ALSOBYTOMCLANCY

FICTION

TheHuntforRedOctoberRedStormRisingPatriotGames

TheCardinaloftheKremlinClearandPresentDangerTheSumofAllFearsWithoutRemorseDebtofHonorExecutiveOrdersRainbowSix

TheBearandtheDragonRedRabbit

TheTeethoftheTigerDeadorAlive

AgainstAllEnemiesLockedOnThreatVector

NONFICTION

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withGeneralChuckHorner(Ret.)andTonyKoltz

ShadowWarriors:InsidetheSpecialForces

withGeneralCarlStiner(Ret.)andTonyKoltz

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INTERIORMAPS©2013BYJEFFREYL.WARD

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductof

theauthors’imaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactual

persons,livingordead,businesses,companies,events,orlocalesisentirely

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Version_1

CONTENTSAlsobyTomClancyTitlePageCopyrightPrincipalCharactersPrologueChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7

Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24

Chapter25Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31Chapter32Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40Chapter41

Chapter42Chapter43Chapter44Chapter45Chapter46Chapter47Chapter48Chapter49Chapter50Chapter51Chapter52Chapter53Chapter54Chapter55Chapter56Chapter57Chapter58

Chapter59Chapter60Chapter61Chapter62Chapter63Chapter64Chapter65Chapter66Chapter67Chapter68Chapter69Chapter70Chapter71Chapter72Chapter73Chapter74Chapter75

Chapter76Chapter77Chapter78Chapter79Chapter80Chapter81Chapter82Chapter83Chapter84Chapter85Chapter86Chapter87Chapter88Epilogue

PRINCIPALCHARACTERS

UNITEDSTATESGOVERNMENT

JohnPatrick“Jack”Ryan:PresidentoftheUnitedStates

DanMurray:attorney

generaloftheUnitedStates

ArnoldVanDamm:President’schiefofstaff

RobertBurgess:secretaryofdefense

ScottAdler:secretaryofstateMaryPatriciaFoley:director

oftheOfficeofNationalIntelligence

JayCanfield:directoroftheCentralIntelligenceAgency

AdmiralJamesGreer:directorofintelligence,CentralIntelligenceAgency

JudgeArthurMoore:directoroftheCentralIntelligenceAgency

KeithBixby:chiefofstation,Kiev,Ukraine,CentralIntelligenceAgency

THEU.S.ARMEDFORCES

AdmiralMarkJorgensen:chairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff

EricConway:ChiefWarrantOfficerTwo,UnitedStatesArmy,OH-58DKiowaWarriorpilot

Andre“Dre”Page:ChiefWarrantOfficerTwo,UnitedStatesArmy,OH-58DKiowaWarriorcopilot

Barry“Midas”Jankowski:

lieutenantcolonel,UnitedStatesArmy,1stSpecialForcesOperationalDetachmentDelta

Harris“Grungy”Cole:captain,UnitedStatesAirForce,F-16pilot

THECAMPUS/HENDLEY

ASSOCIATES

GerryHendley:directorofTheCampus/HendleyAssociates

JohnClark:directorofoperations

Domingo“Ding”Chavez:operationsofficer

SamDriscoll:operationsofficer

Dominic“Dom”Caruso:operationsofficer

JackRyan,Jr.:operationsofficer/intelligence

analystGavinBiery:directorof

informationtechnologyAdaraSherman:directorof

transportation

THEBRITISH

SirBasilCharleston:directorgeneralofSecretIntelligenceService(MI6)

AnthonyHaldane:internationalfinancier,ex–ForeignOffice

VictorOxleyakaBedrock:22ndSpecialAirServiceRegiment—Officer,BritishSecurityService(MI5)

DavidPenright:officer,SIS(MI6)

NicholasEastling:SISofficer,Counterintelligence

SectionHughCastor:managing

director,CastorandBoyleRiskAnalyticsLtd

SandyLamont:seniorbusinessanalyst,CastorandBoyleRiskAnalyticsLtd

THERUSSIANS/THEUKRAINIANS

ValeriVolodin:presidentoftheRussianFederation

RomanTalanov:directoroftheFederalSecurityService(FSB)oftheRussianFederation

StanislavBiryukov:directoroftheForeignIntelligenceService(SVR)oftheRussianFederation

SergeyGolovko:ex-directoroftheForeign

IntelligenceService(SVR)oftheRussianFederation

OksanaZueva:leaderoftheUkrainianRegionalUnityParty

TatianaMolchanova:televisionnewscaster,NovayaRossiya(NewRussia)

DmitriNesterov,akaGlebtheScar:voryvzakonye(“thief-in-law”),

operativeoftheSevenStrongMencriminalorganization

PavelLechkov:SevenStrongMenoperative

OTHERCHARACTERS

Caroline“Cathy”Ryan:FirstLadyoftheUnitedStates

EdwardFoley:husbandof

MaryPatFoley,formerdirectoroftheCentralIntelligenceAgency

DinoKadic:Croatianassassin

FeliciaRodríguez:Venezuelanuniversitystudent

MartaScheuring:“urbanguerrilla”oftheRedArmyFaction

MalcolmGalbraith:ownerofGalbraithRossiya

EnergyHoldings,Scottishentrepreneur

TPROLOGUE

heflagoftheUnionofSovietSocialistRepublicsflewhigh

abovetheKremlininarainshower,ared-and-goldbannerwavingunderagraysky.Theyoungcaptaintookintheimageryfromthe

backseatofthetaxiasitrolledthroughRedSquare.

Thesightoftheflagovertheseatofpowerofthelargestcountryintheworldjoltedthecaptainwithpride,althoughMoscowwouldneverfeellikehometohim.HewasRussian,buthe’dspentthepastseveralyearsfightinginAfghanistan,andtheonlySovietflagshe’dseentherehadbeenonthe

uniformsofthemenaroundhim.

Histaxilethimoutjusttwoblocksfromthesquare,onthenorthsideofthemassiveGUMdepartmentstore.Hedouble-checkedtheaddressonthedrabofficebuildinginfrontofhim,paidhisfare,andthensteppedoutintotheafternoonrain.

Thebuilding’slobbywassmallandplain;alone

securitymaneyedhimashetuckedhishatunderhisarmandclimbedanarrowstaircasethatledtoanunmarkeddooronthefirstfloor.

Herethecaptainpaused,brushedwrinklesoutofhisuniform,andranhishandoverhisrowsofmedalstomakecertaintheywereperfectlystraight.

Onlywhenhewasready

didheknockonthedoor.“Vkhodi!”Comein!Theyoungcaptain

enteredthesmallofficeandshutthedoorbehindhim.Withhishatinhishand,hesteppedinfrontoftheonedeskintheroom,andhesnappedtoattention.

“CaptainRomanRomanovichTalanov,reportingasordered.”

Themanbehindthedesk

lookedlikehewasstillinhistwenties,whichgreatlysurprisedCaptainTalanov.HewasheretomeetaseniorofficerintheKGB,andhecertainlydidnotexpectsomeonehisownage.Themanworeasuitandtie,hewassmallandthinandnotparticularlyfit,andhelooked,totheRussiansoldier,likehehadneverspentadayofhislifein

militaryservice.Talanovshowednohint

ofit,ofcourse,buthewasdisappointed.Forhim,likeeverymilitaryman,officersintheKGBweredividedintotwoclasses.Sapogiandpidzhaki.Jackbootsandjackets.Thisyoungmanbeforehimmighthavebeenahigh-rankingstatesecurityofficial,buttothesoldier,hewasjustacivilian.Ajacket.

Themanstood,walkedaroundthedesk,andthensatdownonitsedge.Hisslightslouchcontrastedwiththeramrod-straightpostureoftheofficerstandinginfrontofhim.

TheKGBmandidnotgivehisname.Hesaid,“YoujustreturnedfromAfghanistan.”

“Yes,comrade.”“Iwon’taskyouhowit

was,becauseIwouldnotunderstand,andthatwouldprobablyjustpissyouoff.”

Thecaptainstoodstillasstone.

Thejacketsaid,“YouareGRUSpetsnaz.SpecialForces.You’vebeenoperatingbehindthelinesinAfghanistan.EvenovertheborderinPakistan.”

Itwasnotaquestion,sothecaptaindidnotreply.

Withasmile,themanslouchedonthedesksaid,“Evenasamemberofthemostelitespecialoperationsunitinmilitaryintelligence,youstandoutabovetherest.Intelligence,resilience,initiative.”HewinkedatTalanov.“Loyalty.”

Talanov’sblueeyeswerelockedonapointonthewallbehindthedesk,sohemissedthewink.Withapowerful

voice,herepliedwithawell-practicedmantra:“IservetheSovietUnion.”

Thejackethalfrolledhiseyes,butagainTalanovmissedit.“Relax,Captain.Lookatme,notthewall.Iamnotyourcommandingofficer.Iamjustacomradewhowishestohaveaconversationwithanothercomrade,notafuckingrobot.”

Talanovdidnotrelax,but

hiseyesdidshifttotheKGBman.

“YouwereborninUkraine.InKherson,toRussianparents.”

“Yes,comrade.”“IamfromSaint

Petersburgmyself,butIspentmysummerswithmygrandmotherinOdessa,notfarfromwhereyougrewup.”

“Yes,comrade.”Thejacketblewouta

sigh,frustratedatthecontinuedformalityoftheSpetsnazman.Heasked,“Areyouproudofthosemedalsonyourchest?”

Talanov’sfacegaveawayhisfirstemotionnow.Itwasindecision.“I...theyare...Iservethe—”

“YouservetheSovietUnion.Da,Captain,dulynoted.ButwhatifItoldyouIwantedyoutotakeoffthose

medalsandneverputthembackon?”

“Idonotunderstand,comrade.”

“Wehavefollowedyourcareer,especiallytheoperationsyouhaveconductedbehindthelines.Andwehaveresearchedeveryaspectofyourprivatelife,whatlittlethereisofit.Fromthiswehavecometotheconclusionthatyouare

lessinterestedinthegoodoftheCommunistParty,andmoreinterestedintheworkitself.You,dearCaptain,haveaslavishdesiretoexcel.Butwedonotdetectinyouanyparticularpassionforthejoysofthecollectiveoranyuniquewondermentatthecommandeconomy.”

Talanovremainedsilent.Wasthisatestofhisloyaltytotheparty?

Thejacketcontinued.“ChairmanChernenkowillbedeadinmonths.Perhapsweeks.”

CaptainTalanovblinked.Whatmadnessisthistalk?IfsomeonesaidsuchathinginfrontofaKGBmanonbasebackinAfghanistan,theywouldbeshuffledaway,nevertobeseenagain.

Thejacketsaid,“It’strue.Theyhidehimfromthe

publicbecausehe’sinawheelchair,andhespendsmostofthetimeupinKuntsevoattheKremlinClinic.Heart,lungs,liver:Nothingonthatoldbastardisworkinganymore.Gorbachevwillsucceedhimasgeneralsecretary—surelyyou’veheardhe’snextinline.EvenoutinsomecaveinAfghanistan,thatmustbecommonknowledgebynow.”

Theyoungofficergaveupnothing.

“YouarewonderinghowIknowthis?”

Slowly,Talanovsaid,“Da,comrade.Iamwonderingthat.”

“IknowthisbecauseIhavebeentoldbypeoplewhoareworried.Worriedaboutthefuture,worriedaboutwhereGorbachevwilltaketheUnion.Worriedabout

whereReaganistakingtheWest.Worriedeverythingmightcomecrashingdownontopofus.”

Therewereafewsecondsofcompletesilenceintheroom,andthentheKGBsuitsaid,“Seemsimpossible,Iknow.ButIamassuredthereisreasonforconcern.”

Talanovcouldn’ttakeitanymore.Heneededtoknowwhatwasgoingon.“Iwas

orderedtocomeheretodaybyGeneralZolotov.HetoldmeIwasbeingconsideredforrecruitmentintoaspecialprojectfortheKGB.”

“MishaZolotovknewwhathewasdoingwhenhesentyoutome.”

“YoudoworkfortheKGB,yes?”

“Ido,indeed.Butmorespecifically,Iworkforagroupofsurvivors.Menin

KGBandGRU,menwhoknowthatthecontinuedexistenceofourorganizationsisthesurvivalofthenation,thesurvivalofthepeople.TheKremlindoesnotrunthisnation.AcertainbuildinginDzerzhinskySquarerunsthisnation.”

“TheKGBbuilding?”“Da.AndIhavebeen

taskedwithprotectingthisbuilding,nottheCommunist

Party.”“AndGeneralZolotov?”Thejacketsmiled.“Isin

theclub.AsIsaid,afewinGRUareonboard.”

Themaninthesuitcameveryclosenow,hisfaceinchesfromthechiseledcheekbonesofRomanTalanov.Inavoicebarelyaboveawhisperhesaid,“IfIwereyouIwouldbesayingtomyself,‘Whatthefuckis

goingon?IthoughtIwasbeingrecruitedintotheKGB,butinsteadI’vejustmetacrazymantalkingabouttheimpendingdeathofthegeneralsecretaryandthepossibilityofthefalloftheUnion.’”

Talanovturnedtofacehimandsquaredhisshoulders.“Everywordyou’vesaidhere,comrade,istreasonous.”

“Thatistrue,butastherearenorecordingdevicesinthisroom,itwouldtakeyoutostandupasawitnessagainstme.Thatwouldnotbewise,CaptainTalanov,asthosesurvivorsthatImentionedareattheverytop,andtheywouldprotectme.Whattheywoulddotoyou,Icanonlyimagine.”

Talanovlookedbacktothewall.“So...Iambeing

askedtojointheKGB,butnottodotheworkoftheKGB.Iwill,instead,dotheworkofthisgroupofleaders.”

“That’sit,exactly,RomanRomanovich.”

“WhatwillIbedoingspecifically?”

“ThesamesortofthingsyouhavebeendoinginKabulandPeshawarandKandaharandIslamabad.”

“Wetwork?”“Yes.Youwillhelp

ensurethesecurityoftheoperation,despitewhatchangestheSovietUnionundergoesinthenextfewyears.Inreturn,youwillbeprotectednomatterwhatmighthappeninthefutureregardingtheUnion.”

“I...Istilldonotunderstandwhatyouthinkwillhappeninthefuture.”

“Areyoulisteningtome?It’snotwhatIthink.HowthefuckshouldIknow?It’slikethis,Talanov.TheUSSRisalargeboat,youandIaretwoofthepassengers.Wearesittingonthedeck,thinkingeverythingisjustperfect,butthen”—theKGBmanmovedaroundtheroomdramatically,asthoughhewasactingoutascene—“wait...what’sthis?

Someoftheboat’sbestofficersarepreparingtoabandonship!”

HemovedbackinfrontofTalanov.“Imightnotseetheiceberginourpath,butwhenthoseinchargearelookingforthefuckinglifeboat,I’msmartenoughtopayattention.

“Now...Ihavebeenaskedtotendtothelifeboat,agreatresponsibilityentrusted

tomebytheofficers.”Thejacketgrinned.“Willyouhelpmewiththelifeboat?”

CaptainTalanovwasastraightforwardman.Themetaphorswerestartingtopisshimoff.“Thelifeboat.Whatisit?”

Thejacketshruggedhisnarrowshoulders.“It’smoney.It’sjustfuckingmoney.Aseriesofblackfundswillbeestablishedand

maintainedaroundtheworld.Iwilldoit,andyouwillhelpmekeepthefundssecurefromthreatsbothinsideandoutsidetheUnion.Itwillbeasimpleassignment,afewyearsinduration,Ishouldthink,butitwillrequirethebesteffortsofusboth.”

Themaninthesuitwalkedtoasmallrefrigeratorthatsatagainstthewallbetweentwobookshelves.He

pulledoutabottleofvodka,andthenhegrabbedtwostemmedshotglassesfromashelf.Hecamebacktothedeskandfilledthemboth.

Whilehedidallthis,CaptainRomanTalanovjustlookedon.

“Let’shaveadrinktocelebrate.”

Talanovcockedhishead.“Celebrate?Ihaven’tagreedtoanything,comrade.”

“No.Youhaven’t.”Themaninthesuitsmiledandpassedoveroneoftheglassestothebewilderedmilitaryman.“Notyet.Butyouwillcomearoundsoonenough,becauseyouandIarethesame.”

“Thesame?”Thejacketraisedhis

glasstoTalanov.“Yes.Justlikethemenatthetopwhocameupwiththisscheme,

youandIarebothsurvivors.”

T1

Presentday

heblackBroncoshotthroughthestorm,itstireskickingupmud

andwaterandgritasitracedalongthegravelroad,andrainpeltedthewindshield

fasterthanthewiperscouldclearit.

Asthetruckchargedalongatsixtymilesanhour,thebackdoorsopenedandtwoarmedmenclimbedoutandintotherain,oneoneachside.Themenstoodontherunningboardsandheldontothedoorframewithglovedhands.Theireyeswereprotectedfromthemudandflyingrocksandwaterby

largegoggles,buttheirblackNomexsuitsandthesubmachinegunsaroundtheirneckswerewetandmud-splatteredinmomentsalongwiththerestoftheirgear:helmetswithintegratedheadsets,ballisticprotectionontheirchestsandbacks,kneeandelbowpads,andmagazinepouches.Everythingwassoakedandcakedwithmudbythetime

theBroncoclosedonacabininthecenterofarain-sweptpasture.

Thevehicledeceleratedquickly,skiddingtoastopjusttwentyfeetfromthefrontdoor.Thetwomenontherunningboardsleaptoffandracedtowardthebuilding,theirweaponsscanningthetreesallaround,searchingforanytargets.ThedriveroftheBroncojoinedsoonafter;just

liketheothers,hecarriedanH&Ksubmachinegunwithafatsilencerontheendofthebarrel.

Thethreeoperatorsformedinatightstackneartheentrance,andthemaninfrontreachedforwardandtriedthedoorlatch.

Itwaslocked.Themaninthebackof

thestack—thedriver—steppedforwardnow,without

aword.HelethisH&Kdropfreeonhischest,andhereachedbehindhisbackandpulledapistol-gripshotgunfromhispack.TheweaponwasloadedwithDisintegratorbreachingrounds:three-inchmagnumshellswithfifty-gramprojectilesmadeofasteelpowderboundbyplastic.

Theoperatorplacedthebarreloftheshotgunsix

inchesfromthetophingeofthedoor,andhefiredaDisintegratordirectlyintothehinge.Withanenormousboomandawideblastofflame,thesteelpowderloadslammedintothewood,blowingthehingefromthedoorframe.

Hefiredasecondroundintothelowerhinge,thenkickedthedoor,whichfellintotheroombeyond.

Theshotgunnersteppedtothesideandthetwomenholdingautomaticweaponsrushedintothedarkroom,gunsupandweaponlightsburningarcsintheblack.Thedriverrestowedhisshotgun,grabbedhisH&K,andjoinedupwiththeothersintheroom.

Eachmanhadasectortoclearanddidsoquicklyandefficiently.Inthreeseconds

theybeganmovingtowardahallwaythatledtotherearofthecabin.

Twoopendoorwayswereinfrontofthemnow,oneoneachsideofthehall,withacloseddoordownattheend.Thefirstandsecondmeninthetrainpeeledaway;numberonewentleftthroughthedoorway,andnumbertwowentintotheroomontheright.Bothmenfoundtargets

andfired;suppressedroundsthumpedloudlyintheconfinedspaceofthecabin.

Whilethefirsttwomenwereengagingintherooms,thelonemanstillinthehallwaykepthisweapontrainedonthedoorahead,knowingfullwellhewouldbeexposedfrombehindifanyoneenteredthecabinfromtheoutside.

Quicklythetwomen

returnedtothehallwayandaimedtheirgunsforward,andthemanattherearturnedaroundtocheckbehindthem.Asecondlatertheymovedontothecloseddoor.Theystackedupagain,andthefirstmanquietlycheckedthelatch.

Itwasunlocked,sohepausedonlylongenoughtolowerhisbodyafewincheswhilehismatesdidthesame.

Thenthethreemenmovedinasateam,andthelightsunderthethreegunsswepttheirsectors.

Theyfoundtheirpreciouscargointhecenteroftheunlitspace.JohnClarksatinachair,hishandsinhislap,squintingstraightintothebrightlights.Inchesfromhimonbothhisleftandhisright,thetacticallightsilluminatedtwofiguresstanding,anda

partialfaceofathirdmanwasjustvisiblebehindClark’sownhead.

Thethreegunmeninthedoorway—DomingoChavez,SamDriscoll,andDominicCaruso—allfiredsimultaneously.Shortburstsfromtheirweaponscrackedintheroom,flasheseruptedfromtheirmuzzles,andthescentofgunsmokereplacedthedanksmellofmoldinthe

cabin.JohnClarkdidnotmove,

didnotevenblink,asthebulletsslammedintothethreefiguresaroundhim.

Holesappearedintheforeheadsofthetargets,butthefiguresdidnotfall.Theywerewoodenstands,uponwhichphotorealisticimagesofarmedmenhadbeenattached.

Quicklythetacticallights

scannedtherestoftheroomindependently,andoneofthemcenteredonfourthandfifthfigures,positionednexttoeachotherinafarcorner.Thewoodentargetontheleftwastheimageofamanwithadetonatorinhishand.

DingChavezdouble-tappedthistargetintheforehead.

Asecondlightswepttothecornerandilluminatedthe

imageofabeautifulyoungwomanholdinganinfantinherrightarm.Inherlefthand,lowandpartiallyhiddenbehindherleg,sheheldalongkitchenknife.

Withoutamoment’shesitation,DomCarusoshotthefemaletargetintheforehead.

Secondslateracallcamefromacrosstheroom.“Clear,”Driscollsaid.

“Clear,”Carusorepeated.“We’reclear,”Ding

confirmed.JohnClarkstoodupfrom

hischairinthecenteroftheroom,rubbinghiseyesaftercatchingthefullintensityofthree200-lumentacticallights.“Makeyourweaponssafe.”

EachofthethreeoperatorsthumbedthesafetyofhisMP5onandlethis

weaponhangfreelyfromhischest.

Togetherthefourmensurveyedtheholesinthefivetargetsandthenheadedoutsidetheroomandcheckedthetargetsintheroomsoffthehall.Theysteppedoutsideofthedarkcabin,wheretheystoodtogetherontheporchtostayoutoftherain.

“Thoughts,Ding?”Clarkasked.

Chavezsaid,“Itwasfair.ItslowedthingsdownwhenIhadtocatchuptotheguyssowecouldstackupatthedoor.Butanywaywerollthis,ifwewanttobreachwithatleastthreeoperators,we’regoingtohavetowaitonthedriver.”

Clarkconcededthepoint.“That’strue.Whatelse?”

Carusosaid,“WhenDingandSamengagedinthe

roomsoffthehall,Iwasonmyown.Icoveredthespacewehadn’tclearedyet,whichwasthedoorwayattheendofthehall,butIcouldn’thelpthinkingitwouldhavebeennicetohaveonemoremantochecksix.Anyhostileswhoenteredfromtheoutsidewouldhavehadanopenshotatthebackofmyhead.Ikeptmyheadonaswivel,butit’snotthesameashaving

anotherguninthefight.”Clarknodded.“Wearea

smallforce.”“Smallernowwithout

JackJunior,”DomCarusoadded.

Driscollsaid,“Wemightwanttothinkaboutbringingsomeonenewintotheunit.”

“Jackwillbeback,”Chavezreplied.“YouknowaswellasIdothatassoonaswereactivatehewon’tbe

abletostayaway.”“Maybeso,”saidDom.

“Butwhoknowswhenthatwillhappen.”

Clarksaid,“Bepatient,kid,”butitwascleartotheothersontheporchthatClarkhimselfwaschampingatthebittodosomethingmoreimpactfulwithhistime.Hewasawarrior,he’dbeeninthemiddleofmosteveryconflicttheUnitedStateshad

beeninvolvedinformorethanfortyyears,andalthoughhe’dretiredfromactiveoperationswithTheCampus,hewasclearlyreadytodomorethantrain.

ClarklookedoutofftheporchattheBronconow;itsdoorswerewideopen,andthestormhadonlyincreasedinintensity.Bynowthefloorboardswouldhaveaninchofstandingwater,and

thetornfabricupholsterywouldbewaterlogged.“GladItoldyoutousethefarmtruck.”

Dingsaid,“Itneededagoodinteriordetailing.”

Themenlaughed.“Allright.Backto

work,”Clarksaid.“Youguysheadbackuptheroad,waittwentyminutes,andthentryagain.Thatwillgivemetimetorehangthefrontdoorand

movetheconfigurationaround.Dom,yourgroupingonthesecondtargetinthebedroomcouldhavebeenalittletighter.”

“Rogerthat,”Domsaid.He’dfiredhisMP5threetimesattargettwo,andallthreeroundshadstruckthetarget’sheadwithintwoandahalfinchesofoneanother,buthewasn’tgoingtoarguethepointwithClark.

EspeciallysinceallofDriscoll’sandChavez’stargetshadsub-two-inchgroupings.

“AndSam,”Clarksaid.“I’dliketoseeyoubreachthedooralittlelower.Ifyoucangetyourheaddownanotherthreeinchesasyouenter,itcouldmeanthedifferencebetweencatchingaroundtotheforeheadandjustgettingahaircut.”

“Willdo,Mr.C.”Domstartedtoheadoff

theporch,buthelookedoutattheweather.“Nochancewearegoingtowaitfortheraintostopbeforetryingthisagain?”

Dingwalkedstraightoutintothemudandstoodundertheheavydownpour.“IhadadrillinstructorbackatFortOrd,anAlabamaredneckbutahellofaDI,wholikedto

say,‘Ifitain’trainin’,youain’ttrainin’.’”

ClarkandDomlaughed,andevenSamDriscoll,thequietestofthebunch,crackedasmile.

T2

heRussianFederationinvadeditssovereign

neighboronthefirstmoonlessnightofspring.Bydawntheirtanksgroundwestwardalonghighwaysandbackroadsasifthe

countrysidebelongedtothem,asifthequarter-centurythawfromtheColdWarhadbeenadream.

Thiswasnotsupposedtohappenhere.ThiswasEstonia,afterall,andEstoniawasaNATOmemberstate.ThepoliticiansinTallinnhadpromisedtheirpeoplethatRussiawouldneverattackthemnowthattheyhadjoinedthealliance.

Butsofar,NATOwasano-showinthiswar.

TheRussiangroundinvasionwasledbyT-90s—fullymodernizedfifty-tontankswitha125-millimetermaingunandtwoheavymachineguns,explosive-reactivearmor,andastate-of-the-artautomatedcountermeasuresystemthatdetectedinboundmissilesandthenlaunchedmissilesofits

owntokilltheminmidair.AndbehindtheT-90warhorses,BTR-80armoredtransporterscarriedtroopsintheirbellies,disgorgingthemwhennecessarytoprovidecoverforthetanks,andthenretrievingthemwhenallthreatshadbeenneutralized.

Sofar,thelandwarwasproceedingnominallyfortheRussianFederation.

Butitwasadifferent

storyintheair.Estoniahadagood

missiledefensesystem,andRussia’sattackontheirearly-warningsystemsandSAMsiteshadbeenonlymarginallysuccessful.ManySAMbatterieswerestilloperational,andtheyhadshotdownmorethanadozenRussianaircraftandkeptdozensofothersfromexecutingtheirmissionsover

thenation.TheRussiansdidnotyet

owntheskies,butthishadnotsloweddowntheirlandadvanceatall.

Inthefirstfourhoursofthewar,villageswereflattened,townslayinrubble,andmanyofthetankshadyettofiretheirmainguns.Itwasaroutinthemaking,andanyonewhoknewanythingaboutmilitarysciencecould

haveseenitcoming,becausethetinynationofEstoniahadfocusedondiplomacy,notonitsphysicaldefense.

EdgarNõlvakhadseenitcoming,notbecausehewasasoldierorapolitician—hewasaschoolteacher—buthehadseenitcomingbecausehewatchedtelevision.Nowashelayinaditch,bloodyandcold,wetandshakingfromfear,hisearshalf

destroyedfromthesustainedcrashingofdetonatingshellsfiredfromtheRussiantankspokingoutofthetreelineonthefarsideofthefield,heretainedthepresenceofmindtowishlikehellhiscountry’sleadershadnotwastedtimewithdiplomacyinBrussels,andhadinsteadspenttheirtimeconstructingafuckingwalltokeepthefuckingRussiansoutofhisfucking

village.Therehadbeentalkofan

invasionforweeks,andthen,daysearlier,abombexplodedovertheborderinRussia,killingeighteencivilians.OnthetelevisiontheRussiansblamedtheEstonianInternalSecurityService,apreposterousclaimgivencredencebyRussia’sslickandstate-sponsoredmedia.Theyshowedtheir

manufacturedproofandthentheRussianpresidentsaidhehadnochoicebuttoorderasecurityoperationintoEstoniatoprotecttheRussianpeople.

EdgarNõlvaklivedinPõlva;itwasfortykilometersfromtheborder,andhe’dspenthisyouthintheseventiesandeightiesfearingthatsomedaytankswouldappearinthatverytreeline

andshellhishome.Butoverthepasttwenty-threeyearsthatfearhadbeenallbutforgotten.

Nowthetankswerehere,they’dkilledscoresofhisfellowtownspeople,andtheywouldsurelykillhimwithbarelyapauseontheirwaywest.

EdgarhadgottenacalltwohoursearlierfromafriendwholivedinVõuküla,

severalkilometerstotheeast.Hisfriendwashidinginthewoods,andinavoiceflatanddetachedfromshockhetoldEdgartheRussiantankshadrolledonpasthisvillageafterfiringonlyafewshells,astherewasnothinginVõukülaexceptforsomefarmhousesandagasstation.Butbehindthetanksandthesoldiersinthearmoredpersonnelcarriers,justminutesbehind

them,infact,aforceofirregularscameinpickuptrucks,andtheywerenowsystematicallyburningandpillagingthetown.

AtthatmomentEdgarandtheothermenwithhimheresenttheirfamiliesaway,andthen,bravelyorfoolishly,they’dtakentheirriflesintotheditchtowaitforthearmortopassandfortheirregularstoappear.Theycoulddo

nothingtostopthetanks,buttheywouldnotlettheirvillagebeburnedtothegroundbyRussiancivilians.

Thisplanevaporatedtheinstantahalf-dozentanksbrokeoffthemainforcemovingupthehighway,formedapicketlineinthetrees,andthenbeganpoundingPõlvawithhigh-explosiverounds.

ThiswasEdgar’s

childhoodnightmarecometolife.

Edgarandthemenwithhimhadvowedtofighttothedeath.Butthenthetankscame;thiswasnofight.

Thiswasjustdeath.Theschoolteacherhad

beenwoundedalmostimmediately.Ashemovedfromonepositiontoanotherhe’dbeencaughtintheopenasaroundhitthehigh

school’sparkinglot.Shrapnelfromanexplodingstationwagonhadslicedthroughhislegs,andnowhelayinthemudonhisrifle,waitingfortheend.

EdgarNõlvakdidnotknowmuchaboutmilitarythings,buthewassurethatatthepacetheyweremoving,theRussianswouldbeinthecityofTartu,tothenorthofhisvillage,bymidafternoon.

Asoundlikepapertearingfilledtheair.He’dbeenlisteningtothissoundforanhour,andheknewitmeantincomingfire.Hepressedhisfacebackintothecoldmud.

Boom!Behindhim,adirecthit

onthegymnasiumofthehighschool.Thealuminum-and-cinder-blockwallsblewoutaheadofabillowingcloud;

thewoodflooringofthebasketballcourtraineddowninsplintersoverEdgar.

Helookedagainovertheedgeoftheditch.Thetankswereonlyathousandmeterstotheeast.

“WherethefuckisNATO?”

—nethousandmetersaway,CaptainArkadyLapranov

Ostoodintheopenhatchofhis

tank,StormZeroOne,andshouted,“Where

thefuckismyaircover?”Itwasarhetorical

question;thecommandersofthefiveothertankshecontrolledhearditbutdidnotrespond,andthetwomeninhisvehicle,thedriverandthegunner,waitedsilentlyfororders.Theyknewtherewerehelicoptergunshipsthey

couldcallforwardifanyairthreatsappeared,butsofarthey’dseennosignofEstonianaircraft,norhadtheRussianairbornewarningandcontrolsystemdetectedanyaircraftintheareaonradar.

Theskieswereclear.Thiswasagoodday.A

tanker’sdream.Athousandmetersaway

thecloudofdustandsmokeoverthegymnasiumsettled

enoughsothatLapranovcouldseebehindit.Intohismikehesaid,“Iwantmoreroundsinthatbuildingbeyondtheprevioustarget.HE-FRAG.WithoutproperairsupportIamnotmovingforwardonthatroaduntilIcanseewhat’stotherightoftheintersection.”

“Yes,sir!”Lapranov’sgunnershoutedfrombelow.

Thegunnerpresseda

button,andtheautoloadercomputerchoseahigh-explosive-fragmentationroundfromthemagazine,anditsmechanicalarmchamberedit.Thegunnerusedhisvideo-viewingdevicetofindthebuilding,thenputhisforeheadagainsttherubberpadonthesightpanelandaimedhiscrosshairsontarget.Hepushedthefirebuttononthe

controlpanel,andthen,withaviolentlurch,the125-millimetersmoothboregunlaunchedashellthroughthebluesky,acrossthefallowfieldinfrontofthem,anddirectlyintothebuilding.

“Hit,”saidthegunner.Theyhadbeen

proceedinglikethisallmorning.Sofartheyhadmovedthroughfourvillages,shellingbigtargetswiththeir

125-millimetergunandrakingsmalltargetswiththeircoaxialmachineguns.

Lapranovhadexpectedmoreresistance,buthewasstartingtoallowforthefactthatRussia’spresident,ValeriVolodin,hadbeenright.VolodinhadtoldhisnationNATOwouldhavenostomachtofightforEstonia.

Inhisheadset,Lapranovheardatransmissionfrom

oneofthetanksunderhiscommand.

“StormZeroFourtoStormZeroOne.”

“Go,ZeroFour.”“Captain,Ihave

movementinaditchinfrontofthelasttarget.Rangeonethousand.Iseemultipledismounts.”

Lapranovlookedthroughhisbinoculars,scanningslowlyacrosstheditch.

There.Headspoppedupoutofthemud,thendisappearedagain.“Iseethem.Small-armsposition.Don’twasteaone-twenty-five.We’llcleanthemupwiththecoaxwhenwegetcloser.”

“Roger.”Anothersalvowasfired

intothebuildingsonalowhillbeyondtheintersection,andLapranovscanned

throughhisoptics.Thetownwasdeathlyquiet;therewasvirtuallynoresistance.

“Keepfiring,”heordered,thenhekneltbackdownintohiscommander’sstationtogetapackofcigarettesandalighter.“Wipethisplaceoffthemap.”

Secondslater,anothertransmissioncamethroughhisheadset:“StormZeroTwo

toStormZeroOne.”“Go,”Lapranovsaidas

helithissmoke.“Movementtothesouth

ofthehospital.I...Ithinkitisavehicle.”

Lapranovdroppedhislighterbackinsideandlookedthroughhisbinoculars.Ittookamomenttofindthearea;thehospitalwasafewkilometersbeyondthehighschool,onasmallhill.Buthescannedto

thesouthofthebuildingandfinallyhesawthemovementontheroadintheshadows.

Atfirsthethoughthewaslookingatajeep,ormaybeanSUV.

AnotherT-90calledin.“StormThreetoStormOne.Ithinkit’sahelicopter.”

“Nyet,”saidLapranov,buthelookedcloser.Thedarkvehicleseemedtostopatanintersection,thenbegan

movinglaterallyintoaparkinglot.

“Whatthefuck?”Lapranovsaid.“Maybeitisahelo.Gunner,canyouIDitthroughyourCatherine?”TheCatherinelong-rangefire-controlthermalimagerbuiltintoeachtankallowedthegunnertoseedistanttargetsonavideoscreen.LapranovhimselfhadaccesstoaCatherinescreen,buthe’d

havetositdowninsidetheturretforthat,andhewashavingtoomuchfunuphere.

ThegunnercameoverStormZeroOne’sintercom.“Confirmedlighthelicopter.Singlerotor.Can’tmakeoutmarkings—heisbehindatruckintheshade.Shit,heislow.Hisskidsmustbejustameteraboveground.”

“Armament?”Lapranovasked.Hesquintedintohis

binocularstogetabetterviewhimself.

“Um...wait.Hehastwinpylonswithmachineguns.Nomissiles.”Thegunnerchuckled.“Thisguywantstocomeoutandplayagainstuswithhispopguns?”

Lapranovheardacommanderofoneoftheothertanksonthenetlaughing.

Butthecaptaindidnotlaugh.Hetookalongdragonhiscigarette.“Designateitasatarget.”

“Roger.Designatedasatarget.”

“Rangetotarget?”“Fourthousandtwo

hundredfiftymeters.”“Shit,”Lapranovsaid.Theeffectiverangeofthe

9M119Refleksmissilesystem,usedagainsttanksas

wellaslowandslowaircraftlikehelicopters,wasfourthousandmeters.Thissmallhelohoveredjustoutofrange.

“Whereismyairsupport?Theyshouldhaveseenthisfuckeronradar.”

“Theywon’tseehissignature.He’smovingbetweenthebuildings.Toolowtotheground.Hemusthaveflownoverthehill

throughtheentiretownlikethattostayoffradar.Whateverthehellhe’sdoing,he’sagoodpilot.”

“Well,Idon’tlikehim.Iwanthimdead.Callinsomesupport.Passonhiscoordinates.”

“Da,Captain.”“AllStormunits,load

HE-FRAGandresumetheattack.”

“Da!”

Withinseconds,allsixtanksfired125-millimetermaingunroundsintothebuildingsatthecenterofPõlva,killingfourandinjuringnineteenwiththissinglesalvo.

E3

dgarNõlvakheardtheshellstearthroughthesky

overhead,andhelookedbackoverhisshoulderintimetoseethemimpactagainstthecityhallandthebusstation.Whenthesmokecleared,he

noticedavehiclemovingalongaroad,higheronthehillside.AtfirsthethoughtitwasablackorgreenSUV;itevenseemedtostopinaparkinglot.Itwasdifficulttoseebecauseitwasshadedbythebighospitalbuildingnexttoit,buteventuallyEdgarrealizedwhatitwas.

Itwasablackhelicopter.Itsskidswerenomorethanoneortwometersabovethe

ground.Themanlyingnextto

himinthemudgrabbedEdgarbythearm.Hepointedatthehelicopterandshoutedhysterically.“Theyarebehindus!Theyareattackingfromthewest!”

Edgarstaredatthehelicopter,unsure.Finallyhesaid,“It’snotRussian.Ithinkitisanewshelicopter.”

“Theyarefilmingthis?

Theyarejustgoingtowatchusdie?”

Edgarlookedbacktothetanksasanothershellcamecrashingdown,hittingjustsixtymetersfromtheditchwherehelay.Mudraineddownonhimandtheothers.“Theyaregoingtodiethemselvesiftheydon’tgetthehelloutofhere.”

—

Lapranovwasenjoyinghis

cigarette.Ashetookalongdrag,atransmissioncamethroughonthenet.

“StormZeroFourtoStormZeroOne.”

“Go,Four.”“Sir,lookingatthathelo

againontheCatherine...thereseemstobesomesortofapodabovethemainrotor.”

“Awhat?”

“Apod,sir.”Uponhearingthelast

transmission,Lapranovdroppeddownintothecommander’scompartmentandlookedathisownCatherinelong-rangemonitor.Hecouldseethehelobetternow.Yes.Therewasarounddeviceontopofthemainrotorshaftofthelittleaircraft.

“Whatthehellis—”

Thecigarettefellfromhismouth.

Oh,shit.Lapranovhadstudiedthe

silhouetteofeveryaircraftflownbyeveryNATOforce.Softly,hesaid,“That’s...that’sanOH-58.”

ThedriverinStormZeroOnecameoverthenet.“Negative,sir.TheEstoniansdon’thave—”

Lapranovshoutedinto

C

hismikenowashelaunchedupward,franticallygrabbingatthehatchhandlesohecouldpullhisturrethatchshut.“It’sthefuckingAmericans!”

—hiefWarrantOfficerTwo,EricConway,U.S.

Army,BravoTroop,2ndSquad,17thCavalryRegimentofthe101st

AirborneDivision,glanceddownathismultifunctiondisplayandlookedatthethermalimageofRussiantanksinthetreesmorethantwomilesaway.Thenhereturnedhisattentiontohisbladesabove.ThetipsofthefourmainrotorbladesoftheOH-58DKiowaWarriorspunperilouslyclosetothewallsofbuildingsoneithersideofthestreet.Ifhedidnothold

hiscyclicperfectlysteadyhewouldstrikeoneofthebuildingsandsendhishelospinningandcrashing,andhisownpoorflyingwouldkillhimandhiscopilotevenbeforetheRussiantanksgottheirchance.

Satisfiedhewassteady,heblewoutalongbreathtocalmhimself,thenspokethroughhisintercom.“Youready,dude?”

Hiscopilot,CW2AndrePage,repliedcalmly,“’BoutasreadyasI’mgonnaget.”

Conwaynodded,thensaid,“Lasetarget.”

“Roger.Spoton.”QuicklyConwaykeyed

hismiketobroadcastonthefiresnet.“BlueMaxSixSix,BlackWolfTwoSix.Targetlased.”

—

FourfullmilesbeyondtheOH-

58DKiowaWarrior,hiddenbehindthe

relativesafetyofaforestedhill,twomassiveApacheLongbowattackhelicoptershoveredlowoverapasturejustnorthofthevillageofAarna.Theflightleader,BlueMaxSixSix,receivedthetransmissionfromthescoutheloatthesametimehiscopilot/gunner,seatedinfront

ofandbelowhim,sawthelaserspottrackeronhismultifunctiondisplayindicatingalaserfixonthefirsttarget,severalmilesaway.

“Roger,BlackWolfTwoSix.Goodlaser.StandbyforremoteHellfiremission.”

—heKiowaWarriorscouthelohoveringoverthetownof

TPõlvawasnotheavilyarmed.

Butitspowerwasnotinitsonboardstores;

rather,itspowercamefromitsabilitytofindandfixtargetsforthebigApachegunshipsbehindit.ThiswasVCAS,verycloseairsupport,andCW2Conwayandhiscopilothadtaxedtheirskillstothelimitby,essentially,drivingtheirhelothroughthevillagetostayoffenemy

I

radarsotheycouldgetintopositiontoscoutfortheApaches.

“Roger,BlueMaxSixSix.We’regonnaneedtohurrythisup.Weareoutintheopen.”

—nthetreeline,thecommanderofthetankon

thenorthernflankofLapranov’ssquadronshouted

intohismicrophone:“StormZeroOne,thisisStormZeroSix.Laserwarning!”

“Shit!”Lapranovmutteredintohisheadset.Thelittlehelicopterinthedistancemaynothavebeenarmedwithmissilesofitsown,butitwas,apparently,designatingtargetsforsomeunseenaircraft.

“Arenasystemson!”hecommanded.

TheT-90’sArenacountermeasuresystemusedDopplerradartodetectaninboundthreattothetank.Assoonastheattackingprojectilewaswithinrange,theArena-equippedtankwouldfireadefensiverocketdesignedtoclosetowithintwometersofthemissilebeforeexploding,destroyingthethreat.

Lapranovnextsaid,“This

heloisspottingforApachesorjets.Whereismyaircover?”

ThecommanderofStormZeroFiveansweredback:“Inboundintenminutes.”

Lapranovslammedhisfistintothewallofhiscommander’sconsole.“Alltankers,loadRefleks.”

The9M119Refleksguidedmissileroundwasdesignedtofirefromthe

maingun,then“grow”finsandracetowarditstarget.Itwouldtakethesixgunnersupwardofthirtysecondstounloadthehigh-explosiveshellalreadychamberedinthemaingunandthenhavetheautoloaderreplaceitwithaRefleks.

StormZeroTwosaid,“Targetisbeyondeffectiverange,sir.”

Lapranovshouted,“Just

doit,damnyou!”HehopedlikehellfiringallsixmissilesatthelittleKiowaWarrioronthehillwouldforcetheAmericanchoppertobreakitslasertargetingsequencelongenoughfortheStormtankstogetbackintothecoveroftheforest.

—ourmilesduewest,hoveringnorthofthevillageofAarna,

FthetwoApacheLongbows

eachcarriedeightHellfiremissiles.On

commandfromtheflightlead,bothgunnerslaunched.AstheHellfiresflashedthroughtheblueskytowardanunseentargetintheeast,theApacheleadtransmittedtothescoutheloinPõlva.

“Beadvised,BlackWolfTwoSix.MultipleHellfiresofftherailsandinbound,

ItargetAlpha.”

—nStormZeroOne,CaptainArkadyLapranovsawthe

streakingbliponhisCatherine.HeknewitwasheadingtoZeroSix,asthatwasthetankwhoselaserindicatoralarmhadsounded.

ThefirstHellfiremissileappearedabovethehillasatinyquiveringsparkoflight.

Onthebackdropofbluesky,therewasnoperspectivetoshowitwasapproachingforseveralseconds,butthenitangleddowntowardthetreeline.

StormZeroSix’sautomaticArenasystemsawtheincomingHellfiremissile,anditlaunchedarockettodefenditselffromit.Fiftymetersfromimpactingthetank,theHellfireexploded,

sendingmetallicshrapnelallthroughthetrees.

TheArenaworkedonce,butthesecondinboundHellfirecametooquicklybehind,beforetheArenacouldresetandreacquirethenewtarget.ThemissileslammedintoStormZeroSix’sturretbeforethesystemcouldlaunchanotherdefensiverocket.

Lapranovwasinsidethe

commander’sstationofhistankwithhishatchclosed,andZeroSixwasonehundredtwentymeterstothenorthofhim,butstilltheexplosionsentpiecesofmetalpingingoffthehullofhistank.

Asecondtank,StormZeroTwo,firedtwoArenadefensiveroundsamomentlater,anditmanagedtosurvivetwoinbound

Hellfires.AsthesecondmissilewasdestroyedinfrontofZeroTwo,StormZeroFiveannounceditwasnowbeingpaintedbyalaserbeam.

ZeroFivedisintegratedamomentlater.

LapranovgaveupontheRefleksmissiles;thefourremainingtanks’autoloaderswerestillintheprocessofselectingtherightprojectile

I

fromthemagazine.Lapranovshouted,“Fire

smokeanddisengage!”toallStormunits,andtheninhisownintercom,“Driver,getusoutofhere!Back!Back!Back!”

“Da,Captain!”

—ntheKiowaWarriorhoveringfourfeetabove

thegroundinPõlva,Eric

ConwayandAndrePagewatchedwhilethefourremainingtanksbeganpullingbackawayfromthetown,tryingtogetintothecoverofthetrees.Adozenhugeburstsofwhitesmokeallaroundthemshroudedtheminapuffycloud.

Pagesaid,“They’repoppingsmokeandbuggingout.”

Conwayspokecalmly

intohismike:“Changepolarity.”

“Roger,”answeredPage,andheswitchedhisthermalimagingsystemfromwhitehottoblackhot.

Onthescreeninfrontofthem,thefourtankshidinginthewidecloudsuddenlyappearedasplainasday.

InConway’sheadsetheheard,“BlackWolfTwoSix,beadvised,twomoremissiles

away.”“Keepsending’em,”

Conwaysaid.WhilePagepointedhis

laseronthefourthtankfromhisleft,Conwaymovedhisattentionbacktohisrotorblades.He’dcomeleftalittle;thetipswereonlysixfeetfromimpactingthesecondfloorofthehospital.Hecheckedtherightsidequickly,sawhehadalittle

moreclearanceoverthere,sohesmoothlyrockedthecyclictohisrightandrecenteredhishelicopterintheparkinglot.

InthetreesoneoftheT-90s’countermeasuresystemsfired,andsmallexplosionsflashedontheTISimage.Theywerenothing,however,comparedwiththemassivedetonationofthefifty-tontankthathappenedasecondlaterwhenthetrailing

L

Hellfireslammedintoitsturretfromabove.

“Goodhit,BlueMax.Targetdestroyed.Newtargetlased.”

“Roger,BlackWolfTwoSix.Firing...missilesofftherailsandinbound.”

—apranov’sStormZeroOnewastwenty-five

metersbackinthetreeswhen

thetank’slaserwarningindicatorsounded.Hescreamedforthedrivertogetthemdeeperinthewoods,andtheT-90shreddedapaththroughthepinesasittriedtoretreat.

Momentslater,ZeroOne’sownautomaticcountermeasuresystemfired.Thecaptaincoulddonothingbutgrabontothehandholdsabovehimandshuthiseyes.

ThemomentofpanicandsheerterrorexperiencedbyArkadyLapranovdidnottranslatetoanyempathyforthemenandwomeninthehomeshehadblownapartthroughoutthemorning.Hecoweredinhiscommander’scontrolcenterandhopedlikehelltheArenawouldsavehim.

Hiscountermeasuressavedhimtwice,butathird

missilebrokethrough,slammedintotheKontakt-5explosive-reactivearmor,triggeringadetonationontheskindesignedtoblunttheincominground’spower,buttheHellfiretoreintothesteelofthefifty-tontanklikeabulletthroughflesh.ThethreemeninsidediedmicrosecondsaftertheHellfirewarhead’sdetonation,theturretofthe

T-90firedonehundredfiftyfeetstraightup,andthevehicleitselfwasknockedbacklikeaplastictoyslammedonaconcretedriveway.Itexploded,piecesofarmorrippedthroughtheforest,andsecondaryexplosivessentflamesandblacksmokebillowingintothecoldsky.

—

AminutelaterCW2Eric

Conwaytransmittedhisbattledamageassessment

overthefiresnet.“BlueMaxSixSix,BlackWolfTwoSix.Goodhit.Iseenofurthertargets.”

Frombehindhim,theApacheLongbowleadsaid,“Roger,weareRTB.”

Conwayheldhisglovedfisthigh,andPagebumpeditwithhisownfist,andthen

I

BlackWolfTwoSixbankedtothenorthandbeganbothclimbingandrotatingatthesametime.Itpickeduphorizontalspeedandshotoverthefour-storyhospitalonitswaybacktobase.

—ntheditchakilometerorsototheeast,Edgar

Nõlvakhadrisentoasittingpositionsohecouldgeta

betterlookatthesixsmolderingtanksinthetreeline.

Therewasnocheeringorcelebrationinthemud.Themenhereonlyhalfunderstoodwhathadjusthappened,andtheyhadnowayofknowingifthenextwaveofRussianwarmachineswasevennowrollingthroughtheforest.Still,theytookadvantageof

theendoftheattack.Somerantotheircarstobringthemcloser,whileothersdraggedtheinjuredoutoftheditchandtowardtheparkinglotsotheycouldbetransportedtothehospitalinthecivilianvehicles.

Rough,unsurehandsgrabbedEdgarNõlvakandpulledhimalong.Heslidthroughthemud,wincingwiththepaininhislegsthat

T

wasonlynowbecomingapparent,andhesaidasilentprayerforhisvillage,forhiscountry,andfortheworld,becausehehadthefeelinghewaswitnesstodaytothebeginningofsomethingverybad.

—hebattleofPõlvawasrecordedasthefirst

engagementbetweenNATO

andRussia,butbylateafternoonadozensuchincidentshadtakenplacethroughouteasternEstonia.

Russia’swarplanhadhingedonNATOremainingunwillingorunabletosupportitsmemberstate.Russia’sgamblehadfailed,anditwithdrewfromEstoniathenextday,claimingtheentireexerciseasasuccess:Thecountry’sonlyintention

hadbeentorootoutterroristsinsomevillagesalongtheborder,andthishadbeenachieved.

EveryoneintheWestknew,however,thatRussiahadwantedtodriveallthewaytoTallinn,anditsfailuretodosowasnothinglessthanatotaldefeatforValeriVolodin.Itwascleartoall,probablyeventoVolodinhimself,thathehad

underestimatedtheresolveofNATOingeneral,andtheUSAinparticular.

ButwhilethecelebrationsintheWesteruptedwiththeRussianwithdrawal,officialsintheKremlinwerealreadymovingonpastthissetbackandworkingonanewplantomoveitspowertotheWest.

Andthisplanwouldbesuretotakeintoaccountthe

dangerposedbytheUnitedStates.

T4

woattractivetwenty-somethingssatatatableinthecenterof

thepub.ThiswaslikemostWednesdaynightsforEmilyandYalda;theydranktheiralesandtheycomplainedabouttheirjobsattheBank

ofEngland.Itwasnearlyelevenp.m.,andthebulkoftheafter-workcrowdwaslonggone,butthetwowomenalwaysworkedlateonWednesdays,puttingtogetherreportsthatwerebothtediousandstressful.Torewardthemselvesfortheirefforts,theyhaddevelopedthehabitofpoppinginhereattheCountingHousepubfordinner,drinks,andgossip,

beforeheadingtotheTubeandtheirflatsintheEastEnd.

They’dbeenkeepingupthisritualforayear,andbynowtheyknewalltheregularsattheCountingHouse,ifnotbyname,atleastbysight.

ThiswasTheCityofLondon,London’sfinancialcenter.Virtuallyallofthemenandwomenwhofrequentedtheestablishment

wereregularswhocamefromthetradinghouses,banks,investmentfirms,andthestockexchange,alllocatedinthissectionoftown.Ofcourse,therewerestrangersinandouteachWednesday,butrarelyanyonewhogeneratedmuchinterest.

Tonight,however,therewasanewfaceinthecrowd,andEmilyandYalda’sworktalktrailedoffquicklyas

soonastheysawhimwalkthroughthedoor.

Hewasatallmaninhislatetwentiesorearlythirties,inastylishgraysuitthatsaidmoneyandclass,andeventheconservativecutofhisjacketcouldnothidethephysicalityofhisbodyunderneath.

Hewasalone,andhefoundaboothinthecornerofthebararea,unscrewedthe

tinytealightbulbonthetable,andsatdowninthelowlight.Whenthewaitresscamebyamomentlaterheordered,andsoonapintoflagerwasdeliveredtohim.Helookedathisbeerwhilehedrankit,checkedhisphoneacoupleoftimes,butotherwiseheseemedlostindeepthought.

Hisdisinterestandbroodingappearanceonlyincreasedhisstockwith

EmilyandYalda,whowatchedhimfromacrosstheroom.

Bythetimehestartedonhissecondpint,thetwowomenfromtheBankofEnglandwerehalfwaythroughtheirthird.Theywerenoshrinkingviolets;usuallytheywereupofftheirchairsimmediatelywhentheysawagood-lookingchapinthepubunencumberedbyeithera

dateoraweddingring,butneitherEmily,aredheadfromFulham,norYalda,abrunetteofPakistanidescentwhohadbeenbornandraisedinIpswich,movedinthedirectionofthetallmaninthecorner.Thoughhedidnotlookangryorcruel,therewerenocuesinhisbodylanguagethatgaveanyindicationofapproachability.

Astheeveningworeonit

becamesomethingofachallengebetweenthetwoofthem;theygiggledaseachtriedtocajoletheotherintomakingamove.FinallyEmilyorderedashotofJägermeisterforliquidcourageanddrankitdowninonelonggulp.Aftergivingtheliquoronlyafewsecondstokickin,shestoodupandmadeherwayacrosstheroom.

J—

ackRyan,Jr.,sawtheredheadcomingfrom

twentypaces.Shit,hemumbledtohimself.I’mnotinthemood.

Helookedintothegoldenlagerinfrontofhim,willingthewomantolosehernervebeforeshearrivedathistable.

“Hellothere.”Jackwasgreatly

disappointedinhispowersofpsychicsuggestion.

Shesaid,“IthoughtI’dcomeandcheckonya.Youfancyafreshdrink?Orhow’boutafreshlightbulb?”

Jacklookedupatherwithoutmakingmucheyecontact.Hesmiledalittle,doinghisbesttobepolitewithoutappearingoverlyfriendly.“Howareyoutonight?”

Emily’seyeswidened.“AnAmerican?IknewIhadn’tseenyoubefore.MyfriendandIweretryingtoguessyourstory.”

Jacklookedbacktohisbeer.Heknewheshouldfeelflattered,buthedidnot.“Notmuchofastory,really.I’mhereworkinginTheCityforafewmonths.”

Sheextendedahand.“Emily.Pleasedtomeet

you.”Jacklookedintohereyes

foraquickmoment,anddeterminedhertobenotquiteinebriated,butnotterriblyfarfromit.

Heshookherhand.“I’mJohn.”

Emilybrushedherhairbackoverhershoulder.“IloveAmerica.Wentoverlastyearwithmyex.Notex-husband,no,nothinglike

that,justablokeIdatedforawhile,beforeIrealizedwhatanarcissisticsodhewas.Arightbastard.Anyway,gotaholidayoutofhim,atleast,sohewasgoodforsomething.”

“That’snice.”“Whichoneofthestates

doyoucallhome?”“Maryland,”hesaid.Shelookeddeeplyinto

hiseyeswhileshetalked.

Jacksawimmediatelythatsheregisteredafaintsenseofrecognition,andshewasconfusedbythis.Sherecoveredandsaid,“That’sEastCoast,right?NearWashington,D.C.Haven’tbeentotheEastCoast.MeandmyexdidtheWestCoast,quitelovedSanFrancisco,butthetrafficdowninL.A.wasbloodyawful.Neverdidquiteget

usedtodrivingontherightsideofthe—”

Emily’seyeswidenedsuddenly,andshestoppedtalking.

Shit,Jacksaidtohimself.Herewego.

“Oh...my...God.”“Please,”saidJack,

softly.“You’reJuniorJack

Ryan.”AsfarasJackknew,he

hadneverbeencalledthisbyanyoneinhislife.Hethoughtthegirlmighthavebeenalittletongue-tied.Hesaid,“That’sme.JuniorJack.”

“Idon’tbelieveit!”Emilyspokelouderthistime,justbelowashout.Shestartedtoturnbacktoherfriendacrosstheroom,butJackreachedoutandgentlytookholdofherforearm.

“Emily.Please.I’d

appreciateyounotmakingabigdealoutofit.”

Theredheadlookedaroundtheroomquickly,thenatYalda,whowaslookingtheirway.EmilyturnedbacktoJackand,withaconspiratorialnod,shesaid,“Right.Iunderstand.Noproblem.Yoursecret’ssafewithme.”

“Thanks.”Notinthemood,Jacksaidtohimself

again,buthesmiled.Emilyslippedintothe

booth,acrossfromhim.Damn.Theytalkedforafew

minutes;sheaskedhimadozenrapid-firequestionsabouthislifeandwhathewasdoinghereandhowitwasthathewasallbyhimselfwithoutanyprotection.Herespondedwithshortanswers;again,hewasn’t

rude,hewassimplytryingtopolitelyexudelackofinterestfromeveryporeofhisbody.

Emilyhadconspicuouslynotinvitedherfriendtojointhem,butJacksawapairofmenhadambledovertotheolive-complexionedbeautysittingalone,andshewasnowinconversationherself.

HeturnedhisattentionbacktoEmilyjustasshesaid,“Jack...woulditbeforward

ofmetoaskyouifyou’dliketogosomewhereelsewherewecantalk?”

Jackstifledyetanothersigh.“Doyouwantanhonestanswer?”

“Well...sure.”“Then...yeah.That

wouldbeprettyforward.”Theyoungwomanwas

takenaback,notsurewhattomakeoftheAmerican’sresponse.Beforeshecould

speak,Jacksaid,“I’msorry.I’vegotareallyearlymorningtomorrow.”

Emilysaidsheunderstood,thentoldJacktostayrightwherehewas.Sherushedbackovertohertable,grabbedherpurse,andcameback.Shepulledoutabusinesscardandapen,andbeganwritinganumberdown.

Ryantookasipofhis

lagerandwatchedher.“Ihopeyou’llgivemea

callwhenyouaren’tbusy.I’dlovetoshowyouaroundtown.Iwasbornandraisedhere,soyoucoulddoworseforatourguide.”

“I’msure.”ShehandedJackhercard

inanovertfashionthatheknewwasdesignedtoshowoffforherfriend,whowasnowsittingaloneagain.He

tookitwithaforcedsmile,playingalongforherbenefit.Shehad,afterall,playedalongwithhisruseandnotannouncedtotheroomhewasthesonofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.

“Lovelytomeetyou,Jack.”

“Likewise.”Emilyreluctantlyheaded

backtohertable,andJackworkedonfinishinghisbeer.

Heslippedhercardintohiscoat;hewouldgethomeandthenhewouldtossitontoashelfwithnearlyadozenothercards,napkins,andtornbitsofenvelopes,eachonewiththephonenumberofafemalehe’dmetinsimilarcircumstancesinjusttwoweekshereintheUK.

Ashedrank,JackdidnotlooktowardEmily’stable,butafewsecondslaterthe

redhead’sfriendshoutedloudenoughtobeheardthroughouttheentireestablishment,“Nobleedin’way!”

Jackreachedinsidehiscoatforhiswallet.

T5

wominuteslaterhewasoutonthesidewalk—they

calleditapavementoverhere,whichJackfoundtobeoneofthemorelogicalofallthediscrepanciesbetweenBritishEnglishandAmerican

English.Hewalkedalonethrough

thenighttotheBankundergroundstation,oppressedbythefeelingthathewasbeingwatched.Itwasjusthisnerves—hehadnoreasontosuspecthewasreallybeingfollowed—buteachtimehewasrecognizedbysomeonehedidn’tknowhisconcernsgrewthat,despitehisbestintentions,he

wascontinuingtoexposethosehecaredabouttodanger.

HehadcometotheUKthinkinghewouldslipintothefabricofthecityunnoticed,butinhistwoweekshereatleastahalf-dozenpeople—inpubs,intheTubestation,orstandinginlinetobuyfishandchips—hadmadeitcleartheyknewexactlywhohewas.

JackRyan,Jr.,wasthesameheightashisworld-famousfather,andhepossessedthesamestrongjawandpiercingblueeyes.He’dbeenontelevisionwhenhewasyounger,buteventhoughhe’ddonewhathecouldtostayoutofthepubliceyeasmuchaspossibleinthepastseveralyears,hestilllookedenoughlikehisyoungerselfthathecouldn’t

goanywherewithoutharboringconcerns.

AfewmonthsearlierhehadbeenworkingforTheCampuswhenhelearnedChineseintelligenceknewsomethingaboutwhohewasandwhathereallydidforaliving.ThisknowledgebytheenemycompromisednotonlyRyanbutalsohisfriendsandcoworkers,anditalsohadthepotentialtocompromisehis

father’sadministration.SofartheChinesehad

notbeenaproblem;Jackhopedhisfather’sairstrikeonChinahadblownthehelloutofanyonewhocouldlinkhimwithintelligencework,buthesuspectedtherealreasonhadmoretodowiththefactthatthenewleadersinBeijingweredoingtheirbesttomakeamendswiththeUnitedStates.Thattheir

motivationswereeconomicallybasedandnotduetoanynewaltruismonthepartoftheChicomsdidnotdiminishthefactthat—fornow,atleast—theChinesewereplayingnice.

AndJackknewhisbreakupwithMelanieKraft,hisgirlfriendofoneyear,hadalsocontributedtohisfeelingofmistrustandunease.He’dmetseveralwomenintheUK

(thesinglefemalesheredidn’tseemtohavetheshynessgenemorecommoninU.S.women)andhe’dbeenonafewdates,buthehadn’tputenoughdistancebetweenhimselfandMelanieyettoconsideranythingserious.

Attimeshewonderedifaseriesofno-strings-attachedone-nightstandsmightcurehimofhiscurrentmalaise,

butwhenpushcametoshove,herecognizedthathewasn’treallythattypeofguy.Hisparentsmusthaveraisedhimbetter,hesurmised,andthethoughtofsomeassholetreatingoneofhissisterslikeaconsumableproductofftheshelfmadehimballhisfistsupinanger.

He’dcometofacethefactthatalthoughhe’dneverhadtroubleattracting

membersoftheoppositesex,hereallywasn’tcutouttobemuchofaCasanova.

JackhadcomeoverheretotheUnitedKingdominthefirstplacetoputsomedistancebetweenhimselfandTheCampusaftertheleak.HeexpressedtothedirectorofTheCampus,GerryHendley,thathe’dliketotakeafewmonthstohonetheanalyticalsideofhiswork.

Hecouldn’tverywellknockonthedooratCIAorNSAwithoutproperclearances,somethingJackRyan,Jr.,wouldneverbeabletoobtain,consideringhisclandestineworkofthepastfewyears.ButGerryknewhowtothinkoutsidethebox.HeimmediatelysuggestedJackdelveintointernationalbusinessanalytics,promisingyoungRyanthatifhejoined

upwiththerightfirmhewouldbethrownneck-deepintotheworldofgovernmentcorruption,organizedcrime,drugcartels,andinternationalterrorism.

ThatsoundedjustfinetoJack.

GerryofferedtomakesomeintroductionsonRyan’sbehalf,butJackwantedtomakehisownway.Hedidsomeresearchintocompanies

involvedinbusinessanalysis,andhelearnedoneofthebiggestandbestouttherewasaUKfirmcalledCastorandBoyleRiskAnalyticsLtd.FromeverythingRyanhadread,C&Bseemedtohaveitsfingersinvirtuallyeverynookandcrannyoftheworldofinternationalfinance.

WithinaweekofRyanreachingouttoCastorandBoyle,hewasinLondon

interviewingforasix-monthcontractpositionasabusinessanalyticsspecialist.

Ryanmadeitclearinthatfirstmeetingwiththeco-ownerofthefirm,ColinBoyle,thathewantednolegupduetohislineage.Moreover,hesaidifhewashired,hewoulddoeverythinghecouldtodownplayhisidentity,andhewouldaskthefirmtorespecthisprivacy

anddothesame.Oldboys’networksand

college-chumnepotismwerevirtuallythecoinoftherealmhereinTheCity,soBoylewasbothstunnedandintriguedtodiscoverthatthesonofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatessoughttobenothingmorethanjustanotherhardworkingyounganalystwithacubicleandacomputer.

Boylewantedtohiretheladonthespotforhislaudableethics,butheheededyoungRyan’swishesandhadhimsitforadaylongbarrageoftests.Accounting,researchmethods,apersonalityquestionnaire,andanin-depthsurveyofhisknowledgeofpolitics,currentevents,andgeography.Ryanpassedthemall,hewasofferedthecontract,andhe

returnedtoBaltimoreonlytoshutterhiscondoandpackhisbags.

Tendayslater,RyanreportedfordutyatCastorandBoyle.

He’dbeenonthejobfortwoweeksnow,andhehadtoadmithefoundhisworkherefascinating.Althoughhewasafinancialanalyst,andnotanintelligenceanalyst,hesawtheworkastwosidesofthe

samecoin,nottwoseparatedisciplines.

CastorandBoyleworkedinasurprisinglycutthroatandfast-pacedindustry.WhileColinBoylewasthebetter-knownfaceofthecompanyandthemanwhoappearedinthemediaregardingC&B’swork,therealoperationalforceofthefirmwasledbyHughCastor.Castorhimselfhadservedasaspymasterfor

UKdomesticintelligence,MI5,duringtheColdWar,andhemadethesuccessfultransitionintothefieldofcorporatesecurityandbusinessintelligenceafterleavingthegovernment.

Othersinthefirmspecializedinforensicaccountingandtheauditingofbusinessledgers,butatthisearlypointinhisassignmentatCastorandBoyle,Ryan

wasmoreofageneralist.Thiswasn’texactlythe

sameastheanalyticalworkhehaddoneforTheCampus.Hewasn’tdiggingthroughtop-secretsensitivecompartmentedintelligencefilestodiscernpatternsinthemovementsofaterrorist,hewasinsteaddiggingintotheconvolutedbusinessrelationshipsofshadowyfrontcompanies,tryingto

mastertheshellgameofinternationalbusinesssothatCastorandBoyle’sclientscouldmakeinformeddecisionsinthemarketplace.

Andhewasn’tassassinatingspiesinIstanbulortargetingAmerica’senemiesinPakistan,butnevertheless,hefelthisworkmattered,ifonlytothebottomlineofhisfirm’sclients.

Jack’sshort-termplanwastoworkveryhardhereinLondon,tolearneverythinghecouldaboutfinancialcrimeandforensicbusinessanalytics,andtostayawayfromHendleyAssociatessoasnottoexposeTheCampusanymorethanhealreadyhad.

Butagain,thatwasintheshortterm.Inthelongterm?Inthelongterm,Jackwasn’treallysurewhathewas

doing.Wherehewouldgo.HewantedtoreturntoTheCampuswhenitwasupandrunningagain,buthedidn’tknowwhenthatwouldbe.

WhenhisfatherwasJack’sagehehadalreadyservedhiscountryintheMarines,married,earnedhisdoctorate,madeatonofmoneyinthemarkets,writtenabook,andfatheredachild.

Jackwasproudofthe

R

thingshehaddoneforTheCampus,butbeingthesonofPresidentJackRyanmeanthewouldalwayshavesomeincrediblylargeshoestofill.

—yanclimbedoutoftheTubeattheEarl’sCourt

stationat11:50p.m.andmadehiswayuptostreetlevelwiththefewothertravelersouttonight.Asteady

rainhadbeguntofall,andaswasoftenthecase,Ryanhadlefthisumbrellaattheoffice.Hegrabbedafreenewspaperfromarackatthestation’sexitandusedittocoverhisheadashecrossedthestreetandenteredtheresidentialneighborhood.

Ryanstrolledalonedowntherainystreet.OnHogarthRoadheslowed,thenturnedandlookedbackoverhis

shoulder.Itwasahabithe’dpickedupworkingoverseaswithTheCampus.Hewouldn’tperformanSDR,asurveillance-detectionrun;thatwouldentailanhourormoreofbacktracking,changinghisroute,andusingvariousformsoftransportation.Buthewas,atleast,keepinganeyeoutforanyfollowers.

Jackhadthepresenceof

mindtoalterhisdailyroutinewhenpossible.Hemadeitapointtogotoadifferentpubeveryeveningafterwork,andwithsomanychoicesbothinTheCity,whereheworked,andhereinKensington,wherehelived,heknewhecouldbehereintownformonthsbeforehehadtroublefindinganewplace.

Aswellasvaryinghisnightspots,healsodidwhat

hecouldtochangeuptheroutehefollowedeachnight.ThewarrenofstreetsinKensingtonmeanttherewereseveralwayshecouldgettoandfromhisflatwithoutalwaysapproachingfromthesamedirection.

Butevenwiththesecountermeasures,Jackcouldn’tshakethefeelinghewasbeingwatched.Hewasunabletoputhisfingeronit,

andhehadnoevidenceatalltoconfirmhissuspicions,butsomemorningsonhispredawnjogorduringhiscommutefromKensingtontoTheCity,someafternoonsouttolunchwithhiscolleagues,andmosteveningswhenheheadedhomeonhisown,hefeltapricklysensationandanalmostpalpablesenseofeyesonhim.

WasittheChinese?HadtheyfollowedhimheretoLondon?CoulditbeBritishintelligence,justkeepinganeyeonhiminformally?Ormighttheyhavepickedupawhiffofhisformeractivities?

CoulditevenbetheU.S.SecretService,watchingoverhim,makingsurehewassafe?JackwasthefirstchildofasittingU.S.PresidenttorefusehisSecretService

protection,afactthathadtroubledmany,andwhiletheywouldhavenomandatetoprotecthim,hecouldnotcompletelydismissthepossibilityoutofhand.

Themorehewonderedaboutthereasonsforhissensehewasbeingfollowed,themorehetoldhimselfitwasnothingmorethanparanoiaonhispart.

Helookedbackoverhis

shoulderagainonCromwellRoad.Justlikeeveryothertimehe’d“checkedhissix,”therewasnothingthere.

AfewminuteslaterJackturnedontoLexhamGardens,glancedathiswatch,andsawitwaspastmidnight.He’dhavetofallrighttosleepinordertogetfivefullhoursbeforerisingforhismorningrun.

Heenteredhisbuilding,

stoppinginthedoorwayoncemoretoseeifhewasbeingfollowed.Asbefore,hesawnoone.

Itwasjusthisimagination.

Perfect,Jack.WhenyourdadwasyouragehewassavingBritishroyaltyfromIRAgunmenandcommandeeringRussiansubmarines.Youcan’tevengoouttoapubforapint

withoutgettingtheheebie-jeebies.

Shit,man.Getholdofyourself.

He’dtakensomemeasurestokeepalowprofilesincejoiningTheCampus,butasheclimbedthestairstohisflat,herealizedhisgoalshouldbecompleteanonymity.Hewasfarfromhomeandalone,andthepotentialtoredesignhis

physicalpresencewasbothpossibleandnecessary.

Hedecidedthenandtherehewouldgrowabeardandmustache,hewouldcuthishairshort,hewouldchangethestyleofhisclothing,hewouldevengetbackintothegymandbulkuptosomedegree.

Histransformationwouldnothappenovernight,heknewthis,buthehadtomake

ithappenbeforehecouldtrulyrelaxandgetonwithhislife.

D6

Twomonthslater

inoKadicsatbehindthewheelofhisLadasedan,

eyeingtherowofluxurysport-utilityvehiclesparkedonthefarsideofthesquare.

Ahalf-dozenBMWs,LandCruisers,andMercedesesidlednosetotail,andjustbeyondthem,oneofthecity’smostchicrestaurantsglowedinneon.

Theywerenicetrucks,anditwasanicerestaurant.ButKadicwasn’timpressed.

He’dstillblowtheplacetohell.

Ifhewereanywhereelseonearththemotorcadewould

havetippedhimoffthatsomeseriousVIPwashavingalatemealinthatrestaurant,butthiswasMoscow;aroundhere,anyself-respectingmobgoonorreasonablywell-connectedbusinessmancommandedhisownfleetofhigh-dollarvehiclesandcrewofsecuritymen.Thehalf-dozenfancycarsandthesteel-eyedentourageprotectingthemdidnotprove

toKadicanyoneofparticularimportancewasdininginside;hefigureditwasprobablyjustalocaltoughguyoracorrupttaxofficial.

Histargettonighthadarrivedonfoot;hewasjustsomeforeignbusinessman—importantsomewhere,perhaps,butnotimportanthere.Hewasnotanunderworldpersonalityorapolitician.HewasEnglish,a

high-flyingemerging-marketsfundmanagernamedTonyHaldane.KadichadgottenclosevisualconfirmationofHaldaneasheenteredVanilrestaurantalonejustaftersevenp.m.,andthenKadicrepositionedhere,underarowoftreesonthefarsideofthestreet.HeparkedhisLadaatameteronGogolevskyBoulevardandsatbehindthewheel,waitingwithhisphone

inhislapandhiseyesontherestaurant’sfrontdoors.

Thecellphonerestingonhislegwassettosendasignaltothedetonatorintheshoebox-sizedimprovisedexplosivedeviceundertheleafyfoliageinoneoftheplanterssittingoutsidethefrontdooroftherestaurant.

Kadicwatchedfromhispositiononehundredtwentymetersawayasthesecurity

menanddriversstoodaroundtheplanterunaware,cluelesstothedanger.

Hedoubtedanyofthoseguyswouldsurvivetheblast.Andhecouldnotpossiblycareless.

Hedrummedhisfingersonthesteeringwheel—fromnerves,notfromboredom—andfelthisheartbeatincreaseastheminutestickedoff.DespitehowlongDinohad

beendoingthissortofthing,eachtimebroughttheadrenalinerushanew.Thebattleofwitsthatcamealongwithdevisingandorchestratingandexecutinganassassination,theanticipationoftheexplosion,thesmellofburningaccelerantandplasticand,yes,evenflesh.

Kadicfirstfeltthethrilltwentyyearsearlierwhenhe

wasayoungCroatianparamilitaryfightinginthewarintheBalkans.WhenCroatiasigneditstrucewithSerbia,Kadicrealizedhewashavingtoomuchfunwiththewar,andhewasn’treadytostopfighting,soheorganizedamercenaryparaunitthatconductedraidsintoBosnia,targetingSerbianArmypatrolsfortheBosniangovernment.TheCIAtook

interestinthegroup,andtheygaveKadicandhismentrainingandequipment.

ItdidnottakelongfortheAgencytorealizetheyhadmadeahugemistake.Kadic’sCroatianparamilitaryforcewasimplicatedinatrocitiesagainstSerbiancivilianslivinginBosnia,andtheCIAbroketieswithDinoKadicandhismen.

Afterthewarended,

Kadicbeganplyinghistradeasacontractkiller.HeworkedintheBalkansandintheMiddleEast,andthen,aroundtheturnofthemillennium,hemovedtoRussia,wherehebecameakiller-for-hireforanyunderworldentitythatwouldemployhim.

Hedidwellforhimselfintheindustryforafewyearsandthenboughtproperty

backinCroatia,wherehesettledintosemiretirement,livingmostlyoffthemoneyhe’dmadeinRussiaoverthepastdecade,althoughfromtimetotimeacontractcamehiswaythathecouldnotrefuse.

LikethisHaldanehit.Thecontractor,aRussianunderworldpersonality,hadofferedaprincelysumforwhatKadicdeterminedtobe

alow-riskoperation.TheRussianhadbeenveryspecificastothetimeandtheplaceofthehit,andhe’dtoldKadichewantedtomakeabigandboldstatement.

Nyetproblem,Dinohadtoldthemanatthetime.Hecoulddobigandbold.

Hecalmedhimselfwithaslowbreath,toldhimselftorelax.

Aphrase,inEnglish,had

beentaughttohimbytheAmericansalongtimeago,andhesaiditaloudnow.

“Stayfrosty.”Ithadbecomearitualin

thosequietmomentsbeforethenoiseofamission,anditmadehimfeelgoodtosayit.HehatedtheAmericansnow;theyhadturnedonhim,deemedhimunreliable,buttheycouldnottakebackthetrainingtheyhadgivenhim.

Andhewasabouttoputthistrainingtouse.

Dinoglancedathiswatchandthensquintedacrossthedarksquaretowardthetargetarea.Hedidnotusebinoculars;therewastoogreatachancesomeonewalkingpasthisparkedcarorevenlookingoutawindowinoneofthenearbyapartmentsorshopswouldnoticethemaninthecarwiththebinos

pointedpreciselyatthelocationwherethebombwouldsoondetonate.AnydescriptionatallofhiscartoinvestigatorsaftertheblastwouldcausetheInteriorMinistrytosearchhoursofsecurity-camerafootageofthearea,andsoonenoughhewouldbeidentified.

Thatwouldnotdo.Dinoaimedtogetoutofthisopclean,andthismeanthe’d

havetoeyeballitfromdistance.Thepeoplewhohiredhimforthisjoborderedhimtomakeanangrystatementwithhisexplosive,sothebombwasconstructedwithoverkillinmind.ForthisreasonDinohadpositionedhimselfbackalittlefartherfromhistargetthanhewouldhaveliked.

FromthisdistancehewouldhavetoIDhistarget

fromthecolorofhiscamelcoatasheleftthebuilding,and,Dinodecided,thatwoulddojustfine.

Hecheckedhiswatchyetagain.

“Stayfrosty,”hesaidagaininEnglish,andthenheswitchedtohisnativeSerbo-Croatian.Hurryup,damnit!

—

InsideVanil,acordonoffour

bodyguardsinblacksuitsstoodinfrontofared

curtainseparatingtheprivatebanquetareafromthediningroom,andalthoughthelocalsintherestaurantwereaccustomedtoplainclothessecuritymenalloverthismostinsecurecity,acursorylookatthisprotectiondetailwouldindicatetheseweretop-of-the-linebodyguards,

notthemuchmorecommoncheap“rent-a-thug”variety.

Behindthearmedguardsandbehindthecurtain,twomiddle-agedmensippedbrandiesatatableinthecenterofthelarge,otherwiseemptyroom.

OneofthemenworeaBurberrysuitingrayflannel.Theknotofhisbluetiewasastightandpropernowasithadbeenateightthat

morning.InEnglish,butwithathickRussianaccent,themansaid,“Moscowhasalwaysbeenadangerousplace.InthepastfewmonthsI’mafraidithasonlybecomeexponentiallymoreso.”

Acrossthetable,BritishsubjectAnthonyHaldanewasasnicelydressedastheRussian.HisBondStreetbluepin-stripedsuitwasfreshandpressed,andhiscamelcoat

hungfromaracknearby.Hesmiled,surprisedbythecomment.“Thesearetroublingwordscomingfromthenation’ssecuritychief.”

Insteadofgivingaquickresponse,StanislavBiryukovsippedhischacha,aGeorgianbrandymadefromdistilledgrapeskins.Afterwipinghismouthwiththecornerofhisnapkin,hesaid,“SVRisRussia’sforeignsecurity

service.Thingsaregoingrelativelywellinforeignenvironsatthemoment.TheFSB,internalsecurity,istheorganizationpresidingoverthecurrentcatastrophe,bothinRussiaandinthenationsadjacenttoRussia.”

Haldanesaid,“You’llexcusemefornotmakingtheimmediatedistinctionbetweenFSBandSVR.Toanoldhandlikeme,itisallstill

theKGB.”Biryukovsmiled.“Andto

anolderhand,wewouldallbeChekists.”

Haldanechuckled.“Quiteso,butthatoneisevenbeforemytime,oldboy.”

Biryukovheldhisglassuptothecandlelight;heregardedthedeepgoldencoloroftheliquidbeforecarefullychoosinghisnextwords.“Asaforeigneryou

mightnotknowit,butFSBhasauthoritynotjustoverRussiabutalsoovertheothernationsintheCommonwealthofIndependentStates,eventhoughourneighborsaresovereignnations.Werefertothebordernationsas‘thenearabroad.’”

Haldanecockedhishead.Hepretendednottoknowit,andBiryukovpretendedhebelievedHaldane’slie.The

Russianadded,“Itcangetabitconfusing,Iwillallow.”

Haldanesaid,“ThereissomethingoffaboutRussianinternalsecurityoperatinginitsformerrepublics.AlmostasifsomeoneforgottotellthespiesthattheSovietUnionisnomore.”

Biryukovdidnotreply.HaldaneknewtheSVR

directorhadsomeobjectivebyinvitinghimoutfordrinks

tonight,butfornowtheRussianwasplayinghiscardsclosetohisvest.Everycommentwascalculated.TheEnglishmantriedtodrawhimout.“Doesitfeelliketheyareoperatingonyourturf?”

Biryukovlaughedaloud.“FSBiswelcometothosenations.MyworkinParisandTokyoandTorontoisadelightcomparedtowhattheyhavetodoinGrozny

andAlmatyandMinsk.Theseareuglydaysforoursisterservice.”

“MightIinferthatiswhatyouwantedtotalktomeabout?”

Biryukovansweredthequestionwithaquestionofhisown:“Howlonghaveweknowneachother,Tony?”

“Sincethelateeighties.YouwerestationedattheSovietembassyinLondon,as

aculturalattaché,andIwaswiththeForeignOffice.”

Biryukovcorrectedhimonbothcounts.“IwasKGBandyouwereBritishintelligence.”

Haldanelookedlikehewasgoingtoprotest,butonlyforamoment.“Wouldtherebeanypointinmedenyingit?”

TheRussiansaid,“Wewerechildrenbackthen,

weren’twe?”“Indeedwewere,old

chap.”Biryukovleanedina

littlecloser.“Imeantocauseyounoconsternation,myfriend,butIknowyouretainarelationshipwithyourgovernment.”

“IamoneofHerMajesty’sloyalsubjects,ifthatiswhatyoumeantosay.”

“Nyet.ThatisnotwhatI

meantosay.”Haldane’seyebrowsrose.

“IsthedirectorofRussianforeignintelligenceaccusingmeofbeingaforeignspyinthecapitalofRussia?”

Biryukovleanedbackfromthetable.“Noneedtobedramatic.ItisquitenaturalthatyouhavekeptupoldfriendshipsinMI6.Alittleback-and-forthbetweenawell-connectedbusinessman

likeyourselfandyournation’sspyshopisnothingatallbutsmartbusinesspracticeforbothparties.”

Sothatisthegame,Haldanethought,withsomerelief.StanwantedtoreachouttoBritishintelligenceusinghisoldfriendasacutout.

Itmakessense,Haldanethought,ashedrainedhisglass.Itwouldnotdoforthe

headofSVRtopoparoundtotheBritishembassyforachat.

Haldanesaid,“IhavesomefriendswellpositionedwithinMI6,yes,butplease,don’tgivemetoomuchcredit.Ihavebeenoutoftheserviceforalongtime.Icanpassalonganymessageyouwantmetoconvey,butthecleareryoucanmakethingsforme,thelesschanceIwill

haveofmuckingthewholethingup.”

Biryukovpouredbothmenanothersnifterofchacha.“Verywell.Iwillmakethingsveryclear.Iamheretonighttoinformyou,toinformtheUnitedKingdom,thatthereisapushbyourpresidenttoreuniteourtwointelligenceservices,toreestablishanumbrellaorganizationaboveboth

foreignanddomesticsecurity.”Headded,“Ithinkthisisaverybadidea.”

TheEnglishmannearlyspitouthisbrandy.“HewantstoreboottheKGB?”

“IfindithardtobelievetheKremlin,eventheKremlinofPresidentValeriVolodin,wouldbesobrazenastocalltheneworganizationbythetitleKomitet

Bezopasnosti,buttheroleoftheneworganizationwillbevirtuallythatoftheold.Oneorganizationinchargeofallintelligencematters,bothforeignanddomestic.”

Haldanemumbled,almosttohimself,“Bloodyhell.”

Biryukovnoddedsomberly.“Itwillservenopositivefunction.”

Thisseemed,toHaldane,

tobeagrossunderstatement.“Thenwhydoit?”“Thereisaquickeningof

events,bothdomesticallyinRussiaandintheformerrepublics.SincetheunsuccessfulattackonEstoniaacoupleofmonthsago,PresidentVolodinandhispeopleareincreasingRussia’ssphereofinfluenceonallfronts.Hewantsmorepowerandcontrolinthe

formersatellitenations.Ifhecan’ttakepowerandcontrolwithtanks,hewilltakeitwithspies.”

Haldaneknewthisbecauseitwasalloverthenews.InthepastyearthenationsofBelarus,Chechnya,Kazakhstan,andMoldovahadallelectedstaunchlypro-Russianandanti-Westerngovernments.IneachandeverycaseRussiahadbeen

accusedofmeddlingintheelections,eitherpoliticallyorbyusingtheirintelligenceservicesorthoseinthecriminalunderworldtoaffecttheoutcomestoMoscow’sadvantage.

Discord,inlargepartfueledbyMoscow,wastheorderofthedayinseveralotherborderingnations;theinvasionofEstoniawasunsuccessful,butthere

remainedthethreatofinvasioninUkraine.Inadditiontothis,anear–civilwarinGeorgia,bitterlydisputedpresidentialcampaignsinLatviaandLithuania,riotsandprotestsinothernearbycountries.

Biryukovcontinued,“RomanTalanov,mycounterpartintheFSB,isleadingthischarge.Isupposewithcompletecontrolover

Russianintelligenceactivityabroad,hecanexpandhisinfluenceandbegindestabilizingnationsbeyondthenearabroad.RussiawillinvadeUkraine,probablywithinthenextfewweeks.TheywillannextheCrimea.Fromthere,iftheymeetnoresistancefromtheWest,theywilltakemoreofthecountry,allthewaytotheDnieperRiver.Oncethisis

achieved,IbelieveVolodinwillsethiseyesonmakingbeneficialalliancesfromapositionofpower,bothintheotherbordercountriesandintheformernationsoftheWarsawPact.HebelieveshecanreturntheentireregiontothecentralcontroloftheKremlin.Poland,CzechRepublic,Hungary,Bulgaria,Romania.Theywillbethenextdominoestofall.”

