mr.…?”
“Noll,” he said. “Gage Noll. I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself.” He reached a hand across the desk. I offered him mine, and we shook. His thick, strong fingers wrapped around mine gently as his palm swallowed my small feminine hand. His touch was gentle, but I could still feel the strength he held back from me.
“Dr. Julia Danvers,” I said as we shook hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Noll.” With someone that big and burly sitting across from me, I wanted to be as polite and generous as possible.
“Now, what can I do for you?” I asked him a third time, sitting back and offering him a friendly smile.
“Dr. Danvers, I’m here because I need someone to translate Russian for me, and you come highly recommended as an expert on the language and culture,” he answered finally, dropping a bomb in my lap. His voice was stony, businesslike. I was impressed by how articulate he was.
I sat back in my chair, unsure of how exactly to respond. I searched his face to see if there was any possibility his proposition could have been a joke.
“I will pay you handsomely,” he added, reaching into his pocket.
“That’s not necessary,” I told him, holding a hand up to stop him. “I don’t need to see any money. Why did you come to me? Surely there are other translators in the city who could help you.”
“There are,” he agreed, but he didn’t say anything else, leaving me hanging on his words and expecting him to give me a little more explanation.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Noll. I’m having trouble understanding why you need me instead of someone who specializes in translation. I’m a history professor and a research fellow here at the university. I’m not just a translator,” I explained to him, leaning forward with my hands on the table.
“I understand you’re a reputable expert on Russian culture and language.” He looked around my office. “I’m assuming I’m not wrong.”
“No, sir, you are very right. Indeed, I’m flattered that you were sent to me. It’s just I usually only translate documents. I’m assuming you need live translation, and there are a few offices in the city offering that service. You might be better served by visiting one of those firms,” I suggested to him. “It all depends on your need.”
“I need live translation,” he admitted. “But, I need someone who understands how to talk to Russians. I’m not looking for someone to help me with a conversation I’m able to have. I’m looking for someone to help me say the right things instead of just saying them in Russian.” He paused a moment and leaned across the desk, lowering his voice as he continued. “I’m essentially doing research, and I need help persuading someone to give me information.”
Ice ran through my veins in the instant he said those words. What he was asking for sounded illegal. “I…I’m sorry, Mr. Noll,” I stammered. “I can’t help you with anything like that.”
I rose from my chair, ready to show him to the door, as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wad of bills, spilling them onto the desk.
“Like I said, I can pay you handsomely. There is more where that came from.”
I sat back down and looked at the assortment of bills before me. Twenties, fifties, and hundreds stared at me from all across my desk. I couldn’t count it spread out like it was, but it did seem like quite a lot of money.