Biryukovdrank,butHaldane’smouthhadgonedry.ThiswastalkofanewColdWarattheveryleast,anditcertainlycouldleadtoanewhotwar.ButtheEnglishmanhadknowntheRussianlongenoughtoknowthemanwasnotpronetoexaggeration.

Haldaneasked,“IfTalanovtakesoverSVR’sresponsibilities,whatwill

theydowithyou,Stan?”“Iamconcernedabout

ourfragiledemocracy.IamworriedaboutthefreedomoftheRussianpeople.IamworriedaboutadangerousoverreachthatcouldleadtoabroadwarwiththeWest.”Hesmiledwithashrug.“Iamnotworriedaboutmyfutureemploymentprospects.”

Headded,“Iwillhavemoreinformationforyou

soon.YouandIhavebothdevelopedsourcesbefore.Ittakestime.”

Haldanelaughedinsurprise.“Youwanttobemyagent?”

ThedirectoroftheSVRleanedoverthetable.“Icomecheaperthanmost.IwantnothinginreturnexceptcomfortinthefacttheWestwilldoanythingitcan,politicallyspeaking,of

course,tothwarttheFSB’sattempttoincreasetheirholdonmynation’sforeignsecurityservice.Ifyoupublicizethisinternationally,itmighthaveacoolingeffectonTalanovandVolodin’splans.”

HaldanecaughthimselfwonderingabouttheimpactthisnewswouldhaveonhisinvestmentsinEurope.Hewas,afterall,abusinessman

firstandforemost.Butheclearedhisheadofbusinessanddidhisbesttorememberhispastlifeintheintelligencefield.

Hefoundthishardtodo;hehadnotworkedasanemployeeofMI6innearlytwodecades.Heputhishandsupintheairinashowofsurrender.“I...Ireallyamoutofthegame,myfriend.OfcourseIcanreturn

toLondonstraightawayandtalktosomeoldacquaintances,andthentheywillfindsomeonemoreappropriatetoserveasaconduitforyourinformationinthefuture.”

“You,Tony.Iwillonlytalktoyou.”

Haldanenoddedslowly.“Iunderstand.”Hethoughtforamoment.“Ihavebusinesshere,nextweek.Can

wemeetagain?”“Yes,butafterthatwe

willneedtoautomatetheflowofinformation.”

“Quite.Idon’tsupposeitwoulddoforustohavearegulardatenight.”

Stanislavsmiled.“Iwillwarnyounow.MywifeiseverybitasdangerousasFSBdirectorRomanTalanov.”

“Iratherdoubtthat,oldboy.”

P7

residentoftheUnitedStatesJackRyanstoodoutsidethe

WhiteHouse’sSouthPorticowithhiswife,Cathy,byhissideandhisSecretServicecontingentflankingthemboth.Itwasacrispspring

afternooninD.C.,withbrightblueskiesandtemperaturesinthelowforties,andasRyanwatchedablackFordExpeditionrollupthedrivewayhecouldnothelpthinkingthisgreatweatherwouldmakeforanicephotoopherewithhisguestontheSouthLawn.

Buttherewouldbenophotostoday,norwouldthemeetinggointhevisitorlog

keptbytheWhiteHouse.ThePresident’sofficialschedule,putonlineforalltheworldtosee,forreasonsRyancouldnotfathom,wascrypticregardingRyan’sactivitiestoday.Itsaidonly,“PrivateLunch—Residence.1:00p.m.to2:30p.m.”

AndifScottAdler,thesecretaryofstate,hadhisway,thismeetingwouldnotbehappeningatall.

ButRyanwasPresidentoftheUnitedStates,and,onthis,POTUSgothisway.Hisvisitortodaywashisfriend,hewasintown,andRyansawnoreasonwhyheshouldn’thavehimoverforlunch.

AstheywaitedfortheExpeditiontocometoastop,CathyRyanleanedclosertoherhusband.“Thisguypointedagunatyouonce,

didn’the?”Therewasthat,Ryan

concededtohimself.Withaslysmilehe

replied,“I’msorry,hon.That’sclassified.Anyway,youknowSergey.He’safriend.”

Cathypinchedherhusband’sarmplayfully,andhernextcommentwasdeliveredinjest.“They’vesearchedhim,right?”

“Cathy.”Ryansaiditinamockscoldingvoice,andthenhejoked,“Hell...Ihopeso.”

Ryan’sleadpersonalprotectionagent,AndreaPrice-O’Day,wasstandingcloseenoughtoheartheexchange.“Ifitcomesdowntoit,Mr.President,Ithinkyoucouldtakehim.”

TheExpeditionparkedinfrontofthem,andoneofthe

SecretServiceagentsopenedthebackdoor.

Secondslater,SergeyGolovko,formerofficerintheKGBandformerdirectorofRussia’sforeignintelligenceservice,climbedslowlyoutofthevehicle.

“Sergey!”Ryansaid,hissmilewarmandhishandoutstretched.

“Mr.President,”Golovkorepliedwithasmileofhis

own.Cathycameforwardand

acceptedakiss;she’dmetSergeybeforeandthoughthimtobeakindandgentleman,despitewhateverhadhappenedbetweenhimandJackalongtimeago.

AstheyturnedtoheadbackintotheWhiteHouse,RyancouldnothelpnoticingthatSergeyseemednoticeablyolderthanhehad

thelasttimethetwohadmet.Thoughhesmiled,hemovedslowlyandsluggishly,andhisshouldershungslumpedinsidehisbluesuit.

Ryantoldhimselfthisshouldnotcomeasagreatsurprise.Statistically,thelifeexpectancyofaRussianmalewasaroundsixty,andSergeywasoverseventy.Ontopofthis,Golovkohadbeentravelingonagrueling

speakingtourhereintheUnitedStatesforthepasttwoweeks.Whyshouldn’tthemanlookalittletheworseforwear?

Faceit,Jack,hethought,we’reallgettingold.

AstheentouragewalkedthroughtheDiplomaticReceptionRoomonitswaytothestaircasetothesecondfloor,JackputhishandonthebackofthesmallerRussian.

“Howareyou,myfriend?”“I’mwell,”Sergey

answeredashewalked.Andthenheaddedwithashrug,“Iwokeupthismorningabitundertheweather.LastnightinLawrence,Kansas,Iatesomethingcalledabarbecuebrisket.Apparently,evenmyironRussianstomachwasnotpreparedforthis.”

Ryanchuckled,puthisarmaroundhisoldfriend.

“I’msorrytohearthat.Wehaveagreatphysicianonstaffhere.Icanhavehercomeupandtalktoyoubeforelunchifyouwouldlike.”

Sergeyshookhisheadpolitely.“Nyet.Iwillbeokay.Thankyou,IvanEmmetovich.”Hecaughthimselfquickly,“Imean,Mr.President.”

“IvanEmmetovichis

A

fine,SergeyNikolayevich.Iappreciatethehonorificofmyfather.”

—nthonyHaldaneandStanislavBiryukov

stoodinthelobbyofVanilrestaurantchattingwhiledonningtheircoats.Astheypreparedtoleave,theSVRdirector’sprincipalprotectionagentradioedtothestreetto

haveBiryukov’sLandRoverpulleduptothedoor.

Themenshookhands.“Untilnextweek,AnthonyArturovich.”

“Dasvidaniya,Stan.”TonyHaldaneexitedthe

doorsalongwithoneofBiryukov’ssecuritymen,whoheadedoutinadvanceofhisprincipaltocheckthestreet.Stanislavhimselfstoodinthedoorway,surrounded

bythreebodyguards,waitingfortheall-clear.

AsHaldanesteppedtothecurbbehindtherowofSUVstohailataxi,Biryukovwasusheredoutthedoor,twenty-fivefeetbehindtheEnglishman.HehadjuststeppedbetweenthetwoplantersbracingVanil’sdoorwaywhenaflashoflightenvelopedtheentirescene.

Inmicrosecondsa

thunderclapofsoundandpressurerockedtheneighborhood.

Theexplosionthrewsecuritymenlikedebrisintothestreet,thearmoredRangeRoversjoltedorrolledoverlikeMatchboxcars,andprojectilesfromtheexplosionshatteredwindowglassandinjuredpassersbyonehundredmetersaway.Dozensofcaralarmseruptedinbleats

andwails,drowningoutallbuttheloudestmoansofpainandscreamsofshock.

Onthefarsideofthepark,DinoKadicsatbackupinhisLada.Hehadkneltdown,almosttothefloorboard,topressthesendbuttononhisphonewhileoutofthedirectlineofanyshrapnel,thoughhissedanwasmostlyshieldedbythecornerofabankbuilding.

Beforethelastbitofdebrisfromtheblasthadrainedbacktoearth,Kadicstartedhiscarandpulledoutintolighteveningtraffic.Hedroveoffslowlyandcalmly,withoutalookbackatthedevastation,althoughhedidrollhiswindowdownslightlyasheleftthescene,takinginadeepbreathofthesmokealreadyhangingintheair.

P—

residentJackRyanandFirstLadyCathyRyan

satdownwiththeirguestforlunchintheFamilyResidencediningroomonthesecondflooroftheWhiteHouse,justacrosstheWestSittingHallfromthemasterbedroom.Joiningthemforlunchwasthedirectorofnationalintelligence,Mary

PatFoley,andherhusband,formerdirectoroftheCIA,EdFoley.

HavingtheformerheadofRussia’ssecurityservicesoverforlunchintheWhiteHouse’sprivatediningroomwassomewhatsurrealtothesmallgroupofthosewhobothknewabouttoday’sluncheonandrememberedtheColdWar,buttimeshadchangedinmanyways.

GolovkowasnolongeramemberofRussia’sintelligenceservice—infact,hewasmuchtheopposite.Hewasaprivatecitizennow,andprovingtobeathorninthesideofthecurrentoccupantoftheKremlin.TheStateDepartmenthadwarnedPresidentRyanitwouldbeperceivedasprovocativebytheRussiansiftheyknewGolovkowascomingtothe

WhiteHouseforlunch.Jackacquiescedreluctantly,andonlypartially;heorderedtheeventtoremaininformalandtobekeptbelowtheradar.

SergeyGolovkohadretiredfromintelligenceworkthreeyearsearlier,andalmostimmediatelyhemadeheadlinesinRussiabecausehe,unlikemostintelligencechiefs,didnotgointopoliticsorbusiness.Tothecontrary,

Golovkotookhissmallpensionandbeganspeakingoutagainstthesiloviki—aRussiantermusedtodenotemembersoftheintelligencecommunityandthemilitarywhobecamehigh-rankingandpowerfulpoliticalleaders.TheKremlinhadbecomefilledtocapacitywithex-spiesandex–militaryofficers,andtheyworkedtogetherasatightlyknit

coalitioninordertogainandholdpower,usingtheskillstheylearnedcontrollingthesecurityservicestonowcontroleveryaspectofpublicandprivatelife.

ThenewmaninchargeattheKremlin,sixty-year-oldValeriVolodin,washimselfamemberofthesiloviki,havingworkedforyearsintheFSBand,previoustothis,asayoungofficerinthe

KGB.Mostcurrentmembersoftheexecutiveandlegislativebodieswereformermembersofeithertheinternalorforeignintelligenceservice,ormilitaryintelligence(theGRU).

AsGolovkobeganpubliclyairinghisdispleasurewiththepoliciesandpracticesoftheVolodinadministration,Volodindid

nottakekindlytotheex–SVRman’scomments,especiallythosecriticaloftherollbackofdemocraticinstitutionsbythenewregime.Asaferventopponentofthesiloviki,Golovkoknewitwasjustamatteroftimebeforehisownsafetywasatrisk.OldcolleaguesofGolovko’sstillintheSVRwarnedtheex–spychiefitwouldbeinhis

bestinteresttoleaveRussiaandnotlookback.

Withaheavyheart,theformerSVRheadexiledhimselffromhismotherlandandmovedtoLondon,where,forthepastyear,he’dlivedmodestlyenough,thoughhecontinuedtocriticizeVolodinandhisministers.Hisspeakingtourstookhimallovertheglobe,andhecouldbeseenontelevision

somewhereontheplanetalmosteveryweek,appearingininterviewsandroundtablediscussions.

RyanlookedacrossthetableatGolovkonowandcouldnothelpwonderinghowsomeonewholookedsofrailcouldkeepupaschedulenearlyasarduousashisown.

Golovkosawthelook,andhesmiledatRyan.“IvanEmmetovich,tellme,howare

yourchildren?”“Everyoneisfine.Katie

andKyleareatschoolhereinD.C.SallyisatJohnsHopkins,finishingupherresidency.”

“Threedoctorsinthefamily.Veryimpressive,”Sergeysaid,tippinghiswineglasstobothRyans.

Jackchuckled.“Threedocs,butonlytwophysicians.Asadoctorof

history,I’venoticedmyspecialtyisnotasusefulasanM.D.inahousefullofkids.”

“AndwhatisJunioruptothesedays?”Sergeyasked.

“Actually,JackJuniorisoverinyourneckofthewoods.HemovedtoLondonjusttwomonthsago.”

“Isthatso?”Golovkosaidwithmildsurprise.“Whatishedoingthere?”

“Heisworkinginthe

businessanalyticsfieldforaprivatefirm.Spendinghisdaysevaluatingcorporatebuyoutsandinternationalfinancedeals.”

“Ah,he’sinTheCity,then.”

“Heis,buthe’slivinginEarl’sCourt.”

Withasmile,Sergeysaid,“Hegothisfather’sbrains.Heshouldhavebecomeanintelligence

officer.”ThePresidenttookabite

ofhissalad,carefultogivenothingaway.

CathyRyaninterjected,“Onespookinthefamilyisenough,don’tyouthink?”

Sergeyheldhiswaterglassuptoher.“Ofcourse.Itisadifficultcareer.Difficultforthefamily,aswell.IamsurehavingyoungJackworkinasafeandsecure

professionisagreatcomforttoyou.”

Cathysippedhericedtea.“Verymuchso.”

Jackthoughthiswife’spokerfacewasmuchbetterthanhisown.

Sergeyadded,“I’dlovetoseehim.IlivenotfarfromEarl’sCourt,inNottingHill.PerhapsyoungIvanIvanovichcouldfindtimetohavedinnerwithmesome

evening.”“I’msurehewouldlike

that,”Ryanreplied.“Don’tworry.Iwillnot

tellhimtoomanyoldwarstories.”

“Mysonwouldn’tbelieveyou,anyway.”

Theroomeruptedinlaughter.Ofthosepresent,onlyEdandMaryPatknewthefullhistorybetweenthetwomen.Cathywashavinga

hardtimeimaginingtheagedRussianeverhavingbeenathreattoherhusband.

ThetalkturnedtoEdandMaryPat,andtheirtimeinMoscowintheeighties.Theytalkedabouttheirfondnessforthecountry,thepeople,andthecustoms.

Ryanatehislunch,hiseyesstillacrossthetableonSergey.Heimaginedhisoldfriendwouldprobablymuch

ratherbedrinkingvodkainsteadofsippingicedtea,andeatingborschtinsteadofporktenderloin.Althoughhisforkhadpokedandproddedhisplate,Jackdidn’tthinkhe’deatenabite.

CathyaskedSergeyabouthisspeakingtour,andthisseemedtoperkhimupconsiderably.He’dbeentonearlyadozencitiesacrosstheUnitedStatesinthepast

twoweeks,andhehadsomethingnicetosayabouteveryone.He’dbeenspeakingaboutwhathesawasthecorruptadministrationofValeriVolodin,mostlyatuniversities,andhealsohadabookintheworkstopoundthemessagehomeevenfurther.

Onthatsubject,EdFoleysaid,“Sergey,we’reayearintoValeriVolodin’sfirst

term.JustyesterdayVolodinsignedanewdecreewherebyheisallowedtohandpickthegovernorsthroughoutRussia’seighty-threeregions.Itlooks,toanoldhandlikeme,asiftherollbackofdemocracyispickingupsteam.”

Golovkoreplied,“FromVolodin’spointofview,itmakessenseforhimtodothis.”

“Howso?”“Regionalelectionsare

cominguplaterintheyear.Therewasalwaysthechance,smallthoughitmaybe,thatthepopulationwouldelectsomeonewhoseloyaltytothecentralgovernmentwasinquestion.ItisVolodin’sgoaltocontroleverythingfromMoscow.Puttinghisownpeopleinchargeintheeighty-threeregionswillhelp

himdothat.”MaryPatasked,“Where

doyouseedemocracyinRussiaattheendofVolodin’sfirstterm?”

Golovkotookalongsipoficewater.Hesaid,“PresidentVolodinexplainsawayhisironfistbysaying,‘Russiahasaspecialdemocracy.’Thisishisreferencetothefacthecontrolsmostofthemedia,

handpicksgovernors,andthrowsbusinessmeninjailwhohefeelsdon’tkeeptheinterestsoftheKremlininmindwitheverybusinessdecisiontheymake.”Golovkoshookhisheadslowlyindisgust.Ryansawasheenofperspirationglistenthroughhisthinwhitehair.“Aspecialdemocracy.Russia’sspecialdemocracyismorecommonlyknown

aroundtheworldbyanothername.Dictatorship.”

Therewerenodsofagreementallaround.

“WhatishappeninginRussiaisnotaboutgovernment.Itisaboutcrime.VolodinandhiscronieshavebillionsofdollarsofinterestsinGazprom,thegovernmentnatural-gasconcern,andRosneft,theoilconcern,aswellasminorityownership

andtotalcontroloverbanksandshippingandtimberconcerns.Theyarerapingthecountryofitswealthandnaturalresources,andtheyareusingthepoweroftheKremlintodoit.AfterthreemoreyearsofVolodinandhissilovikiinpower,IamafraidwhatisleftofRussia’sdemocracywillonlybeamemory.Thisisnoexaggerationonmypart.

Centralpowerisasnowballthatpicksupsnowasitrollsdownhill.Itwillgetbiggerandbigger,anditwillmovefasterandfaster.Inafewyearstherewillbenooneabletostopit.”

“Whydothepeoplestandforit?”Cathyasked.

“ThesocialcontractinRussiaisverysimple.Thepopulationiswillingtogiveuplibertyandturnablindeye

togovernmentcorruptioninexchangeforsecurityandprosperity.Thisworkedaslongastherewassecurityandprosperity,butitisfailingnow.

“Iwasthere,in1990.Apensionerwhonormallytookahundredrublestothemarketforgroceriessuddenlylearnedhewouldneedone-point-sixmillionrublestobuythesameamountof

goods.Shopkeepersbasicallyhadthejoboftellingpeopletheyweregoingtostarvetodeath.

“TheRussiansarehappythosedaysaregone.Volodinisadictator,butmostseehimasaprotector.Havingsaidthat,theeconomyisturningandthedemographicsinRussiaarechanging,andnotinhisfavor.BirthrateamongsttheSlavsinall

nationshasbeeninthenegativelevelfornearlytwodecades.Astheironfistsqueezesharder,andthetransferofRussia’sresourcesleavesRussiaandbankruptsthenation,moreandmorepeoplewillstarttonoticeitspressure.”

SergeyGolovkobegancoughingforamoment,butitsubsidedandhewipedhismouthwithhisnapkinbefore

saying,“ThefailureoftheexistingsocialcontractinRussiawillnotleadtoanewsocialcontract,itwillonlyleadtoVolodinremovingmoreandmorefreedoms.”

JackRyansaid,“BenjaminFranklinputitlikethis:‘Thosewhowouldgiveupessentiallibertytopurchasealittletemporarysafetydeserveneitherlibertynorsafety.’”

Golovkoregardedthequoteforamoment.“IfthismansaidthisinMoscowhewouldbehauledintoLefortovoandquestionedbytheFSB.”

Jacksmiled.EitherGolovkodidnotknowwhoBenjaminFranklinwas,orelsehe’djustforgotten.Hesaid,“Franklinmadethatcommenttwohundredfiftyyearsago,whenourrepublic

wasgoingthroughatryingtime.”

MaryPatsaid,“MyconcernsaboutVolodinarenotjustonthedomesticfront.RecenteventsintheformerrepublicshavetheKremlin’sfingerprintsalloverthem.”

“RomanTalanov’sintelligenceservicesandValeriVolodin’sstrong-armtacticshavecreatedavastregionofclientstates.”

Ryansaid,“TheCommonwealthofIndependentStatesaren’tsoindependentanymore.”

Golovkonoddedanimatedlyatthis,tookanotherlongsipofwater,andusedhisnapkinagain,thistimetodabsweatoffhisbrow.“Verytrue.Theyhavemeddledinelections,boughtandthreatenedleadersandinfluentialpeople,

underminedoppositiongroups.

“Belarus,Georgia,Moldova...theyareeffectivelysatellitesonceagain.UzbekistanandTajikistanneverleftthefold.Othersareteetering.WesawwhathappenedinEstoniawhenoneofRussia’sneighborsdidnotdowhatMoscowwantedittodo.Ifithadnotbeenforyou,Ivan

Emmetovich,Estoniawouldbeavassalstate,andLithuaniaandLatviawouldfallaswell.”

Ryancorrectedhimpolitely:“Notme,Sergey.NATO.”

Golovkoshookhishead.“Youledtheway.Europedidnotwanttofight,butyouconvincedthem.”

ThathadbeenasoresubjectaroundtheWhite

House.Ryanjustgaveaslightnodandsippedhistea.

MaryPatasked,“WhatareyourthoughtsontheconflictinUkraine?”

“Ukraineisaspecialcase,partiallyduetoitssize.TentimesaslargeasGeorgia,andithasahugepopulationofcitizenswhoaligntheirfamilyhistorywithRussia,notwithUkraine.ItisaSlavicnationaswell.Itis

forgottenbymanyintheWestthattheSlavicnationsofUkraine,Belarus,andRussiashareacommonheritage.Volodinclearlywantstounitethemasoneforhistoricalreasons,andhewantstocontroltheotherformerrepublicsasabufferfromtheWest.”

EdFoleysaid,“WhenUkrainestartedtalkingaboutjoiningNATOtherewere

grumblingsfromRussia,ofcourse,butonlywhenVolodincametopowerlastyeardidtherealthreatsbegin.”

Sergeybegancoughingagain.Whenhestopped,hetriedtolaughoffthecoughingfit.“Excuseme.IgetexcitedwhenthetopicisValeriVolodin.”

Mostintheroomchuckledpolitely.Dr.Cathy

Ryan,ontheotherhand,wasn’tlaughing.She’dbeennotingGolovko’spaleskinandincreasingperspiration.“Sergey,wehaveadoctoronstaffhere.IfyoulikeIcanhaveMauracomeupafterlunchandtakealookatyou,justtomakesureyouareokay.”Shespokeinthesamepolitebutprofessionalmannerinwhichsheaddressedtheparentsofher

patients.Shehadherpointofviewonthematter,andshewantedtogetitacross,butshedidnotpush.

“Thankyouverymuchfortheoffer,Cathy,butI’llreturntotheUKtonightandvisitmyphysicianinLondontomorrowifthestomachpainscontinue.”Hesmiledweakly,obviouslyinsomediscomfort.“IamsureIwillfeelmuchbetterbythe

morning.”Cathyletitgowitha

lookthatindicatedshewasnotsatisfied.Jacknoticedthelook,andheknewthiswouldnotbetheendofthediscussion.

PoorSergey,hethought.ButGolovkowasmore

concernedaboutthesubjectunderdiscussionthanhisownhealth.“Yes,Edward.TheRussiansareafraidofa

UkrainianpivotbacktotheWestandawayfromtheirsphereofinfluence.Volodinwasfuriousthatthenationalistsretookcontrolofthecountry.HefearstheywilljoinNATO,andheknowsthatoncethathappens,theWestwillhavetofighttoprotectthem.”

Golovkoadded,“VolodinhashiseyesontheCrimea,insouthernUkraine,andhe

knowsonceUkrainejoinsNATO,thatwillbedifficultforhimtoachieve.Thewayheseesit,hehastomovesoon.”

Ryansaid,“HeisrightthatthereisnotreatybetweenUkraineandNATO.Andifhedoesinvade,gettingEuropeonboardtofightfortheCrimeaisanonstarter.”

Golovkowavedahandintheair.“Europewantstheir

oilandtheirnaturalgas,andRussiasuppliesit.TheyhavebeenkowtowingtoMoscowforalongtime.”

“Tobefair,”Ryancountered,“theyneedtheiroilandtheirnaturalgas.Imightnotlikeit,butkeepingRussiahappyisintheirinterests.”

“Thatmaywellbe,butasRussiamovescloserandclosertothembyinstalling

puppetafterpuppetinEasternandCentralEuropeannations,theNATOstateswillhavelessmobilityontheissuethanbefore.TheyshouldexerttheirleverageagainstMoscowwhiletheystillhavealittleleft.”

RyanagreedwithSergey,butthisproblemhadbeengrowingforyears,andheknewitwouldnotbesettledoverlunch.

A—

fteradessertofassortedsorbetsthatSergeydid

nottouch,MaryPatandEdsaidtheirgood-byes,andJackandCathyinvitedtheRussianacrossthehalltotheYellowOvalRoom,aformalparlorCathylikedtouseforprivatereceptions.

Ontheway,Golovkoexcusedhimselftogotothe

restroom,andJackledhimtothebathroomoffthelivingroom.Assoonashesteppedbackintothehall,Cathyapproachedhim.

Softly,shesaid,“Heisill.”

“Yeah,hesaidheatesomethingthatdidn’tagreewithhim.”

Cathymadeaface.“Itlooksworsethanthat.Idon’tknowhowyouaregoingto

doit,butIwantyoutotalkhimintolettingMauratakealookathimbeforehegoestotheairport.”

“Notsurehow—”“Iamconfidentyoucan

charmhim.I’mreallyworried,Jack.Ithinkhe’sreallysick.”

“Whatdoyouthinkiswrong?”Jackwastakenaback.

“Idon’tknow,buthe

needstogetcheckedout.Today,nottomorrow.”

“I’lltrytopersuadehim,buthealwayswasatoughsonofabitch.”

“There’stough,andthenthere’sfoolish.Ineedyoutoremindhimheisasmartguy.”

Ryannodded,acquiescingtohiswife.HewasPresidentoftheUnitedStates,buthewasalsoa

dutifulhusband,andasmuchasanything,hedidn’twantCathyharanguinghimaboutSergeyfortherestoftheafternoon.

D8

inoKadicmadeitbacktohisrentedroomthirtyminutes

afterthebombing,pulledabeerfromhisrefrigerator,andflippedonthetelevision.Heneededtopack,butitcouldwaitforthelengthoftimeit

wouldtakehimtohaveadarkYarpivo.HewouldleaveMoscowbytrainfirstthinginthemorning,butfornowhewouldtakeafewminutestoenjoyhimselfalittleandwatchthenewscoverageofhisoperation.

Hedidnothavetowaitlong.Afteronlyafewsipshesawthefirstimagesfromthescene:shatteredglassandfiresburningatthefrontof

therestaurant.ThecameramovedtotheleftandpannedpastseveralSUVsscatteredandtossedonthestreet;beyondthemwasthedomedCathedralofChristtheSavior,theflashinglightsofemergencyvehiclesreflectingoffthewindows.

Kadicleanedbackonthesofa,enrapturedbythebeautyofthechaoshecreated.

Anattractivefemale

reporter,justonthescene,seemedutterlyshockedbythecarnagearoundher.Sheliftedhermicrophonetohermouthandstruggledtofindwords.

Kadicsmiledwhileshewentintothefewdetailsofthebombingavailabletoher.Mostlyshejuststammeredanddetailedthedevastationwithpoorlychosenadjectives.

Afteraminuteofthis,though,shebroughtherhanduptoherearandstoppedtalkingsuddenly,asshelistenedtoaproduceronherearpiece.

Andthenhereyeswentwide.

“Isthisconfirmed?CanIsaythisonair?”Shewaitedforareplyinherearpiece,andKadicwonderedwhatwasgoingon.Withaquick

nod,thereportersaid,“WehavejustbeentoldthatthedirectoroftheForeignIntelligenceService,StanislavArkadyevichBiryukov,wasleavingtherestaurantattheexactmomentoftheexplosion,andhasbeeninjured.Hisconditionispresentlyunknown.”

Kadicloweredthebeerbottleslowlyandstaredatthe

screen.AlesscynicalmanmighthavetakenthefirstnewsreportsabouttheVanilbombingassomesortoferror.Surelyshewasmistaken.Incorrectinformationfromstand-upreportinginthefirstminutesonascenelikethiswastherule,nottheexception.

ButdecadesofworkwithintelligenceagenciesandmafiagroupshadmadeDino

Kadicnothingifnotcynical.AssoonasheheardBiryukovhadbeenonthesidewalkatthemomentthebombdetonated,hetookthereportasaccurate,andheknewitwasnocoincidence.

He’dbeensetup.ThecontractoroftheHaldanehithadinstructedhimonthetimeandlocationofthebombing,andhaddemandedmoreexplosivebeusedto

increasetheblastradius.WhoeverhaddonethishadorchestratedKadic’soperationtotakeouttherealtarget,theheadoftheSVR.

“Pickumatirinu!”ItwasSerbo-Croatian,akinto“Oh,fuck,”butevenmoreprofane.

AndDinoKadicknewsomethingelse.Thepeoplewhosethimuplikethiswouldn’tthinktwiceaboutsendingsomeonetosilence

him,sohecouldtakethefallwithoutbeingabletobringanyoneelsedownwithhim.

Ashesatthereonthelittlesofainhisrentedflat,hewassure.

Itwasn’tiftheywouldcomeforhim...Itwaswhen.

AndKadic,beingthecynicthathewas,didn’tgivehimselfmuchtime.Hewouldpackinsixtysecondsandbe

A

downinhiscarinonehundredtwentyseconds.

“Stayfrosty.”HethrewthebeerbottleattheTVandleapttohisfeet,begancollectinghismostimportantbelongingsandthrowingthemintoarollingduffel.

—sapairofdarkgreenZiL-130truck-buses

pulleduptotheentranceof

anapartmentbuildingonGruzinskiyValStreet,thebackdoorofeachvehicleopened.Inamatterofseconds,twenty-fourmembersofthe604thRedBannerSpecialPurposeCenterleapttothepavement.TheywereInteriorMinistrytroops,someofthebesttrainedandmosteliteintheRussianpoliceforce.Tothosewalkingbyonthe

sidewalkonGruzinskiyVal,themenlookedlikefuturisticrobotsintheirblackbodyarmor,blackNomexbalaclavas,andsmokedPlexiglasvisors.

Eightmenremainedatgroundlevel,whiletwoteamsofeighttookthetwostairwellsuptothefourthfloor.Astheyascended,theyheldtheirAK-74riflesagainsttheirshouldersand

pointedthemjustoffsetofthemaninfrontoftheminthestack.

Onthefourthfloortheyleftthestairwells.Afewapartmentownersopenedtheirdoorsinthehallwayandfoundthemselvesstaringdownteamsofmaskedandvisoredmenwithassaultrifles.Theresidentsquicklyshuttheirdoors,andseveralturnedupthevolumeontheir

televisionstoshieldthemselvesfromanyknowledgeofwhateverthehellwasgoingon.

TheRedBannermenconvergedoutsideroom409,andtheteamleadermovedupthetrain,positioninghimselfjustbehindthebreacher.

—imetogo,”Kadicsaid,sixtysecondsexactlyafterleaping

Tfromthecouch.Hezippedhis

duffelclosedandreachedtopullitoffthe

bed.Behindhim,the

apartmentdoorburstopen,breakingfromthehingesandflyingintotheroom.Kadicspuntothemovementandthenthrewhishandsintotheair,droppingtheduffel.Hehadnochoicebuttoattempttosurrender,thoughhe

understoodalmostinstantlywhatwasgoingon.

Hewas,afterall,acynic.Therewasnowayintheworldthesemencouldhavemadeitheresofastunlesstheyweretippedoff.

Unlesshehadbeensetup.

HecroakedoutonewordinRussian.

“Pozhalusta!”Please!TheleaderoftheRed

Bannerunitpaused,butonlyforaninstant.Thenheopenedfire.Histeamfollowedsuit,gunserupted,andtheCroatianassassinjerkedandspasmedasroundafterroundrippedintohischest.

Hetoppledbackontothebed,hisarmsoutstretched.

Theteamleaderorderedhismentogothroughhisbelongings,whilehebegan

searchingthebodyhimself.Theyturnedupahandgun—ithadbeenstowedinhiscase—andtheofficerwhofoundittookitbythebarrelwithhisglovedhandandpasseditgrip-firsttohisleader.TheteamleaderslippeditintothehandofthedeadCroatian,closedtheman’sbloodyfingersaroundit,andthenletitdropontothefloor.

Aminutelaterhesaid,

“We’reclear.”Hepinchedthetransmitbuttononthesideofhisshouldermicrophone.“Clear.Onesubjectdown.”

Theteamleaderhadhisorders.Someoneonhighwantedthismandead,andaniceneatpackageofjustifiableforcehadbeeneasyenoughtoarrange.

RedBannerdidwhattheKremlintoldthemtodo.

J9

ack,Cathy,andSergeyenteredtheYellowOvalRoom.Coffeewaslaid

outforthem,butSergeydidnottouchhis,soJackandCathyignoredtheirsaswell.

Golovkosaid,“Iapologizeformypassionat

lunch.”“Notatall,”saidJack.“Mywifediedyearsago,

andsincethen,I’vehadlittletothinkaboutbutwork,andmynation’splaceinhistory.UnderValeriVolodin,Russiaisslidingbackwardtoaplacetheyoungergenerationisnotwiseenoughtofear,andnothingscaresmemore.Iseeitasmyroletousemyintimateknowledgeofthe

darkeraspectsofourpasttoensurewedonotrepeatit.”

SergeyspokeforamomentmoreabouthistriptotheUnitedStates,butheseemeddistracted,andtheperspirationonhisforeheadhadonlyincreasedsincelunch.

AfteranimploringlookfromCathy,JackRyansaid,“Sergey,Iwouldlikeyoutodomeapersonalfavor.”

“Ofcourse,IvanEmmetovich.”

“Iwanttohavesomeonelookyouover,justtomakesureyouareokay.”

“Appreciated,butnotnecessary.”

“Lookatitfrommyperspective,Sergey.HowwillitplayintheworldmediaiftheformerheadofSVRcomesoverheretotheStatesandgetssickonabad

brisket?”TheSecretService

personnelstandingaroundchuckledsoftly,butSergeyjustsmiledweakly.Jacknoticedthis,andheknewhisfriendtoenjoyagoodlaugh.HisinabilitytogoalongwiththejokeonlymadeRyanmorecertainheneededMaura,thephysiciantothePresident,tolookhimover.

Ryanwasabouttopress

theissuefurther,butpresidentialchiefofstaffArnieVanDammleanedinthedoorfromthehallway.Ryanwassurprisedtoseehimhere;hedidnotnormallyleavetheWestWingduringthedaytocomeovertotheresidence.Ryanknew,byhispresence,somethingwasup.Protocolintervenedforamoment,andRyanhadtointroduceGolovkotoVan

Damm.TheRussianshookthechiefofstaff’shand,andthensatbackdowninhischairacrossfromCathy.

“Mr.President,canIhaveaquickword?”

“Okay.Sorry,Sergey,givemejustasecond,butyou’renotoffthehook.”

Sergeyjustsmiledbackandnodded.

RyanfollowedArnieintotheCenterHall,andthen

farther,totheWestSittingHall.There,waitingforhim,wasMaryPatFoley.Jackknewwhateverwasgoingon,MaryPatwouldhaveonlyjustheardaboutit,sinceshehadbeenatlunchtenminutesearlier,andthereseemedtobenogreatemergencythen.

“Whatisit?”MaryPatsaid,“It’s

Russia.ThirtyminutesagoSVRdirectorStanBiryukov

waskilledinabombingincentralMoscow,lessthanamilefromtheKremlin.”

Ryanclenchedhisjaw.“Oh,boy.”

“Yeah,welikedhim.Sure,hewasaRussianspy,buthewasasstraightashooteraswecouldhaveaskedforinthatrole.”

RyanfeltthesameaboutBiryukov.Althoughhedidn’tknowtheman,hedidknow

hehadbeeninstrumentalinrescuingRyan’sfriend,JohnClark,fromthehandsofbrutaltorturersinMoscowmorethanayearearlier.Then,evenmorerecently,BiryukovhadsecretlyassistedTheCampusingettingClarkintoChina.AsfarasRussianintelligencechiefswereconcerned,PresidentRyanthoughtStanBiryukoveligiblefor

sainthood.Heasked,“Anychanceatallthiswasarandomterroristactandnotanassassination?”

Foleysaid,“Iwouldsaynochanceatall,exceptwearetalkingaboutMoscowhere.Therehavebeen,what,fiveorsixbombingssinceVolodincametopowerlastyear?Therestaurantwaspopularwiththekulturny—itwouldn’tbebeyondtherealm

ofpossibilitiesitwastargetedforitshigh-flyingRussianclientele,andnotspecificallybecausetheheadoftheSVRwasinthebuilding.”

“But?”askedRyan.He’dworkedwithMaryPatFoleyforlongenoughthathecouldhearthethoughtsbehindtheinflectionsinhervoice.

“But...asyouknow,therearerumorssomeoftheotherbombingswerefalse

flagattacksperpetratedbyFSB.BiryukovwasnotaKremlininsiderthewayFSBdirectorRomanTalanovis.Infact,heandTalanovareseenasbitterrivals.”Shecorrectedherself.“Wereseenasrivals.”

Ryancockedhisheadinsurprise.“AreyousuggestingthechiefoftheFSBhadthechiefoftheSVRkilled?”

“Notsuggestingit,Mr.President.Justthinkingout

loud.It’salmosttooprovocativetocomprehend,buteverythingthathashappenedinRussiasinceValeriVolodincametopowerhasbeendramatic,tosaytheleast.”

Ryanthoughtforamoment.“Allright.Let’smeetintheOvalOfficeinanhourwiththefullnationalsecurityteam.Trytogetmoreanswersbythen.”

MaryPatsaid,“It’stoobadforGolovko.IfhehadplayedhiscardsrightandsuckeduptoVolodinwhenhecametopower,hemighthavegottenhimselfajobofferoutofthis.ThereisavacancyatSVRnow,afterall.”

Itwasdarkhumor,butRyanwasn’tlaughing.“Sergeywouldn’tworkforValeriVolodiniftherewasa

Rguntohishead.”

—yanheadedbacktotheYellowOvalRoom.

Normally,hewouldcutshortaget-togetherlikethistodealwithsomethingofthemagnitudeofthepossibleassassinationofaRussianintelligencechief,buthewantedtousethisopportunitytogetGolovko’s

takeontheevent.Butasheenteredthe

room,heimmediatelysawacommotion.ASecretServiceagentstandingalongthewallrushedforwardtowardthesittingarea.OnlythendidJacknoticehisoldfriendonthefloor,lyingnexttohischaironhisback.Cathywaswithhim,cradlinghishead.

Golovko’sfacewasamaskofpain.

CathylookedupatJack.“GetMaurauphere.AndtelltheambulancetocometotheSouthPortico.LetthemknowtheywillbegoingtoGWU!”

Ryanspunbackoutthedoor.TheSecretServicewasalreadyontheirradios;surelytheyweredoingtheFirstLady’sbidding,butJackfollowedhiswife’sinstructionsnonetheless.

SergeyGolovkowas

drivenoutoftheWhiteHouse’seastentranceinthebackofanambulance,whileJackandCathystoodjustinsidethedoorway.

TheambulancedidnotuseitssirensuntilitpulledontoConnecticutAvenue,soasnottoarousetheinterestofthemediaaroundtheWhiteHouse.

CathywantedtogoalongwithGolovko,butsheknew

shewouldbeseenuponarrivalatGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospitalandthen,withinminutes,theWhiteHouseBriefingRoomwouldbefullofscreamingpressclamoringforinformationastowhattheyhadmissed.Still,CathyknewJack’sownphysicianwasridingalongwithGolovko,andshewastop-notch.

PresidentRyanlefthis

wifeafteramomentandheadedintotheWestWing,pushingtheshockofGolovko’scollapseoutofhismindsohecouldconcentrateontheupcomingmeeting.He’donlyjustarrivedwhenhewasnotifiedthatMaryPatFoleyandCIAdirectorJayCanfieldwereintheanteroom,waitingtospeakwithhim.Helookeddownathiswatch.Themeeting

wasn’tscheduledtobeginforanotherhalf-hour.

“Sendthemin,”hesaidovertheintercom,andhesatbackontheedgeofhisdesk.

FoleyandCanfieldenteredinarush.MaryPatdidnotwastetime.“Mr.President...wehaveaproblem.”

Jackrosefromhisdesk.“Theyarepilingup,aren’tthey?Goahead.”

“RussiantelevisionissayingpolicehavecorneredandkilledamaninaMoscowapartment.Theysayheisthebomberoftherestaurant.HeisaCroatiannationalnamedDinoKadic.”

“Whyisthataproblem?”MaryPatlookedtoJay

Canfield.Canfieldnodded,thenlookedupatthePresident.“Kadic...is...knowntous.”

“Meaning?”“Heusedtobean

Agencyasset.”Ryan’sshoulders

slumped,andhesatbackontheedgeofthedesk.“HewasCIA?”

“Byproxyonly.HeworkedintheBalkansinthenineties.ForashorttimehewaspartofaunitontheCIA’spayroll.Wegavethemsometrainingaswell.We

dumpedKadicwhenhisgroup...wentrogue,Iguessyoucouldsay.”

“Warcrimes?”“Oftheworstkind.”“Jesus.DotheRussians

knowheusedtobeonCIA’spayroll?”

MaryPatspokeup:“KadichasmadeacareerintheunderworldbyexaggeratinghisformertiestoCIA.Thestoryhe’stold

anyonewhowilllistenmakesitsoundlikehehadacornerofficeontheseventhflooratLangley.Trustme,theRussiansknowKadichasAgencyties.”

“Great,”Jacksaid.“VolodinownsthemediainRussia.TheirmorningpaperswillleadwiththestoryofaCIAhitmanwhackingtheirforeignintelligencedirector.”

Canfieldsaid,“You’ve

gotthatright.Wewilldenyit,ofcourse,forwhatevergooditwilldo.”

MaryPatchangedthesubject.“IheardaboutGolovko.Ishegoingtobeokay?”

Jackshrugged.“Noidea.Foodpoisoningwouldbemyguess,butI’mnotamedicaldoc,justahistorydoc.TheyrushedhimtoGWU.Hewasconscious,butweakand

disoriented.”“Soyoudidn’tgeta

chancetotellhimaboutBiryukov?”

“No.”Hethoughtforamoment.“WithGolovkogoingintothehospital,itwillcomeoutthathewashereintheWhiteHouse.Weneedtogetreadyfortherepercussionsofthis,aswellastheBiryukovkilling.”

MaryPatwhistled,

puttingthetwoeventstogether.“JackRyanwhackstheheadofRussianforeignintelligenceandthenmeetswithatopcriticoftheKremlinonthesameday.”

Canfieldadded,“Whothenpukesuphischickensalad.”

“Yeah,DEFCONtwo,atleast,”Jackmuttered.

Justthen,ScottAdler,thesecretaryofstate,enteredthe

room.“Scott,”Jacksaid,“weneedtogettheRussianambassadorinheresoIcanexpressmycondolencesaboutBiryukov.”

Adlerdidadoubletake.“Ithinkthatmightbeabitexcessive.”

“Therearesomedetailsyoudon’tknowyet.BettergetyourMaaloxoutwhileJaybriefsyouonwhat’sgoingtoshowupinthe

Russianpaperstomorrow.”Adlersatdownslowlyon

thesofa.“Terrific.”

A

10

lonefigurewalkedpurposefullythroughthe

Londonnight,movingsilentlythroughthestreetsofKensington.Heworeablackhoodedsweatshirtandblackcottonpants,sohedisappearedperfectlyinthe

darkbetweenthestreetlamps.Evenwhenhereappearedunderthelights,hisfacewasstillobscuredbyhisbeardandmustache.

Hewalkedwithhisheaddown,andthepackonhisshoulderswungalongwithhisathleticgait.Hemeantbusiness,butthetwomiddle-agedwomenheadinghomefromtheTubestationdidn’tknowjustwhatbusinesshe

wasin.Theysawthemanapproachingthem,andtheycrossedthequietstreet,justtobeonthesafeside.

JackRyan,Jr.,watchedthewomencrossthestreet;hewascertaintheyweredoingittoavoidhim,andhechuckled.Hedidn’tgetanysortofthrilloutofscaringinnocents,butitshowedhimhowfarhehadcomewithhismetamorphosis.

Histransformationhadbeendramatic.Heworeafullbeardandmustachenow,andhe’dcuthishairshorterthanhe’deverwornitinhislife.

WhenhewasatworkatCastorandBoyleRiskAnalytics,JackdressedinbeautifullytailoredsuitsfromashoponJermynStreetjustoffPiccadilly,butawayfromtheofficeheworejeansandsweatshirtsorworkoutgear.

He’dstudiedmartialartsforseveralyears,butnowhewenttoagymonEarl’sCourtRoadeveryday,usuallylateintheevening,astonight,andliftedwithaneyetogainingsomesize.Ineightweeksofheavyweightsandahigh-proteindiethe’dputonnearlytenpounds,mostofitinhischest,back,shoulders,andarms,andthismadehimcarryhimselfdifferentlythan

before.Hiswalkwasalittlelonger,hisfootstepsalittlewider,andheknewenoughaboutsurveillancetechniquestorealizethebenefitofthechangeinhisgait.

Hehadn’tbeenrecognizedbyanystrangersinwelloveramonth,andbynowhewassureevenmostofhisfriendsintheStateswouldwalkrightpasthimonthestreetwithoutanyideawho

hewas.Helikedthefeelingof

anonymity,despitethejokesheheardfromthosearoundtheofficeabouthisrelentlessworkoutscheduleandhisnewfacialhair.

Inadditiontohisextracurricularactivities,Ryanhadbeenputtinginmorethanfiftyhoursaweekatwork.Hehadbeenassignedtoacaseforaclient

namedMalcolmGalbraith,aScottishbillionaireintheoilandgasindustrywhoownedseveralcompaniesaroundtheworld,includingalargenatural-gas-explorationconcernthatminedineasternSiberia.AfterheandotherprivateinvestorspouredbillionsintobuildingGalbraithRossiyaEnergyupfromnothing,takingadecadetoexploreanddrillinthe

harshenvironsofSiberia,theyfinallybeganearningaprofit.

Butwithinayearofachievingprofitability,andwithnowarningwhatsoever,thecompanywashauledintoacourtroominVladivostokonchargesoftaxevasion.BeforeGalbraithcouldgetonaplaneforRussiatotrytosortthewholemessout,theentirecompanywasordered

liquidatedbytheRussiantaxofficetorepayitsdebts.Remarkably,allthecompany’sholdingsandcapitalequipmentwereorderedtobesoldimmediatelyatridiculousknockdownprices,completelywipingoutthevalueofthesharesownedbyMalcolmGalbraithandtheotherforeignshareholders.

Theultimaterecipientof

theassetswasGazprom,Russia’squasi-state-ownednatural-gasconcernandthelargestcompanyinRussia.Gazprompaidundertenpercentoftheactualvalue,andofcourse,theydidnotspendasinglerubleduringtheyearsofR&Drequiredtomakethespeculativeenterpriseprofitable.

Gazpromremoved“Galbraith”fromthenameof

thenatural-gasexplorationcompany,andtheyhadRossiyaEnergyrunningagainwithindays.

Theentireaffairwasblatanttheft;theRussianstatehadunabashedlycolludedtorenationalizeacompanyafterforeignprivatebusinesshadspentbillionstoachieveprofitability.

MalcolmGalbraithhadhiredCastorandBoyletodig

throughthesludgeofthemurkydealsothat,hehoped,hecouldfindevidenceofcriminalwrongdoingandrecoupsomeofhishugelossesincourt.NotinaRussiancourt.Allpartiesknewthatwouldbefutile.ButGazpromownedcompaniesandpartsofcompaniesallovertheworld.IfCastorandBoylecouldsomehowtieanyofthese

worldwideassetsdirectlytothemissingbillions,thenacourtinthethird-partynationjustmightawardtheassetstoMalcolmGalbraith.

Jackwasinthecenterofthiscomplicatedbutfascinatingcaseaswellasothermoremundanemergers,acquisitions,andmarketresearchtasks:othersituationswherein-depthbusinessintelligencewas

Jrequired.

—ackRyan,Jr.,madeithometohisflaton

LexhamGardens,andhepeeledoutofhisworkoutclothes.Hewasjustabouttoclimbintotheshowerwhenhisphonerang.

“Hello?”“Jack,oldboy.Sorryto

wakeyoufromyourbeauty

sleep.”Ryanrecognizedthe

voiceasbelongingtoSandyLamont,hismanageratCastorandBoyle.“Iseverythingokay?”

“Nochanceyou’veseenthenews?”

“Whatnews?”“Bloodyawfulstuff,I’m

afraid.TonyHaldanewaskilledtonight.”

Jackonlyknewof

Haldane,he’dcertainlynevermetthefamousfundmanager,thoughhisofficebuildingwasjustafewblocksawayfromwhereJackworked.

“Damn.Killedhow?”“Looksliketerrorismor

somethinglikethat.SomebodyblewuparestaurantinMoscow.TheheadofRussia’sforeignsecurityagencywasthere.

He’sagoner,too.ItseemsTonyhadthemisfortuneofeatingatthesameplaceassomeoneonahitlist,pooroldsod.”

JackknewinstantlythatSandywascallinghimbecauseofthehigh-stakesbusinessimplicationsofthedeathofoneofTheCity’smostsuccessfulinternationalfundmanagers—inRussia,noless.ButJack’smindwas

outofTheCityatthemoment,andbackintheD.C.area.HethoughtofTheCampusandtheactivitytheassassinationofoneofRussia’stwointelchiefswoulddototheoperationaltempofortheanalyststhere.PerhapstherewouldevenbeanincreaseintheOPTEMPOfortheoperationsarmoftheorganization.

No.Scratchthat

thought...Theyareallonstand-down,aren’tthey?

“That’sterrible,”Jackreplied.

“TerribleforHaldane,”Sandyagreed.“Notsoterribleforusifwelookoverhisclientlistforprospects.TherewillbealotofworriedinvestorswithoutHaldanepilotingtheship.Theywillpullmoneyoutofhisfundandstartlookingfornew

placestostashit,andthey’llneedafirmlikeCastorandBoyletohelpthemvetpotentialopportunities.”

“Wow,Sandy,”Jacksaid.“That’scold.”

“Itiscold.Itisalsomoney.It’stherealworld.”

“Igetit,”Ryansaid.“ButI’mslammedrightnow.I’vegotconferencecallsalldaytomorrowwithinvestigatorsinMoscow,Cyprus,

Liechtenstein,andGrandCayman.”

Lamontjustbreathedintothephoneforamoment.Thenhesaid,“Aren’tyouthepitbull?”

“I’mtrying.”“Youknow,Jack,the

Galbraithcaseisaparticularlytoughone,asitisstartingtolookmoreandmorelikewell-positionedtypesinthetaxofficewere

involved.Frommyexperience,thesetypesofcasesareneverresolvedtothesatisfactionofourclients.”

Ryanasked,“AreyousuggestingIdon’tbother?”

“No,no.Nothinglikethat.Justsuggestingthatyoudon’tbreakyourbackonit.You’vehiredinvestigatorsinfivecountries,you’vepulledalotofresourcesfromour

legaldepartment,ouraccountingdepartment,ourtranslationdepartment.”

“Galbraith’sgotthemoney,”Jackcountered.“It’snotlikewe’repayingforit.”

“True,butwedon’twanttogetboggeddownwithonecase.Wewantnewcases,newopportunities,becausethat’swheretherealmoneylies.”

“Whatareyousaying,

Sandy?”“Justawarning.Iwas

youngandhungryonce.WantedtobloodywellfixthesystembyshiningalightonalltheschemesinRussia,tomakeadifference.Butthesystemiscracked,man.Youcan’tbeatthebloodyKremlin.Youaregoingtogetyourselfburnedoutwiththisworkrate,anditwillleaveyoufrustratedashellwhenit

doesn’tpanout.”Hepaused;itseemedtoRyanhewasstrugglingforthewords.“Don’tshootallyourpowderonthistarget.It’salostcause.Bringsomeofthatkillerinstincttowardgettingnewclients.That’swherethemoneyis.”

JacklikedSandyLamont.Hewasintelligentandfunnyand,eventhoughJackhadworkedwithhimforonlya

fewmonths,theforty-year-oldEnglishmanhadtakenJackunderhiswingandtreatedhimalmostlikeakidbrother.

Itwasacutthroatindustryhewasinnow.Notliterally,ofcourse,butfigurativelyspeaking;thewell-dressedmenandwomeninTheCitywerealwayshuntingopportunities,andalwaysprotectingwhatthey

hadwithvehemence.Jackcouldnothelp

thinkingthatsomeoftheirangerandexcitementinchasingthenextbuckorpoundoryenorrublewasrathermisplaced,consideringthelife-and-deathstruggleshehimselfhadbeeninvolvedinoverthepastfewyears.

Jackwishedlikehellhewasbackwiththeguys,sittingonClark’sporchwith

abeerandbrainstormingwaystofindoutdetailsofwhathappenedthiseveninginMoscow.Thecamaraderiehe’dexperiencedinthepastfewyearswassomethinghe’dalmosttakenforgranted.Nowthathewashere,onhisown,allhecoulddowaswonderwhattherestofthemenofTheCampuswereuptobackintheStates.

Hefeltincrediblyalone

andunimportanthereinLondontonight,despitethefactthathiscolleaguewasontheotherendofthephone.

Suckitup,Jack.Yousignedontodoajobandyouwilldamnwelldoit.

“Youthere,mate?”“Yeah,Sandy.I’mhere.

I’llbetherefirstthinginthemorning.WecanstartcomingupwithaplantopitchtoHaldane’sclients.”

“That’swhatIliketohear.Killerinstinct.Seeya.”Lamonthungup.

Jacksteppedintotheshower.Killerinstinct.Ifyouonlyknew,Sandy.

T11

heWhiteHousemighthavebeenreferredtoasthe

People’sHouse,butforthelastdecadenofamilyhadlivedwithinitswallsmorethantheRyans.

PresidentJackRyanmay

havebeenwellintothesecondyearofhisfinalterminoffice,buthestillfeltlikeanoutsiderhere.HisrealhomewasupinMaryland.TheWhiteHousewasatemporaryaddressforhim,andthoughhehadtoadmitheenjoyedmuchoftheworkofbeingthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,hewouldalsoenjoyretiringbacktotheshoresoftheChesapeake

Bay,onceandforall.Anhourbeforeheading

tobed,RyanstrolledintothemainresidenceoftheWhiteHouseafterputtinginafulleveningofworkintheOvalOffice.HeandCathywentintoJack’sprivatestudy,andtogethertheycalledGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospitaltocheckontheconditionofSergeyGolovko.Theylearnednothingnew;a

barrageoftestswerebeingrunandtheRussianremainedweak,withlowbloodpressureandalitanyofgastrointestinalandendocrinalcomplaints.HehadbeenmovedtotheICUwhiletheydiagnosedhiscondition,buthewasconsciousandalert,ifveryuncomfortable.

JackandCathythankedthedoctorsfortheirefforts,

thenJackforcedhimselftobrightenhismoodsohecouldaccompanyCathyontheirnightlyroundsoftuckinginthekidsforbed.

EveningsattheWhiteHousewerenotverydifferentfrombedtimeinmosthomeswithchildreninAmerica.Justaseverywhere,thenightlyordealofgettingthekidstobrushtheirteethandreadytogotosleephappenedmore

smoothlysomenightsthanothers.

TheyfirstdroppedintosaygoodnighttoKyleDaniel.HisroomwastheWestBedroom,anditlookedinmanywayslikemostAmericanboys’bedrooms;thereweretoychestsbrimmingwithtraintracks,actionfigures,puzzles,andboardgames,andthebedspreadandcurtainshada

NASAmotif,withplanetsandsatellitesandastronautsonaseaofblackskyandstars.

Theroomwasn’thuge,butitwasadmittedlylargerandstatelierthantheaverageeight-year-oldboy’sroom.ThishadbeenthebedroomofJohnF.Kennedy,Jr.,whenhewasatoddler,andRonaldReaganusedtheroomasagym.

Kyle’sroomwasn’tterriblyneat,whichderivedchieflyfromCathyandJack’sinstructionstobothchildrentopickupafterthemselves.Jackconstantlyremindedthekidstheywouldn’thaveattendantsattheirbeckandcallfortheirentirelives,sotherewasnosenseinbecomingoverlyaccustomedanddependentonthem.

Kyleseemedtobe

geneticallypredisposedtoremovingLegos,trains,Matchboxcars,andothersmall,sharpobjectsfromhistoyboxandleavingthemalloverthefloor.

AlthoughtheRyansgavefirminstructionstotheresidencestafftoleaveenoughofthedailystraighteningtothekidsthattheycoulddeveloparespectforresponsibility,morethan

onceJackpassedKyle’sroomandcaughtoneoftheSecretServiceagentsscoopinguptoysandputtingthembackonashelforinatoybox.Eachtime,thePresidentwouldleaninthedoorwaywithalonggazeattheoffendingagent,andeachtime,theagentwouldsheepishlymakesomeexcuse,usuallysayingthecleanupwasonlyfor

operationalreasons,sinceshemightneedtocrosstheroomquicklytogettoKyle,andhavinganeight-inch-longLegofiretruckinthewaymightsomehowcompromiseherabilitytoaccomplishhermission.

Jackwouldinvariablyraiseaneyebrow,giveatinysmile,andshakehisheadbeforemovingon.

O—

nceKylewastuckedinforthenight,Jackand

CathysteppeddownthehalltocheckonKatie.Katie’sroomwastheEastBedroom;ithadbeenNancyReagan’sstudyandCarolineKennedy’sbedroom,aswellasthebedroomsof“FirstKids”TriciaNixon,SusanFord,andAmyCarter.Itwas

noticeablyneaterthanKyle’sroom,duechieflytothefactthatshewastenyearsoldtoKyle’seight.Onthefarwallstoodatalldetailedplayhouse,areplicaoftheWhiteHouseitself,andthis,alongwithacanopiedbedinlavender,dominatedtheroom.OnatablewasaphotoofabeamingKatiewithasmilingMarcellaHilton,aSecretServiceagentwho

diedwhilesavingKatie’slifeduringakidnappingattempt.Katiedidnotrememberheranymore,butbothherparentswantedtohonorMarcella’smemorybykeepingherpictureintheWhiteHouseresidence,andtheyhopedfuturePresidentsandFirstLadieswouldreflectontheimportanceoftheworkoftheSecretService.

Oncethekidswere

tuckedin,JackandCathywentbacktotheirbedroom.Heretheybothclimbedintobedandgrabbedreadingmaterial.Shepickedupthismonth’scopyoftheAmericanJournalofOphthalmology.JackopenedupanewbookabouttheLondonNavalConferenceof1930.

Theyreadinsilenceforhalfanhourbeforeflipping

J

offthelightsandkissinggoodnight.

—ackandCathyhadbeenasleepfornomorethana

fewminuteswhenJackawoketothesoundofthebedroomdooropening.

Jacksatupquickly;asPresidentoftheUnitedStates,hehadgrownsoaccustomedtotheselate-

nightrousingshewasnolongersurprisedtobebroughtoutofadeadsleepbydoorsopeningormenstandingoverhim.NormallyhelikedtofollowthenightwatchofficerbacktotheWestSittingHallsotheycouldtalkwithoutdisturbingCathy.ButasJackputhisfeetonthefloorandreachedforhisglasses,theoverheadlightinthebedroomcameon.

Thishadneverhappenedbefore.

Surprisedandimmediatelyonguard,JackputonhisglassesandsawSecretServiceagentJoeO’Hearnmovingquicklytowardthebed.

“Whatisit?”Jackasked,nosmallamountofconcerninhisvoice.

“I’msorry,Mr.President,thereisasituation.Weneed

tomoveyouandyourfamilyintotheWestWing.”

“TheWestWing?”Thatdidn’tmakesensetoJack,buthewasupandmovingbeforehequestionedO’Hearnanyfurtheraboutthedanger.JackhadenormousrespectfortheworkoftheSecretService,andheknewthelastthingtheyneededwasforhimtoactlikeabelligerentjackassinamomentofcrisis.

Hedidaskonemorequestion,though.“Thekids?”

“We’vegotthem,”O’HearnassuredthePresident.

JackgrabbedhisrobeandturnedtoCathy,whowasupandpullingonherownrobe,and,thoughstillpushingoutthecobwebsfromhersleepybrain,sherushedoutthedoorwithO’Hearnandherhusband.

Thekidswereinthehallwaywiththeirleadagents.Together,theRyanfamilyandtheirfourprotectorsmovedquicklybutcalmlyenoughdownthestairs.

O’Hearnspokeintohisheadset.“HeadingdownwithSWORDSMAN,SURGEON,SPRITE,andSANDBOX.ETAthreeminutes.”

Ryan’sSecretService

codenamewasSWORDSMAN;Cathywascode-namedSURGEON,quiteunderstandably;andKatieandKylewentbySANDBOXandSPRITE,respectively.

Aminutelater,thefourmembersoftheRyanfamilywereusheredoutsideandthroughtheWestColonnade.Thekidswalkedsleepilywiththeirparents,butJackknewitwouldbelessthanaminute

beforeKatiebeganavirtualinquisitionaboutwhatwasgoingon.Hehopedhe’dgetsomeanswersbeforeshestartedpepperinghimwithinterrogatories.

ThereweresixSecretServiceagentsaroundthemnowinaphalanx;Ryansawnogunsout,andnoonewasshoutingorrushingtheentouragealong,buttheentiredetailwasactinglike

therewassomesortofthreatouttherefromwhichthePresidentandhisfamilyneededtobesecured.

O’Hearnconferredwithsomeonethroughhisearpieceashekepteveryonemovingquickly.HesaidtoRyan,“We’regoingtoputyouintheOvalOfficeforamoment.”

JacklookedatO’Hearnastheywalked.“Idon’t

understand,Joe.WhatthehellkindofthreatispresentintheWhiteHousebedroombutnottwenty-fiveyardsawayintheWestWing?”

“I’mnotsure,sir,butIamtoldIneedtogetyououtoftheresidence.”

“WhataboutSallyandJunior?”Ryan,notunderstandingthenatureofthethreat,quitereasonablywonderedifhisotherchildren

wereinsimilardanger.O’Hearndidn’tseemto

know.HewasclearlyoperatingoninformationjustafewsecondsremovedfromwhatthePresidentwasgettingfromhim.Hedidn’thaveacluewhatwasgoingon;hewasmerelygettinghisprincipalsoutoftheresidenceasordered.

AssoonasJackenteredtheOvalOfficehewalked

straighttohisdeskandgrabbedhisphone.HestartedtodialArnieVanDamm,butthechiefofstaffcamethroughthedoorthatledtohisoffice.JackcouldtellArniehadbeenworkinglate.Histiewasoffandhissleeveswererolledup.

HemotionedforJackandO’Hearntofollowhimbackintothecorridor,awayfromthechildren,andthenhesaid,

“Cathy,whydon’tyoucome,too?”

ThissurprisedJackandCathyboth,butCathytoldKyleandKatietowaitwiththeSecretServiceteam,andthethreeadultslefttheroom.

“Whatisit?”Jackasked.Arniesaid,“TheSecret

ServicestationhereintheWhiteHousejusttookacallfromGW.TestscamebackonSergeyGolovko.Heis

sufferingfromradiationexposure.”

“Radiation?”“Yes.Theyseeitasvery

unlikelythattheWhiteHousehasbeenseriouslycompromisedbydangerouslevelsofthematerial,butjusttobeonthesafeside,theywantedyouandyourfamilyout.”

Jackturnedwhite.“MyGod!Cathy,youheldthe

maninyourarms.”Dr.CathyRyanseemed

upsetaboutwhatshehadjustheardaboutSergeybutoddlyunconcernedaboutherself.Shedismissedherhusband’sconcernswithaquickwave.“Itdoesn’tworklikethat.They’llhavetocheckmeout,I’msure.ButI’llbefine.”

“Howcanyoupossiblyknowthat?”

“Becausethiswasn’t

somethinghehadalloverhisbody.Thewayhelookedthisafternoon.Itmakessensenow.That’snotaguywhoateabadmeal.Andit’snotaguywhoabsorbedtoomanyX-rays.Hewasexhibitingtheclassicsignsofingestingalargeamountofaradioactiveisotope.Hewaspoisoned.”

SheturnedtoArnie.“Polonium?”

“I...Ihavenoidea.The

hospitalisstillrunningtests.”Cathyseemedcertain.

“They’llfindpoloniuminhim.”ShelookedatJack.“Sorry,Jack.Ifitisbadenoughtomakehimassickashewastoday,it’slethal.Thereisnoantidote.”

RyanturnedtoO’Hearn.“Iwanteverybodyoutoftheresidence.Everylastcook,steward,securityman,andjanitor.”

JoeO’Hearnsaid,“Underwayaswespeak,sir.”

Cathyadded,“NooneshouldbeallowedintheWhiteHouseresidencewithoutlevel-threehazmatgearwhiletheysweepandclean.It’sjustaprecaution.They’llturnuphighlevelsoftheisotope,maybetheywillhavetodecontaminatethecutleryheusedandtheglasshedrankfrom,butnothing

morethanthat.”Shethoughtforamoment.“Maybethebathroomwillneedtobedecontaminated,too.”

Jackwasn’tsosure,butitwashisjobtoalsoconsiderthepoliticalramificationsofthis.ToArniehesaid,“We’llletthemdowhattheyhavetodointheresidence,butthiswillnotaffecttheworkoftheExecutiveBranch.Businessasusualhere,okay?”

“Jack,”Arniesaid.“Weneedtounderstandwhatwe’redealingwithhere.MaybeGolovkowasn’tthetarget.Maybehewastheweapon.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”“Thiscouldhavebeenan

assassinationattemptonyouandyourfamily.AnattempttodecapitatetheU.S.government.”

Cathysaid,“Idon’tthink

so,Arnie.”SheturnedtoAgentO’Hearn.“WeneedtogetJackcheckedoutjusttobesure,butIfeelcertainanyonewhohadaccesstopoloniumandtheabilitytopoisonSergeywillhavedonetheirhomework.ThelevelofcontactSergeyhadwithJackwastooincidentaltobeanythreat.”

Sheadded,“Idon’tbelieveforasecondthatJack

wasthetarget.”PresidentRyantrusted

hiswifeonthis,sohewasthinkingofthelargerpicture.“Thereisnowayinhellthiscanstayunderwraps.EspeciallyifIhavetogotothehospitaltogettestsrun.Weneedtogetoutinfrontofthisasmuchaspossible.”

VanDammsaid,“Ahigh-profileRussiandissidentgettingpoisoned,presumably

whileintheU.S.,andexposingtheWhiteHousetocontamination?Thisisn’tgoingtolookgood,Jack.”

“Noshit.”Ryansighed.“Sorry,Arnie.Youaredoingwhatyouhavetodo.Butwe’lldealwithithead-on.It’stheonlyway.”

JackwalkedbackwithCathyintotheOvalOffice,andtheyspentafewminuteswiththechildren,lettingthem

knowthateverythingwasfine.Cathyexplainedthatavisitorhadbecomesick,andtheyneededtocleanuptheplaceshevisitedverycarefully,buttherewasnothingatalltoworryabout.

Kylewassoldontheexplanationassoonashelearnedhisfatherwouldlethimsleeponthecouchinhisoffice.Katiewasoldenoughandcleverenoughtoraiseher

eyebrowsindoubt,butCathymanagedtoconvinceherthattheyweresafeafteralittlemorefrankexplanation.

WithinminutesCathywasseatedatthedeskintheOvalOffice,gettingintouchwithdoctorsonthecaseatGeorgeWashington,probingfordetailsaboutGolovko’sconditionthatcouldnotberelayedbyVanDamm,whomighthavebeenonehellofa

chiefofstaff,buthewasclearlynodoctor.ShethenwokeupcolleaguesatJohnsHopkins,expertsinnuclearmedicineandradiationsickness,obtainedtheirconfidentiality,andaskedthemfortheirtakeonthesituation.

Ryanlethiswifetakecharge;heknewhewasluckytohaveherexpertiseonhandinthefirstmomentsofthis

crisissohecouldfocusonwhatheneededtodo.HeheadedovertoArnie’sofficeandtheyconcentratedonthepoliticalfallout,which,hewasafraid,wouldbeeverybitasradioactive.Thetwoofthemcalledinthenationalsecurityteam,askingthemtogetinassoonaspossible.TheWestWingwasallbutclosedfortheevening,buttheyorderedcoffeetobesent

J

totheCabinetRoominadvanceofthemiddle-of-the-nightmeeting.

—ackheadedintothedimlylitCabinetRoom,and

Cathymethimtheremomentslater.Theysatdownatthelongtable.“WhatdidyouhearfromGW?”heasked.

Cathysaid,“He’sbad,

Jack.Theysuspectahighdoseofpolonium-210.”

“Whydidn’ttheyknowthisimmediately?”

“Thehospitaldidn’tcheckforitwhenhecamein.It’ssorare,it’sjustnotpartofanynormaltoxicologyscreening.”

“Andhowradioactiveishe?”

Cathysighed.Passingonbadnewswasanunfortunate

partofherjob;shehadalotofexperiencewithit.Thereweretimeswhenalittlesugarcoatingwasnecessary.ButthiswasJack;sheknewhe’dwantthefactsascut-and-driedasshecouldpossiblymakethem.Shesaid,“Letmeexplainitthisway.Ifheisnotcremated,afterhedies,hisboneswillbehissingwithradioactivityformorethanadecade.”

“Unbelievable.”“Bymass,polonium-210

isaquarterofamilliontimesmoredeadlythancyanide.Aportionthesizeofagrainofsalt,ifingested,ismorethanenoughtokillafull-sizedman.”

“IthoughtwehadradiationdetectorsintheWhiteHouse?”

“Poloniumemitsalphaparticles.Theydon’tshowup

aswellonradiationdetectors.That’salsowhyitiseasytosmuggleintothecountry.”

“Terrific,”Jackmumbled.“Butyouarecertainyouareokay?”

“Yes.Theeffectsaredose-dependent,andIdidn’tgetanydosetospeakof.YoutouchedGolovkoyourself,whenyoushookhishand.Theywilltestus,butaslongaswedidn’tingestthe

poison,wearefine.”“Howthehelldoyou

knowmoreaboutthisthanIdo?”

Cathyansweredwithashrug.“I’maroundradiationeveryday,Jack.Youlearntotakeitseriously.Butyoualsolearntolivewithit.”

“Sergey’sreallygoingtodie?”

Cathynoddedgrimly.“Idon’tknowhowmuchhewas

poisonedwith,buttheamountwillonlydeterminehowlonghesuffers.Forhissake,Ihopewhoeverdidthisgavehimalargedose.I’dguesshehasnomorethanacoupleofdays.I’msosorry.Iknowhewasyourfriend.”

“Yeah.Wegobackalongway.”

T12

henationalsecurityteammetintheCabinetRoomatone

a.m.MaryPatFoleywasthere,asweretheheadsofNSA,CIA,andHomelandSecurity,aswellasthesecretaryofstate,the

secretaryofdefense,andthechairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff.AttorneyGeneralDanMurraystoodoutsidetheOvalOfficeconferringwithhisseniorstaffbothinpersonandoverthephone,andhesteppedinwiththeothersonlyasthemeetingwasgettingstarted.

JayCanfield,directoroftheCIA,settheagendawithhisopeningcomment:

“Ladiesandgentlemen,I’mjustgoingtogorightoutandsayit.IfanyoneinthisroomdoubtsforasecondthattheKremlinisresponsibleforthis,theyarehopelesslynaive.Youhavetounderstand,thismaterialisveryuncommon.Onlyaboutonehundredgramsareproducedworldwideeachyear.Productionishighlycontrolledandstorageis

highlyregulated.Weknowwhereourpoloniumis.”

PresidentRyansaid,“Youdon’thavetosellmeontheconceptthatthiswasanassassinationattemptbytheKremlin.”

“Mr.President.I’msorry.Iknowheisyourfriend.Butthiswasnoassassinationattempt.Itwasanassassination.SergeyGolovkoisnotdeadyet.But

it’sjustamatteroftime.”Jacknoddedsoberly.MaryPatFoleyspoke

fromherseatonRyan’sleft.“GolovkowasathorninValeriVolodin’sside.OfcourseVolodinkilledhim.Thequestionis,canweproveit?”

AGMurraysaid,“We’llhavetodosomemoretesting,butthechemicalpropertieswillleadusbacktoaspecific

nuclearreactor.I’mgoingtoventuretoguessthatreactorwillbesomewhereinRussia.”

ScottAdlerasked,“Ifthisissoeasilytraceable,whydidn’ttheyjustkillhimsomeotherway?”

MaryPatFoleytookthisone.“Forthesamereasontheydidn’tkillhiminLondon.Look,IseethisaspaybackforEstonia.They

killthePresident’sfriendandtheyblameusatthesametime.”

Adlerdidn’tbuythatlineofthinking.“ButwewillbeabletoprovetheRussiansdidthis.”

NowRyanreenteredtheconversation.“Proveittowhom?Aboardofscientists?TheaveragepersoninRussiaorevenintheWest,forthatmatter,isn’tgoingtobelieve

ourassertionsthatwecanprovetheKremlindidthis,noraretheygoingtoreadsomethird-partyscientificstudythatcorroboratestheclaim.”

MaryPatsaid,“Theywillsaywedidittoframethem.”

Adlershookhishead.“Thatisridiculous.”

Ryanrubbedhistiredeyes.“I’dbetseventy,seventy-fivepercentofhis

domesticpopulationwillbelieveVolodin.We’veseenthisoverandoverinthepastyear—he’splayingtohisownroom.Russia,andalltheothercountriesinthatpartoftheworld,areundertheeffectsofRussian-dominatedinformationalspace.RussianTV,whichismoreorlessstate-controlled,liketheolddays,isbroadcastallovertheregion.Russiahasamassive

leguponusasfarasgivingtheirperspectiveonanyissue.TheoutsideworldtothemajorityofpeopleintheformerSovietUnionistheenemy,evenforthosewhoarenobigfansoftheKremlin.”

Ryansaid,“TheheadofSVR,andtheformerheadofSVR,bothtargetedthesameday.Somethingbigishappening,anditisthejobof

everyoneheretofindoutwhatitis.”

Themeetingbrokeupafewminuteslater,butDanMurray,ArnieVanDamm,andMaryPatFoleyremainedbehind.Ryansaid,“Dan,whileyougetstartedonyourinvestigation,IamgoingtotalktoSergeymyself.”

Murrayreplied,“Ilookedintogettingastatementoutofhimalready.Youcan’ttalkto

himnow.He’sinICUandisbeingtreated.Eveniftheycouldwakehim,heisonmedicationtowherehecoulddolittlemorethanstareatyou.”

Jackwasundeterred.“It’sintheinterestsofU.S.nationalsecuritythatheismadecoherentenoughtocommunicate.Talktohisdoctors,makeithappen.Ihatetodothistohim,but

trustme,hewouldunderstand.Heknowstheimportanceofinformationinacrisis,andbothofournationsareatrisk.”

ArnieVanDammsaid,“Look,Jack.MaybewecansetupaCCTVbetweentheWestWingandhisroomintheICU,butIdon’twantyouexposedto—”

“I’mgoingtothehospital.Heismyfriend.I

wanttotalktohiminperson.IfIhavetobedecontaminatedafterorifIhavetowearafuckingrubbersuit,Istillowehimaface-to-facevisit,especiallyconsideringthefactI’morderinghisdoctorstowakehimupandtakehimoffthesedation.”

Murraysaid,“Ifyouaregoingtopushforthis,I’dliketogetanagentinthereto

interviewhim,too.Wecanseeifheknowswhenandhowthishappened.”

“That’sfine,”Jacksaid.“ButtheygoinafterItalktohim.Weneedtocatchtheassassin,butthelargerramificationsofthisareevenmoreimportant.Idon’twantthemtowearhimoutbeforeIgetachancetotalktohim.”

Jacksippedhiscoffee.“IwishIthoughtfindingthe

culpritinGolovko’spoisoningwouldleadbacktoVolodinandcuthimoffattheknees.TherearethoseintheWest,thoseonthemargins,whowillbeswayed,butthat’snotthepoint.”

DanMurray,thelaw-and-orderman,said,“Thepointistocatchanassassin.I’vegotmybestpeopleonit.Wewillfindoutwhen,where,andhow.Thewhyis

goingtohavetocomefromCIAorState,Iguess.”

Ryanputdownhiscupandthoughtabouttheprospectsofcatchingtheassassin.“WhoeverdidthisisprobablylonggonefromtheU.S.CIAorStatemightendupinvolvedinthetakedownoftheperpetrators.Keepthemupdatedontheinvestigation.”

Murraynodded.“Will

do.”Heshookhishead.“Canyoubelieveit’scometothis?WhatthehellhashappenedtoRussia?We’dcomesofarsincetheColdWar.AfewyearsagoIwasoverthere,workinghandinhandwiththeirInteriorMinistry.”

Ryansaid,“AndIsupportedtheirshort-livedmovetoNATO,helpedthemintheirconflictwithChina.Timeschange.”

MaryPatsaid,“Theleadershipchanged,andthatchangedthetimes.”

“Allright,everyone,keepmeposted.”JacklookedtoArnie.Beforehecouldsayaword,Arniespoke.

“Iknow.Youwanttobemadeavailableforanyonehereiftheyneedyou.”

“Yougotit.”

T13

henewU.S.embassyinKiev,Ukraine,wasonA.I.Sikorsky

Street,inaleafysectiononthewesternsideofthecity.Deepwithinthewallsofthesprawlingcompound,theCIAstationoccupiedasix-

roomprofessionalsuiteonthethirdfloorofthemainembassybuilding.Duringthedayasmallcadreofcaseofficers,administrativeassistants,andsecretariesfilledthecubiclesandoffices,butintheeveningthespacehadatendencytoquietdown.Virtuallyeveryweeknightatninep.m.,however,thelightsinthesmallbutwell-appointedbreakroomflicked

on,andagaggleofmostlymiddle-aged,mostlywhitemenpulledwhiskeyandscotchoutofacupboardandsatatoneofthebreakroom’slargeroundtables.

ThechiefofKievStationwasaforty-eight-year-oldNewJerseyannamedKeithBixby.Heranasizablestaffofcaseofficershereattheembassy,eachofwhomwastaskedwithrunningagentsin

theUkrainiangovernment,military,andlocalbusinesses,aswellaswithreachingouttodiplomaticpersonnelfromothernationswhowerethemselvesstationedinthecity.

FormanyyearsKievStationwasgivenshortshriftbyLangleyforthesimplereasonthatthebestandthebrightestofficers,alongwiththevastmajorityofthe

dollars,wenttocombatingIslamicterrorism,meaningthisandotherformerSovietrepublicswererelegatedtoyesterday’snews.

Butthishadchanged,slowly,atfirst—withtheendofthewarsinIraqandAfghanistanandthereductioninfocusontheMiddleEastingeneral—andthenmorequickly,withtheascendanceofValeriVolodintopowerin

Moscowandhisimperialisticaspirations.TheformerSovietrepublicsbeganreceivingmorefocusfromLangley,andnowherewasthatrenewedfocusmoreimportantthaninKiev.

EventhoughtheCIAwasputtingresourcesintoUkraineagain,itremainedatoughpostingforKeithBixbyandhisteam.Thecountrywasdividedbetweenthe

nationalisticandsomewhatpro-Westernwestsideofthenation,andthestaunchlypro-Russianeasternsideofthecountry.Russiaitselfwasactivelymeddlinginthenation’saffairs,andlikeadarkcloud,averyrealthreatofRussianmilitarypowerbeingusedagainstthenationhungovereveryone’shead.

KeithBixbyhadstartedhiscareerasayoungcase

officerinMoscow,butbecauseofhisorganization’sfocusonIslamic-basedterrorism,hehadspenttheentirepastdecadeinSaudiArabia,scramblingtolearnthelayofthelandinacompletelydifferentenvironmentandculturefromwhathewasaccustomedto.Onlyninemonthsearlierhadthatphaseofhiscareerended,andhewasgiventhe

toppostinginKiev.AndKievwas,asfaras

hewasconcerned,groundzeroinU.S.dealingswithRussia.

Sure,COSMoscowwouldbeamoreprominentposting,buttheMoscowStationchief’smovementswerehighlycontrolledandcurtailed.Ofcourse,KeithknewtherewereFSBagentshereinKiev,andtheywere

nodoubtmonitoringU.S.embassypersonneltotheextenttheycould.ButBixbyandhiscaseofficershadalotmoremobilityaroundthecityandmuchmoreaccesstothecordonsoflocalpowerthaniftheyhadbeenworkinginRussiaitself,andforthisreasonhefeltKievwasabetterandmoreimportantplacetoserveasCOS.

Bixbyworkedextremely

hardathisdifficultjob,andhe’dbeengettinglessthanfivehoursofsleepanighteversincetheconflictupnorthinEstonia,butherewardedhimselfeveryeveningbygettingtogetheragroupofhisstafftoplayTexas-hold-’empokeranddrinkJackDaniel’sandCuttySark.

Asmuchashewishedhecouldhangoutinalocalpub

andtakeinthenightlifehereinKiev,hispokergameswerewithhiscaseofficers,andtheydoubledasonemoreopportunitytotalkshopeachday.Thatwouldn’tbepossibleinthecity,ofcourse,sotheoffice’sboringandantiseptic-smellingbreakroomwasthevenueforthenightlyevent.

SomeofBixby’sbestcaseofficerswerewomen,

whichcameasnosurprisetohim,becauseMaryPatFoleywasknowninCIAcirclesasperhapsthebeston-the-groundcaseofficereveremployedbytheAgency.ButeveryfemalecaseofficeronBixby’sstaffhadafamily,andjugglingtheirdifficultjobsalongwithadomesticlifewastoughenoughwithoutaddingontheadditionalchoreofheading

backuptotheofficeeacheveningtoplaypokerwiththeboss.

Keithandahalf-dozenofhisstaffhadbeenattheirtableformorethananhourwhenBenHerman,theyoungestcaseofficerinthestation,enteredthebreakroomwithafolderinhishand.

Oneofthemenatthetablelookedupfromhis

cardsandsaid,“Ben,ifthatfolderinyourhandiswork,thengetoutofhere.Ifit’sfullofcashthatyou’rereadytolose,sitdownandI’lldealyouinthenexthand.”

Thetableeruptedinlaughter;itwasfunnierafterafewshotsofJack,butCOSBixbywavedawayhissubordinate’scommentandsaid,“You’vegotsomethingyouwanttoshowme?”

Benpulledupachair.“Nothingearthshaking,butIthoughtyoumightbeabletohelp.”Theyoungofficeropenedthefolderandpulledoutseveraleight-by-tenblack-and-whitephotographs.Bixbytookthemandspreadthemoutonthetableoverthepokerchipsandcards.

“Wheredidthesecomefrom?”

“Igotthemfromaguyin

theUkrainianArmywhogotthemfromaguyintheSSU.”TheSecurityServiceofUkrainewasthefederallawenforcementarmofthenation’sjudicialsystem,akintotheFBIintheUnitedStates.“Thesephotoscamefromthecorruptionandorganized-crimedivision.”

Thephotoswereseveralshotsofthesamegroupofsixmen,allwearingcoatsand

standinginfrontofarestaurant,smokingcigarettesandtalking.TheyweredefinitelySlavicinappearance;fiveofthemlookedliketheywereintheirlatetwentiestomid-thirties;onemanwasmucholder,perhapsinhislatefifties.

Bixbywhistled.“Lookattheseblockheads.OC?”OCwasshorthandfororganizedcrime.

Hermanreachedforabagofpretzelsonthetableandgrabbedahandful.“Yeah,theythinkso.ThisgroupwasphotographedmeetingwithenforcersfortheShaliWanderers,whichisafranchiseofaChechengroupactivehereinKiev.”

BixbygaveHermanalook.“Kid,Ididn’tjustshipinthismorning.”

“Oh...sorry,boss.I

counttanksandhelicopters.OCisn’tmybeat.I’dneverheardoftheShaliWanderersbeforetoday.IguessI’mnotallthatfamiliarwiththemafiaguysrunningaroundKiev.”HermanhadspentnineyearsintheMarineCorps,andhisareaoffocuswastheUkrainianmilitary.

“Noproblem.”Bixbylookedatthepicturesmoreclosely.“WhydidSSUsend

thesepicturestotheUkrainianArmy?”

“TheywererunningsurveillanceontheChechens,andthentheseguysturnedup.TheyfollowedthembacktotheFairmontGrandHotel,andrealizedtheyhadbookedtheentiretopfloorforamonth.It’sobvioustheyareOC,buttheyaren’tlocal.OneofSSU’scrimeguysthoughttheseguyslookedmilitary,or

ex-military,sohesentitovertotheArmytoseeiftheyrecognizedanyofthefaces.Theydidn’t,soacontactofmineintheUkrainianArmyreachedouttome.”

Benadded,“Theydolookmilitary,don’tthey?”

Bixbywasstillgoingthroughthephotos.“Theyoungerguysdo,that’sforsure.Theolderdude,notsomuch.”

Keithpassedthepicturesaroundtotheothermenatthetable.Atfirstnoonerecognizedanyofthemen,butthelastmanatthetable,aseniorcaseofficernamedOstheimer,whistled.

“I’llbedamned,”hesaid.“Whatdoyousee?”

askedBixby.“Theolderdude.I’vegot

anameforhim,sortof.”“Spititout.”

“He’sRussian,Ithink.TheycallhimScar.”

“Charming.”“Acoupleyearsago

whenIwaspostedinSaintPetersburg,thisguypoppedupontheradar.TherewasaBOLOforhimwiththelocalcops,theyhadapictureandhisnickname.AsfarasOCguysgointhispartoftheworld,he’sdoneadamnfinejobofkeepinghimselfoffthe

radar.Nobodyknowshisrealname.Scar’sgangwaswantedforbankrobberiesandarmored-carheistsandcontracthitsonlocalgovernmentofficialsandbusinessmen.”

Bixbyjoked,“Idon’tevenwanttoknowwherehisscaris.”

Allthemenatthetablelaughed.

BenHermansaid,“I

guesssinceI’mthelowmanonthetotempole,it’smyjobtofindout.”Hemuttered,“ForthisIgotamaster’sininternationalaffairs?”

Bixbysaid,“Funandgamesaside,thisScarguyisclearlyinchargeoftheseyoungermen.Lookatthepictures.Themilitarydudesareholdingdoorsforhim,lightinghiscigarette.”

“Couldbehissecurity

team,”someonesuggested.“Doesn’tlooklike

securitytome.Theircoatsarezippedup,sotheyaren’tpackingheatfordefensivepurposes,andtheyaren’tlookingoutatthestreetforthreats.No.Thesearehard-chargingfrontliners.Lookslikeasquadofex-Spetsnazguysorsomething.”

“AndaRussiancrimebossisrunningthem?”Ben

saidwithsurprise.“Wouldbeodd,”Bixby

admitted.Ostheimersaid,“What’s

evenstrangeristhisallegationtheyaremeetingwithChechenmobsters.Thosearesomestrangebedfellowsforex-Spetsnaztypes.OChereinKievissoentrenched,thereareshootoutsinthestreetanytimeonegoontriesto

operateonanother’sturf.Idon’tunderstandhowthehellsomeRussianguycanjustwaltzintotownlikeheownstheplacewithoutgettinghisasstossedintotheDnieper.”

Bensaid,“I’llsendacablebacktoLangleytoseeifanyoneknowsanythingaboutScar.”

Ostheimershookhishead.“IcheckedwhenIwasinSaintPete.Hisfilewas

thin.Maybethey’vegotmoreonhim,butIkindadoubtit.”

BixbyhandedthepicturesbacktoBen.“Witheverythingelsewe’vegotgoingon,Idon’twantanyonegettingdistractedbythis.I’llmakesomecallstomorrowandreachouttosomeoftheolderRussianhandsatLangleyandseeifthatnicknamemakesanythingclickwiththem.Aguyhis

agewouldhavebeenearlythirtiesintheWildWestdaysofthenineties.IfhewasaplayerinMoscowwhosurvivedthatshootinggallery,someonemightrecognizehim.”

Bixbydrainedtherestofhisdrinkanddealtthenexthand.Hefiguredhe’dgoaheadandlosehislastfiftybucksquicksohecouldgohomeandgetsomesleep,

becausehelikedtogetanearlystart.

BeingCOSinUkrainewasachallengingposting,indeed.

J14

ackRyan,Jr.’sMondaymorningstartedat8:15whenhearrivedbleary-

eyedathisofficeatCastorandBoyleRiskAnalytics,dumpedhisjacketandhisbag,andheadeddowntothelittlecafeteriaonhisfloor.He

orderedaneggsandwichandacoffee—nottea—andbroughthisbreakfastbacktohisdesk.

Theeggwasfriedinbutterandnearlythesizeofadinnerplate;ithungoutofthebreadanddrippedalloverhishand.Andthecoffeewasinstantandtastedlikeroadtar.Butheatetheeggandhedrankthecoffeebecauseheknewhewouldneedthe

proteinandthecaffeinetoday.

He’dspentvirtuallytheentireweekendconductingresearchintothecomplicatedauctionofhisclient’scompany,GalbraithRossiyaEnergy,aswellasthesubsequentsaleoftheassetstoGazprom.He’dsleptlittle,andnowhewasrunningonfumes.

Inhistwoandahalf

monthshereatCastorandBoyle,Jackhaddugthroughreamsofcorporatedocumentsandfilecabinetsfullofaccountingledgersandtranscriptsofboardmeetings.Asdryasthissounded,Jackwasfindingtheintricateprocessanythingbut,becausetheworkhewasdoingseemedtohavemoretodowithcrimethanitdidwithlegitimatebusiness.

AndtheoneinescapabletruthhehadfoundinhisresearchoftheGalbraithRossiyacasewasthatthebeneficiariesofmuchofthiscrimeseemedtobethemenandwomenwhoranthegovernmentofRussia.

ThephenomenonofcriminaltakeoverofentirebusinessesinRussiahadaname;itwascalledreidversto,orraiding.This

wasn’tcorporateraidingasitisthoughtofintheWest.Withreidversto,blackmail,fraud,threatsofviolence,andfalsifyingofdocumentswereallused,aswasthebringingoffrivolouslawsuitswherebybribedjudgesadjudicatedonthesideofthecriminals.Policeandgovernmentofficialswerepaidofffortheirhelp,oftenwithaportionofthestolenventure

usedasreimbursement.OfficialRussian

governmentstatisticsclaimedasmanyasfourhundredcompaniesayearweresuccessfullytakenoverbyraiders,andRyanknewwhatthismeantforthenationofRussia.Thisscaredoffforeigninvestments,anditdamagedtheRussianeconomyinwaysdifficulttomeasure.

Hiscompany’sclient,ScottishbillionaireMalcolmGalbraith,hadfallenvictimtoanincrediblyintricateandorganizedschemetostriphimofoneofhislargestholdingsinRussiainonefellswoop.AndnowJackfoundthatthoseworkingonGalbraith’sbehalf—lawfirms,investigators,andotherassociatedbusinessesbasedintheEast—werethemselves

fallingvictimtotheKremlin’swrath.

He’djustheardovertheweekendthatalawyerhiredbyGalbraithdirectlyhadbeenarrestedinSaintPetersburg,andanofficerofoneofGalbraith’spipelinemaintenancefirmsinMoscowhadbeenbeatenupbythugswho,hehadtoldtheauthorities,hadfreelystatedtheyhadbeensenttopassa

messagealongtoGalbraithtodroptheRossiyaEnergyinvestigation.

Thesetwopiecesofbadnewsmighthavesloweddownthezealofmany,buttheyonlyencouragedJacktoworkharder.Hesoldieredon,andthroughhisworkonthetheftofGalbraith’scompanyhediscoveredthatGazpromhadpurchasedthepiecesoftheScottish-ownedgasfirm

fromaseriesofsmallforeigncompaniesthatsprangupoutofnowheretobidintheauction.

Tounravelitall,Ryanhadafewweaponshecouldcallon.HismaintoolwasSPARK,acorporateinvestigationdatabaserunbyInterfax,aRussianNGOnewsagencythatcompiledvirtuallyeverynuggetofinformationonevery

companyoperatinginRussia.Jackdidn’tspeakRussian

—C&Bhadtranslatorsonstafftohelphimwiththat—buthe’dtaughthimselfCyrillicinaday,andbynowhecouldsoundoutthewordsontheSPARKdatabasequicklyandconfidently.He’dpickedupnearlythreehundredRussianwords,allrelatedtobusiness,taxes,banking,andcorporate

structuring.Hecouldn’taskforthebathroomortellagirlshehadprettyeyesinRussian,buthecouldreadanotationonSPARKgivingtheaddressandsquarefootageoftheheadquartersofanewstart-upcompanyinKurskdoingbusinesswithRussia’snationalizedtimberindustry.

AnothertoolJackmadeuseofwasIBMi2Analyst’s

Notebook.Itwasadataanalysistoolthatallowedhimtoputinallmannerofdifferentdatasets,andthengeneratequickvisualrepresentationsviagraphsandchartsthathecouldmanipulatetotracktrends,seerelationshipsbetweenpeopleinatargetnetwork,andallowhimselfamoredynamicwayofinterpretingwhicheverenvironmenthe

wasstudying.Patternanalysishad

becomepartandparcelwithintelligencework;JackhaduseditatTheCampuswithgreateffect.ButwhenhestartedworkingwithCastorandBoyleheimmediatelysawtheneedtousesimilartacticsinbusinessintelligence,andJackknewgooddataorganizedeffectivelywasthemost

importantcommodityforanyanalyst.

Afteranhourgoingoverthedatabasethismorning,feverishlyaddingnotestohisdatabaseaswellasthetwolegalpads’worthofchickenscratchhe’dcreatedoverhisweekendmarathonworksession,helookedawayfromhisscreentosipthedregsofhiscoldcoffee.Justthen,SandyLamontleanedintohis

office.Thebigblondmanhadjustmadeitintowork,andheheldhisday’sfirstcupofteainhishand.“Morning,Jack.Howwasyourweekend?”

“Itwasfine.”Hethoughtforamoment.“Well,itwasokay.Iworkedfromhome.”

“Whyonearthwouldyoudosuchathing?”

“YoutoldmegoingupagainstGazpromitselfwasa

losingproposition,soIamdiggingintothefrontcompaniesinvolvedintheGalbraithdeal,tryingtofindwhoactuallyownsthem.”

“Thatwillbetoughgoing,mate.They’llbeownedbytrustsandprivateinterestfoundations,allinoffshorefinancialhavens,andtheonlynamesyouwillfindattachedtothemwillbethecorporatenominees,notthe

realownership.”“You’rerightaboutthat,

butIdidfindthattheregisteredagentforseveraloftheauctionwinnerswasthesamecompany.”

Sandyshrugged.“Theregisteredagentispaidtofindthenomineetostandinfortherealownersonthecorporatedocuments.Oneregistermightworkwithtenthousandcompanies.Sorry,

lad,butyouwon’tgetanyvaluableinformationfromaregisteredagent.”

Ryanessentiallymumbledthenextsentencetohimself:“Someoneneedstoputaguntotheheadoftheregisteredagent.Ibethe’dsuddenlycomeupwithsomevaluableinformation.”

Sandy’seyebrowsrose.Afteramomenthesteppedintotheofficeandshutthe

door.Afterasipofhisteahesaid,“Iknowit’safrustratingslog.How’boutyouletmeserveasasoundingboardsoyoucantalkoverwhatyou’redoing?”

“Thatwouldbegreat,thanks.”

Sandylookedathiswatch.“Well,I’vegotanappointmentintwentywithHughCastor,butI’myourstillthen.Whathaveyougot?”

Jackgrabbedastackofpaperworkoffhisdeskandstartedlookingthroughitwhilehetalked.“Okay.InordertoprovethefundsstoleninRussiafromtheauctionofGalbraith’scompanyarenowsomewhereintheWest,whereGalbraithcanhaveanychanceoflayingclaimtothem,Ineededtotracetheseforeigncorporateholdings.Weknowthereis

involvementbytheRussiangovernmentinthetheft,sowe’llnevergetthecashoutofRussiaitself.”

“Notinamillionyears.”“Thegovernment

accusedGalbraith’sgas-extractionconcernofowingtwelvebilliondollarsinbacktaxes.Theannualtaxbillexceededrevenues.”

Sandyknewthestory.“Right.Theyowedmorein

taxesthantheyearned.Itwasbollocks,butwhenthecrooksownthecourts,that’swhatyouget.”

“That’scorrect,”Jacksaidwithanod.“ThetaxofficegaveGalbraithtwenty-fourhourstocomeupwiththemoney,whichwasanimpossibility,sothegovernmentorderedthecompany’sassetstobesoldandthemoneycollectedby

thestate.Ahastilyarrangedseriesofauctionswassetup,andateachauction,onlyonecompanyshoweduptobidontheassets.”

“Howconvenientthatmusthavebeenforthem,”Sandysaidsarcastically.

“Istruckoutwithmostofthesephantomcompanies,butIdidlearnsomethingaboutoneofthem.It’scalledInternationalFinance

Corporation,LLC.Oneweekbeforetheauction,IFCwasregisteredinPanamaandclaimeditstotallistedcapitalassetstobevaluedatthreehundredeighty-fivedollars.YettheyweresomehowabletogotoaRussianbankandborrowsevenbilliondollarstobidintheirauction.”

“Theymusthavebeenbloodypersuasive,”Sandysaid.Therewasnosurprisein

hisvoiceaboutanyofthis;hewasamanwellversedinthekleptocracyofRussia.

Ryancontinued,readingfromnotes:“ThepresumedcapitalvaluealoneofGalbraith’sassetsinthisauctionwasroughlytenbilliondollars.Theauctiontookfiveminutes,andIFCwonwiththeiropeningbidofsix-point-threebillion.Fourdayslater,theysoldtheir

interesttoGazpromforseven-point-five.”

HelookedawayfromhisnotesandupatSandy.“Gazprommakesaneasytwoandahalfbillionjustincapitalacquisition,andthegovernmentretainscontroloftheassets,sinceGazpromisgovernment-run.ThetwoandahalfbillioninaddedvaluemakesGazprom’sstockgoup,andthisallgetsdivvied

upbetweentheshareholdersofGazprom.”

Sandysaid,“Whojusthappentobethesiloviki.Fancythat.”

“And,don’tforget,whoeverthehellrunsIFCmadeone-point-twobillionfortheirtrouble.”

Jacklookedbackdownathispapers.“SincetheGalbraithdeal,IFChascontinueditsrunofgood

luck.ThislittlePanamanian-registeredfirmhasbranchedoffintoabunchofdifferentcorporateentities,andeachonehasanuncannyabilitytopurchasecriticalinfrastructureatknockdownprices,usingtheirnewfoundwealthtosecurebankloans,mostlyinSwissandRussianbanks.”

HelookedupatSandyandnoticedthemanlooking

downintohismugoftea.“Youfollowingmeso

far?”Sandychuckled.“Sadly,

oldboy,youaren’texactlytrippingmeupwiththecomplexityoftheschemejustyet.Iseethissortofthingeveryday.”

Jacklookedbackdownathispapers.“Okay,well,usingSPARK,Imanagedtotraceoneofthesecorporateentities

throughaseriesofblindP.O.boxes,trusts,andprivateinterestfoundations.Ifinallymademywaytoaconcreteaddress.”

SandyLamont’seyebrowsrose.“Really?Now,that’ssomething.Where?”

“It’saliquorstoreinTver,ahundredmilesnorthwestofMoscow.IsentaninvestigatorfromMoscow

togoupandpokearound.Thepeopleatthestoreseemedtohavenoideawhattheinvestigatorwastalkingabout,buthefeelscertaintheplaceis,wittinglyorotherwise,servingasadropboxfororganizedcrime.”

“Whichcriminalgroup,specifically?”

“Unknown.”Sandylookedbored

again.“Goon.”

“Anyway,amonthaftertheGalbraithdeal,thistinylittlePanamanian-registeredcompanywhoseonlyphysicallocationisasmall-townRussianliquorstoremanagedtogetanunsecuredsixtymillioneuroloanfromaSwissbankthatregularlydoesbusinesswithshadyoffshorecorpsallovertheworld.Itusedthisloantopurchaseagaspipeline

managementcompanyinBulgaria.Then,amonthafterthat,itboughtapipelinemanagementcompanyinSloveniaforninetymillioneuros,andanotherinRomaniaforonehundredandthirty-threemillion.

“IFChasdozensoflegalentities,allnew,andeachwithaccountsinoneoftheoffshorefinancialcenters.Cyprus,Caymans,Dubai,

BritishVirginIslands,Panama.ButonethingI’venoticedaboutallthesecompanies”—Ryanflippedthroughsomepages,lookingforsomethingspecific—“everylastoneofthesecompaniesalsohasabranchofficeinSaintJohn’s,Antigua.”

“Abranchoffice?”Jackshrugged.“Theyare

alljustdropboxesorbusiness

suites.ThereisnothingphysicallytherethattiesthemtoAntigua.Totellyouthetruth,Idon’tunderstandthatpartofitatall.Sure,Igetit,Antiguaisanoffshorebankinghaven,butthesecompaniesalreadyresideinotheroffshorebankinghavens.WhydotheyallhavetobetiedtoAntiguaaswell?”

Sandythoughtitoverfor

amoment.“Thequick-and-easyansweristherealownerofthisconstellationofenterpriseshasaconnectiontoAntigua.”

“Whatsortofconnection?”

“Citizenshipwouldbemyguess.”

RyanlookedatLamontasthoughhe’dlosthismind.“Sandy,Ihatetobeaccusedofracialprofiling,butIcan

promiseyoutheoligarch,governmentbigwig,ormobbosswhojustmadeone-point-twobilliondollarsinaKremlin-backedschemeinVladivostokwasnotborninsomeThirdWorldtownintheWestIndies.”

Sandyshookhishead.“No,Ryan.Didn’tsayhehailsfromthere.Antiguaisoneofthefewnationswhereyoucanshowuponaplane,

handsomeonesomecash...I’dsayfiftythousandU.S.dollarswouldcoverit,andthengetyourselfabrand-newpassport.Theyhandoutcitizenshipforaprice.”

“Whywouldyouwanttodothat?”

“Afewreasons.Probablythemostrelevantisthatonlycitizensofanationcanopenupbanksinthatnation.”

Jackwasthoroughly

confusednow.“Whywouldyouopenyourownbank?Evenwithbankingsecrecylawsinsideanation,ifyouwanttodobusinesswithanotherbank—andbanksprettymuchhavetodobusinesswithotherbanks—theotherbankneedstobeabletotrustyou.SomeshadyRussianwithasuspiciouspassportisn’tgoingtobetransferringcashtoCitibank

fromtheAntiguaBankofIvanorwhateverthehellhecallsit.”

Sandylaughed.“Iloveyourenergy,Jack,butyouareababeinthesewoods,aren’tyou?Youarecorrect,manyoffshorebankslackthelicensestotradewiththebigboys,buttherearewaysaroundthat.TheAntiguaBankofIvan,asyoucallit,justneedstofinditselfan

intermediarybank,someonejustslightlybetterpositionedinthebankingworldthatiswillingtodobusinesswithshadycharacters.Ahandsomebribetoabankofficialshoulddothetrick.ThatintermediarywilltransferIvan’sfundstoanotherintermediary—bynowweshouldhavethemoneyupstreamtoSwitzerlandorLiechtenstein

orMadeira,somewherestillnontransparentbutmorerespectedthanbloodyAntigua.Andfromherethemoneycangoanywhere—USA,UK,or,asIwouldventuretoguessintheGalbraithEnergycase,backtoRussia.”

“WhywoulditgobacktoRussia?”

TheEnglishmansaid,“It’saclassicmoney-

launderingschemecalledround-tripping.Basically,theytakemoneyearnedfromcorruption—theftofproperty,bribes,organized-crimeproceeds,whatever—thentheysendthemoneytoholdingcompaniesinoneoftheseoffshorefinancialcenters,wherethemoneyismovedtoanotherholdingcompanyandthenbackintoRussiaascleanfundsinthe

formofforeigninvestments.”“Damn,”mutteredRyan.

“Istillhavealottolearn.”“Youdo,lad.Butyou’re

aquickstudy.”Lamontlookedathiswatch.“Allofthisisveryinteresting,fromanacademicpointofview,buttheseshellcompaniespopupanddisappearwithsuchease,ifyoudon’thaveahandleontheactualownershipstructure,meaning

namesofrealpeople,you’llnevergetanywherenearthemoney.We’llneverknowwhoisontheboardofthisIFCcompany,oranyofitsentities.Theyworkvery,veryhardtokeepthatinformationsecret,andtheyarebloodygoodatit.You’veseenallthedocumentation.”

Jack’seyesslowlybegantorelight.“Ihave.Allthedocumentsaredesignedto

hidetheowner,butwhatifweknowwherehisbankis?”

Sandyscratchedhishead.“Whatareyouonabout?”

“AllthesecompaniesinAntiguaImentioned.Theyareallregisteredinthesamebuilding.”

“Notuncommonatall.Therewillbearegisteredagent,acompanythatcanhelpyougetapassport,lawyerstohelpyousetup

yourtax-havenaccounts.Theywilluseaphysicaladdresssetupjustforthatpurpose.Norealaffiliationwiththeownership.”

Jacksaid,“Thebankwillbecloseby,won’tit?”

“Itwon’tbearetaillocation,lad.Nocashmachineandtellers.Itwilljustexistonpaper,withaccountsinothertransferbanks.Therewillbealawyer

whosetthewholethingup,buttheseguysdon’texactlyadvertiseontheInternetorpostonFacebook.Theyplaythisgamequietly.”

Jacksaid,“Iwanttolookattheregisteredagentmoreclosely.Imean,seethebuildingformyself.”

Sandyshrugged.“Sure.Idothat,justforfun.GoogleMapswillgetyouapictureofthebuilding.”

Jackshookhishead.“That’snotwhatImean.Iwanttogodownthere.Pokearoundalittle.”

Lamontjuststaredforamoment.“Physically?Youwanttophysicallygo?”

“Sure.”“Whynothirealocal

investigatorinAntiguatogoforyou?”

“Sandy,yousaidyourselfI’mstillababeinthewoods.

IcanreadthepaperworkorstudythestructureoftheshellsonSPARK,andIcanhiresomeonetoinvestigateincountry,butI’llgetabetterunderstandingofitallifIjustflydownthereonmyown.Takeadayortwotoseethelocations,getafeelfortheseoffshoreoperations.MaybeevenlearnsomethingaboutIFCHoldingsandtheotherentitieswithcorporate

addressesthere.”Sandydidn’tlikethe

idea.HetriedoncemoretodissuadeRyan.“Whatdoyouplanondoing?Lookingthroughthebloodygarbageoftheregistrationagent?”

Jacksmiled.“That’sagoodidea.”

Sandyblewoutalongsigh.“Idon’tthinkyouunderstandwhatyou’redealingwith.I’vebeenon-

sitebefore.Trustme,mate,thesesketchyThirdWorldfinancialoperationscenterswillbeprotectedbysomerough-and-tumblecharacters.Ontopofthis,therearemobanddruggangsdowntherewhohaveavestedinterestinkeepingthepryingeyesofforeigninvestigatorsawayfromthecompaniestheyusetolaundertheirproceeds.Youarethesonofthe

PresidentoftheUnitedStates.Youaren’tusedtomixingitupwithhooligans.”

Jackdidnotanswer.“Youmightnotgetthe

fullpicturefromaspreadsheetoraPowerPoint,butit’salotsafertositatyourdeskandlearnwhatyoucan.”

“Sandy,touristsgodowntoAntiguaandBarbudaallthetime.I’mnotplanningon

pushingmyluck.Trustme,I’llfitrightin.”

Sandyleanedhisheadbackinthechairandstaredattheceilingforalongtime.Finallyhesaid,“Ifyoudothis,Ican’tletyougoalone.”

Jackhadbeenthinkingthesamething.“Thencomewithme.”

Sandyhesitatedsomemore,butRyancouldtellhisEnglishcolleaguewas

alreadythinkingaboutbeachesandpiñacoladas.“Allright.We’llflydownandtakealook,butatthefirstsignoftroublewepackitinandrunbacktothelobbybarofourhotel,understood?”

“Understood,Sandy.”Heheldhishandupforahighfiveandsaid,“Roadtrip!”

Sandylookedatthehandintheair.“Ibegyourpardon?”

Jackloweredhishand.He’doverestimatedthemoment.“Itwillbefun.Youbetterpacksomesunscreen,though—youdon’tlooklikeyou’dlastlongintheCaribbeanwithoutit.”

SandyLamontcouldn’thelplaughing.

I15

twaspasttenp.m.attheEmmitsburg,Maryland,farmofJohnClark.John

andhiswife,Sandy,hadspenttheeveningwatchingarentedmovie,andtheyweregettingreadyforbedwhenthephoneonthenightstand

rang.Clarkscoopeditup.“Hello?”“JohnClark,please.”“Speaking.”“Hi,Mr.Clark.Sorryto

disturbyousolate.ThisisKeithBixby,callingfromU.S.embassy,Kiev.”

Clarkranthenamethroughthemassivedatabaseofcontactsinhismind.Itdidn’tringabell,and,asfar

asheknew,hedidn’tknowanyoneworkinginKievatthemoment.

Beforehecouldadmithe’ddrawnablank,Bixbysaid,“JimmyHardestysuggestedIgiveyouacall.”HardestywasCIA,heandClarkwentbackdecades,andClarktrustedHardesty.

“Isee.Whatdoyoudoattheembassythere,Keith?”

“I’mculturalattachéto

theambassador.”Thismeant,toClark,that

BixbywastheCIA’schiefofstationinUkraine,anditalsomeant,toClark,thatBixbywasfreelygivinghimthisinformation.HewouldknowthatClarkwouldknowhewasCOS.

“Gotit,”saidClark,notmissingabeat.“WhatcanIdoforyou?”

“Anamecameupinmy

workoverhere,andwedidn’thavemuchontheguy,soIdidsomedigging.AsI’msureyouknow,Jimmyisthechiefarchivistatyourformeremployer,andhe’sprettymuchmygo-toguywhenIhaveaquestionofthisnature.”

“Understandable.”“Jimmydidn’thaveany

moreonthispersonalityI’mlookingatthanIdo,buthe

suggestedIcheckwithyou.Hesaysherecollectsyoumighthaverunintohiminyour...travels.”

“Who’sthepersonality?”“ARussianguy,I’dput

himaboutfifty-fivetosixty-fiveyearsold,anorganized-crimebigshotfromSaintPetersburg,knownasScar.”

Clarksaid,“Haven’theardthatnameinawhile.”

“Soyouknowhim?”

“Iknowalittleabouthim...butIdon’tknowyou.Nothingpersonal,butletmegiveHardestyabuzz,andI’llcallyouback.”

Bixbysaid,“Ifyou’dsaidanythingelse,Iwouldhavethoughtyouwereslipping.”

Clarkchuckledintothephone.“Onlyphysically,notmentally.”

“Idoubtthat.Letmegiveyoumydirectnumber.”

AfterClarkhungup,hecalledJamesHardesty,establishedthebonafidesofKeithBixby,andconfirmedthemanwas,infact,chiefofCIA’sKievStation.Hardestyspokehighlyoftheman,andClarkknewtheCIA’sarchivistwasahellofajudgeofbothabilityandcharacter.

Fiveminuteslater,JohnClarkwasbackonthephonewithKeithBixby.

“Jimmysaysyouarebothlegitandastand-upguy,butIwanttomakesureI’mtalkingtotherightperson.WhenandwheredidyoulasthaveabeerwithJimmy?”

Bixbydidnothesitate.“Ayearagolastmonth.CrownePlaza,McLean.Iwasintownforsomemeetings.IhadaShockTopandJimmyhadaBudLight,ifI’mnotmistaken.”

Clarklaughed.“Okay,youpass.JimmywassurprisedIdidn’tknowyoualready.”

“Keepingmyassundertheradarhasservedmeinmycareertothispoint,”Bixbysaid.“I’veprobablyslammedintotheceilingalreadyworkingoutinthesticks,buttheseventhfloorhasnevercalledtomelikeithassomeofmycolleagues.”

“Youandmearecutfromthesamecloth.I’lltellyouwhateveryouwanttoknow,butkeepinmindmyintelisgoingtobeseveralyearsold.”

“FresherthananythingI’vegot.Whoishe?”

“IknewhimasGlebtheScar.Amobboss,butyouprobablyknowthatalready.”

“Ihadmysuspicions.CanIsendyouaphototosee

ifyoucanIDhim?”“I’mafraidthereisno

need.I’veneverseenhim.”“Wow.Hereallyislow-

profile.”Clarksaid,“He’scamera

shy,butIdoknowsomethingofhisCV.HewasborninDzhankoi,intheCrimea,Ukraine,buthe’sethnicRussian.HemovedtoSaintPetersburgintheearlyninetiesafterdoingastintin

agulagforsomemobmurders,andthencameoutofSiberiatougherthanwhenhewentin.”

“Don’ttheyall?”“Prettymuch.Heisan

underbossinSaintPete,workingforoneofthelargestSlaviccrimegangs,theSevenStrongMen:extortion,smuggling,heavy-handedthings.IwasrunningRainbowforNATOseveral

yearsbackwhenhisorganizationturneduponourradar.Agroupofarmedgunmenbustedintothecityadministrationbuilding,theywereaftersomemunicipalministers.Atypicalmobhit.Butthepoliceresponsewasuncharacteristicallyfast,andthegunmenweresurrounded.Theytookhostages.Aftertwodaysofnegotiations,wewerecalled,andwecame

overfromtheUK.Wemonitoredcallsoutofthebuilding,andinterceptedcommsbetweenthegunmenandtheirleader,noneotherthanthisGlebtheScarcharacter.Heorderedthemnottosurrender,tostayandfight.Itsoundedtouslikehewassacrificingthemsotheycouldn’timplicatehiminthehit.”

Clarkcontinued,

“Rainbowwentin,wecleanedthemout.Wesavedalltheremaininghostages,butthey’dexecutedthreeofthestateministersandahalfadozenbuildingsecurity.Wetookacoupleoflightcasualtiesofourownonthetakedown.”Clarkpaused,thinkingbackwithregretontheincident.“Itwasn’tascleanaswewouldhavelikedittobe.Ifwehadgottenthe

greenlightfromtheRussiansafewhoursquicker,wecouldhavesavedalotmorelives.”

“AndGlebwasnevercaptured?”

“Negative.Helikestosendhispeopletodoallhisdirtywork.He’sabigshot,ahands-offtype.Staysascleanaspossiblewhilelettingthelittlefishtaketherisks.”

Bixbyhesitatedforalongmoment.“Well,that’s

interesting,becausehe’soverhereinKievnow,andheseemstobeverymuchanon-scenecommander.”

“That’sodd.FromwhatIrememberabouthim,Kievwasn’thisturf.TheSevenStrongMenaren’tactivethere,arethey?”

“No,theyaren’t.TheyruntheshowinsideofRussia,andtheyarebiginBelarus,butiftheyareoperatinghere

inUkraine,thatisanewdevelopment.Glebwasphotographedwithacrewofyoungguyswholookedlikeex-Spetsnaz.TheyweremeetingwithChechenmobguyshereinthecity.”

“Thatreallydoesn’ttrackwithwhatIrememberaboutGlebtheScar.HiscrewwasallSlav.BeforeVolodincameinandcrackeddownonthemafia,Georgianand

ChechenOCwasallovertheplaceinRussia.ButtheGlebIrememberdidn’thaveanydealingswiththem.”

“Maybehe’sbecomelessbigotedashe’sgottenolder.”

Clarkchuckled.“Myguessishe’stakingordersfromsomeonewhosenthimonthismission.MovingtoKiev,runningwithex-mil,workingwithethnicOC.Itdoesn’tsoundlikeSeven

StrongMen,itsoundslikeawholenewbusinessplan.”

“That’sadistressingthought,Clark.”

“Yeah,yougotproblems.Youneedtofindoutwhohe’sreportingto—thatsonofabitchwillbeyourrealtroublemaker.”

Bixbyblewoutalongsigh.

Clarkthoughtthemanwasdisappointedintheintel

Clarkhadpassedon.“IwishIcouldbemorehelp.”

“No,you’vehelpedagreatdeal.You’vegivenmesomethingstothinkabout.”

“Hopeyoucandomorethanthinkaboutthem.”

Bixbychuffedintothephone.“AsI’msureyoucanimagine,Kievhasturnedintoahotbedofintelligenceactivityinthepastfewmonths,withalltheissues

brewingbetweentheKremlinandUkraine.GlebtheScarisapersonofinterest,butreallyonlyacuriosityatthispoint,becauseI’mshortonresources.Heisgoingtohavetodosomethingreallyimpressivetomakehimselfahigh-valuetarget.”

“Iunderstand,”saidClark,buthefoundhimselfdamncuriousaboutwhatahigh-rankingRussianmobster

wasdoingworkinginKiev,apparentlyslummingasanorder-takerforsomeoneelse.

“Thanksforyourhelp.”“Anytimeatall,Bixby.

Keepyourheaddownoverthere.Ifthenewsreportsareright,youarerightinthemiddleofthenextworldflashpoint.”

“IwishIcouldsaythemediaisexaggerating,butthingsatgroundlevellook

prettybleak.”

R16

ussiantelevisionwasnotofficiallystate-controlled,asit

hadbeenduringthetimeoftheSovietUnion,butitwaseffectivelystate-controlled,asthelargestnetworkswereallownedbyGazprom,which

notcoincidentallyhappenedtobepartlyownedbyPresidentVolodinandothermembersofthesiloviki.

ThosestationsandnewspapersthatwerenotownedbythepowersintheKremlinweresubjecttoconstantharassment,scurrilouslawsuits,andabsurdtaxbillsthattookyearstocontest.Moreominousthanthesemeasures

tokeepthemediaoutletsinline,physicalthreatsandactsofviolenceagainstjournalistswhobrokeranksfromtheofficialpropagandawerecommonplace.Beatings,kidnappings,andevenassassinationshadgreatlystifledthenotionofafreepressinRussia.

Ontherareoccasionwhensomeonewasarrestedforacrimeagainsta

journalist,theaccusedwasdiscoveredtobeathuginapro-Kremlinyouthgroup,oraforeign-bornhenchmanforalow-levelmobster.Inotherwords,nocrimesagainstthefourthestatewereeverlinkedbacktotheFSBortheKremlin.

ThevanguardoftheKremlin’spublic-relationsposturewasChannelSeven,NovayaRossiya,orNew

Russia.BroadcastinRussiaandaroundtheglobeinseventeenlanguages,itservedeffectivelyastheKremlin’smouthpiece.

ThiswasnottosayNovayaRossiyawasalwayspro-Kremlininitsreporting.Tocreateanairofimpartiality,thenetworkrannewspiecesthatweresomewhatcriticalofthegovernment.Butthesewere

mostlytriflingmatters.“Hitpieces”oncorruptpoliticians,butonlythosewho’dfallenoutoffavorwithVolodin,oronnigglingmunicipalandstatematters,suchasgarbagecollection,unionrallies,andotherlessconsequentialmatterswherethenetworkcouldportrayitselfasobjective.

Butwhenitcametomattersofnational

importance,especiallyrevolvingaroundValeriVolodinandpoliciesinwhichhepersonallyintervened,NewRussia’sprejudicesshowedthrough.Almosteverynighttherewerelong“investigativejournalism”reportsconcerningtheconflictinGeorgiaandthepotentialforconflictinUkraine.TheEstoniangovernment,whichwas

staunchlypro-WesternandaNATOmemberstate,wasanear-constanttargetofthestation;seeminglyeverypossibleinnuendooffinancial,criminal,orsexualimproprietyhadbeenascribedtotheleadershipinTallinn.ApoorlyeducatedbutfaithfulviewerofNewRussia’seveningbroadcastcouldbeforgivenforcomingtotheconclusionthatthe

Estonianswerenothingmorethananationofthievesanddeviants.

Althoughthemoniker“Volodin’smegaphone”hadbeengiventothenetworkasapejorative,onoccasionthisbecameanespeciallyrelevantdescription,becauseVolodinhimselfoftenappearedliveonsetduringtheEveningNews.

Andtonightwasoneof

thoseevenings.Withnohintthatitwouldbecoming,theproducersofthesixp.m.newsbroadcastreceivedacallfromtheKremlinatfive-thirtyintheafternoon,announcingthatPresidentValeriVolodinwas,atthatmoment,climbingintohiscarattheKremlinandwouldbearrivingshortlytoconductaninterviewliveontheEveningNews.Thetopic,the

producerswereinformedbytheKremlin,wouldbetheassassinationofStanislavBiryukovbytheCIA,andthejust-announcedallegedpoloniumpoisoningofSergeyGolovkointheUnitedStates.

AlthoughthisimmediatelysetinmotionafranticchainofeventsintheNovayaRossiyabuilding,itwassomethingakinto

controlledchaos,becausetheEveningNewsstaffhaddealtwithnearlytwodozenimpromptudrop-ininterviewsintheyearValeriVolodinhadbeeninpower,andbynowtheyhadtheirproceduresplannedlikeachoreographeddance.

Oncetheylearnedthechiefofstatewasonhiswaytothestudio,thefirstorderofbusinessfortheproducers

wastocallVolodin’sfavoriteon-airpersonalityandletherknowthateventhoughshehadtheeveningoff,regardlessofwhereshewasandwhatshewasdoingatthatmoment,shewouldbeonthesetperformingaliveinterviewwiththepresidentinroughlyhalfanhour.

TatianaMolchanovawasathirty-three-year-oldreporterandnewscaster,and

thoughhehadneversaiditoutright,itwascleartoeveryonethatthemarriedVolodinwassmittenwiththeraven-haired,well-educatedjournalist.TheproducerslearnedthehardwaythatinterviewsconductedbyanynewscasterotherthanTatianaMolchanovawouldbemetwithdispleasurebythepresident.

Asmuchasherbeauty

surelyattractedhim,manysecretlythoughtitwasthefawninggazeMolchanovabestowedonVolodinwhileshefeignedimpartiality.SheclearlyfoundVolodintobethesexsymbolthathemadehimselfouttobe,andtheirownon-airchemistrywasundeniable,evenifitshatteredrespectableboundariesofjournalisticacceptance.

AssoonasMolchanovawasreachedbyphoneandnotified,oneofthestation’straffichelicopterswasdispatchedtopickherupatherLeningradskayaapartment.

Withthechopperonitsway,theshow’sproducersgottoworkwritingthequestionsfortheinterview,pullingtogethergraphics,andpreparingtheinvolved

procedureusedtomakethepresident’salwaysdramaticarrivalappearsmoothandseamlessforthetensofmillionsofviewerswhowouldbewatchinglive.

EveryoneinthebuildingknewthatVolodindidnottakedirectionfromanyone,sotheyhadtobereadytogoon-airwithhisinterviewtheinstanthearrived.Tofacilitatethis,thehallsof

NovayaRossiyawerelinedwithyoungmenandwomenwithwalkie-talkies.AssoonasVolodinenteredthebuildingafterboltingoutofhislimousine,thewalkie-talkiebrigadebeganreportinghisentourage’sprogressthroughthelobby,directinghimintoanelevatorthathadbeenheldforhim,thenuptothesixth-floorstudiohehadvisitedmorethantwenty

timessincehebecamepresidentofRussia.

Thebrigadeworkedwellthisevening,andbythetimeVolodinstrodeconfidentlyintothesixth-floorstudioat6:17p.m.,thefloordirectorwasreadyforhim.Volodinwasasmallman,onlyfive-eight,butfitandenergetic,likeacoiledspringreadytoburstthroughhisdarkbrownsuit.Hewalkedpastthe

camerasandrightontothesetwithouthesitationorpromptingfromthefloorstaff.Anyissueinvolvingcatchinghiminacamerashotordisruptingwhatwashappeningonlivetelevisionwasclearlythestudio’sproblemandnottheproblemofthepresident.

Theproducerofthenewsprogramstoppedastoryinthemiddleofaremote

broadcastandwenttocommercialtheinstantValeriVolodinappearedinthewingsoftheset.Althoughthiswouldlookunprofessionaltoallthosewatching,itwasthelesseroftwoevils,becauseitalsomeantVolodin’ssegmentwouldbegininasmoothanduninterruptedfashion.

TatianaMolchanovahadarrivedjusttwominutes

beforeherguest,butshewasapro,especiallyatthispartofherjob.She’ddonehermakeupinthehelicopter,hadlistenedtoaproducerreadthequestionsthreetimesenroutetothestationsoshecouldbepreparedforthem,andshewentthroughsomepracticefollow-upquestionsshewoulduseifPresidentVolodinshowedaninterestinconductingarealinterview.

Shehadtobepreparedforanyeventuality.

SometimesVolodinsatdownforhissegment,didlittlemorethanmakeastatement,andthentookoff,leavingthestationstaffscramblingtofillthetimethey’dallottedforhim.Othertimesheseemedasthoughhehadnoplacetobe;hewouldanswerallofMolchanova’squestions,engageinlengthy

discussionsaboutRussianlifeandculture,andeventheweatherandhockeyscores.Theproducersdidn’tdarecuttocommercial,nordidtheymoveonwiththeirregularlyscheduledprogramifthe“ValeriVolodinHour”ranpastseveno’clock.

Theyhadnoideawhichofhistwoextrememoodswouldstrikehimtonight,butTatianaandherproducers

werereadyineithercase.WhileVolodingreeted

TatianaMolchanova,anaudioengineerclippedamicrophonetohislapel.Heshookhisinterviewer’shandwarmly;hehadknownMolchanovaforseveralyears,therewereevenrumorsofaffairsinthesubversiveblogsofMoscow,buttheserumorswerederivedmorefromafewphotographsof

thetwoofthemsharinginnocuoushugsatpartiesandotherpubliceventsandtheimpressionsgivenbyherdreamyeyesandwidesmileswhilehespoke.

AssoonasVolodinwasinhisseat,theproducerofEveningNewscutthecommercialthatwasplaying,andthecameraswerebackliveontheset.

Molchanovaappeared

poisedandready;shespoketoherviewersaboutthebombingdeathofStanislavBiryukov,andsheaskedPresidentVolodinforhisreaction.

Withhishandsonthedeskinfrontofhim,andaforlornexpression,ValeriVolodinspokeinhistrademarkvoice:softbutself-assured,vaguelyarrogant.“Thislooksverymuchlikea

Western-backedassassination.StanislavArkadyevichdidnothaverealenemiesinorganizedcrimehereinRussia.Hisworkwasabroad,heheldnogreatinteresttothecriminalscumoftheCaucasusandthenearabroad.”

HelookedawayfromthecameraandtowardTatianaMolchanova.“StanislavArkadyevichworked

tirelesslytoprotecttheMotherlandfromthepervasivethreatscomingfromtheWest.Fortunately,thankstotheimpressiveeffortsofourInteriorMinistrypolice,welearntheperpetratorofStanislavArkadyevich’sassassinationwasnoneotherthanaknownagentoftheWest.ACroatianemployeeoftheCIA.Idonotthinkonemustsearchvery

hardtodeterminewhoisculpableforthisheinouscrimeagainsttheMotherland.”

ApassportphotoofDinoKadicappearedonthetelevisionscreen,acrosswhichthewords“CentralIntelligenceAgency,”inEnglish,weresuperimposedinredinafontverysimilartotherestofthepassport’stypeface,givingthe

impressionthedocumentwassomesortofofficialCIAidentitycard.Itwasasimpletrickgoodforfoolingthelowendofthestation’sviewers,ofwhichthereweretensofmillions.

MolchanovafedVolodinhisnexttalkingpoint.“Andnow,Mr.President,ontheheelsofDirectorBiryukov’sassassinationcomeswordfromAmericaoftheradiation

poisoningofSergeyGolovko,Biryukov’spredecessoratSVR.”

“Da.ThecaseofSergeyGolovkoisalsoveryinteresting.AlthoughIhadmydifferenceswiththeman,Icanforgivehimforsomeoftheludicrousthingshehassaid.Afterall,heisquiteoldandhecomesfromanearliertime.Still,Ifindhisproventiestofinancialcorruption

veryunpalatable.HeisadarlingoftheAmericans,ofcourse,afriendofJackRyan’s,untilwhichtimetheAmericanspoisonedhim.”

“Whywouldtheydothis,Mr.President?”

“ToblameRussia,ofcourse.ClearlytheyintendedforhimtoshowtheeffectsofhispoisoningonlyafterhereturnedtotheUnitedKingdom.Theirscientist

assassinsmadeanerrorintheirmath.Perhapstheyneednewcalculatorsorscalesorsomethinglikethat.”Volodinchuckledathimself,andtheinterviewersmiledrightalongwithhim.Laughtercouldbeheardoffcamerainthestudio.Volodincontinued,“Idon’tknowifthescientistsusedtoomuchpolonium,oriftheassassinspoisonedhimatthewrongtime.Imagine,

though,iftheirplanhadworked.HewouldhavereturnedtotheUnitedKingdom,andhewouldhavebecomesickthere.Americawouldhavebeenheldblameless,andRussiawouldappeartobeculpable.Thatwastheirintention.”Hewavedanangryfingerintheair.

“Sincethenecessarypoliceactionwetookin

EstoniainJanuary,whereoursmallandlightlyequippedexpeditionaryforcemetaNATOforcemuchlarger,andgroundthemintothedirt,theAmericanshaveseenRussiaasanexistentialthreat.TheyfeelthatiftheycanimplicateRussia,blamingusforcrimesinwhichwehadnoculpability,theycanmarginalizeustotheworld.”

Volodinlookedatthe

camera.“Itwillnotwork.”Oncue,Tatiana

Molchanovaaskedhernextsoftballquestion:“Whatmeasureswillourgovernmenttaketokeeporderandsecurityinthistimeofheightenedforeignthreats?”

“Ihavedecided,aftercarefulconsiderationandconsultationwithkeymembersofthesecurity

services,tomakesomeimportantchanges.IthasbeensaidthatStanislavArkadyevichBiryukovwasirreplaceableinhispostasdirectorofSVR,andIagreewiththis.ItisforthisreasonthatIhavedecidednottoreplacehim.AsevidencedbythedomesticterrorismthatledtothedeathofBiryukov,andseveralcompletelyinnocentcivilians,aswellas

theinternationalterroristicnatureofthepoisoningofGolovko,itiscleartoseeournation’sthreats,fromwithinandfromwithout,areoneandthesame.

“Thethreatsagainstournationaresuchthatwecannotdiffusethetwointelligenceorganizationsanylonger.Weneedcohesioninallaspectsofoursecurityservices,andtothisendI

haveorderedthereintegrationbetweentheSVRandtheFSB.TheorganizationwillretainthenameFederalnayaSluzhbaBezopasnosti,buttheFSBwillnowtakeoverresponsibilityforallforeignintelligencecollection.

“FSBdirectorRomanTalanovwillcontinueinhispresentdutiesandassumeresponsibilityfortheforeigncomponentaswell.Heis

highlycapable,andhehasmyfullconfidence.”

EvenTatianaMolchanovaseemedsurprised;shecertainlyhadnofollow-upquestionspreparedinadvancethatwererelevant,butshecoveredwell.“Thisnewswillbeveryinterestingtoallourviewers,bothhereinRussiaandthenearabroad,whereDirectorTalanovhasprotectedRussia

fromforeignthreats,andinternationally,whereRussianinterestshavebeensoablyprotectedbythelateDirectorBiryukov.”

Volodinagreed,ofcourse,andhebeganatwelve-minuteimpromptuspeechthatdelvedintopastconflictsinGeorgia,thecurrentdisputeswithUkraine,andothernationsinwhatVolodinreferredtoas

Russia’sprivilegedinterests.Hisspeechexpandedto

railagainstNATO,Europe,andtheUnitedStates.Itmentionedcommoditypricesfornaturalgasandoil,andtherewasevenabriefRusso-centrichistorylessoninvolvingRussiasavingWesternEuropefromfascismduringtheSecondWorldWar.

Whenthepresident

finished,afterthelightsdimmedandacommercialforFordbeganrunningonthestudiomonitors,Volodinremovedhisownmicrophoneandstoodup.HeshookMolchanova’shandwithasmile.Shewasthesameheightasthepresident,andshehadthegoodmannerstoalwayswearflatswhenhecametothestudio.

“Thankyousomuchfor

yourtime,”shesaid.“Itisalwaysapleasureto

seeyou.”Hedidnotimmediately

letgoofherhand,sothethirty-three-year-oldnewscasterdecidedtotaketheopportunitytopressherluck.“Mr.President,yournewstodaywasveryexciting,andIamsureitwillbereceivedwell.Iwonderifitmightnotbeagoodideafor

DirectorTalanovtoalsocomeonmyshowsometime.Wehavenotseenhiminthenewsatalltothispoint.Inlightofhisnewpromotion,thismightbeaperfectopportunityforhimtointroducehimselftothecitizenryofRussia.”

Volodin’ssmiledidnotwaver,hisdeep,lustfullookintoTatiana’seyesdidnotdiminish,buthiswords

seemeddarkersomehow.“Mydearlady,RomanRomanovichwillnotbeappearingontelevision.Heisverymuchamanoftheshadows.Thatiswhyhedoeswhathedoes,thatiswhereheworksbest,and,justbetweenyouandme...thatiswhereIwanttokeephim.”

Volodinwinked.Forvirtuallythefirsttime

inherprofessionallife,

TatianaMolchanovafoundherselfunabletorespond.Shemerelynoddedmeekly.

T17

heCampushadbeencreatedbyPresidentJackRyanduringhis

firstterminoffice,asasmallbuthard-hittingoutfittaskedwithfurtheringtheaimsoftheUnitedStatesinanoff-the-booksfashion.

JackRyanputGerryHendleyincharge.HendleywasaformersenatorfromKentuckywhohadretiredfrompubliclifeindisgraceinastagedcaseoffinancialimpropriety,purelyforthepurposeofgettingoutofpoliticstobeginthedifficultandcrucialworkofestablishingasub-rosaspyshop.

Toensurethemenand

womenofTheCampuswereprotectedincaseanyoftheiroperationswererevealed,beforeleavingofficeduringhisfirstelectedterm,PresidentRyansignedonehundredblankpresidentialpardonsinsecret,andhehandedthemovertoHendley.

WithaccesstotheintelligencefeedsbetweentheCIAandtheNSA,butfreeofthebureaucracyandoversight

ofagovernmentintelligenceorganization,TheCampushadconsiderablymorelatitudetoconducttheiroperations,andthishadgiventhemapowerandareachthathadledtoincrediblesuccessesinthepastseveralyears.

WhenPresidentRyanestablishedTheCampus,however,hehadnowayofknowingthatonedaythe

operationalarmoftheorganizationwouldbestaffedbyhislongtimefriendsandassociatesJohnClarkandDomingoChavez;hisnephewsDominicandBrianCaruso;andevenhisownson,JackRyan,Jr.

BrianhadbeenkilledinactioninLibyatwoyearsearlier,andhehadbeenreplacedbyformerArmyRangerSamDriscoll.

Monthsearlier,ChinesecomputerhackershadbrokenintotheHendleyAssociatesnetwork,andakillteamofChineseoperativeshadhittheWestOdentonheadquartersofHendleyAssociatesinthedeadofnightinanattempttowipeouttheorganization.TheChineseattackhadbeenthwarted,butHendleyandhisteamknewtheiroperationcouldnotcontinueinthe

samelocationnowthattheChineseknewwheretheywere,andperhapsevenwhattheywere.

LosingtheWestOdentonlocationcreatedabiggernuisancethanjusthavingtofindanewbuilding.TheCampushadobtainedmuchofitsactionableintelligencebymeansofanantennafarmontheroofofthefive-storybuildingthatintercepted

classifiedinteltravelingbackandforthbetweentheNationalSecurityAgencyatFortMeade,Maryland,andtheCentralIntelligenceAgencyinLangley,Virginia.

ThatmethodofpullingclassifieddatawaslosttothemnowthattheHendleyAssociatesbuildingwasservingthewhitesideonly.

ButtherewashopeforTheCampusanditsfutureby

meansofafifty-five-year-oldpaunchyandpalecomputergeeknamedGavinBiery.BieryhadspentthemonthssincetheChineseattackworkingonamethodtoobtainintelligenceviatheCIA’sIntelink-TS,itstop-secretnetwork.HehadtakentheadvancedhackingcodeusedbytheChineseagainsttheCIA’scomputers,andthen,aftermakingsurethe

CIAhadpatchedtheirvulnerabilities,hebegantosearchfornewthreatvectorsintoIntelink-TS.

Sofarhisworkheldmuchpromisebutlittlepayoff.

WhileGavinworkedtheintelligence-collectionangleandGerryHendleyworkedonobtaininganewbaseofoperations,theCampusoperators,minusJackRyan,

Jr.,hadbeenusingJohnClark’sexpansivefarminEmmitsburg,Maryland,asatrainingground.

JohnClark’srusticfarmwasperhapsnotthemostsuitablelocationonearthforaunitofcovertparamilitaryandclandestineservicesoperatorstotrain,butforthetimebeing,atleast,itserveditspurpose.

Untilrecently,the

operatorshadtrainedinsecretlocationsalloverthecountry,buttheywerevulnerablenow,sotheyretreatedtothefarmandrandrillstokeepthemselvessharp.They’deventakenoveraguestbedroomandturneditintoasmallopcenterandmini-schoolhouse.Themenspentanhouradayormoreusingforeign-languagetrainingsoftwareontheirlaptopsand

G

readingthelatestopen-sourceinformationabouttheworld’smajortroublespots.

Andtoamantheyhopedlikehelltheirtrainingandstudywouldbeputtousewiththecalltoreturntooperationalstatus.

—erryHendleytooktheafternoonofffromhis

touroftheD.C.area’s

hundredsofavailableofficebuildingstodriveouttoEmmitsburg,Maryland,wherehenowsatatthekitchentableinJohnClark’sfarmhouse.AroundhimwereassembledtheoperatorsofTheCampus,aswellasGavinBiery.Theyhadbeengettingtogetherhereonceaweek,thoughthesemeetingshadturnedouttobenon-affairs,really.Eachweek

Gerrytalkedabouthishuntforasuitablelocationfortheorganization,Clarkandtheoperationsarmdiscussedthetrainingtheyhadbeenundergoing,andBieryusedhighlytechnicaljargontoleteveryoneknowabouttheworkhewasdoingtogettheinformationstreamfromtheCIAupandrunningagain.

Thoughthemeetingswerepoliteenough,thetruth

wasthateveryonewaseagertodosomethingotherthansitinClark’skitchen.

Gerrywaspreparedtostartthemeetingwitharundownofacoupleofpropertieshe’dbeenlookingatnearBethesda,butClarksaidhe’dliketodiscusssomethingelse.

“What’sup?”Gerryasked.

“Asituationhas

presenteditself.”ClarktoldHendleyand

theothersabouthiscallwithKeithBixby,CIAchiefofstationinKiev,andhowtheCIAwasinterestedinaRussiancrimebossknownasGlebtheScar.

DomingoChavezhadspentthepastfewdaysmakingcallstosomefriendsinbothRussiaandUkraine,mostlymenhehadserved

withinRainbow.Throughthem,he’dlearnedmoreabouttheScarandhisorganization.NooneknewwhathewasdoinginUkraineassociatingwithChechens,andbothChavezandClarkfoundthisverysuspicious,especiallysinceitseemedwarwasonthehorizonoverthere.

Hendleysaid,“SoallyouknowisthisguyisRussian

mob,andhe’sworkinginKiev.”

Clarksaid,“IalsoknowCIAdoesn’thavethemanpowertorunasurveillancepackageonhim.Theyare,quitereasonably,focusingontheprofessionalintelligenceofficersinKiev,andnotorganizedcrime.”

“Whatisityouwanttodo?”

“KeithBixbyisagood

COSwho’sinatoughsituation.IthoughtwecouldgoovertoKievandcheckintothismobconnection,justtoseewhatGlebtheScarisupto.”

Hendleylookedattherestofthegroup.Notsurprisingly,theyalllookedreadytoheadtotheairportrightnow.

“Howbigisthisguyintheirorganization?Ishelike

aMafiadon?”Chavezhadbecome

somethingofanexpertonorganized-crimegroupsinthepastyear;itwasatopicthathe’dfocusedoninhisdowntimewithTheCampus.

Dingsaid,“Russiadoesn’treallyhaveamafiainthesenseweknowit,that’sjustaconvenientnameweusetoconveythefactitisacriminalorganization.In

Russiaandtheothereasternstates,thetopdogsofthecriminalhierarchyarethevoryvzakonye,whichtranslatesto‘thief-in-law,’butmeanssomethinglikeathiefwhofollowsthecode.Ninety-nine-point-ninepercentofthecriminalsrunningaroundwithgoldchainsandill-fittingsuitswantyoutothinktheyarebigshots,buttheyarenottrue

voryvzakonye.Havingsaidthat,theremightbeseveralvoryatthetopofeachorganization,andwhoevertheabsolutetopdogiswillbevoryforsure.”

Chavezadded,“GlebtheScar,wearecertain,isthegenuinearticle.He’svory.”

Hendleynextasked,“Howbigistheorganized-crimeprobleminRussiathesedays?”

“ValeriVolodin’sInteriorMinistryhaschasedalmostallofthelargestandmostpowerfulcriminalgroupsoutofRussiaproper.”

“Howdidtheydothat?”“TheFSBhasaunit

calledURPO,theDirectoratefortheAnalysisandSuppressionofCriminalOrganizations.Theyarebasicallyahitsquad,takingoutOCmembersthroughout

MoscowandSaintPetersburg.Butinterestingly,theyonlyseemtotargetforeigngangsters.

“ThereisagroupofSlavsthatstartedbackinthelateeightiesthatisflourishingnowbecausealltheChechens,Georgians,Armenians,andothershavebeensoheavilypursuedbytheFSB.ThisgroupisknownastheSevenStrongMen.”

Hendleysaid,“Thereareonlysevenofthem?”

“No,theywerenamedafteranunusualrockformationintheKomiRepublicbythatname.It’ssevenmassivestonepillarsthatjutoutofaflatfield.ThegroupwasformedinagulagthereinKomi.

“ThesedaysinRussia,theSevenStrongMencontrolsmoneylending,

kidnappingforransom,humantrafficking,prostitution,cartheft,assassinationforhire...younameit.”

“AndGlebistheheadoftheSevenStrongMen?”Hendleyasked.

“Notthehead—theleaderoftheorganizationisunknown.Notevenmostofthepeopleinthegroupseemtoknowwho’srunningthe

show.ButwedoknowthatGlebtheScaristhechiefofSevenStrongMen’sSaintPetersburgoperation.Heverywellmightbethesecondincommand.”

Carusospokeup.“Andnobodyhasacluewhathe’sdoinginKievassociatingwithChechengangsters,right?”

“Nonewhatsoever.Hehasn’tbeenknowntoleave

histurf,norhashebeenknowntobefriendlywithethnicminorities.”

Hendleysaid,“Okay,Iapprove.ButhowwillyougetintelontheSevenStrongMen’soperation?”

ClarkturnedtoBiery.“Gavin?”

Bierysaid,“Ican’tgetintoIntelink-TS.Notyet,anyway.ButIdohaveaccesstotheSIPRNet.Thisisthe

confidential-levelnetworkusedbythegovernment.CertainlynotasgoodastheTS-leveldata,but...youknowhowitiswithintelligence.There’sashittonoutthereinopensource,andtwiceasmuchislightlyclassified.”

Clarksaid,“WithGavinprovidingconfidential-levelinteltoaidourphysicalsurveillanceinKiev,we

shouldbeabletogetagoodpictureofthesituationthere.”

Gavinadded,“Additionally,I’vehackedintotheserversoftheUkrainianSSU—that’stheirnationalpolice.Thisiswheretheykeepallthegoodsonorganizedcrime.Shouldbehelpful,butit’snotthesameashavingIntelink-TSaccess.”

Driscollspokeupnow.

“We’lljusthavetosupplementitwithold-fashionedshoe-leatherspyshit.”

Theothersgrinned,butHendleystillhadquestions.“Whowillbegoingover?”

“ObviouslyRyanisintheUK,butalltherestofuswillheadover,”Clarkreplied.

Hendleyseemedmildlysurprisedbythis.“Ithoughtyoutoldmeyouweredone

withfieldwork.”“Idid.ButIspeak

Russian,andIcanreadUkrainian.I’llneedtogobackinthefieldforthisone.”

“Iguessyoudon’tgettohangupyourfedorajustyet,Mr.C,”Domjoked.

ClarkgaveDomahardlook.“Screwyou,kid.I’veneverwornafedorainmylife.I’mnotthatold.”

Domsaid,“Don’truin

thebadassmentalimageIhaveofyoubackintheday,Mr.C.”

Chavezsaid,“Hey,Gavin.You’recomingalong,too,right?”

BierylookedtoHendley,likehewasachildpleadingwithhismomtogoovertoafriend’shousetoplay.

Hendleysighed.“IguesssinceyoumadeitbackfromHongKonginonepieceyou

consideryourselfquitetheinternationalmanofmysterynow,don’tyou,Gav?”

Bieryshrugged,butChavezcametohisdefense.“Hepulledusoutofarealjamoverthere,Gerry.Itpainsmetosayit,butwemightnothavemadeitoutoftherewithouthim.”

“Allright,”Hendleysaid.“Youcangointothefieldtosupporttheoperation.”

HendleyturnedhisattentionbacktoClark.“Surelyyoucan’tgoovertherewithweapons.”

“No,”Clarksaid.“We’llhavetobereadytogetpickedupandquestionedatanytimebyauthorities.Wecanuseajournalistcover.Ifourcredosaregoodenough,we’llbejustfine.”

Hendleycountered,“Gooddocumentswillhelpif

yougetpickedupbythepolice,buttheywon’thelpyouifyougetpickedupbySevenStrongMen.”

JohnClarkacknowledgedthispoint.“Verytrue.We’llbecarefulnottogetpickedupbytheScarandhisboys.”

Gerryadded,“John,Idon’thavetoremindyouthatKievisgoingtobeabsolutelycrawlingwithallmannerofshadycharacters.Officialand

unofficial.”Johnlookedattherestof

theteam.“Ireadyouloudandclear,andwe’lldoourbesttokeepouroperationunderwraps,fromtheofficialandunofficial.”Hesmiled.“Butjustfortherecord,I’vegotmyowncrewofshadycharacters.”

T18

heentouragesurroundingthePresidentofthe

UnitedStatesarrivedintheintensive-careunitofGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospitalshortlybeforetenp.m.Thepresshadstakedout

themainentrances,buttherewasaloadingdockon22ndStreetthathadbeencordonedoff,andthePresidenthadarrivedinagreenChevySuburbaninthemiddleofseveralclandestineSecretServicevehiclesandpulledrightuptothedoor,ensuringthepresscompletelymissedthelow-keyarrival.

TheWhiteHouseradiationstoryhadbeenall

overthenews.TherewastalkaroundtheWhiteHouseofkeepingalidonthepoloniumangle,justreleasingthenewsthatGolovkohadbeenpoisoned,coincidentallywhilehewasvisitingtheWhiteHouse,andnotmentioningthatthepoisonhadbeen,infact,aradioactiveisotope.Butultimately,reasonprevailed.Anyfrenzypreventedby

keepingthisnewsfromthepublicwouldlastonlyuntilthetruthcameout,andthetruthwouldcomeoutatatimeofitsownchoosing.Theydecidedtorevealthefullstoryabouttheeventimmediately,keepingonlysomedetailsaboutGolovko’sconditionunderwrapsforthesakeofhisownprivacy.

Sergeyhadnocloselivingrelatives;intheICU

waitingroomRyanwasintroducedtomembersofGolovko’stravelingentourage:apublicist,atravelcoordinator,andaBritishsecurityofficer.

Jacklookedaroundforothers,butthatwasit.AfterSergey’slonglifeservingtheSovietUnionandRussia,mostofhishomenationseemedtohaveturneditsbackonhimorforgotten

abouthim.Afterconferringwiththe

doctorsaboutthedosanddon’tsofvisitingamaninGolovko’scondition,RyanandhisSecretServicedetailcontinuedupthehalltowardSergey’sroom.Jack’sprincipalprotectionagentwasbyhisside,andshehadreservationsabouttonight,butshedidnotairthem.AndreaPrice-O’Dayknew

whentospeakuptoSWORDSMAN,andsheknewwhentoletitgo.AlthoughshewouldverymuchprefertobeintheroomwithRyanandGolovko,sheknewRyanwouldnotallowit.Instead,shewentintothehospitalroomwithtwootheragents,sweptthesmallspacequicklyandsilentlywhileGolovkolaystilllikeacadaveronthebed,andthensteppedback

intothehallway.ShewouldkeepalineofsightonPOTUSthroughawindow,buthewouldotherwisebealoneintheroomwiththestrickenpatient.

Jackenteredtheroomalone,andhewasimmediatelytakenbybothhowsmalltheroomwasandhowcompletelyfullitwasofmedicalequipment.Inthecenterofallthemachines,

Sergeyseemedsmallandpale.TheRussianwastubedandwired,andhisskinwaspiercedwithIVs.Alargepillowheldhisheadup;Ryanhadbeentoldbythedoctorsthattheman’sneckmusclesweretooweakforhimtolifthishead.

Hiseyesweresunkenandrimmedwithgray,andhishairwasnoticeablythinnerthanithadbeenjusttheday

before.Ryansawloosehaironthepillowaroundhishead.AnEKGmachinebehindthebedbeepedslowlyintimewiththeRussian’srestingheartrate.

Jackthoughtthemanwasasleep,buthiseyesflickeredslowly,andthentheyopened.Afteramomenttofocus,theylockedonRyan.Jackdetectedaweaksmile,butonlyforasecond,andthen

Golovko’sfacewentblank,almostasifthemusclestiredfromtheeffort.

“Howareyoufeeling,SergeyNikolayevich?”

“Betternow,IvanEmmetovich.”Hisvoicewasscratchy,butstrongerthanRyanhadanticipated,consideringhisterriblecondition.HesmiledweaklyandswitchedtoRussian.“Namiruismert’krasna.”

JackhadnotpracticedhisRussianforalongtime.Hesaiditsoftlytohimself.Then,“Withcompany,evendeathlosesitssting.”Jackdidnotknowhowtorespondtothis.

“Thismustbeanawkwardsituationforyou.Izvinitie.”Sergey’sbrowfurrowed;slowlyherealizedhehadlapsedintoRussian.Hetranslatedforhimself:“Iamsorry.”

Jackpulledtheonechairintheroomupclosetothebed,andhesatdown.“I’mjustsorrythishappenedtoyou.Nothingelsemakesadamnbitofdifferencerightnow.”

Golovkolookedoffintospace.Hesaid,“Severalyearsback,theChinesegovernmenttriedtokillme.”

“Iremember,ofcourse.”“Theyfailed,onlybymy

goodfortune,buttheyfailednonetheless.ItbreaksthisoldRussian’shardhearttoknowmyowngovernment,myowncountry,hassucceeded.”

Jackwantedtotellhimhewouldn’tdie,thatthedoctorsherewouldgethimthroughthis.Butthatwouldbealie,andheowedSergeymorethanthat.

Instead,hesaid,“Wewillfindouthowthishappened.”

Sergeycoughed.“Ishookalotofhandsinthepastweek.Idrankalotoftea,bottlesofwater.IateahotdoginChicago.”Hesmiledalittle,reminiscing.“SomewherealongmyjourneyhereintheUnitedStates—”Hebegancoughingagain.Thefitlastedthirtyseconds,andbythenitseemedhehadlosthistrainofthought.

JackwaitedtomakesureSergeywasfinished,andthenhesaid,“Iknowyouareweakandtired.Buttherehavebeentwootherevents.Ialmostdon’twanttotellyouaboutthem,butyoumaybeabletohelpmewithsomeadvice.”

Golovko’seyesseemedtosharpenalittle.Jackcouldtellhewasgladforthechancetohelpinanyway.

Ryansaid,“StanislavBiryukovwaskilledbyabombinMoscowlastnight.”

JackwassurprisedbyGolovko’sreaction,orthelackofone.Hesaid,“Thatwasjustamatteroftime.Hewasagoodman.Notagreatman.Agoodman.Hewasn’toneofVolodin’sinnercircle.Heneededtobereplaced.”

“Butwhykillhim?Couldn’tVolodinsimply

replacehimwiththestrokeofapen?”

“HisdeathwillbenefittheKremlinmore.TheywillblameUkraineorU.S.orNATOoroneoftheirenemies.”

“Theyareblamingus.Ithasalreadybegun.”

“Andyouwillbeblamedforthis.”Hispaperywhitehandroseafewinchesfromthebedandmadetowave

aroundtheroom.Itdroppedbackintothesheetsalmostinstantly,butJackunderstood.AfterapauseSergeysaid,“Yousaidthereweretwoevents.”

“VolodinwentonNewRussiaTVandannouncedthatFSBandSVRwillformintooneorganization.”

Golovko’seyesclosedforamoment.Softly,hesaid,“Talanov?”

“RomanTalanovisnowinchargeofeverything,yes.”

Sergeysaid,“RomanTalanovappearedfromnowhereintheFSB.Ihavebeenwiththestatesecurityservicesforallmyadultlife,yetIhadneverheardofthemanuntilsixyearsago,whenhewasapolicecommissionerinNovosibirsk.IwasdirectoroftheSVR,andIreceivedwordfrommystaffthatthis

man,thispolicecommissioner,wasreplacingtheFSBdirectorinthecity.HispromotiondidnotcomethroughFSBchannels.ItwasanorderthatcamedirectlyfromtheKremlin.”

“Why?”“Thatwasmyquestionat

thetime.IwastoldhehadbeenGRU,militaryintelligence,andhewasafavoriteoftheleadersinthe

Kremlinatthetime.Icouldnotunderstandhowthiswas,seeinghowhewasjustsomeex–militaryintelligenceofficernooneknewwhowaschiefofpoliceinatowninSiberia.

“IfoundoutlaterthatValeriVolodin,whowasprimeministeratthetime,forcedtheFSBdirectorinNovosibirskout,andputTalanovinhisplace.”

Jackasked,“WhatdidTalanovdoatGRU?”

“Itriedtofindoutmyself.Justoutofprofessionalcuriosity.IheardhewasinChechnyaduringthefirstwarbeforehebecamepolicecommissionerinNovosibirsk.ButastothequestionofwhathedidinChechnya,andwhathedidbeforethat,Ireceivednoanswers.”

Ryanwasn’tsurewhathisownintelligenceservicehadonRomanTalanov,buthewasdamnsurehewouldfindoutassoonasheleftGolovko’sbedside.

“Whyhaven’tyoutoldanyoneaboutthis?”

“Itwasaninternalmatter.Forallmyproblemswiththeadministration,thereissomelaundrythatIdidnotwanttoairtotheWest.Nepotismis

cancerousinourgovernment.Italwayshasbeen.Wehaveatermforabenefactorwhogivesprotectiontosomeoneastheymaketheirwayuptheranks.Wecallitakrisha,a‘roof.’RevealingthefactTalanovwashandedajobinFSBhelikelydidnotdeservewasnotsosurprising.Hehasakrishahighingovernment.MaybeVolodinhimself.Still,hislackofabackgroundwith

GRUisverytroubling.”Jackjustnodded.

ConsideringallofRyan’sotherproblemsatthemoment,theancienthistoryofthenewleaderofRussia’scombinedintelligenceservicedidn’tseemlikethatbigadeal,butitclearlywasimportanttoSergeyGolovko.

TheRussiansaid,“Findoutwhoheis.Whathewas.”

“Iwill,”Jackpromised.

Golovkolookedimpossiblytirednow.Jackhadplannedonaskinghimifhewouldn’tmindtalkingtotheFBIwaitingoutside,butatthatmomenthedecidedthismandidnotneedtheaddedintrusion.Jackwasmadathimselfforstayingaslongashedid.

Hestoodslowly,andSergey’seyesopenedupquickly,likehe’dforgotten

Ryanwasthere.Jacksaid,“BelievewhatI

amabouttosay.Thisthingthathashappenedtoyouwillmakeapositivedifference.I’llseetoit.Ican’ttellyouhowrightnow,butwhatevercomesoutofwhattheydidtoyouwillmakeournationsstronger.IwillusethisagainstVolodin.Itmightnothappenindaysorweeksorevenmonths,butyouwill

win.”“IvanEmmetovich.You

andIhavebeenthroughmuchovertheyears.”

“Yes.Yes,wehave.”“Wewillnotseeeach

otheragain.Iwanttosayyouhavedonemuchgoodfortheworld.Forourtwocountries.”

“Ashaveyou,Sergey.”Golovkoclosedhiseyes.

“Couldyouaskthenurseto

bringmeanotherblanket?Idon’tknowhowIcanbebothradioactiveandcold,butitisso.”

“Ofcourse.”Jackstood,leanedoverto

shaketheprostrateman’shand,andrealizedhewassoundasleep.HetookGolovko’shandinhisandsqueezeditgently.He’dbeentoldbythedoctorshewouldneedtobedecontaminatedif

hetouchedGolovko.Jackassumeditwastheirideaofapolitewarning,cajolinghimtokeephisdistance.Hedidn’tgiveadamn.Theycouldscrubhimdown,buttheyweren’tgoingtopreventhimfromgivinghisoldfriendonelastgestureofcompassion.

J19

ackRyan,Jr.,andSandyLamontboardedaBritishAirwaysTriple

Sevenfortheeight-hourflighttotheWestIndiesnationofAntiguaandBarbuda.Astheycheckedtheirboardingpassesand

headedtothefrontofbusinessclass,theysawtheflightitselfwasonlyhalffull,butRyanandLamontquicklysawtheirsectionwaspacked.

Theluxuriousleatherseatswerearrangedtofaceoneanotheratanoffsetsotheycouldconvertintobedsforthetransatlanticcrossing.Ryanfacedrearward,sohecouldnothelpscanningtheotherpassengersontheflight.

BusinessclasswasfullofIndians,Asians,British,andGermans.TherewerealargenumberofSwedesonboardaswell,whichconfusedRyanuntilheheardaflightattendantmentionthe777hadstarteditsdayinStockholmbeforestoppingoffatHeathrow.

Coachseemedlikeitwasmostlytourists,butuphereinbusiness,andpresumablyin

thecompletelyseparatefirst-classcabin,theaircraftwouldbefullofmenandwomenwhodidtheirbanking,eitherinwholeorinpart,intheoffshoretaxhavenofAntigua.Ryan’sworkofthepasttwomonthsmadehimincrediblysuspiciousofthosearoundhim,andhediscreetlyeyedthepassengersoneatatime,makingguessesastotheiridentitiesandthedark

secretstheyheld.Jackhadn’theardany

Russianaccents,buthewouldn’thavebeensurprisedatalltolearnthatfirstclassbehindhimwasfullofEurasianoligarchsandorganized-crimelords.

Afterafewminutesofallthisspeculationherealizedhecoulddrivehimselfcrazybeingsosuspiciousofthosearoundhim,soshortlyafter

takeoffheforcedhimselftoconcentrateonthelunchmenu.

Jackdecidedhe’dworkthroughthemajorityofthelongflight.Assoonasthechinahadbeenremovedfromhistableafterhissumptuouslunch,hepulledouthislaptopandbeganlookingthroughinteractivemapsofSaintJohn’s,theirdestination.Hedidhisbestto

memorizemajorstreetsandtransportationcenters,andhescannedtheroutefromhisdowntownhoteltotheregisteredagent’sofficejustafewblocksaway.HejotteddownaddressesofotherbuildingsthatshoweduponSPARKasbeinginvolvedintheoffshorebankingandcommercerealm,becausehewasn’tcertainjustwhathewaslookingforonthistrip,

sohewantedtogotoasmanylocationsaspossible.

WhileJackwasengagedinallthis,Sandywatchedamovie.Jackcouldn’tseethefilmfromhisseat,butitmusthavebeenariot,becauseLamont’snearlyconstantbellylaughbledthroughJack’snoise-cancelingheadphones.

AfterRyanreaduponhisdestinationformorethanan

hour,hestartedlookingthroughsomebusinessintelligenceresourceshe’ddownloadedtohisencryptedlaptop.ItwasanAnalyst’sNotebookdatabaseoftranslatedRussiangovernmenttenders,andhekeptitupdatedeveryday,hopingtofindnewcluestoleadhiminhisGalbraithinvestigation.

Despitewarningsfrom

SandythatfocusingonGazpromitselfwasafutileendeavor,JackwasdeterminedtogetaclearerpictureofhowthelargestcompanyinRussiaconductedbusiness—specifically,withthegovernment.Tothisend,hescannedthroughcontractoffersacrossawidespectrumofindustriesinwhichGazpromdealt,searchingforanybidsbyeithercompanies

H

ownedbyGazpromorelseoneofthefirmswhohadmademoneyoffGazprom’sauction-payoffscheme.

—e’dbeenatthisfornearlytwohourswhen

Sandytookoffhisheadphonesandclimbedoutofhisseatforabathroombreak.TheblondEnglishmanreturned,readytogetback

intothecomedyhewaswatching.

Jacksaid,“Sandy,youwon’tbelievewhatI’vefound.”

Lamontleanedclosertohiscolleaguesohecouldspeaksoftly.Thelightswereoff,andmanyweresleepingaroundthem.“Whatareyoulookingat?”

“Russiangovernmentcontractoffers.”

“Oh.AndIthoughtthemovieIwaswatchingwasalaugh.”

Jacksaid,“Actually,someofthisshitissooutrageousit’salmostfunny.”

SandyraisedhisseatandthenmovedovernexttoRyansohecouldseehislaptop.“Goon,then.Whatoutrageousfinancialshenaniganshaveyou

managedtouncoversincetakeoff?”

Jackscrolledthroughthedatabaseandclickedonalink.“Lookatthesetranslateddocuments.TheyareRussiangovernmenttenders.”Hepickedoneandhighlightedit;itexpandedtothesizeofthescreen.“Here’soneofferingathree-hundred-million-rublecontractforpublic-relationsconsultingforaGazprom

subsidiaryinMoldova.”Sandylookeditover.

“That’stenmillionU.S.forpublicrelationsforanatural-gascompanyinatinynation,aproductforwhichthereiszerocompetition.Lookslikeatypicalinflatedgovernmentcontracttender.”Heshrugged.“WishIcouldsaywedon’thavethesamethingintheUK.”

Jacksaid,“I’msurewe

havethesamesortofcrimegoingoninmycountry,althoughmydadwouldhanganyonebytheballshecaughtinvolvedwithsomethinglikethis.Butthisdealisevenmorebrazenthanitlooks.Checkoutthepostingdate,andthenlookattheapplicationdeadlinedate.”

Sandylooked,thenlookedatthedateonhiswatch.“Itwaspostedtoday,

andallapplicationsmustbeinbytomorrow.Foraten-million-dollartender.Bloodyhell.”

“Yeah,”Jacksaid.“I’mgoingtogooutonalimbandsaythereissomethingshadywiththatcontract.”Hewenttoanotherpageonthedatabaseandhighlightedanothercontractoffer.“Andit’snotjustGazprom,theentireRussiangovernmentis

doingshitlikethis.Here’sanotherrequestfortenderforatwo-million-rublebidforastate-runpsychiatryinstitution.”

Sandylookedatthetranslationofthetender,scanningitforinformation.Hiseyeswentwide.“Thepsychiatrichospitalisbuyingtwomillionrubles’worthofminkcoatsandhats?”

Ryansaid,“Thinkofhow

manycrookshavetobeinvolvedinthattowheretheycanpostanopenbidforsomethingsoobviouslyinappropriate.”

“It’sreachedalevelofshamelessnessovertherethatIthoughtI’dneversee,”Sandyadmitted.“I’llgiveyouagoodexample.ForthepastfewyearsoneofthemostcovetedmajorsinRussianuniversitiesisthe

programthattrainsstudentstobegovernmenttaxinspectors.Theygetalousysalary,butitisajobwherecorruptionisapieceofcake.Youlookoveracompany’sbooks,tellthemtheyowetenmillionrubles,then‘allow’themtoskateforonlyfivemillionrublesiftheyslideyouabriefcasewithonemillionrubles.It’sprettymuchalicensetosteal.”

Jackasked,“Whydoesn’tVolodinstopit?”

“Becauseheneedssatisfiedgovernmentemployeesmorethanheneedsgovernmentrevenue.Eachcorruptmemberoftheapparatusisanotherpowerfulpersoninsocietywhohasastakeinthestatusquo.Peoplearemakingmoneyoffofhisadministration.Thatispurejobsecurityforthesiloviki.”

Ryansatinthelowlightofbusinessclass,andhethoughtovereverythinghe’dlearnedaboutRussiainthepasttwomonths.Hewishedhe’dbeenmorefocusedonthatregionforthepastseveralyears,buthe’dbeenledalongbyeventsmorepressingtotheUnitedStatesatthetime.

Jackasked,“WhydoyousupposeValeriVolodinwas

theonewealthybusinessmanwhowasabletosuccessfullyparlayhisfinancialpowerintopoliticalpower,whenalltheothershadeitherstayedintheshadowsorelseweredestroyedbytheRussiangovernment?”

“Idon’tknow,totellyouthetruth.”

“YouknowmoreabouthishistorythanIdo.HowdidVolodingetallhismoneyin

thefirstplace?”Lamontloweredhisseat

backalittleandyawned.“You’dhavetogobacktothelastdaysoftheSovietUnion.VolodinwasthemoneybehindoneofthefirstprivatebanksinRussia.HedoledoutthecashthattheotheroligarchsusedtobuyuppropertywhenRussiawentonsaleandprivatizedeverything.Heloaneda

millionhere,amillionthere,plusheboughtuphisownpieceofthepie.SoontheSovietUnionhadbeensoldoffforpenniesonthedollar,asyouYanksliketosay,andVolodinandhisbank’sclientsownedcontrollingpiecesinvirtuallyeveryindustry.”

Jackasked,“ButhewasKGBattheendoftheUSSR,right?Howthehelldidheget

thedoughtostartthisbank?”“Nooneknowsforsure.

Heclaimshehadforeigninvestment,butatthetimeRussiahadnoprivatepropertylawstospeakof,sohedidn’thavetoprovewherehismoneycamefrom.”

JackwantedtoknowmoreaboutVolodin’spast,butSandylookedagainathiswatch.“Sorry,Jack.I’mgoingtogetalittleshut-eye

soIcanbefreshonlanding.Youshouldpryyourselfawayfromthosethrillinggovernmenttendersanddreamofalltheislandgirlswe’llmeettonight.”

Ryanlaughed.HehaddramaticallydifferentideasofwhatthetwoofthemwouldbedoingonthegroundinAntigua,buthedidn’twanttotamperwithanypleasantdreamsSandymighthaveon

T

theflightdown,sohejustwentbacktohislaptoptodosomemorereading,andheleftSandytohisnap.

—heylandedatAntigua’sV.C.BirdInternational

Airportshortlyaftertwop.m.,andtheytookashortrideinaJeeptaxiacrossthenortherntipofthetinyislandintoSaintJohn’s,thecapital.

Itwasawarmandsunnyafternoon,strikinglydifferentfromLondon,andastrongwindfromtheeastblewacrosstheisland.RyanthoughtSaintJohn’stobenomoreorlessdevelopedthanmostoftheotherCaribbeancapitalshehadvisited,whichwastosayitwassimpleandsmall.Passingthroughthebusinessdistrict,hedidn’tseemorethanahandfulof

buildingshigherthanfourorfivestoriestall.

Hehadreadthatthetown’spopulationwasonly25,000,butwhencruiseshipswereinportthedowntownstreetscouldbethickwithtraffic.Astheynearedtheport,Ryancheckedtheharborandsawnothingbutfishingboats,sailboats,andsmallcargoships,andtheridethroughthenarrowstreetsof

thecitywasquickandeasy.Theycheckedintotwo

roomsintheCocosHotel.Sandywantedtimetofreshenupandanswersomeworke-mails,soRyandroppedoffhisluggageandreturneddownstairsalone.

Byfourp.m.RyanwasalreadywalkingalongthesidewalkonRedcliffeStreetinfrontofCCSCorporateServices,theregisteredoffice

usedbyIFCHoldings.Hehadnoplanson

entering,atleastnotyet.Instead,hefoundatinyopen-frontfishshackablockupRedcliffejustpastMarketStreet.HereachedintoacoolerandgrabbedabottleofWadadli,abeerhe’dneverheardof,paidatthecounter,andthensatdowninaricketywoodenseat,backawayfromtheopenentrance.Aftera

fewminutestosettlein,heglancedbackupthestreet.There,uphalfablockandacrosstwolanesoflighttraffic,wasathree-storyturquoise-coloredcinder-blockbuilding.Asinglemanstoodjustinsideaglassdoorway,wearingacheapblueblazerafewsizestoolargeforhim.Jackpeggedhimassecurity,butjustalobbyguard.

Ryantookintheentirescene.Nexttotheturquoisebuildingononesidewasasmallmeatmarket.Lambshanksandbeefcutshunginthesunfromropes,andpeoplewalkingbyswattedatflies.Ontheothersideofthebuildingwasalazy-lookingtrinketshopsetupforthecruise-shippassengerswhohappenedtowanderthefiveblocksupfromtheport.

Jacktookalongswigofhisbeerwhilehecontinuedtoscan.Hardtobelieve,hehadtoadmit,thatthisplacewaslinkedtoacorporateentityinvolvedinamultibillion-dollarnatural-gasdealontheothersideoftheworld.

Thebuildingitselfhadtwodozensignsattachedtoit,butmostofthemtoldJacknothingofwhatwentoninside.Inadditiontothe

vaguelydescriptiveCCSCorporateServices,JacksawABVServices,CaribbeanWorldPartnersLtd,andSaintJohn’sConsultingGroup.

Thereseemedtobemorethanadozenlawofficesinthebuilding.Eachonehadoneortwonamesandaphonenumber,andeverythirdhadawebsiteore-mailaddresslistedaswell.

Jackcouldn’treadmany

ofthesignsfromwherehewaswithouthelp,butofcourse,hehadbroughthelp.Hepulledasmallmonoclefromhispocketandheldituptohiseye,andwiththishecouldeasilymakeouteventheInternetaddressesatfortyyards.

Healsonoticedaspaghetti-likeweaveofwiresintoandoutofthebuildingstrungalongpoles.He

presumedthewiresdeliveredelectricity,Internet,andtelephonetothebuilding,andinadditiontothem,therewereseveralsatellitedishesandantennasontheroof.

Whilehesatsippinghisbeer,heusedhiscameraphonetotakepicturesofeverysignhesaw.Ashewasinthemiddleofdoingthis,atextmessagepoppeduponhisphone’sscreen.

ItwasSandy.“Whereareyou?Fancya

drink?”Jacktappedback,“Way

aheadofyou,boss.”Andheaddedhislocation.

IttookLamontawhiletoarrive,soJackspentthetimetakingclandestinepicturesofallofthenames,numbers,ande-mailaddresseshecouldsee,notonlyforthebuildingthathousedCCSCorporate

Services,butalsoforanotherbuildingonthenortheastcornerofMarketandRedcliffe.Itlookedlikeitwasfullofthesametypeofservicesastheturquoisebuilding,sohefiguredhe’dpullallthisdataaswellandthrowitintohisdatabasebackinthehotelroom.

FinallyJacklookedupandsawLamontheadingdownthestreettowardhim,

perspiringheavilyfromhisforeheadasheapproached.

Jackheadedtothecooler,grabbedanotherbeer,andpaidforit.HepasseditovertoLamontastheEnglishmansatdown.

Sandycooledhisbrowwiththebottle.“YoucanbloodywellgivemeLondon’sfoganyday.”

Helookedacrossthestreetatthebuildingandthen

backtoRyan.Hedrankfromthebottleandsaid,“Feellikearegulardouble-ohdoingthissortofthing.BeingherewiththesonofthePresidentaddsanotherlayertotheintrigue.”

Jackjustchuckled.Hesaid,“Iwonderhowmanybuildingstherearelikethisintown.”

“Antiguamakesitselfavailableforthosewhoneedtoestablishshellsandlaunder

money.Othernations,likePanama,forexample,havetightenedtheircontrolsalittleinordertogainmorelegitimacy.AntiguaismoreoftheWildWest.Yeah,theypayalittlelipservicehereandtheretointernationalregs,butifyouhavethemoneyyoucanbringitheresothatitcanbeginitsjourneythroughthegreatbiglaundryserviceofplanetearth’s

integratedbankingsystem.”“Butthecriminals,the

drugcartels,theRussianOCpeople,theydon’tphysicallyhavetocomehere,dothey?”

“Might,mightnot.Lotsofpeopleinsistontheface-to-face.Someblokesdon’ttrustthehelp,othersfeellikegettinginfrontofthegovernmentofficialstheyarebribinghelpsthemgettheirpointacross.Thelawyers

downhereareusedtomeetingwithsomescarypeople,andthendoingexactlywhatthey’retold.Butbeforeyoustartweepingforthem,remember,theymakealotofmoneyfortheirtrouble.”

AlargeblackpickuptruckthatseemedtoJacktobenewerandcleanerthanmanyoftheothervehiclesdrivingaroundonRedcliffe

Streetpulledintoview.Ryannoticedthereweretwoyoungblackmeninthefrontcab,andhesawthatthedriverwaslookingtowardthefishshackwhereRyansatwithLamont.Jackturnedawayfromthem,andthepickupdisappearedupthestreet.

Jackfinishedhisbeer.“Idon’tthinktherecouldbeonehundredpeoplewhoworkinthatbuilding.Oneofthem,at

leastoneofthem,knowswhoownsIFCandwherehisbankis.”

“TheyatleastknowwhichtransferbankIFCuses.MyguessistheysendfundsfromheretoPanama,butitcouldbeanyoneofadozenplaces.”

Jackmutteredtohimself,“Wishwehadacrewtotaileverybodywhocomesandgoes.”

S

Lamontlaughed.“Tailthem.Yousoundlikeadouble-ohyourself.”

“Iprobablywatchtoomanymovies.”

—andyLamontfinishedhisbeer,andthetwomen

wentexploringtheneighborhood.JackputhisBluetoothearpieceinhisearandhitarecordfeatureonhis

phone.Hedidn’twanttobeseentakingpicturesaroundhere,sohesoftlyreadaloudeverysigntheysawinthebusinessdistrictthatlooked,inanyway,interesting,alongwithreadingofflicenseplatenumbersofanyofthemanyexpensivecarsthatrolledthroughtraffic.TheBluetoothwouldrecordhisnotes,andhehadspeech-to-textsoftwarethatwouldputitin

hisdatabaseoncehegotbacktohislaptopinhisroom.

Theywanderedthestreetsdoingthistillnearlyeight,thentheyatedinnerinaharborsiderestaurant.Justafterninetheyreturnedtothehotel,butJacktoldSandyhewoulddownloadallthedatahe’dcollectedintoIBMi2Analyst’sNotebookandrunitwiththedatapointshehadontheGalbraithRossiya

Energydeal.Sandyretiredtohis

room,tookalongshower,andthenchangedforbed.HeimaginedRyanwouldhavehimupatthecrackofdawnforanotherdayofskulkingaroundthesteamystreetsofSaintJohn’s,andhisfeetwerekillinghimalready.

Justashekickedhislegsintobed,however,therewasaknockathisdoor.He

openedittofindRyanstandingthere,alaptopunderhisarm,anddressedinblackcottonpantsandablackT-shirt.

“It’snotbedtimeyet.”“It’snot?”“We’regoingbackout.”“Where?”“Letmecomeinasecond

andI’llshowyou.”“DoIhaveabloody

choice?”Lamontopenedthe

door,andRyanmadeabeelineforthedeskatthefarcorneroftheroom.Hehadhiscomputeropenamomentlater.

“Lookatthis,”Jacksaid.“IgotallthenewunstructureddatainthesystemandstartedcomparingittotheinformationI’vecompiledontheGalbraithdeal.”Heclickedonsomebuttonsandaboxcameup.

Thousandsofdatapointswererepresentedbylittledotsonawhitescreen.Linesgrewbetweenthedifferentpoints,andthendifferentcolorsofpointsandlinesbegantopopup.Jacksaid,“Disparatedatapoints,severaldegreesofseparation.”ThenCCSCorporateServices,theAntigua-basedregisteredagent,appearedwithbothblueandredpointsoverthe

name.Secondslater,aname

appearedonthechart.RandolphRobinson,attorney-at-law.Ithadseveralcoloreddotsonit.

“Who’sthisbloke,andwhat’shisconnection?”

“IsawhisshingletodayonabuildingonRedcliffeseveralblocksnorthofCCS.Ipoppeditinthesystem,andheshowsupasbeinga

lawyerusedbyCCS.”Sandyshrugged.“Alocal

companyusesalocallawyer.Probablyfornomineeservices.Contracts,andthatsortofthing.”

“That’snothinginitself,andhisnamedoesn’tturnupanywhereelse.ButIranhimthroughallsocialmediaandbusinesslistings,andIfoundhismobilenumber.Analyst’sNotebooktiesittotwoother

companiesinvolvedintheGalbraithdeal,aswellasashellsetupbyaSaintPetersburgrestaurantgroup.”

“Okay.Butwhatdoesthatprove?ThataRussiancompanyhasdealingshereinAntigua?Weknowthatalready.”

“Onelayertogo,”Ryansaidwithasmile.“HissuiteaddresstieshimtoaP.O.boxassociatedwithatrustthat

servesasalocalexecutorforShoalBankCaribe,whichisownedbyaholdinggroupinSwitzerland.Thisholdinggroupalsoownsseveralothercompanies,mostlyinsideRussiaandUkraine.Oneofthesecompanieshasaphysicalmailingaddress.ThataddressistheliquorstoreinTver,Russia.TheoneIFCHoldingsusesasadropbox.”

NowSandywasonboard.“Bingo.”

RyanlookedatSandy.“ThistieshimtotheRussianmob.”

Sandyagreed.“ThisblokeisinvolvedwithabankusedtowirefundsfromIFC.”

Jackwasallsmiles,butSandyasked,“Whatisityouplantodonow?”

“Yousaidityourself,Sandy:I’mgoinglookingin

histrash.Hemightshredit,butifhedoesn’t,thentherecouldbetensofthousandsmoredatapointsjustwaitingformetogetmyhandsonthem.Ijustneedyoutowatchthestreetforme.”

“Youreallyarearegulardouble-oh,aren’tyou?”

J20

ustdaysafterGerryHendleyagreedtothereactivationofThe

Campus,thefiveoperationsofficersflewtoKiev,Ukraine,onboardtheHendleyAssociatesGulfstreamG550.Ascover,

TheCampususedacompanycreatedandmaintainedforthepurposesofprovidinglegendstoCampusoperatorsinthefield.Thecompany,OneWorldProductions,billeditselfasanew-mediaorganizationbasedinVancouver,whichreportedonworldaffairsfromaleft-of-centerperspectiveanddistributeditsstoriestonewsoutletsaroundtheglobevia

theInternet.OneWorldProductions

hadawebsite,anactualofficelocationwithareceptionistinVancouver,andhadevenpublishedsomepiecesofreportage,althoughveryclosescrutinyofitsonlinevideoswouldrevealtheywereactuallycreatedbyfreelancejournalistswhohadnoideaalltheirworkwasforthepurposesofbackstopping

aprivateintelligenceagency.Inadditiontoaveteran

pilotandcopilot,theHendleyAssociatesGulfstreamoperatedwithhelpfromtheirdirectoroftransportation,ano-nonsenseex–NavymedicnamedAdaraSherman.Whenintheairsheservedasaflightattendant,butshealsoworkedasateammedicinthefield,asecurityofficer,andageneralfacilitatorofall

thingshavingtodowithboththeflightandgroundtransport.

OnceAdaraclearedthedinnerplatesoutoftheway,shehelpedthemengothroughsomeoftheequipmenttheywouldbeusingontheirmission.Ofcoursetheyhadcameras,iPads,andsatellitephoneswithtwo-waycommunicationscapabilities

—allitemsthatanygroupofjournalistswouldn’tbecaughtwithout—buttheyalsohadbroughtalongseveralotheritemsthatwouldnotholdupsowelltoclosescrutinybyUkrainiancustomspersonnel.

Therewasacasefullofslap-ons,metallicboxeseachnotmuchlargerthanaboxofmatches,whichheldmini–GPSreceivers.Thesegadgets

weregreatfortrackingvehiclesviaappsonthemen’sphonesandiPads.

Alsowiththem—andthesecertainlywerenotcontraband,althoughtheywouldbedamnhardtoexplain—wereseveralhobby-gradeelectric-poweredradio-controlledcarsspeciallydesignedasdeliveryvehiclesfortheslap-ons.

Theteamhadnofirearms

withthemotherthanAdara’sshort-barreledcarbineandpistol,andasecondofeach,allconcealedunderoneofmanyhiddenaccesspanelsinthejet,wheretheywouldremain.Thatsaid,thefouroperationsmenofTheCampuswouldhaveafewotherweaponsavailabletothemwhiletheywereinKiev.Theyeachcarriedamulti-toolwithahiddenfour-

inchswitchblade.Thepenstheywouldcarryintheirpocketsweremadeofhardenedplasticandcouldeasilypenetrateclothingandskin,theyworenecklacesmadeoutofacoveredwirethatcouldbeemployedasagarrote,andeventheirsatellitephoneshadanexternalbatterythatsuppliedverylittleextrajuicetothephone,butactuallyservedas

apowerfulstungunthatcouldincapacitatesomeoneatcontactdistance.

WithAdara’shelp,theyhidthemoreclandestineitemsintheaircraft’saccesspanelsjustsotheycouldpassthroughacustomsinspectiononlanding.ThenthemenspentsomemoretimeontheirlaptopsreviewingFalconView,ahigh-techmapsystemavailabletomilitary

andintelligence,andalsoavailabletoTheCampus,sinceGavinBieryhadaccessedthefilesbackbeforehe’dlostaccesstothefeedbetweenFortMeadeandLangley.ButeventhoughtheirFalconViewhadnotbeenupdatedinafewmonths,GavinwascertainitwouldstillbeahellofalotmorehelpfulthanGoogleMaps.

AstheyracedacrosstheAtlanticatmorethanfourhundredknots,Clarklookedattheaircraft’spositiononthemainmonitorintheplushcabin.Hesaid,“Touchdowninfiveandahalfhours.Let’stryandcatchafewhours’sleep.We’regoingtoneedtohitthegroundrunningtomorrow.”

—

JackRyan,Jr.,andSandy

LamontwalkedupRedcliffeStreetinSaint

John’s,Antigua.Therewerestillquiteafewpeopleaboutnowat10:30p.m.,andenoughofthemwerewhitetouristssothatJackandSandydidn’tstickouttoobadly,althoughJackwasworriedaboutstayinglow-profilearoundhereforlong,especiallywithanuntrained

partner.Theyfoundthebuilding

withtheshingleforRandolphRobinson;itwasjustanopenground-floorcoveredparkinglotlargeenoughforadozenorsocars,andaboveitasinglestoryofofficesuites.Therewasagatedfencearoundtheproperty,butJackquicklysawhowhecouldeasilyscalethefenceatacornerpost.

Ryanlookedintothedarkenedemptylotandsawthreelargegarbagecontainerssittinglinedupagainstthestairwell.Thelidwasupononeofthem,andhecouldseepaperstackedonothertrash.

Thetwomenturnedacornerandfoundafoodtruckwithalargegroupofpeoplesittingaroundonmilkcartons,eatingsaltedfishanddrinkingcoconutwater.They

eachboughtadrink,andthentheykeptwalkingsotheycouldtalk.

Sandysaid,“Youcan’tpossiblyfilchallthatgarbage.”

“Wedon’thaveto.”Jackhelduphisphone.

“Idon’tfollowyou.”“Ijumpthefence,thenI

turnonmyvideocamera.Igrabastackofpapersandmovethroughthemasfastas

Ican.Ijusthavetogetatenth-of-a-secondlookateachone.ThenIsendthevideofiletoanarchivingapplicationIhave.ItwilluseopticalcharacterrecognitiontolookateveryframeofthevideoandarchiveeverylastnumberandwordinawayIcansearchandreferenceitlater.”

“That’sbloodymarvelous.Howmuchtime

doweneed?”BeforeJackcould

answer,ablackpickuptruckdroveby,andthedriverandfront-seatpassengereyedhimslowlyandcarefully.Jackwascertainitwasthesamevehiclehehadseenearlierintheafternoon.

Sandyhadn’tnoticed,butJackdidn’tmentionit,becausethelastthingheneededrightnowwasa

spookedpartner.Hecouldhavecanceledhisplansfortheevening,butinsteadhejusttoldhimselfhe’dkeepaclosewatchontheroadincasetheycameback.

Hiseyesfollowedthetrucktillitdisappearedaroundthecorner,andthenheansweredSandy’squestion:“Dependsonhowmuchpaperisinthosecans.I’dsayfifteenminutes,tops.”

“Whatifsomebodycatchesus?”

Jackshrugged.“Canyourun?”

“Notreally.”“Thenlet’snotletanyone

catchus.”Astheynearedthe

building,Lamontasked,“Howisityouknowallthisstuff?”

Jacksaid,“I’mnotanattorney,I’mnotaCPA,and

Idon’thaveatonofexperiencelikeeveryoneelseatCastorandBoyle.”Hehelduphisphone.“Littletrickslikethisareforcemultipliers.Theyhelpmeleveragemystrength.”

Theactualcollectionofthedatainthegarbagecanswentsurprisinglysmoothly.Jackclimbedthefencewhennoonewasinsight,thendroppeddownandracedto

thecans.Twoofthecanshadnopapers,buttheothercontainedhundredsofdocuments,envelopes,andotherrelevantmaterial.Hereacheddeepintothecantohidehislightfromthestreet,thenbeganquicklyshufflingthroughthepages,keepinghisphonepointedatthem.

Sandywalkedthestreetoutfront.HewasconnectedtoRyanthroughtheirphones,

andotherthanhisneedtoremindRyaneverycoupleofminutesthatheshouldhurryup,hedidafinejobasalookout.

Ryanmadeitbackontothestreetintenminutesflat,andthetwomenwalkedwestbacktowardtheirhotel.

Sandyasked,“Soareyoucoveredinfishgutsandothergarbage?”

“RandolphRobinson

keepsacleanoffice.Someofhisstuffwasshredded,butlikemostpeople,he’stoolazytoshreditall.Igothundredsofdocuments,envelopes,pamphlets,andhandwrittennotes.Don’tknowifanyofitwilldousanygood,butitsureashellwon’thurt.”

TheywerehalfwaybacktotheirhotelwhenJacksawthetroubleupahead.The

sameblackpickuptruck—hecouldtellbecauseitappearedtobeaboutfiveyearsnewerthantheaveragevehicleonthestreet—satparkedjustbeyondtheintersection.Insidewereatleastfourmen.Jackcouldn’tbecertainfromthisdistancetheexactnumber,buthecouldtelltheguyshesawearlierhadgonetopickupatleasttwomorebuddies.

Jackwasprettysurethatwasbadnews.

Ryanknewbetterthantoheadbacktothehotel.Thelastthinghewantedwasfortheseguystoknowwherehewassleeping.

Therewasalivelytwo-levelbarbetweenRyanandthetruckahead.Jacksaid,“How’boutanightcap.”

Sandydidnothavetobepersuaded.

A21

sJackRyan,Jr.,andSandyLamontcrossedthestreet

towardtheentrance,Ryannoticedasecondtruckpassthroughtheintersectionjustnexttothebar.Itstaillightsimmediatelylitup,andJack

lookedintheglassofagiftshopacrossthestreetjustintimetoseethevehicleturndownthealleywaybehindthebar.

“Oh,shit,”Ryansaidsoftly.Sandywasaheadofhimanddidnothear.

JackrealizedheandSandywouldbesurroundedoncetheygotinsidethebuilding.Hethoughtitover,consideredjustcontinuingon

backtothehotelandcallingthepolice,butforallheknew,themenwatchinghimwerethepolice.

Ultimately,hedecidedtorelyonthecoverofthecrowd,andhehopedlikehelltheseguys,whoevertheywere,wouldn’tdoanythinginsidethebarwithallthewitnesses.

Thebarwasjustadive.TherewasaDJonapodium

andalittledancefloorandthenabararea,andtotheleftofthebarwasarearexit.

Sandyledtheway,andassoonastheymadeittothebarinthebackoftheroom,JacktoldSandytogoaheadandorderforthemboth.Heturnedhisbacktothebarandkepthiseyesonthefrontdoor,buthealsocheckedthebackentranceeveryfewseconds.

Jackbeganplayingthisthroughinhishead.Hefiguredthemenweresomesortoflocalheat,hiredbythelawyersandcorporateservicescompaniesgenerally,butnottiedtohissituationspecifically.

Ofcourse,hehadtoentertainthepossibilityhewaswrongaboutthis,andthesedudeswereherebecausehewasthesonofthe

PresidentoftheUnitedStates,andtheyhadsomethingmoredangerousinmind.

Buthedecidedthefirstscenariowasmorelikely.HeandSandyhadbeenalittlelackadaisicalintheirsurveillance.RyanrealizedifhewereoperatingwithJohnClarkorDingChavez,hewouldhaveputallsortsofoperationalsecuritymeasures

inplacethatwouldhaveavoidedjustsuchanevent.Buthe’dcomedownherethinkingthiswassomedryanddrabbusinessintelligenceexercise,andhehadnothingmoretoworryaboutthangettingtherunaroundfromasecretarywhowouldn’tlethimtakeabusinesscardoffadesk.

Twomenenteredandstoodatthefrontdoor.One

haddreads,theothershorthairandbigmuscles.Theytalkedtothebouncerforjustamoment,thenstartedlookingaround.TheymadeeyecontactwithRyansecondslater,andtheystoodtheirgroundbythedoor.

Jacklookedtothebackentrancenow.Therewasnoonethere,buthefeltsurethatevenathird-ratecrewofhiredRastastonersfrom

someshantyislandvillagewouldknowenoughtocoverthebackdoortoboxtheirquarryin.

Jackgaveuponthehopethemenwouldn’tconfronthiminthepublicsetting,andhemovedontothehopethattheywerehereonlyforintimidation.“Sandy,Ineedtotellyousomething,andIneedyoutostayverycalmwhenIdo.”

SandypassedJackabeer,andhebroughthispiñacoladauptohismouthandbegandrinkingitthroughastraw.TheEnglishman’smannerismsdidn’tgiveRyanmuchhopehe’dhaveahellofalotofassistanceinthenextfewminutes,sincehewasn’tawareofmanybarfightswonbymenwhoorderedpiñacoladas.

Ryanhadtolookat

Sandy’seyesoverthepineapplespear.Hesaid,“Thereareacoupleofguysatthedoorwatchingus.They’vebeenfollowingusforawhile.”

Sandystartedtoturnhishead.Jacksaid,“No.Don’tdothat.Ijustneedyoutobereadytomovetowardthatbackdoor.”

“You’rebloodyserious?”Heturnedhisheadaround

slowly,apoorattempttobecovertwhilelooking.

“I’mguessingsomeonesawusinfrontofCCS’sofficeearlierintheday.Whoknows,theremightbesomeotherbelow-boardoperationinthatbuildingwhorunsthisoutfit,hiresthemouttoleanonanyonetheydon’tlikethelookof.Idon’texpectanyrealtrouble,buttheyaregoingtomakeashow,justto

scareus.”Sandysawthemnow.

Twomenatthefrontdoor.Onehaddreadlocks,hisshirtwasopentothewaist,andhehadathicknestofnecklacesaroundhisneck.Theotherworeasoccerjersey;hehadshorthairandhisblackjerseybarelyconstrainedhisthickmuscles.“Yeah,well,theyarealreadysucceeding.Whatarewegoingtodo?”

Hebegansuckingonhisdrink,asiftheounceofruminitwasgoingtocalmhisnerves.

“We’regoingtofinishourdrinksandheadouttheback.Ithinktheywillconfrontus,butletmedothetalking.We’llbefine.”

“Whydoyouwanttogointoabloodyalley?”

Jackhadananswertothis.Hedidn’twantanyone

seeingwhathemighthavetodo.He’dworkedhardtohavealow-profilelife,andhewaswillingtoriskanass-kickingtomaintainit.

“We’llbefine.Trustme.”Ashesaidit,herealizedhewaspushinghisluckwiththis,buthehadtheconfidenceinhisphysicalabilitiesaswellashisabilitytotalkhiswayoutofwhatevermightarise.

Sandysaid,“Jack,haveyouforgottenwhoyouare?Youcanpulloutyourphone,dialsomesecretnumberthatIknowyouhavememorizedand,Bob’syouruncle,anaircraftcarrierwillappearintheharborandwhiskusbothofftosafety.”

JackwouldhavelaughedatLamont’smasterplan,excepthewasgettinghismindingearforwhatwas

startingtolooklikeaninevitableconfrontation.

“I’mnotcallinganybody,”hesaid,hisvoicetakingonagravetone.“YouandIaregoingtowalkoutthebackdoor,headupthealley,andthengotoourhotel.”

“Andthenwhat?”“AndthenIwillcomeup

withanotherawesomeplan.”“Right.Ofcourse.”

A—

minutelater,JackandSandyenteredthealley.It

wasn’tasdarkashehadfeareditwouldbe;therewereacoupleoflightpolesaswellasaglowcomingfromaclapboard-wallcasinobuildingthatranthelengthoftheblockontheothersideofthesingle-lanealley.

Theyturnedtowalkback

tothehotel,buthadmadeitonlyafewfeetwhentwomensteppedoutoftheshadowsinfrontofthem.

“GoodLord,”Sandywhispered.

Theseguyswereyoungandfit.Jackpeggedthemaspartofsomelocalgang.Theyhadtattoosontheirarmsthatwereobviousbecausetheyworetanktops.

Jacksmiledand

continuedwalkingtowardthem.Hescannedtheirhandsandtheirwaistbandsforweapons,buthesawnothing.“Evening.Somethingwecandoforyougents?”

ThetallerofthetwospokewithathickWestIndiesaccent.“Youwanttobetellingusjustwhythefuckyouaresointerestedintheofficebuildingyouweresnappingpicturesofearlier

today?”“Don’tknowwhatyou

aretalkingabout.We’retourists.”

“Yaain’tnotourists,man.You’redownherestickingyournoseswheretheydon’tbelong,andwedon’tlikethat.”

Sandyspokeup;hisvoicewascrackedwithfear.“Look,mate.Wearen’thereforanytrouble.”

AnotherWestIndian–accentedvoicespokeup,thisonefrombehind.“Trouble’shereforyou.”

Sandyspunaroundinnearterrornow.Ryanhadheardthedooropenbehindthemfromthebar,sohejustturnedcalmlyandcheckedtoconfirmitwasthetwomenhe’dseenwiththebouncer.Hismindwasswitchingintoadifferentgear,hewascalm,

resignedtothefactthesemenweregoingtoneedtobedealtwith,buttakingsomecomfortinthefacthisoppositionseemedtobesupremelyconfidenttheyhadthesituationwellinhand.

Jackknewhecouldusethatconfidenceagainstthem.

Themanwiththedreadlocksspokenow:“We’reheretomakesureyouboysgobackhometo

whereveryoucamefromandneverreturn.”

“Noproblematall,”saidSandy.

Dreadlocksmiled,histeethbrightwhiteinthelightsofthealleyway.“We’renotgonnatakeassurances,whiteboy.We’regonnaputyoutwointhehospitalsoyourememberyourmistakeincomin’here.”

Dreadlockswasthe

leaderofthegroup,thatwasplaintoRyan.Hewasjustoutofarm’slengthnow,andwhilehedidn’thaveanyweapons,Jackknewhehadtooperateasifallfourofthemcouldproducesomeweaponquickly.

Sandy’shandswereupinsurrendernow.“Completelyunnecessary,gentlemen,Icanassureyou,yourmessagehasbeenreceivedloudand—”

Sandybrokeintoarun.Allfourmenmovedtowardhimreflexively,andthisopenedupJack’soptions.Oneofthetank-topmencrossedrightinfrontofhim,soJackfiredoutarightjabintotheman’sjaw,knockinghimunconsciousanddroppinghiminthestreet.Theothertank-topmanrecognizedthethreat;hewasafewstepsfartheraway,so

hestoppedhispursuitoftheblondandspuntowardthedark-hairedandbeardedAmerican.Whiledoingsohereachedforafixed-bladeknifeinascabbardinthesmallofhisbackandpunchedoutwithhisotherhand.

Jackclosedthedistancequickly,andhecaughtaglancingblowonthebridgeofhisnose.Butbeforethe

Antiguancoulddrawhisweapon,Jackwasonhim.Hetookhimbyhisrightforearm,putthemaninatightwristlock,andpushedhisarmawayataforty-five-degreeangle.Asthemaninthetanktopscreamedout,Jackstompeddownontheinsideofhisknee,droppingthemanontohisbackinwrithingagonynexttohisunconsciouspartner.

TheothertwoAntiguansturnedawayfromLamonttoaidtheircolleagues.TheyapproachedRyanwiththeirownbladesdrawn;theyshoutedathimastheyadvancedupthealleyway.

Jacksoftenedhiskneesandloweredintoacrouch.Astheshort-hairedmaninthesoccerjerseynearedandswunghisknife,Jackduckedunderhisswing,spunaround,

slammedhisbackintotheonrushingattacker,andgrabbedtheman’sdownward-arcingarm.Hetwistedthearm,snappingitattheelbow,andtheknifedroppedtotheground.

DreadlockstriedtostabRyan,butRyanhadputthemaninthesoccerjerseybetweenhimselfandthisfinalattacker.Hecontrolledthewoundedmanbyholdinghis

armshighandpushingintohimwithhisback,andthisstifledthelastarmedman’sattemptstodeliverablow.Oncethemanwithdreadlocksloweredhisknifetoswitchhands,Jackpulleddownonhisprisoner’sarms,dislocatingoneoftheman’sshoulders,andthenhethrustbackward,sendingthemaninthejerseyintotheairandcrashingintohisleader.This

tookDreadlocksevenmoreoutoftheoffenseandontothedefense.Bythetimehegothisunderlingoutofhisway,thetallAmericanwasontopofhim,swattingtheknifeawayandblastinghimwithathree-punchcombinationtohisface.

TheAntiguanfellontohisbackontheconcretealley,andJackkeptuptheattack,kneelingoverhimand

rainingseveralmoreblows.Whenitwasclear

Dreadlockswasunconscious,Jacklookedaround.Themanintheblackjerseywasrunningoffintothenight,clutchinghisarm.Athirdmanrolledaround,holdinghiskneeandcursingincomprehensibleprofanities,andthefourthmanwasfacedownandoutcold.

Jacklookedintheother

T

direction.SandyLamontstoodthere,justtwenty-fivefeetaway,staringatthecarnageandthemanonhiskneesinthecenterofit.

Jackstoodandbeganmovingupthealley.“Let’sgetoutofhere.”

—heywerebackintheirhoteltwentyminutes

later.Sandyhadpulledafew

airplanebottlesofrumoutoftheminibarwithashakinghand,andhepouredthemintoaglass.Jacksatwithhiminhisroom.Hehadabeerinhishand,buthehadn’teventakenasipyet.

SandyLamontjuststaredatRyan.“Whothehellareyou?”

Jacktouchedhisfingerstothebridgeofhisnose.Itwasjustscrapedalittle;no

bloodflowed.Hisknuckleswerescrapedandbruisedaswell.

He’dcomeupwithananswertoSandy’squestiononthequietanduncomfortablewalkbacktothehotel.Hesaid,“TheSecretServiceputmethroughahellofalotoftraining.Beendoingitforyears,butwhenIrefusedtheirprotection,theyreally

steppeditup...”Jackshruggedandsmiled.“Hell,IguessI’mhalfaninjabynow.”

Sandysaid,“That’sbloodymarvelous.Thosebastardsweregoingtokillus.”

“No.Theyweregoingtoknockourheadstogether,butdon’tmakethisbiggerthanitwas.Theyareusedtointimidatingpeopledown

here.Theyprobablyworkforanydrugdealer,shadymoneylaunderer,orpimpwhopaysthem.Theyaren’tassassins.Justassholes.”

Sandydownedtherum.Hishandsstillshook.

Jackwasworriedaboutthenextpart.“Anychancewecankeepthisbetweenyouandme?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”“Imean,I’dratherHugh

Castordidn’tknowaboutthis.”

Sandyjustlookedoutthewindowattheoceanforamoment.“Yeah.That’sprobablyagoodidea.He’dblamemefortheentirething.”

“Why?”Sandyshrugged.“He’s

pressuringmeaboutyoualready.”

“Pressuringyou?What

doyoumean?”“Oh.BloodyGazprom.

Hemakesarightruckuseverytimehehearsyouarediggingintothem.”

JackthoughtbacktoSandywarninghimawayfromthegiantRussiancorporation.“SothatwasCastortalking,notyou.”

“Sorry,mate.Ordersfromtheboss.Idoseehispoint.Wecandogood

businesswithoutgoingtoe-to-toeagainsttherealseatofRussianpower.”

“Aren’tyouoverstatingitabit?IwouldthinktheKremlinwouldbetheseatofRussianpower.”

Nowthatthesubjecthadturnedtobusiness,Sandywasbackonlevelground.Herecoveredquickly.“Thinkaboutit,Jack.Gazpromnotonlyisownedbythe

Kremlin,butitalsoisdirectlytiedtothebankaccountsofthesilovikiintheKremlin.CastorhasalwaysbeenagainstusdoinganythingtoprovoketheKremlin,andI’dsayfuckingwiththeirmealticketapplies.”

Ryanlookedoutoverthesea.“IthinkCastorshouldlettheseinvestigationsgowherethefactslead.”

“Ifyouwanttoknowthe

truth,Jack,Ido,too.OldmanCastorhashiseyesonthebottomline,sohe’llgotobatforanyRussianoligarchwho’stryingtosuesomeotherRussianoligarch,aslongasVolodinandhissilovikiaren’tinvolved.”

“Butthesilovikiisinvolvedinalotofunderhandedstuff.”

“Ithinkhe’sjustscaredofVolodinandhisthugs.

He’dneveradmitit,butallofhistenacityjustseemstodriftawaywhenthefactsleadtowardtheKremlin.”

Jackwasfrustratedbythis,butitwasnicetoseethatSandywasfrustratedaswell.

Sandysaid,“Iwon’tmentionthefisticuffsdownhere.Ononecondition.”

“Nameit.”“Iwantyoutoteachme

howtodosomeofthat.”

“It’sadeal,”Ryansaid.

W22

ithallthebadges,businesscards,

equipment,andswaggerofagroupofindependentjournalists,Clark,Chavez,Driscoll,Caruso,andBierylandedatKiev’sBoryspil

InternationalAirportjustafternineinthemorning.TheyweremetbyamanClarkhadhiredtouseasafixerforthedurationoftheiroperation.

IgorKryvovwasaformermemberofUkraine’sSecurityService’sAlphagroup,aparamilitarySpetsnazforceusedforhostageandcounterterrorscenarios,andhe’dalsoservedasanassaulteron

DomingoChavez’steaminRainbow.Hewasnowretiredfromthatlife,havingpickedupadisabilityduringatrainingaccidentwhenhismainparachutefailedtoopenandhisreservechutecaughthighwindsthatsenthimslammingawkwardlyintotheground.He’dbrokenbothlegsandshatteredhispelvis,andhe’dnearlybledtodeathfromthecompoundfractures.

WhenhelearnedhisinjurieswouldpreventhimfromreturningtoactivedutywithRainbow,hetookajobasabeatcopwiththeKievmunicipalpolice,andwhiledoingso,heearnedamaster’sdegreeincriminalintelligence.ForashorttimehewasaninvestigatorfortheMinistryofInternalAffairs,buthehadnointerestinthecorruptionrifewithinthe

organization.Hisinsistenceonplayingbythebooksouredhisrelationshipwithhisemployers,sonowhewasintheprivatesector,freelancinginsecurityworkandtakingjobsasafixer—essentially,aglorifiedtourguideforforeignersdoingbusinessinthecityof2.8million.

Asaresultofhisinjuries,Kryvovwalkedwithaslight

stoopandapronouncedlimp,butdespitehissurgeriesandhislonghistoryofprofessionalviolence,healwaysworeasmileonhisface.

“ColonelClark!”hesaidasheshookJohn’shandonthetarmac.“Goodtoseeyouagain.”

“Hi,Igor.Ireallyappreciateyouagreeingtoworkwithus.”

“Areyoukidding?I’vebeensoboreddrivingCNNreportersaroundfromoneprotestmarchtothenext.Gettingtobewithyouguysforafewdayssoundslikefun.”

WhenChavezcamedownthestepsoftheHendleyAssociatesGulfstream,KryvovgrabbedthesmallerMexicanAmericanandyankedhim

intoabearhug.“Goodtoseeyou,Igor.”“Youaswell.”Theforty-five-year-old

wasintroducedtotheothers,andwithinminuteshehadalltheirequipmentpackedupinthevan.Igorknewthemenweren’tjournalists,butClarkhadtoldhimonlythathewascomingovertodosome“pokingaround.”TheUkrainianquitereasonably

assumedthemenwereCIA,butoperatingundernonofficialcover.

Kryvovwasknownaroundthecityasamanwhoworkedwithforeignpress,soClarkknewtheex–Rainbowmancouldhelpthemestablishtheirjournalisticcovers.This,alongwithhisknowledgeofthelocalcriminalelement,madehimaperfectfitfortheCampus

team,sincetheyneededtobedialedintosomeofthedarkersidesofthecityinordertolearnwhatwasgoingonoverherewiththeSevenStrongMen.

Theentouragelefttheairportanddrovetoarentedthird-floorflatinanoldbuildingontherightbankoftheDnieperRiver.ThoughtheAmericansweretiredfromtheflight,theywasted

notimebeforebeginningthelengthyprocessofpreparingtheirsafehouse.Theysweptforbugsusingtinydeviceshiddenintheircameraequipment,andtheychoseroutesinthebuildingandintheneighborhoodsotheycouldescapequicklyifnecessary.

GavinBierysetuphisoperationinthelivingroom.Fromtheverybeginning,

Clarkhadstressedtotheteamtheimportanceofmaintainingtheircover.Bierysetuphisworkstationwiththatinmind.Notonlywerethecomputersencryptedandpassword-protected,buttheCampus-relatedapplicationswerehiddenonthemachines,whiledigitaleditingsoftwareandseveralnews-relatedwebsitesranopenly.Thisway,evenifsomeonegot

pastthesecurity,theywouldstillthinktheywerelookingattheworkofaneditororcameramanforatravelingnewsteam.

Gavinfireduphistwolaptops,andfromherehegainedaccesstotheCIA’sSIPRNetandtheUkrainianSSUnetwork.Healsosetupacomputerthatfunctionedasadigitalradioreceiver,andthisheattachedtoaspeaker

system.Theradiowasabletopickupanddecrypttransmissionsfromlocalpolice,althoughonlyKryvovspokeUkrainianfluently.

Theygotaroundthislimitationtosomedegreewiththeuseoftranslationsoftware,sothatthedataGavinpulledupfromtheUkrainianpolicenetworkwouldbeinstantlyandautomaticallyconvertedto

English.Itsoundedgreatintheory,butinpracticethesoftwarewashit-and-miss.Gavinhadtoreadeverysentencemultipletimestofigureoutwhatwasbeingconveyed,andmuchofitwasjustgibberish.

Whileeveryoneelsewasgettingsettledintotheirnewdigs,DingChaveztookIgorKryvovaside.“Look,Igor,youandIhaveknowneach

otherforalongtime,soyouknowmetobeastraightshooter,right?”

“Sure,Ding.”“I’vegotsomethingto

askyou,soI’mjustgoingtoaskyou.IknowyouareUkrainian,butyoucomefromaRussianfamily.WhatdoyouthinkaboutalltherumorsgoingonaboutRussiathesedays?”

“Youmeantherumors

thatRussiaisgoingtoinvade?”

“Exactly.”Kryvovsaid,“Iam

UkrainianofRussianorigin,true.Butthatdoesn’tmeanIwanttoberuledbyMoscow.Volodinwon’tstopuntilhedestroysthelastvestigesoflibertyinthishemisphere,soheandhiscroniescancontroleverything.

“Youhavetounderstand,

Ding,therearethreetypesofpeopleinthiscountry.TheUkrainiannationalistsaremostlyinthewest.TheRussiannationalistsaremostlyintheeast.AndthentherearetheUkrainiansofRussiandescentwhowantnothingtodowiththeKremlinatall.Ibelongtothatcategory,andweareeverywhere.IhaveseenenoughwartoknowthatI

don’twanttoseeanymore,especiallyonmydoorstep.”

“That’sgoodtoknow,”saidDing.Themenshookhands.“I’msurewecouldalluseaprimeronthelocalorganized-crimesceneaswell.”

“I’lltellyouguyseverythingIknow.”

Whileeveryonepreparedtheapartmentfortheirstay,Kryvovrelayedstoryafter

storyaboutthesecuritysituationhereinthecity.AccordingtoKryvov,inthepastmonthsKievhadturnedintonothinglessthanahavenforRussianspiesandRussianorganizedcrime.Othercrimegroups—Chechens,Georgians,andUkrainianTatars—werealsoactiveinthecity,butthewordonthestreetwaseveryonewasnowworkingfortheRussians.

Organizedcrimeatthestreetlevel,aphenomenonthathaddeclinedinRussia,seemedtobeontherisehere.Manysawtheupswingincriminalactivity,violentextortions,andassassinationsasjustaninevitableresultofthepoliticalstrifethenationwasexperiencing,buttoanoldhandlikeKryvov,itseemedlikesomethingmuchlessorganicwasgoingon.

“ThesenewRussianguysintownarebribinglocalofficialstovoteinwaysthatbenefitRussia.Theyarepayingoffothercrimeorganizationstoincreasetheiractivity,whichcausesthelocalpolicetobeoverburdened.Theyhavebeatenup,threatened,andkidnappedsomejournalistswhowerereportingnegativestoriesabouttheKremlinas

well.Whatweareseeing,asnearasIcantell,isRussianorganizedcrimehereinKievdoingtheworkoftheFSB.”

KryvovtoldthemenofTheCampushehadneverheardthenameGlebtheScar,butheknewsomelocalswhocouldprovidethemwithmoreinformation.

ClarklistenedtoeverythingKryvovsaidaboutthesituationontheground

hereinKiev,thenhesaid,“WhenIwaswithRainbow,theRussiansweresomeofourbestpartnersinNATO.Theyworkedwithusonterrorismissues,nuclearproliferation,regionalsecuritymatters.”

Kryvovsaid,“TherearestillgoodRussiansoldiers,needlesstosay.Gooddiplomatsaswell,believeitornot,butthat’sjustbecause

therearen’tenoughsilovikitostaffalltheembassieswithdiplomatsaswellasspies.ButVolodinleadseveryonebythenose,paysoffhissupportersbyallowingthelevelofcorruptionthatexists.”

Driscollasked,“Mr.C,whatisourfirststep?”

Clarksaid,“TomorrowIamgoingtoreachouttothelocalchiefofstation,Keith

Bixby.”Chavezwassurprisedby

this.“Reachouttohim?Isn’tthatalittlerisky?Howdoyouknowhewon’tjustmakesomecallsandgetyoupickedupbythelocalcopsforwanderingaroundonhisturf?”

“Aneducatedguess.I’lltellhimI’vecometohelp,andI’llimpressuponhimthatIamaprivatecitizenandI

knowI’maprivatecitizen.Heseemedlikeapragmaticguy.Ithinkhe’llbegladtogetanothersetofeyesinthistown.”

“Andifyou’rewrong?”Bieryasked.

Clarkshrugged.“IfI’mwrong,thiscouldendupbeingashorttrip.”

A23

fterbeinguprootedbytheradiationscareattheWhite

House,CathyandthekidsdecidedtomovebacktotheirhomeinMarylandforthecleanup.Jack,ontheotherhand,wantedtocontinue

workingintheWestWing,sohemovedacrossPennsylvaniaAvenuetoBlairHouse,theofficialguestresidenceoftheWhiteHouse.

ThecleanupacrossthestreetintheWhiteHouseresidencebeganalmostimmediately.MostsolidsurfacesneededathoroughcleaningwithDecon90,apowerfuldetergentcontainingathree-percentsolutionof

potassiumhydroxide.Thesurfaceswerethenrevarnishedorrepainted,andretestedforthepoloniumisotopetoensuretherewerenolingeringtraces.

ButthebathroomGolovkohadvisitedhadtobecompletelydestroyed.TheenamelofthetoiletandthesinkhadbeenpenetratedbythematerialemanatingfromGolovko’sbody,andthis

couldnotbecleanedbydetergent,sotheenamelsurfaceswereremovedandsmashedintosmallpieces,andthesepieceswerestoredataspecialprocessingfacilityinalead-linedcontainer.Thehalf-lifeofpolonium-210wasarelativelyshort138days,meaningthematerialcouldbemoresafelyhandledanddisposedofonlyafterlettingitsitforseveralmonths.

Whilethiswastakingplace,similardecontaminationoperationsbeganatGolovko’sCapitolHillhotel,onboardtheaircraftthattookhimfromKansastoWashington,andinbothhishotelinLawrenceandtheroomsaffectedattheUniversityofKansas.

WhilejackhammersweretearingtheradiatedbathroomfixturesoutoftheWhite

Houseresidence,JackRyanwassittingathisdeskintheOvalOfficewhenhetookthephonecalllettinghimknowthatSergeyGolovkodiedintheICUatGeorgeWashington.

Hehungupthephoneandheadedovertothesittingareainfrontofhisdesk,wherehesatdownandrelayedthenewstoScottAdler,MaryPatFoley,and

JayCanfield.TheyweremeetingtodaytodiscussVolodin’sannouncementconcerningtheexpandedpowersoftheFSB,andthenewsofGolovko’sdeath,whilenosurprise,onlymadethetopicofconversationtimelier.

Ryanrubbedhiseyesunderhisglasses.“TheKGBisback.Callitwhateverthehellyouwanttocallit,dress

itupindesignersuitsandgiveitaMadisonAvenuePRdepartment,butit’sthesameoldgangweallknowandhate.”

MaryPatFoleysaid,“Youknow,onecouldmaketheargumentthatthenewFSBismorepowerfulthantheKGBeverwas.TheKGBdidnothaverealdecision-makingpowerwithintheSovietUnion.Notlikemany

think.TheirjobwastoadvisetheCommunistParty.Theydidn’tcalltheshots.Butnow...nowtheintelligenceofficersbothspyandruntheshow.”Shepaused.“It’sworsenow.”

Ryansaid,“Thequestionis,howwillthepromotionofTalanovchangethings?”

JayCanfieldresponded,“Wecanexpectactiononallfronts.Talanov’sreignat

FSBhasbeencharacterizedbyhisuseofproxiesasaforcemultiplierforhisagency.RebelgroupsinGeorgia,unionworkersinUkraine,organized-crimegroupsworkingforhiminChechnyaandtheBaltic.”

Foleyagreed.“Everyintelagencydoesthis.Hell,weuseproxyforcestosomeextent,butTalanovisgoingbacktotheKGBmodelby

makingitthecenterpieceofhisforeignintelligencestrategy.VolodinistryingtopullalltheborderingnationsintoRussia’sdirectcontrol,soyoucanbesureTalanovwillexecutehismarchingorderswithaneyetowarddestabilizingcountriesthatdon’ttoetheKremlinline.”

ScottAdlersaid,“Volodin’saimistoinstitutesomethinglikeanewWarsaw

Pact.Oncethathappens,inadditiontohundredsofmillionsofpeoplelosingtheirlibertyandself-determination,Europewillbecompletelysqueezed.”

Ryansaid,“WhenItalkedtoGolovkohewasveryconcernedaboutTalanov.HesaiditwasparticularlysuspicioushowhecameoutofnowheretoleadtheFSB.”

“Iagreewithhim,”Foleysaid.“WhenVolodinmadethisannouncementIreachedouttootherfriendlyagenciestoseeiftheyhadanythingsubstantiveonTalanovthatwedidn’t.Ofcourse,we’velookedintohimbefore,whenhewaspickedtoheadFSB,forexample,butIwantedtomakesurenostonewasleftunturnedconcerninghim.”

“Whatdidyoulearn?”

“Littleofficially,”Foleyadmitted.“HewastheheadoftheFSBinNovosibirsk,thelargestcityinSiberia,beforecomingtoMoscowlastyearandtakingoverasheadofinternalsecurity.Wedidafullworkuponhimasamatterofcourse,buttherearealotofblanks.Wefoundrumorsthathewasex-GRU,andhewasinChechnya,butnothingconclusive.Heisthe

mostopaqueintelligencechiefRussiahashadsincebackintheSovietUniondays.”

“SergeyconfirmedhewasGRU,”Jacksaid,andMaryPatjottedanotedownonapadinherlap.Jackasked,“HowhasTalanovstayedsolow-profile?”

“It’snotthatsurprising,really.LookatVolodinhimself.Weknowhewas

KGBinthemidtolateeighties,thenFSBforashorttime.WhentheSovietUnionfellapart,hewentintobanking,madeafewbillion,andthendabbledinpoliticsinhishomeofSaintPetersburg.He’sbeensuchahigh-profilebusinessmanforsolongit’seasytoforgetheusedtobeaspy.”

Canfieldsaid,“Hisofficialbiographysayshe

wasjustaKGBdeskjockeyinMoscow,andwe’veneverturnedupinformationsuggestingdifferently.”

“Volodinisanautocrat,buthehasgivenTalanovincrediblepower.Why?”Ryanasked.

Adleranswered,“Becauseherespectshisabilities,Iassume.”

Foleyadded,“Sure,butalsobecausehetrustshim.”

Jackpressedtheissue.“WhatthehelldidaGRUmanandapolicechieffromSiberiadotoearnsuchahighleveloftrust?Volodindoesn’thaveanyoneasacloserconfidant.”

“Itisaninterestingquestion.”

“Posingitistheeasypart.Findingouttheanswersisthetoughpart.”

Foleynodded.“That’s

mycue.I’llgettowork.”Somethingoccurredto

Jack:“MaryPat,whenIaskedyouwhatweknewaboutTalanov,yousaidweknewlittle‘officially.’Whatdidyoumeanbythat?”

“Oh,therewastheoddrumorthrownaround,butnothingsubstantive.”

“Likewhat?”Foleywavedherhand

dismissively.“Oh,just

uncorroboratedthingsthatdon’treallycheckout.TheFinnshadareportthathewasaKGBniner,butnoneoftheninersweknowwanttoclaimhim.”

JayCanfieldsaid,“I’msorry.What’saniner?”

RyanansweredforMaryPat:“Wow,Jay,youareyoung,butyouareoldenoughtoremembertheSovietUnion.‘Niner’iswhat

wecalltheirNinthChiefDirectorate.Theirbodyguards,protectiondetail.”

Canfieldhelduphishands.“Sorry.IwasaNearEastguy.USSRwasn’tmybeat.IknowaboutNinthDirectorate,justnotthenickname.Anyway,Ithinkthat’sbadintelfromtheFinns.ThereisaspecialschoolforNinthDirectorate,

andwehadtheex-chiefofthatschoolonourpayrollinthenineties.Hegaveusallthenames,andTalanovwasn’toneofthem.”

MaryPatadded,“TheGermanshadintelthathewasGRU,afterservingintheArmyasaparatrooperinAfghanistan.Theysaidhewasinvolvedintheinitialinvasionin1979.”

Jackthoughtthatone

over.“Thatsoundsaboutright.Hewouldhavebeeninhisearlytwentiesthen.GRUdidn’tfallapartthewaytheKGBdid,sowedidn’thaveasmuchaccesstotheirpersonnelinformation.”

“That’strue.”“Anythingelse?”Ryan

asked.“Nothingreal.TheBrits

hadacrazyrumortheypickedupabouthim,butthey

stresseditwasuncorroboratedandhighlysuspect.”

“Whichwas?”Foleydidn’tseematall

convincedaboutwhatshewastellingthePresident.“Thathewasanassassin.Backintheeighties,therewerewildrumorsaboutaloneKGBhitmanrunningaroundbothEasternandWesternEuropekilling

peopleonMoscow’sbehalf.Noonecouldeverfindhim,orevenproveheexisted.”

Jack’seyeswidened.“Wait.AreyoutalkingaboutZenith?”

“That’sright.TherumoratthetimewasthatthisKGBüber-assassin’scodenamewasZenith.Yourememberthat?”

“Hell,MaryPat.IwasintheUKwhenthatall

happened.Iknewoneofthevictims.”

“Yes,that’sright.Ofcourse.Anyway,yearsandyearsafterthefact,theBritshadasinglesourcewhoID’dZenithasanex–GRUmannamedTalanovwhohadbeenaparatrooperinAfghanistan.”

Ryancouldn’tbelievewhathewashearing.Forthefirsttimeintheconversation,

heraisedhisvoice.“AreyousayingRomanTalanovisZenith?”

Foleyshookherheadvigorously.“No,I’mnotsayingthat.I’msayingoneguytoldthatstorytoBritishintelligenceanditmadeitintohisfile.Again,thiswassingle-sourceintel,andtheywereneverabletogetanyconfirmation.Youknowhowitis,thereisabushelofchaff

outthereforeachgrainofwheat.IlookedintoourfileontheZenithmurderinvestigation,andwecametotheconclusionthattherewasnoSoviethitmankillingbankersandintelligenceagentsintheWest.”

Ryansaid,“TheBritspinneditonGermanterrorists.”

Foleysaid,“That’sright,theRedArmyFaction.An

apartmentinBerlinwasraidedbypolice,severalterroristswerekilled,andevidencewasfoundlinkingthemtotheso-calledZenithkillings.”

Itwasquietintheroomforamoment.ThethreepeoplesittinginfrontofRyancouldalltellhewasthinkingbacktosomepointinthepast,buttheypatientlywaitedforhimtospeak.Finallyhe

said,“Iwasneverconvincedtheyhadtherightculprits.”

Foleysaid,“ButMr.President,remember,afterthefalloftheIronCurtain,hundredsofex–KGBspieswereonlytoohappytotellusabouttheirexploits.WehavealotofinformationaboutKGBoperationspersonnelinthattimeperiod.TherewasneveranyproofZenithexisted,andnooneever

mentionedthenameTalanov.TheRussiansdidtheirowninvestigationandcameupblank.”

“Itcouldhavebeenrunoff-book.OrZenithmightnothavebeenaKGBasset,butsomethingelse,”Ryansaid.

“Whatelse?”Canfieldasked.

Ryanshrugged.“I’dliketoknowwhattheSIShasonthismatter.”

Foleytappedherpenonthenotepadonherlapforamoment.“Excusemeforsayingthis,butthisisn’tlikeyou.You’vebeenatthistoolongtochaserumors.”

“Indulgeme,MaryPat.”Sheshrugged.“You’re

thePresident.Butremember,thatwasthirtyyearsago.Someoftheplayersaren’tgoingtobearoundanymore.Otherslikelyhaveforgotten.”

Ryanthoughtitover.“WecouldaskSISforalookattherawdataontheZenithcase.”

“Whateveryousay.I’llassignsomeonetoitassoonaswegetthefiles.”

Jacksaid,“How’boutwebringinsomeonefromoutsidetogooverit?Someonewhowasactivebackthen.SomeonewhoknewtheSovietUnion.The

players,thebureaucracy.Thetimes.”

“Youhaveanyoneinmind?”

“WhataboutEd?Doyouthinkhe’dbeinterested?”

“Areyoukidding?He’djumpatthechance.”

“Great.WecangethimsomeofficespacenextdoorintheOEOB.”TheOldExecutiveOfficeBuildingwasmaintainedbyWhite

HouseOfficeofAdministration,anditcontainedmanyofficesusedbyWhiteHousepersonnel.“Hecangothroughthepaperworkonthecase,seeifhecanfindanythingthatwouldeithertieTalanovtoZenithorrulehimout.”

Foleystoodtoleave.“Ifyoudon’tmindmesayingso,thissoundspersonal.”

“You’reright,itis.That

eventwasverypersonaltomeatthetime.Butthisismorethanthat.Wealladmitweknowsolittleaboutthesecond-most-powerfulmaninRussia.Ifhewas,infact,anactiveKGBassassinthirtyyearsago,thatisdamnwellgermanetothepresent.Andifthisturnsupnothingatall,thenatleastweknowwegaveitalook.”

MaryPatsaid,“I’llcall

EdassoonasIgetbacktomyoffice.”

C24

hiefofCIAStationKeithBixbyhadspentthemorningin

meetingsintheU.S.embassy,andnow,justafterlunch,hehadbegunasurveillancedetectionrunthatwouldtakehimintothemidafternoon.

HehadameetingatfourwithanItalianbusinessmanwhoownedasmalltruckingcompanythatsmuggledcontrabandbackandforthfromRussia.

Aschiefofstation,Bixbyfounditalittleunusualtobehavingclandestinemeetingswithagents,butthiswasnothingifnotanunusualsituation.EverywarmbodyonBixby’sstaffwasworking,

eitherhereinKievorinotherpartsofUkraine.Healsohadnonofficialcoveroperativesworkingincountry,butrightnowmostoftheNOCswereoffneartheRussianborderandintheCrimeanpeninsula,tryingtogetintelligenceabouttheRussiansandtheirintentions.

KievStationdidnothavethenumberofpersonnelBixbyneeded,butthiswas

notduetothefactitwassomefar-flungoutpostforgottenbytheCIA.Theproblemwas,rather,thatmosteveryRussian-orUkrainian-speakingcaseofficerwasalreadyemployedinRussiaorUkraine,andtheCIAcouldnotcrankoutUkrainian-speakingcaseofficersfastenoughtomeettheintensedemand.

Asthedrumsofwarbeat

louderandlouder,Bixbytookonmoreandmoreresponsibilitytohelphisofficekeepupwiththeworkload.Thismeanthehadtoleavetheembassyhimself,andtravelthestreetsonlongSDRs,andmeettheoccasionalbadpersonoverabadmeal.ThisItaliansmugglerwasn’tterriblyimportant,especiallyconsideringhowtheRussians

lookedliketheywouldbeattackingsoonenough,buthedidprovideintel,soBixbydecidedhe’dmeetwithhim.

TheCOSwasonlytwentyminutesintohisSDRandhadjuststoppedatabusstopinfrontofthemassiveandmagnificentCathedralofSaintVolodymyrwhenamanapproachedhimandstoodclose.Themanworeacoatwiththehoodup,andascarf

waswrappedoverhismouth.TheCIAstationchief

lookedthehoodedmanover.Suspicionwasanoccupationalhazard,butitcouldalsoprovetobealifesaverforsomeoneinhisposition.

Themanloweredhisscarf.“I’mJohnClark.Wespokelastweek.”

BixbylookedoverClark’sface,andhe

recognizedhimfromtheoneortwopictureshe’dseenoftheoldCIAlegend.Still,heremainedonguard.“I’mnotsurehowyoucouldhavemisconstruedanythinginourconversationasaninvitation.”

Clarkchuckled.“No,ofcoursenot.”

“Thenwhatthehellareyoudoinghere?”

“IjustthoughtI’dpop

overfortheborscht.”Bixby’seyesflittedleft

andright.“Whydon’tyoucomebacktomyofficesowecantalk?”

“Actually,”saidClark,“I’dprefertokeepthisbetweenthetwoofus.”

Bixbythoughtitoverforamoment.“Allright,then.We’llneedtokeepmoving.Let’sgoforawalk.”

ClarkfollowedBixbyup

TarasShevchenkoBoulevardforafewblocks,andthenintotheAlexanderFominBotanicalGarden,nexttotheuniversity.

Herethetwomenwalkedalongawidepathbetweentreesthatwerenotyetshowinganylifeafterthelongwinter.Theblusteryweather,aswellasthefactitwasaworkday,meanttherewereveryfewvisitors

walkingthepathways.Still,Clarkwasn’tcomfortablewiththelocation.Hespokesoftly.“Notexactlysecurehere.Iassumethelocaloppositionknowsyourjobattheembassy.”

Bixby,ontheotherhand,wasrelaxed.“We’refine.”

Clarklookedaround.Itlookedpeaceful,buthehadnoideawhoorwhatwasoutinthetrees.“Directional

mikes?”TheyoungerCIAman

said,“Nodoubtaboutit.”“Thenwhyarewehere?”“ThethingabouttheFSB

isthis.Theyareeverywhere,buttheyaren’tsuperhuman.We’vedeterminedittakesthemagoodtenminutesorsotosetupanytypeofsurveillance.Rightnowthereareprobablyfourguysscramblingoutofavanupby

themetrostationahead,pullingmikesandwalkie-talkiesoutofbags,tryingtogetintopositionaheadofus.Ialwaystrytogettheimportantpartsofourconversationsoutofthewayquickly,sothatbythetimethelistenersareinplacewe’reoutofhere.”

“Okay,”Clarksaid,andhepulledhishoodforwardtofurtherhidehisfacefromany

camerasthatmighttrytocatchhimmeetingwiththelocalCIAstationchief.

Bixbysaid,“Firstthingsfirst.TellmewhyyouareinKiev.”

“I’maconcernedcitizenwhothoughthemightbeabletohelpout.”

“Ihesitatetosaythis,Clark,becauseyou’reanAmericanheroandall.Butthat’saloadofhorseshit.”

Clarkchuckled.Helikedthisguy.“IamworriedaboutGlebtheScar.Whenwespoketheotherday,Igottheimpressionyoudidn’thaveenoughtogoontocheckthisguyoutthewayheneededtobecheckedout.”

“That’strue.I’vegotFSBrunningallovertheplace.AnewpersonalityfromRussianorganizedcrimeoperatinginthecityis

interesting,butatthispointit’snotactionable,especiallywithawarlooming.”

“IthoughtperhapsIcouldhelp.”

“Helphow?”“I’vegotafriendortwo

overhere.IspeakRussian.IretainTSclearance,andIfolloworders.”Heshrugged.“Thisisn’texactlymyfirsttimeoutoftheblock.”

“Ican’ttake

responsibilityforyou,Clark.”“Notaskingyouto.I’m

notaskingforclassifiedintel,either.I’mjustaskingforyourblessing,andanopenchannelsoIcangetanythingimportantbacktoyou.”

“Youknow,I’veheardofwalk-inagents,butI’veneverheardofawalk-incaseofficer.”

Clarkwasn’tmakingtheheadwayhe’dhoped.He

changedthesubject.“What’sgoingondownintheCrimea?IstheUkrainianmilitaryreadyforaRussianinvasion?”

Bixbyshrugged.“Icanonlygiveyouanunclassifiedanswer.Iknowyouretainclearance,butIhaven’tfiguredoutwhatthefuckyourdealisyet.”

“Hey,likeIsaid,I’mnotaskingforanythingsensitive.

I’mjustanAmericantouristthinkingofgoingonholidayinOdessa.”

Bixbyshookhishead.“Okay.Well...IwouldsuggestyougotoMaui,instead.Maybeyoucouldgetaseniordiscountonahotelroomthere.Crimeaisgoingtoblowupsoon.TheRussiansarereadytoinvade,justlookingforanexcuse.TheUkrainiansaremoving

troopsintotheregiontodispelthem—that’sinthelocalnews,soI’mnotgivingyouanythingTSthere—andit’saslikelyasnottheRussianswillusetheUkrainians’movementsasaprovocationforthemtogoin.”

“BecauseofalltheRussiannationalslivingintheCrimea.”

“Yep.Youprobably

knowthoseRussiannationalsonlygottheircitizenshipbecauseMoscowhandedoutpassportstoUkrainiansofRussianheritage.ItwasanFSBopalltheway,settingthestagefortheinvasion.Theycalledit‘passportization.’TheRussiansbeganofferingpassportstociviliansintheCrimeawithRussianheritage.Theyarecreatinga

landofRussiansinUkraine,andthentheywillsay,‘Wehavetocomeintoprotectourcitizens.’TheydidexactlythesamethinginGeorgiaafewyearsago.ThereweretwoautonomousregionsinsideGeorgia,SouthOssetiaandAbkhazia.TheFSBwentinanddiscreetlydistributedpassportstoapercentageofthepopulation.ThentheRussiansusedthefactthere

weresomanyRussiansintheseregionstojustifysendingintheirarmytokickouttheGeorgianArmy.”

“Andyoumakeitsoundlikethere’snothingthatcanstopit.”

Bixbyshrugged.“Ibelievetheywillattack,andIbelievetheywilltaketheCrimea.Thatisthelow-hangingfruit.WhatIamworriedaboutisthewhole

countryfalling.RussiaseestheUkrainiannationalistsinpowerasaclearandpresentdangertoRussiancitizensinthecountry.VolodinmightjustmarchhisforcesallthewaytoKiev.”

Clarksaid,“WhatcouldIdothatmighthelpyouout?”

Bixbystoppedinthepathandlookedattheolderman.“Youaren’talone,areyou?”

Clarkdidnotanswerat

first.“Look,man.Isureashell

don’thavethetime,theenergy,ortheresourcestocheckyouout.TheonlythingIcoulddowouldbecallsomeoneinUkrainianbordercontrolandgetyourvisarevoked.”

“I’dratheryoudidn’tdothat,”Clarksaid.“No.I’mnotalone.I’mherewithDomingoChavez.”

Bixby’seyebrowsrose.ChavezwasalsowellknownintheAgency.“Areyouhereonsomesortofacommercialcontract?Youworkingforoneoftheoilcompanies?”

“Nothinglikethat.Believeme,I’mnotgettingpaidtobehere.ButIwanttohelp.I’vegotacoupleotherhands,andalocalguywhoworkedformeinRainbow.Wearesetuptolookinto

GlebtheScarandhisoperationhere,butIdon’twanttogetinthewayofanythingyouarealreadydoing.Wecanprovideyoualittleskilledlabor.That’sall.”

Theystartedwalkingagain,andBixbyshruggedwhilehewalked.“Look.Iappreciatetheeffortyoumadeinputtingtogetheracrewandcominghalfwayaroundtheworld,butI’mnot

atrustingguy.Thisismyturfyouareon,andalthoughIdon’thavethemanpowerIwishIhad,I’mnotpreparedtocutyouinonmyoperation.”

“You’remakingamistake,”Clarksaid.Hetookacardoutofhispocket.Onitwasthenumbertohissatellitephone.“Ifyouchangeyourmind,I’llbearound.”

Bixbytookthecardashewalked,andslippeditintohiscoatpocket.

Astheynearedthemetrostation,BixbystartedmovingawayfromClarkonthefootpath.HewasnearlytenfeettoClark’srightwhenhenoddedtoaspotinthetreesonClark’ssideofthepath.“We’vegotcompany.AnFSBflunkyisgettingintopositionoverthere.”

Clarksaid,“There’sasecondguybehindyou.Theydon’thavetheirmikesorcamssetupyet.”

Bixbydidnotlook.Instead,hekepthiseyesonthepathinfrontofhimashesaid,“Seeyaaround,Clark.Tryandstayoutoftrouble.I’vegotenoughproblems.”

Clarkhimselflookedattheground.Noonewatchingthemfromdistancewould

knowtheyweretogether.Clarkwentaroundtheleft-handsideofthemetrobuildingforthestairs,wherehedescendedbelowgroundtocatchatrain.

Bixbywalkedtotheroadandhailedataxitotakehimbacktotheembassy.He’dneedtostarthisSDRalloveragainbeforemeetingwiththeItalianbusinessman.

P25

residentJackRyanlayonhisbedinBlairHouse.Itwas

midnight;heknewthisbecausethegrandfatherclockinthehalloutsidethemasterbedroomhadjustchimedthehour.Hewastobeawokenat

sixa.m.,barringanythinghappeninginthemiddleofthenightthatwouldneedhisattention,sohewashopingsleepwouldcomesoon.

Buthedidn’tthinkitwaslikely.Newdevelopmentsthiseveningwerekeepinghimup.JayCanfieldatCIAreportedthatRussiahadmovedamechanizedbattalionintoBelarus.Thiswasnoinvasion;onthe

contrary,theydiditwiththefullbackingofMinsk.RyanknewMinskdidwhateverthehellMoscowwanted.TheauthoritarianleaderofBelaruswascompletelyinVolodin’sbackpocket.

No,thetroopmovementsweren’ttroublingbecauseofwhatmighthappeninBelarus;rather,theyweretroublingbecauseBelarusborderedUkrainetothe

north.JackhadaskedJayifthe

mechanizedbattalioninBelaruscouldputKievinjeopardy,andCanfield’sresponsewasstillrunningthroughJack’smind:

“Yes,butfrankly,eventheRussiantroopsonUkraine’seasternbordercanjeopardizeKiev.DefensespendinginUkrainehasn’tevenbeenenoughforthe

upkeepoftheequipmenttheyhave.TheRussianscantaketheUkrainiancapitalfromeitherdirection.”ItseemedtoJackasifeachdaybroughtapotentialinvasionevencloser.JackhadsentScottAdler,hissecretaryofstate,toEuropetodrumupsupportonthediplomaticfronttotryandstopaRussianinvasionbeforeitbegan,butsofarAdlerhadreceivedmuchin

thewayofprivateplatitudesbutlittleinthewayofpublicdiplomacyfromtheEuropeannations.

RyanhadameetingplannedwithSecretaryofDefenseBobBurgessinthemorningtodiscussthemilitaryramificationsofaRussianinvasionofUkraine,andheknewheneededtostartplanningforwhatwasbeginningtolookmoreand

moreinevitable.Witheverythingonhis

platerightnow,Jackknewhisfocusshouldremainonthepresent.Buttryashemight,MaryPatFoley’sthrowawaycommentearlierinthedayconcerningarumorofanassassincalledZenithandaspateofkillingsthirtyyearsearlierhadhismindwanderingbacktothosedays.

Hehadnotthoughtof

Zenithinalongtime.InthefouryearsJackwasoutofoffice,hehadworkedonhismemoirs.Thishadbeenaslowprocess,madeslowerbythefactthatmanyofthethingsRyanhaddonehadbeenclassified,andhethereforecouldnotverywellputtheminhisbook.

ButtheZenithaffair—theycalleditthe“possibleZenithaffair”atthetime

becausenooneeverprovedtherewas,infact,aZenith—wasaneventthatnotonlywasclassifiedbuthadbeenallbutstrickenfromtherecord.JackhadnotspokenofZenithtoanyoneforthirtyyears.

AndthismadeitallthemoresurprisingwhenMaryPatmentioneditinthecontextofacurrentcrisis.

Thereweresofew

mysteriesleftfromtheColdWar.WhentheIronCurtaindropped,virtuallyalltheanswerspouredoutliketheCurtainhadbeenafloodgate.

ButdespitetheRussiangovernmentinvestigatingthematter,thequestionssurroundingZenithhadneverbeenresolved.

JackknewMaryPathadbeenright;thiswasn’tlikehimtochasedetailsona

singlepieceofintel.Ostensibly,hewantedtoseeifTalanovwassomehowinvolvedintheZenithmurders;ifhewas,thiswouldbeanimportantpieceofthepuzzleandpartofdevelopinganunderstandingofhisbackgroundandhispersonality.ButifJackwashonestwithhimself,hewouldhavetoadmitthathehadorderedthelookintothe

Zenithcasemostlybecauseithadbeenoneofthefewremainingquestionmarksofhiscareer,andifRomanTalanovhadsomethingtodowithit,howeverunlikelythatmighthavebeen,Jackdamnsurewantedtoknow.

Heclosedhiseyesandwilledhimselftofallasleep.Tomorrowhewouldneedtobefullyinvolvedinthedangerouspresent;hedidn’t

S

havetheluxuryoflyingawaketonighttothinkaboutthedangerouspast.

—andyLamontwasworriedabouthisyoung

andhigh-profileemployeeforacoupleofreasons.Numberone,sincereturningfromtheWestIndies,Jackhadbeenworkingsohardhewasstartingtolooklikeabitofa

zombie,andLamontwasconcernedthatoneoftheprincipalsofhisfirmmightpassyoungRyaninthehallandthenpullLamontintohisofficetoreadhimtheriotactforabusinghisemployee.

AndtheotherreasonSandywasconcernedwasthathewasgettingcallsfromMoscow,allbasicallysayingthesamething.Someoftheworktheyhadbeendoingon

behalfofJackJuniorwasstartingtoearnthemunwarrantedattentionfromthelocalauthorities.

JackwasbackonGazprom,itwasclearfromthecalls.Inthecourseofhisinvestigation,theyoungAmericanhadbeensendinginvestigatorsfromCastorandBoyle’sMoscowofficeouttotaxofficestorequestrecords.Thiswascausingtroubleat

thetaxoffices,andSandyknewheneededtogentlypersuadehishighlymotivatednewemployeetotakeitalittleslowerforbothhisownhealthandthegoodofC&BRiskAnalytics.SandyknewtherewouldbeserioushelltopayonceCastorfoundoutJackwasfocusinghisinvestigativeeffortsonthecashcowofthesiloviki.

SandyfoundJackright

whereheknewhewouldbeattheendoftheday,hunchedoverhiscomputerkeyboardwithhisphonetohisear.Sandywaitedfortheyoungmantogetoffthephonewithoneofthein-housetranslators,andthenheknockedonJack’sofficedoor.

“Hey,Sandy.”“Gotaminute?”“Sure.Comeonin.”

SandycameintoJack’slittleoffice,shutthedoor,andsatintheoneotherchairintheroom.“Whatareyouworkingon?”heasked,butSandyknewtheanswer.

“ASwissshellthatdoesbusinesswithGazprom.”

Sandyfeignedsurprise.“Remember,mate,GazpromwastheultimatebeneficiaryoftheGalbraiththeft,true,buttheyweren’ttheoneswho

stolethecompany.”“I’mnotsosureabout

that.”“Lad,ifyoubuyapiece

ofpropertythatsomeoneelsehasstolen,youmightbeforcedtohanditbackoverifitwasacquiredillegally,butthatdoesn’tmeanyouareacriminalyourself.WeneedtohelpGalbraithandhislawyersproveculpabilityofoneofthecompaniesthat

actuallypulledoffthedeal,notGazprom,thefirmthatboughtuptheassetsafterthedealwasdone.”

Ryansaid,“Thisthingisbig,Sandy.ItmightgoallthewayuptoGazpromandthebigshotswhoownit.IknowCastorhassometrepidation,soI’mproceedingascarefullyasIpossiblycan.”

Sandyknewhehadhisworkcutoutforhimtryingto

gethisenergeticanalysttotakehisfootoffthegaspedal.Hestifledasigh.“Whathaveyoulearned?”

Ryansaid,“InallthedataIfoundinthepaperworkfromRandolphRobinson’sgarbage,IcameacrossonedocumentforShoalBank,thebankwethinkisownedbythepeoplebehindIFC.ItwasanaccounttransferfromacompanyinGermanyto

ShoalBank.Ilookedintothatcompany,andfromshareholderinformationIjustswamupstream,followingnames,addresses,lookingintoholdingcompaniesitdealswithandloansignatoriesforpurchasesit’smade.”

“Whatsortofcompanyisthis?”

“GermanybuysnaturalgasfromGazprom.This

Swiss-registeredGermanfirmreceivesthepaymentsfromtheGermangovernment,andthenprocessesthepaymentsforGazprom.”

“Processesthem?”Jackchuckled.“Yeah.

Theyarejustanintermediary.GermanywiresmoneytotheSwissaccountofthiscompany,andthentheywireitontoRussia,minustheirprocessingcharge.Gazprom

usesthemfornodiscerniblereason.”

Sandysaid,“Clearly,thereasonistooverchargetheGermansfortheirgassothatsomeonegetsapayoff.”

“Yep,”Jacksaid.“Butit’sevenworsethanthat.IfoundtheGermans,onGazprom’srequest,madeaten-million-dollarpaymenttoaconsultingcompanyinGeneva,andtheyusedShoal

BankofSaintJohn’stodoit.Thereareattemptstoobfuscatetheownersoftheconsultingcompany,I’mstillworkingonthat,butI’msureitisnothingmorethanashell,orashellofashell.Itwasakickbackofsomekind.AsnearasIcantell,theonlyreasonthisGenevafirmisaroundistofacilitatebelow-boardpayments.”

“Makespayingbribes

extra-easy,”Sandysaid.“Companieslikethatonlyexistonpaper,andtheyproducenothingbutillegalinvoices.”

“Right,”saidJack.“SomeGermanofficialwhookayedthenatural-gascontractwithGazpromsetsupanuntraceablecompanyinGenevasohisowncountrycanpayhimoff.”

RyanknewSandyhad

beenatthisalotlongerthanhehad,andhewasgoingtobehardtosurprise.Hesaid,“Andthisisjustonepayment,fortenmillion.OverfourbillionhasgonefromtheGermanstoGazpromviathisSwissintermediary.Thereisnotellinghowmuchhasbeenskimmedandwhereitallhasgone.”

Sandysaid,“Welldone,

lad.WhenoldmanCastortoldmeI’dhaveJackRyan,Jr.,workingunderme,Ithoughtyou’dbejustaprettyfacewithapowerfulname.NowI’mstartingtolookovermyshoulderthinkingyoumightbesittinginmyseatbeforetoolong.”

Ryanappreciatedthecompliment,buthehadthesensehewasbeingbutteredupforsomereason.Hesaid,

“Iinheritedalotofcuriosityfrommydad.Ilovediggingintoagoodmystery,buttotellyouthetruth,allIwanttodoissolvetheseriddles.Ihavenoambitionofrunningadepartment,muchlessacompany.”

Sandyreplied,“Iwasapitbullmyselfbackintheday.Thiswasthelatenineties,Russiawasadifferentanimalthen.Blokes

withgoldchainsshootingeachotherinthebackofthehead.Mightseemgrimnowwithallthefinancialshystersabout,butnothinglikethenineties.”

“Well,wedidgetjumpedtheotherdayinAntigua.”

“You’vegotapointthere.ThatwasalltheroughstuffIeverwanttosee.”Lamontpreparedhimselftostarthislecture,butJack

interrupted.“Anyway,Ifound

somethingelseintheRobinsondata.IfoundanotestatingShoalBank’sboardofdirectorsflewtoZug,Switzerland,onMarchfirstofthisyearforameetingwiththebankthere.Idecidedthekeytoblowingtheentiregasdealopenisfindingoutwhoshowedupfromtheboard.”

Lamont’seyebrowsrose.

“Travelrecords?”“Yes,butit’stricky.”“Iwouldsuspectso.The

nearestairportisZurich,andtheremustbeahundredflightsaday.”

Ryannodded.“IlookedatthecommercialflightsthatarrivedfromanypointinRussiaintheseventy-twohoursbeforethemeeting.Ijustcheckedfirstclassbecause,well,becausethese

peoplewereinvolvedinaone-point-two-billion-dollarswindle,soIfigurediftheywentcommercial,theyweren’tbackinsteerage.”

“Safeassumption.”“TherewereCEOsand

CFOsflyingintoZurichalldaylong,butnobodywiththeconnectionsorthejuicetobeinvolvedinthislevelofanoperation.”

Lamontsaid,“Iassume

youcheckedoutprivatejets.”“Ofcourse.Ifigured

fromthebeginningI’dprobablyneedtoinvestigateprivatejets.Ilookedintoallthedeclaredflights,butnotveryhard,becauseIfiguredtheseguyswouldbecominginonablockedflight.”

“Whatisthat?”“TheFAAofSwitzerland

iscalledSkyguide.Skyguidecanblockaflightsothatthe

publiccan’tfindoutanytraceofit.WehavethesamethingintheUSA.AllyouhavetodoisasknicelyandFAAwillhidetheidentityofyourprivateaircraftanditsflightpath.BusinessesneedtobeabletoconductbusinesswithouttheircompetitorstrackingthemovementsoftheCEO,moviestarswanttoavoidpaparazzi,plus,therearesecurityconcerns.”

Lamontsaid,“I’msuretherearelotsofotherreasonsofthemoreunderhandedvariety.”

Ryannoddedandreachedforhiscoffee.“Undoubtedly.Anyway,IknewIcouldn’tjustlookuparecordofthetailnumbersandtracethejetsthatway,soIpulleduptheaudiofilesoftheZurichairporttowerfortheseventy-twohoursanddownloaded

themintoaspeech-to-textapp.Eveniftheflightnumberisblockedonallwrittenlogs,theplanestillhastocommunicatewiththetoweranduseitsflightnumber.Usingthespeech-to-text,Ipulledouteverytailnumberforaprivateaircraftandresearchedeachplaneindividually.”

LamontwasamazedbythetenacityofJackRyan.He

said,“Itoldyouyouwerearightpitbull.”

“Itwasn’tthathard,becauseIknewI’dbelookingforablockedaircraft,onewhoseflighttrackwasn’talsoavailableonline.Ifoundseveral,ofcourse—therearelotsofshadycorporateplanesflyingintoSwitzerland.ButtherewasanAirbusA318,tailnumberNS3385,thatlandedatnine-thirtya.m.on

Marchfirst,thedayofthemeeting.TheACJ318isacorporatejetwithabedroom,alounge,aseatingarea,andevenaclosed-offboardroom.”

“That’sabloodyexpensivejet.”

“Iresearchedtheaircraftandfoundnothing,soIlookedintotherecordsoftheFBOsontherampinZurich,andsawthatoneA318was

refueledthatmorning.ThatbillwaspaidbyaholdingcompanybasedrightthereinZurich,andthiscompanyalsopaidforfuelforanotheraircraftafewmonthsbeforethisatthesameFBO.ThisonewasownedbyarestaurantgroupinSaintPetersburg.”

Sandy’sheadcockedtotheside.“RestaurantgroupinSaintPetersburg?”

Jacksmiled.“That’sright.ThesameoneRandolphRobinsonworksfordowninAntigua.Hesetuptheshellcorporation,andhealsomanagesShoalBank,ownedbyIFC.”

Sandysaid,“Youhaveanameassociatedwiththerestaurantcompany?”

Jacklookedathisnotes.“Ido.DmitriNesterov.Heownsachainofrestaurants.

Otherthanthat,Idon’tknowanythingabouthim.I’vesearchedandsearched.Heneverwenttoanybusinessschool,he’snotamemberoftheDumaoranemployeeintheKremlin.

“Butheisaprincipalinacompanythathasboughtupovertwelvebillioneuros’worthofoilandgasinfrastructureinthepastfourmonths.”

“Bloodyunbelievable.”“Yes,”saidRyan.“We

needtofindoutwhoNesterovis,andwhytheKremlinsethimuptomakeone-point-twobilliondollarsintheraidingofGalbraithRossiyaEnergy.”

Lamontnodded,butslowlyandcautiously.Hehadtoadmittohimself,theYankhadgottenfurtherwiththisthananyoneelsehereinthe

officecouldhave.HeknewCastorwasagainstanyonein-houseworkingagainstGazprom,butJackRyanwasontosomething,andSandyLamontwasnotgoingtogetinhisway.

Ryanasked,“Wastheresomethingyouwantedtotalkabout?”

Sandyjustshookhishead.“Notatall.Carryon.”

T26

hesituationonthegroundinKievseemedtobe

deterioratingbytheday.Whathadbegunasaseriesofdailyspeechesbypro-nationalistUkrainiansinthecity’smassiveIndependence

Squarehad,inthespanofjustafewdays,morphedintoten-thousand-strongrallieswherespeeches,banners,andchantsproclaimedtheanti-Russianleaningsoftheattendees.

Thedivisioninthenationwasonfulldisplaywhenpro-RussianUkrainiansstartedtheirowndailyralliesontheothersideofIndependenceSquare.Anyhopesthepolicemighthavehadthatthe

situationwoulddefuseitselfwentawaywhententsstartedtobeerectedonbothsides,andnationalistsandRussianUkrainiansbeganclashesthatturnedmoreandmoreviolent.

Riotpolicehadbrokenupfights,tear-gascanistersandMolotovcocktailsstreakedthroughtheaironadailybasis,andarrestsandinjurieswerepilingupbytheday.

AndthiswasnotjusthappeninginKiev.InSevastopol,intheCrimea,skinheadgangsoftheRussianmajoritywereshatteringtheshopwindowsofUkrainiannationalistsandTatars,startingfiresinthestreets,andpickingoutpeopleatrandomtobeatup.

ThemorningafterClarksurprisedKeithBixbywithhisoffertohelphimpost

surveillanceonGlebtheScar,themenofTheCampusawokeintheirflattothesoundofsirensoutside.Theywereafewmilesfromthesquare,butthenoiseofachantingcrowdmadeitswayuptotheirthird-floorsafehouse.

Sincetheywereplayingtheroleofjournalists,Clark,Chavez,Caruso,andDriscollquicklydressed,grabbedtheir

camerasandmicrophones,andheadeddownstairs.Theywalkedoutontothestreetintothemiddleofaprotestmarchthathadbegunoutsideofthecity,supposedlyspontaneously,andwasheadingdirectlyforIndependenceSquare.Fromthebannersandthevitriolspoutedbythemarchers,itwasclearthiswasagroupofultra-nationalistsfromthe

westofthenation.Itwasobviousthey

hadn’twalkedacrosswesternUkrainetodescendonthecapital;clearly,theyhadbeenbusedtoalocationduringthenightandthenformedintoa“spontaneous”march.

Oncethegrouppassed,thefourmenwentbackupstairs.Clark’sapproachtothelocalCIAstationchiefhadbeenspurned,sohe

decidedhewouldhavetoimprovise.IgorKryvovhadbeenacop,andheknewquiteafewpersonalitiesinthelocalunderworld,soClarkdecidedhewouldusethisaccesstogethisownearasclosetothegroundaspossible.

Justafterbreakfast,heannouncedtothemeninthesafehouse,“Igor,Ding,andIaregoingtoheadoutfora

littlerecon.”Carusosaid,“Igetit,you

RussianspeakersgettohangouttogetherwhileSamandIstaybackherewiththenerd.”

Bierywashardatworkononeofhislaptops.Withoutstoppingwhathewasdoing,hesaid,“I’mageek,notanerd.”

Chavezsaid,“Igorisgoingtotakeusaroundtomeetsomepeoplewhocan

getusclosertotheworldweneedtopenetrateifwe’regoingtolearnanythingaboutGlebtheScar.”

Driscollsaid,“Soyouareofftomeetdrugdealers,pimps,andhumantraffickers.Haveanicetime.”

“Willdo,”Clarksaid.

—aleriVolodinwasbackonNewRussia’sEveningNews

Vwithhisfavoriteinterviewer,

TatianaMolchanova.Tonightthetopicof

conversationwasanewtradepactenactedwithChina,butMolchanovahadnotesandfollow-upquestionsinpreparationfortacklingawiderangeoftopics,dependingonVolodin’swhims.

Volodin,asusual,spokedirectlyintothecamera,and

his“answers”werelessinresponsetoherquestionsandmorethetalkingpointsthathe’dcometothestudiotogetacrosstotheviewersoftheEveningNews.Withastrongjawandaproudgazeintothelens,hesaid,“IamannouncinganewtradepactwithourfriendsinthePeople’sRepublicofChina.Ourtwopowerfulnationswilltightenourenergy

securityrelationship.WewilldoubleoilshipmentstoChina,securingtheirenergyneedsforgrowth,andsecuringthatourmarketsaremadestronger,despitetheWest’sattemptstoruleusbystarvation.Thelandrouteshavebeendecided.Ourpipelineswillbeginconstructionalmostimmediately.Wewillbuildlandbridgesandhigh-speed

railbetweenourtwocountries.WehavebeguncoalexplorationinSiberiainajointagreement.

“Wehaveputourpastdifferencesbehindus,andtogetherwewillcreatethebiggesteconomicmarketonearth.

“WithAmerica’sso-calledAsiapivot,andtheillegalattackagainstChina’smainlandlastyear,the

Chineseknowitisintheirintereststoacceptourfriendshipandourincreasedeconomiccooperation.”

Theraven-hairedbeautynoddedthoughtfullyandaskedhernextquestionasifithadjustcometoherorganicallyasaresponsetoVolodin’slastanswer,althoughherquestionshadbeenwrittenbyherproducersbeforehand.“Mr.President,

howdoyoufeelthisdevelopmentwillaffectRussia’srelationshipwiththeWest?RecentconflictswithNATOandtheUSAhaveworriedsomeRussians,whowonderifoureconomicfuturemightbenegativelyimpacted.”

VolodinlookeddirectlyatMolchanovanow.“Onthecontrary,justtheoppositeistrue.America’sdomineering

roleintheworldendsinoursphereofinfluence.Theycanmakealotofnoise,threatentoexpandNATOyetagain,andtheycancontinuetomakethreatsontheworldstage,buttheEuropeansneedourproductsandservices.

“NowthatRussiaandChinahavecreatedanewworldorder,thechildishthreatsoftheWestwillhaveevenlessofaneffectonus.”

“Mr.President.DoyouconsiderRussiatobeaworldpower?”

Volodinsmiled.“NoonecandenythatthegreatestpowersofthetwentiethcenturyweretheUnitedStatesandtheSovietUnion.ThefalloftheSovietUnionwasoneofthegreatesttragediesofthelastcentury.InmyroleasleaderofRussia,Icannotsaymore

thanthiswithoutbeingbrandedbytheWestasacommunist.This,ofcourse,isaridiculousaccusation,because,frankly,whoinmodernRussiahashadmoresuccessintheopenmarketsthanme?

“ButitistheWestthatdoesnotunderstandourhistory.Theeconomicmodelwasfaulty,butthenationwasstrong.Duringourdrivefrom

commandeconomytomarketeconomy,wehitmanypatchesofice,butinretrospect,itwastheWestthatwaswateringtheroad.”

“AreyousayingtheWestnowhaslessinfluenceonRussia?”

Volodinnodded.“Iamsayingthatexactly.RussiawillmakedecisionsbasedonRussia’sinterests,andRussia’sinterestsalone,but

thiswillbegoodforourneighbors.”

Hesmiledintothecamera.“AstrongRussiawillcreatestabilityintheregion,notdiscord,andIseeitasmyroletomakeRussiastrong.”

P27

residentRyanbeganhisworkdayintheOvalOfficejustafter

sixa.m.Hestillwasn’tsleepingwellatBlairHouse,sohehaddevelopedthehabitofgettingintoworkaboutanhourbeforenormaltomake

useofthetime.Itwaseighta.m.now,

andRyanwasalreadydragging.Butasdifficultasitwastorunthehighestofficeinthelandwithlittlesleep,Jackdidhavetoadmithewasfortunatetofuelhimselfwithsomeofthebestcoffeeontheplanet.

AssoonasMaryPatFoleyarrivedfortheirmorningmeeting,hepoured

heracup,alongwithasecondcupofthedayforhimself,knowinghe’dpayapriceforthecaffeinebytheearlyafternoon.

Justastheywereabouttogetstarted,theintercomonRyan’sdeskbeeped,andhissecretarycameoverthespeaker.“Mr.President,AGMurrayishere.”

“Sendhimin,please.”AttorneyGeneralDan

MurrayenteredtheOvalOfficewithafast,bouncinggaitandexcitedeyesbehindhisthickglasses.

Ryanstoodup.“You’vegotthatlook,Dan.”

Murraysmiled.“That’sbecauseIhavegoodnews.We’vefoundthepersonwhopoisonedSergeyGolovko.”

“ThankGod.Letmehearit.”

Murraysaid,

“Unfortunately,orfortunately,dependingonyourperspective,Idon’thaveahellofalotofexperienceindealingwithpolonium-poisoninginvestigations.Itturnsoutthereisn’tmuchoutthereeasiertotracewiththerightequipment.

“Thepoloniumleavesatrailwhereveritgoes.It’scalled‘creeping.’WewereabletofollowGolovko

backwardfromtheWhiteHousetohishotel,tothelimoheandhisgrouptookfromReaganNational,thenbacktoLawrence,Kansas.Everylocation,everyplacehesat,everythinghetouched,allhavetracesoftheisotopeonit.

“AttheUniversityofKansashemadeaspeechandtookpartinaQ-and-AwithstudentsattheHallCenter.

Hishotel,hisrentedvehicle,thedaisonthestageintheauditoriumwherehetalked,thewaitingroom,andthebathroombackstagewherehegotready—theyallhaveevidenceofpolonium.”

Murraysmiledalittle.“Andthen...nothing.”

Ryancockedhishead.“Nothing?”

“Yep.Theplacewherehehadbreakfastbeforegoingto

theuniversity.Clean.ThecommercialaircraftheflewfromDallastoLawrence.Clean.HishotelinDallas.Clean.Wewentallthewaythroughallhisotherstopsonhistrip.Everyhotel,car,restaurant,airplane.Therearenoradiationtracesanywherebeforehewentintoameet-and-greetroomwithstudentsatKU.”

MaryPatsaid,“That

soundssuspiciouslylikeadeadend.”

“Youmightthinkso,butwepickedupthetrailagain.Wefoundaglassinthekitchenofthecafeteriaoncampusthatbasicallyglowedinthedark,eventhoughit’sbeenwashedsincetheevent.WitnessessaidGolovkodrankaSpritewhileonstage—wethinkthatwashisglass.

“Wegotalistofthe

peoplewhoworkedinthecafeteriaduringthatshift,andweweregoingtostartinterviewingthemonebyone,buttheyhaveanemployeelockerroom,sowestartedthere,instead.Wetestedthelockers,andgotahitonone,bothinsideandout.Itbelongstoatwenty-one-year-oldstudent,thesamepersonwhogavethedrinktoGolovkobeforehe

wentonstage.”“Thestudent,don’ttell

meheisRussian.”“It’sashe,andshe’snot

Russian.She’sVenezuelan.”“Oh,boy,”saidRyan.

VenezuelawasacloseallywithRussia.IftheysentanintelligenceagentintotheUnitedStatesforanassassination,itwouldonlyfurtherhurtU.S.–Venezuelanrelations,whichwerealready

badenough.Murraysaid,“Wewere

goingtoputasurveillancepackageonher,tobuildaninvestigation,butwereallyneedtoknowthereisn’tanymorepoloniumouttherethatmightexposeotherstodanger.Myexpertstellmetheythinkshe’shandleditsoextensivelyandhaphazardlysheprobablyonlyhasweekstolive,butifshe’sgotmore

ofitthanwhatsheputinSergey’sdrink,thenweneedtofinditandthrowitinaleadboxasap.”

Jacksighed.“Pickherup.”Itreallywasn’tatoughcalltomake,thoughitwasfrustratingtothinktheymightmissanopportunitytofilmhermeetingwithaRussianintelligenceagent.

MaryPatasked,“Whatdoyouknowabouther?”

“HernameisFeliciaRodríguez.ShehasbeenlivinginKansassinceshewasfifteenyearsold.She’sbeenbacktoseehergrandparentsafewtimesinCaracas,butnotforanylengthoftime.Shedoesn’tseemtobeanactiveintelligenceagent,orevenaffiliatedwiththerulingpowerinVenezuela.”

Jacksaid,“Youcan’t

possiblythinkshewasunwittinginthis.”

“SheobviouslyknewshewasspikingGolovko’sbeverage,butshemighthavebeendupedsomehow.Myexpertstellmetherearesomanytracesofpolonium-210inherlocker,theythinkshehadnoideawhatshewasdealingwith.Maybeshethoughtshewasslippinghimaroofie.”

“Aroofie?”“Yeah.Youknow,toslur

hisspeech,makehimlooksenileandoutofit.TheCubanshavedonethissortofthingtomarginalizetheiradversaries.”

“That’strue,”MaryPatagreed.

Murraystoodup.“Ifyou’llexcuseme,I’llmakethecalltohaveherarrested.Theywillgethertothe

hospitalandputherinquarantine.”Murrayadded,“Whereshewillbewellguarded,obviously.”

AsMurraylefttheOvalOffice,Ryan’ssecretaryannouncedthearrivalofRobertBurgess,secretaryofdefense,alongwiththechairmanoftheJointChiefs,AdmiralMarkJorgensen.Theywerehereforthemorningmeeting,but

immediatelyRyancouldseesomethingevenmorepressingwasontheirmindsastheyentered.

“What’sup?”Burgesssaid,“Russia’s

defenseministerannouncedthismorningthataseriesofwargamesarestarting,today,intheBlackSea.Withinanhourofhisannouncement,virtuallytheentireBlackSeafleetstartedmobilizing.Two

dozenshipsraisedanchorandmovedoutoftheportofSevastopol.”

“Theyarecallingthisjustarun-of-the-millmilitaryexercise?”

“That’sright.”“Howthreateningisit?”“Thefactthatitwas

unannouncedisunsettling,tosaytheleast.Itlookslikeithasbeenintheworks,butthat’simpossibletoknow.

TheRussians’agreementwithUkrainestatesthatmilitaryexerciseswithfewerthanseventhousandparticipantsdonothavetobescheduledinadvance.”

“Aretheyoperatingwithinthosenumbers?”

“Doubtful.Therearethirty-sixwarshipsinvolved,andthatisfewerthanseven-Ksailors,buttherearealsoanunknownnumberofland-

basedaircraftintheexercise.Ontopofthat,they’veannouncedthedrillswillincludemembersofparatroopers,GRUSpetsnaz,andMarines.”

Jorgensensaid,“Justeyeballingtheannouncement,sir,Iputthenumberaroundtwenty-fivethousand,minimum.”

“Andthisisontopofthetroopstheyhavealready

movedintoBelarus?”“Yes,andtheforceson

Russia’swesternborder.”Ryanrubbedthebridge

ofhisnose.“Theyaregoingtoinvade,aren’tthey?”

Burgesssaid,“Itsurelookslikeit.Volodinrattleshissaberalot,butthisisalevelofmobilizationwehaven’tseen.EvenhisattackofEstoniadidn’thavethesenumbersattachedtoit.”

Ryansaid,“TheCrimeaisabiggerprize.”

“Indeeditis.”“Whatareouroptions?”“Limited.”“Limitedasinstrongly-

worded-letterlimited,orlimitedinsomeotherway?”

Burgesssaid,“Militarily,notmuchwecando.WehaveafewboatsintheBlackSea,butnotenoughtointimidateorimpacttheirfleet

operations.Asfarasdiplomaticoptions,Iguessthat’saquestionforAdler.”

Ryannodded.HewouldneedtoconferwithScottAdlerassoonasScottgotbacktoWashington.

HeimaginedthatoverinMoscow,VolodindidwhateverthehellVolodinwanted.Thatwastherumor,anyhow.Butwasittrue?Ryanknewtherewere

rampantrumorsaboutVolodin’stiestoorganizedcrime.Althoughnoonehadreallypinnedhimdownonanyinvolvementwithcriminalactivity,Ryanlikedtoimaginethebastardwasuptohiseyeballsindirtydealswithmobsterswhohadhimbytheballs.Chanceswere,Jackknew,thatthetruthwasprobablyexactlytheopposite.Withcontroloverthenation’s

military,interiorministry,andintelligenceagencies,VolodinalmostcertainlywastheonetruepowerinRussia.

Ryanasked,“AndtheUkrainianmilitaryisweak,correct?”

Jorgensenanswered,“Veryweak.TheirdefensespendingisawhoppingonepercentoftheirGDP,justacouplebilliondollars.It’snotenoughmoneyfornew

systemsandequipment.Theycanbarelymaintainwhattheyhave.”

“Tacticsanddoctrine?”“Theywillputupafight

ontheborder,andtheyhavedecentairdefenses,butthat’saboutit.ThroughNATO’sPartnershipforPeaceprogram,wehavebeenabletoputaboutthreehundredU.S.militarypersonnelonthegroundthere.WehaveGreen

Beretstrainingtheirinfantry,DeltaForceguysworkingwiththeCIAtogetintelonthesituationintheCrimea.AllreportsI’mgettingonthesituationisthatthebestUkrainecanhopetodoisbloodytheRussians’nosesabitastheytaketheCrimeaandtheeasternregionsofthecountry.Iftheymakeitpainfulenough,maybeVolodinwon’tmarchhis

armyallthewaytoKievinthewest.”

“Jesus,”Ryansaid.“Thebest-casescenarioistheyonlyloseabigchunkoftheirnation.”

“I’mafraidso.”Ryanthoughtitoverfora

moment.“Ourmilitaryontheground.Dotheyknowtogetthehelloutofthewayiftheshootingstarts?”

“Yes,Mr.President,they

aren’tgoingtostickaroundtofightwiththeRussians.I’veorderedthemalltokeepalowprofile.ThingshavebeengettingdiceyinSevastopolandOdessa,themajorcitiesintheCrimea.Pro-Russianprotestsarekickingupalloverandspreadinglikewildfire.AgoodportionofthecitizenrywantstheRussianstoinvade.Ukraineisusingitsmilitarytoquell

someoftherioting,whichjustmakesthenationlooklikeapolicestate,whichjustincreasesthenumberofcitizenswhoarebackingaRussian‘liberation.’”

Ryangroaned.“Wedon’twantanypartofthat.”

“No,sir,”agreedMarkJorgensen.

Astheyweretalking,Ryan’ssecretarysteppedintothedoorway.“I’msorry,sir.

AGMurrayisonthephone.”Jackwassurprisedby

this.DanhadjustlefttheOvalOfficefiveminutesearlier.“Puthimthrough,”Ryansaid,butheturnedbacktoJorgensenandBurgess.“IwanttoconveneameetingofourfullnationalsecuritystafftolookoveralloptionswehavetostopRussia’sinvasion.Let’ssayseventy-twohoursfromnow.Ineed

yourbestandyourbrightestworkingaroundtheclock,andIwanttoseeallfeasibleoptions.”

ThemenlefttheOvalOffice,andJackwentbacktohisdesktograbthephone.“What’sup,Dan?”

“Badnews,I’mafraid.FeliciaRodríguezwashitbyacar.She’sdead.”

“Damnit.Ithoughtyouwerepickingherup.”

“IwasjustmakingthecallwhenIgotword.Wehadateamwatchingher,buttheyweren’tcloseenoughtostopit.”

“Andthecarthatranherdown?”

“Hit-and-run.Ithappenedintheparkinglotofherapartmentbuilding,nosecuritycameras.Oursurveillanceteamwasn’tmobile.Bythetimetheygot

intotheirvehicle,thecarwasgone.We’rechasingdownvehiclesfittingthedescription,butI’dbetyouaweek’spayitwasstolenandwillturnupburningunderanoverpasssomewhere.”

Ryanlookedoffintospace.“Doesthatsoundlikeaprofessionaljobtoyou?”

“Verymuchso.”“Russiansor

Venezuelans?”

“That’stheonlyquestion.Eitherway,it’sgoingtocreatemassiveheadachesinternationally.”

“Andeitherway,itwasdefinitelytheRussianswhoorchestratedit,”saidJack.“Butwefindthetruth,andwegetitoutthere.”

“Absolutely.I’mworkingonit.Sorryaboutthis,Jack.Weshouldhavebeenquicker.”

RyancouldhearthefrustrationinhisAG’svoice.

“Thiswillmakeyourjobharder,Dan.Butdon’tfeeltoobadforthegirl.Fromwhatyoutoldmeearlier,shewascoveredwithpolonium.AfterhavingseenSergeyinthehospitaltheothernight,IcansaywithauthoritythatIwouldmuchrathergetrunoverbyagoddamnedcar.”

T28

hroughouttheday,Clark,Chavez,andKryvovmovedfrom

onebartothenext,eachmoreshadythanthelast,drinkingbeerandsittingaroundwhileIgorcalledandtextedpeopleheknewontheperipheryof

theKievunderworld.TheysteeredfarawayfromthechaosofIndependenceSquare,andinsteadremainedinremoteworking-classneighborhoodsoutsidethecitycenter.Ateachdifferentlocationmenwouldshowup,scopeoutthetableofjournalistsfromacrosstheroom,andthen,asoftenasnot,leave.

Buthalfthesuspicious

charactersthatcameintothebarstoeyeballthetwoforeignersandtheirlocalfixerdid,infact,comeoverandsitdown.Thesemenweredrugdealers,humantraffickers,andamanwhosaidhecouldgetanycaroffaGermanstreetandintothedrivewayofanyUkrainian—foraprice.Throughthesemenwithfirsthandknowledgeofthelocal

underworld,ClarkandChavezlearnedagreatdealabouttheworkingsoftheorganized-crimesituationhereinthecity.

WhileitwastruethattherewererepresentativesofRussianorganizedcrimeactiveinKiev,ClarkandChavezweresurprisedtohearhowmanyFSBactivemeasuresoperationsseemedtobegoingonintheareaas

well.Anothertroublingbitof

informationthatcametolightinvolvedtheclashesgoingonalloverthecity.TheNationalistPartyhadtakenthepresidencytheyearbefore,wrestlingitawayfromapro-Russianpartythathadbeencaughtupinaseriesofcorruptionscandals.Butthenationalistswerenotwithoutissuesoftheirown.

TherumorClarkandChavezwerepickinguponthestreet,however,wasthatthecurrentclasheswerestokedonbothsidesbytheFSB.ItwassaidtheRussianswereorganizingbuscaravansfromthepro-Russianeast,fillingthebusesfullofpaidunionworkers,anddumpingtheminKievjustupstreamfromthemarches.Atthesametime,theysecretly

fundedmediaoutletsthatpushedthepro-nationalistagenda.

Ifthiswasalltrue,itwouldshowtheRussianswereinterestedlessinwinningheartsandmindsinUkraine,andmorewithcausingchaosandcivilstrife.

—yeightp.m.Clarkcalledahalttotheday’srecon,and

Bthemenreturnedtotheflat.

Aftersittingtogetherinthelivingroomto

discusstheday’sevents,theydecidedtheywouldgooutforaquickdinneronnearbyKhreshchatykStreet.Theytookafewminutestosanitizeandsecuretheflat,andthentheyheadedout.

Itwasabreezythirty-eightdegreesoutside,buttheresidentsofKievconsidered

thisaspringevening;thereweremanypedestriansoutinEuropeanSquareasthesixmenwalkedalongtowardarestaurantrecommendedbyIgorKryvov.

Astheywalkedthroughthesquaretotherestaurant,theywerespreadoutseveralyardswide,makingtheirwaythroughthecrowd.Clark,Kryvov,andChavezchattedinRussian,andthethree

non–Russianspeakersmostlywalkedalongwiththeirhandsintheirpocketstokeepwarm.GavinBierywasonthefarright-handsideoftheentourage,andwhenagroupofyoungmengotinfrontofhimonthesidewalk,hemovedtogetoutoftheway.Ashepassedthem,however,oneofthemensteppedintohispathandshoulderedstraightintoBiery’sside,

spinninghimaroundandknockinghimtotheground.

Themankeptwalkingwiththerestofhissmallgroup,barelybreakingstride.

Carusodidn’tseetheimpact,buthesawtheresult.Astheobviousculpritwalkedaway,Domturnedandstartedaftertheyoungman.

SamDriscollgrabbedhimbythearm,restraininghim.“Letitgo.”

ChavezhelpedGavinbacktohisfeet.“Youokay,Gav?”

“Yeah.”Hebrushedhimselfoff,moreembarrassedthanhurt.

CarusolookedatKryvov.“Whatthehellwasthatabout?”

Kryvovhadnoidea.“Ididn’tseewhathappened.”

ChavezfinishedbrushingtheCampusdirectorof

O

informationtechnologyoffandpattedhimontheback.“I’llbuyyouabeer.”

—nceinsidetherestaurant,themen

movedtoalongtablewithbenchesinthebackofadarkbararea.BeerwasbroughttoGavin,Dom,andSam;IgorKryvovorderedabottleofvodkaonice.DingandClark

hadbeendrinkinginthebarswheretheymetwiththelocalssinceten-thirtythatmorning,sotheyorderedmineralwater,althoughIgorhadthewaiterbringshotsofvodkaforeveryonesotheycouldtoast.

Theykepttheirconversationcenteredontopicsthatfitwiththeirlegendsasjournalists.Theytalkedaboutthenewsinother

partsoftheworld,hotelsandcomputersandothertechnology.Therewereenoughsimilaritieswiththeiractuallivesandthelivesoftheircoversthattheconversationwasinnowaystiltedorforced.

Justaftertheirfoodcame,threemenindarkcoatsenteredtherestaurant.TheoperatorsofTheCampusallnoticedthem;theywere

conditionedtokeepaneyeopenforanythreats,evenwhileeatingdinner.Asthehostessgreetedthemen,theywalkedpastherwithoutrespondingandwentintothebararea.

GavinBierywastalkingaboutphotographynow,thedifferencesbetweenthequalityoffilmprintsanddigitalimages,buttheotherfivemenatthetablewere

silent,andallfocusedonthethreenewarrivals.Thesullen,darklydressedindividualswalkedstraightovertothelongtablewheretheCampusmensat,andtheysatdownonoppositesidesofthetablejustfeetaway.Theyturnedtheirchairstowardthegroupandjuststaredquietly.

Bierystoppedtalking.Therewereafew

uncomfortablemoments

whiletheAmericanswaitedforKryvovtointroducethefriendshe’dobviouslyneglectedtomentionhe’dinvitedalongfordinner,butveryquicklyitbecameobviousIgordidn’tknowthemen,either.

“Whoareyou?”KryvovaskedinUkrainian.

ThethreemenjustlookedbackatKryvovwithoutresponding.

Thewaitercamebytooffermenustothenewvisitors,butoneofthemenreachedupandpushedhimback,sendinghimonhisway.

Afteranotherminuteofawkwardsilence,ChavezlookedatDriscoll.“Canyoupassthebread?”

SampickedupthebreadbowlandsentitonitswaydowntoDing.

Withinsecondseveryonewaseatingagain,andalthoughDomkepthisangrystaringcontestgoingwithoneofthemen,hestilldugintohislambandpotatoes.

Whenthecheckcame,deliveredbyawaiterwhowentoutofhiswaytoapproachthemiddleofthetable,stayingawayfromtheevil-lookingmenatbothends,Clarkpaidit,finished

thelastofhiswater,andstoodup.“Gentlemen.Shallwe?”

Therestofthegroupfollowedhimoutthedoor,butthethreemenwho’dlatchedontothemduringdinnerdidnotfollow.

AssoonastheywerehalfwayacrossEuropeanSquare,IgorKryvovsaid,“Myfriends,I’msorryaboutthat.”

Clarksaid,“FSB?”“Yes.Ithinkso.”Domnodded,“Those

guysaretheKeystoneKops.TheworstsurveillanceI’veeverseeninmylife.”

Clarkshookhishead.“Dom,theyaredemonstrativnayaslezhka,demonstrativeshadowing.Theywantustoknowwearebeingfollowed.Theywillharassus,annoyus,generally

makethingstoughsowecan’tdowhateveritistheythinkwecameheretodo.”

Driscollsaid,“IcouldunderstandthatinRussia,butthisisn’tRussia.HowcanthoseguysgetawaywiththathereinUkraine?”

“It’scertainlybrazen,”Clarkhadtoadmit.“Theymustbeprettyconfidentwearen’tgoingtogotothelocalpolice.”

Kryvovsaid,“Orelsethey’vegotconnectionsinthelocalpolice.Maybeboth.”

Clarkadded,“It’snothingtoworryabout.Itdoesn’tmeanweareinanywaycompromised.Ourcoverissolid.”Hechuckled.“Theyjustdon’tparticularlylikeourcover.”

Samsaid,“Theseknuckleheadswouldreallyblowagasketiftheyknew

whatwewerereallydoing.”Carusosaid,“Idon’tlike

thisshit.Mr.C,howaboutyouletIgorfindussomeguns?”

Clarkshookhishead.“Aslongaswe’reincoverwecan’tbecarryingweapons,notevencovertly.Remember,wecangetchallengedbythelocalcopsatanytime.Theypullapieceoutofoneofourjackets,and

ourstoryaboutwhoweareandwhatwearedoingwillgotitsupinahurry.Thathappens,andwe’reofftothelocaljail,andthereIcanguaran-damn-teewewillbeuptooureyeballswithmobgoonswedon’twanttodealwith.”

“Rogerthat,”saidDom.Hewasn’thappyrollingunarmedwithRussianthugsliterallybumpingupagainst

T

them,butClarkhadbeendoingthissortofthingsincebeforeDomwasborn,soheknewbetterthantoargue.

—heymadeitbacktotheirbuildingaroundeleven,

andclimbedthestairstothethird-floorflat.Astheyarrivedatthedoortotheapartment,Dingslidhiskeyintothelock,startedtoturn

thelatch,buthestoppedhimselfbeforeheopenedthedoor.

“Down!”heshouted.Theotherfivemenhad

noideawhatwaswrong,buttheyhitthedeckquickly.Bierydidnotdosoonhisownpower—rather,DriscolltooktheITdirectordownlikealinebackermakingatackleintheopenfield.

Therewasnoexplosion.

Afterafewseconds,ClarklookeduptofindChavezstillstandingatthedoor,hishandonthekeyinthelock.Hesaid,“Thelockhasbeentamperedwith...Itfeelsgritty.Maybeitwasjustpicked,butitmighthaveapressureswitchattached.Ifitdoes,andIletgo,thenwegoboom.”

Themenclimbedupslowlyfromthefloorinthe

hallway.Therewassomenervouslaughterbetweensomeofthem,butnotfromClark.Hemovedtothedoorandtookoutapenlight.Hekneltdown,hadChavezmovehishandalittlesohecouldseethelatchandthekeyinthelock.

“Itcouldbewiredontheotherside.Nowaytoknow.”

WhileChavezstoodmotionless,unsureifmoving

thedoormighttriggeranexplosion,Carusoheadedintothestairwell,climbedoutawindowthere,andshimmiedalonganarrowledgetothebalcony.Inmomentsthemeninthehallwaycouldhearhiminsidetheflat,andinsecondsmore,hewasonthefarsideofthedoor.

“It’sclear,”hesaid.Chavezbreathedalong

sighandletgo.Carusoopenedthedoor

fromtheinside.Therestofthemen

enteredtheflatand,iftheevidenceofapickedlockdidnotalreadytellthem,theynowknewforcertaintheyhadhadvisitorswhiletheywereout.

Theroomhadbeenoddlyrearranged.Asofawasnowinthemiddleoftheroom,a

chairhadbeenstackedonanotherchair,andthekitchentablewasnowupsidedown.Thecenterpiecethathadbeenonitnowsatatthecenteroftheinvertedtable.

AllofGavin’slaptopswereencryptedandpassword-protected,sonoonehadbeenabletosearchthem.ButthatdidnotstoptheFSB—Clarkwascertaintheyweretheculpritsofthis

—fromunpluggingthemfromtheirpowerstripsandtyingthecordstogether.Thelaptopswereclosedandstackedononeanother.

Atthesamemoment,bothClarkandChavezeachbroughtafingertohislips,tellingtheresttokeepquiet,astheymightnowbeunderaudiosurveillance.Theycouldstilltalk,butonlyincharacter.

GavinBierywasshaken.“Somebodyhasbeenscrewingwithmycomputers.”

Chavezpattedhimonthebackashepassed,headingdownthehallwaytocheckthethreebedrooms.

Thebedroomslookedmuchthesameasthefrontroom:randomitemshadbeenmovedaround,suitcasesstoodstackedoneuponthe

other,andclotheslayinpilesonthefloor.

Heshookhisheadinconfusion,thenshookitagainwhenhesawasmallstuffedteddybearhadbeenleftononeofthebeds.Ithadnotbeenintheflatbefore.Dingcheckeditforbugs,andsawthatitwasclean.Instead,itwasjustsomesortofperversemessage.

Ashecheckedthelastof

thethreebedrooms,findingthesamerandomsignsofactivity,Chaveznoticedthebathroomlightwason.Heleanedintoshutitoffbutstoppedwhenhenoticedafoulodor.

Hechecked.Therewerefecesinthetoilet.

“Classy,”Dingsaidtohimself.

Domcamerushingintotheroom.“Somejackass

dumpedoutallmyclothes.”HelookedoverChavez’s

shoulder.“That’sjustnasty.Whatisittheyaretryingtoprove?Imean,didabunchoffuckingkidsbreakinhere?”

Thetwomenreturnedtothelivingroom,andhereClarkturnedonthetelevisionandaradiofullblast;thenheopenedallthefaucetsintheattachedkitchensothatthesoundofwaterflowing

throughthepipesaddedtothenoise.

Hebroughthismenintothemiddleofthelargeroom.Underallthebackgroundnoise,hesaid,“Guys,thisisjustalittlepsychologicalintimidation.Theywantustoleave,buttheyareusingsoftmeasuresatthispoint.Theyareshowinguswecanexpectreallycloseandreallyannoyingcompanyatall

times.”Clarklookedaroundthe

roomandrealizedtheFSB’stacticwashavingthedesiredeffect.GavinandDomlookedatonceconfusedanddefeated,asiftheiroperationherehadbeenunderminedevenbeforeitbegan.Driscolljustlookedangry,asifhispersonalspacehadbeenviolated.

Clarksaid,“These

assholesaremakingitknowntheycanandwilldowhattheywant,butwe’renotgoingtoletitgettous.Wecanstilloperatehere,wejusthavetobeonourtoes.We’llfindwaystosliparoundthemwhilestayingincover.”

Gavinshookhishead,doinghisbesttoputtheworryoutofhismind.Afteramoment,hesaid,“Whatever.Icallfirstinthebathroom.”

ChavezandCarusolookedateachother.Domsaid,“It’sallyours,Gav.”

T29

heconferenceroomoftheWhiteHouseSituationRoomwas

chosenasthevenuefortoday’spresidentialbriefingonthesituationinUkraineforonekeyreason.Thereweremoremultimediaoptionsin

theSituationRoomthantherewereintheOvalOffice,andthePresident’sbriefersintheFBI,CIA,DIA,DNI,andtheDepartmentofStateplannedonusinganumberofdifferentmeanstopaintthepictureforthePresident.

Asthemeetingwasgettingunderway,MaryPatFoleyaskedifshecouldmakeaquickannouncement.“Wehavelearnedsome

distressingnewsthismorning.ItwasdiscoveredtodayinUkrainethatthenumber-twomanintheSBU,Ukrainian’ssecurityservice,hasbeenspyingfortheRussians.HehasfledKiev,andthereisamanhuntacrossUkraineforhim,althoughweassumehewillturnupinRussia.”

“Christ,”Ryansaid.JayCanfieldalready

knewthis.Hesaid,“Weareintheprocessofconductingasecurityreviewtoseejusthowexposedourlocaloperationsare,butitdoesn’tlookgood.Ourlocalpeoplewillberatchetingbacktheiroperationsaccordingly.”

PresidentRyansaid,“Theregoanothersetofeyesandearsintheregion.”

“Iagree,”saidMaryPat.“Thisonehurts.”

“WhodowehaveasCOSKiev?”

JayCanfieldsaid,“KeithBixby.He’sagoodman.Afieldspook,notadeskguy.”

“Watchit,Jay.Iwasadeskguy,”Ryanquipped.

Canfieldsaid,“No,Mr.President.Iwasadeskguy.Youwereadeskguythatdidn’tstayathisdesk.”Jaysaiditwithasmile.“YouknowwhatImean.”

“Ihearyou.”MaryPatsaid,“Iknow

Bixbyquitewell,andwecouldn’thaveabetterCOSinplace.”

“Willweneedtopullhimout?”

“BixbyhimselfwillbebestpositionedtodeterminewhatCIA’sexposurewillbeonthis.Hewillmakethecallonwhatoperationstoshutter,whatpeopletosendhome,

whatforeignagentsweneedtoeitherbreaktieswithorpulloutofthecountryfortheirownsafety.Needlesstosay,thisisadisastroustimeforthistohappen.We’llrotateinsomenewblood,buttheRussianswillseewhoissuddenlymovingintoourembassyinKiev,andthatwilltellthemwhothenewspooksare.”

Ryangroaned,thinking

abouthowmuchharderthiswouldmakethings.

Hesaid,“Okay.Let’smovetothenexttopic.Volodin’sstatementannouncingexpandingtieswithChina.Leavingouttheeconomicsofitforamoment,whatdoestheChina–Russiaagreementmeaninpracticalterms,geopolitically?”

Foleysaid,“Thetwonationshavebeentakingalot

ofsimilarstancesrecently.OnSyria,onNorthKorea,onIran.ChinaandRussiaareburyingthehatchetoninternationalissues,sothisagreementwillonlystrengthenthat.

“Beijing,Moscow,andTehranhavebecomewhatsomehavecalledanirontriangle.”

“Andeconomically?What’stheendresultof

this?”Ryanturnedtoan

economicbrieferfortheStateDepartment.HernamewasHelenGlass;shewasaWhartongradandwellknownattheWhiteHouseasanexpertonRussia.

“It’sawin-win.ChinalacksRussia’sscientificknow-howandrawmaterials.RussialacksChina’smarketandmanufacturingprowess.

Iftheycanimplementtheagreement,bothnationswillbenefit.”

“HowbadisRussia’seconomynow?”Ryanasked.

Glasssaid,“Severalyearsago,Russiathoughtithaditmade.Ahugefindofbothgoldoreandoil,bothinSiberia,seemedtoportendgreatthingsforRussia.Butthegoldfindwasnotaslargeasearlyestimates,andtheoil

hasbeendifficulttoextract,especiallywhenVolodinandhispredecessorsqueezedoutWesterncompaniesinanattempttogiveGazpromfullcontrolofthefields.

“EnergycommoditiesareroughlyseventypercentofallRussia’sexports.Butthereisadownsidetothis.Hugenaturalresourceshaveanegativeeffectonanation’smanufacturingsector.They

callthephenomenontheRussiandisease.”

Ryannodded.Heunderstoodthephenomenon.“Themoneyisinthedirt,itjusthastobeduguporpumpedup.Themoneyisn’tininnovationorintellectualpropertyorinmanufacturing.Afterawhile,anationlosesitsabilitytoinnovateandtothinkandtobuildthings.”

“That’scorrect,Mr.

President.RussiahadgreatpotentialwhentheSovietUniondissolved,butintheninetiesitallwentbadforthemwhentheeconomycollapsed.Itwasthelargesttransferofwealthinthehistoryoftheworldwithoutawarbeingfought.”

Ryansaid,“Asmuchofadisasterasitwas,you’vegottogivetheRussianpeoplesomecreditforjustsurviving

it.”“Theydidsurviveit,yes.

Buttheyhavenotflourished.VolodinistakingcreditforthingsbecausenoonehascomeouttoshowRussianswhatwealththeyshouldbeenjoying.Russia’seconomyisbig,butit’snotmodernordynamic.Industryisfocusedontheextractionofrawmaterials.Theonlymanufacturedgoodspeople

wantontheworldmarketareKalashnikovs,caviar,andvodka.”

“YouaredescribingabananarepublicwithaquarterofabillionpeopleandhundredsofICBMs,”Jacksaid.

“Itrynottoexaggerate,Mr.President.But...insofarastheireconomyislimitedbywhattheycandigupandsell...yes.Andthatisnot

theironlyproblem.Russia’smainexportisfossilfuels.Butcominginataclosesecondiscorruption.”

“That’sharsh.”HelenGlassdidnot

waver.“Buttrue.Therehasbeenaheinousredistributionofpropertytothoseinpowerandtheexpansionofapolicestatetoprotectthem.Thebureaucracyisaprotectionracket.

“Russiaisgovernednotbyformalinstitutions,itisrunbythewillofthesiloviki.TheDumaisnothingmorethantheMinistryofImplementation.Itdoeswhatitistoldtodobythesiloviki.”

Ryansaid,“Thecronieswhorunbusinessandthecountry.”

“Yes,andnowhereistheconnectionbetweenbusiness

andgovernmentmoredirectthaninthecaseofGazprom,”shesaid.“Gazpromisofficiallyprivatized,buttheKremlinretainsfortypercentoftheshares,andeffectivelyonehundredpercentofthedecision-makingability.WoebetotheGazpromprivateshareholderwhogoesagainstthewishesofVolodin.Hesayshistougherversionofcapitalismiswhathas

allowedRussiatoprosper,butwhatheisdoingisnotcapitalism,andRussiahasnotprospered.”

Ryanasked,“IsthereanyeconomistintheworldwhocorrelatesRussia’sincreasedauthoritarianismwiththeirincreasedeconomicgrowth?”

HelenGlassthoughtforamoment.“Sure,youcanfindsomewhowillsayjustthat,butremember,therewere

economistspredictingthefallofcapitalismandtheriseofworldcommunism,evenintheeighties.”

Jacklaughed.“Goodpoint.Youcanalwaysfindanexperttoconfirmyourbelief,nomatterhowridiculous.”

“Since2008,overhalfatrilliondollarshasfledRussia.Mostofitispurecapitalflight.Thisisbillionairemoney,squirreled

awayinoffshorefinancialcenters.Thetop-fiveforeigninvestmentlocationsinandoutofRussiaaretaxhavens.”

Ryansaid,“Meaningit’snotinvestmentatall.”

Glassresponded,“Correct.Itismoney-launderingandtax-avoidanceschemes.”

“Right,”saidRyan.“Aslongasenergypricesarehighenough,theKremlincan

glossoverthefactthatathirdofitseconomyissuckedupbycorruption.”

“Correctagain,Mr.President.Foreigninvestorsarefleeing.TheRussianstockexchangehaslostnearlyatrillioninvalueinthepastyear.Capitalinvestmenthasfallenfiftypercent.

“Russiahaseverythingitcouldpossiblyneedtobeoneofthegreateconomiesofthe

world.Well-educatedpeople,naturalresources,accesstomarketsandtransportationinfrastructure,land.Ifnotforthepervasivecorruption,theywouldbeatthetopofthelistofworldnations.

“Russiansareworseofftodaythantheywereadecadeago.Publicsafety,health,law,property-rightssecurity.Alcoholconsumptionhasgrown,healthspendinghas

shrunk,lifeexpectancyhasdroppedinthepastyears.

“Theyhaveenactedlawsbarringdualcitizensfromappearingonstatetelevision.TheyareremovingforeignwordsfromtheRussianlanguage.”

Ryansaid,“Itfeelslikethey’veregressedthirtyyearsoverthere,doesn’tit?”

“Itisverymuchlikethat,indeed,Mr.President.”

JackRyanturnedawayfromtheeconomicadviserandtowardMaryPatFoleyandJayCanfield.“AndwithallthiswehavetheknowledgethatRussiawantstoinvadeitssovereignneighbor,andnowourintelligencecapabilityinthenationhasbeencrippled.”

“It’samess,Mr.President,”Canfieldadmitted.

J30

ohnClarkwalkedthroughtheObolonundergroundstationon

theKievmetro’sblueline.Itwasfour-thirtyp.m.,notquiterushhour,butthetunnels,escalators,andtrainswerequicklyfillingupwith

commuters.TheAmericanmadehis

waythroughthecrowd,keepinghisheaddownandwalkingpurposefullytofitinwitheveryonearoundhim.Heheadedtowardthetrains,buthewasn’tsurewhathewoulddowhenhegotthere,ashisinstructionswereonlytogototheObolonstationtomeetwithKeithBixby.

BixbyhadcalledClark

twohoursearlier,askingforanurgentmeetingandgivingthetimeandlocation,whichimmediatelysentClarkoutthedooroftherentedflattobeginaseriesoftwistsandturns,arandomsequenceofcabs,buses,metros,andhikesthroughmalls,departmentstores,andevenagypsymarket,whereheboughtaknockoffNikewintercoataftertossinghisownthree-

hundred-dollaronetoahomelessmanonthestreetsoClarkcouldchangehisappearanceonthefly.

Nowhewashereatthedesignatedmeetingplace,hopinglikehellthatwhateverburningissueBixbywantedtotalktohimaboutdidn’tinvolveateamofStateDepartmentsecurityguysandacoachticketbacktotheUSA.

Ashenearedtheendofthestationhall,heheardasoftvoiceclosebehindhim.“Getonthetrain,directionIpodrom,lastcar.”

ThewordswereEnglish,butitwasnotBixby’svoice,Clarkwascertain.Withoutacknowledgingtheinstructions,hemergedacrossthecrowdmovingtowardhimandwalkedtotheoppositesideofthestation

hall,andthenheclimbedaboardtheIpodromtrainthathadjuststoppedattheplatform.

Thecarwasalmostemptywhenheboarded,becauseObolonwasonlythethirdmetrostationontheline,butBixbywasthere,sittinginthelastseatintheback.Clarksteppedintothecar,turningtowardBixby,whileallaroundhimthecar

filledwithcommuters.ClarkmovedbackintothecornerandsatdownnexttotheKievstationchief.

BixbydidnotlookatClark,buthesaid,“Nicejacket.”

Therewerepeoplestandingandsittingtenfeetaway,buttheracketofthetrainshootingthroughthetunnelwouldmakeitimpossibleforanyonetohear

theconversation.Clarkputhiselbowson

hiskneesandleanedover,pretendedtolookatapaperbackhe’dpulledfromhispocket.HisheadwaslessthanafootawayfromCOSBixby.“What’sup?”

“WhenwetalkedtheotherdayIthoughthavingyouhereonmyturfwasgoingtobeapainintheass.Now,I’vegottosay,I’m

seriouslyreconsideringyourvalue.”

“Goon.”Heblewoutalongsigh.

“Thismorningwediscoveredthatthenumber-twomanintheUkrainianintelligenceservicehasbeenspyingfortheFSB.”

Clarkshowednoreaction.Hejustsaid,“You’resure?”

“Prettysure.Asecurity

investigationbytheUkrainiansturnedupane-mailaccounthewasusingtosetupmeetingsanddeaddrops.”Bixbygrowled.“Imean,really.Whostillusesdeaddropsinthisdayandage?”

“Didtheyarresthim?”“Nope.Hegottippedoff

somehow,andhedisappeared.He’sprobablyinMoscowbynow.”

“Doesheknowenoughaboutyoutocompromiseyouroperation?”

“Youmightsaythat,”Bixbymumbled.“HewasmymainliaisonwithSBU.Hedidn’tknoweverything,ofcourse.Hedidn’tknowaboutourNOCs,didn’tknowthemajorityofoursources,methods,orresources.”Bixbysighed.“Butstill...weworkedtogetheronsome

things,soheknewahellofalot.IhavetooperateundertheassumptionthatFSBisawareoftheidentityofallmycaseofficersattheembassyandmanyofoursafehousesacrossthecountry.”

“Ouch,”Clarksaid.“It’sacripplingblowat

theworstpossibletime.I’mpullingmostofmypeopleoffassignmentsfortheirown

safety,andI’mclosingupsomeinstallationswehavearoundthecountry.”

“Icanunderstandwhy,”Clarkadmitted.

Thetraincametoastop,andthenoiseofthetracksdisappeared.Bothmenstoppedtalkingwhilepeoplepassedbyandnewpassengersboarded.Bixbylookedoverfacesandjudgeddemeanors,andonlywhen

thetrainlefttheundergroundstationandthenoiseofthetracksreturneddidhestartspeakingsoftlyagain.

“I’mheadingdowntoSevastopoltonightwithateam.We’vegotaplacetherethat’sbeencompromised.”

“Aplace?”“Yep.SIGINTsafehouse

wesharewithUkrainianspooks.Wehaveatechnicalteamandashitloadofcommo

gear.There’sasmallteamofsecuritycontractors,andateamofCAGdudesthere,too.”

ClarkknewCAGmeantCombatApplicationsGroup,whichmeantDeltaForce.ItwasnogreatsurprisetohimthatDeltawasinSevastopol.ItwasthehomeportofRussia’sBlackSeafleet,afterall.TheUnitedStateswouldnaturallydowhatitcouldto

keeptabsontheareatoseewhattheRussianNavywasupto.

Bixbysaid,“We’vegotalotofequipmenttobreakdownandhauloff,andalotoffilestoshredandburn.I’llbedownthereforthirty-sixtoforty-eighthours.”

“Sevastopolisapowderkegrightnow.”

“TellmesomethingIdon’tknow.”

Clarksaid,“I’vebeenfishingaround.ItlooksliketheScarhasbeenbehindalotoftheriotsandcivilunresthereinKiev.”

“I’vebeenhearingthesamerumors.”

“Whatcanwedoupherewhileyou’reaway?”

Forthefirsttime,Bixbybrokecover,althoughjustslightly.Noonearoundnoticedwhenhelookedtothe

manonhisright.“Whatcanyoudo?Rightnow,Clark,I’lltakewhateverIcanget.YouaremyeyesandearshereinKievuntilLangleysendsmefreshblood,andthatwon’tbeforaweekatleast.”

Clarkturnedthepageinhispaperback.“Sixguys.Includingme,wearesixguys.OneUkrainianspeakerandthreeRussianspeakers.”

“Yeah,well,Ididn’task

youtocomehereinthefirstplace.Butsinceyou’rehere,whynotkeepaneyeonGleb?HeisstayingattheFairmontGrandHotel.Thebastardhastheentiretopfloortohimself.I’veheardfromaguywhoworksatthehotelthatGlebmeetswithaconstantstreamofcharactersalldaylong.NotFSB,atleastnotknownfaces.”Bixbyshovedhishandsdeeperinto

hiscoatandleanedoveralittlecloser.“AcouplesetsoftrainedeyeballsonhimwouldgivemeatinybitofcomfortknowingsomebodywascoveringthatpartofthestoryhereinKiev.”

“Consideritdone.”“Sorryaboutbeingan

assholebefore.”“Youweren’tanasshole.

Youwerejustdoingyourbesttokeepyouropbuttonedup.”

Bixbysmiledmirthlessly.“Yeah,well,lookhowwellthatworkedout.”

Thetrainarrivedatitsnextstop.Thestationchiefrosetohisfeet,andashedidso,hesaid,“Seeyaaround.”

Clarkreplied,“I’llbeintouch.”

BixbydisappearedinthecrowdleavingattheTarasaShevchenkastop.Withoutlooking,Clarkplacedhisleft

handontheseatwhereBixbyhadbeensitting,andhescoopedupatinyfoldedscrapofpaper.Heslippeditintohispocket,havingnodoubtitwouldbethenumbertoanencryptedphonewhereBixbycouldbereached.

Clarksatbackintheseat,alreadythinkingaboutmovingpartofhisoperationtotheFairmontGrandHotel.

I31

twasneartheendoftheworkday,andJackRyan,Jr.,hadnotlefthisdesk

exceptforrunstothecafeteriaforcoffeeandsandwichesandtothebathroom—hefoundhimselfunabletocallita“loo”—but

hewaslookingforwardtoheadingstraighthomeandthenopeninguphiscomputerthereforafewhours’moreresearchbeforebed.

Hisphonerangandhedidnotlookatthenumberbeforeanswering:“Ryan.”

“Sandyhere,Jack.Wonderifyoucouldcomeupstairswhenyougetachance.”

“Upstairs?”

“Yes.I’mupherewithMr.Castor.Norushatall.”

RyanhadbeenherelongenoughtoknowthesubtleunderstatementofBritish-speak.Lamontwastellinghimtogethisassupintothedirector’sofficeonthedouble.

“Berightthere.”“Lovely.”

—

Jacksatdownatacoffeetable

intheornateofficeofHughCastor,managingdirectorofCastorand

BoyleRiskAnalytics,andhesippedcoffeefromabone-chinacupwhileCastorfinishedaphonecallinFrenchathisdesk.SandyLamontsatacrossfromhimwithhislegscrossed.

Ryanwhispered,“What’sgoingon?”

ButLamontjustshruggedasifhehadnoidea.

Thesixty-eight-year-oldEnglishmanfinishedhiscall.Hestrodeovertothesittingareaandtookthewingbackchairattheendofthecoffeetable.

“Youhavedonearemarkablejob.Weareallincrediblyimpressed.”

Jacklikedanaffirmingcomplimentasmuchas

anyone,butinthiscasehesenseda“but”coming.

Heraisedhiseyebrows.“But,”HughCastorsaid,

“Jack,weare,quitefrankly,nervous.”

“Nervous?”“Locatingthenexus

betweenRussianbusiness,Russiangovernment,andRussiancriminalenterpriseis,frankly,partofourjobhereatCastorandBoyle.

Havingsaidthat,yourmethodsmightbeperceivedbysomeasoverlyaggressive.”

JacklookedatSandy.AtfirsthethoughtthiswasaboutwhathadhappenedinthealleyinAntigua.ButSandy’salmostimperceptibleshakeofhisheadtoldhimthispertainedtosomethingelse.“Perceivedbywhom?”Jackasked.

Castorsighed.“Anamecameupinyourinvestigationtheotherday.”

Jacknodded.“DmitriNesterov.Whatabouthim?”

Castorexaminedhisfingernailsforamoment.Inanoffhandway,hesaid,“Asitturnsout,hehappenstobealargeshareholderinGazprom,aswellasahigh-rankingofficialintheFSB.”

Lamontsaid,“Double

trouble,youmightsay.”“Quite,”agreedCastor.Jacksaidnothingfor

severalseconds.Castorrespondedto

Jack’ssilence:“YouaretryingtodecidejusthowtoaskmehowitisIknowthisaboutNesterov.”

Ryansaid,“Ilookedintohim.HeisarestaurateurinSaintPetersburg.Ididn’tdiscoveranyconnectionto

FSBoreventoGazprom.Youmusthaveothermeansatyourdisposal.”

“Inlightofyourfather’sprofessionbeforehewentintopolitics,I’msureyouknowsomethingabouttheworkoftheintelligenceservices.”

Youmightsaythat,Ryanthought.Hejustnodded.

“ItismutuallybeneficialthatwehereatCastorand

BoyleandthegoodmenandwomeninBritishsecretservicecommunicatefromtimetotime.Wemightcomeacrossaname,asyoudid,andwanttoaskthemaboutit.Ortheymightliketolearnsomethingaboutwhatwehavediscoveredinourwork.”

Iknewit,thoughtJack.C&BhadtiestoSIS.Butagain,hedidn’tsayit.

“Makessense.”

“SoIinquiredaboutNesterov,andtheycamerightbacktomeandsaid,intheiruniquewayofdoingthings,thatweshouldbecarefulwithhim.”

“Okay,”Jacksaid.Andthenheadded,“I’mcareful.”

Castorpaused.“FlyingdowntoAntiguaandBarbuda,goingthroughrubbishbinsonprivateproperty.Thisisnotcareful.I

can’timaginethenegativepressCastorandBoylewouldhavereceivedifouremployee,theAmericanPresident’schild,noless,wasseriouslyinjuredorkilledwhileonsomesortofasecretmissiononaThirdWorldislandintheCaribbean.It’sarightdangerousworldoutthere,lad,andyouaren’ttrainedtodealwithsomeoftheunsavorycharacterswho

operateonthefringesofourindustry.”

SandyLamontclearedhisthroatslightly,buthesaidnothing.

“YousendinginvestigatorstoTver,yourapplicationstotheRussiantaxofficeforinformation,yourresearchintotheaircraftNesterovusestogetaround.Thisisallfaraboveandbeyondournormalscopeof

inquiry.IamconcernedFSBmightmakethingsdifficultforus,sameastheydoformanyofourclients,andIcan’thavethat.”

Jackasked,“IsthisabouttheFSB,oristhisaboutthefactI’mthePresident’sson?”

“Frankly,it’sboth.Itisourjobtofulfillthewishesofourclients.Inthiscase,youhavedoneabang-upjob,butwearenotgoingto

recommendtoGalbraiththathepursuehiscaseanyfurther.

“Theproblem,lad,isthatifNesterovisanownerofIFC,thereiszerochanceGalbraithwilleverseeashillingofhismoney.Wecan’tpullthemintocourt,notinRussia,andnotinanyEuropeancountry,becauseRussiacontrolstheflowofenergyintoEurope.”

Jacksaid,“IfwerevealthefactthatGazpromcolludedwiththetaxofficetoraidGalbraith’scompany,andthatthisFSBguyearnedaone-point-two-billion-dollarpayday,thenwecanputastoptothissortofthingcontinuing.”

“Wearenotapoliceforce.Wearenotanarmy.Yourfathermightbetheleaderofthefreeworld,but

thatcarriesnoweightinthissituation.TheFSBcanmakethingsdifficultforusifwehittooclosetohomeinourinvestigation.”

Ryangrittedhisteeth.“IfyouaretellingmethefactIamemployedheremakesseekingjusticemoredifficultforyou,thenIwillresign.”

Castorsaid,“That’sjustit,lad.Whatwedohereisnotaboutjustice.”

Lamontleanedinhelpfully.“It’saboutmoney,mate.Wewanttohelpourclientretrievelostassets.ThatispossibleifwefindtangibleassetsintheWest,butifyoustartnaminghigh-rankingFSBgeezers,Galbraithwillnotreceiveanyrecompense,Icanassureyouofthat.”

Castorsaid,“Jack.You,quitesimply,haveaimedtoo

highonthisone.”Afteramomentof

silence,Jacksaid,“Iunderstand.”

Hedidnot,infact,understand,buthefeltlikeifhesathereforoneminutemorehewasgoingtoputhisfistthroughthewall.

Castorsaid,“We’regoingtoputyouonsomethingelse.Somethinglessincendiary.Youdovery

J

finework,wejustneedtodirectyoureffortstoanewtask.”

“Sure,”Ryansaid.“Whateveryouthinkisbest.”

—ackleftCastorandBoyleatsix-thirtyp.m.Sandy

invitedhimoutfordrinksanddinnerinanattempttomakeupforthetoughmeetingwiththedirector,butJackdidn’t

feellikehewouldbemuchcompanytonight.Instead,hewenttoapubonhisown,pickedatashepherd’spie,anddrankdownfourpintsbeforeleavingfortheTube.

Ryan’sfoulmoodintensifiedashewalkedupCannonStreetintherain.He’dforgottenhisdamnumbrellaagain,andhepunishedhimselfbynotallowinghimselftobuy

another.No,hewouldjustlethimselfgetsoaked;hethoughtthatmighthelphimremembertograbitnexttime.

Hewasthinkingaboutstoppingoffatonemorepubonthewayhome.HewouldpassbytheHatchetonhiswaytotheTube;he’dbeentherebefore,andhe’dlikedtheplacewellenough.Anotherbeerwouldhitthe

spot,but,hedecided,itwouldonlymakehimmorepissedoffandsullen.

No.He’dgohomeandgetsomesleepinstead.

Hecrossedthestreet,glancingbackquicklyoverhisrightshoulderashedidso.Forceofhabit,nothingmore,andasalways,therewasnoonetherewholookedinanywayoutoftheordinary.Hechastised

himself;itwasasifhewashavingaverydifficulttimeswitchingintothislife.Hewasoverzealousinhiswork,treatingshadybusinessmenasthoughtheywereaninternationalterroristsyndicate,becausethat’swhathe’dbeendealingwithinhisoldlife.Andheranmini-SDRsandstayedonthelookoutforsurveillance,becausethat’salsowhathe’d

beentrainedtodoinhislastjob.

And,asanothernodtohispersonalsecurity,hetreatedeveryfemalewhogotwithintenyardsofhimasapotentialenemyplant.

Becausethat’swhathappenedtohiminhislastjob.

—yanenteredtheMansion

RHouseTubestation,coldand

soakingwet.Ontheescalatordowntothe

tracksanattractivewomaninfrontofhimturnedaroundandlookedupathim.Shegavehimasympathetichalf-smile.Likehewasapuppywho’dcomeinfromtherain.Thensheturnedback,awayfromthewetguyinthenicesuit.

Twentyminuteslaterhe

walkedoutoftheEarl’sCourtstation,handsinhispocketsandhiscollarup.He’ddriedoffalittleintheTube,buteventhoughtherainhadstopped,theeveningmistwassoincrediblythickhewassoakedagainwithinminutes.

AfterhepassedafewpeoplestandingunderumbrellasinfrontofanIndianrestaurantonHogarth

Roadhewasallalone,walkingalongthesidewalkinfrontofalongsetofrowhouses.HecrossedthestreetovertoKenway,andhismindwaslostbackinhiswork.He’djustbeenkickedofftheGalbraithcase,buthecouldn’thelphimself;hewasstilltryingtogethisheadaroundthemazelikestructureofthecompanies,trusts,foundationsinvolved.

HecrossedthelittlestreettocutthroughafootpathbetweenbuildingsthatwouldtakehimtoCromwellRoad,andheautomaticallyusedtheopportunitytolookoverhisshoulder,asifcheckingforanytraffic.

Alongshadowunderthelamplightaroundthecornerbehindhimwasmovingwhenheturned,butwhoeverwascastingtheshadowstopped

suddenlyandthen,slowly,beganbackingaway,causingtheshadowtoslidebackalongthestreet.

Jackstoppedinthemiddleoftheroad,watchingtherecedingshadowforamoment,andthenhestartedwalkinginthatdirection.Theshadowdisappearedquickly.Jackheardhurriedfootfalls,andthenrunning.

Ryanbeganrunning

himself,hisleathermessengerbagbouncingoffhishipasheshottowardthecorner.Hespunaround,hopingtocatchaglimpseofwhoeverwasrunningaway.

Therewasnoone.Justtwo-storywhitetownhomesonbothsidesofthetwo-laneroad,andcarsparkedalongthestreet.Theheavymistseemedtohangaroundthestreetlamps,addinga

particulareerinesstothescene.

Ryanstoodinthemiddleofthelittlestreet,hisheartpounding.

Heturnedbackinthedirectionofhisflatandstartedwalkingagain.Forafractionofasecondhewonderedifitcouldhavebeenapotentialmugger.ButJackhadlearnedenoughinthepastfewyearstoknow

therewasnosuchthingascoincidence.Andinthiscase,therewasnootherexplanation.Someonewasfollowinghim.

Hisheartthumpedevenhardernow.

Hismindfilledwithanassortmentofgovernmentagencies,foreigngovernments,criminalenterprises,andterroristgroups,tryingtocometo

somesortofconclusionabouttheentitythathadhimundersurveillance,butuntilheactuallyspottedsomethingmoresolidthanashadow,thiswasunknowable.

Ashemadehiswayhome,hefeltthepalpablesenseofpotentialdanger,buthecouldnotdenytohimselfthatwiththiscameanunmistakableexhilaration.

A32

fteraweekandahalfofcleaningandrepairs,theRyan

familyreturnedtotheresidenceoftheWhiteHousewithlittlefanfare.ThePresidentwantedtokeeptheeventlow-key,sowithout

notifyingthepressinadvance,CathyandthekidswerehelicopteredfromtheirhomeinMarylandtotheSouthLawn,andJackmetthematthesouthentrance.KatieandKyleimmediatelyranuptotheirroomsandfoundthemexactlyastheyhadleftthem,thoughonememberofthecleaningcrewhadpickedupKyle’stoyssothatthecarpetscouldbe

steamedandshampooed.Thatafternoon,Cathy

herselfhadtheideatohostapoolreporterfromtheWhiteHousepressofficethroughatouroftheresidence.Asitturnedout,itwasaseniorWhiteHousecorrespondentfromABC,andCathytookher,alongwithhercameraman,alloverthecommonareasofthesecond-floorresidencetoshow

AmericathatthePeople’sHouseborenophysicalscarsfromtheunfortunateevent.

ThecorrespondenttriedtobacktheFirstLadyintoacornerbyaskingif,inretrospect,havingaknownenemyofthegovernmentinpowerinRussiaoverforlunchmighthavebeenabadidea.

Cathyrepliedwithgrace,sayingSergeywasafriendof

thefamily’s,afriendofAmerica’s,andafriendofRussia’s.

JackRyanwasangrytolearnthattendaysaftertheincident,Golovko’sbodywasstillintheUnitedStatesand,effectively,stuckincustoms.HepersonallycalledthedirectorofImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementtoseewhattheholdupwas.ThedirectorofICEfoundhimself

inthedelicatepositionofhavingtoexplaintothePresidentoftheUnitedStatesthathisfriend’sbodyhadbeen,incompliancewithU.S.law,classifiedascontaminatedwaste,andeventhoughhewasinalead-linedcoffin,therewasanincredibleamountofredtapeinvolvedingettinghimtransportedtotheUnitedKingdomforburial.

Ryanwasbothangeredandsaddenedbythisnews,buthehadtheempathytorecognizethesituationinwhichhe’djustputtheheadofICE.Heapologized,thankedthemanforhishardworkanddiligence,andlethimgetbacktowork.

ThefamilyspenttheirfirsteveningbackintheWhiteHousetogetherinthetheaterroom,watchinga

children’smovie.Cathy’sideawastogetthekidsbackintoacomfortableroutineathome,andtoalargedegreeitwassuccessful.Atonepoint,Kylemadearemarkaboutthe“manwhomadethemess”inthebathroom,butotherwisethekids,likemostkids,seemedvirtuallyunaffectedbytheeventtheydidnotreallyunderstand.Jackrealizeditwouldn’tbelong

T

beforeKatiewouldpiecetogethermoreaboutwhathappenedthatstrangenightwhenshewastenyearsoldandhadtosleepinherfather’sofficebeforetakingasurprisevacationhomeforspringbreak.

—henextmorning,RyanflewtoMiamionAir

ForceOneforalunchtime

speechtoCubanAmericanleaders.HehadplannedonstayingtheeveningtomeetwithlocalGOPfund-raisers,buthecuthistripshorttodealwiththesituationinUkraineandreturnedtoWashingtonjustafterlunch.

AssoonashishelicoptertoucheddownfromAndrewsAirForceBase,hewastoldEdFoleywaswaitingforhim.Jackheadedrightover

totheOvalOfficeandfoundEdintheanteroom.

FoleyhadspentthepastseveraldayslookingoverrawdatafromtheBritishsecretservicepertainingtotheZenithaffair,athirty-year-oldsetofmurdersinEurope.RyanhadtaskedFoleywiththeresearchprojectwithoutexplainingmuchaboutitsrelevance.

Ryanleanedintothe

RooseveltRoom,whereEdwaswaitingforhim.“Hey,Ed.Sorrytokeepyouwaiting.Comeonin.”

FoleyfollowedRyanintotheOvalOffice.Hesaid,“Noproblematall.HowwasMiami?”

“IwishIcouldtellyou.Iwastherealloftwoandahalfhours.LeastIgotadecentCubansandwichandacaféconlecheoutofthetrip.”

“Careful.Thatgetsoutandsomefolkswillsayyou’vegonecommie.”

ThePresidentlaughed,andthemensatdownonthesofasinfrontofthedesk.Ryansaid,“Iappreciateyoudiggingintoallthisoldstuff.”

“Mypleasure.Itwasfascinating.”

“Whatdidyoucomeupwith?”

“Morequestionsthananswers,I’mafraid.I’vespentfivedaysreadingeverythingsenttomeabouttheeventsinquestionfromtheperspectiveofthreenation’sintelligenceagenciesandpoliceforces.FromtheBritishIhavefilesfromSIS,MI5,andScotlandYard,andSISalsosentoverreportstheygotfromtheGermansatthetime—BfVintelligence

reports,aswellasrelevantcasefilesoftheSwissFederalOfficeofPolice.”

Edcontinued,“Allthepartiescametothesameconclusion.TherewasnoRussianassassincalledZenithoperatinginEurope.ThiswasjustastorycookedupbymembersoftheGermanterroristgroupRedArmyFaction.Thesewerepoliticallymotivatedkillings,

butatthattimetheRAFwasnearlydormant.Someoftheterroristswantedtokeepitthatway.Thekillingsweren’tsanctionedwithintheorganization,andthosenotinvolvedwerenothappytobetiedtothekillings,sotheypushedthestorythatitwasallaKGBplot.”

“AndhowdidRomanTalanov’snamegettiedtoZenith?”

“ThatcamefromBritishintelligence,butyearsafterthefact.IntheearlyninetiesasourceinsideRussia,nameredacted,claimedtheZenithassassinwasreal,andhewasanex-GRUSpetsnazofficernamedTalanovwhofirstservedasaparatrooperduringtheinvasionofAfghanistan.”

“Thenameofthesourcewasredacted?”

“Yes,andthatisverystrange.ItistheonlyredactednameinalloftheSISfilessenttome.IshowedittoMaryPat,andshemadearequestthroughSIS.Theyclaimtheredactionisonthe1991sourcedocumentitself,andtheydon’tknowwhothesourcewas.”

“That’sunusual.”“Very.Itwasexplained

toMaryPatthata

determinationwasmadethattheinformationwasfalseandtheirsourcenotcredible.TheyshouldhavestrickentheentirecommentaboutTalanov,butsomeonescrewedupandjustredactedthenameoftheinformant,andnottheinformationitself.”

Ryansaid,“Soyouaresayingitisbadintel,fromabadsource.Anditisalsoa

deadend,becausewedon’tevenknowwheretheintelligencecamefrom.”

“Idohaveoneclue,fromtheSwissfiles,however.OneoftheSwissreportswasfromtheirZugCantonpolice;theydetainedamanatthesceneofoneofthekillings.Hewasstoppedasawitness,butherefusedtocomplywiththecops.Hewashandcuffedandputinthebackofapolice

cruiser,fromwhichhepromptlyescaped.”Edshuffledthroughhispapersforamoment,thenhandedoverapage.Ryanlookeditover;itwasaphotocopiedpageofadocumentproducedbyanelectrictypewriter,anditwasallinGerman.

Ryandidnotseeanythingatfirst.Hejustsaid,“IchsprechekeinDeutsch.”

Edchuckled.“Idon’t

speakGerman,either.Butlookcarefullyintheright-handmargin.”

Jackloweredhisglassesonhisnose,andnowhesawafaintmarking.Itappearedthatsomethinghadbeenwritteninpencilandthenerased.

Helookedcloser.“Doesthatsay‘Bedrock’?”

“Yes.”“What’sBedrock?”

Edshookhishead.“Noclue.I’veneverheardofitbefore,it’scertainlynotmentionedanywhereelseinanyoftheZenithcasefiles.IcheckedwithMaryPat.TheSIShasnorecordofBedrockasacodenameforeitherapersonoranoperation.”

“Andit’srightnexttothementionofthewitnesswhoescapedfrompolicecustody?”

Edreplied,“MyGermanisatrocious,butthat’swhatthetranslatorsays.”

RyanlookedcloselyattheEnglishwordagain.“Whosehandwritingisthat?”

Edsaid,“ThereareotherEnglishnotesmadeontheSwissandGermanfiles.MusthavebeentheBrits.MyguessisthenotesweremadebySirBasilCharlestonhimself.”

“Interesting.”

“IthoughtmaybeyoucouldcallBasil.It’spossiblehewon’tremember—it’sbeenthirtyyears,afterall—butitmightbeworthashot.”

Ryanthoughtitover.“Icalledhimlastyearonhisbirthday.Hismindissharpasever,butI’mafraidhe’sdeafasapost.”

Edsaid,“Ifyou’dlike,IcouldheadovertotheUKandtalktohimaboutit.”

“Iappreciatethat,butthere’snoneed.I’llcallJackJuniorandaskhimtorunbySirBasil’splaceandaskhim.Ihaven’theardfrommyboyinawhile,andthiswillgivemeanexcusetocheckinwithoutlookingtoomuchlikeamotherhen.”

“How’shedoingoverthere?”

“Idon’treallyknow,totellyouthetruth.Hetalkedto

Cathytheotherday.Sayseverythingisjustfineanddandy.MaybeI’llgetsomethingmoreoutofhim.”

Thetwomenstood.Edsaid,“SorryIcouldn’tfindanythingmoreinthenotes.IknowyouwerehopingyoucouldtieTalanovtothemurders,butitreallydoeslooklikethesemurdersweretheworkoftheRAF.TheGermansbustedacellin

Berlinandfoundintelthatlinkedthemtoallthekillings.”

RyanpattedEdFoleyontheshoulder.“Maybeso,Ed.Maybeso.ButIdoknowthereismoretothestorythanwhatisinthenotes.”

Foleyasked,“Whydoyousaythat?”

Ryangaveatiredsmile.“BecauseIlivedthrougheverydamnbitofit.”

A33

lthoughtheyhadhopedtooperatebelowtheradarin

Kiev,JohnClarkandhisCampusoperatorshadchangedtheirplansomewhat,andnowtheywere,essentially,hidinginplain

sight.Theirrun-inwiththeFSBafewnightsearlierhadshownthemthatRussianintelligencehadtherunofthistownandanyattemptsatkeepingalowprofilearoundhereweredoomedtofailure.Withthisinmind,Clarkdecidedheandhisteamwould,instead,justmakeitlookliketheywereasomewhatblunderinggroupofjournalistswhowere

blissfullyunawarethattheywereoperatinginthemiddleofspooksandmafia,andcluelesstothefacteverythingtheydidandsaidwasundersurveillance.

Gavinhadtriedthepatienceoftheexperiencedoperativesontheteammorethanoncebystrayingintoconversationthatveeredtowardoperationaltalk.Eachtimethisoccurred,whoever

happenedtobetheclosestmantoBierygotinhisface,gavehimadirtylook,andthenchangedthesubjectofconversationquickly.Bierywouldwinceinfrustrationathislackofrefinementasarealspy,he’dnodsheepishly,andhe’dpickupthenewconversation.

Eventhoughtheyhadtoremainincharacterwiththeirconversationsbecausethey

knewtheywerebeingeavesdroppedon,theywereabletocommunicatebywritingnotesontheiriPadsandthenerasingthefile,andtheywroteonpaperthattheyimmediatelydestroyed.TheyalsotextedoneanotherbecauseBieryhadinstalledrobustsecuritysoftwareonalltheirelectronicdevicestokeepouteventhebestattemptstodecryptthem.

TheFairmontGrandHotelKievisamassivebuildingonthebanksoftheDnieperRiverinthehistoricPodildistrictincentralKiev.Fromthewindowsandbalconies,guestsaretreatedtoviewsoftherivertotheeastandofhillsandgoldenchurchdomestothewest.

Amassiveconstructionprojecttobuildaflyoverwasintheworksnextdoortothe

building,andthenoise,dust,andtrafficassociatedwiththebigprojecttookmuchawayfromanycharmtheneighborhoodmightnormallyhave,andpettycriminalsroamedNaberezhno-Khreshchatytskabothdayandnight.Atnight,hotelguestswerewarnedbybellmentopatronizeonlythosetaxisdispatchedbythehotel’stransportationservice,

becauseofroguecabdrivers’commontacticofeitherrobbingtouriststhemselvesordrivingthemtoaquietplacewheretheycouldberobbedbyaconfederate.

TheRussianknownasGlebtheScarwasstayingintheRoyalSuiteontheninthfloor,buthisentouragehadtakenovereveryotherroomontheeighthandninthfloorsaswell.Inadditiontothe

securitytheScarwouldhavearoundhimatthetopofthehotel,thegroundfloorwascrawlingwithhismen.Anyonewithaneyeforsuchthingswholookedaroundtheopulentgroundscouldeasilydetectseveralmenwhowerenothotelstaff,butneverthelessseemedtobepermanentfixturesinthelobby.Menwereencampedatthetables,ontheplushsofas,

orelsejustmillingaboutdoingnothing.

ThemajorityofthesefixtureswereSevenStrongMensecuritypersonnel,butFSB,Ukrainianintelligence,andinteriorsecuritymen,aswellasagentsforotherintelligenceagencies,alsohungaround.ClarkhadnodoubtthatCIAwouldhavelikedtokeepsomeonehereinthehotel24/7,hadthey

enoughpersonneltodoso.EvenifBixbywasn’tsoconcernedabouttheScarjustyettotaskhismenwithestablishingatwenty-four-houreye,ClarkknewtherewouldbeenoughPOIsintheFairmontthatCIAwouldwanttoatleasthavepaidinformantsonthestaffhere.

Clarkdecidedtokeephismainbaseofoperationsattherentedflat,buthedidtake

oneroomattheFairmontsotheycouldhavesomeoneclosetoGlebtheScar.Toeffectthismoveandremainincoveratthesametime,Clarkconcoctedarusethatbeganintheflat,wherehestartedanargumentwiththeothermenabouthisOneWorldmediaassignmenthereinKiev.Forthebenefitofthelisteningdevicesheknewrecordedhisevery

word,Clark,theseniorreporterinthegroup,railedattheyounger,lessexperiencedjournalistsabouteverythingfromtheequipmenttheyhadbroughtalongforthejobtoproductionideasfortheproject.Hecomplainedhewasn’tgettingpaidenoughandthathisperdiemdidnotcoverrestaurantssuitableforhisneeds,andheexpressedoutragehewasbeingforced

tosharearoomwithothers.Andthen,withaflairfor

thedramaticthathadtheothermenintheroomfightingtokeepstraightfaces,ClarkannouncedhewouldbemovingintoahotelforthedurationoftheirworkhereinUkraine.

JohnClark,aCIAofficersincetheVietnamera,hadneverinhislifebeendescribed,byanyone,asa

diva,buthiscovernowhadhimadoptingexactlythatrole.

Anhourlater,JohnClarkandIgorKryvovarrivedattheFairmont;bothofthempulledalonglargerollingsuitcasesfullofitemsthatanytravelermightcarry.Clarkwascarefultokeephisluggageasinnocuousaspossible,becausehewasnearcertaintheoppositionwould

searchhisbelongingshereeverychancetheygot.HecheckedintothehotelusinghiscredentialsshowinghimtobetheseniorreporterforOneWorldProductionsinVancouver,thenheandIgortooktheirluggagetohisthird-floorroom.Theychattedalongtheway,ClarkpesteringtheUkrainianstringerwithstoriesofothertripshe’dsupposedlytaken

withOneWorldandthebetterworkingconditionshe’dexperiencedandthemoreprofessionalcrewofproducers,photographers,audiomen,andtechnicalexpertsthathe’dtraveledwithonassignmentspast.

Ofcourse,Clarkwascertainhewasbeingwatchedbycameras,mafiamen,andenemyintelligenceagencies,sothiswasallpartofhis

cover.Afterhelpinghimwith

hisdiva-sizedluggage,IgorKryvovleftthehotelandreturnedtotheflat,andsoonenough,JohnClarkmoveddowntothelobby,wherehesethimselfupataplushsofabyorderingcoffeeservice,hookingaphoneheadsettohisear,andputtinghisiPadinhislap.

WhileClarkestablished

hissatelliteopatthehotel,therestoftheteampreparedtheirendoftheoperation.Theysplitintotwo-manteams,withIgorandSamtakingoneoftheirrentedToyotaHighlandersandDomandDingtakingtheother,whileGavinremainedbackintheflat,workingfromthere.

TherewasconcernaboutleavingGavinaloneinanapartmenttheFSBhad

alreadyraidedonce,soIgorarrangedfortwoofhisformercolleaguesinthefederalpolicetostandoutsidetheflat,tellingthemtheywereprotectingaCanadianaudiotechnicianandhisequipment.

Attena.m.thetwoHighlandersarrivedoutsidetheFairmontandparkedinlotsfacingdifferentdirectionswithinsightoftheentranceto

I

themassivehotel.Andthenthemendid

thatwhichtheywereveryaccustomedtodoinginthislineofwork.Theysatintheirvehiclesandwaited.

—twasnotimeatallbeforeJohnClarkbegan

attractingattentioninthelobbyoftheFairmont.Hard-facedmenstaredathimand

evensatshouldertoshoulderwithhimonthesofa,butClarkdidnotblink,hejusttalkedintohisphone’sheadsetandworkedonhistabletcomputer.

Thiswasmoreofthe“demonstrationshadowing”FSBtacticsthathadbeenusedagainstClarkandhismentheothernight.

ButClarkwaspreparedforitnow,andhewasn’t

goinganywhere.Heignoredthemen,regardlessoftheirpersistentattemptstogetunderhisskin.Evenwhentwoofthemsatoneithersideofhimonthecouchandcarriedonaconversation,theacridsmelloftheirbadbreathfillinghisnostrilsandtheirelbowsjabbinghiminthesideastheygesticulated,Clarkonlycontinuedreadinghistabletasifhewerealone.

Whenhetalkedonthephone,heactedasifhewereincommunicationwithsomeoneoverseaswithhiscompany,butinactualityhewasonasecureconferencecallwithhisfourmenjustoutsidethehotel.

Inthevehiclesoutside,themenjustlistenedtoClarkdroneonintheirheadsetsabouthisdissatisfactionwithhisassignmenthereinKiev

andhisrefusaltostartsubmittinghisreportsbacktoVancouveruntilanewcamerawassentinalongwithanewphotographertooperateit.

BynoontheFSBmenhadwanderedoff;perhapstheyfoundtheagedreporterasboorishashefoundthem.Theyremainedinthelobby,mostlyharassingotherguestsandgivingthestink-eyeto

everyonewhopassed,butClarkcouldatleastsiphiscoffeewithouthavingtokeephiselbowspressedtightagainsthisbody.

AlthoughClarkwasforcedtospendthevastmajorityofhiseffortshereinthelobbymaintaininghiscover,hewas,infact,hereforareason.Withexpertnonchalance,hewasabletokeephisheadonaswiveland

monitorthecomingsandgoingstotheelevatorsontheothersideoftheroom,keepingawatchfuleyeoutanytimesomeonewenttotheninthfloor.

Justaftertwelve-thirty,twomenwhomClarkimmediatelyID’daspotentialSpetsnaztypesenteredthebighotellobbyandwalkedovertotheelevators.Heretheyspokeforamomentwith

twothickruffianswearingill-fittingsuits.ClarkhadpeggedthetwoforSevenStrongMengoons,probablydownherecontrollingwhogotonandofftheelevator.Afterafewmomentsofconversation,thehard-cutmilitary-lookingmensteppedintooneoftheelevatorsandthedoorsshut.

Clarkadjustedhisreadingglassesonhisnose.Theywerebuiltwithspecial

lensesthatgavehimdistantmagnificationwhenhelookedthroughtheverytopoftheglass.Usingthese,hewasabletoreadtheelevatornumbersfromacrosstheroom,andsawthatthecartraveleduptotheninthfloor.

Yep,Clarksaidtohimself,theseguysareheretotalktotheboss.

Twentyminuteslater,thetwomenappearedinthe

sameelevatorcarandthenwalkedtothefrontdoorsofthehotel.

Clarkwaiteduntiltheinstanttheypushedthroughtherevolvingdoors,andthenhespokeintohisphoneasifrespondingtotheotherpartyhe’dbeentalkingtoallalong.“I’mgladyousaidthat,Bob.”

ThiswasClark’scodetothecarsoutsidetoletthemknowwhoeverwasleaving

thehotelwassomeoneofinterest.ItwasnowthejobofthetwocarteamstoIDthesubjectsandtheirvehicle.

DingwasbehindthewheelofablackToyotaHighlanderahundredyardsupthestreet,acrossfromtheroadconstructionarea.Domsatnexttohim.TheysawthetwomenexitthehotelandclimbintoawaitingLandRover,andthevehicletook

offtothenorth,towardtheirposition.

Domspokeintohisheadset,overthevoiceofClark,whochattedawayinanimaginaryconversation:“Vehiclecomingthisway.We’lltakeitfromhere.”

ChavezpulledintotrafficafewcarsbehindtheSUVwhenitpassed,andthenfolloweditupNaberezhno-KhreshchatytskaStreet,along

theleftbankoftheDnieper,andthenontoNaberezhno-Luhova.

Whiletheydrovealong,DominicCarusoopenedanapponhisiPadandpreparedhimselftoinputaquickbutcrucialsetofcommandsassoonasthetimewasright.

Therewasagreatdealoftrafficinbothdirections,butDingstayedthreecarsbehindthetargetvehicleuntilthey

hitaredlight.Theinstantbothcarsstoppedmoving,Carusotappedanicononhistablet.

Underhisseat,attachedtotheundersideoftheToyota,aradio-controlledcarthesizeofabricklostitsmagneticconnectionwiththemetaloilpananddroppedtothestreet.OnhisscreenDomsawthecameraviewofthelittlevehicle,andhepushed

forwardthethrottleicontoacceleratetheRCcarbelowhim,drivingitunderatruckparkedintrafficdirectlyinfrontofhisHighlander,andthenunderafour-doorsedan.

WhentheRCcararrivedbelowthetargetSUV,hetappedanicononthetablet,changingtheimagetoanupward-lookingcamera.Atinylightautomaticallyturnedon,andnowDom

drovehislittlecarslowly,movingitleftandrightbyturningthetabletaccordingly,lookingforjusttheexactlocationonthebottomofthevehicle.

HestoppedhistinyremotevehiclebelowtheSUV’soilpan,thentappedafewicons,lockingthewheelsofthedeviceinplace.Oncethiswasdone,heswitchedtohisdeploymentscreenonthe

app,andhetappedagraphicthatsaid,simply,“pneumaticdeployment.”

BelowtheSUVtheslap-onGPSdeviceattachedtothetopoftheRCvehiclepoppedintotheairunderthepowerofacompressedair-poweredlauncher.Thematchbox-sizedtransmitterhitthemetallicsurfacebelowtheSUVandstucktoitwithitspowerfulmagnet,andinstantlythe

transmitterbegansendingtheGPSlocationofthetargetvehicle.

Ontheconferencecall,GavinBiery,whowassittinginfrontofhislaptopsbackatthesafehouse,said,“Receivingsignal.”

“Rogerthat,”Domreplied,andasthevehiclesinfrontofhimbeganrollingforwardagain,hehastilyunlockedtheRCcar’s

wheels,switchedhiscamerabacktotheforwardview,andturnedthelittlecararoundandraceditbacktohisToyotaHighlander.

ChavezdroveforwardwhiletheRCcarrolledbacktohim.Whenthetwovehiclesmet,Dompressedanicononhisscreenandthevehicleitselfpoppedintotheaironitsspring-firedwheels.Withaloudandsatisfying

thunk,DingandDomknewtheelectromagnetsontheRCcarhadreattachedthemselvestotheoilpan,andtheymadethenextturntotheirleftsotheycouldheadbacktothehotel.

Theystoppedalongthewayback,pullingintoagasstationonVolos’kaStreet,andheretheyretrievedtheRCcarandloadeditwithanotherslap-on.Itwasearly

afternoon,afterall—GlebtheScarmightwellhaveotherappointmentsthatwouldneedtracking.

I34

twasafrigidspringmorninginMoscow,gray,withrain

threatening.InLubyankaSquare,somefourhundredfiftymenandwomenstoodstampingtheirfeettowardoffthecold.Allofthosein

attendanceworkedinthelargeneo-baroquebuildingonthenortherncornerofthesquare,themainheadquartersoftheFSBandtheformerheadquartersoftheKGB.

Everyoneinthecrowdhadbeendirectedbye-mailandpublic-addressannouncementstoleavetheirdesksatteninthemorningtocomeouttothesquare.Heretheychatted,manysmoked,

andtheywaited.Itwasjustpasteleven

now,butnoonecomplained.Thesquarehadbeen

closedoffbeforerushhour;noreasonswhyhadbeengiventodriversandpedestrians,whoweredirectedawayfromittotheoverlycongestedsidestreets.TheheadachesitwouldcauseforthesimplepeopleofRussiawerenotaconcernfor

anyoneinchargeofthisevent.EventheLubyankametrostationbelowthesquarehadbeenclosed.Thedriversofthetrainshadbeennotifiedtoslowbutnotstop,andarmedguardswaitedontheedgeofthetracks,makingsurenooneattemptedtodisembarkfromthepassingcars.

Therehadbeennoexplanationgivenastowhy

everyonewastostandinthecoldandwhatwouldbegoingonoutheretoday,althougheveryoneinthesquarehadagoodidea,eventhoughmanyofthemcouldscarcelybelieveit.

Infrontofthemwasaforty-foot-tallobjectthathadnotbeenthereinthecenterofthesquaretheeveningbefore.Althoughitwascoveredwithamassivegreencurtain,the

FSBemployeesinthesquarehadlittledoubtastowhatitwas.

Underthecurtain,allwerecertain,wouldbethestatueofFelixDzerzhinskythathadstoodinthatspotfordecadesduringtheSovietUnionbeforeitsremovalin1991.

DzerzhinskywasaherooftheOctoberRevolutionthatbroughtVladimirLenin

topower,andLeninhimselfappointedhimdirectoroftheAll-RussianExtraordinaryCommissionforCombatingCounterrevolutionandSabotage.Theorganization,knownastheChekaforitsRussianacronym,wasthestatesecurityservicefromthebeginningoftheSovietUnionuntilJosephStalinreplaceditinthe1920s.

Dzerzhinskywas,

therefore,thefatheroftheSovietstatesecurityapparatus.Hereceivedthenickname“IronFelix”forhisstrictbeliefinharshpunishment,andhisinfamygrewacrosstheSovietUnionduringhisdecadesinpowerasthefounderoftheSovietgulagsystem.

Theremovalofthestatuein1991hadbeentangibleevidencethattheoldguard

wasnomore.Thereappearanceofthestatue,ifthatwasindeedwhatwasbelowthedraping,wouldmeantothefourhundredfiftyFSBemployeesheretowatchtheunveilingthattheretreatfromthepastwasoverandstatesecurity’sreascendencetothetopoftheorderinRussiawasfinallycomplete.

PresidentoftheRussianFederationValeriVolodin

appearedafewminuteslater.Therewasaroarinthecrowd,duebothtotheappearanceoftheirpopularleaderandasanearlyshowofappreciationforwhatallexpectedwasabouttohappen.Hewalkedthroughthecrowd,passingdownalanethatopenedforhimcompliantlywithonlysomehelpfromhisarmedsecuritydetail.Walkingalongwith

himwasatallmaninhisfifties;hisfeatures,likeVolodin’s,wereclassicallySlavic,buthiseyesheldnoneofthesparkleandcharmdisplayedbythepresident’s.

ThismanwasRomanTalanov,thedirectoroftheFSB.ManywhoworkedinthebuildinghereinLubyankaSquarejustontheothersideoftheforty-foot-highcurtainhadneverevenseenapicture

oftheman,andtheycouldonlyassumethiswasTalanovbyhisplacementalongsidethepresident.

Ahushcameoverthecrowdasthetwomensteppeduptothedraping.Eachmanstoodtoonesideofthemassivehiddenobject,facingthecrowd.

Thepresidentlookedtotheclosestmembersofthecrowdstandingaroundand

smiled.Withawink,hesaid,“Therewillbenosurprises.”

Everyonelaughed.Everyoneknew.

Withanodfromthepresident,thetwomenpulledoffthegreencurtain,revealingtheforty-foot-tallstatueofFelixDzerzhinsky.

ThemenandwomenofFSBeruptedincheersthatcouldbeheardallthewaytotheKremlin,fourblocks

away.Whenthecheersdied

down,ValeriVolodintookamicrophonethatwashandedtohim.

Hetookalongbreath,andthenspokewithemotion.“SomeofyouaretooyoungtorememberIronFelixstandinghere,keepingguardoverourbuilding.Maybemoreofyourememberthedayhewasknockedtothe

groundanddraggedaway.“Hewasreviledbyfools

andforeigners.Butweprotectorsoforderknewthetruth.FelixEdmundovich,andthoseveryfewmenofhistimewhowerelikehim,weretheoneswhoensurednearlyacenturyofpower.”

Nowthecrowdroared.Volodinhammeredhis

fistintotheair.“Thiswillbeournewcenturyofpower!

MaysomedaybraveandstrongRussiansstandhereandtalkofthosewhoreturnedIronFelixtohispositionsothatanew,strongRussiacouldspringforthfromthatverybuilding,fromthisverysquare!”

VolodingesturedtoTalanov,whostoodsilentlybehindhimwithnohintoftheemotionexperiencedbyvirtuallyeveryoneelseinthe

square.“Ourstrugglesinthenext

fewmonthswillbegreat.Buttherewardswillbefargreater.RomanRomanovichwillleadyouably,andwhenyouneedtobeinspired,justlookoutyourwindow,orcomeouthere,andgazeatthisstatue.”Volodinbeamed.“WeshouldallallowIronFelixtoguideusthroughthestrugglesahead.”

FreshcheerseruptedandcontinueduntilVolodinleftthesquareminuteslaterwithafinalwavetothecrowdofintelligencepersonnel.

Noonepresentwassurprisedbythefactthattheirdirector,RomanTalanov,hadmadenoaddresstothecrowd,andasthesquarebegantoclearoutafterthedepartureofValeriVolodin,manynoticedthatTalanov

T

wasalreadygone.Mostsuspectedhehaddriftedaway,backtohisoffice,whileVolodingrabbedalltheattentionforhimself.

—heCrimeaisapeninsulaatthesoutherntipof

UkrainethatdipsintotheBlackSea.RussianshavecalledthisareahomesincetheCrimeanWar,when

TurkeywasdefeatedbytheforcesofCatherinetheGreatandaRussiancitadelwasestablishedatSevastopol.JosephStalinfurther“Russified”theareabydeportingnativeTurkish-speakingTatarstoCentralAsiaandreplacingthemwithRussians.Inmanycases,newSlavicinhabitantsmovedintothehousesleftbehindbythedisplacedTatars.

Inthe1950sKhrushchevtransferredtheCrimeatoUkraine,oneoftheSovietRepublics.Clearly,hehadnohintthathisdecisionwouldevercreatecontroversy,ashehadnowayofknowingtheUSSRwouldonedayceasetobeandUkrainewouldhavethefreedomofself-determination.

EveryoneknewRussia’sambitionsextendedtothe

Crimea,butafewyearsearliersomesteamwasletoutofthekettlewhenthepro-nationalistUkrainianpresidentwasreplacedbyapro-Russiansuccessor.ThefateoftheBlackSeafleetintheportofSevastopolseemedsecure,andRussiawentaboutitsbusiness.

Thisallchangedwhenanewpro-nationalistadministrationascendedin

Kiev,shortlyafterValeriVolodintookpowerinMoscow.Sincethen,theentireCrimeanpeninsulahadbeenahotbedofunrest,withprotestsinthestreets,politicalmurdersandkidnappings,andevenrumorsofarmedgangactivitysupportedbyRussiaagainstpublicofficialswhodidnotsupportRussia’sannexingofthepeninsula.

ItwasclearthatthehandsoftheFSBwereallovertheCrimea,usingallmeansimaginabletofosterinterethnicdiscord.

TheCrimeancityofSevastopolisthehomeportofRussia’sBlackSeafleet,andtwenty-fivethousandRussiansliveandworkwithinthecityforthefleetalone.TheresidentsofSevastopolarenotshyabout

theiraffinityfortheMotherlandofRussia.ItwasoneofthefewplacesonearthwherestatuesofStalinandLeninhadstoodunmolestedeveninthetumultuousnineties,andnow,morethantwodecadesafterUkrainianindependence,SevastopolwasasRussianacityasMoscowitself.

StatuesofVladimirLeninstillgracetheparksofthe

cityofSevastopol.TheRussianshereweren’tjustpro-Russian,butpro-Soviet.

KeithBixbyhadarrivedinSevastopoljustanhourearlier,afteraneleven-hourdrivefromKiev.Withhimweretwoothercaseofficers,atwenty-seven-year-oldex–MarineofficernamedBenHerman,andaforty-eight-year-oldPrincetongradnamedGregJones.Thethree

haddrivenintwobigSUVsloadeddownwithfoodandemergencyequipment,buttheycarriednoweaponswiththem,becausethoughthemenwere“covered”intelligenceofficers,meaningtheycarrieddiplomaticcredentialswiththem,theirvehicleswerenotmarkedasdiplomatic.

TheirdestinationhereintheCrimeanportcitywasan

oldColdWar–eraradarinstallationandmilitarybarracksrepurposedasafunctionalbutuglyresidence.Therewasahighbrickwallaroundtheone-acreproperty,andinsidestoodasinglethree-storybuildingwithbalconiesonallsidesandallfloors,muchlikeasmallbeachfronthotel.

Thisnondescriptpropertyinfrontofadrabparkwasa

CIASMC,orSpecialMissionCompound,andthefacilityheldtheCIAcodename“TheLighthouse.”ItwasstaffedbyfourtechnicalexpertsfromtheCIA,halfadozenprivatecontractorsfromaU.S.securitycompany,aswellasafour-manAdvanceForceOperationsteamfromU.S.JointSpecialOperationsCommand’sDeltaForce.Allfourteenofthesepersonnel

eithercarriedontheirpersonorhadaccesstoacarbinerifleandahandgun,andtherewereafewsmallgrenadelauncherstolaunchtear-gasgrenadeslockedinthecabinetthatservedasthearmory.

Thiswasn’tmuchinthewayoffirepower,butthiswasonlytheLighthouse’sinternalsecurity.Asecondcordonprotectedthebuilding;

thiswasmadeupofahalf-dozenUkrainiansecurityguardswhowerestationedatthemaingate.Mostofthesemenwereoff-dutypolice,andeachcarriedjustapistolandashotgun,buttheAmericanshadagoodrelationshipwiththeUkrainiansandknewtheywouldwarnofanythreats.

Thesecurityguardsknewonlythatthelocationwasassociatedwiththe

PartnershipforPeace,aNATOprogramthatfosteredrelationshipswithnon-NATOnations.ThatnoneoftheforeignersinsideworeNATOuniformshadbeennoticedbythemen,butnoonethoughtthislocationwasanythingmorethansomesortofcivilianliaisonadministrativebuildingforanobscureandmostlyirrelevantNATOprogram.

TheCIAcompoundhadbeeninoperationhereforyears,butithadbeendifficulttokeepcovertasthetideofpublicopinionintheareahadturnedmoreviolentlypro-Russianinthepastmonths,especiallysincetheRussianfightwithNATOinEstonia.Despitethedifficultiesofoperatinginthevolatileenvironment,however,theplacehadmostdefinitelypaid

dividendstotheUnitedStates’understandingoftheBlackSeafleet.

WhenRussiarearmedthefleetandrefurbishedequipmentandweapons,DeltaForcemenbasedattheLighthousehadphotographedkeycomponentsoftheequipment.WhentheU.S.NavycruiserCowpensdockedinSevastopolayearearlier,themenofthe

Lighthousehadmonitoredthelocalreactiontogaugethelevelofsupport,orlackthereof,fortheUnitedStatesandNATOintheregion.Andthen,justdaysearlier,whentheportwentonemergencyactivationbecauseofVolodin’ssurprisemilitarydrills,theDeltaandCIAmenhadrecordedaudioandvideooftheprocessthatcouldbeextremelyhelpfulincaseof

actualnavalwarintheregion.

EventhoughthemajorityofthepopulationintheCrimeawasdecidedlypro-Russian,UkrainewasonfriendlytermswiththeCIA,andUkrainianintelligencehadbeenawareofthisCIAsignalsintelligencelocation.

Andthiswasnowaproblem.Therevelationthatoneofthetopmenin

UkrainiansecurityserviceshadbeencaughtpassingsecretstotheFSBhadsetoffpanicbuttonsallaroundtheCIA.KeithBixbyhad,seemingly,athousandholesinhisshipheneededtofillnowthatmuchofhisoperationhadbeenpotentiallyexposedtotheopposition,butnothingonthislonglistwasasimportantasgettingeveryone,and

everything,outofSevastopol.IftheRussiansinvaded,

theywouldmovetroopsdirectlyintotheCrimeanpeninsula,andtheywouldheadstraightforSevastopol.Oncehere,itwouldnottakelongbeforetheRussianArmyshowedupoutsidethefrontgateoftheLighthouse,askingiftheycouldcomeinsideandtakealookaround.

Bixbywasahands-on

stationchief,andhehadspentmuchofthedaywithascrewdriver,disassemblingracksofelectronicgearsothatitcouldbeloadedupintoanSUVanddrivenaway.Atthemoment,hewasshreddingdocumentsinalongroomofcubiclesonthethirdfloorofthebuilding.

Twentyyearsearlier,therewouldhavebeendays’worthofdocstoshredhere,

buthethoughthe’dhaveeveryscrapofpaperinthebuildingdestroyedinacoupleofhours.

Whileheworked,theothermendisassembledcomputers,removingharddrives,putsmallbillsoflocalcurrencyintoenvelopestopayofflocalsupportpersonnel,andperformedotherrusheddutiesinvolvedwithdecommissioninga

secretintelligenceinstallationonthefly.

Itwouldtakeafulldayofthisworkbeforethey’dbeabletoloadtheDeltamen,theCIAmen,andthesecuritycontractorsintotheSUVsparkedintheparkingcircleinfrontofthebuildingandstartthelongdrivebacktothecapital.Mostofthesemen,aswellasBixbyhimself,wouldthenflyoutofUkraine.

ThemenoftheLighthouseweren’tneededincountrynowthattheLighthousewasshuttingdown,butKeithwasleavingbecauseitwasassumedbyallthathehadbeenthoroughlyburnedtotheRussianoppositionbythesecondincommandoftheSSU.

Itwasjustpastninep.m.now,andBixbyworkedalone.Awalkie-talkiewason

thetableinfrontofhimsohecouldlistentocommsamongtheothersixteenmeninthebuilding.Ashereachedforamanilafolderfullofradiotraffictranscripts,thevoiceofoneoftheLighthouseCIAtechnicalstaffmemberscameoverhisradio:“Keith.Canyoucomedownstairs?”

Keithfedthetranscriptsthroughtheshredderwhileheansweredwiththeotherhand.

“Unlessit’sareallybigdeal,I’dratheryoucameuptome.”

Therewasabriefpause.“Sorry,sir,butI’mafraidthisqualifies.”

“I’llbedowninasecond.”

Bixbyflickedofftheswitchontheshredderandhurrieddownstairs.

—

Inthelobby,Bixbyfoundthe

DeltaForceofficerinchargeofthesmall

detachment.HiscallsignwasMidas,butBixbyknewthemanwasalieutenantcolonelnamedBarryJankowskiwho’dspentyearsasahighlydecoratedU.S.ArmyRanger.Hecouldn’thelpnoticingthatMidashadhisH&Kassaultriflehangingonhisshoulderandahelmetonhishead.

Hehadn’tbeenwearingeitherthelasttimeKeithhadseenhim,ahalf-hourearlier.

Notgood.WithhimwasRex,the

securitycontractorinchargeoftheLighthouse.He,too,wasarmed,buthealwaysworehisM4carbinewhenhewasonthejob.

“What’sgoingon?”Keithasked,asheleftthestairwell.

Rexsaid,“We’vegottrouble.OneoftheUkrainiansecurityguyswasonhiswayinforhisshift,andhegotacallfromabuddyonthelocalpoliceforce.Thecoptoldhimheshouldn’tcomeintoworktonight.”

“Didhesaywhy?”“Hesaidwordwas

spreadingthiswasaNATOfacility,andaprotestisbeingorganized.Thelocalcopshad

beentoldtostayoutofit.”“Shit,”Bixbysaid,then

lookedtoMidas.“Whatdoyouthink?”

Midasanswered,“Ithinkweshouldpackupwhatwecan,demotherest,andgetthefuckoutofhere.Butit’snotmycall.”

Keiththoughtofalltheclassifiedequipmentinthebuilding.“We’vegotahellofalotofsensitiveequipment

lefttobreakdown.Ifwebloworburnthestuffwhilewe’reherewe’lljustdrawattentiontoourselvesandwewon’tgetoutofhere.We’vegotantennasontheroofandmoregearinthecommoroom.Ifwesetcharges,wecan’tbesurewegotitall,andyoucanbedamnsuretheRussianswillpickthisplaceapartwhentheygethere.

“We’llkeepworkingon

thedouble,throughthenight.Wewon’thavetimetocompletelydisassembleallthesatelliteequipmentontheroof—we’llhavetojustunhookeverythingandcramitinthetrucks.”Hethoughtforamoment.“We’llneedacouplemorevehiclestomakeitallfit.”

Rexsaid,“Icancallsomelocalsforthat.”

Bixbyshookhishead.

“Notifthecopsarealreadytalkingaboutus.Idon’twantanyoneintheneighborhoodtoknowwe’reabouttomakearunforit.”

Bixbymulleditoverquickly.Whocouldhecalltohelp?Thereweresomenonofficialcoveroperatorsinthecountry,buttheywereallneartheborder,andtheycheckedinonlywhenitwassecuretodoso.Hecouldn’t

seeawaytoaskthemtocometotheLighthousewithoutburningmoreCIAassets.

TherewereasmallnumberofU.S.forceshereinUkraine,basedmostlyonUkrainianmilitarybases.ButnonewereintheCrimeanpeninsula,andmoreimportant,hecouldn’tjusthaveafewU.S.ArmyHumveesrollthroughthe

gateswithoutattractingthekindofattentionthatwouldmakedrivingoutofherequietlyanimpossibility.

Thenitcametohim.JohnClarkandDomingoChavez.

HeturnedtoMidas.“I’llmakeacallandhaveacouplemoretrucksheretomorrowmorning.”

Midassaid,“Gooddeal.We’vegotguysontheroof

J

watchingforanydevelopmentsinthestreets.Therestofuswillkeeppackingupinthemeantime.”

—ohnClarkwasjustclimbingintotheplush

beddinginhisdeluxeroomintheFairmontGrandHotelwhenhissatphonerang.

“Clark.”“Hey,buddy.”

ClarkrecognizedKeithBixby.Hehadtochuckle.ItalreadysoundedliketheCIAmanwasgoingtoaskforanotherfavor.“Hey,pal,”hereplied.

“Ihatetopushmyluckwithyou,butI’vegotaproblemandIcouldreallyusesomequickhelp.”

“Nameit.”“Itinvolvesaneleven-

hourdrivethroughthenight

intoasituationthatisgoingfromsomewhatshakytodownrightdangerous.Youupforthat?”

Clarkreplied,“I’llnotifymyguys.IguessIbettercallroomserviceandgetsomecoffeeuphere.”

Bixbyexplainedthesituationinbrief,andwithinminutesClarkwasonthephonewithDinginthesafe-houseflatacrosstown.

J35

ackRyan,Jr.,hadspenttheentiredayinhisofficeatCastorand

BoylesettingupanewIBMi2Analyst’sNotebookdatabase.Thisfilepertainedtohisnewassignment,thetheftoffundsfroma

NorwegianfreightercompanythathadpurchasedsomeshipsfromaRussianfirmbut,upondelivery,realizedtheyhadbeensoldrustyhulks.Notonlywasthecasecut-and-driedanduninteresting,butthetotalvalueofthecrimewasseveralordersofmagnitudelessthantheGalbraith–Gazpromaffair.Jackhadfoundhimselfboredbynoon,

andbytwop.m.hewasalreadysneakingpeeksataGazpromaffiliatemindmaphe’dmadeonAnalyst’sNotebookthepreviousweek.

Hisphonerang,andhereachedforitautomatically.

“Ryan.”“Hey,Jack.AmI

interruptinganything?”Ryanwassurprisedto

hearfromhisfather.“Hey,Dad!Notatall.Justdealing

withtheRussians.”“Youandmeboth.”Juniorsaid,“Yeah,I

heard.HasDanfiguredoutwhopoisonedGolovkoyet?”

“Yes,butit’soneofthosethingsthatcreatesmorequestionsthananswers.”

JackJuniorlookedupathismindmap;itlookedlikemulticoloredspaghettinoodlesinabowl.“Ihearyou.”

“Momsaidyoucalledtheothernight.SorryIdidn’tgettotalktoyou.”

“That’sokay.IknowyouhavebeenrunningarounddealingwithSergeyandUkraine.Ihopeyouguysaredoingokay.”

“We’refine.We’rebackintheresidence,andit’sthesameasever.Theytorethejohnoutofthelivingroombathroom.Canyoubelieve

that?”“Unreal.Look,Dad.I’m

sorryIhaven’tcheckedin.Justrealbusyatwork.”

“It’sokay,sport.Beenprettybusyatworkmyself.”

TheyoungerRyanchuckled.

“Sohow’slife?”“It’sfine.”“LivinginLondonis

great,right?”JackJuniorcouldheartheexcitementin

hisdad’svoice,almostasifhewasenjoyinghimselfvicariouslythroughhisson’sexperience,relivinghisowntimeheresolongago.

Juniorjustmutteredoutanunenergetic“Yeah.”

Therewasapause.JackSeniorsaid,“Itisgreat,right?”

“IguessI’mstillsettlinginalittle.”

“Issomethingwrong?Is

thereaproblem?”“No,Dad.Everythingis

fine.”JackSeniorpausedagain.

“Youknowyoucantalkaboutanything,right?”

“Ofcourse.AndIwill.It’sallgood.Workisjustfrustrating.”

“Okay.”Thefatherleftitalone,thoughhecouldheartensioninhisson’svoice.Heasked,“Iwaswonderingif

youhadtimetodomeafavor.”

NowJackJuniorlightenedup.“Nameit.Itwouldbegoodtothinkaboutsomethingelseforabit.”

“YourememberBasilCharleston,don’tyou?”

“Ofcourse.It’sbeenalongtime.Hemustbewellintohiseightiesbynow.”

“Andthat’stheproblem.Ihaveacoupleofquestions

forhim,andIwouldlovetotalktohiminperson,butIhaveafunnyfeelinghe’snotgoingtobeabletohearmeoverthephone.ThelasttimeIcalledhimitwashit-and-miss.”

“DoeshestillhavehisplaceinBelgravia?”

“Hedoes.”“Icanswingby,it’snot

faratall.Whatdoyouwantmetoaskhim?”

“Aboutthirtyyearsago,therewasastringofmurdersinEurope.Atthetime,somepeoplethoughtitwasaKGBagentcalledZenithwhowasresponsible.We’vediscoveredsomeuncorroboratedintelligencetuckedawayinanoldfilethatsuggestsZenithandRomanTalanovwereoneandthesame.”

“Holyshit,”theyounger

Ryansaid.“That’sbasicallymy

thought,butIdon’twanttogetaheadofmyself.Ineedtoknowmoreaboutthis.Tothatend,thecodeword‘Bedrock’cameupintheZenithmurders.Wedon’tknowifthatrelatestoaperson,aplace,ormaybeanoperation.We’dliketoknowjustwhatBedrockis.Andifanyonewillremember,itwouldbe

SirBasil.”TheelderRyanexplained

thatitlookedlikeCharlestonhadhandwrittenareferencetoBedrockinthefile,andhesaidhe’dhavehissecretarye-mailthefiletoJackJuniorimmediately.

“Surelythat’sgoingtobeclassifiedintelligence.Whywouldhetalktome?”

JackSeniorsaid,“Basilwon’thaveaproblemtalking

toyou.HeknowsyouusedtoworkforGerry.”

JackJuniorknewthephoneconversationbetweenhimandhisfatherwassecure,andheknewhisfatherwasawareofthisfactaswell.Nevertheless,hisdadwasspeakingtohimwithalittlecode.ThefactCharlestonknewtheyoungerRyanhad“workedforGerry”clearlymeantheknewabout

TheCampus.ThissurprisedtheyoungerRyan.

“Really?”“Absolutely.Heknows

youwereananalystthere,andheknowsthesortofworkGerrywasinvolvedwith.”

“Okay.Nextquestion.DidthistakeplacebackaroundthetimewewerelivingintheUK?”

“Yes,exactlythattime.I

rememberthisepisodewell,asamatteroffact.Youwereindiapers.”

“Nooffense,Dad,butthatwasalongtimeago.Doyouthinkthere’sanychanceBasilisgoingtorememberthecase,especiallysincethereisnootherrecordofBedrockatSIS?”

“Jack,youknowbetterthanmost,noteveryimportantoperationgets

writtendownforposterity.IfBedrockwasimportantenoughtostayoff-book,thenIthinkit’slikelyBasilwillknowallaboutit.”

“You’vegotapoint.I’llaskhim.DoyoureallythinkthereisanychancethisTalanovcharacterwasinvolved?”

“Nowayofknowing.I’velearnednottorelytoomuchononesingletidbitof

intelligence.Ittakesmoretoconvinceme.”

“ButyouarecuriousenoughtohavemetrackdownBedrock.”

“Right,”JackSeniorsaid,thencaughthimself.“Trackdown?Wait.IjustsaidtalktoBasil.Idon’tneedyoutodoanythingelse.”

“Right,”theyoungerRyansaid.

“Sotellme,what’sgoing

onatwork?”“Iamuptomyneckin

shadyRussiansoverhere.Theyareswindlingclientsoutoffortunesandbusinessesandintellectualproperty.Theyarelyingwithastraightfaceandusingthecourtsystemtostealandintimidate.”

“It’sthatbad?”“Youwouldn’tbelieve.”

JackJuniorcaughthimself.

“WhatamIsaying?Youusedtogotoe-to-toewiththeKGB.”

PresidentRyansaid,“Verytrue.Doyouenjoythework,atleast?”

TheyoungerRyansighed.“It’sfrustrating.I’vespentthelastfewyearsthinkingaboutjustice.Chasingdownbadguysandstoppingthem.ButhereIamchasingdownthebadguys,

butthemostIcanhopeforisthatsomecourtthathasnorealjurisdictionoverthebadguyswillorderthatsomeassetsareseized,andthatprobablywillneverhappen.”

“Justicemovesslowly.”“Inthiscase,itdoesn’t

moveatall.Myboss,HughCastor,isapparentlyafraidtopinanycorruptiondirectlyonthesilovikiintheKremlin.Iunderstandhedoesn’twantto

getboggeddownincourtoverthere,orhavehispeopleharassedbytheauthorities,butwearelettingtherealcriminalsofftoolightly.

“Ican’thelpbutthinkaboutwhatIcoulddotosomeoftheseworthlessbastardstomakethemchangetheirways.IfDingandJohnandSamandDomwerehere,Iwouldn’tbereadingoldownershiptransfer

agreements,that’sfordamnsure.”

“Iunderstand.TherewereacoupleoftimesinmyanalyticalcareerwhereIfeltlikeIhadconnectedthedotsthatneededtobeconnected,buttherewasnotenoughfollow-throughfromthoseabovemetomakeadifference.Thereisverylittlemorefrustratingthanthat.”

JackSeniorsaid,“I’lle-

mailyouthedocumentI’dlikeyoutoshowBasil.That,andwhatI’vealreadytoldyou,mightbeenoughforyoutoprodhismemory.Iwon’tgointotherestofit,becauseit’salongstory,andIdon’tevenrememberallthedetailsmyself.”

“Noproblem.I’lltalktoBasilandletyouknowwhathesays.Soundslikefun.”

JackSeniorlaugheda

little.“Ican’tpromiseyouanymoreexcitementthanspendingafewminuteschattingwithanoctogenarianinhisstudy,butIguessit’ssomething.”

“Itissomething,Dad.YouknowIlovestoriesabouttheolddays.”

ThePresident’svoicedarkened.“Notthisone,son.Thisstorydidnothaveahappyendingatall.”

J36

Thirtyyearsearlier

ackRyanwoketothepatteroflightrain,

althoughhebarelynoticedit.ThiswasEngland,afterall;the

absenceofrainthistimeofyearwouldhavebeenunique.Hereachedoutwithalong,slowstretchandfoundhiswife’swarmshoulderinthedark.Cathywassoundasleepstill,which,attwentyminutesbeforesixinthemorning,seemedtoJacktobeperfectlyreasonable.

Theiralarmwassetforaquartertillthehour,soJacktookhistimewakingup.Finallyhereachedoverandturnedoffthealarmbeforerollingoutofbed.Heshuffledintothekitchentostartthecoffeeandheadedouttothefrontporchtogetthepaper.

Thestreetwasperfectlyquiet.TheRyanslivedinChatham,inNorthKent,somethirtymilesfromLondon.HeandCathyweretheonlycoupleonGrizedaleClosewhohadtocommuteallthewaytothecapital,sotheirswasmoreoftenthannotthefirsthouse

onthestreetwithitslightsonandmovementinsideeachmorning.

TheneighborsallknewCathywasasurgeonatHammersmithHospital,andtheythoughtJackhadsomeboringjobattheU.S.embassy.Andwhilethatwasofficially

true,thetruthwouldhaveinspiredmuchmoregossipoverthehedgesonGrizedaleClose.

TheyoungAmericanwas,infact,ananalystintheCIA.

Jacknoticedthemilkmanhaddeliveredhisusualhalf-gallonofwholemilk.Hisdaughter,Sally,would

drinkeverydropofitbeforethenextdelivery.Hepickedthemilkofftheporch,andthensearchedforamomentbeforefindingthenewspaperinthebushesnearthedoor.ThecopyoftheInternationalHeraldTribunewaswrappedinaplasticbagtoprotectitfromthe

weather,indicatingthepaperboyhadbettersensethanhehadaim.

RyanwentbackinsideandwokeCathy,thenmadehiswaytothekitchen.Afterpouringhimselfacupofcoffee,Jacksnappedopenthepaperandtookhisfirstsipofthemorning.

Belowthefoldon

thefrontpage,apicturegrabbedhisattention.Abodycoveredinatarplayinastreet.Fromthelookofthebuildings,heguesseditwasItalyorperhapsSwitzerland.

Hereadtheheadlinebelowthephoto.

“SwissBankerShotDead,Four

OthersWounded.”Jackscannedthe

detailsofthearticle.Itseemedthebanker’snamewasTobiasGabler,andheworkedatRitzmannPrivatbankiers,avenerablefamily-ownedbankbasedintheSwisscantonofZug.Gablerwaskilled,andseveral

otherswereinjured,whensomeoneopenedfirefromthewindowofabuildingintoastreetfullofpedestrians.

Sofar,thepolicehadnooneincustody.

RyanlookedupfromthepaperwhenCathystrolledintothekitcheninherpinkhousecoat.Shekissed

Jackonthetopofthehead,andthensheshuffledontothecoffeemaker.

“Nosurgery?”Jackasked.Sheneverdrankcoffeewhenshehadanysurgeryplannedfortheday.

“Nope,”shesaid,asshepouredherselfacup.“Justsomefollow-up

appointments.AjitteryhandwhileI’mfittingsomeoneforglasseswon’tbetheendoftheworld.”

Jackhadnoideahowhiswifecouldgotoworkmostmorningsandsliceintoeyeballs.Betterherthanme,hetoldhimself.

O—

nthewaytotheshower,Jack

peekedinonhisfive-year-olddaughter,Sally.Shewassleeping,butheknewshewouldbeupandwideawakebythetimehegotoutofthebathroom.Helikedtogetatleastonenice,

peacefullookathislittlegirlwhileshewasn’tdartingaroundlikeamovingtarget,andfirstthinginthemorningwashisonlyopportunity.

HenextpeekedinonJackJunior.Histoddlerwassoundasleep,facedowninhiscribonthetopofhiscovers,his

diaperedbuttstickingupintheair.Jacksmiled.Hislittleboywouldbewalkingsoon,andthatlittlecribwouldn’tkeephimformuchlonger.

Jackstartedtheshowerandthentookamomenttolookathimselfinthemirror.Ryanwassix-one,infairshape,although

he’dletbothhisdietandhisexerciseslipinthepastfewmonthshereintheUK.Twosmallkidsinthehousemeantkeepingaflexibleschedule,whichgotinthewayofhisworkouts,anditalsomeanttherewasanabundanceofsnacksandcerealsandtreatsinthepantry,

oneortwoofwhichseemedtocalltoRyaneveryday.

Ashedidmostmornings,Ryanpokedatthepronouncedwhitescaronhisshoulder.AyearearlierhehadsavedthePrinceofWalesandhisfamilyfromanassassinationattemptbyanoffshootofthe

IrishRepublicanArmy.Jackearnedhimselfhonoraryknighthoodfromthequeenforhisquick-thinkingactions,buthe’dalsoearnedhimselfagunshotwoundfromtheterroristsfornotbeingquitequickenough.

Ryanhadhadotherrun-inswith

danger,bothwiththeIrishandinVaticanCity,duringtheassassinationattemptonPopeJohnPaulII.He’ddonehisbesttopreventtheattack,buthe’dnarrowlymissedtheBulgarianagentworkingunderordersfromMoscow.

Ryanleftthemirrorandstepped

intotheshower,andthehotwaterinstantlyrelievedtightmusclesinhisback,anotherremembranceofhispast.Asatwenty-three-year-oldsecondlieutenantintheMarineCorps,he’dbeenstationedonanamphibiousassaultshipduringaNATOexerciseinCrete.He’d

beeninthebackofaCH-46whentheaftrotorfailed,andthechopperfullofMarinescrashedintotherocks.Ryanbrokehisback,losthiscommission,andenduredyearsofpainafterthefactbeforeasuccessfulsurgerygavehimhislifeback.

Ryanstartedhis

post-militarylifeatMerrillLynch,wherehemadeasmallfortuneinthemarkets.Afterafewyearsofthis,hedecidedtogobacktoschool;heearnedhisdoctorateinhistory,andthen,afterteachingforawhileattheNavalAcademy,he’dgonetoworkfortheCIA.

Injustthirty-twoyearsJackRyanhadexperiencedmorethantheaveragemandoesinalifetime.Ashestoodunderthehotwaterhesmiled,takingcomfortinthecertaintythathisnextthirty-twoyearswouldn’tbenearlyaseventful.Asfarashewasconcerned,

watchinghiskidsgrowupwasalltheexcitementhe’deverneed.

BythetimeJackandCathywerereadytoleaveforwork,thenannyhadarrived.ShewasayoungSouthAfricanredheadnamedMargaret,andsheimmediatelybeganherworkdayby

wipingjamfromSally’sfacewithonehandwhileholdingJuniorinherother.

Thetaxihonkedoutonthestreet,soJackandCathygavethekidsonelasthugandkiss,andthentheyheadedoutthedoorintowhatnowhaddevolvedintoaheavymist.

TenminuteslatertheywereinthetrainstationinChatham.TheyclimbedaboardthetraintoLondon,satinafirst-classcabin,andreadmostoftheway.

TheypartedinVictoriaStationwithagood-byekiss,andbytentillnineJackwaswalkingalongunder

hisumbrellaonWestminsterBridgeRoad.

AlthoughJackwasofficiallyanemployeeoftheU.S.embassy,intruthhealmostneversetfootintheembassy.Instead,heworkedatCenturyHouse,100WestminsterBridgeRoad,theofficesof

theSecretIntelligenceService.

RyanhadbeensentoverbyhisbossattheCIA,DirectorofIntelligenceAdmiralJamesGreer,toserveasaliaisonbetweenthetwofriendlyservices.HewasassignedtoSimonHardingandhisRussianWorking

Group,andhereRyanporedthroughanyandallintelligenceMI6wantedsharedwiththeCIArelatingtotheUSSR.

Althoughheknewtheyhadeveryrighttoprotecttheirsourcesandmethods,evenfromtheUnitedStates,JackconsideredtheBritsto

besomewhatstingywiththeirinformation.MorethanoncehefoundhimselfwonderingifhiscounterpartSISanalystworkingatLangleycameacrosssomeofthesameroadblockswhentryingtogetinformationoutoftheCIA.Hehadcometo

J

theconclusionthathisownservicewasprobablyevenmoretightfisted.Still,thearrangementseemedtoworkwellenoughforbothnations.

—ustbeforetena.m.,thephoneon

Ryan’sdeskrang.Hewasengrossedina

reportonRussia’sKilo-classsubmarinesstationedinPaldiski,Estonia,sohereachedforthehandsetdistractedly.

“ThisisRyan.”“Goodmorning,

Jack.”ItwasSirBasilCharlestonhimself,directorgeneraloftheSecretIntelligenceService.

Ryansatupstraighterandputthedot-matrixprintouthe’dbeenreadingdownontheblotterinfrontofhim.“Morning,Basil.”

“IwaswonderingifIcouldborrowyouawayfromSimonforafewminutes.Wouldyoubesogoodastopopround?”

“Now?Sure.I’llberightup.”

“Splendid.”Ryantookthe

executiveelevatortoSirBasil’scornerofficeonthetopfloor.Whenhewalkedin,hesawthedirectoroftheSecretIntelligenceServicestandingbyawindowthatoverlookedthe

Thames.HewastalkingtoablondmanaboutJack’sagewhoworeanexpensive-lookingcharcoal-graypin-stripedsuit.

“Oh,hello,Jack.Thereyouare,”saidBasil.“I’dliketointroduceyoutoDavidPenright.”

Thetwomenshookhands.

Penright’sblondhairwasslickedback,andhissharpblueeyesstoodoutonhisclean-shavenface.

“SirJohn,it’sapleasure.”

“Please,callmeJack.”

Basilsaid,“Jackisalittleself-consciousabouthisknighthood.”

“Honoraryknighthood,”Ryanhastenedtoadd.

Penrightsaidwithasmile,“Iseewhatyoumean.Verywell.Jackitis.”

Thethreemensatinchairsaroundacoffeetable,andateaservicewasbroughtin.

Charlestonsaid,

“Davidisanoperationalofficer,basedinZurich,mostly,aren’tyou,David?”

“Yes,sir.”“Toughpost,”

Ryanjokedwithasmile.Neitherofthetwomensmiledback.

Oops,Jackthought.

Onthecoffee

tablenexttotheservicewasthatmorning’scopyofTheTimesofLondon.Penrightpickeditup.“Haveyouhadachancetolookoverthepaper?”

“IgettheInternationalTribune.Iglancedatit.”

“Didyouseethearticleaboutthe

dreadfulaffairinSwitzerlandyesterdayafternoon?”

“InZug,youmean?Prettyawful.Amanwaskilled,someotherswerewounded.Thepapersaysitdidn’tlooklikerobbery,sincenothingwastaken.”

Penrightsaid,“Theman’snamewas

TobiasGabler.HewaskillednotinZug,butinanearbyburgcalledRotkreuz.”

“Right.Hewasabanker?”

Penrightreplied,“Hewasindeed.Areyoufamiliarwithhisbank,RitzmannPrivatbankiers?”

Ryansaid,“No.Therearedozensof

small,family-ownedbanksinSwitzerland.They’vebeenaroundforever,sotheymustbesuccessful,butlikemostSwissbanks,knowingjusthowsuccessfultheyareisdifficult.”

“Andwhyisthat?”Charlestonasked.

“TheSwiss

BankingActof1934essentiallycodifiedtheirbanksecrecyprocedures.Swissbanksdon’thavetoshareanyinformationwithanythirdparty,includingforeigngovernments,unlesssoorderedbyaSwisscourt.”

Penrightsaid,“Andgoodluckwith

that.”“Exactly,”agreed

Ryan.“TheSwissaretightwhenitcomestogivingupinformation.Theyusenumberedaccounts,whichdrawsdirtymoneytothemlikeabeetohoney.”

Ryanadded,“Thenumberedaccountsaren’treallyasanonymousasmany

makethemouttobe,becausethebankitselfhastofullyverifytheidentityofthepersonopeningtheaccount.Thatsaid,theydonothavetofixthenametotheaccountitself.Andthismakestransactionsanonymous,becauseanyonewiththecorrectcodecan

deposittoorwithdrawfromtheaccount.”

ThetwoEnglishmenlookedateachother,asifdecidingwhethertheconversationwastocontinue.

Afteramoment,SirBasilnoddedtoDavidPenright.

Theyoungermansaid,“Wehavereason

tobelieveacertainnefariousenterprisemaintainsaccountsatRPB.”

Thisdidn’tsurpriseRyanintheslightest.“Cartel?Mafia?”

“Wethinkthereisastrongpossibilitythatthemanwhowaskilled,TobiasGabler,wasmanaging

numberedaccountsfortheKGB.”

ThisdidsurpriseRyan.“Interesting.”

“Isit?”Penrightasked.“Wewerewonderingif,perhaps,CIAhadcometothesameconclusionaboutthebank.”

“Icantellyouwithsomedegreeofconfidencethat

Langleydoesn’tknowofspecificnumberedaccountsinSwitzerland.Imean,sure,weknowtheyexist.RussianintelligencehastostashblackfundsintheWestsotheiroperativesonthissideoftheIronCurtaincanhaveasteadystreamofcash,butwedon’t

havetheiraccountspinneddown.”

“You’requitesure?”Penrightasked.Heseemeddisappointed.

“Iamprettysure,butIcancableJimGreer,justtodouble-check.I’dhopethatifwehadthatkindofinformation,we’deitherfindawayto

shutdowntheKGB’saccesstotheaccountor,betteryet—”

Penrightfinishedthethought.“Or,betteryet,monitortheaccount,toseewhomakeswithdrawals.”

“Right,”Jacksaid.“ThatcouldprovetobeatreasuretroveofintelaboutKGBops.”

Charlestonspoke

up.“Thatwasouridea.Theinterestingthinghere,however,isthereisoneparticularaccountinquestionthatwearecuriousabout,becauseitisquitelarge,andit’sjustsittingthere.”

“Maybetheyaresettingitupforsomefutureoperation,”Ryansuggested.

SirBasilCharlestonsaid,“Iquitehopethatisnotthecase.”

“Whydoyousaythat?”

BasilleanedtowardRyan.“Becausetheaccountwearetalkingabouthasabalanceinexcessoftwohundredmilliondollars.With

regularhigh-dollardepositscominginmonthly.”

Jack’seyeswentwide.“Twohundredmillion?”

Penrightsaid,“Yes.Twohundredfourmillion,asamatteroffact.Andifthemoneykeepscominginatthesamepace,inanotheryear

therewillbetwicethat.”

“Allinoneaccount?That’sunbelievable.”

“Quite,”saidCharleston.

Ryansaid,“Obviously,thisisn’tbeingsetupforanintelligenceoperationintheWest.That’swaytoomuchmoney.

I...areyousureit’sKGBmoney?”

“Wearenotsure,butwebelieveso.”

Thatdidn’ttellJackmuch,butheassumedtheBritswereholdingbacktoprotecttheirsource.Hethoughtforamoment.“Iunderstandifyouaren’tgoingtogivemeinformation

aboutyoursourceforthisintelligence,butIcan’tthinkofanypossibilityotherthanthefactyouhavesomeoneintheinsideofthatbank.”

BasillookedatPenrightandnoddedagain.Heclearlywasgivingtheyoungerintelligenceofficertheokaytoshare

informationwiththeCIAanalyst.

Penrightsaid,“Wehaveasourceatthebank.Let’sjustleaveitthere.”

“AndthesourcehasreasontosuspectthetwohundredmilisKGBmoney?”

“Somethinglikethat.”

“AndnowGabler,

theaccountmanager,isdead.”

“I’mafraidso,”saidDavidPenright.

“YouthinktheKGBfoundouttheirmoneymanwascompromisedsomehow,sotheykilledhim?”

Basilsaid,“Thatisoneoperatingtheory,butthereisa

majorholeinit.”Jacksaid,

“NothingabouttheassassinationofGablerlookslikeaKGBhit.”

Penrightsaid,“Quiteright.Weareconfusedbythatbit.Thewitnessessayhewascrossingatwo-lanestreet,onfoot,atsixp.m.,whenan

assaultrifleappearedoutawindowofasupposedlyunoccupiedhotelroom.Anentirethirty-roundmagazinewasfiredathimatarangeoflessthanfiftyfeet.Hewashitthreetimesoutofthirty,whichisn’tterriblyimpressiveaccuracy.”

Penrightadded,

“SirBasil’shousecatcoulddothat.”

Basilraisedhiseyebrowsbutdidnotrespondtothequip.Instead,hesaid,“Fourotherpassersbywerewounded.”

“Andnoonesawtheshooter?”

Penrightreplied,“No.Avancamescreechingoutofan

undergroundgarage,nearlyrandownagroupofonlookers,butnoonegotaglanceatthedriver.”

Jacksaid,“It’snotexactlyapoisonumbrellainthebackoftheleg.”Hewasreferringtothe1978assassinationofBulgariandissidentGeorgiMarkov,who

wasassassinatedjustafewhundredyardsfromwhereRyan,Penright,andCharlestonnowsat.

“No,”SirBasiladmitted.“Nevertheless,weareveryconcernedthatHerrGablerwasnotavictimofarandomactofviolence.Couldhehavebeenassassinated

byanotherintelligenceagencythatbecameawareofhisassociationwiththeRussians?Couldhehavebeenkilledbyotherclientsofhis,forsomeperceivedviolationoftheirtrust?Wewouldliketoknowifyouragencyhasanyknowledgeofeitherthenefarious

affairsofthebankorofanynamesonthislist.”

Penrighthandedoverseveralsheetsofpaperfoldedinhalf.Ryanopenedthemandsawliterallyhundredsofnames.

“Whoarethey?”“RPB’s

employeesandclients.Asyoumayknow,

somenumberedaccountsaresetupbyshellcorporations,so,despitetherules,eventhebankitselfdoesn’tknowwhoactuallyownsthefunds.It’sanotherlayerofsecrecy.”

Ryanunderstood.“Youwantustocheckourfilestoseeifwehaveanythingonany

ofthenames,inthehopesyoucanfindsomeoneelsewhohadareasontokillGabler.”

Penrightadded,“That,andalsowe’dlikeyoutotryandweedthroughthecorporateaccounts.U.S.bankingisnotasprivateasitisinSwitzerland.You

mightfindsomesimilardatasetsthatcanlinkactualnamestotheseshellcompanies.”

Ryansaid,“Youneedtobecertainyoursourceinthebankhasnotbeencompromised.”

“That’sitexactly,”Charlestonagreed.

“Okay.I’llgettoworkonthisimmediately.Idon’twanttocablethislisttoLangley,it’stoosensitive.I’llgoovertotheembassyrightnowandsenditoverinthediplomaticbag.Itwilltakeafewdaystogetanswersbacktoyou.”

Penrightsaid,

“Thesoonerthebetter.I’mtryingtogetintouchwithourinsidemaninZug.It’sagoodbetheisgoingtobeshakenupbyallthis.Ifwedon’thearfromhimbytomorrow,I’mgoingtohavetostartmakingpreparationstogoovertheretomakecontact.I’dliketobe

abletotellhimhehasnothingtoworryabout.”

Jackstartedtogetup,buthestoppedhimself.“SirBasil.YouknowaswellasIdothatLangleywillasktobedealtintothishand.Thisautonomousassetofyours...areyouofferingtomakehim

bilateral?”Basilhadbeen

expectingthequestion.“WewillsharetheintelligencewegetfromthissourcewithourfriendsinWashington.Andwewillreadilytakeanyadviceyoumighthaveforusontheoperation.ButIamafraid,atthis

juncture,wearenotpreparedtogobilateralwiththisrelationship.”

“I’llletGreerandMooreknow,”Jacksaid,andhestoodup.“Theymightwantmoreinvolvement,butIamcertaintheywillunderstandthatthemainfocusrightnowshouldbeonfinding

outifyouragentisinanydanger—forhissake,ofcourse,butalsoforyours.Ican’timaginewhattwohundredmilliondollars’worthofKGBmoneyisdoingsittinginaWesternbank,butweneedthatinsidemanrightwhereheissowecankeepaneyeonit.”

CharlestonstoodandshookRyan’shand,asdidDavidPenright.

SirBasilsaid,“Ihadnodoubtatallthatyouwouldseetheurgencyofthismatter.”

J37

Presentday

ackRyan,Jr.,arrivedattheBelgraviatownhouseofSirBasil

Charlestonduringamidafternoonsquall.He’dcalledfirst,ofcourse,even

thoughhe’dbeenwarnedbyhisdadthattheoctogenarianmightnotbeabletocommunicatebyphone.Ryanwassurprisedwhenayounger-soundingmanansweredthephone.HeintroducedhimselfasPhillip,Charleston’spersonalassistant,whichRyanassumedmeantbodyguard.

Twohourslater,Ryanwasinvitedinside

Charleston’shomebyahousekeeperwhowasherselfupinyears,andhemetPhillipinthehall.Althoughthemanwaswellintohisfifties,Jackcouldtellrightawayhewascarryingaweaponandheknewhowtouseit.

Phillipwenttothekitchentohelpthehousekeeperwiththetea,andwhileJackwaitedforSir

Basilinthelibrary,hewanderedaroundtheroom,takingtheopportunitytolookthroughshelvesofbooks,photos,andmemorabilia.

Hesawpicturesofchildrenandgrandchildrenandseveralprominentlydisplayedphotosofaninfantwho,Jackassumed,musthavebeenagreat-grandchild.

DisplayedontheshelveswasaBritishArmyhelmet

fromWorldWarOneandasetofleatherleggings,andaSecondWorldWarhelmetaswell.AGermanNaziLugerinpristineconditionhungunderglass,andvariousmedals,commendations,andlettersfromtheBritishgovernmentadornedtheshelvesandwalls.RyanmarveledataphotoofSirBasilwithMargaretThatcher,andanotherpictureofBasil

withJack’sfather.Ryanrecognizedtheera;itwasduringhisdad’sfirstterm,whenhe’dvisitedtheUK.

Prominentlydisplayedontheshelfnexttothispicturewashisfather’sfirstbook,OptionsandDecisions.Heopenedthefrontcoverandsawthathisdadhadsignedit.

JustthenSirBasilCharlestonsteppedintothelibrary.Hewastallandthin,

andhe’ddressedupforhisafternoonmeetingwiththeU.S.President’sson;heworeablueblazerwitharedascotandacarnationboutonniere.Basilwalkedintothelibrarywithacaneandapronouncedstooptohisposture,whichgaveJacktheinitialimpressionthathishealthhadseriouslydeclinedsincethelasttimehe’dseenhim.Butthisnotionwasquickly

dispelledwhentheex–Britishspymastercrossedtheroomquicklywithawidesmileandashout.

“Myheavens!Lookatyou,boy.You’vegrownsinceI’veseenyou,orisitjustthebeardthatmakesyoulooksomature?”

“Pleasedtoseeyouagain,SirBasil.”

Charleston’shousekeeperbroughttea,andthoughJack

wouldhavepreferredacupofcoffeetogivehimakickonthisrainyafternoon,hehadtoadmittheteawasquitegood.

CharlestonandRyantalkedforseveralminutes,andtheoldermankeptRyaninthecrosshairsduringtheconversation.QuestionsabouthisworkatCastorandBoyle,hisfamily,andtheinevitablequestionofwhethertherewasaspecialwomaninhislife.

Jackhadtoleanforwardandrepeathimselfoften,butdespitehishearingloss,Basilwasverymuchengagedintheconversation.

FinallySirBasilasked,“WhatisitIcandoforyourfather?”

Jacksaid,“HeisveryinterestedinRomanTalanov,thenewheadoftheFSB.”

Charlestonnoddedsomberly.“Assomeonewho

livedthemajorityofhislifegoingtoe-to-toewiththeKGB,nothingmakesmybloodruncolderthanseeingRussianstatesecurity’scomeback.It’sabloodyshame.”

“Iagree.”“Thebastardswillbe

invadingUkraine,markmywords.”

“That’swhatpeoplearesaying,”saidRyan.

“Yes,well,peoplearesayingtheywilljustmoveontheCrimea,butIknowtheseRussians,howtheythink.TheywilltakeCrimeainacoupleofdays,andthentheywillseehoweasyitwas,howmutedthereactionfromtheWestis,andthentheywillkeepgoing,allthewaytoKiev.LookatEstonia.Ifyourfatherhadn’tpressuredNATOtostopthemcold,the

RussianswouldhavetakenLithuaniabynowaswell.”

SirBasilknewmoreaboutthistopicthanRyandid.Jacksilentlychastisedhimselfforhavinghisheadsodeepinillegalacquisitionsandshell-companyshenanigansthathewasonlyremotelyawareofanimpendingwar.

Charlestoncontinued,“ButIcan’tsayIknowa

thingaboutTalanov.Mostoftheupper-levelchapsrunningRussianowwere,atleast,lower-levelchapsatKGBorFSBbackwhenIwasintheservice,butRomanTalanovwasnotsomeoneweknewaboutwhenIwasatCenturyHouse.”

Jacksaid,“MyfathersaysthereisoneoldreferencetoTalanovinyourfilesthatconnectedhimwithZenith.”

“Withwhat?”Charlestonputhishanduptohiseartohelphimhear.

Jackallbutshouted,“Zenith.”

“Zenith?”Charlestonleanedbackinsurprise.“Oh,dear.ThemysteriousKGBhitman?Intheeighties?”

“Yes,sir.Therewasjustonenoteinhisfile,onepieceofintelligence,nofollow-uporcorroboration.”

Charlestonfrowned.“Iamsurprisedtherewasnofollow-uptotherecord.Weranatightshipwithourfiles.Obviously,nothingwaselectronicthen.Idoubttheyoungsterstodaycouldkeepupwiththefileclerkswehadbackthen.”Hewavedahandintheair.“Anyway,anyreferencetoTalanovonthatcasemustbesomesortofamistake.Zenithturnedoutto

beaployusedbyGermany’sRedArmyFactionterroristgroup.Irememberyourfatherexpressedhisdoubtoftheofficialfindingsquitevociferously,butourinvestigationsneverwereabletoproveZenitheverexisted.”

“Well,mydadalsosaysthereisahandwrittennoteinthemarginsofoneofthefilesthathewouldlikemore

informationabout.”“Handwrittennote?

Handwrittenbyme,Itakeit?Isthatwhyyou’rehere?”

“Yes,sir.”“Andwhatdiditsay?”“Justoneword.

‘Bedrock.’”SirBasilfellsilent;the

hollowtickingofthegrandfatherclockechoedinthelibrary.

Jacksensedapallof

concerncastovertheoldman.Hewassuddenlynotasbrightandcheeryashishomeandhisredascotmadehimouttobe.

“MightIpresumeyoubroughtthedocumentwithyou?”

JackreachedintohiscoatandretrievedtheSwisspolicerecordthathadbeene-mailedoverfromtheWhiteHouse.Basiltookit,pulledasmall

pairofeyeglassesoutofasidepocketinhisblueblazer,andputthemon.

ForafullminuteBasillookedatthepage,atthehandwrittenmarking,andbroughtitclosertohiseyes.RyanassumedthemanmusthavebeenabletoreadGerman,astheoneEnglishwordwouldnothavetakensolongtoread,eventhoughithadbeenpartiallyerased.

Whilehesatthere,JackheardthefootfallsofPhilliponthewoodenfloorofthehallway,slowlypacingbackandforth.

CharlestonlookedupatRyan,thentookoffhisglassesandhandedhimthepageofthefileback.Hesaid,“Suddenly,thirtyyearsagoseemslikejustyesterday.”

“Whydoyousaythat?”Hedidnotanswerthe

questiondirectly.Instead,he

said,“‘Bedrock’wasthecodenameforanoperative.”

Jackcockedhishead.“MaryPatcheckedwithBritishintelligence,andtheysaidBedrockmeantnothingtothem.”

Charlestonthoughtthatoverforamoment.“Yes,well,Icertainlydonotwanttoruffleanyfeathers.”

“SirBasil,Iamsorry,butmyfathersaysthisis

extraordinarilyimportant.ItverywellmightmakeanimpactontheproblemsgoingonbetweentheU.S.andRussiatoday.”

Charlestonsaidnothing;heseemedlostinthedistance.

“Areyouabletotellmeanything?”

Charlestonlookedoutthewindowforalongtime,seeminglylostinthought.

Jackalmostthoughttheoldmanwasabouttotellhimtogetoutofhishouse,butinsteadBasilturnedbacktohimandspoke,softerthanbefore.

“Inanyintelligenceorganization,evenawell-meaningone,evenoneintheright,withhistoryandhonoronitsside...mistakesaremade.Projectsthatlookgoodonpaper,projectsbornoutof

desperatetimes,haveatendencytomakeitoffthepaperandintotherealworld,where,inhindsight,theydon’tseemquitesoperfect.”

“Ofcourse,”Jackurgedhimon.“Mistakeshappen.”

SirBasilCharleston’slipspursedashethoughtaboutsomething.“Quiteso,lad.”Hiseyesclearedwithresolve,andJackknewBasilwasabouttotalk.“IfMary

PatwenttoMI6andaskedaboutBedrock,theyverywellmighthavelookedintothematterandcomeupwithnothing.Asyousaid,itwasawhileago.ButifshewenttoourpartnersatMI5,Britishcounterintelligence,andtheytoldherthey’dneverheardofBedrock...”Hemadeafaceofdistaste.“Thenthatwouldbeinaccurate.”

“Alie,youmean?”

“Well.PerhapstheMI5oftodaydoesnotknowabouttheactionsoftheMI5backthen.”

JackthoughtCharlestonwasdissembling,butheletitgo.“SoBedrockwasMI5?”

“Thatiscorrect.Hewas...”Theoldmanchosehiswordscarefully.Thenhisfaceclearedalittle.“Hewasanoperationsman.VictorOxleywashisname.”

“HewasEnglish?”“Yes.OxleywasTwenty-

secondSASRegiment,amemberofPagodaTroop.Quiteaneliteunit.TheyareaSpecialForcesgroup,quitelikeyourDeltaForce.”

Ryan,ofcourse,knewthis.

“MI5wantedanoperatortoworkbehindtheIronCurtain.TotrackdownleadsaboutspiesfromKGBand

otherintelligenceservices,tobreakupattacksonourrealmbeforetheymadeitoverheretous.”

Jackwasconfused.“ActivitiesbehindtheIronCurtainseemliketheywouldhavebeenmoretheworkofyouroldorganization,MI6,notcounterintel,MI5.”

Basilacknowledgedthiswithanodandsaid,“Onewouldthinkso,yes.”

“Therewassomeinteragencyrivalry?”

“Somethinglikethat.MI5’sinvestigationsoccasionallyledthemintodeniedterritory.Oxleybridgedthegapintheseinvestigations.HecouldgotoRigatogetpicturesofaBritishturncoatlivingthere,hecouldgotoSofiatotrackdownreportsofaBulgarianintelligencetrainingevolution

thattaughttheirspieshowtofitinonthestreetsofLondon,hecouldgotoEastBerlinandfindthenameofthebarwhereStasidirectorErichMielkelikedtotakelunchmeetings,soifahighlyplacedBritishdoubleagentslippedovertoberecruitedbytheDDR’stopdog,weknewwheretolookforhim.”

Therainonthewindowsofthelibrarypickedupa

little.“Occasionally,hewas

taskedwithdoingmorethanthis.Fromtimetotimehewasorderedtofindcounterintelligencethreats—I’mspeakingofcitizensoftheCrownwhocommittedtreasonousactsandthenranforcoverbehindtheCurtain—andthentoliquidatethem.”

Ryanwasimpressed.

“Liquidate?”BasillookedatRyan

withoutblinking.“Killthem,ofcourse.”

“That’sincredible.”“TheysayOxleywas

quiteincredibleinhisday.MI5recruitedhimfromthemilitaryandtrainedhimupfortheirneeds.Hehadlanguage—oneofhisparentswasfull-onRussian,sohespokeitlikeanative—andhe

hadtheskillsandthestonesforbehind-the-lineswork.Hewasextremelygood.Hehoppedtheborderbetterthananyonewehadinourserviceatthetime.”

Basiladded,“Idon’tsupposeyouknowtoomuchaboutthehistoryoftheBritishintelligenceservices,butwe’vehadsometraitorsinthepast,rightatthetopofourestablishment.”

“TheCambridgeFive,”Jacksaid.

“Therewasworrythatthereweremorethanfive.Forthatreason,itwasdeterminedaBritishassetbehindthelineswouldhelpkeepthemenandwomeninBritishintelligencehonest.IfsomeblokepassedofficialsecretstoKGBandthenranofftoMoscowtoreceivetheirOrderofLeninanda

rent-freeflat,chapsatthetopofMI5thoughtitwouldhaveasalutaryeffectonotherUKintelligencepersonnelifthatbloketurnedupgarrotedinapubliclooinGorkyPark.”

“Holyshit,”Ryansaid.Thisstorywasmuchmorethanhe’dbargainedforwhenhepoppedovertoaluxurytownhousetotalktoanoldmanaboutapencilednoteonanoldfile.

“MycolleaguesatMI5playedhimclosetothevest.Hewasrunoutsidethenormalchainofcommand,soveryfewknewBedrockexisted.”Charlestongaveahalf-smile.“TherewasarumorFivehadahitmancleaningupintelligencemesses,andthespreadoftherumorwasintentional,butalmostnooneknewiftherewasanytruthtoit.His

controlofficerletBedrockactashesawfit,toworkwithoutanet,asitwere.”

Jackwasmorefascinatedbythisthanheleton.“Thismanhadalicensetokill?”

“Hehadnolicenseatall.Heknewhewouldbedisavowedifhewereevercaught.”

“DoyourememberBedrock’srelationshiptothevictimsoftheZenith

murders?”Charlestonshookhis

head.WithhisreticenceintalkingaboutBedrock,Jackhadstartedtolookforanycluesofdeception.Asfarashecouldtell,theoldmanwasbeingtruthful.Hishesitationsseemedtosimplybebornoutofnotthinkingofthistopicforalongtime,andperhapsnotbeingproudofwhateverhappenedwithBedrock.

Charlestonsaid,“AsIsaidbefore,therewasnoZenith.”

“ButyouwroteBedrockwaspickedupatthesceneofoneoftheZenithmurders.”

“No,lad.Ididn’twritethat.”

Jackraisedhiseyebrows.“HowcanIbesocertain?

BecauseIknewnothingofBedrockatthetime,andIwouldneverwriteBedrock’s

namedown.Idon’tknowwhowrotethat.Obviously,thesefileshavebeenaroundforthirtyyears.Someone,atsomepoint,lookeditoverandmadethatnotation.Theyalsoremovedit,althoughnotsuccessfully.IassumeitwassomeoneatMI5readinontheprogram,butIcannotbecertain.”Basillookedatitagain.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutBedrockbeingin

Switzerlandonthisdate.AsfarasIknew,heneverworkedwestoftheIronCurtain.”

“DidOxleyknowmyfather?”

Charlestonbarkedoutaquicklaugh.“Heavens,no.Certainlynot.Theywouldhaveruninquitedifferentcircles.EvenifBedrockwasinLondonforsomereason,andIhavenorecollection

thathewas,hewouldnothavebumpedintoyourfatheratCenturyHouse.No,OxleywouldhavehadnoconnectionwithWestminsterBridge.”

“Yousaidyoudidn’tknowabouthimatthetime.Whendidyoulearnabouthim?”

“WhenMI5cametomeforhelpfindinghim.Hedisappearedbehindthelines.

Idorecallthathappenedtobeduringtheso-calledZenithaffair.”

“Washeeverfound?”“Idon’tknow.Certainly

notbyMI6.”“Youdon’tknowifheis

alive?”“No,butIalsodon’t

knowthathe’snot,andmybodyguardoutthere—youmetPhillip—operatesundertheassumptionthatheis.”

“WhatdoesyourbodyguardhavetodowithOxley?”

“PhilliphasorderstokeepVictorOxleyawayfromme.”Charlestongazedouttotherainagain.“OnemustbeonthewatchforanyonewhomightholdagrudgeagainstthosewhodirectedBritishintelligence.Again,welookedforhim...butwedidnotfindhim.Therearechaps

thatmightthinkwedidn’tlookhardenough.”

Ryanwaswonderingthesamething.Didtheylookhardenoughforthismissingman?Hecouldn’timagineanyonefindingfaultwiththepoliteurbanemansittingacrossthetablefromhim.HetriedtopictureCharlestonyoungerandincontrolofoneoftheworld’stoughestintelligenceagencies,buthe

couldn’tgettheimagerightinhismind.

Jackasked,“DoyouknowhowIcanfindoutifheeverreturnedfromtheEast?DoessomeonekeeprecordsonformerMI5members?”

“OnMI5members,yes,butremember,Bedrockwasrunblack,outsidetheirservice.”Charlestonthought.“HewasSAS,though,andtheyhaveafraternal

organization.”Charlestonsippedhistea.“AlthoughIcan’timaginehimtakingpartinmeetingsorattendingbanquets.I’dwagerhedroppedofftheirradarlongago,ifheisevenstillalive.”

“Doyourememberanyoneheworkedwith?SomeoneImightbeabletotalkto?”

Therewasanextra-longpausenow.ButCharleston’s

responsewasmorerevealingthananythingelsehehadsaidintheentireconversation.“IamafraidIwon’tbemuchhelpthere.”

JacknotedCharleston’swordchoice.Hedidknowassociates,butheeithercouldnotorwouldnotputJackintouchwiththem.

Jacksaid,“I’llstartwithSAS,seeifanyoneknowswhereheisnow.”

Charlestonpickedatthelintonhisblazer.“YourfathersentyouroundtomyhousetotalktomeaboutBedrock.Itwasanicegesturetosendfamilyover.Idon’tbelieveforamoment,however,thatyourfatherhadanyintentionofyourunningaroundyourselflookingforworn-outoldghosts.”

Jackasked,“Whatareyousaying?”

SirBasilsmiled,afatherlylook.“ReportbacktoyourdadwhatItoldyou,he’llhavehispeoplemakeinquiriesthroughScotlandYard.Don’tdoanythingyourself.”

“DoyoumeantosuggestVictorOxleyissomehowdangerous?”

“Presumingforamomentheisalive,andyoudofindhim,thenyes,Ido.Blokes

likeBedrockdonotlikeauthority,nordotheyrespectit.Youpoppingroundforaspotofteaandaninterrogationaboutoldoperations...thatwillnotgothewayyouhopeitmight.”

“Whatyouaretalkingabouthappenedalongtimeago,SirBasil.He’sprobablyoverit.”

“MenlikeOxleydon’tchange.Trustme,boy,ifhe’s

stillalive,he’sstillfilledwithhate.”Basilsighed,andhisshouldersslumpedalittle.“Godknowshe’sgoteveryright.”

Jackdidn’tknowwhatBasilmeantbythat,butheknewbetterthantoask.Basilhadsaidallhewasgoingtosayonthesubject.

A38

Thirtyyearsearlier

fterafulldayofworkatCentury

House,CIAliaisonofficerJackRyanwasjustgettinghisdesk

straighteneduptoleave.Asherolledhisswivelchairaroundtopickhisbriefcaseupoffthefloor,helookeduptoseeDavidPenrightstandingabovehim.“Hullo,Jack.”

Ryanlurchedbackinsurprise.“Oh,Penright.Yousnuckuponme.”

Penrightsmiled.“Badhabit.Comeswiththejob.”

“Right.Ihaven’theardbackontheRPBlistIhaddeliveredtoLangleyyesterday.IexpectI’llhavesomethingbytomorrow.”

“Actually,that’snotwhyIpoppedin.Iwaswonderingifyou

hadtimetograbadrinkbeforeyoushoveofffortheday.”

Jackdidnothavetime.He’dplannedonmeetingCathyatthestationfortheridehome.Hewantedtogetsomequalitytimewiththekidsinbeforetheirbedtime,andthelongcommutewouldn’tleavemuch

roomforthat.Ifhemissedthenightly6:10train,he’dprobablynotgethometillSallyandJackJuniorwereasleep.

Butthiswashisjob.ExchanginginformationwiththeBritswaswhyJimGreerhadsenthimoverhereinthefirstplace.Herealizedhe

couldn’tverywellpassuptheopportunitytogettoknowoneofMI6’soperationsofficers,especiallyoneworkingonamissionaspotentiallyimportantastheonegoingoninSwitzerland.

Ryansaid,“Soundsgreat.Letme

callmywife.”Penrightgavea

slightbow.“Muchappreciated,andI’mbuying.”Heputahandup.“Checkthat.TheCrownisbuying.Ihaveanexpenseaccount.”Hewinked.“I’llmeetyouinthelobby.”

Jackassumedtheywouldbeheadingto

thepubthereinCenturyHouse.Itwasdrab,liketherestofthebuilding,butmoreimportant,itwasvastlymoresecurethanjustventuringouttosomealehouseonthestreet.WhiletheystillhadtobecarefulwhattheysaidandwhotheysaiditaroundintheCentury

Housepub,theyhadmuchmorefreedomthere,surroundedbythemenandwomenofSIS.

Instead,whenJackshowedupinthelobby,Penrightsenthimbacktohisofficeforhiscoatandbriefcase,tellinghimtheywouldbetakingataxiovertoPenright’s

members-onlyclub.Twentyminutes

later,RyanandPenrightpassedovertheircoatsandbriefcasestoanattendantinthelobbyofPenright’sgentlemen’sclubinSaintJames’sSquare.Theywereusheredthroughthefoyerofastatelybuildingand

intoanold-worldlibrary,whereanimmaculatelydressedandexceedinglypolitestewardbroughtthembrandiesandcigars.Therewereafewotherclubmembersandtheirguestsaround;toRyantheyalllookedlikebankersandpoliticians,andalthoughtherewasthe

oddchortleandevensomelaughteramongthegroupsofmen,mostofthegoings-onintheclubseemedratherhushedandimportant.

TheplacewastightandstuffyforRyan’stastes,but,hedidhavetoadmit,itwasexcitingtositinaleatherwingbackchair

andsmokeacigaramidagroupofLondon’smoversandshakers.

Hemayhavebeenanhonoraryknight,andheandhisfamilymighthavespentmoretimeinBuckinghamPalacethananyotherAmericanfamily,buthewasn’tsojadedthathecouldn’tappreciate

whatauniqueexperiencethiswas.

Theywerehalfwaythroughtheirfirstbrandy,andDavidPenrighthadtalkedaboutnothingbuthisschooldaysatEtonandhisfamily’shomeintheCotswolds.JackfoundtheEnglishspysomewhatlikehis

members-onlyclub.Alittlestuffyandsomewhatpretentious,butdecentenoughandunquestionablyfascinating.

Finally,however,PenrightmovedthetopicofthechitchattothesubjectofRitzmannPrivatbankiers.

Penrightsaid,“I

wantedtoletyouknowI’llbeshovingofftomorrowforZug.ItmighttakemeacoupleofdaystosurveythelandscapeandtalktomymaninRPB.I’llhavetogiveyouthenumberofmyhotel.Whenyougetwordbackfromyourserviceaboutthenamesonthelist,do

givemeacall.”“Okay,”said

Ryan.“Butthelinewon’tbesecure.”

“Certainlynot.We’llneedtosetupasimpleprotocol.IfyourfriendsinWashingtonfindanythinginthosenames,justtellmethatyouneedmetocheckinattheoffice

inZurich.”“Andyou’llgoto

theembassyinZurichandcallmeback?”

DavidPenrightsmiled,givingJackalookasthoughhewasabitnaive.“No,Ryan.IhaveasecurelocationrightthereinZug.I’llgotooursafehouseandcallyouback.”

“Okay,”saidRyan.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’llfindfromtheCIAlist,butyouhavetoknowthatthefactthisGablerwasworkingwiththeKGBisgoingtobethemostlikelyreasonforhisdemise.”

Penrightsmokedhiscigarinsilenceforamoment.“Ican’ttell

youmuchaboutourpenetrationintothebank—Basilcanbeabituptightaboutthatsortofthing—butIcantellyouthatIdonotbelieveforasecondthatKGBknowsweareawareoftheiraccounts.Gablerwasnotkilledbytheoppositiontosilencehim.”

“Sowhydoyouthinkhewaskilled?”

“That’swhyIwantedtotalktoyou.”Heleanedforward,andRyandidthesame.“Basilisn’ttotallyonboardwithfillingyouinonallthedetails.”

Jackhelduphishand.“Thendon’ttellme.”

“Oh,please,”Penrightsaid.“It’sgamesmanship,nothingmore.YouandIbothknowyouhavegonetoyourmastersfortheRPBclientinformation,andtheywilllookintoit,thenonlyagreetoprovideitifweinvolvethemintheoperation.Thatwill

takedays.Basilisanexecutive,protectiveofhisprograms.ButI’mtheblokeontheground,fightinginthetrenches,andIdon’thavetimeforgames.”

Jackwasconcerned.Hewasn’tgoingbehindBasilonthis,butthisotherguycertainlywas.Whatthehell,Jackthought.

Ican’tstopthisguyfromtalking,andI’mnotgoingtorunoutoftheroomwithmyhandscoveringmyears.

Jackjustsippedbrandyandlookedintothefireplace.

Penrightsaid,“ItlookstomelikethelargeaccountTobiasGablermanaged,

exactlytwohundredfourmillionU.S.,isactuallymoneystolenfromtheKGB.”

Jacklookedawayfromthefire.Nopretensethathedidn’tcareaboutwhattheEnglishspyhadtosay.“Stolen?Stolenhow?”

“ThatIdon’tknow.WhatIdoknow

isthis:Lastmonth,RPBhadsomesurprisevisitors.AgroupofmenwhoclaimedtobeHungariansshowedupunannouncedandproducedthecodesnecessarytoprovetheyheldaccountswiththebank.”

“Numberedaccounts.”

“Yes.Theseweresmallaccounts,ownedbyshellcompanies.WesuspectitwasKGBmoney.Nothingmuchtospeakof,butitdidgetthemeninthedoor.”

“Goon.”“Theyhadalotof

questions,butnotabouttheiraccountsandbalances.They

were,instead,tryingtofindoutifanyothermoneywasfollowingthesamerouteastheirs.”

“FromHungary?”“Fromanystate-

ownedbankbehindtheIronCurtain,andthenintoSwitzerland.TheyalsowantedtoknowaboutmoneyleavingRPBinthe

formofcash,bearerbonds,gold,thatsortofthing.”

“Whatresponsedidtheygetfromthebank?”

“Theygotthepoliteshove-off.”Penrightheldhissnifteruphigh.“GodblessSwisssecrecy.”

“AndtheHungariansjustleft?”

“No.Theseweredesperatemen.Myinsidemansaidthemoreangrytheygot,themoreRussiantheysounded.TheyweremostlikelyKGB.Justthinkaboutthechancetheseblokesweretaking.TheyjustwalkedintothebankallbutwavingaroundtheirSovietflag.They

threatenedtoclosetheiraccountsandtaketheirmoneysomewhereelse.TheyaccusedthebankofcolludingwithsomeonewhowasshavingfromtheiraccountsintheEast.Theystampedtheirfeetandthenmadesomeveiledthreats.Andthentheymade

somenot-so-veiledthreats.”

“Andyourmanheldhisground?”

“Hedid.Theyleft,andnowanothermanatthebank,TobiasGabler,theactualmanagerofthetwo-hundred-four-million-dollaraccount,islyingonaslabinthemorgue.”

Jackleanedforwardinhischair.“IftheyalreadyknewaboutGablerandthetwohundredmillion,whythehelldidtheygotothebankaskingquestions?”

“Isuspectmoneyisn’ttheirbiggestconcern.Ithinktheywantanswers.Theywanttheheadofthe

personwhostoleitfromthem.Ourmanatthebankisbloodypetrifiedbyallthis,andIdon’tblamehim.ButIcan’tpullhimout.IdothatandtheRussianswillcloseeverythingup,movetheirnumberedaccountsomewhereelse,andwewillloseanyopportunityto

exploitthem.”Penrightadded,

“Forsomereason,theentitythatisamassingallthismoneyneedsittobeintheWest,easilyaccessibleandtransferable.”

“Why?”Jackasked.

“Idon’thaveaclue,Jack.Iwashopingyoucould

figurethatout.”Penrightchecked

hiswatch.“Bloodyhell,I’mrunninglatefordinner.Previousengagement,astheysay.Idon’tgettoLondonasmuchasI’dlike,andthere’sthisgirl.Oneineveryport,twoinLondon.”Helaughed.“Youunderstand.”Hestood

up.“Sorry,Ryan,butallguestsmustleavewiththemembershere.”

JackwasstillstuckonPenright’slastcomment.Hefinishedhisbrandyquickly—itwouldbeashametowasteit,afterall—andheclimbedoutoftheoiledleatherchair.

“Waitasecond.Whydoyouneedmeonthis?”

Penrightheadedintothelobby;Jacktrailedbehindhim.“Justmullitover.BasilsaysyouwereaWallStreetwhizkid.”

Theircoatsandbriefcaseswerebroughttothem.

“Iwasn’tonWall

Street.ItradedthroughtheBaltimoreStockExchange.”

Penrightslippedintohiscoat.“Whatever.IknowyouwerewithMerrillLynch,Iknowyoumadesomemovesinthemarketsonyourown,andIknowthateventhoughmytiecostsmorethanthat

suityou’rewearing,youearnedenoughmoneyincommoditytradingtobuythisclubandthroweveryoldgeezeroutontothestreetontheirarse.Youhavethemindforthissortofthing.Plus,IthinkourcousinsatLangleycanbeofgreathelptousonthisoperation.”Penright

winkedatJackasheheadedouttothestreettocallhimselfacab.“Justthinkaboutit.”

JackputhisowncoatonandfollowedtheEnglishspytothepavement,arrivingjustasDavidPenrightclimbedintoataxi.

PenrightlookedupatRyanbefore

closingthedoor.“AndcallmeinSwitzerlandassoonasyouhearanything.”

JackstoodonthepavementwhiletheblackcabrolledoffintothetrafficmovingaroundSaintJames’sSquare.

J39

Presentday

ohnClarkandDingChavezeachdroveaToyotaHighlander

throughthenight,followingtheDnieperRiverforawhilebeforeheadingsoutheast

towardtheCrimeanpeninsula.DomCarusorodealongaswell,givingthemathirddriversothatthemencouldarriveatleastsomewhatrested.

Theyknewlittleaboutwhatlayahead,otherthanthefactaCIASIGINToperationhadbeencompromisedandtheyneededacoupleofcleanvehiclesontheflytohelpthemgetsomematerialback

uptoKievandoutofthecountry.

B—

ythetimethethreeCampusmenarrivedat

thefrontgateoftheLighthousethenextmorning,acrowdhadformedinthestreet.Dingestimatedthereweretwohundredpeoplemillingabout;somehadsignssaying“CIAGetOut”inEnglish,butmostjustchantedoryelledorstoodintheroad.

Theyparkedupthestreet,withinsightofthegate,andClarkcalledBixby,whotoldhimtoheadstraighttotheentrance.

Amomentlater,thetwoHighlandersdidjustthat,honkingtheirhornsandapproachingatspeed.Protestersdoveoutoftheway,andsomethrewwaterbottlesandcardboardsignsattheSUVsastheyracedpast,

butthetwovehicleswereabletorushthroughthegates,whichopenedjustbeforetheyarrivedandwerethenimmediatelyclosedagainbyarmedU.S.securitycontractorsontheinside.

ThetwoToyotaspulledintoaparkingcirclealongsidefourothervehicles:twoYukonsandtwoLandRovers.

Assoonastheyparked,

C

severalarmedmen—Americans,bytheirgreetingsandappearance—approachedpushingrollingcartsandcarryinghardened-plasticcases.ThemenbeganloadingtheHighlanderswithinseconds.

—lark,Chavez,andCarusometBixbyinthe

lobbyofthebuilding.Clark

couldseetheworryontheyoungerman’sface.

Bixbyshookeveryone’shands.“Gentlemen,Ican’tthankyouenough,butwhenwegetoutofhere,Isureasshitamgoingtotry.”

“Notaproblem,”saidChavez.“What’sthesituation?”

“Wehavesixvehiclesnow,whichwillbejustenoughtogetourguysand

gearout.”Domsaid,“Thequestion

is,isthatcrowdgoingtoletusout?”

NowMidas,thebeardedleaderoftheDeltaAdvanceForceOperationsunithereattheLighthouse,steppedintothelobby.Hesaid,“We’regoingtofireteargas,andthenwe’regoingtojusttryandbustthrough.Wedon’texpectarmedroadblocksor

anythinglikethat.Oncewegetoutofthisneighborhood,weshouldbeabletomakeitoutoftownundetected.Ofcourse,thelongerittakesustogetoutofhere,theharderthisshitisgoingtobe.”

Bixbyofferedquickintroductions,andMidasshookhandswiththethreenewarrivals,butheseemedalittleuncertain.“IthoughtIknewalltheLangleyguys

hereintheater.”Bixbysaid,“Actually,

thesemenareex–federalemployees.Theyaregoodtogo.”

Midaslookedthemoveragain.“Nooffense,andIappreciateyouguysbringingthevehicles,butIdon’tknowyou,andIamresponsibleforkeepingthislittledumpsecure.Idon’twanttoseeanyofyoutouchinga

weapon.Weclearaboutthat?”

BixbyturnedtotheDeltaman.“Midas,IamCOS,andIsaidIvouchedforthem.”

Midasheldhisground.“Ifyoudidn’tvouchforthem,theywouldn’thavegottenthroughthefrontgate.”Hepointedatthemen.“Noguns.Gotit?”

Immediately,Clarksaid,“Notaproblem.”Heturned

toDingandDom.“Let’sseeabouthelpingthemenloadupthevehicles.”

Justashesaidthis,thefaintchantingfromthecrowdatthefrontgatesuddenlygrewlouder.Overandover,theyrepeatedthesamephrase.

Clarklistenedtoitforamoment.“Canyoumakeoutwhattheyaresaying?”

Midassaid,“Been

F

listeningtothatonefortwohoursalready.‘Yankeesgohome.’”

“Anoldiebutagoodie,”saidClark,andhe,Dom,andDingheadedupthehalltoseewhattheycouldcarryouttothetrucks.

—ortyminutesafterChavez,Caruso,and

Clarkarrivedatthe

Lighthouse,therestoftheclassifiedequipmentwasloadedintotheToyotaHighlanders,andMidasbroadcastonthewalkie-talkiestoallpersonnel,givingeveryoneaheads-upthattheywouldbeleavinginfiveminutes.

ButintheshorttimesincethearrivalofthetwoSUVsfromKiev,thesizeofthecrowdinfrontoftheCIA

SpecialMissionCompoundhadmorethandoubled.LocalradiostationshadannouncedthelocationoftheCIAsafehouse—wheretheyandthelocalpolicegottheinformationwasstillunknown—andthishadbroughtprotestersandcuriousbystandersoutindroves.

Therewereunionworkersinthecrowd;Bixby

hadID’dthembytheslogansontheirsignsandthemenwalkingaroundwithmegaphonestellingthemwheretostandwhileleadingtheminchants.He’dalsorecognizedtheblueT-shirtsofalongstandingpro-Russianyouthgroup,anorganizedgangofteenagers,mostly,whothroughthesecretbackingoftheFSBhadbeenturnedintorovingbandsof

usefulidiots.AlloverRussiaandeasternUkrainetheyconductedmarches,sit-ins,andanyothermass-movementtoolasrequestedbytheirleadership,whowere,inturn,rundirectlybyFSBagents.

WhenClark,Chavez,andCarusoarrived,thestreetinfrontofthegatewascongestedwithpedestrians,butitwasstillpossibleto

drivethroughthem,albeitwithdifficulty.NowthetwoDeltamenontheroofoftheLighthousereportedthatthestreetwasnearlyimpassableandanothercouplehundredprotestershadspilledintotheparkacrossthestreet—essentially,justaconcretepathwayaroundanopenblockwithafewbushesandsmalltrees.

Allmorningthemenat

theLighthousehadbeenonthephonetothelocalcops,askingforapoliceescortoutofthearea,butsofarnoonehadcome.They’dalsocalledanearbyUkrainianmilitaryinstallation—theAmericanswereostensiblyapartofthePartnershipforPeace,afterall—buttheyweretoldtheirrequestforhelpwasbeingkickedupthechainofcommandand,anyway,the

UkrainianArmybasehadnomenorequipmenttospareatthemomentforarescue.

DeltaAFOleaderMidas,theon-sitecommanderoftheLighthouse,hadapairofM79tear-gaslaunchers,butusingtear-gasgrenadeswasnothisfirstchoice.Althoughgascouldbeeffectiveatgettingpeopletomoveawayfromthefrontgate,itmightalsoblowbackonthe

Americansastheyleftthearea,anditverywellmighthavetheundesiredeffectofturningthealreadyangryprotestintoaviolentriot.

Bynoon,thesixvehicleswereallrunningintheparkingcircleinfrontoftheporticoattheentrancetotheLighthouse,andsixmenwerereadybehindthesteeringwheels.CarusoandChavezweretaskedwithdrivingthe

twoHighlanders;theywouldbethirdandfourthintheconvoy,behindthetwoDeltaYukonsandinfrontofthetwoCIALandRovers.

Midasstoodwithhisradioinhishandjustbehindthevehiclesintheporticoatthefrontofthebuilding,andlookeddownthedrivewayattheentrancetotheSMC.There,threesecuritycontractors,allofwhom

spokesomeUkrainian,remainedinsidethelockedirongate,nervouslywatchingthetightgroupofshouting,chanting,angryprotesters.AsMidasbroughthisradiotohismouth,readytotellthemenatthegatetoremainintheirpositionswhileeveryoneelseloadedintothevehicles,oneofthetwoDeltamenontheroofoftheLighthousetransmittedoverthenet.

“Midas,thisisMuttontheroof.We’vegotbusesoff-loadingaboutthreeblocksupthestreet.”

“Buses?”“Affirmative.Fourfull-

sizedbuses.Iseepeoplepouringout.Sayfiftypaxperbus,sotwohundredmorecomingtothegate.Looksmostlymale,maybeexclusivelymale.Civiliandress,buttheylooklikean

organizedbunch.”“Isitmoreoftheunion

folks,ormorebrownshirtsfromtheyouthgroup?”

“Definitelynottheyouthgroup.Theydon’tlooklikeunion,either.Theylooklikefuckinggoons.Skinheads.Leatheranddenim.Thatkindofthing.”

“Weapons?”“Can’ttellfromhere.

Wait.Theyallhave

backpacks—notsurewhattheyarecarrying.”

“Anysignoflocallawenforcement?”

Muttreplied,“Affirmative.OnthefarsideoftheparkIseefour,maybefive,squadcars,andwhatlookslikesomesortofariot-controlarmoredvehicle.Theydefinitelyappeartobestandingasideforthis.”

“Rogerthat,”Midassaid,

andthenhespoketoeveryoneonthepropertycarryingaradio.“Allright,everyoneinthetrucksexceptforthetwoontheroofandthetwomenontheM79s.”

Justashefinishedtransmittingthisorder,itemsbeganflyingoverthefrontwallofthecompound.Astheycrashedtotheground,heidentifiedtheprojectilesasbottlesandbricks,andthough

theyallhitthedrivewayandtheforecourtshortoftheparkingcirclewheretheSUVswereparked,thethreesecurityofficersjustinsidethemetalgateofthepropertyweredefinitelyinrange.

Muttcalledovertheradiofromtheroof.“Yo,Midas?Thesenewfuckersarethrowingshit.”

Moreglassbottlescamecrashingdowninthe

forecourt;thiswasclearlyanorchestratedattackbythenewgroupthathadjoinedtheprotesters.

Midasbroughthisradiobacktohismouth.“Yep,Iseeit.Okay,youguysdownatthegate,Iwantyoutopullbacktothevehicles.We’releavingnow.”

TherearwalloftheLighthousecompoundbackeduptoadeepconcreteditch

withseveralfeetofrunningwaterinit,sononeoftheprotesterswerehittingthemfromtheback,butpeoplestoodonthestreetsontheoppositesidesoftheotherthreewallsandthrewalltypesoftrashintothecompound.

Thethreesecuritycontractorsranbackupthetwenty-five-yard-longdrivewayfromthegatetothe

parkingcircle.Theentireway,theywerebombardedwithdebris.Oneofthemenwashitinthebackwithapieceofboard,knockinghimdown,buthegotbackupandkeptrunning.

Whilethethreemenretreatedfromthegate,twosecuritycontractorswearinggasmaskssteppedoutofthebuildingandintotheparkingcirclenexttotheYukons.

EachcarriedanM79grenadelauncheralongwithabandolierfullofforty-millimetertear-gascanisters.Theykneltnexttoeachother,loadedtheirlaunchers,andwaitedfortheorderfromtheon-scenecommander.

“How’sthewind?”Midasyelledtothem.

Oneofthemenlookedbackoverhisshoulder.“Windisgood.Thegaswill

pushoutacrossthepark.”“Allright,threecans

fromeachofyouintothecrowd.”

Bothmenfired,thecanisterspoppedoutofthelauncherandarcedabovethegate,hittingnearthecenterofthemassivecrowdoutside.

Moredebrisflewoverthewallnow,asifitwasadirectresponsetotheteargas.Thissalvocamefromaposition

fartotherightofthefrontgate,andtwooftheprojectilesspinningthroughtheairwereclearlyburning.

ThesewereMolotovcocktails;justthetwoatfirst,thenmoreflewintotheLighthouseforecourtfromtheoppositesideofthegate.Theystreakedthroughtheairoverthewall,crashingintothedrivewayandintoasmallrockgardeninfrontofthe

parkingcircle,explodinginburningfuelandshardsofglass.

BlacksmokestainedtheairovertheflightpathoftheMolotovs.

Thegrenadelauncherspoppedagain,thistimefiringtheforty-millimetershellsoverthewallsnearwheretheMolotovswerethrown.

“Shit,”Midasmumbled.Withtheadditionofthe

homemadebombs,thishadsuddenlygraduatedintoalethalattack.Theprotesthadbecomeariot.Hehadnineteenmenherewithhim,andmostofthemwerearmedwiththeequipmentandtheexpertisetobringalotofpaintotheattackers,buttheDeltaForceofficerhadtheresponsibilityofnotmakingthisincidentanyworsethanitalreadywas.

ThethreesecuritymenwhohadjustmadeitupfromthegateallturnedaroundandraisedtheirAK-74riflesbacktowardthegate.

Midasyelledatthem,“Holdfire!”

Theydidasordered,butastheprojectilescontinuedtoraindown,andtheprospectsforgettingoutofthecompounddiminished,Midasknewthemen’strigger

fingerswouldbetwitching.ThemenfiringtheM79

launcherseachsentathirdgasgrenadeoverthewall.Astheyreloadedafourthtear-gasroundintotheirweapons,therewasaloudcrackletothewest,ontheoppositesideofthebuilding,farpasttherearwallofthecompound.

Themenoutsideintheparkingcircleduckedloworsoughtcoverbehindthesix

vehicles.Theyallrecognizedthesoundofautomaticgunfirewhentheyheardit.

Midascalleduptotheroof,“Mutt,talktome.”

Therewasadelaybeforeheanswered.“Uhh,waitone,boss.”Therewasanothershortpause;Midashopedthatmeantthetwomenweremovingtocover.Secondslaterheheard,“Wearereceivingsmallarmsfromthe

west.It’seithercomingfromthehillsoroneofthebuildingsoverlookingourpos,becausewe’regettingbulletstrikesuphereontheroof.We’verepositionedbacktoaspotbetweenthestairwellandtheACunit.Ithinkwe’vegotcoverherefornow,butwe’renotgoingtobeabletogetathree-sixtyviewoftheareafromrighthere.”

KeithBixbyhadmovedtothesecondfloor,toanofficeabovethelobby.Helookedoutawindow,pastabalcony,andthenbeyondthefrontwalloftheproperty.Thecrowdhadthickenedtomorethanonethousand,andtherewasachaostothescenenowthatasmallamountofteargashadbeendroppedinthemiddleoftheaction.Butalthoughriotersranaroundin

alldirectionstogetawayfromthegas,thestreetswerestillchokedwithathickmassofhumanity.

TheCIAstationchiefraisedthewalkie-talkietohismouth.“Midas,wecanforgetaboutdrivingoutofhere.Withthatgunfireandallthepaxontheroad,we’regoingtoneedairsupportandextraction.”

Midasspokecalmlyinto

hisradio.“Iagree.Everyonebackinside.We’llhavetogototheUkrainianAirForceforairextract.”

Clark,Chavez,andCarusobailedoutoftheirSUVsalongwiththeothers,andeveryoneranbacktothebuilding.Afewcracksofdistantriflescouldbeheardoverthenear-constantcrashingofdebrislandingallaroundtheproperty,thrown

overthreeofthefourwallsbytheangrycrowd.

Onceeveryonewasbackinsidethethree-storybuilding,Midassentmentocoverthecompoundfrombalconies,positioningtwoorthreearmedmenfacingeachdirectiononthehigherfloors.Hethenranupthestairstotherooftogetafirsthandlookatthecoverhistwomenwereusingtostayoutofthe

lineoffire.TheLighthousehadone

riflesuitableforlong-rangeshooting,asemiautomaticAR-15withanine-powerscopeandabipod.ItwasaDeltaweapon,butthebestlong-rangeshooterinthebuildinghadbeendeterminedtobeRex,theheadofthesix-mansecuritycontractorteam.Beforegoingintoprivate-sectorsecurity,Rexhad

servedfirstasascoutsniperintheMarineCorpsandthenasasniperonSEALTeamTen.MidasmadesureRexandthescopedriflewereinagoodpositionontheroof,withMuttstayinguptospotforhim,andthentheDeltaofficerreturnedtothegroundfloor,wherehepositionedhismenwiththetear-gaslaunchersbythefrontdoorsotheycouldstepoutunderthe

porticoandfiregrenadesatthegateifneeded.“Anybodytriestocomethroughthatgate,youletthemhaveit.I’vetoldthemenupstairsnottofireonthecrowdunlesstheyIDweapons,soifunarmedriotersclimbthefenceorsmashitin,it’suptoyoutokeepthemback.”

Bixbyappearedfromthestairwellandheheldhissatphoneup.“I’monthephone

toLangleynow.WashingtonisintheprocessofgettingtheUkrainianAirForcetosendinanairextraction.”

Midassaid,“Worksforme.”

Justashesaidthat,acallcrackledoverthewalkie-talkie.“Mandown!Mandown!”Oneofthesecurityofficers,positionedinatwo-manteamonasecond-floorbalconyfacingtowardthe

gate,hadbeenhit.MidasracedpastBixby

forthestairstoevaluatethestatusoftheinjuredoperator.

P40

residentJackRyanhurriedintotheconferenceroomof

theWhiteHouseSituationRoomatsevena.m.,wearinganopencollarandablazerhe’dbeenhandedbyanaideonhiswalkoverfromthe

residence.He’dbeennotifiedahalf-hourearlierintheresidencethattherewasasituationinvolvingAmericanmilitaryandintelligencepersonnelinUkraine,andSecDefBurgesswasaskingforanurgentSituationRoommeeting.

Jackwassurprisedtofindtheconferenceroomwasemptyofsenioradvisers.Yes,thereweresomeWhite

HousemilitarypersonnelandSituationRoomstaffinattendance,aswellassomeseniornationalsecuritystaff,butNSAdirectorColleenHurst,DNIMaryPatFoley,CIAdirectorJayCanfield,andSecretaryofDefenseBobBurgesswereallonmonitors,speakingfromtheirrespectiveoffices.TheU.S.ambassadortoUkrainewasonamonitorfromKiev,and

SecretaryofStateScottAdlerwason-screenfromasecurecommunicationsroomattheU.S.embassyinBrussels.

Jacksatattheendofthetable,thenmotionedtothemenandwomensittingalongthewall.“Comeon,thisisridiculous,fillupthetableherewithme.”

Quickly,severalintelligenceandmilitaryadviserstookseatsatthe

tablethatwasnormallyusedjustforthePresidentandhisseniorstaff.Afteralltwelveremainingseatswerefilled,therewerejustafewjuniorpersonnelstillseatedagainstthewalls.

Jacklookedatthebankofmonitorsdisplayinghiscabinetmembers,andhefoundtheCIAdirectoronthefarleft.“Allright,what’shappeninginUkraine?”

JayCanfieldsatinMcLean,Virginia,ontheseventhfloorofCIAheadquarters.Hesaid,“Mr.President,wehaveaspecialmissioncompound,essentiallyaSIGINTlisteningpostinSevastopol,Crimea.ItscodenameisLighthouse.LikemuchofourinfrastructureinUkraine,itwascompromisedintheaffairwiththeSSUearlierin

theweek,andwewereintheprocessofshuttingitdown.Therewerealotofsensitiveelectronicsthatneededtobedisassembledandhauledoutofthere,soittooksometime.Unfortunately,themenattheSMCdidnotvacatebeforewordoftheLighthousebroketotheopposition,andnowtheyappeartobeunderattack.”

“Whatdoyoumean

‘appeartobe’?”“Therewasaprotestfora

coupleofhours,itgotbigger,rougher,butinthepasthalf-hourariothasbrokenoutandtheLighthousehascomeundersmall-armsfirefromthenearbyhillsandbuildings.Wehavereportsofsomeinjuriestoourpersonnel,thoughnofatalitiesasofyet.”

“Whoisthereinthefacility?”

Canfieldreplied,“Normally,attheLighthousethereisjustafour-manJSOCteam—Deltaguys,thatis—alongwithfourCIAtechnicalpersonnelandahalf-dozensecurityofficers.Usually,thisissupplementedbyUkrainiansecurityandintelpersonnelaswell,butnotatpresent.Unfortunately,thechiefofstationandtwocoveredcaseofficersfromKievwerethere

tohelpclosethefacilitywhentheattackstarted.”

“ThisisthatBixbyguyyoumentionedtheotherday?”

“KeithBixby.Yes,Mr.President.”

“Andtheycan’tdriveoutofthere?”

“No,sir.Theysaythestreetsareblocked,thegunfireissteadyenough,andthelocalcopsarejust

watchingitallhappenfromupthestreet.”

“Sonofabitch.Whoisdoingtheshooting?”

Burgesschimedinonthis:“Therearereportsofirregularforcesinthearea,thoughatthispointwecan’tbesure.”

Ryansaid,“WeneedtotalktotheUkrainiangovernment.”

ScottAdlerspokeup:

“TheUkrainianpresidentisawareofthesituation,andhehasorderedUkrainianAirForcehelicopterstopickuptheAmericans.Theyareenroutetoaforwardstagingareanow.”

“Good,”Jacksaid,buthecaughtanuncomfortablelookontheUkrainianambassador’sface.“Isthereaproblemwiththat,Arlene?”

AmbassadorArlene

Blacksaid,“Mr.President,heisasking—Ishouldsayheisdemanding—thatyoucallhimpersonallytorequesttheextraction.”Blackshrugged.“YouknowKuvchek.Heisashowboater.”

Thereweregroansintheroomfromsomeofthejunioradvisers.

RyanjustlookedbackoverhisshoulderatoneoftheSituationRoom

G

communicationsstaffstandingbythedoor.“GetKuvchekonthephone.I’llmaketherequest.He’sajerk,butthisisnotimetostandonprotocol.I’llkisshisassifthat’swhatittakestogetourpeopleoutofthere.”

—unfireintotheCIAcompoundknownas

theLighthousewaspicking

up;windowshadbeenshatteredonallsidesofthebuilding,indicatingthefirewascomingfromalldirections,andtheroofwaspockmarked,revealingthefactthatatleastsomeoftheshooterswerefiringfromhighpositions.Sofar,noneoftheAmericanspositionedonthebalconiesorontheroofhadmanagedtopositivelyIDanyoneinthecrowdorinthe

neighboringhillsandbuildingsdoingtheshooting.

SmallfiresfromtheMolotovcocktailsthrownoverthewallburnedaroundtheproperty.AgroupofgarbagebarrelsonthesouthsideoftheLighthousewasfullyengulfedinflames,andgrassalongbothsidesofthedrivewaysmoldered.

OneoftheDeltamenonthesecondfloorhadbeen

shothighontheshoulder,snappinghiscollarbone,andasecuritycontractorhadtakenaricochetroundintothebackofhishand,breakingbonesandtearingflesh.AlthoughbothmenhadbeentakentotheLighthouse’sinfirmary,theywerebeingtreatedwithasmalltraumakitonthechestrigofoneoftheDeltaoperators,becausethefirst-aidboxeshad

alreadybeenloadedintooneoftheDeltaForceYukonsthatnowsatexposedtofireontheeasternsideofthecompound.

Rex,thecontractorontheroofwiththescopedrifle,scanneddistantrooftopsandbalconiesthroughhisnine-poweroptic,searchingforsnipers.Thiswasaslowprocess,becausehehadtolow-crawlunderanair-

conditioningunittolookindifferentdirections.Muttwastherewithbinoculars,buthe,too,seemedtoalwaysbefacingawayfromthesourceofgunfirewhenitcame.Theygotthedistinctimpressionthesniperfirecominginwascoordinated,anddoneforthepurposeofkeepingheadsdown.

ADeltamanonanupstairsbalconytookaround

intothesteelplateonhischest.Hispartnerdraggedhimbackintoanofficeandcheckedhimout,thenreportedintoMidas.

MidaswasinthecommunicationsroomonthesecondfloorwithBixbywhenhereceivedthisnews.HelookedtotheCIAman.“Thisfireistoodamnaccuratetobecomingfromacoupleofuntrainedcivilian

assholes.”Bixbynodded.“We

couldbelookingatlocalSWATorUkrainianArmydesertersorFSB-trainedirregulars.”Headded,“Hell,itcouldevenbeSpetsnazthatcameovertheborderfromRussiaonadestabilizingmission.Makenomistakeaboutthis,whoeverisouttheremightverywellbelookingtooverrunthis

installation.”JohnClark,DingChavez,

andDomCarusoappearedinthedoorway.Clarkasked,“WhatdoyouguyshearfromLangley?”

Midassaid,“Expeditedhelosareontheway.We’vegottwoUkrainianAirForceMi-8sinboundtopickusup.ETAtwentyminutes.”

Carusosaid,“Anythingyouwantmetogetoutofthe

A

vehiclesbeforewegetoutofhere?”

Midasshookhishead.“We’regoingtotossC-4anddemoeverybitofthatassoonaswetakeoff.Idon’twantanyonegoingoutsideuntilwehavesomeaircover.”

—fewminuteslater,Clark,Chavez,andCarusostood

inthesmalllobby,watching

theoccasionalMolotovcocktailarcoverthewallandexplodeontothegroundintoaragingfireball.Thegunfirethatcrackedaroundtheneighborhoodstillseemedtobecomingfromalldifferentdirections.Noonewasmanningthefrontgatenow;thesecuritycontractorswereallaboveonthebalconieswiththeCIAmenandtheDeltaAFOpersonnel.

Acrowdofriotersinciviliandress,virtuallyallofthemappearingtobeyoungmales,pressedagainstthelockedirongate,butsofarnoonehadtriedtobreachthecompound.

ThephoneinClark’spocketrang,andhesteppedintothestairwelltofindaquieterplacetotalkbeforeansweringit.

“Clark.”

“Hey,Mr.C.ThisisSam.”

“What’sup?”“Gavinhasbeentracking

theGPStransmittersweputonthesuspiciousvehiclesyesterday.Twoofthemleftthecityaboutfoura.m.,butwehadnoideawheretheywereheading.NowGavinthinkshe’sfiguredouttheirdestination.”

“Wherearetheygoing?”

“Sevastopol.Theywillgetthereinaboutanhour.”

“Interesting.IhadafeelingthisattackinvolvesgoonsfromtheSevenStrongMen.Thatprettymuchconfirmsmysuspicion.”

“Youneedusontheway?Wecanheadtotheairportnow,chartersomethingtogetusdownthereonthedouble.”

Clarksaid,“No.You

guyskeepdoingwhatyou’redoing.We’repinneddowninhere,butairextractisenroute.Don’tknowwheretheheloswilltakeus,butwhenwelandI’llletyouknowifweneedhelpgettingbacktoKiev.”

“Rogerthat.Youguyskeepyourheadslow.”

—stheextractionneared,the

AarmedmenintheLighthouse

spenttheirtimescanningforanytargets

inthesurroundingbuildingsandhills.Withoutaweaponintheirhands,thethreeCampusoperatorsfeltsomewhatuseless,juststandingaroundwaitingtogetflownoutofdanger,butthischangedwhenanothercallofa“mandown”cameovertheradio.DingandDom

racedupthestairstothethirdfloorandfoundaCIAtechnicalofficerwhohadbeeninaninteriorhallwaywhenaluckyroundpenetratedabalconywindow,thenaninteriorwall,andfinallylodgeditselfinthecenterofhischest.Themiddle-agedmanwasunresponsivewithhiseyeswideopenwhenhewasfoundbyacontractor,and

DingandDomspentseveralminutestryingtogetthemanbreathingagain.Butthebullethadshreddedhisheart,andtherewasnothingtheycoulddoforhim.TheyhelpedtwootherCIAtechsdragthebodydownstairs—aslow,difficult,andexhaustingtask—andthentheyputhiminabodybag,positioninghimbythefrontdoorsotheycouldgethimon

T

theheloquicklywhenitlanded.

—hetwofatgrayMi-8helicoptersapproached

fromthenorthjustafterthreep.m.ThemenontheroofnotifiedMidas,whoimmediatelybeganpullingoperators,contractors,andCIApersonnelfromtheirpositionsonthebalconiesand

orderingthemdowntothelobby.Thetwowoundedmenwerehelpeddownthestairsandpositionednexttothebodyofthefallentechnician.

Midasspokedirectlywiththepilotsofthehelosandwarnedthemaboutthesporadicincomingfire,andtheUkrainians’Mi-8sflewinwiththeirsidedoorsopenandtheirmountedmachinegunsscanningforanythreats.But

asMidaswatchedthemapproach,hethoughttheydidn’tseemascarefulastheycouldhavebeen,consideringthedanger.Theyflewclosetogether,directlyovertheriotinthepark,andmadejustoneslowcircletosearchforthreatsbeforeoneofthecraftbegandescendingtowardtheLighthouse.

Midasgottheimpressionthehelopilotsthoughtjust

theirmerepresencewoulddiscourageanyonefromfiringwhiletheywereintheairabovetheinstallation,andMidasradioedawarningtothemthattheywereapproachingahotLZandneededtoactaccordingly.

Hesawnochangeinthetacticsinthehelicoptersabove.

Therewasonlyenoughroombetweenthevehicles

parkedintheparkingcircleinfrontoftheLighthousebuildingandthefrontwallofthecompoundtosafelylandoneheloatatime,sothefirstUkrainianAirForceMi-8descendedwhiletheothercircledabovetoprovidecover.

Foramoment,therewasnogunfire;itevenseemedtheshoutsofthecrowdsoftenedasthegrayhelocameinfora

landing.IntheCIAbuilding,Midasopenedthelobbydoor,andheandBixbysteppedoutundertheporticosohecouldtalkthehelodown.

AstheMi-8descendedbelowfourhundredfeet,rightbeforetheeyesofMidasandBixby,abrightspeckoflightappearedovertheeasternwalloftheLighthouse.Itracedupfrombetweentwoapartmentbuildingsonthefar

sideoftheparkinfrontoftheCIAcompound.Itshimmiedintheairasitclimbedintotheblueskytowardthehelicopter.

SomeoneonboardtheMi-8eithersawitcomingorelsethepilothadsomesortofonboardwarningindicator.Thehelobankedhardtotheright.BixbyandMidasbothsawthedoorgunnerflybackinsidethecabinoftheaircraft

asitspunaway,tryingtogetoutofthelineoffireoftheascendingrocket.

Therocketracedjustpastthetailrotorandshotharmlesslyskyward.

Butnotthesecondone.Thesecondspeckoflightontheblueskyalsoappearedfromtheeast;themenintheporticodidnotseetheoriginofthelaunch,butitroseconfidentlyuptotheheloand

slammedintoitsbody,justaftoftheopensidedoor.

Theinitialexplosionwasn’tmuch,butalmostimmediatelytherewasasecondaryexplosionthatblewoutthesidesoftheMi-8andthenshreddedtherotorstopieces.Centrifugalforcefiredmetalfromtherotorbladesmorethanhalfamileinalldirections;theburningwreckagefellthreehundred

feettowardthegroundandslammedintothecenterofthepark,rightintoaclusterofrioters.

AfireballbillowedupoverthewallsoftheCIAcompound,andapillarofblacksmokeroseoutofithigherintothesky.

TheoneremainingMi-8helicopterneverfiredashot.Ithadbeencirclingatonethousandfeet,butseconds

afterthefirsthelohitthegroundthesecondturnedtothenorthandracedaway.

TherewereshoutsandexclamationsandcursesallovertheLighthouse,butneitherBixbynorMidasspokeforseveralseconds.ThentheCIAstationchiefsaid,“I’llcallLangley,”andhesteppedbackinside.

P41

residentJackRyanlearnedabouttheUkrainianhelicopter

crashatthesametimeastherestofthemenandwomenintheSituationRoom,justthreeminutesafterithappened.Theconferenceroomandthe

wallmonitorsinfrontofRyanwerefullofmenandwomenconferringwithoneanother;hesawthepainedandfrustratedlooksofthosewhowerescramblingtocomeupwithabackupplanonthefly.Someofthesemenandwomen—militaryofficers,diplomaticpersonnel,intelligencetypes—hadthemselvesbeeninharm’swayintheircareers,andJack

knewthatdespitethisdevastatingsetback,hedidnotneedtostressthatthefullforceandweightoftheUnitedStateswouldbeemployedtogettheLighthouseevacuated.

JackRyanexcusedtheU.S.ambassadortoUkrainefromherremoteattendanceinthemeetingsoshecouldgetonthephonewiththeUkrainianstopressurethem

totryandgetgroundforcestotheLighthouse.WhenRyanspokewithUkraine’spresidentafewminutesearlierhehadsaidhe’dbeeninformedbythemilitarythatallgroundforcessuitableforarescueintheareahadbeenmovedtotheRussianborder,soJackdidnotholdoutmuchhopeforaconvoyofarmortocometotheaidofthebeleagueredCIAinstallation.

Still,hedidnotwanttotakeanyoptionoffthetable,soheinstructedhisambassadortodowhatevershecouldtotryandmakethishappen.

AdigitalmaponthewallshowedthenationofUkraineandthepositionofthefewU.S.forcesthere,andeveryoneintheroomhadtheireyesgluedtoitwhiletheytalkedoveroptions.Discussionsamongthosein

attendanceintheSituationRoomturnedargumentativequickly,butRyanbroughtthefocusbacktothetaskathand.

PresidentJackRyanheldmanytitles,butatthismomenthewastheNationalCommandAuthority,theonewhohadtomakethetoughcalls,andtodothat,hedamnwellneededhisexpertsfocusedontaskandfeedinghimthebestinformationas

quicklyandefficientlyaspossible.Jackwasnolongeramilitaryofficer;hewasnolongeranintelligenceofficer.Hewasanexecutive,anditwashisjobtokeepthesituationorganizedsotheproblemathandcouldbesolved.

Asanotherheateddiscussionbrokeout,thisonebetweenaWhiteHouseassistantNationalSecurity

CouncildirectorandanavaladvisertotheJointChiefs,Ryansilencedtheargumentbyraisinghishand.Hethenlookedupatthemonitorsonthefarwall.“IwanttohearfromBurgessandCanfieldonly.Theremusthavebeensomepreparationsmadeincasethislocationwascompromised.Whatcontingenciesdowehavesetuptogetourguysoutofthe

Lighthouseincaseofattack?”

Burgesssaid,“WedohaveDelta,Rangers,andArmySpecialForcesinUkrainerightnow,buttheyaredispersedalloverthecountryinpreparationfortheRussianattackandarenotpreparedtooperateasaquick-reactionforce.WehaveacoupleofArmyBlackHawksataUkrainianArmy

baseinBilaTserkva,youcanseeitonthemapthereaboveSevastopol.It’safewhours’flyingtimetothenorth.WecouldputtogetheraQRFandsendthemdownrightnow,butthoseRPGsintheareamakelandingrotary-wingaircraftintheLighthouseextremelyriskyunlessanduntilwecangetsomesortofstandoffdefensedownthereinadditiontothehelos.”

CIAdirectorCanfieldhadevenfewergoodoperationsthanSecDef.“Mr.President,sinceUkraineisanally,ourcontingencyplansforgettingourmenoutofthereontheflyrevolvearoundlocalforcesprovidingaQRF.”

“Yeah,”Ryansaid,strumminghisfingersontheblotterinfrontofhimandthinking.“Thatdidn’twork

outsowell.”AMarineCorps

PentagonadvisertotheWhiteHouse,afull-birdcolonelnamedDial,halfraisedahandattheendofthetable.

Ryansawthegesture.“Colonel?”

“Mr.President,wehaveapairofV-22OspreyswithaMarinecontingentinLodz,Poland,doingsometrainingwithNATOforces.They

aren’taQRF,perse,buttheyareMarines.IcangettheOspreysandtwodozenriflemenairborneandenrouteinahalf-hour.Theflightdownwouldberoughlyninetyminutes.”

Ryanasked,“WhataboutdefendingtheOspreys?Iremembertheyhaveamachinegunontheloadingramp,butthatdoesn’tseemlikemuchagainstthethreat

that’sbeingdescribeddowntherearoundtheSMC.”

Dialsaid,“It’strue,theOspreysaren’tthebestplatformforlandinginahotLZlikethis.ButtheseparticularV-22shappentohavetheIDWS,InterimDefensiveWeaponSystem,it’sabellyturretgunattachedtoaFLIRandaTVcamera.It’soperatedbyagunnerinsidetheaircraft.”

“Isthatenoughfirepower?”ThelastthingRyanwantedtodowassendtwoflightcrewsandtwodozenMarinesintoharm’swaywithoutawaytodefendthemselvesintheair.

Dialsaid,“Mr.President,it’sathree-barrel,seven-six-two-millimetermini-gunthatrotatesthreehundredsixtydegreesandfiresthreethousandroundsperminute.

That,alongwiththefiftycalsonthebackramp,willbringalotofAmericanleadtothatfightonlandingandtakeoff.OnthegroundI’dputtwenty-fourUSMCriflemenupagainstfivehundredarmedriotersanydayoftheweek.I’dprefertohavemoregunsandplatformsthere,butconsideringthisisaninextremissituation,Ithinkthisisthebestwecando.”

“Bob,”Ryansaid,lookingtoBurgess,“makeithappen.IfwecangettheinstallationevacuatedbytheUkrainiansbeforetheOspreysgettherewe’llwavethemoff,butfornow,getthemenroute.”

Burgessnodded,turnedtohisstaffthereatthePentagon,andjustlikethat,theoperationwasunderway.

ButPresidentRyanwas

notsatisfied.“Ladiesandgentlemen,thatisourplanfortwohoursfromnow,butwearenotfinished.Fromthesereportsitdoesn’tlooklikethatinstallationhastwohours.IwanttoknowwhatwecandointhenextsixtyminutestokeeptheLighthousefrombeingoverrun.”

Burgessblewoutasighandheldhishandsup.

“Honestly,sir,ifwecan’tgetthelocalforcestohelpout,Idon’tknowwhatwecando.”

RyanlookedtoColonelDial,whohadnoanswer,either.

ButoneofDial’sassistantsattachedtotheWhiteHousewasayoungAfricanAmericanAirForcemajor.HesatagainstthewallbehindhiscolonelonRyan’sleft,andwhenDialfailedto

comeupwithanything,themajorturnedquicklytowardthePresident.Hesaidnothing;instead,heturnedbackawayandlookeddownathishands,butRyangottheimpressiontheofficerthoughthehadsomethingtooffer.

Ryanleanedforwardtoreadtheman’snametagonhisuniform.“MajorAdoyo?Somethingtoadd?”

“Iamsorry,sir.”Ryan

detectedaslightAfricanaccent.

“Don’tapologize.Scootuptothetableandtalk.”

AdoyodidasthePresidentasked,movinghischairnexttoColonelDial’s.Helookednervous,andRyanpointedthisout.

“Relax,Adoyo.Youclearlyhavemoreinterestintalkingthananyoneelseintheroomrightnow.Iwantto

hearwhatyouhavetosay.”“Well,sir...wehavea

squadronofF-16sfromthe22ndFighterSquadronoveratIncirlikAFBinTurkeyrightnow.That’sjustontheothersideoftheBlackSea.Iusedtobestationedtheremyself.It’slessthanatwo-hundred-fifty-milestraightshotuptothetipoftheCrimea.”

Thesecretaryofdefense

almostyelledattheyoungmajorthroughhismonitor.“We’renotgoingtobombanurbanpopulationinafriendly—”

PresidentRyanhelduphishand.Burgessstoppedtalkingimmediately.

“Continue,Major.”“Iknowwecan’tengage

thepeopleontheground,butifwehappentohaveaflightontherunwayorintheair

overIncirlikwithenoughfuel,wecouldhavefightersmakinglowpassesatnearsupersonicspeedsoverthatCIAcompoundthirtyorfortyminutesfromnow.”Heheldhispalmsuponthetable.“Imean...it’snosilverbullet,butthatmightkeepsomeheadsdownforawhile,anyway.”Hepausedagain.“Itisstandarddoctrine.HappenedallthetimewhenI

wasflyingA-10sinIraq.Ifyouneededtoprovidecloseairsupportbutcouldn’tdropordnanceduetotheproximityofnoncombatants,youdothenextbestthing.Flylow,fast,andloud.Makenoiseandrattlefillings.”

PresidentRyanlookedtoBurgess’smonitor.“Bob?Whythehellnot?It’ssomething.”

Burgessdidn’tlikeit.

“Wedon’tknowifitwillmakethecrowddisperseorthearmedattackersbackdown.”

“Whatdowehavetolose?CananyoneinthatcrowdoutsidetheLighthouseshootdownourF-16s?”

Adoyomuttered,“Nofuckingway.”Andthenhegasped,recognizingthathe’dansweredoutloudaquestionthathadbeenposedfor

SecDef,and,moreimportant,he’dcussedinfrontofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.

PresidentRyanlookedtoColonelDial.“MajorAdoyosays‘Nofuckingway.’Whatdoyousay,Colonel?”

“Well,weonlyknowforsurethattheoppositionhassmallarms.AfighterpassingoverheadpushingMach1isn’tgoingtogetshotdown

witharifleoranRPG,Icanpromiseyouthat.”

Ryanthoughtaboutthediplomaticimplicationsofthisforamoment,thensaid,“Let’sdoit.”HelookedupatScottAdlerassoonashefinishedtheorder,becauseheknewthesecretaryofstatewasn’tgoingtolikethisonebit.

Adlerspokefirst.“Mr.President,sendingin

unarmedorlightlyarmedtransportaircraftforanemergencyextractionisonething,butwhatyouaretalkingaboutisflyingfighterbombersovertheBlackSeafleet.TheRussiansaregoingtogonuts.”

Ryanreplied,“Iunderstand,andit’sourjobtodealwiththat.IwanttotelltheUkrainiansfirst,thenIwantyoupersonallyonthe

phonewithRussia’sforeignministerinthenexttenminutes.Ifyoucan’tgethim,getwhomeveryoucan.TellthemwewilloverflySevastopolwiththeblessingoftheUkrainiangovernment.TellthemweunderstandCrimeaissemiautonomous,weunderstandthisisRussia’sneighborhood,andweunderstandthisisprovocative.Butrightnow

ouronlyconcernisthesafetyofourU.S.personnelindanger,who,you’llneedtostress,areonlytherebecausetheyarepartofthePartnershipforPeaceprogram.

“Tellthemwewanttheirblessingforthis,butwewillaccepttheirpassiveacceptance.”Jackheldahandup.“Asamatteroffact,youcantellthemwewon’tpush

backiftheyraiseholyhellaboutitonTV,orlodgeaformalprotesttoNATOortheUNafterthefact.Butyoutellthemthatthisisgoingtohappen,anditisgoingtohappeninaboutahalf-hour.AnyinterventionbytheRussianswillescalateintosomethingneitherpartywants.”

Adler,America’schiefdiplomat,waspaidtothink

throughtheramifications.Hesaid,“TheKremlinwillwantsomethinginreturn.”

Ryanwasreadytodosomehorsetrading.“That’sfine.We’llremovesomewarshipsoutoftheBlackSeaorsomething,butnotuntilourpeopleareoutofharm’sway.Ifyouneedmeonthephonetotheforeignminister,orevenVolodinhimself,I’msittingrighthere.”

“Gotit,”Adlersaid.Ryancouldtellthesecretaryofstatewasnothappy.Hecouldn’thavebeenpleasedtoknowaCIAcompoundwasrunningundertheguiseofaNATOoperationinthefirstplace,whichgaveitadiplomatic-missionstatus.Thissortofthingwentonallovertheworld,butthediplomats,ofcourse,hateditwhenCIAinstallations

operatedundertheguiseofdiplomacy,becauseitjeopardizedlegitimatediplomaticinstallations.

RyanknewoncewordgotoutthisbuildinghadbeenaCIAfront,allovertheplanettotallyinnocuousStateDepartmentmissionswouldcomeunderintensesuspicionandscrutinybythelocalpopulation.

Butthatwasaproblem

foranotherday.Fornow,Adlerexcusedhimselffromthemeeting,knowinghehadtoperformsomediplomaticmagictokeeptheBlackSeafleetfromfiringonAmericanaircraft.

A

42

flightofU.S.AirForceF-16Falconsflewover

centralTurkeyinafinger-fourformation.Aroundthesejetsflewthreemorefour-aircraftflightsofF-16s,buttheseweren’twearingmarkingsoftheU.S.Air

Force,insteadtheirtailswereemblazonedwiththeredandwhiteflagoftheTurkishAirForce.Togetherallsixteenaircraftflewinasquadronformationaboveapuffysheetofwhiteclouds.

TheAmericanaircraftweremembersoftheU.S.AirForce’s480thFighterSquadron,theWarhawks,andalthoughtheywerebasedinSpangdahlem,Germany,they

hadspenttheweekhereinTurkeyaspartofaNATOtrainingevolutionwiththeTurkishAirForce.

TheflightleadfortheAmericanswasAirForceCaptainHarris“Grungy”Cole,athirty-year-oldNewYorker,andeventhoughallsixteenaircraftnowappearedtobeflyinginnear-perfectformation,Colehadexperiencedhisshareof

difficultiesabovethecloudsinthepastfewminutesgettingeveryonetogether.HisproblemsstemmedchieflyfromtheconstantstruggletounderstandthethickaccentsoftheTurkishflightleads.Butalthoughhehadtorequestseveralcommontransmissionsberepeatedsothathecouldbecertaineveryonewasonthesamepage,hegavetheTurk

pilotsapass,becausehedidn’tknowadamnwordofTurkishhimselfexceptfor“Birbira,lütfen”(“Abeer,please”)soiftoday’straininghadhingedonhisowncommandofaforeigntongue,allsixteenoftheseplanesinthistightformationwouldhavealreadyslammedintooneanotherinmidair.

JustasCaptainColebegantotransmitordersto

theTurkishflightleadersorderingthemtomaintainthispatternwhileclimbingtothirty-fivethousandfeet,acallcameoverhisradiofromIncirlikAFBorderinghimtopeelhisflightawayfromtheTurkishF-16sandbeginheadingnorthtowardtheBlackSeatoawaitfurtherinstructions.

Hereceivednootherclarification,otherthanthe

factthatthiswas“realworld”andnotanexercise.

TheBlackSeawasahotbedofactivityoflate,sincetheRussianBlackSeafleetbeganadrillthatpusheddozensoftheirwarshipsawayfromportandintodeeperwaters,butColecouldnotimaginehowhisfourfighter-bomberscouldbeanyhelpinthatloomingcrisis.

Justminuteslater,after

hisWarriorflighthadlefttheTurkishAirForcefightersbehindandproceedednorth,GrungyreceivedinstructionsorderinghimtodivertatbestpossiblespeedintoUkrainianairspaceoverthecityofSevastopol.

Cole’squitereasonablequestion,whetherornottheUkrainianshadclearedhisflighttoentertheirairspace,wasnotimmediately

answered.Heknewhe’dneedthat

clearancequickly.Tostresstheurgencyofthesituation,hetoldthecontrollerwho’dsenthimonthismission,“Beadvised,ETAtwenty-oneminutes.”

Thetersereplycameback.“Understood.Wearetracking.”

“Uh.Also...wemightwanttothinkaboutlettingthe

Russiansknowwhatwe’redoing.They’vegottheirownairdefensesovertheirfleetparkedrightthereinSevastopol.Howcopy?”

“Goodcopy,andwe’reworkingonthat.GeneralNathansanwillspeakwithyoudirectlyinamomentwithmoreinformation.”

Colewasalreadysurprisedbythisstrangeevent,buthearingthatthe

commandingofficerofthe52ndOperationsGroup,thefightercomponentofthe52ndFighterWing,wouldbedirectlyenteringhisheadsettotellhimabouthisflight’smissionmadethehaironthebackofhisneckstandup.

Somethingwasup,itwasbig,andGrungyhopedlikehellhe’dgettheclearancetoflyoverSevastopolbeforehewasshotdownbythe

Russians.Healsohopedsomeonewasexpeditingatankertotheareatogetinvolvedinallthis,becauseheandhisflightwouldneedfueliftheyweregoingtoflyuptoSevastopolanddoanythingmorethanflyrightbackhome.

WarriorflightwaswellovertheBlackSeabeforetheyhadmorecontextfortheirmission.Aspromised,

GeneralNathansanhimselfcameonaradiochanneltospeakdirectlytoCaptainCole.Hetalkedinarapidandfrankmanner,informingthecaptainaboutthesituationonthegroundinSevastopol,passingalongtheGPScoordinatesfortheLighthouse,andorderingColetooverflytheareaforaslongashehadfueltodosoandgetbacktoTurkish

airspace,whereaKC-135StratotankerwouldgasthemupforthereturntherestofthewaybacktobaseatIncirlik.

ColecomputedhisfuelquicklywhileNathansantalked.Thefouraircraftinhisflightwouldhaveenoughgasfornomorethanfourpasseseachoverthecity.Fromthewaythegeneralexplainedthesituation,allpartiesinvolved

werehopingfouraircraftmakingafewfly-byswouldsomehowbuytheAmericansunderattackonthegroundthehourtohourandahalfnecessarytowaitforairextractionbyMarineV-22s.

NathansantoldGrungytheyhadtheoverflightclearedwiththeUkrainians,andtheywereworkingwiththeRussians.ColeknewRussiahadairdefensesall

overSevastopoltoprotecttheport,andimmediatelydecidedhe’dhavehisflightapproachfromaneasterlydirection,theoppositedirectionoftheportofSevastopol,sothathewouldnotflydirectlyoveranyRussianshipsinport.

BeforeGrungyopenedhischanneltoexplainthesituationtotherestofhisflight,hebrainstormedthe

problemforamoment,tryingtothinkofwaystomaximizetheimpactoftheirattemptat“shockandawe.”Hecameupwithaquickplan,andthenrelayedinstructionstothethreeotherpilots.

“WarriorOhOnetoWarriorflight.Here’sthesitrep.We’regoingtoputonanairshowovertheBlackSeafleet.”

Heexplainedthatan

Americaninstallation—eventhoughtheirtransmissionswereencrypted,Nathansanhadnotuttered“CIA”—wasunderattackbyunknownforces,andtherewasconcernrioterswouldattempttopenetratethewalls.HetoldhisfellowpilotsthatU.S.personnelhadalreadybeenkilledandwounded,andtheywouldneedtoflylowandhotenoughtomakeaserious

impactoneventsontheground.

Hiswingman,CaptainJames“Scrabble”LeBlanc,asked,“ArewegoingtobeclearedhotfortheVulcan?”

Althoughtheseaircraftdidnothaveair-to-groundmunitionsontheirwings,anM61“Vulcan”twenty-millimeterGatlinggunprotrudedfromeachfuselage.Thegunswereloadedwith

explosiveshells,andcouldfiremorethansixhundredroundsperminute.

ButGrungythrewwaterontheprospectsforanygunrunstoday.“Negative.TherearegoingtobetoomanynoncombatantsintoosmallanareafortheVulcans.”

Pablo,WarriorThree,nextasked,“Sowe’resupposedtojustflyaroundandlookscary?”

T

Grungyreplied,“Wearen’tgoingtolookscary.We’regoingtobescary.”Andthenheexplainedtherestofhisrushedplantohispilots.

—hehelicoptercrashintheopenparkinfrontofthe

Lighthouseseemedtohavedispersedthecrowdnearthefrontgatetosomedegree.

Chavez,Midas,andBixbystoodjustinsidethelobbydoorsandlookedacrosstheparkingcircle,downthedrive,andthroughthemetalbars.Forthefirsttimeinthepasthalf-hour,thelargegroupofyoungmenthathadbeenstandingtherethrowingbottlesandbricksandincendiarydevicesontothepropertywasgone.

Wordhadfiltereddown

tothosetrappedintheLighthousethatapairofV-22Ospreyswereenroute,andinorderforthebigtiltrotorairplane-helohybridstobeabletolandwithinthewallsoftheLighthouse,themeninsideknewtheywouldhavetomoveeverythingoutofthefrontoftheproperty.Thiswouldcreatealandingpadaboutfortyyardssquare,givingoneOspreyjust

enoughroomtoputdown.Midasusedthethinning

ofthecrowdtogetseveralmenoutsidesotheycouldmovethevehiclesandpolicetheareaofdebristhatcouldbeblownaroundinthepropblast.Clark,Ding,andDomvolunteered,astheywerenotmanningweaponsonthehigherfloorsoftheLighthouse,andthey,alongwithKeithBixby,oneof

Bixby’smen,andMidashimself,eachtookasetofkeysandranouttothevehicles.

ThetwoHighlandersandoneoftheLandRoversweremovedquicklyandwithoutincidenttoagravelareaonthesideofthebuilding.ThesecondLandRoverwouldnotstart,butCarusousedafireextinguishertoputoutafireonthegrassnearby,thenhe

putthetruckingearand,withthehelpoftheCIAmen,pushedthefullyloadedvehicletothewalloftheLighthouseandoutoftheway.

BothoftheDeltaForceYukonshadbeenbadlydamagedbygunfire,andtheirwheelswereallflattened,sothedecisionhadbeenmadetouseoneoftheHighlanderstopushthetrucksoutofthe

W

way.DomgotbehindthewheelwhileChavezdirectedhimintoposition.

—hilethemenwereoutontheparkingcircle

andonthedrive,Rex,theAmericansharpshooterontheroof,layproneandfacingtheeast.Hescannedintentlyforanysnipers,whilehisspotter,theDeltamancalledMutt,

didthesamethroughhisbinos.Muttsawmovementontheroofofafour-storybuildingonSuvorovStreet,afewblocksaway,anddirectedthecontractorwiththeAR-15tothelocation.

Rexidentifiedtwomenthroughhisscopecrawlingalongtheroofofthebuilding.EachmancarriedanAK-47rifle.ThetwomenstoppedandaimedattheAmericans

onthedrivewayoftheLighthouse,soRextookashallowbreath,thenheblewitouthalfway.HebroughthisfingertothetriggerofhisAR-15andshotthemanontheright.Hissemiautomaticsniperriflemightnothavebeenterriblypowerful,butitwascapableofquickfollowonshots.Hefiredagainasecondlater,hittingthemanontheleft.

D

Bothgunmenontheroofinthedistancerolledaroundinagonyforamomentbeforedisappearingfromview.Rexdidnotknowifhe’dkilledeitherone,buthewasreasonablycertaintheywerenowoutofthefight.

—ominicCarusohadsuccessfullypushedthe

firstYukonoutoftheopen

areainfrontoftheporticowiththeHighlander,andnowhewasdrivingaroundtolineupwiththerearbumperofthelastremainingvehicle.Midas,Bixby,andfourothermenworkedtoputoutsmallfiresfromtheMolotovsandtoclearsomepiecesofdebrisofftheparkinglotinadvanceofthearrivaloftheOspreys.Theygrabbedrocks,bricks,andpiecesofmetaland

brokenglassandthreweverythingtothewallssothattherubblecouldnotbeblownaroundbythehugetwinrotorsoftheV-22whenitlanded.

Everytwentysecondsorsoacrackfromadistantriflefilledtheair,andoccasionallytheAmericanmenmanningrifles,eitherontherooforonthebalconies,wouldthemselvesreturnfireat

targetsinthedistance.Whenthishappened,the

menonthedrivewayduckedlower,buttheyhadnochoicebuttocontinuetoexposethemselvestothenearbybuildingswhiletheypreppedtheLighthousegroundsfortheinboundV-22s.

Theywereonlyhalfwayfinishedwiththistaskwhenanewsoundcameovertheshoutingofthecrowds.

ChavezwasdirectingCarusointheHighlanderwhenthewhistlingnoisecame;hedovetotheconcreteoftheparkingcircle,asdidtwooftheCIAtechnicians.ButthetwoCIAcaseofficersfromKievaswellasBixbydidnothitthedeck;instead,theyjustlookedupfortheoriginofthenoise.

MidaswasnearBixby,andhetackledthestation

chieftotheground;theybothcrashedonthecoldasphaltofthedriveway,andMidasrolledontopofBixbyasanexplosionrippedthroughtheairtwenty-fiveyardsbehindthem.Thewhistlingsoundofsupersonicshrapnelpassedjustovertheirheads.

Almostinstantly,anotherstreakingwhistlefilledtheairandanotherexplosionerupted,thisoneonthesouth

sideofthebuilding.WindowsintheLighthousebuildingshatteredandglassraineddownintotheparkingcircle.

“Eighty-twos!”MidasshoutedintoBixby’sear.

“Eighty-twowhat?”Midasrosetohisknees.

“Eighty-two-millimetermortars!GetintotheLighthouse!”HepulledBixbyallthewayuptohisfeet,andtogetherwiththe

CIAofficerstheystartedtorun.

ChavezandCarusofinishedmovingthelastYukon,thenranfortheentrancetothebuilding.Anotherroundcrashedintotheparkingcirclejustaftertheyreturnedtotherelativesafetyofthelobby,andshrapnelshatteredglassinthelobbywindows.

AssoonasMidasmadeit

inside,heshoutedintohisradio,“Mutt,youguysgetoffthefuckingroof!Iwantallothersecuritypersonnelrepositionedbackfromthewindowswiththebestlineofsightyoucangetonthecompoundwallsandthestreetsbeyond.Ifyouseeanyarmedtarget,thatincludesindividualsarmedwithMolotovs,bricks,rocks,whatever,youareclearto

engage.Wemightgetoverrun,butwearenotgoingdownwithcoldguns.”

“Rogerthat.Engaging,”oneofthesecurityofficerstransmitted,andwithinsecondsthesoundofriflefireeruptedasatargetinthestreetwasidentifiedandengaged.

Justthenacrashshooktheentirebuilding,andthesoundofbrokenglasscould

beheardonthefloorsabove.ItsoundedtotheDeltacommanderasifamortarroundhadhittheroofwherehistwomenhadbeenpositioned.

“Mutt?Youboysallright?”

Therewasnoresponse.“Mutt?Howcopy?”Theradioremained

silent.

M43

uttandRexwerebothdead.

Justasthetwomenhadleftcovertoruntothestairwell,aneighty-two-millimetermortarroundslammedontothetopcornerofthebuilding,andhot

shrapnelrippedthroughtheirbodies,killingtheminstantly.

TheywerefoundaminutelaterbythetworemainingoperationalDeltasergeants,andtheirbodiesweredraggedtocoverjustaninstantbeforeanothershellslammeddownontheroofoftheLighthouse.

Clark,Chavez,andCarusohelpedMidasgetthebodiesdowntwoflightsof

stairsandintobodybags.Itwasbackbreakingwork,andmortarfirecontinuedtoraindownontheLighthousegroundstheentiretime.

Assoonasthetwobaggedbodiesweredraggedtothefrontdoor,MidasturnedtotheCampusmen.

“ForgetwhatIsaidbefore.Youboysbettergetyourselvessomeguns.SameROEsaseverybodyelse.

Armedtargetsonly.Gotit?”“Gotit,”theyallsaid,

andtheyheadedupthestairstogetweapons.TheywerehappytofieldthenewHeckler&Koch416s.AsextensiveastheirfirearmsoptionswerewithTheCampus,thiswasthefirsttimeanyofthemhadfiredthestapleweaponofDeltaForce.

Midashimselfwentupto

thesecondfloorandenteredthelargeofficeareawithawindowthatgavehimaviewofthefrontgateofthebuilding,theparkwiththedownedhelicopter,andtheneighborhoodbeyond.Hescannedthedistancewithhisrifle,hopinghe’dgetluckyandspotthemortarposition.

Bixbywaswithhimnow,speakingintohissatphonetoLangley.“We’vegotinbound

C

mortarfire.EffectiveRPGandsmall-armsfireaswell.WehavemultipleKIAandWIA.ItlookslikewearebeingengagedbytrainedirregularforcesandpossiblyRussianmilitary.”

—havezkneltinanofficeonthesecondfloorof

theLighthouse;hiseyespeeredthroughthe

holographicsightofhisHK416rifle.Areddotwassuperimposedontheglasslensofthesight,andeventhoughthesightwasnotmagnified,hewasabletomakeoutindividualsrunningaroundonthestreetsinfrontofthefrontgate.

Hesawhisfirstweaponsinthecrowdwithinseconds.TwomenwithAK-47assaultrifleslowbytheirsides

pushedthroughthethickcrowdofangryrioters.

OnChavez’sright,DomCarusowasscanningadifferentsectorofthecrowd.Domsaid,“I’vegotadudewitharifle.Fifteenyardstotherightofthehelocrash.He’srightinthethickofallthenoncombatantsthere.”Domgrowledinfrustration.“Noshot.”

Dingsaid,“I’vegottwo

guyswithguns.Theyaremixedinwiththecrowdinthestreettothenorthofthepark.Theseguysareusingthecivviestogetrightuptothegate.”

Domsaid,“They’regoingtotrytobustthrough,aren’tthey?”

Chavezsaid,“Bustthrough.Climbover.Whatever.Yeah.Theyarecomingin.”

“What’sthisallabout?”Domasked.

ClarkenteredtheroomwithBixby.Theykneltdownbehindadesktostayoutofthelineoffireofanysnipers.Clarksaid,“I’vegotatheory.”

Bixbysaid,“Iwanttohearit.”

“TheRussianswanttooverrunthisplaceandbustaCIAoperationintheCrimea.

Theyaregoingtouseittojustifyaninvasion.”

Bixbysaid,“Theexistenceofthisplaceisn’tenoughtojustifyaninvasion,notevenforVolodin.”

Clarkpeeredthroughthesightofhisrifle.“Maybenotyet,butifTalanovdoesanotheroneofhisfalseflagattacks,likehedidwithBiryukovorGolovko,thenhecanblametheAmerican

interlopersforit.”Clarkadded,“Ifwecangetoutofhereanddemoourstuff,wewon’tmakeitsoeasyforthemtoframetheCIAintheirscheme.”

Bixbysaid,“Sowhatyou’resayingis,aslongastheyhaveusandourequipmenttouseasproof,wearejustasgoodtothemdeadoralive.”

“That’saboutthesizeof

it.”Aschoolbuspulledinto

viewonthefarsideofthepark.BothDingandDomtrackeditwiththeirweaponsasitcameuptheroad,pasttheburninghelicopterwreckage.Itbeganpickingupspeed;thedriverseemedtohavenoconcernaboutthemenandwomenprotestinginthestreet.Theriotersdoveoutofthewayofthe

acceleratingvehicle.Itwasquietinthe

second-floorofficeasthemenwatcheditapproach.Finally,Carusospokeinadeadpanvoice.“Righton,thisguyiscomingtosaveus.”Itwasanattemptatgallowshumor.Heknewthiswasn’tarescue—thisbusonlysignaledthebeginningofthenextphaseoftheattack.

ThebusslammedintotheirongateoftheLighthouse,smashingitin,eventearingsomeofthestonewallawayasitbrokethrough.Ittriedtokeepgoingupthedriveway,butDing,Dom,andseveralotherriflesinthethree-storybuildingallbeganfiringintothedriver’ssideofthewindshield,andthebusveeredsharplytotherightandcrashedagainsttheinside

wallofthecompound.Almostinstantly,apair

ofeighty-two-millimetermortarroundsslammedontheroofoftheLighthouseandthelightsinthebuildingwentdark.

Midaswassomewhereupstairs;hisvoicecameovertheradiosintheoffice:“Deploygasoverthewall.Everythingyou’vegot.Anyonewitharifle,Iwant

youtoputabulletintoeverymotherfuckerthatcomesontotheproperty.”

Dingreloadedhisrifle,andwhiledoingsohenoticedmenclimbingontothetopofthenorthwall,nearwheretheschoolbuscrashedinsidetheproperty.

“Dom!Teno’clock!”“Got’em,”Carusosaid,

andhefiredatthemenastheydroppeddown,killing

one,woundingonemore,andsendingathirdfallingbackoverthewallashetriedtogetoutofthelineoffire.

Moremenmountedthewallonthesouthernsidenow,gunfireintothecompoundpickedup,and,justwhenCarusosteppedontothebalconytogetalineofsightonthesouthside,severalincomingroundswhizzedbyhishead,making

ahigh-pitchedsnappingsound.

Domdroppeddownonhischest,butbehindhimheheardaloudgrunt.

ChavezandClarkspunaroundandlookedbackovertheirshoulders.

KeithBixbywasbehindthemattheentrancetotheoffice.Theysawhimstumblebackoutoftheofficeandintothehallway,wherehe

collapsedfacedown.“Bixby?”Clarkcrawledoverto

Bixbyonhishandsandknees,keepingoutofthelineofsightfromthedoorsouttothebalcony.HerolledtheCIAstationchiefonhisbackandfoundhiseyesunfixedandabulletwoundtothesideofhishead.

Clarkknewinstantlytherewasnothingthatcould

bedone.TwoCIAmenappeared

inthehallamomentlaterwithatraumakitfromoneofthesecurityofficersintheirhands.

Clarkgotoutoftheirway,returningtohisrifleintheoffice.DomandDingwerepronenexttohim.

“Thechiefofstationisdead,”Clarksaidsomberly.

Moremencameoverthe

wallsnow;firsttheymovedinonesandtwos.TothemenofTheCampus,theattackersdidnotlooklikeamilitaryforce.ClarkwasmorecertainthaneverthattheseguyswereSevenStrongMenmuscle.They’dbeentrainedtoshoottheirweaponsandtheyhadbeenorderedtotaketheCIAcompound,buttherealskillfacingtheAmericansinthecompoundwerethesnipers

surroundingthemandthemortarsquadspoundingthemfromadistance.ThosewouldbeRussianforces,perhapsFSBSpetsnaztroops,herewithorderstotaketheLighthousebeforethemenandmaterielinsidecouldbeextracted.

TheAmericansintheLighthousewouldhavebeenabletoholdtheseattackersbackwithnogreatdifficulty

ifnotfortheaccurateandpersistentsniperandmortarfirethatkepttheirheadsdown,keptmencrouchedbehinddesksandcouchesandinteriorwalls,preventedthemenfromgettingawidefieldofviewontheentirescene.ThethreeAmericanCampusoperators,thetwoDeltamenstillinthefight,andtheothermenwithrifleshadtomakedowithnarrowviewsfrom

positionsaroundthebuildingthatweresofarbackawayfromthewindowsandsoobstructeditwasararitywhenagunsightfoundatargetcomingoverthewallwithoutthegunnerhavingtoriseupandexposehimselftowitheringfire.

Still,afewminutesaftertheplainclothesattackersstartedcomingoverthewall,thedriveway,thegrasson

eithersideofit,andthetopofthewallwerelitteredwithdeadbodies.

Apairoftruckswithcanvas-coveredbedsappearednow,andtheyracedalongtheroadthatranrightinfrontoftheLighthouse,drivingrightthroughalowgraycloudofteargas.Atthegatethevehiclesbrakedsuddenly,andarmedmenbeganpouringoutoftheback

ofthem.Someofthemenranthewrongway,disorientedbythegas,butmostfoughtthroughthecoughingandhackingandthetearingeyes,andtheystormedtheLighthouse.

ThetenriflesintheLighthousebuildingbarked.Semiautomaticroundsraineddownonthenewgroupofattackers,whothemselvesfiredautomaticKalashnikovs

atthebuildingastheybeganrunningupthedriveway.

Fourmoremenscaledthewalltothenorth,ranacrosstheopengroundoftheparkingcircle,andmadeittotheporticoinfrontofthelobby—withoutbeingseen,becauseoftheactivityatthefrontgate.Thefourmenracedfortheentrancetothebuilding,butthetwoguardswhohadbeenfiringthegas

grenadesfromthefrontporticodrewtheirpistolsandopenedfireonthem.

Twooftheattackerswerekilled,andtheothertwosoughtcoverbehindaconcreteplanterattheedgeoftheportico.

Whilethegunfightwastakingplaceintheportico,anRPGracedparallelacrossthegroundoverthepark,headingdirectlytowardthe

Lighthouse.TheAmericandefendersonthetwoupperfloorswhosawitallpressedthemselvestighttotheground,buttherocketslammedintothenortheastcornerofthethirdfloor,strikingtheglassdoortothebalconyofaroomwheretwoCIAmenwerehunkereddown,watchingthenorthforanybreachesofthecompoundthere.Theshell

detonateduponhittingthedoor,sendingglassandshrapnelalongwithashockwavethroughthesmallroom.Bothmenwerekilledinstantly,andathirdsecuritycontractoronthefloorbelowwasinjuredwhentheceilingcavedinonhim.

Midasranforthestairwelltosupportthemeninthelobbyfromtheattack,andClarkranupthehallto

helpanyonecaughtintheRPGblast.

Chavezheardtheshootingdownstairs,andhefelttherumbleoftheexplosionabovehimandtohisleft.Ashereloadedhisrifleagain,hespokewithacalmthatbeliedthesituation.“Therearetoomanyofthem.It’sgoingtogethand-to-handhereinaminute.”

Carusofiredataman

racingupthedriveway,catchinghimintheforeheadanddumpinghimtotheground.

Heshoutedbackoverthesoundofhisweapon.“I’dratherfighttheminthestairwellthansithereandwaitforthenextmortarround!”

Anothertruckfullofattackersappearedinthedistance,onthefarsideofthe

T

park;itwasheadingtowardtheLighthouse,makingitswaythroughthethrongsofriotersonthestreets.

—hreemilesdueeastoftheLighthouse,Harris

“Grungy”Coleflewthefirstaircraftinatrailformation;eachplanewaslinedup,oneaftertheother,afewhundredyardsapart.Hegavea

command,andthethreeaircraftbehindhimbrokeofffromtheformation;WarriorTwowentright,WarriorThreewentleft,andWarriorFourfollowedTwototheright.Grungykepthisnoseontheblurofblacksmokedeadahead,andhepushedthethrottlepastfullmilitarypower.

Cole’splanwasforeachjettoflydirectlyoverthe

Lighthouseatnearlysevenhundredmilesperhour;eachmemberofWarriorflightwouldcomefromaslightlydifferentdirection,andhehadittimedsotheywouldarrive,oneaftertheother,aboutfifteensecondsapart.Thiswouldcreateaconstantwallofsound,andtheywouldtheneachmakeaturnandthenreturnforasecondpass,andthenathirdandafourth.

Ifitallworkedaccordingtoplan,theattackersonthegroundwouldhavenoideahowmanyaircraftwereoverhead,norwouldtheyhaveanyideawhatthejets’intentionswere.

He’ddesignedittobeaboutfourminutesofchaos,confusion,terror,andpoundingheadachesfortheriotersandattackers.

Thewarbirdswereonly

threehundredfeetabovetheground,racingatnearlyMach1,theirenginesroaringandflamingexhaustdrawingfaintsmoketrailsinthewakeofeachsingle-engineaircraft.

Grungysaid,“Allright,let’sbreaksomewindows.”

Atthespeedhewastraveling,therewasnowayGrungycouldtellwhatwasgoingoninandaroundtheLighthouse.Heonlyhadhis

waypointsetinthecomputer,andhekepthisnoselineduponatickmarkonhisheads-updisplay,keepingmuchofhisfocusonhiswarningsystemsandthehillsaroundthecitysothathecouldflyaslowaspossiblewithoutimpactingterrain.

Grungysawthehazeofdarkgetcloserandclosertohiswindscreen;evenhereatthreehundredfeetithadnot

diffusedcompletely,andwithinsecondsheracedthroughthesmokeandinstantlybrokethroughtoclearskytothewest.

Heknewhe’dflownovertheactionbecausehiswaypointindicatorsaidso,sohepulledbackonthethrottle,puttinghisaircraftintoabankthatcausedthelowerportionofhisG-suittofill,forcingoxygenatedbloodtoremain

inhisupperbody.

I44

ntheLighthouse,ChavezandCarusoclimbedbackupoffthe

floorandontotheirknees.Whenthefirstjetappearedintheskyinfrontofthemthey’ddroppedflatonthedeck,notknowingifitwas

friendorfoe.Theobscenenoiseofitsroaring,fire-belchingenginerattledthealreadybrokenglassoutofthewindowsinfrontofthemandassaultedtheirears,whichwerealreadyringingloudlyfromthegunfireintheenclosedoffice.

Theyhadcaughtaglimpseofthejetasitpassed,justadarkbluronthebluesky,andthenasecondjet

racedoverheadgoingsouthtonorth.Bythethirdhigh-speedoverflight,thisonefromnorthtosouth,themenintheLighthousehadagoodideatheseaircrafthadcometotryandkeeptheenemies’headsdown,andDingandDomdecidedtotakeadvantageoftheconfusionthatwasreigningoutside.

TheyopenedfireonmeninsidethewallsoftheSMC

who’ddivedforcoverorstoppedtoaimtheirweaponsatthesky.Aboveandbelowthem,manyoftheotherAmericansstillinthefightalsotooktheopportunitytothintheherdofarmedaggressors.

Whenthefourthjetappearedinthesky,tworocket-propelledgrenadeswerelaunchedfromrooftopsfartotheeast.

TheRPGsdidn’thaveaprayerofhittingatargetthatwastravelingamileeverysevenseconds;allthelaunchesdidwasrevealtheRPGlocationstotheAmericanriflesintheLighthouse.TwopositionsweretargetedimmediatelybyDeltashootersonthethirdfloor,sendingbothoftheRPGoperatorstocover.

Jetscontinuedtotear

throughtheskydirectlyoverhead.Dingcouldn’ttellifhewasseeingthesameplanesoverandover,butthenoiseandvibrationandtheverysightofthelightning-fastfightersweredoingwhattheyhadsetouttodo.TheattackontheLighthousehadallbutfizzledoutwhilepeopleonthegroundinaseveral-blockradiuswererunningfortheirlives,

desperatelyseekinganycovertheycouldfind.

ClarkshouldereduptoDingandDom.“Theguyswhostickaroundthroughthisaretheoneswhoareoperatingunderorders.FindsomeguystandinghisgroundandIbetyou’llfindaweapon.”

“Rogerthat,”bothmensaid,andtheyscannedtheareainfrontofthe

W

Lighthouse,searchingformoretargets.

—eshouldbechargingforthisairshow,”

Grungysaid,ashebeganhisthirdpass.

Pablo’svoicecameovertheheadsetinWarriorThree:“Ijusthopewe’regoingfastenoughsothosefuckersdowntherecan’tseewedon’t

haveanydamnATGordnance.”

BeforeGrungycouldkeyhismike,Scrabblereplied,“Youknowthosegroundpounderswillseeourair-to-airweaponsandthinkwe’recarryingnapalm.”Helaughedoverthenet.“TherearealotofRussiansshittingtheirbritchesdownbelow.”

Grungyansweredback,“We’regoingtogetalittle

lessscaryeachtimewepasswithoutdoinganything.”Hecheckedhisposition.“Allright,I’mgoingtogivethemonemorethrill.”

Grungyfinishedhisfourthpassamomentlater,pulleduptoflightleveltwothousand,andbeganheadingbacktotheeast,takingawaywardroutethatwouldkeephimfrompassingovertheport.

D—

omCarusoreloadedhisrifleand,whiledoing

so,tookamomenttogetaquickviewoftheentirearea.“Lookat’emrun,”hesaid.

Dingtookhiseyeoutofhisgunsightforamomentandtookinthescenehimself.Therewasamadscrambleofrioters;theyscurriedawayinalldirections.Menwithlit

Molotovsdroppedthemonthegroundandran;awomanwhohadbeenrenderingfirstaidtoabystanderinjuredinthehelocrashleftthevictimonthepavementintheparkanddartedacrossthestreet,disappearingintoanalley.

TherewereoveradozenmenincivilianclothinglyingdeadorwoundedinsidetheouterwallsoftheLighthouse;theclosesthadmadeitallthe

waytothedoorundertheportico.Anotherfifteenormoreattackershadretreatedbackoutthegatetocover.

Outsidethegate,fullyseventy-fivepercentoftheriotersandattackerswhohadbeeninfrontofthebuildingthreeminutesagohadnoweitherfledintobuildings,jumpedintovehiclesanddrivenaway,orotherwisevacatedthearea.

ThemenintheSpecialMissionCompoundhadnodoubtintheirmindsthatifnotforthearrivaloftheF-16s,whichhadscatteredmostoftheriotersoutsidethegate,thethree-storybuildingwouldhavebeenbreached.Andthemenstillaliveinthebuildingwouldhavebeenoverruninmoments.

Buttheearthshakingroarofthejetenginessubsided

almostasquicklyasithadstarted,andanuncomfortablestillcameovertheneighborhood.

MidasenteredtheroomwheretheCampusmenwerepositioned.Hesaid,“Youguysneedtobeready.Thatwasitfortheairsupportuntiltheextractgetshere.Thisisn’toveryet.”

Clarksaid,“Icanguaranteewewillgethit

again.Itmighttakethemaminutetoregroupandtotalkthemselvesintoit,butthey’llseethatthegunrunswerejustabluff,andtheywillbeback,pushingevenhardertofinishus.”

“Yousoundlikeamanwho’sbeenthroughthissortofthing.”

Clarkjustshruggedwithoutanswering.

Midasgotonhisradio

G

now.“Everybodyreloadanddowhatyoucantoimproveyourdefensivepositions.We’vegotforty-fiveminutesmorebeforeextractarrives.Thisshitisnotover.”

—rungywasoverthesealessthantwominutes

afterleavingSevastopol,andherehebankedtoasoutherlyheadingandslowedhisspeed

downtoconservehisrapidlydiminishingfuel.

Thethreeotheraircraftintheflightallcheckedinassoonastheywerefeetwet,andGrungystartedtorelaxalittle.

Butnotforlong.Theflight’saircontroller

cameovertheradiosoonafterGrungysettledintohisnewheadingtotheKC-135overtheTurkishcoast.

“WarriorOne,beadvised,RussianFlankers,flightoffour,inboundoninterceptcourse.Headingzerofivezero,angelsfiveandclimbing.”

Colemuttered,“Su-27s.Shit.”

Incirlikcamebackonthenetamomentlater.“WarriorOne,beadvised.Flankersexpressedtheirintentions.Theyaregoingtoconverge

withyourflightandescortyoubackovertheBlackSeatoTurkishairspace.”

Scrabbleheardthetransmissionandsaid,“Justtosaytheydid.”

Coleresponded:“Right.ThisshitwillbeonTVinRussia.They’llbetalkingabouthowtheyrepelledtheYankeehordes.”

Pabloadded,“Wedon’thaveenoughgasfora

dogfight.Iftheywanttoflyalongniceandstraightwithus,that’snotreallytheworstthingthatcouldhappen.”

“That’sagoodpoint,”Grungyadmitted.

Colebracedhimselfforatensehalf-hourflightoffuelworrieswhilebeingbabysatbyaflightofangryRussianpilotswhowerelookingtoflextheirmuscle.Hetoldhispilotsnottoworryaboutthe

Flankers,andhetoldhimselftomakesurehedidn’tdoanythingprovocative.TheexcitementoftheoverflightoftheimperiledCIAbasewasbehindhim,andnowwasthetimetoflystraight,slow,andboring.

Hejusthopedhe’dmanagedtobuythoseguysbackthereinSevastopolalittletime.

T—

hemortarattacksontheLighthousestartedup

againfifteenminutesafterthejetsdeparted.Clarkmadetheobservationthatitseemedclearthemortarsquads—fromtherateandcadenceoftheincomingshells,themenoftheLighthousehaddecidedthereweretwoteamsatwork—hadbrokendown

theirweaponsandsoughtshelterduringthelow-levelF-16runs,andhadonlynowreestablishedtheirpositions.

ThedefendersoftheCIAstationwerehunkereddowninsurvivalmodenow.

Midasorderedeveryonetomovedownstairstothelobbyandotherroomsatgroundlevel,becausethesniperfirehittingthesecondandthirdfloors,alongwith

mortarandrocketattacks,hadrenderedthetoptwostoriestoodangerous.Therewereonlynineable-bodiedmennow,andMidasdecideditwouldbebettertoconsolidateatgroundlevel,sohemovedmentoallsidesofthebuilding,positioningChavezandCarusoatthefrontdoor.

Hereatgroundlevelthemenweresaferfromthedistantshooters,butasa

resultofthedecisiontovacatetheupperfloors,they’dlostthemajorityoftheirvisualcoverageovertheneighborhood.

Themortarroundshadbeenhittingsteadily,twocrashingexplosionseveryminute,butthentheystoppedsuddenly.Soonafter,atruckraceduptotheentranceoftheproperty,madetheturnintothesmashedgate,and

beganstreakingupthedriveway.

Caruso,Chavez,andMidaswereallatthefrontdoorundertheportico,andtheyflippedtheselectorswitchesontheirweaponstothefullautomaticsetting.

ApairofRPGroundsimpactedthebuildinghighabovethemwhiletheydumpedroundafterroundonthetruck.Theyblewoutthe

windscreen,killingthedriver,andfiredintothegastanksofthevehicleuntiltheyignited.Thetruckveeredoffthedriveway,rolledoverthegrassonthesouthsideoftheproperty,andcrashedintothewall.

Assoonasitcametorest,armedmenleaptfromtherearoftheburningvehicle.DingandDomandMidasfiredonthem,butthe

vehicleeruptedintoaballofflamesthatengulfedseveralattackersbeforethey’devenbeguntheirattackontheLighthouse.

Burningmenranfromthewreck,rolledontheground,andflailedtoextinguishtheirburningclothing.

Asthemenintheporticoreloadedtheirweapons,themortarattackresumed.They

ranbackinsideandtookshelter.

Midassaid,“Soonenoughtheyaregoingtofigureoutthatalltheyhavetodoiskeepthosemortarsrainingdownuntiltheyareatthefrontgate.We’llbeinhereholdingourhelmetsinsteadofwatchingforthem,andwewon’tbeabletogetabeadonthenextvehicletillit’sontopofus.”

AfaintcracklecameoverMidas’sradio,andhebroughtittohisear.

“Sayagainlasttransmission?”

“Lighthouse,Lighthouse.ThisisSteadfastFourOne,inboundonyourpos,ETAtwomikes.Howcopy?”

MidaslookeduptothelowtileceilingofthelobbyandthankedGod.

“Goodfuckin’copy,

Marine!”DomandDing

exchangedahighfive,butamanpostedatoneofthewindowsinthelobbyshoutedthatattackerswereonceagaincomingoverthenorthernwalloftheSMC,sothecelebrationwasshort-lived.

V45

-22Ospreypilotsliketosaytheycanflytwiceasfastand

fivetimesasfarasahelicopter,andthoughtheaircraftisdifficulttofly,thosewhopilotthemareuniquelyproudoftheirstate-

of-the-artplatform.Thetwoaircraftarriving

overSevastopolweredesignatedSteadfastFourOneandSteadfastFourTwo;theyweremembersofTiltrotorSquadronVMM-263ofthe2ndMarineAircraftWing.Thesquadronhadbeengiventhecolorfulnickname“ThunderChickens”whenitwasahelicoptertransportsquadronintheKoreanWar

era,andthemonikerremainedwiththemthroughtheyearsastheymadethetransitionfromairframetoairframe.TheThunderChickenstransitionedtoatiltrotorsquadronin2006,andsincethentheyhadcarriedtroopsandequipmentintoandoutofcombatenvironmentsalloverIraqandAfghanistan.

Onthisinextremis

missionovertheCrimeanpeninsula,SteadfastFourOnecarriedeighteenMarineriflemen,aswellasaflightcrewconsistingoftwopilots,twogunners,andacrewchief.SteadfastFourTwocarriedsixMarineriflemenaswellasafive-mancrew.

Theaverageageoftheriflemeninthebackofthetwoaircraftwasonlytwenty-oneyearsoldand,aswas

oftenthecaseinthemilitary,noonetoldtheMarinesinthebackoftheOspreysthattheywouldbeevacuatingasecretCIAbase.NoonetoldtheMarinesinthebackoftheOspreysmuchofanythingotherthanthefacttheywouldbesweepingintoafluidcombatsituation,landinginsomesortofaU.S.diplomaticcompound,andextractingfifteentotwenty

Americanswhoweretakingfirefromallcompasspoints.

Andtheyknewoneotherthing.They’dbeeninformedonthewaydownthattheywereweapons-freeatthetargetlocation,whichmeanttheywouldgettoshoot,whichwasnice,consideringthey’dalreadybeeninformedtheyweregoingtobeshotat.

Thefirstpassesmadebythetwofataircraftweredone

inairplanemode;thebigrotorsonthewingsoftheV-22swerepointedforwardsotheycouldoperateasmassivepropellers.FourOneandFourTworacedoverthecityatonethousandfeetwithagroundspeedofmorethanthreehundredfifteenmilesperhour.Theattackersonthedeckdidlittlemorethanturntheirheadstowardthethunderingplaneswiththe

massiveprops.Mosthesitated;theyhadneverseenanOsprey,andtheyhadafeelingtheywerelookingatenemyaircraft.Thatsaid,thelastflightofenemyhaddonenothingmorethanflyaroundtheskybeforedeparting,somostoftheattackerswereundauntedbythearrivalofthesenew,strangeplanes.

Theturretgunonthebelliesofbothaircraftspunas

thegunnersinsidescannedthroughtheirFLIRmonitor,huntingfortargets,usingthecoordinatesgiventothembythemanontheotherendoftheradio.

TheturretgunwascalledtheInterimDefensiveWeaponSystem;itwasalateadditiontotheOspreydesign,givingthebigtransportaircraft360degreesofcoveringfire.Beforethe

installationoftheIDWS,theV-22shadtorelyonsupporthelicoptersandthesinglefifty-calibermachinegunfiredfromtheopenrearramp,whichgreatlylimitedthesurvivabilityoftheaircraftincombatoperations.

Therampgunnerwasonhiskneesbehindhisbigweapon,andhisheadsetkepthiminradiocontactwiththeturretgunner,andbothof

themwereincommswiththegunnersintheotherOsprey,aswellasthemancalledMidasonthegroundatthediplomaticcompoundviaaVHFchannel.Midashadspentthelastsixtysecondstalkingallfourgunnersthroughwherehethoughtthemortarfirewascomingfrom,andastheaircraftracedoverhead,allfourofthegunnerswerehuntingfor

thesetargets.Thegunnersknewthey

hadtotakeoutthemortarpositionsbeforelanding.AnOspreylandingisabig,fat,andslow-movingcreature,andanOspreyonthegroundisdamnnearhelpless,especiallywhenamortarcrewhashadhourstorangetheirweapontodropshellsexactlywheretheOspreywasparked,sothesebirdswould

notlanduntilthegunnerscouldtellthepilotstheyhaddestroyedthemortars.

Inordertodrivetheturretgunbelowhim,thegunnerinSteadfastFourOneusedahandheldcontrollerthatlookedlikeithadbeentakenfromavideo-gameconsole.HisFLIRcamerawasslavedtotheweapon’ssight,sowhenheturnedtheweaponleftandrightandupand

downwiththecontroller,hesawtheaimpointofhisthree-barreledweaponrepresentedascrosshairsinthecenterofhissmallmonitor.HesearchedanareaMidashadsuspectedasbeingoneofthemortarlocations,andalmostimmediatelyhisscreenrevealedatwo-manteamonabuildingtotheeastoftheMi-8crashsiteinthemiddleofthepark.

Themenshowedupasblack-hotsignaturesonthegreenscreen.Thegunneralsosawthehotmortartubebetweenthem.Withinmomentsofspottingthemortar,ablack-hotflashshowedthegunnerthattheeighty-twocrewwasfiringashelltowardthediplomaticcompound.

SteadfastFourOne’sturretgunnerpressedthefire

buttononhisweaponaninstantlater.

Belowhim,hangingoutofthebottomhatchoftheOsprey,thebigGatlinggunroared,smokeandfireshotoutwiththefifty-roundburst,andhotejectedshellspouredfromthesideoftheweaponlikeliquidfromafaucet.

Ontheroofofthebuildingthetwomortarmenwereblastedintothecreosote

tiles,theirbodiesshreddedintoanalmostunrecognizablestate.

Whilethiswasgoingon,thefifty-caliberrampgunnerinFourTwosawamanwithanRPGlauncheronastreetonthewesternsideofthecompound,andheopenedfire,rakingthestreetandthesideofthebuildingaroundwherethemanstood.Dustanddirtandbitsofthe

buildingfilledtheair,coveringtheentirearea,butwhenitsettled,theRPGlauncherwaslyinginthestreetandthemanwaslyingfacedownnexttoit,hislegsseveralfeetfromtherestofhisbody.

ThetwoOspreysflewanopposingracetrackpatternaroundtheentirearea,andthefourgunnersfoundindividualtargetsand

eliminatedthem.Thefifty-calibermachinegunsmountedontherearrampbuzzedastheyfired;spentbrasswentthroughalongrubbertubelikeadrainpipethathungloose,whippingofftheendoftheramp,andthenthebrasstumbledoutoftheend,fallingthroughthesky.

Afterthesecondlapofthepattern,mostallgunsandgunmenonthegroundhad

soughtcover,butthesecondmortarpositionhadnotbeenfound.Thepilotsofthetwoaircraftdiscussedgoingaheadwiththeextractionwithoutfindingthemortar,buttheydecidedtocontinuetheirracetrackpattern,givingtheirgunnersmoretime.

TheturretgunnersittinginsideSteadfastFourTwoID’dthesecondmortarpositiononthefourthpass

overtheneighborhood.Themortarwasinasmallparkinglotnexttoasteelwastereceptacle,andseveralcrateswerestackednexttoit,althoughnoobviouspersonnelwerearound.TheIDWSfiredonthearea,pulverizingthemortartube,thereceptacle,andseveralcarsparkednearby.

SteadfastFourOne’spilotthrottledbackonthe

nextpassovertheLighthouse.TheV-22slowedasitbankedbackaroundagain;itsairspeeddroppedquicklyasthewingswentfromverticaltohorizontalandthetiltrotorsbegantransitioningtohelicoptermode.WhileFourTwoflewcoverabove,FourOnecametoahoverovertheLighthouse.Thecrewchiefontherampoftheaircraft

leanedoutandlookeddown;nexttohim,thefifty-calgunnerspunhisweaponleftandright,readytorespondtoanythreats,andthechiefspokethroughhisheadsettothepilot,directinghimtojusttherightspottoputhisbigfatbirdontheground.

Whilethiswasgoingon,thesecondOspreycontinueditstightcircularpatternoverhead,itsturretgunner

searchingeverydoorway,rooftop,balcony,andclusterofcarsintheparkinglots,desperatetofindanydangersquicklyenoughtoneutralizethembeforetheykilledeitherhisairshiportheoneontheground.

SteadfastFourOnetoucheddown,buttherewasnoperceptiblechangeinitstwobigengines.Itwasn’tgoingtospooldownhereand

relax.AlleighteenMarinesinthebackoftheaircraftraceddowntheramp,theirweaponsoutinfrontofthem,thoughtheycouldseenothinginthedustbeingkickedup.Halfwenttotheleft,theotherhalftotheright,andtheyranonuntiltheyreachedthefrontgateandthewallsofthecompound.Themenatthegatetrainedtheirgunsintotheparkarea,andthemenat

thewallsclimbeduponwreckedvehiclesandotheritemssotheycouldgetalineofsightonthebuildingsandterrainoutsidethewalls.

TotheyoungMarinesnewtothescene,theneighborhoodaroundthiscompoundlookedlikeapostapocalypticghosttown.Bodieslayinthestreet,automobilessmolderedandburned,hundredsofwindows

inbuildingsallaroundhadbeenshattered.Caralarmsraged.ThewreckageoftheMi-8thathadcrashedinthecenteroftheparkwaslittlemorethanapileofashnow,butblacksmokestillbillowedfromit.

TheMarinesknewtherewerestillenemyforcesinthearea.Thecrackofasniperriflefiredfromadistancecausedriflesinthe

Lighthousetoreturnfire,keepingenemyheadsdown.

TheOspreyaboveidentifiedthesniperpositiononthebalconyofahotel,andthepilotturnedawayfromthelocationsotherampgunnercouldgetalineoffireonthearea.Hefiredseveralshortburstsfromhisfifty,killingthesniperandcausingtheotherarmedmenintheareatostanddown.

WhentheMarineriflemenwereinpositioninacordonaroundtheOsprey,themenstillaliveintheLighthousecameout.Everyable-bodiedmanwaseitherwieldingagunortendingtothewoundedordead.

DingandDomcarriedthebaggedbodyofCIAstationchiefKeithBixby,andJohnClarksteadiedtheciviliancontractorwhohad

takenaricochetthroughthebackofthehandhoursearlier.ClarkpassedthemanofftothecrewchiefoftheOspreyandthenstoppedatthebottomoftheramp.

Inhisnearlyhalf-centuryofmilitaryandintelligenceservicetotheUnitedStatesandNATO,JohnClarkhadclimbedaboardmosteveryaircraft,frompropeller-drivenairplanes,toturboprops,to

jets,andhe’driddenaboardmorehelicoptersthanhecaredtocount.

ButClarkapproachedtherearrampoftheOspreywithatightnessinhisstomach.

Tiltrotoraircraftmadesense,buttherewassomethingaboutthatmomentoftransitionfromhelotoairplanethatseemedaerodynamicallyunsoundtoJohnClark.

Nevertheless,asbadastheprospectofcrashingintothegroundinacraftwithalltheflightcharacteristicsofadouble-widetrailersounded,theverycertaintyofgettingsawedinhalfbyaRussianmafiagoonwithaKalashnikovifhestuckaroundhelpedhimfindthewherewithaltoputonebootinfrontoftheotherandboardtheOsprey.

Thirty-eight-year-oldLieutenantColonelBarryJankowski,callsignMidas,wasthelastoftheLighthousesurvivorstoboardtheaircraft.WhileathirdoftheMarineshadboarded,heandanotherDeltamanquicklysetchargesonthevehiclesnexttothebuilding.MidascoveredtheDeltasergeantholdingtheremotetriggerasheboardedSteadfastFour

One,andthenranuptheramp,turnedbackaround,andtookakneewithhisH&Kriflepointedoutinfrontofhim.Thefifty-calibermachine-gunnernexttohimreachedoutwithatetherlineandhookedittohisbodyarmor,andthenthecrewchiefcalledovertheintercomtothepilot.“Allaboardandclear!Go!”

Themassiveengines

roaredevenlouder,andtheaircraftpulleditselfupintothesky.

SteadfastFourOneslowlytransitionedtoairplanemode,thenbegancirclingtheareatoprovidecoverwhileSteadfastFourTwolandedtopickuptherestoftheMarines.OncethesecondOspreywasclearofthescene,theDeltasergeantpushedabuttonontheremote

detonatorinhishand,andthesixSUVswentupinafireballthatmorphedintoamushroomcloud.

ThetwoThunderChickensturnedtothenorthandracedaway.

Theentireextraction,fromthearrivaloftheOspreystotherelativequietthatenvelopedtheLighthouseafterthelastvestigesofrotornoiselefttheneighborhood,

tookonlyfiveandahalfminutes.

C46

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanwasathis

deskintheupstairsdenofhishomeinChatham,spendingthe

eveningcoloringsailboatswithcrayons.Intruth,hewasdoingverylittleofthecoloringhimself;hisfive-year-olddaughtersatinhislap,Sally’slittleheadandshouldershunchedoverhercoloringbook,attackingherartwithmoreintensitythanJackhimself

couldmusterforhisownworkatthistimeoftheevening.Jackhadtriedputtingheronthefloormorethanonce,buteachtimesheprotested,insistingonsittingatthedeskwithherdaddy.Jackknewhehadtopickhisbattles,andthiswasabattleSallywouldwin.Thetruth

washeenjoyedherbeingupherewithhim,althoughhedidtrytosneakafewglancesatamanuscripthewasworkingononhiscomputer.

Thiswasanotherbattlehewasdestinedtolose.Sheseemedtobeabletosensethemomentherdaddy

tookhisattentionawayfromhermasterpiece-in-the-making.

“Watchme,”shesaid,andJackdidsowithasmile.

WhileSallycoloredhersailboatsandwhileJacktriedandfailedtogetafewparagraphswritten,healsoturnedhis

attentiontimeandagaintohisphone.HehadanSTU,aSecureTelephoneUnit,complimentsoftheCIA,andthetelephone-lookingpartofthebigcontraptionsatonhisdesknexttohisprizedpossession,hisAppleIIecomputer.Hewasexpectingacallatany

timefromLangleyregardingthelistofnamesofemployeesandclientsoftheSwissbankthattheBritishhadgivenhimtheotherday,andasmuchasheenjoyedplayingwithhisdaughterrightbeforeherbedtime,hecouldnothelpbeingstressedaboutthefactthere

wasamanoutinthefieldanxiouslyawaitingthiscrucialintelligence.

Mercifully,CathysooncameintoJack’soffice,withatiredsmile.“GiveDaddyagood-nightkiss,Sally.”

“No!”Sallysquealed.Shewasfightingsleepalready;

gettingherinherroomnowwasgoingtoinvolvealittlescreamingandcrying,butbothJackandCathyknewthingswouldonlygetmuch,muchworseifshedidn’tgotobedrightthisminute.Cathypersevered,scoopedSallyupaftershefussedamomentmore

inherfather’slap,andthentookherofftobed.

Herlittlefitwasmercifullyshort-lived;Jackheardherchattingawayhappilywithhermommywhenshewasstillinthehallway.

JackputhisfingersonthekeyboardofhisApple,

readytoworkforafewminutesonhislatestbook,abiographyofAdmiralWilliamF.Halsey.Jack’snewApplecomputerwasstillamarveltohim.Themovefromtheelectrictypewriterhadn’tbeenaneasyone—therewassomethingofanannoyingplastic,

springyfeeltothekeysinsteadofthesatisfyingcrackoftheelectrictypewriter—butknowinghecouldmakelargeoruniversalchangestothetextofhismanuscriptwithjustafewclicksandstoretheequivalentofahundredormorepagesofhiswritingona

single5.25-inchfloppydiskmadetheoddfeelofthekeyboardmuchlessannoying.

He’dtypedonlyafewparagraphswhentheSTUtrilled.

Jackslippedhisplastickeyinthekeyholeinthefrontoftheunitandansweredthephone.

Acomputerizedvoicerepeatedthephrase“STANDBY,SYNCHRONIZINGTHELINE”overandoverwhileRyanwaitedpatiently.

Afterfifteensecondsandthewords“LINEISSECURE,”Ryananswered.

“Hello?”“Hi,Jack.”Itwas

AdmiralJamesGreer,directorofintelligencefortheCIA.

“Goodevening,Admiral.Sorry,IguessIshouldsaygoodafternoon.”

“Goodeveningtoyou.I’vegotsomepreliminaryinformationbackfromtheanalystsontheemployeeandclient

listsforRPB.”“Terrific.Ihaveto

say,though,Ididn’texpectyouwouldbetheonetocall.Didtheyfindsomethingsoearth-shatteringthattheDDIhimselfhadtopickupthephonetodeliverthenews,oramIbeingtoohopeful?”

“Verymuchthe

latter,I’mafraid.Theintelcametomydesk,soIthoughtI’dgiveyouacall.There’snothingherethat’sgoingtoblowanybody’sskirtupoverthere.Theemployeelistisabigzero.ThoseSwissbankersareaboutasexcitingas...Swissbankers.”

“That’swhatIexpected.”

“I’msuretheBritsalreadyknowthis,butTobiasGabler,themanwhowaskilledtheotherday,livedamonk’sexistence.Hewasn’tkilledforanythinggoingoninhispersonallife.”

“Whataboutthebank’sclients?Any

redflagsthere?”“Theclientlist

isn’tasshadyaswhatyoumightexpect.AsIsaid,thisisallstillprelim,butasfarastheindividualaccountssetupwiththeactualaccountholders’names,mostlyitlookslikeregularrichpeoplestashingtheirmoney

inSwitzerlandbecausetheywantataxhaven,notbecausetheyarenecessarilyhidingcriminalproceeds.Theclientsareoldmoney,mostly.Italian,Swiss,German,English,American.”

“American?”“Afraidso.Of

course,wehaven’thadtimetorundownall

thedetailsonallthenames,butwedon’tseeanythingalarming.Mostlywethinktheyarejustdoctorsshieldingtheirmoneyfrommalpracticeclaimsorex-husbandshidingitfromex-wives,thatsortofthing.Unethical,butnomajorcriminality.”

“AnyEastBloc

accountholders?”“None,although

youknowhowitis.TheKGBwouldn’tbesoobvious.JustbecausetheSwissverifytheaccountholders’identitydoesn’tmeantheyknowwhotheaccountholdersactuallyare.Theyjustcheckdocuments.TheKGB

hassometerrificforgers.”

“Howarewedoingsearchingthecorporateaccounts?”

“It’sslowgoing,totellyouthetruth.Asyouknow,anyonewhoreallywantstohidetheiraffiliationwithabankaccountwillhireanominee,someonewhowill

signtheirnametotheaccount.Thenomineegetspaidtoprovidetheservice,andtheydon’tknoworcarewhoispayingthem.Thiscanmaketrackingtheactualaccountownernearlyimpossible,butwedohavesomemeansatourdisposal.We’vedeterminedoneofthe

accountsbelongstoacasinogroup,anothertoapopularhotelchain,andthere’sanaccountforadiamondmerchant.Also,alawfirminSingaporehasan—”

“Wait.Didyousay‘diamonds’?”

“Yes.ArgensDiamantaire.BasedinAntwerp.It’sowned

byPhilippeArgens.HiscorporateaccountiswithRPB.Doesthatmeansomething?”

“Penright,theoperationsofficer,saidtheKGBwasaskingaboutpeoplewhomightbemovinghardassetsoutofthebank.”

“ArgensDiamantaireisoneof

thelargestpreciousgemstoneoperationsinEurope.MostlySouthAfricanmines,buttheybuyandsellstonesallovertheworld.”

“Aretheyaboveboard?”

“Ingeneralterms,yes.Preciousgemsisabusinesswithadirtyunderbelly,butasfar

asanyoneknows,PhilippeArgensrunsalegitimateoperation.”

Ryanthoughtaboutitforamoment.TheKGBmenaskedabouthardassets,cash,gold,andthelike.Diamondsweremostdefinitelyahardasset.He’drunitbyPenright,butitdidn’tsoundespecially

promising.Jacksaid,“Thanks

fortheinformation.IfPenrightwashopingsomeotherbadactorinvolvedwiththebankkilledTobiasGabler,Ithinkhewillbedisappointed.”

Greersaid,“NoCosaNostraorFiveFamiliesorMedellíncartellinkagehere.

I’mafraidtheBritswillhavetoentertainthenotionthataKGBbankergettingmurderedinthemiddleofthestreetmighthavesomethingtodowiththeKGB.”

“Right.”“Onemorething,

Jack.JudgeMooreandIhadaconversationthis

morning.We’dliketheBritstoinvolveusinthisasset.”

“ItalkedtoSirBasilaboutthattheotherday.Hemadeitclearthattheywillshareanyproducttheygetfromthisassetoftheirsatthebank,buttheyhavenointentionoftrulygoingbilateral.”

“That’sallwellandgood,butIamconcernedthissourceoftheirscomeswithanexpirationdate.IftheKGBisontohim,eithertheywillmovetheirmoneyortheywillremovehim.Wemightnothavemuchofatimewindowhere.Betterwepoolourresourcessowe

cansavethisoperation.”

“That’safairpoint,”Ryanadmitted.

“Whatdoweknowabouttheasset?”

“Notmuch,really.PenrightgaveupalittlemoreinformationoutsideofCharleston’spresence.Hemadeitclearthe

assetmetdirectlywiththeKGBmenwhoclaimedtobeHungarianaccountholders,sotheassetislikelysomesortofbankexec.PenrightisoverinSwitzerlandnow,settingupameetingwithhim.FiguresheneedstocalmtheguydownaftertheGabler

murder.Thefactweweren’tabletoIDanyotherpotentialculpritsfromtheclientlistmakesmethinkPenrighthashisworkcutoutforhim.”

Greersaid,“Asourceinafamily-ownedSwissbankhasincrediblepotential.ArthurandIwillcallBasiltomorrow

morningandpresshimalittle.”

“Well,okay.Obviously,that’syourcall,butwearegoingtoneedtofindsomethingtooffertheBritsinexchange.Idon’tthinkuslookingovertheclientlistisenoughforthemtowarranttheirsharingoperationalcontrol

A

overtheirasset.”Greersaid,“I

agree.We’llfindsomethingtheywant,andwe’llmakeafairtradeforaccess.”

—ssoonasRyangotoffthephone

withGreer,hecalledPenright’shotelinZug.Hegavethecode

theyhadsetupbetweenthem,whichsenttheMI6mantoasecurephonesomewhereelseinthecity.

IttookPenrightthirtyminutestocallRyanback.

“Goodevening,”Ryansaid.

“Evening.What’sthelatestfromthe

cousins?”“Weranacheck

ontheemployeelist.Cameupwithnothing.”

“Iexpectedthat.”“Astotheclient

list,thepreliminaryreportshowsnotiestoanycriminalorganization.”

“Nothing?”“I’mafraidnot.

WedidfindthatoneoftheaccountsisinthenameofafrontcompanyownedbyalargediamondmerchantwhohasanaccountatRPB.”RyanpassedonthenameoftheBelgiancompany,thoughPenrightdidn’tseemterriblyimpressedwiththatinformation.

“Okay,Ryan.Ihaveameetingwithmyagenttomorrow.Mymainobjectiveistoallayanyfearshehas,butIwillalsotrytogetalittlemoreoutofhim.Hemightbeabletoprovideuswithinternaldocumentsabouttheholderofthetwo-hundred-four-million-dollar

account.”Ryansaid,“Ican

guaranteetheaccountwillbeheldbyashellcorporation.It’sgoingtobetoughtodigintoit.”

“Haveanyideasonsomethingthatmightprovehelpful?”Penrightasked.

“Yes.Ifhecanprovideyou

informationabouthowthemoneywastransferredintothebank,thatmightbemorehelpfulthanhimgivingustheaccount-holderinformation.”

“Really?Howso?”

“Becausedifferentcountrieshavedifferentbankingsecrecylaws.Ifthe

moneywastransferredinfromanotherWesternbank,wemighthavemoreluckID’ingtheownerbylookingintotheaccountthere.”

“That’sagoodidea.”

Jackadded,“Obviously,Idon’tknowanythingaboutyourasset.Itmightbe

thecasethathewouldn’thaveaccesstoaccount-transferdata.Ifhesnoopsaroundtoomuch,itmightbedangerousforhim.”

Penrightsaid,“Understood,oldboy.I’llmakesureheproceedswithcaution.”

“Isthereanything

elseIcando?”Jackasked.

“Justkeepthinking.Wemenofactioncanalwaysdowithamoresedatebrainbehindus.”

Ryanthoughtthistobesomesortofanunintentionalslight,butheletitgo.

C47

Presentday

lark,Chavez,andCarusohadreturnedfromtheactionin

theCrimeatoacapitalcityrifewithprotestmarchesandriots.Politicalinfighting

dominatedthenews,andcriminalgangsshotitoutwithlocalpoliceinthestreetsofKiev.

Afterreunitingwiththerestoftheirteamatthesafe-houseflat,IgorKryvovdroveClarktotheFairmontGrandHotel,whereheexpectedtosliprightbackintohiscoverasadisaffectedjournalistwhohaddecidedtoputthedeluxeroomatafive-star

hotelonhisexpenseaccount.Butassoonashearrived

atthefrontdoorofthehotel,Clarkrealizedtherehadbeensomechangesmadeduringhistwo-dayabsence.

HisfirstindicationthatallwasnotasbeforecamewhenhewasstoppedoutsidethedoortothelobbybyauniformedofficerfromKiev’sMinistryofInternalAffairsandaskedforhis

passport.Clarkhandedoverhiscovercredos,andwhilethestern-facedofficerlookedatthemClarkhelpfullymentionedthathewasaguestattheFairmont.

Theofficerpassedbackthepassportandsaid,“Notanymore.Thehotelisclosed.”

BeforeClarkcouldrespond,ahotelemployeeappeared,tookClark’sname

androomnumber,andwithprofuse,embarrassedapologiesexplainedthathisluggagewouldbebroughtdown,butClarkwouldhavetofindotherarrangementsinthecity.

Clarkrespondedwithconfusionandinsolence,butonlybecauseitfithiscovertodoso.Intruth,he’dhadalookinsidethelobbywhentheemployeecameout,and

hecouldtellexactlywhatwasgoingonnow.TheSevenStrongMenhadtakenovertheentirehotel,andlocalpoliceandevenMinistryofInternalAffairsmenwerenowprotectingthebuilding,keepingoutanyonewhodidnotbelong.

Thiswasaninterestingdevelopment.ToClarkitmeantthatsomeportionoftheUkrainiangovernment,at

boththelocalandthestatelevel,wasblatantlysupportingtheactionsofGlebtheScarandtheSevenStrongMen.

Clarkwonderedifanactualcoupwouldbethenextstep,orifallthesupportersoftheRussiancriminalshereinthecityplannedonjustsittingtightandwaitingfortheRussianstoinvadeandtakeoverthecountry.

Clarkretrievedhisluggagefromthehotelandthenreturnedtothesafehouse.Heknewhewouldneedtofindanewsafehouseclosertothehotelsotheycouldmonitorthecomingsandgoings.ItwasbeginningtolookliketheFairmontwasgroundzeroforsomesortofaninsurrectionhereinUkraine,andClarkwantedtobecloseenoughtotheaction

tounderstandtheplayersandthegame.

Theyspenttheeveningtrackingdownpotentialplacestomoveinthecitycenter.Whilecheckingintothis,themendugintoadinnerofsteaksandsaladspickedupbyIgoratanearbyrestaurant.Asalways,theTVwasonUkraine’sICTVchannelandthevolumewasupdisturbinglyhightorender

anylisteningdevicesuseless.Thesixmenintheflathadspenttheeveningtuningoutthesounds,butanewsstoryatthetopoftheelevenp.m.newsturnedtheheadofIgorKryvovfirst,andthen,secondslater,JohnandDing,becausetheyunderstoodRussianwellenoughtodeciphertheUkrainianonTV.

Igortranslatedforthe

others:“There’sgoingtobeaspeechinanhourinfrontoftheVerkhovnaRadabuilding,that’stheparliamentbuildinginConstitutionSquare.Thepressisgoingtocoveritlive.OksanaZuevawillbethere.”

“Who’sthat?”Driscollasked.

“She’stheheadofthepro-Russianblocinourparliament.Ifthenationalistsgetthrownoutofpower,she

isalocktobecomethenextprimeminister.”

Chavezasked,“She’sthatpopular?”

Igorshrugged.“ValeriVolodinsupportsher,soherpartygetsmoneyandbackinginsecretfromtheRussians.”

Whiletheyweretalking,Gavin,whohadbeensittingathisdesktrackingtheGPStransmittersthroughoutthecity,lookedup.“Didyousay

somethingaboutConstitutionSquare?”

Igorsaid,“Yeah.Iwassayingthat’swherethespeechisabouttotakeplace.”

Gavingrabbedanotepadoffthetableandjottedsomethingdown,thenpassedittoDriscoll.Hereadit,thenpasseditontothenextmanintheroom.

WhenitcametoDing,he

readit.“Thefirstvehiclewetaggedtheotherday—designatedTargetVehicleNumberOne—isinConstitutionSquarerightnowandstationary.Appearstobeparked.”

DinglookedatDom.Aloud,andforthebenefitofanymikesthatcouldpickuphisvoiceoverthetelevision,hesaid,“Youknow,wereallyoughttotakeacamera

F

downtothatspeechandgetsomefootage.”

Domquicklycutoffahugebiteofhissteak.Beforehestuckitinhismouth,hesaid,“Let’sdoit.I’llgrabthegear.”

—orty-fiveminuteslater,ChavezandCaruso

pulleduptotheVerkhovnaRadabuilding,wherethe

nationalparliamentofUkrainemet.IttookawhiletofindaplacetoparkonConstitutionSquare;thespacewasbynomeanspacked,butseveralhundredpeopleweremillingaboutnearariserandadaisinfrontofthehugeneoclassicalbuilding,listeningtospeechesandwaitingforthemainevent.

Dozensofmediagroups

wererepresentedinthecrowd,pressedtogetherinagaggledirectlyinfrontoftheriser.DingandDomtooktheirvideocamera,checkedtomakesuretheirpresscredentialswerehangingaroundtheirnecks,andheadedtowardthepack.

TheyhadtheirBluetoothearpiecesinsotheycouldstayinconstantcommunicationwithGavin

Bierybackinthesafehouse.Gavinspokesoftlywhenhespokeatall;usually,hedidhisbesttoobfuscatehiscommentsincaseanyonewasabletohearhimthroughtheFSBlisteningdevicesthatwerecertainlyinthesafehouse.

Astheywalkedtowardtheriseracrossthesquare,Gavindirectedthetwomentotheparkinglotwherethe

targetvehiclewasparked.Whentheyarrived,however,theyfoundthelotwasbehindalockedgateinsidetheVerkhovnaRadabuildingitself.

Thiswasinteresting,inthateventhoughtheycouldn’tgetcloseenoughtotheSUVtolearnanythingaboutitsowners,itshowedthemthattheguyswhohadmetwithGlebtheScarthe

otherdaysomehowhadthejuicetoparktheirrideonUkrainiangovernmentproperty.

Theyheadedovertotheriserandbargedthroughthecrowdtowardthefrontasiftheyweremembersofanactualmediaoutlet.

Therewereseveralpoliticianspresentatthemade-for-TVrally;somehadalreadyspoken,butthe

headlineactwasjustabouttogetunderway.

ThelonefemaleontheriserwasOksanaZueva,andeveryreporterinattendancewasherebecauseofher.ZuevawastheleaderoftheUkrainianRegionalUnityParty,theleadingpro-Russianpartyinthecountry,andshehadnotbeenshyaboutherinterestinrunningforprimeministerinthenext

election.Today’sspeechwas

expectedtobelittlemorethanalistofgrievancesagainstthepro-nationalistOneUkraineParty.ThisdeclarationagainstthepartyinpowerwouldbringOksanaevenclosertopro-Russiansintheeast,itwouldendearhertoMoscow,anditwouldputherwellonthewaytoearningthecompletebacking

ofMoscowinthenextelection,acrucialcomponenttovictory.

AlthoughZuevaandherhusbandhadbeenaccusedofallsortsofcorruptioninhertimeasapowerfulparliamentarian,theOneUkrainePartyhadfailedinitsattemptstomarginalizeherorpinanysortofcorruptiondirectlyonher,andherintelligenceaswellasher

easeinfrontofthecamerashadgonealongwaytosofteningherimage,eventhoughthevotesshehadcastinthebuildingbehindherwereamongthemosthard-lineintheUkrainianparliament.

Regardlessofone’spolitics,though,onehadtoadmitOksanawasabeautifulandstrikingwoman.Afifty-year-oldblonde,sheusually

keptherhairbraidedinatraditionalUkrainianstyle,andsheworechicdesignerclothesthathadsubtlebutunmistakableinfluencesofUkrainiantraditionaldress.

WhileDingandDomwatchedandrecordedtheevent,theyhadtheireyesopenforthetwomentheyphotographedattheFairmontgettingintothevehicledesignatedTargetOne.They

scannedthecrowdhereinthesquare,buttherewerealotoffacesinpoorlight,sotheyknewthatchanceswereslimtheywouldgetluckyandmakeapositiveID.

Whiletheylookedaround,Zuevawasintroducedbyoneofherpartyleaders.Sherosefromherchairand,withapracticedwaveandasmilethatevenmanagedtocharm

thetwoAmericansfirmlyonthesideoftheoppositiontoherpro-Russiancause,shebeganwalkingtothemicrophone.

Shenevermadeit.Therewasaloudcrack;

manypressoutletsinattendancewouldlaterreportitsoundedlikeacar’sbackfire,butDomandDingknewinstantlyitwasthesoundofahigh-powered

rifle.OksanaZuevarocked

backonherfeetontotheheelsofherstilettos,hersmiledisappearedandalookofconfusionwascaughtinallthecameras,andthenshecrumpledsoftlytothecarpetedriser,endinguponherback.

Bloodappearedonherbreasts.

Thebouncingechoesof

thegunshotacrosstheneoclassicalfaçadeoftheVerkhovnaRadabuildingmadedeterminingthelocationofthegunshotallbutimpossible.Securitymenspunaroundwiththeirweaponsintheairwhilethedozensofjournalistsduckedtotheground.Thecrowdbeganscreamingandshoutingandrunninginalldirections.

DingandDomdovedownonthegroundlikeallthejournalistsandspectatorsaroundthem,buttheireyesscannedthearea,andtheytriedtodeterminethedirectionfromwhichthegunshothadcomebythelocationofthewoundonthewoman’schest.

TheyfocusedontheparktothewestontheothersideofGrushevskyStreet.

Theyleapttotheirfeetandrantowardtheircaracrossthesquare,butbythetimetheybegandrivinginthedirectionofthepark,traffichadgroundtoahaltaspolicebegansettinguproadblocks.

Chavezslammedhishandontothesteeringwheelinfrustration.

Carusospokeintohisheadset:“Gavin.TargetOne.Isthevehiclemoving?”

Therewasapause.“Yes.It’sheadingwestthroughthepark.”

Chavezlookedattheroadblockahead.TheSUVwiththeslap-onwasalreadyontheotherside,anditwouldbelonggonebythetimetheygotthrough.

“Shit.Theyaregone.”Domsaid,“Idon’tgetit.

GlebtheScarishereworkingonbehalfoftheRussians,

right?”“Itsureashellseemsthat

way.He’sworkingasaproxyfortheFSB.”

“ButthatwomanwhojustgotassassinatedwasRussia’sfavoritepoliticianinUkraine.WhythehellwouldRussiabeinvolvedwithherdeath?”

Dingwouldhaveansweredthequestion,hadDomnotansweredithimself.

Domsaid,“Ofcourse,iftheheadofthepro-Russianpartygetswhacked,alltheblameisgoingtogoonthepro-nationalists.”

“Yep,”Chavezsaid.“It’sgoingtoincreasethefightingbetweenthetwosides.Andwhothefuckdoyouthinkisgoingtocomeinandrestoreorder?”

Carusowhistledsoftly.“Shit,Ding.IftheKremlin

killedtheirownpoliticianinKiev,that’sprettycold-blooded.”

Theypeeledoutofthelineofcarsandturnedintheoppositedirection.Therewasnopointintryingtotrackthetaggedvehiclenow;theycouldpickupsurveillanceonitatanytime.

C48

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanfound

himselfonceagainintheplushofficeofthedirectorgeneralof

MI6,SirBasilCharleston.Itwaslateafternoon,thedayafterJackcalledDavidPenrightinZugtolethimknowtheCIAwasunabletofindanyalternativemotiveforthemurderofTobiasGabler.RyanassumedBasilwouldhavespokendirectlytoCIAdirectorJudgeArthur

Mooretoday,becauseGreerhadmentionedCIAwasgoingtoformallyaskSIStomakethesourceintheSwissbankbilateral.

NowJackwasuphereinBasil’soffice,andsinceJackwastheCIAliaison,heassumedhewasabouttofindoutjusthowinvolvedtheUnited

StateswasgoingtobewiththeassetinRitzmannPrivatbankiers.

“Well,now,”Charlestonsaid.“IhavespokentoyourdirectorsinLangley,andtheyarequiteinsistentthattheybemoreinvolvedinthesituationdevelopinginSwitzerland.Ihave

agreedtothis.”BeforeRyan

couldrespond,Basilsaid,“OuragentinRitzmannPrivatbankiersiscode-namedMorningstar.Heisanexecutivewiththebank,and,therefore,hehasaccesstoawiderangeofinformationaboutboththeaccountsand

theclients.”Well,Ryan

thought.Thisdaywasgearinguptobeaninterestingone.

BasilwentontotellRyanmuchofthesameinformationthatRyanhadheardfromPenrightafeweveningsearlier:thatitlookedmuchliketheKGBwassomewhat

recklesslyhuntingforalargeamountofstolenmoneystashedinanumberedaccountatRPB.

AfterlisteningtoBasiloutlinethesituation,Jacksaid,“IassumeCIAofferedsomethinginreturnforthisprize.”

Charlestonraisedaneyebrow.“Theydid

nottellyou?”Jackcockedhis

head.“Tellmewhat?”“Theyoffered

you.”“Me?”“Yes.Wewillbe

sendingyoutoSwitzerlandstraightaway.”

Ryansatupstraighter.“Todowhat,exactly?”

“We’dlikeyoutogotoZugandtosupportPenrightinthefield.Hewillbegettingmoreaccountinformationoutofoursourceinthebank:accountnumbers,wire-transferinformation,informationaboutthetrustsandpublicfoundationsusedtoset

uptheshellcorporationinvolvedwiththelargeaccount.Obviously,thisintelligencewillneedtobequitecarefullyresearched,butI’veagreedtohavearepresentativeoftheCIAthere,andon-site,inordertosendanythingofinterestbacktoLangleyas

soonaswegetit.CIAwill,inreturn,providesupporttoexploittheintelligence.”

Jacksaid,“Thisishappeningveryfast.”

“Indeed.Thisisaveryfluidsituation.”

“Fluidinthesensethatyoursourcemightnotlastlonginhisposition?”

“Sadly,yes,

althoughDavid’sjobistokeepthemansafe.”

“HowlonghaveyoubeenrunningMorningstar?”

“HecametousthedayafterthoseKGBmensatdowninhisofficeandthreatenedhim.”

“Hewasawalk-in?”

“Yes.Hedoesn’tlikehisbankworkingwiththeRussians,andthepersonalthreatswereenoughtosendhimovertotheotherside,asitwere.”

“Sohe’ssonew,youreallyhaven’texploitedhimasanassetyet.”

“Wehavereceivednothingfrom

himotherthantheclientandemployeelistwe’vealreadysharedwithyou.AsIsaid,hewillbedeliveringmorerecordsoftheaccount.Itisourhopethatwecansomehowshieldhimfromwhateverisgoingon,sowecanexploithisintelinthefuture.Butfornow,he

needsourhelp.”Basilputhishand

onJack’sknee.“Willyougo?”

Jackdidnotanswerimmediately.Instead,helookedoutthewindowattheThamesforamoment.

Charlestonnotedthehesitation.“Iknowyouaren’tabanker.”

“It’snotthatI’m

notabanker,it’sthatI’mnotafieldoperative.”

“Jack,youwerebrilliantinRome,andyouwerebeyondbrilliantlastyeardealingwiththeNorthernIrishterrorists.Youmaybeananalyst,butyouaremorethancapable.Besides,youwillbe

basedinoursafehousethere.Ihaven’tseenitmyself,butIamcertainitisquitesecureandquitecomfortable.”

Jackknewhewasgoingtosayyes.Healwayssaidyeswhenasked.

“WhendoIleave?”

Charlestonsaid,

“I’dliketohaveadriverrunyouhomeandpackabagrightnow.”

“But...Cathy.IneedtotalktoCathy.”

SirBasilwinced.“Yes,ofcourse.Myapologies.IamaccustomedtodirectingfieldmenlikePenright.Theycangoanywherewith

asnapofthefingers.”“That’snotme,

Basil.I’mateamplayer,butI’vegotateamathome,too.”

Charlestonnodded.“Ofcourseyoudo.Let’ssendyouofftomorrow.TalktoLadyCarolinethiseveningandcomeinwithabaginthemorning.”

M

Jackrealizedthatifhewasbeinginstructedtoshowupwithbagspackedtomorrow,hewouldnotbeaskingCathyanythingtonight.

—r.andMrs.Ryanmetin

VictoriaStationandtookthe6:10train

backtoChatham.JackdidnotmentionhisimpendingtriptoSwitzerland,evenwhenCathyaskedhimabouthisday,andhewonderedifhewouldcatchhellforthatwhenhegothome.ButheknewapublictrainwasnoplacetotellhiswifeMI6andCIAwerejointly

sendinghimonasecretmission.

Onthewayhomefromthetrainstation,JacksuggestedtheystopataChineserestaurantforcarryout.Cathylovedtheidea;shehadspentseveralhoursinsurgerytoday,andthethoughtofgoinghomeandsittingdowntoan

alreadypreparedmealputherinagreatmood.

This,ofcourse,wasJack’splan.

Theyatedinnerandplayedwiththekids,andthen,onlywhenSallyandJackJuniorweresoundasleep,didJackaskCathytositdownonthesofaintheliving

room.Cathysawthetwo

glassesofredwineonthecoffeetableinfrontofthecouch,andshetensedupinstantly.

“Whereareyougoing,andforhowlong?”

“Well...”“Youcan’ttellme

where.Igetit.Butfor

howlong?”“Honey,Idon’t

know.Afewdays,atleast.”

Cathysatdown,andJacksawachangecomeoverher.Shecouldbeplayful,shecouldbeloving,shecouldbematronly.Butwhenthingsgotserious,Cathyhadatendencytoflipa

switchandgoverybusinesslike,almostdispassionate.Jackwascertainitcamefromherworkasasurgeon.Shewasabletodistanceherselffromaprobleminorderto,ifnotsolveit,atleastdealwithit.

“Whenareyouleaving?”sheasked.

“It’ssortofan

emergency.IwishIcouldtellyoumoredetails,but—”

“Youareleavingtomorrow?Justlikethat?”

SometimesJackwonderedifheonlyneededtothinksomethingforCathytoknowit.Shewasintuitivelikenoonehe’devermet.

“Yes.I’mbeingsentbyGreerandCharleston.”

Sheraisedhereyebrows.“BoththeCIAandSIS.Isitgoingtobedangerous?”

“No.Notatall.”Cathysaid,“Last

timeyouwentawayforacoupleofdays,youtoldmethesame

thing.Whenyoucamebackyouadmittedyougotmorethanyoubargainedfor.Haveyouforgotten,haveGreerandCharlestonforgotten,thatyourjobdescriptiondescribesyouasananalyst?”

“Iamananalyst.Iwillbegoingtoahouseinafriendly

Westernnation,andthereIwillbelookingoverreports.”

“Butyoucan’tdothatfromCenturyHouse?”

Jackshrugged,notsurewhathecouldsay.Afteramoment,hesaid,“Thereisanurgencytothis.Weneedsomeoneonthegroundtheretolook

overtheinformation,toevaluateit,andtosenditontoLangleyandLondon.”

“Whytherush?”Jackcouldseeit

inCathy’seyes.She’dalreadygottenmoreinformationoutofhimthanhe’dwantedtoprovide,andnowshewashuntingformore.

Hiswifewould

havebeenonehellofaspy.

Hesaid,“Everythingwillbeokay.Ihavetogo,butIpromiseyouIwon’tbeawayoneminutelongerthanIhavetobe.”

Hekissedher,andsoonshekissedhimback.

Jackapologized

profusely,buthehadtogoupstairstothedenandmakeacalltoSwitzerlandontheSTU.Hekissedheragain,andlefthersittingthereonthecouch.

Cathysatwithherwine.Shewasn’thappy.Althoughherhusbandhadproventhathewasableto

handlehimselfindangeroussituations,hehadnevergonethroughtheFarm,theCIAtrainingfacilityforoperationspersonnel.

Sheknewhewoulddohisbest,andhewoulddoallhecouldtocomehometohisfamily,butthereweredangersoutthere

thathecouldnotseemtoturnawayfrom.

Andmorethananythingelse,CathyRyansimplydidnotunderstandwhyJack—ahusband,afather,ahistorian,andadeskanalyst—hadsomehowturnedintoaspy.

V49

Presentday

aleriVolodinhadahabitofwalkingatapacethatmade

othersstruggletokeepupwithhim,butthismorninghemovedevenfasterthanusual.

Ashestormedoutoftheelevatorandbeganrushingupthehallonthetwenty-secondfloorofGazprom’sMoscowcorporateheadquarters,onlythefittestsecurityofficersinhisentouragewereabletostayabreast.Gazpromofficials,personalsecretaries,andpublic-relationsstaffalltrailedfarbehindasheheadedtowardthebuilding’sstate-of-the-artcommand-

and-controlcenter.Employeesofthe

massivegasgiantwatchedthroughtheglasswallsoftheirofficesorpeeredovercubiclesasthepresidentofRussiapassedbyinablur.Morethanfivethousandofthenearlyhalf-millionGazpromemployeesworkedhereinthecorporateHQ,andtheseemployeeswerewellaccustomedtobig-shot

governmenttypesskulkingintheirhalls,sinceGazpromwaspartiallystate-owned,andthepartthatwasnotofficiallyownedbythestatewasmoreorlesssecretlyownedbytheleadersofthestate.

Still,Volodinhadbeenhereonlyoncebefore,thedayhecutoffthegaslinestoEstonia.

Andeveryonewhosaw

himonthetwenty-secondfloortoday,especiallythosewhobothtooknoteofhisintensedemeanorandknewanythingaboutwhatwasgoingonintheworld,knewexactlywhyhewashere.

Volodinpassedintothecommand-and-controlroom,andthenhestoppedsuddenly.Thoughhewasasingle-mindedandpurposefulindividual,perhapstoa

pathologicaldegree,hestillcouldnothelpbeingimpressedbytheimageinfrontofhim.Fiftyorsoemployeeswerehardatworkattheirdesks,andbeyondthematthefrontwalloftheroom,adigitalmaponehundredfeetlongbytwenty-fivefeethighdisplayedalightedmazeofpipesintertwinedindifferentcolors.Thiswasagraphic

representationofGazprom’spipelinenetwork,some175,000kilometerslong,stretchingeasttoSiberiaandwesttotheAtlantic,northtotheArcticandsouthtotheCaspianSea.

Here,inthisnervecenter,afewcommandsintoacomputerterminalcouldshutoffmuchofthepoweracrossEurope,plungingtensofmillionsintodarknessand

cold,andcripplingindustryandtransportation.

Andthatwastheplan.Volodinhadaspeech

planned;therewasacameramanalongwithhisPRpeople,andtheyhustledintotheroomandbeganfilming.

ButVolodinchangedhismindonthespeech.Hedecidedthelesshesaid,themoreimpactfulhisactionswouldbe.Hewalkedtothe

frontoftheroom,turnedaround,andfacedthecontrollers.Everymanandeverywomansatwide-eyed,waitingfortheinstructionstheyknewwouldcome.

ThepresidentofRussiasaid,“Ladiesandgentlemen,alllinesheadingtoandthroughUkrainewillbeshutdown.Immediately.”

ThosecontrollingtheflowofthelinestoUkraine

hadbeengivenaheads-upbeforeVolodinarrived.ButnoonehadsaidanythingaboutlinesflowingthroughUkraineandintoWesternEurope.

Thedirectoroftransferpipelinessatinthesecondrow.Hewouldcomply,ofcourse,buthedidnotwanttomakeamistake.Withgreatreluctance,hestoodfromhisdesk.

“Mr.President.Justsothereisnomisunderstanding.ShuttingalllinesthatcrossUkrainiansoilwillreduceWesternEurope’sgassupplybyseventy-fivepercent.”

Thepipelinedirectorwonderedifhiscareerwouldendtodayforquestioningthepresident,butVolodinseemedpleasedtobegiventheopportunitytoexpandonhisdeclaration.

Thepresidentresponded,“ThecurrentpoliticalauthorityinUkrainehasshownitselftobeunreliableasastewardoftheresourcesdesperatelyneededbythepeopleofWesternEurope.Naturalgasisourresource,anditisinjeopardyaslongasUkrainecontinuesasanunstablestate.WehereinRussiacallontheworldcommunitytoputpressureon

Kievtodoabetterjob.Itisspringtime,Europewillnotfeelthemostdrasticeffectsofthisactionformonths,andIamcertainEuropewillhelpusalleviatethiscrisislongbeforethecoldbecomesanissue.IamnotconcernedaboutEurope’senergyneedsasmuchasIamconcernedaboutRussia’scitizenrybothhereandinthenearabroad.Withthisdecisiontocut

exportpipelines,Iexpecttoseeasenseofurgency.”

TherewasnosmileonVolodin’sface.Noevillaugh.Hedeliveredtheedictthathadthepowertodevastatemillionsofpeopleasifitwerenothingmorethanadryadministrativedecisioncookedupbyajuniortechnocrat.

Theprocesstoshutthepipelineflowswas

surprisinglyswiftandstraightforward.Volodinstoodtherewithhishandsonhishipsandwatchedthefirstlinesonthemassivegraphicmapchangefromgreentoyellowandthentored,signifyingastopinflow.

Hedidnotwaitfortheentireshutdownprocess;therewerealotoflines,afterall.Instead,hetoldeveryonetokeepupthegoodwork,

V

andhestormedoutofthecommand-and-controlcenterjustasquicklyashe’drushedin.

—olodinwasdownstairsandbackinhisarmored

limousineinminutes,andasitracedaway,shootingnorthtowardthecitythroughalanereservedforgovernmentvehicles,thepresidentlooked

acrossthebackseattohischiefofstaff.“GetTalanovontheline.”

Whilehewaited,hethumbedthroughsomepapersinhislapandsippedteafromafiligreedholder.

Soonamobilephonewaspassedtohimbyhischiefofstaff.Volodintookit.“RomanRomanovich?”

“Da,Valeri.”Talanovwouldneverhavecalled

Volodinbyhisfirstnameinpublic,butTalanovwasneverinpublic,sothiswasanonissue.

Volodinasked,“HasthesiteexploitationoftheCIAcompoundinSevastopoltakenplace?”

“Da.Theresultswerenotwhatwehadhoped.TheCIAgrouptherevacatedwithmostoftheirequipmentanddestroyedtherest.They

inflictedheavylossesonourSpetsnaztroops,aswellasSevenStrongMenirregulars.”

“Andwe’vegotnothingtoshowforit?”BeforeTalanovreplied,Volodinsaid,“Bodies?WhataboutbodiesofdeadAmericans?”

“Therewasalotofbloodinthecompound’smainbuilding.Iamtoldtherewasenoughbloodtosaywith

confidencetheAmericanslostseveralpersonnel.ButallbodieswereretrievedwhentheAmericanMarinesrescuedtheCIAmen.”

“Damnit.”“Nyetproblem.Itwillbe

fine,Valeri.Wewillsalvageadiplomaticcoup.”

“How?”“Wearerecording

interviewswithUkrainianswhoworkedinthe

compound.Theywillsaywhateverwewantthemtosay.Plus,wehavefilmofAmericanaircraftoverhead.TheAmericanswillsaytheywereNATO-flaggedaircraftrescuingtheirPartnershipforPeacetroops,butyouwillmakethestatementthattheCIAhasbeenworkingintheCrimeatodestabilizethearea.”

“Iwantedhardproof.”

“Sorry,Valeri,butifyouwantedbodies,youshouldhavegiventheBlackSeafleetpermissiontoblowtheAmericanplanesoutofthesky.Butthat’snotmydepartment.”

“No,Roman,it’snot.IdidnotwanttoprovokeawarwithAmericaoverSevastopol.IwantedevidenceofCIAprovocationinSevastopoltouseagainst

theAmericanswhenthetimeisright.”

“Iunderstand.Butifyou—”

“Ineedmorefromyouonthis,Roman.IneedanactthatcanbepositivelyattributedtotheCIAintheregion.”

Therewasashortpauseontheline.ThepausewouldhavebeenmuchlongerifRomanTalanovandValeri

Volodindidnotknoweachotheraswellastheydid.

Talanovsaid,“Iunderstandyou,Valeri.Iwillcreatesomething,andIwillusetheevidencewedohavefromtheSevastopolcompoundtoshowincontrovertibleproof.”

“Quickly.Veryquickly.IjuststoppedgasflowtoandthroughUkraine.”

“Iwillgettowork,then.

Paka.”Good-bye.

C50

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanarrivedat

CenturyHousewithhisbagspackedforhistriptoSwitzerland.He

hadtobeatHeathrowatnoon,sohefiguredhewouldputinanhourandahalfofworkbeforecarryinghissuitcasebackdownstairsandclimbingintoacab.

HisfirsttaskofthedaywastocallDavidPenrightinZug,toseeifhe’dreceivedthedocumentsfrom

MorningstarandtocheckforanyfinalinstructionsfromtheEnglishspyinthefield.

Hehadjustreturnedtohisdeskwithhisfirstcupofcoffeeofthemorning,readytofireuphisSTUforthecall,whenthedirectoroftheRussianWorking

Group,SimonHarding,hurriedintohisoffice.“Charlestonneedsyouinhisoffice,straightaway.”

JackcouldseeconsternationonHarding’sface.

“Whatisit?”“Justgo,mate.”

—inuteslater,Jack

Msteppedoutofthe

elevatorintothedirector’s

corneroffice.Ontherideup,heranadozenpossiblescenariosthroughhishead,butheadmittedtohimselfhecouldn’timaginewhathadHardingsoagitated.

Charlestonstoodathisdeskwithahalf-

dozenothermenaroundhim,noneofwhomRyanrecognized.AssoonasheturnedaroundandsawRyan,Basilsaid,“Sitdown,Jack.”

Jackmovedtothesofa,andBasilsatinfrontofhim.Nointroductionshadbeenmadeoftheothermen.

“What’swrong?”“Terriblenews,

I’mafraid.DavidPenright...isdead.”

Jackfeltahotstabtohisstomachasacidchurned.“OhmyGod.”

“Wejustlearnedofit.”

AwaveofconfusionwashedoverRyan.“Whatthe

hellhappened?”“Hitbyabloody

bus.”“Abus?”Oneoftheother

mencameforwardandsatdownacrossfromRyan.Hesaid,“Theyaregoingtofindthathe’dbeendrinking.Likemosttravelingofficers,hetippedthebottlemorethanhe

shouldhave.”“I...Italkedto

himlastnight.Hewasfine.”

Themansaid,“HeleftthesafehouseinZugatninep.m.Immediatelyaftertalkingtoyou,fromwhatIgather.ThenhemetwithMorningstar.Afterthat,hehitthelocalbars.”

“Whoareyou?”Jackasked.

Basilclearedhisthroat.“JackRyan,NickEastling.CounterintelligenceDivision.”

Themenshookhands,thoughRyanwasstillinastateofshock.

Eastlingnoddedtotheothermenbythe

window.“That’stherestofmyteamoverthere.”

ThefivemenbythewindowjustlookedJack’sway.

JackturnedtoBasilforclarification,andBasilsaid,“NickandhisteamwillbeinvestigatingDavid’sdeath.TheSwissarewellontheirwayto

determiningthiswasanaccident,butourZurichstationwillreachouttothemtomakesuretheirinvestigationendsquicklyandquietly,sothatourscanbegininearnest.”

Eastlingsaid,“We’llfindthesamething.Therewerewitnessestothefact

Penrightcameoutofabeerhallabouthalfpastmidnight,walkedoutintothestreettoflagataxi,andthenstumbledoutoftheemptylaneandrightinfrontofoncomingtraffic.Hewasrunoverbyapublictransportbus.Thebusdriveriscooperating,totheextenthecould.

TheSwisssayhewashorrifiedbytheexperience.”

JackwasasincredulousasthisEastlingfellowwascertain.“Youactuallybelievethatstory?”

Eastlingsaid,“Itwasn’tanassassination.Obviously,whenwegetthebodybackwe

willdoatoxicologytestonhim,butmyfeelingistheywillfindhe’dhadenoughgintowheretheonlymysteryinhisdeathwillbehowthehellhemanagedtoclimboffhisbarstoolandmakeitoutthefrontdoor.”Themanwincedalittle,asthoughhedidnotwanttospeakillof

thedead,butthenhesaid,“Davidhadaproblem.”

RyanturnedawayfromthecounterintelmanandaskedCharleston,“DoesMorningstarknowPenrightisdead?”

“No.Penrightwascarryingfalseidentitypapers,inthenameNathanMichaels.This

sortofdeathwillmakethenewsoverthere,butthenewspaperswillidentifyhimasthealiashewastravelingunder.Morningstarwon’trecognizeit.”

“You’vegottoletMorningstarknow.”

Basilsaid,“Thathasnotbeendecided.Wedon’twantto

alarmhimunnecessarily.”

“Unnecessarily?Peoplearedyingallaroundhim.”

Eastlingclearedhisthroat.“Therehavebeentwodeaths.NeitherofwhichwehavebeenabletolinktoanycompromiseofMorningstar.”

Basiladded,

“Thesegentlemenwillbeheadingovertolaunchaninvestigation.I’vespokentoJamesGreerandArthurMooreatLangley.Wewouldlikeyoutogoalongwiththem.”

ThethoughtofnotgoingtoSwitzerlandhadnotoccurredtohim.“Yes.Yes,of

course.”Eastlingappeared

decidedlyunhappywiththisdecision,buthedidnotsayanything.

Charlestonsaid,“Excellent.WewillmakeadeterminationastohowMorningstarwillberunassoonastheinvestigationintoDavid’sdeathis

concluded.Fornow,atleast,wewillnotgonearMorningstar,sothereisnopotentialforcompromise.”

Ryanjustnodded.Thiswasalottotakein.

Eastlingstood.“Allright,Ryan.Offyougo.I’llmeetyouinthelobbyinanhour.Ihavesome

moretodiscusswithSirBasil.”

Andwiththat,NickEastlingallbutshovedJackRyanoutoftheoffice.

I51

Presentday

thadtakenJackRyan,Jr.,daystotrackdownVictorOxley,theex–

MI5spyknownasBedrock.HefirstcalledJamesBuck,hishand-to-handcombat

trainerbackinMaryland.JameswasafriendofTheCampus’s,andwashimselfanex-memberofSAS,andhehappilypromisedtomakesomediscreetinquiriesonRyan’sbehalf.

JackknewhecouldhavejusttoldhisdadabouthisconversationwithBasil,andthatwouldhavebeentheendofit.ButtheyoungerRyanfoundhimselfintriguedwith

theoldstory.He’dsentane-mailtohisfatherafterhismeetinginBelgraviawiththeex-headofMI6,andtoldhimsimplythathe’dlearnedafewdetails,buthe’dliketolookintoitalittlemore.

AfterBuckdidsomeextensivedigging,hetoldJackthatasfarasanyoneintheSASknew,VickOxleywasstillalive.Theyhadnoaddressforhim,butby

checkingsomeoldrecords,BuckwasabletogiveRyanhisdateofbirth.ThistoldRyanthatOxleywasfifty-nine.RyanpulledupUKtaxrecords,aperkofworkingforacompanylikeCastorandBoyle,andhefoundexactlyonefifty-nine-year-oldVictorOxleyonthebooks.Asithappened,themanlivedinCorby,twohoursnorthofLondon.Ryancalledthe

phonenumberlistedandfounditoutofservice,butitwasaFriday,andRyanhadbankedafewhoursofvacationtime,sohetoldSandyLamonthe’dbeleavingafterlunchtogetanearlystartonhisweekend.

ThetripnorthwasuneventfulotherthanthefactRyanhaddoneverylittledrivingontheleftsideoftheroad.Morethanoncehe’d

wincedashe’dpassedoncomingtrafficpassinghimbyontheright,butafteranhourorsohisbrainstartedtosettledownandgetusedtothisoddsensation.

HearrivedinCorbyandfoundtheaddressjustafterfourp.m.Oxleylivedinaramshackletwo-storyapartmentbuildingwithafrontgardensmallerthanthelivingroominJack’sEarl’s

Courtapartment.Ryanwalkedthroughthe

trash-strewngrasstotheentrywayandtookastaircaseuptoOxley’sflat.

Heknocked,waited,thenknockedagain.

Frustrated,Ryanheadedbacktohiscar,butwhenhegotdowntothestreet,henoticedapubonthecorner,andfigureditwouldn’thurttocheckinthereincase

someoneknewthemanhewaslookingfor.

ThepubwascalledtheBowlinHand.Ryanfoundtheplacetobealittledarkanddingycomparedwiththewateringholeshe’dbeenfrequentinginTheCity.Eventhelocalsseemedtoagreethatitwasn’tmuchofahangout;itwasfour-fifteenonaFridayafternoonandRyancountedfewerthanten

patronsintheentirepub,allgray-hairedmen.

RyansatatthebarandorderedapintofJohnCourage.Whenthebartenderbroughthimhisbeer,Ryanputdownaten-poundnoteandsaid,“Iwaswonderingifyouknewaregularhere.”

Theburlymansaid,“Iknowwhensomeone’snotaregular.”

JackRyansmiled.He

expectedthis;thebartenderdidn’tlooklikehe’dgottenhisjobforhischipperdemeanor.Jackreachedintohiswalletandputdownanotherten-poundnote.Hedidn’thaveacluewhatthegoingratewasforthissortofthing,buthewasn’tgoingtofanoffanymoremoneythanhehadto.

Thebartendertookthemoney.“Thenameofthis

chap?”“Oxley.VictorOxley.”Thebartendermadea

surprisedfacethatJackcouldn’tread.

“Youknowhim,then?”“Aye,”hesaid,andnow

Jacksawthatanysuspicionsthemancarriedbeforewerereplacedbyasenseofmildcuriosity.Hegottheideathereweresomeshadyindividualswhofrequented

thispubthatthepublicanwantedtoprotect,butVictorOxleywasn’toneofthem.

Still,themansaid,“Leaveyournumber.I’llpassittohimnexttimehe’sin,andifhe’sinterestedinspeakingwithyou...he’llletyouknow.”

Jackshrugged.Itwasn’thowhe’dplannedit,butitwasFriday;hecouldgetaroominahotelintownand

waitanight,becausehedidn’thavetobeintheofficeinthemorning.HepulledhisCastorandBoylebusinesscardoutofhiswalletandhandedittothebartender.Thenhesaid,“There’sanothertwentyforyouwhenItalktohim.”

Thebartenderraisedhisbushyeyebrowsandputthecardintohisbreastpocketwithoutlookingatit.

Jackturnedhisattentiontohisbeerandstartedthumbingthroughhisphone,lookingfortheclosestinnthatlookeddecentenoughforonenight.

Ashedidthis,thebartenderbegantalkingwithanold-timerattheendofthebar.Jackpaidlittleattentiontothemasheconcentratedonhisphone.

Aminutelaterthe

bartenderreturnedanddroppedJack’sbusinesscardnexttotheglassofJohnCourage.“Sorry,lad.Vickisn’tinterestedinchatting.”

Ryanlookedovertothemanattheendofthebar,whowaslostinhisownbeer.Atfirsthethoughttherewasnowaythismanwasonlyfifty-nine.Hewaswrinkledandheavy;helookedlikeaslightlythinnerversionof

SantaClaus.ButuponcloserinspectionRyanthoughtitpossiblethemancouldbeyoungerthanhefirstguessed,andwhenthemanlookedupandnoticedRyanlookingathim,hegavethebartenderalooklikehewantedtowringhisneck.

Thisistheguy.Jackpulledoutatwenty-

poundnoteandputitonthebar,thengrabbedhisbeerand

headedover.Oxleyshiftedhiseyes

backdowntohisbeer.Hehadthick,wavy,andslightlylongwhitehairandafullwhitebeard.HisbloodshoteyesgaveJacktheimpressionthemanhadbeensittingrightheredowningpintssincewheneverthisbaropenedforbusinessthatday.

Jackspokesoftlytokeeptheconversationbetweenthe

twoofthem.“Goodafternoon,Mr.Oxley.Iapologizeforcomingunannounced,butIwouldverymuchappreciateafewmomentsofyourtime.”

Theoldermandidnotlookupfromhispint.Inavoiceaslowasalocomotive’srumble,hesaid,“Buggeroff.”

Great,Jackthought.Hetriedabribe.Ithad

workedwiththebartender,afterall.“Howaboutyouletmepayyourtab,andwegofindaboothandtalkforafewminutes?”

“Isaidbuggeroff.”Basilhadsaidtheman

mightbetrouble.Jackthoughthe’dtryone

moreavenue.“Mynameis—”

Nowthebeardedmanlookedupfromhispintfor

thefirsttime.“Iknowwhoyouare.”Andthen,“Yourdad’sabloodywanker.”

Ryangrittedhisteeth.Henoticedthebartenderhadcomearoundfrombehindthebarandwastalkingtoacoupleofmeninabooth.Theywerealllookinghisway.

Jackwasn’tworried,justfrustrated.Hisonlyrealconcernwasthathewould

feelbadifhehadtobeatupadozenorsooldgeezers.

Hestoodupfromthebar,lookingatOxley.“ItwasreallyasmallthingIneededfromyou.Youmighthavebeenabletodosomegood,atnocosttoyourself.”

“Fuckoff.”Jacksaid,“Youwere

SAS?Ifindthatveryhardtobelieve.Youreallyletyourselfgo,didn’tyou?”

Oxleylookedbackdowntohisbeer.Hesqueezeditwithameatyhand,andJacksawthesinewymusclesintheman’shandripplewiththesqueeze.

“Noresponse?”Oxleysaidnothing.“IthoughtBritswere

supposedtohavemanners.”JackRyanturnedandwalkedoutthedoorwithoutalookback.

T52

herallyintheeasternUkrainiancityofDonetskdrewmore

thantenthousandthisweekend,tripletheattendanceoftheweekbefore.Eventhoughitwasacold,rainySaturday

afternoon,PushkinBoulevardwaspackedtightwithpro-RussianUkrainians,allouttomaketheirvoicesheard.

Therewasnothingspontaneousaboutthisrally.Today’sevent,likealltheothers,hadthebackingoftheFSB,whowereallovertheplacehereineasternUkraine.Thiswasthelargestoftheweeklyralliesthisyear,anditwasnomysteryastowhy.

TheassassinationofOksanaZuevaandtheNATOactioninSevastopol—therewereaccusationsthattheCIAhadbeeninvolvedaswell—broughtthepro-RussianeasternUkrainiansoutindroves.

WhilethemenandwomeninthecrowdheldtheirnewRussianpassportshighovertheirheadsandmarchedbehindbanners

expressingtheirallegiancetoMoscow,andnotUkraine,avanmovedslowlybehindthelastofthestragglers,southonPushkin.ThenitturnedontoHurovaAvenuesothatitcouldmaneuvertogetinfrontoftheaction.

Minuteslater,thevanrolledbackontoPushkinsouthoftheredbannersatthefrontofthemarch,anditparkedalonganopensquare

adjacenttotheNationalAcademicUkrainianMusicalandDramaTheater.Thesquareinfrontofthemassivetheaterservedasthemidpointofthemarch,andherethecivilianorganizerswouldmakespeechesthroughbullhornsandincitethecrowdagainstthepro-nationalistsinpowerinKiev,beforeeveryonesetoffagaintomarcheasttowardthe

river.Thetwomeninthevan

didnotgetoutwhentheyparked.Instead,theysattheresmokingcigaretteswithstonefacesandwatchedthecrowdinthedistancewalkupPushkinintheirdirection.

ThetwooccupantsofthevanweremembersoftheSevenStrongMen.TheywerebothRussiansbybirth,buttheyhadbeenlivingin

KievrecentlyandworkingundertheordersoftheFSB.

Behindthem,intheirvan,wasasinglefifty-five-gallonoildrumunderacanvastarp.Thedrumhadbeenfilledbyotherstheeveningbefore,butthetwomafiaenforcersknewwhatwasinside.

TheexplosivewasRDX,ResearchDepartmentExplosive,alsoknownas

hexogen.Itwasnotaneworhigh-techexplosive,ithadbeenaroundforever,butitwassuitableforthisoperation.

Throughtheholeinthetopofthedrum,ashock-tubedetonatorhadbeeninsertedintothegranularmaterial,andthedetonatorwas,inturn,attachedtoasimpletimingdevice.Thetimerwassetforthreeminutes;itneededonly

theflipofaswitchtostartthecountdown,sothetwomeninthefrontofthevansatinsilence,watchingthecrowdcarefully,tryingtopickjusttherightmomenttosetthebombinmotion.

Localpolicewereout,ofcourse,buttheyweren’tsearchingparkedcarsalongtheroute.Theyhadenoughtoworryaboutwithtryingtostoptheprotestersfrom

breakingwindowsofthefewknownnationalistshopkeepersalongtheroute,aswellasdealingwithasurprisingcounterprotestthathadmaterializedafewblocksfarthersouthonPushkinBoulevard.Thoughthecounterprotestwassmall,ithadtheeffectofpullingpolicepatrolsawayfromthepathofthemarch.

Thepro-nationalistswho

stoodalongtheroadwavingUkrainianflagsandyellingatthemarchershadbeensetupbytheFSBtheeveningbefore,meaningRussianintelligencehadahandinorganizingbothsidesoftheconflicthereinDonetsktoday.

Whentheredbannerwasjustoneblockawayfromthevanwiththefifty-five-gallonbombintheback,thetwo

SevenStrongMenoperativesopenedtheirdoors.Thenthepassengerflippedtheswitchonthetimer,calmlysteppedout,andjoinedhispartnerastheywalkedawaytotheeast.

Twominuteslater,theywerepickedupbyaconfederatedrivingacarwithstolenlicenseplates.

Andaminuteafterthis,whentheprotestmarcherswerestillforminginthe

squarenexttotheNationalAcademicUkrainianMusicalandDramaTheater,theshock-tubedetonatorsentapercussivewaveintotheRDX,andtheentirevanexplodedinaflashwithablastradiusofeightyfeet.

Afewclosebywerespareddeathbecausethevanhadbeenparkedinalotwithvehiclesonbothsidesandthisstifledsomeofthe

bomb’spotentialcarnage,butthoseinfrontofandbehindthevehicleweretornapartinstantly.Thosewhodidnottakethefullforceoftheblastbutwerestillwithintheradiusofthemajorshockwavehadtheireardrumsandinternalorgansassaulted,andseveralpeopleinasecondringofvictims,justoutsidetherangeoftheshockwave,werekilledbyshrapnelfrom

theblast.Theentirerallywas

pitchedintochaosasthedeadandmaimedlitteredthegroundandthousandsranfortheirlives,evencrushingthefallenintheirpath.

Withinminutesoftheattack,acallcameintoTRKUkraina,alocalnewstelevisionstation.ThecallerclaimedtobeaUkrainiannationalist,andhetookcredit

fortheattackonbehalfoftheUkrainianpeopleandtheiralliesintheWest.HesaidanyattemptsbyRussiatotakeovertheCrimeawouldresultinthewholesaleslaughterofRussiancitizensandanti-nationalists,effectivelythrowingdownthegauntletandensuringmoreunrestbetweenUkraine’stwosides.

Thecallerwasactually

anFSBagentphoningfromtheFairmontGrandHotelinKiev.TheFSBhadalreadydecidedthatoncethecityofDonetskwasretakenbyRussianforces,thepro-RussianmarcherswhodiedtodaywouldhaveaplaqueerectedintheirnameinthesquarenexttotheNationalAcademicUkrainianMusicalandDramaTheater.

C53

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanarrivedin

Zurich,Switzerland,withthesix-manteamofMI6

counterintelligenceofficerslateintheday.Themenhadtraveledseparatelyonthesameaircraft,andtheyallhadpassportsdeclaringthemselvestobeEnglishbusinessmen.Ryansatnervouslythroughtheflight.Likemany,hewasananxiousairpassenger,although

unlikemost,Ryanhadanexcuse.Thehelicoptercrashhe’dnarrowlysurvivedadecadeearliercamebacktohaunthimeverytimeheflewthroughtheair,heldupbyinvisibleforceshedidnotcompletelytrust.

Buttheflightwasunremarkable,andby

lateafternoontheybreezedthroughSwisscustomsandwalkedtothetrainstation.

ThetraintriptoZugwasjustoverahalf-hourinduration;themensatindifferentcars,theneachmadehisownwaytoalargebusiness-classhotelneartheBahnhof.

Here,threeofEastling’smenrentedcars,whileNickandtherestofhisteamturnedhistop-floorsuiteintoamakeshiftcommandcenterfortheinvestigation.

RyanwasallbutforgottenbytheSIScounterintelligenceofficersforthedurationofthe

afternoon,buthemadehiswayintothecommandcenterforascheduledeveningconference.

Wheneveryonewasassembled,Eastlingaddressedhisteamand,bydefault,theAmericantagalongonhisoperation.

“Right.TonightJoeywillgotothe

morgueandcollectthebody.We’vestraighteneditoutwiththeembassyinZurich.Joeywillbepresentedasthebrotherofthedeceased,he’llgetalookatitthereinthemorgue,justaquickonce-overtomakesurethere’snotsomethingobviously

queeraboutthesituation.”

“Likewhat?”Ryanaskedfromthebackoftheroom.He’ddecidedhewasgoingtobeapartofthisinvestigationwhetherNickEastlinglikeditornot.

Eastlingshrugged.“Dunno.Likeasuicidenoteinhis

pocket.Anarrowinthebackofhishead.Sharkbiteonhisarse.Thingsthatmighttipusoffthereismoretothisthanabusaccident.”

RyangottheimpressionEastlingdidn’tbelievethiswasanythingmorethananaccident,andthisentireinvestigation

wasjustsomesortofproformaKabukitheater.

EastlingturnedbacktoJoey.“ThereshouldbenoproblemgettingitshippedbacktotheUKstraightaway.”

“WhydoIhavetobethesodtoblowhalfhisperdiemondryice?”Joeyasked,and

thiscommentelicitedafewchucklesintheroom.

“Saveyourreceipts,myboy.You’llbecompensatedforallexpensesoncewe’rebackinLondon.”

Ryanclenchedhisjaw.HebarelyknewDavidPenright,butthesemenwereso

flippantabouthisdeathitinfuriatedhim.

Eastlingcontinued,“Next,BartandLeowillgotothelocalsafehousetostartcheckingittoptobottom.Youaretoteartheplaceapart.Therestofuswilljoinyoutohelpassoonaswearefinishedwithourtasks.”

“Right,boss,”themensaid.

“Stuart,yougotoPenright’shotel.Talkyourwayintotheroom.IcheckedbeforeweleftLondon,theroomispaidforuntilnextweek,sotheyhaven’ttouchedathing.Theyarewaitingonnextofkin,soifyoucansellthat,

goaheadandscoopeverythingupandbringitbackhere.Eyesoutforanycorruptingmaterial.”

“Right,Nick.”Ryanhelduphis

hand.“I’msorry.I’malittleconfused.IthoughtPenrightwasavictimeitherofanaccidentoroffoulplay.Youaretreating

himlikeheissomesortofasuspectinacrime.”

Eastlinghalfrolledhiseyes.“SirJohn.”

“PleasecallmeJack.”

“Right.Jack.Fromallwe’velearnedaboutPenright,hewasanableenough

operationsofficer.Butwe’vegotalittleexperienceinthissortofthing,andhisdossierraisescertainquestions.”

“Suchas?”“Hewasa

bleedingdrunk,”themannamedJoeysaid.

Eastlingnodded.“Thepatternwiththesetypesisalways

thesame.Theyrunrisks,notjustwiththeirbodies,butwiththeirrelationships,andtheirprotocolwithsecretmaterialsisthefirstweaklinkinthechain.

“IexpecttofindthatMorningstarhasbeencompromisedbytheoppositionduetoDavidPenright’s

actionshereinSwitzerland.Hebeddedthewronggirl,hespilledhisgutstothewrongbartender,hepickedthewrongtaxistandtodropthecontentsofhisbriefcase.Hisdeath,Iamsurewewillfind,wasaccidental,butweneedtokeepacriticaleyeonthefactthe

Morningstaroperationmighthavebeencompromisedbythedrinkingoftheofficerinchargeoftheoperation.”

Ryansaid,“I’mreallyimpressed,Eastling.YouhavebeeninSwitzerlandforthreehours,youhaven’tleftthehotel,andyou’vealready

cometoalltheseconclusions.”

EastlingandRyanstaredeachotherdownacrossthesuite.Thecounterintelmansaid,“Itellyouwhat,oldboy.Whydon’tyoustickwithme?FirststoptonightwillbethetavernwherePenrighthadhislastdrink.Or,Iwillhazard

toguess,hislasttendrinks.We’llpokearoundandseewhatwefind.”

“Thatsoundsfinewithme,”Jacksaid.Thestaringcontestcontinuedforamoment,butsoonthemeetingresumed,andwithinahalf-hourthemenbeganmovingoutinpursuitoftheir

Tobjectives.

—hebarwhereDavidPenright

drankhislastdrinkwasonVorstadt,rightacrossthestreetfrompicturesqueLakeZug.Itwasnineo’clockintheeveningwhenEastlingandRyanarrived,whichseemed

toRyantobealousytimetogopokingaround,becausetheestablishmentwasallbutpacked.

Thebeerhallwasdarkandsmoke-filled,andthewaitresseswereyoungandattractive,dressedintraditionalclothing:redtightsandpuffywhiteblouseswith

floralembroidery,althoughtheblouseswerecutalittlelowerthanRyanpresumedwouldbethetraditioninacountryascoldasSwitzerlandgotinthewinter.

Evenbeforetheymadetheirwaytothebar,Eastlingtookonelookatthewaitressesandthenleanedover

toRyan.“Thislookslikeourboy’stypeofplace.Caretowagerthatwe’llfindhisfingerprintsonhalftherumpsinthehouse?”

Ryanignoredthecomment.

Atthebar,RyansawthateventhoughEastlingseemedlikeasmugprick,heclearlyknewhisjob.The

bartenderspokeperfectEnglish,andwithinsecondsoforderingaroundofplumschnappsforhimselfandRyan,theBritishcounterintelligenceofficerwaschattingwiththeround,bald-headedbartenderasthoughthey’dknowneachotherforalong

time.Heintroduced

Jackinpassing,thensaidtheyworkedforthesamebankasthemanwhodiedtheeveningbefore,andtheyhadbeensentdownfromZurichbyhisfamilytocollecthisthings.

“MeinGott,”saidthebartender.He

leanedclosetoRyanandEastlingtotalkovertheloudmusic.“Hediedrightoutthereonthestreet.ThenewspapersaidhisnamewasHerrMichaels.”

PenrighthadbeentravelingunderthenameNathanMichaels.

“That’sright,”

Eastlingsaid.“Wereyouworkinglastnight?”

Thebartenderpouredabeerfromthetapforacustomer,thensaid,“Iwashere,butIwasworkingthebar.Hesatatthattableoverthere.”Hepointedtoatablenearthecenteroftheroom.RyancaughtEastling

raisinganinquisitiveeyebrow,perhapsbecausethespyhadchosensuchaprominentlocationinthebar.

“Didhe,now?”“Ja.Thewaitress

whoservedhimhasbeensuspended.Thepolicearequestioningifshegavehimtoomuchalcohol.”

Eastlingrolledhiseyes.“Oh,that’sridiculous.Howdoyousay‘ridiculous’inGerman?”

“WesayQuatsch.It’sclose,anyway.”

“Okay,then,that’sQuatsch.Nathanlikedtodrink.It’snotyourwaitress’sfault.”

“Genau!Exactly.Butthisisbad

publicityforthebar,ofcourse.Shewillbefired.”

Eastlingshookhishead—“Quatsch”—andorderedanotherdrinkforhimselfandRyan.Ryanknewhewasinthepresenceofanexcellentinvestigator.Heonlywishedtheman’sminddidn’talready

seemmadeup.Asthesecond

plumschnappsarrived,Jackforcedhimselftodrinkdowntherestofthefirstsugarybeverage.Hethoughtitwasprettyawful,buthewasfollowingalongwithEastling’sfriendlyandearnestdemeanortotrytogetinformation

outofthebartender.“Theseare

delicious,”NickEastlingsaid,ashehelduptheglass.“Isthiswhatmyfriendwasdrinking?”

“Nein.Hedrankscotch.Irememberbecausehewastheonlypersoninthebardrinkingscotchatthetime.”

“Ah,”Nicksaid.“Yes.Nathanenjoyedhisscotch.”

Thebartendernoddedashemadedrinksafewfeetaway.Asheworked,hesaid,“Hewasnotdrunk.Theyseemedfinewhentheyleft.”

Jackcockedhishead,butEastlingdidnotreactatall.Hejust

said,“‘They’meaningNathanand...”

“Andthegirlhewaswith.”

“Whatgirl?”Ryanaskedquickly,butNickEastlingreachedunderthebarandsqueezedhisforearm.

“Oh.Didn’tIsay?Hemetagirl.Theysattogetherforoveranhour.Verybeautiful.”

“Right,”Eastlingsaid.Jacksawjustahintofuncertaintyontheman’sface.“Shewasalocalgirl?”

“ShewasnotSwiss.ShespokewithaGermanaccent.”

“Isee,”Eastlingsaid.

Jackleanedforwardtowardthebartender.“Yousaid

hemether.Youmeanhemetherhere?”

“Yes.Shewasatthebarwithsomeothermen.Twoofthem.Buttheyleft,andshestayed.Whenyourfriendcamein,hesatatthebarandstartedtalkingtoher.Theymovedtoatable.”

“Andyounever

sawthembefore?”Ryanasked.

“Nein.AlthoughwegetalotofGermanshere.”

Hepouredmorebeer,butbeforeheservedthemheheldupafingerandsaid,“Renate,kommmalher!”callingouttooneoftheotherbartenders.Hespoke

toherinGermanforamoment.RyancouldnotunderstandaworduntilRenatesaid,“Berlin.”Thebartendersaidsomething,andshenoddedandrepeated,“Berlin.”

Asshewalkedoff,thebartenderturnedbacktoNickandsaid,“Renateisfrom

Germany.ShewaitedonthegirlbeforetheEnglishmanarrived.Iaskedherifshecouldrecognizethedialect.Youknow,theGermanshaveveryspecificdialectsindifferentregions.”

Eastlingnodded.“AndshesaidthegirlwasfromBerlin?”

“Ja.Shewas

Tcertainofit.”

—heyleftthebarafewminuteslater.

Ryanhadthesickly-sweetflavorofsugarplumsinhismouth,andhiseyeshurtfromthesmokeofthebar.HeandEastlingwalkedoutintothestreet,

standingmoreorlesswherePenrighthadbeenhit.

“Notexactlytheautobahn,”Ryansaid.Thestreetwasdarkandquiet.

“No,”repliedtheEnglishman,“butifyoufallrightinfrontofabus,that’sprettymuchit.”

“Trueenough.”

Theystartedwalkingbacktothecar.Astheydidso,Jacksaid,“Sowe’relookingforaGermangirl.”

Eastlingshookhishead.“No,Ryan.PenrightwaslookingforaGermangirllastnight,buthefoundabusinstead.”Helaughedalittleathis

ownjoke.“Wheredidthe

girlgo?TherewasnothinginthepolicereportaboutaGermanwomanatthescene.”

“Maybetheybothleftthebarandwentindifferentdirections.Maybeshewantedtogetlaid,thendecidedthedashingEnglishmanshe

pickedupinabarlostsomeofhisallurewhenhediedrightinfrontofher.”

Jacksighedinfrustration.

P54

Presentday

residentJackRyansatattheheadoftheconferencetablein

theWhiteHouseSituationRoom,acupofcoffeeandastackoffoldersinfrontof

him.He’dbeengoingthroughthismaterialforhalfanhourinpreparationforthismeeting,andnow,aseveryonegotsituatedaroundhim,hemadeafewnotesonhislegalpad:questionstoask,pointstomake.

Jacklookedupfromhispapers.HewasbeginningtoseeasmuchoftheSituationRoomashedidtheOvalOffice,andheknewthis

didn’tsayanythinggoodaboutthecurrentstateofpeaceandstabilityintheworld.

Aroundhim,keymembersofhisintelligence,diplomatic,anddefenseteamfiledintotheroomandsatdown.ScottAdlerwasabsent—hewasstillshuttlingaroundEurope—buttherestofthemajorplayerswereallpresentandaccountedfor.

Today’smeetingwastodiscussthelastseventy-twohoursofactivityinUkraine.SixAmericanshadbeenkilledattheLighthouseSpecialMissionCompound,includingtheCIAchiefofstationforthecountry,andalthoughtheinternationalnewsorganizationscoveringtheactiontherehadframeditasaviolentdemonstrationoutsideaNATOcompound

thatledtothedeathofseveralNATOpersonnel,onRussiantelevisiontheyranbreathlessstoriesaboutAmericanimperialismturneddeadlywhenCIAgunmenopenedfireonacrowdofpeacefulprotesters.

Andthen,thenextday,theassassinationofOksanaZueva.Thebrazenkillinghadbeencharacterizedbyvirtuallyallnewsoutletson

theplanetastheworkofUkrainiannationalists,perhapsevenorderedbyPresidentKuvchekhimself.

VolodinshutoffthegaspipelinestoUkraineandWesternEuropeaftertheZuevakilling,andthenthebombingofthepro-RussianrallyinDonetskcametheverynextday.Donetskwaspresumedtobetheworkofnationalists,althoughthe

RussianGazprom-ownedmediawasadvancingthetheorythattheCIAoutpostinSevastopolwasinvolved.

Atthismoment,PresidentRyanwaswellbeyondthepointofoutrage.No,aftereverythingtheFSBhadpulledoffinthepastfewweeks,he’dmanagedtofindameasureofinnercalmbytellinghimselfaseriouscrisiswasathand,andonlyhis

levelheadcouldbringaquickresolutiontothesituation.

HebroughtthemeetingtoorderbyaddressingJayCanfield,directoroftheCIA:“Jay,whataretheRussiansusingasprooftheCIAwasinvolvedintheDonetskcarbombing?”

Canfieldsaid,“TheyareshowingpicturesofthewreckageoftheLighthouse,andtheyhavelistsofnames

ofagentsweusedincountry.TheyclaimtohaveCIAdocumentsthatweregiventopro-nationaliststhatinstructedthemtomakethebombthatwasusedaswell.”

“TheyareclaimingtheygotthisfromtheirspyintheSecurityServiceofUkraine?”

“Correct,sir.”Ryanhadreadallthe

reportsoftheDonetskbombing.“Whythehell

wouldtheCIAusehexogen?That’sbeenaroundsincetheSecondWorldWar.”

MaryPatFoleyansweredthisone:“TheRussianssayweusedhexbecausewewantedittolooklikelocalyokelsputittogether.It’seasyenoughtocomeby,andextremelyeasytohandleanddetonate.”

Ryanblewoutanangrysigh.

“Iknow.I’mjusttellingyouwhattheyaresaying.”

Ryansaid,“ThisisliketheGolovkopoisoning.AndtheBiryukovbombing.Andit’sliketheassassinationofOksanaZueva.”

Foleyagreed.“It’sprettymuchlikeeverythingFSBdirectorRomanTalanovhasahandin.Hesacrificespeopleforhisneeds.Hisownpeople.Heframespeopleand

organizationsheopposestomisplaceblame.”

Canfieldadded,“ObviouslywewereinvolvedinSevastopol,thoughweweren’tinvolvedineithertheDonetskbombingortheZuevaassassinationorthekillingsofBiryukovorGolovko.Talanovcanmakealltheclaimshewants,butthereisnoproofwhatsoever.”

Ryansaid,“Themen

whosurvivedtheattackinSevastopollaidresponsibilityonthisRussiancriminalorganizationthathasbeenactiveinUkraine.I’vebeenreadingupontheSevenStrongMenforthepasthalf-hour.”

Foleynodded.“Yes,sir.TheRussianshavebeenarmingandtrainingtheSevenStrongMenaswellaspro-RussianUkrainiansinthe

easternpartofthenation.TheyhavecreatedafifthcolumnoutoftheRussianmobandthesearmedrebels.”

Ryanasked,“Isthisverifiable?”

Canfieldsaid,“Volodin’senemieshavebeentryingtotiehimdefinitivelytoorganizedcrimesinceheleftFSBandstartedhismeteoricrisetothetopinthenineties.Everyonethinkshehadalot

ofhelpalongtheway.Buthe’skepthisnoseclean.Thatsaid,he’swipedoutandexposedsomanygangstersinRussiait’shardtoseehowanyoneknowntouswouldbenefitfromsupportinghim,withthesoleexceptionbeingSevenStrongMen.”

“It’sanamorphousoutfit,”Ryansaid,lookingdownathisnotes.“Nooneknowstheidentityofthe

leaderoftheorganization.”Helookedup.“Whycan’twefigureoutwhothegodfatheris?”

Canfieldsaid,“We’veidentifiedoneoftheirhigh-rankingcapos,he’sworkingoutofahotelinKiev.Hemightevenbetheirnumbertwo,butSevenStrongMen’scommandstructure,asyousay,isallbutunknowntous.Wedobelieve,andrecent

eventsmakethisevenmorecertain,thatSevenStrongMenisnowworkingasaproxyforceforFSBinUkraine.”

“Why?”Ryanasked.“Imean,what’sinitforthem?”

“Goodquestion,”saidMaryPat.“IhavetosuspectthereissomesortofquidproquowiththeKremlin.Asin,iftheSevenStrongMenhelpRussiatakeUkraine,then

RussiawillturnablindeyetoSevenStrongMenactivitiesthere.”

Jackrubbedhiseyesunderhisglasses.TheRussianmilitary,theRussianintelligenceservices,theRussianmob.TheywereallafterUkraine,andheknewthatiftheytookUkraine,itwouldonlyencouragethemtopushfarthertothewest.

SecretaryofDefenseBob

Burgesssaid,“Mr.President,asfarasI’mconcerned,thequickeningofeventsmeansonething.RussiahasdonealltheblackmailingwithpipelinesandbullyingwiththreatsofviolenceagainstUkraineitcandowithoutactuallygoingforwardonitsthreats.Theyhaveuppedtheante,evenmadeattemptstomarginalizetheU.S.andNATOintheregion.”

Ryansaid,“NothingleftforRussiatodobutstartrollingtanksovertheborder.”

“Correct.JSOCandCIAassetsintheeastreportsignificantmovementsoftroopsonRussia’ssideoftheline.Ourimageryanalysisconfirmsallthat’sneededfortheRussianstostartrollingisthegoorderfromtheKremlin.”

“So...whatdowedo,

Bob?”Burgesshadbeen

expectingthequestion.“Mr.President.DouglasMacArthursaideverymilitarydisastercanbeexplainedintwowords:‘Toolate.’Ifweweregoingtostoptheinvasionwithmilitarypower,Iamafraidwearealreadytoolate.”

Ryansaid,“IseenowaytostopRussiafromtakingthe

Crimea.It’sasemiautonomousregionalready,therearetensofthousandsofrealRussiansandtensofthousandsmorewhowerehandedoutpassportsinthepastyear.VolodincanmakethecasetohispeoplethattakingtheCrimeaisinRussia’snationalinterests.Thisisgoingtohappen.WithUkraine’sweakmilitary,thereisno

preventingit.ButIdon’twantthemmovingfurtherwest.ThemoresuccessfulVolodinis,themoreenergetichewillbeaboutaimingforothertargetsinhisregion.”Ryanthoughtforamoment.“Wehaveafewhundredmilitaryadvisersincountry.Mostofthemarespecialoperationstroops.Howmuchimpactcantheymakeonthis?”

“Agreatdeal.TheplanshavebeendrawnuptouseexistingforcestheretoassisttheUkrainians.WehaveDeltateamsandGreenBeretspositionedinforwardlocations,andsomeBritishSASaswell.TheyallhavethecapabilitytocommunicatedirectlywithUkrainianAirForceassets.TheBritsareonboardwithusonthis.Ifyougivetheword,wecan

instituteanoperationtobeginlinkingourlasertargetingequipmenttoUkrainianMiG-29multirolefightersandMi-24attackhelicopters.WecanserveasasignificantforcemultiplierfortheirAirForce.Withluck,thiscanblunttheRussianattack.”

“Covertly?”Burgessnodded.“Our

operationalplanisstructuredwithaneyetowardcovert

action.Havingsaidthat...”Burgessstruggledwithhowtofinishthesentence.

PresidentRyansaid,“‘Thebest-laidschemeso’micean’mengangaftagley.’”

“That’sright,sir.”“Tellmeaboutthe

readinessofRussianforces.”“It’snotgood,butitis

betterthanwhentheyattackedGeorgiaafewyears

ago.Atthattimethemilitarywasrifewithcorruptionandwaste,anditshowedonthebattlefield.Theywontheconflicthandily,buttheydidsobyvirtueofthefactthattheGeorgianArmywasunprepared,andpoorlyledbycivilianleadership.

“WhenVolodincameintopower,itwasestimatedthattwentypercentofRussianmilitaryprocurement

waswastedbycorruption,literallystolenbyofficials.Thatnumberisdowntonexttonothingnow.WithallthecorruptioninRussia,itisasignificantthingthatgraftinthemilitaryisstrictlyoff-limits.”

Ryanasked,“CanIassumeheusedsomeharshmeasurestoeffectthisimprovement?”

Burgessnodded.“Some

peoplegotshot.Notmany,butenoughtomakeanimpression.”

“SoRussia’smilitaryisbad,buttheystillhavenumbers.”

“MorenumbersthanUkraine,anyway.AndthereisoneotherthingRussiahas.”

“Nukes,”Ryansaid.“Germanetoany

conversationinvolvinga

militaryconflictwiththeRussians.”

Ryanleanedforwardontheconferencetable.“IfwedomanagetoslowtheRussianadvancewest,whatarethechancestheywillthreatentogonuclear?”

Burgesssaid,“Ifyouareaskingaboutthemusingstrategicnukesagainstus,Iwillbeveryclear.AdmiralJorgensenandIhavebeento

severalmeetingsaboutthisrecentlyatthePentagon.RussianolongerhasanyabilitywhatsoevertoexecuteasuccessfuldebilitatingfirststrikeontheUnitedStates.Two-thirdsoftheirnuclearweaponsareobsolete.”

RyanhadreadallthereportsofthemeetingsBurgesswastalkingabout,soheknewthisassessmentbyDIAandCIA.

AdmiralJorgensensaid,“Cantheystilllaunchmissilesthatwouldgetthroughanydefensewehave?Yes.Yes,theycan.Asyouknow,Russiahasafleetofstrategicbomberspermanentlyairborne,somethingthatstoppedwiththefalloftheSovietUnionbutstartedagainwhenVolodindecideditwouldmakehimlooktough.”

MaryPatsaid,“Butbeyondcapability,thereisthequestionofwill.Thesearen’tIslamicfundamentalistslookingtomartyrthemselves.Volodinandhisinnercircleknowthatanynuclearattackwouldmeantheirowndeathswithinhours,ifnotminutes.”

“Andtactically?”Ryanasked.

Burgesssaid,“Volodinwouldneveruseatactical

nukeinUkraine.Itwoulddestroypartofwhatheconsidershishomesoil.Hewillfightforittoothandnail,perhaps,buthe’snotgoingtocondemnittonuclearwinter.”

Ryandrummedhisfingersonthetable.“TellmemoreabouttheplansinplaceforactivecooperationbetweenourPartnershipforPeaceforcesinUkraineand

theUkrainianAirForce.”Burgesspulledafileout

ofafolioandhelditup.“OperationRedCoalCarpet.ItassumesaconventionalairandgroundattackbyRussiaintoUkraineforcontroloftheCrimeaandtheeasternsectionofthenation.ItprovidesablueprintforteamsofAmericanspecialoperationsforcestooperatelasertargetingequipmentto

aidRussianjetsandhelos,notforthepurposesofdefeatingRussia’sinvasionforce,butrathertokeepitoccupiedasitmovesdeeperintotheinteriorofthenation.TheobjectiveistostalltheattackorslowitenoughtowheretheRussianswillsufferdebilitatingloseswhiletheyarestillfareastoftheDnieperRiver.”

“Dowehaveenough

operatorsonthegroundthere?”

Burgessthoughtoverhisanswerfirst,thensaid,“IfwegolivewithRedCoalCarpet,theU.S.ArmywillmoveacompanyofscouthelicoptersalreadyservinginNATOintoUkraine,againundertheauspicesofPartnershipforPeace.Theseheloswillbeusedforlasertargeting.AsmallunitofRangerswill

alsobeaddedforsecurityattheJointOperationsCenter.ThiswillbringAmericanandBritishforcesinthecountrytosomewhereintheneighborhoodoffourhundredfiftytroops.

“Idobelieveitwillbeenoughforthisconflict,foronekeyreason.WeareonlytheretosupporttheUkrainianAirForce,andtheRussianswill,toputitbluntly,killthe

UkrainianAirForce.I’msorry,Idon’tseeanyotherscenario.Ourmenwiththeirlaserdesignatorswillhaveatarget-richenvironment,buttheywon’thaveenoughbirdsintheskyflyingaroundwithair-to-groundordnance.TheUkrainianhelosandstrikefighterswillbedestroyed.I’mafraidputtingmoremenonthegroundisnotgoingtohelpthesituation.”

Ryansaid,“I’mgoingtohavetoletkeymembersofCongressknowaboutthis.It’snotexactlywithinthescopeofPartnershipforPeace.”

“No,sir,itisnot,”Burgessagreed.

Ryanlookedattheclockonthewall.“Okay,I’mauthorizingOperationRedCoalCarpet,sothatiftheRussianinvasionbegins,our

forcesonthegroundwillhavetheauthorizationsinplacetobeginoperations.Bob,cometomewithwhateveryouneed,wheneveryouneedit.MaryPatandJaywillprovideDoDwithanythingtheycan,aswell.”

“Yes,sir.”Ryanclosedthemeeting

bysaying,“TherearefourhundredfiftyAmericanandBritishtroopsinthefieldwho

aregoingtoneedoursupportandourprayersinthenextfewdays.Let’sseethattheygetplentyofboth.”

C55

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanhadspent

muchofthedayonthefrigidstreetsofZug,Switzerland,following

aroundSIScounterintelligenceofficerNickEastlingashewenttoeachlocationvisitedbyDavidPenrightinthedaysbeforehisdeath.They’dbeentohishotelroom,thecarrentalofficewherehe’dpickeduphisMercedes,andapairofrestaurantshe’d

visited.Ateachlocation,

RyanproddedEastlingtoaskwhetherPenrighthadbeenseenwithanyoneelse.Inmostcases,otherthantherestaurantwherehe’dmetwithMorningstaronthenightofPenright’sdeathandthebarwherehe’dapparently

triedandfailedtopickuptheGermanwoman,he’dbeenalone.

ItwaseveningbeforetheyfinallyarrivedattheMI6safehousewhereDavidPenrighthadworkedinZug.Itwasafewminutesnorthofthetownproper,setonahillinaresidential

neighborhoodoftwo-storyhalf-timberedhomeswithsmallgardensinfrontandlargefenced-inbackyards.RyanandEastlingcamethroughthefrontdoorandgreetedtherestofthecounterintelligenceteam,who’dbeenworkingheremuchoftheday.

“Anything,Joey?”Eastlingaskedthefirstmaninthelivingroom.Ryansawthehomehadbeenallbutdisassembled.Floorboardshadbeenprizedup,wallpanelinghadbeenremoved,sofacushionslookedasiftheyhadbeenhackedapart.

“Nothingoutintheopen.Hehadsomedocumentslockedinthesafe.”

“Whatsortofdocuments?”

“AllinGerman,ofcourse.LooklikeinternaltransfersatRPB.Aprintoutfromadot-matrixprinter.Numberedaccounts,transferamounts,that

sortofthing.Pagesandpagesofthebloodythings.”

Eastlingsaid,“Hehadn’tsharedanythingwithCenturyHousesincehearrived.HemetwithMorningstartheeveninghewaskilled.MightbethathereceivedthemfromMorningstar,thenbroughtthemback

herebeforegoingoutagaintothebar.”

Joeyreplied,“Well,ifhedid,hefollowedproperprotocol.Goodjobhedidn’tgetcaughtwithRPBdocumentsonhisbodywhentheambulancetookhimtothemorgue.”

Eastlingacknowledgedthis

withanod.“Keeplooking.”

Itwasaniceenoughhouse,withmodernfurnishingsandafifty-inchfront-projectionTVsetinthelivingroom.TherewasaVHSplayernexttoit,withalibraryofcassettesonabookshelfalongsidethetelevision.Oneof

thecounterintelligenceofficerswassystematicallygoingthrougheachvideo,watchingitinfast-forward.

NickandJackwalkedintothekitchennow,andheretheyfoundamanpouringcerealoutofboxesintobowls,thenrunninghishands

throughthemuesliandcornflakes,searchingforanyhiddenitems.AthirdSISmancrawledonthekitchenfloorwithaflashlightinhishand,checkingtheseamsinthetileforanysigntheyhadbeenmovedorprizedup.

Whileallthiswasgoingon,Ryanasked

Eastling,“Whydidn’tPenrightjuststayhere?Whydidhegotoahotel?”

Eastlingshrugged.“Hewantedtobeclosetoalobbybar.Hewantedaplacewherehecouldbringgirlshome.”

“Doyouknowthat,orareyouguessingthat?”

“AsIsaid,DavidPenrightisn’tthefirstdeadofficerI’vehadtoinvestigate.Sofar,everythingI’veseenandlearnedtodaygoesalongwithmyassumptionsthatthiswasanaccident.Look,Jack.IguessyouwantthistobesomesortofaKGBhit,buttheKGBdoesn’trubout

ourofficersinthestreetsofWesternEurope.”

BeforeJackcouldrespond,thephoneinthesmallhomeofficerang.OneofEastling’smentookitandthenhandeditovertohisboss.

WhileNickEastlingtookthecall,Ryanwanderedout

ontothebalconyoverthebackyard.Therewasaniceviewhere,lookingdownacrossthetownandfartheron,overLakeZugitself.Beyondtheblackwater,thefarbankofthelakewasvisibleastwinklingstreetlightsandglowingwindowsinbuildings.Thecold,

clearairgaveJackthefeelinghecouldreachoutacrossthewaterandtouchthedistantshore,althoughitwassurelymilesaway.

TheBritishcounterintelligenceofficermetJackoutsideafewminuteslater.InhishandsweretwobottlesofSonnenbräubeerfrom

thefridge.Itwastoocoldtodrinkbeeroutside,Ryanthought,buthetookoneofthebottlesandsippeditasheturnedhisattentionbacktothelakebelow.

Eastlingsaid,“JustgotoffthephonewithLondon.Amedicalexaminer,oneofours,examined

Penright’sbodythismorninginZurich.Nopuncturemarks,likethosemadefromahypodermicneedle.Weknowwe’llfindalcoholinhisblood,buttoxicologyonanythingelsewilltakeweeks.FromtheME,however,itcertainlydoesn’tlooklikehehadbeeninanyway

druggedorpoisoned.”Ryansaidnothing.Eastlinglooked

outovertheyard.“Hegothimselfdrunkenoughtotripandfallonthestreet.Badshowforamaninthefield.”

“Hetookhisjobseriously,youknow,”Ryansaid.“Youmakehimouttobesome

sortofaclown.Ididn’tknowhimwell,buthedeservesbetterthanthistreatmentyou’regivinghim.”

Eastlingsaid,“Hewasn’taclown.Hewasamanwalkingonthefineedgeforsolongheturnedtodrinkandcasualencounterstodistancehimselffromthedanger.It

happenstothebestofthem,thetravelingofficers.Iamsympathetictothestressesandstrainsofwhattheyhavetodealwith,butattheendoftheday,myjobistomakesureIhaveanswers.”

ThetwomenlookedoutoverLakeZugandtowardthe

lightsonthefarsideofthebay.Itwasbeautiful;JackcouldimaginePenrightsittingherejustdaysearlier,planninghisnextmovewithMorningstar.

Ryansaid,“Sothat’sit,then?Wejustgohome?”

“That’suptoLondon.IfSirBasilis

goingtosendsomeoneelsetotowntomakecontactwithMorningstar,thenwemightstickaroundanotherdayorsotoreportourfindingsdirectlyto—”

Ryan’seyeswereonthefarshoreofLakeZug,andnearwherehewaslooking,abrilliantflashoflight

appeared,castingaglowallthewayuptoapatchoflowcloudshangingovertheshore.Thelightseemedlikeitwasontheland,notoverwater,butitwashardtotellimmediately.Fivesecondsaftertheflash,alowrumblereachedthebalconywherethetwomen

werestanding.Eastlinghadbeen

lookinginthesamedirection.“That’sanexplosion.”

Ryanpeeredintothedistance.“IthinkIseeafire.”Heranbackintotheflat,askedthemenworkingthereiftheyhadseenanybinocularsinthesafe

house.Oneofthemenpulledadecorativebutfunctionalbrasstelescopeoffatripodintheoffice,andtheotherschuckledasheofferedittoRyan.

TheAmericansnatcheditandranbackouttothebalcony.

Hestruggledtobringthebigtelescope

uptohiseye.Eastlingjuststoodthereandwatchedhim.

Onthefarshore,almostlostinthetwinklingoflightsfromthebuildings,hecoulddefinitelymakeoutafire.Itwasafewblocksfromtheshoreline,higheronahill.

“Whatisthat

placeoverthere?”“That’s

Rotkreuz,”Eastlingsaid.

“ThesameplacethebankerTobiasGablerwaskilledtheotherday.”

“Asamatteroffact,yes.Itis.”

Jackloweredthetelescope.“Let’sgo.”

“Go?Overthere?

Why?”“Why?Areyou

serious?”“Ryan,whatisit

youthinkjusthappened?”

“Idon’tknow,butI’mgoingtogetacloserlook.”

“Youarebeingridiculous.”

“Thenwhydon’tyouhangouthereat

thesafehouseandhelpyourmensearchthroughthecornflakes?I’mheadingoverthere.”Ryanturnedandleftthebalcony.Hescoopedupoffthetableasetofkeysbelongingtooneoftherentedcarsandthenshotoutthedoorofthesuite.

Ashestuckthe

I

keyinthelock,heheardsomeonehurryingdownthegravelbehindhim.ItwasEastling.“I’lldrive.”

—ttookthemnearlyahalf-hourtoget

aroundthelaketoRotkreuz.Astheyenteredthelittle

village,therewasnomistakingwhichwaytogo.Astructuralfireragedfiftyfeetintheair.Eastlingmerelyhadtokeephiscarpointedtowardtheglowand,despitebeingreroutedbyhastilyerectedroadblocksdesignedtoclearthewayforemergencyvehicles,

hemanagedtoparknearenoughtothescenesothatheandRyanhadtowalkonlyafewblocks.

JackandNickworkedtheirwayforwardthroughalargecrowdofonlookersacrosstheparkinglotfromtheblaze.Jackcouldfeeltheheatonhisfaceas

henearedthefire.Thebuilding

lookedlikeitmusthavebeenabeautifulrestaurant;therewasanopenseatingareawithfirepitstokeepthepatronswarmonchillynights,andbehindthissatalongstructurewithfloor-to-ceilingwindowsthataffordedthepatronsof

therestaurantamazingviewsofLakeZug.Asignhighabovetheparkinglotread“RestaurantMeisser.”Butnowthebuildingwasfullyengulfedinflames,thewindowswerebroken,andthewrought-irontablesandchairsaroundthefirepitshadallbeenknockedasideso

firefightersandotherfirstresponderscouldpullvictimsfromthecarnage.

Therewerebodiesunderblackplasticsheetsintheparkinglot.Jackcountedatleastten,butitwashardtotellinthewildlyflickeringfirelightandthemulticoloredstrobes

oftheemergencyvehicles.

Dozensoffirefightersstillworkedonthefire,hosesattackeditfromadozendirections,andpolicekeptthecrowdbackwithtape,shouts,andtheoccasionalshove.Someoneinthecrowdsaidgaslineswerefeedingthefire,

andthen,minutesafterRyanandEastlingarrived,theentiretapelinewasmovedbacktotheoppositesideofthestreet,infearofalargerexplosion.

WhileJackandNickstoodthereontheedgeofthelightfromtheroaringflames,Jacknoticeda

clusterofSwisspolicecarsonastreetcornerontheoppositesideofthetaped-offparkinglot.Twopoliceofficershadabeardedmaninhandcuffs,andtheywalkedhimtooneofthevehiclesandplacedhimintheback.HelookedtobeafewyearsyoungerthanJack,butfrom

thisdistanceJackcouldn’tbesure.

Jacksaid,“Wonderwhatthat’sallabout.”

Nickstartedwalkingthatway.“Isupposewecouldgofindout.”

Bythetimetheymadeitaroundtheparkinglot,thepolicecarwiththemanin

backhadracedoutoftheparkinglotanddownthehill,outofview.

Twoofficersstoodbyanothercarattheedgeofthepoliceline.NickEastlingwalkeduptothemandsaid,“Entschuldigung.SprechenSieEnglisch?”

InGerman,oneof

theofficersreplied,“Yes,butwearebusy.”

“Iunderstand.Iwasonlywonderingwhythatmanwasarrested.”

“Hewasn’tarrested.Hewasdetainedforquestioning.Hehadbeeninthebuilding,butheleftrightbefore

theexplosion.Hewasn’tapatron,hejustwalkedthrough,thenexitedthroughtheback.Aftertheexplosion,oneofthewaiterssawhiminthecrowdandpointedhimout.”

“Isee.”“Wereyoua

witnesstotheexplosion?”

“No,I’msorry,Ididn’tseeathing.”

EastlingandRyanturnedawayandpushedbackintothecrowd.Theylefttheareaafewminuteslater,returningtotheSISsafehousesoEastlingcouldcontactCenturyHouseviatheSTUphone.MI6wouldneedto

pressuretheSwissforinformationonthecrime,thedetainmentofthebeardedyoungman,andanyotherinformationthatcouldbemorereadilyobtainedatahigherlevel.

EastlingdroppedRyanbackatthehotelonhiswaytothesafehouse.Onceagainthe

AmericanCIAanalystfeltasthoughhewasbeingpushedasidebythecounterintelligenceofficer,butheknewhewouldn’thaveanythingmeaningfultodoatthesafehouse,sohedidn’tpresstheissue.

D56

Presentday

eltaForceofficerBarryJankowski,callsignMidas,had

survivedthebattlefortheLighthouseinSevastopol,Ukraine,alongwithtwoof

hisoperatorsandelevenotherAmericans.ButunlikemostofthesecurityofficersandCIAmenwho’dmadeitoutoftheLighthousealive,Midasandhisboyswerestillincountry.

ForthepastthreedaysMidashadbeeninCherkasy,amidsizedcityinUkraine’sheartland,andthelocationofalargeUkrainianArmybasethatwashometothenation’s

25thAirborneBrigade.Midashadlostfriendsat

theLighthouse,butlikemostmilitaryspecialoperationspersonnel,hewasnotgiventimetogrievefortheminthefield.Yesterdayafternoon,Jankowskihadbeenalieutenantcolonel.ButacallfromFortBragglastnightinformedhimhehadbeenpromotedtocolonel,andnotonlywashethehighest-

rankingmemberofJointSpecialOperationsCommandhereinUkraine,hewasnowtheseniorcommandauthorityofallU.S.andBritishforcesinUkraineforOperationRedCoalCarpet.

Midashadspentseventeenyearsinthemilitary,firstasaRangerenlistee,thenasaMustang—atermgiventoanenlistedmanwhojoinstheofficer

ranks.HemovedovertoDeltasixyearsprior,startingoutasanassaulterandthengraduatingintotheeliteoftheelite,aDeltaForcereccetroop.

MostU.S.militaryunitsusedtheterm“recon”asanabbreviationforreconnaissance,butthefounderofDeltaForce,“Chargin’”CharlieBeckwith,hadservedasanexchange

officerwiththeUnitedKingdom’s22ndSASRegimentinthe1960s.BeckwithhadadoptedmanytraitsoftheSASintoDelta,andBritscalledreconnaissance“recce”—pronounced“wrecky”—soDeltafollowedsuit.

MidascamefromaPolishfamily;hegrewupspeakingbothEnglishandPolishathome,andhe’d

learnedsomeRussianincollege.He’dspentmuchofthepastyearhereinUkraine,andwithhisvastexperienceandunderstandingofthelandscape,theenemy,andtheUkrainianmilitary,hehadbeentappedbythePentagontoleadoperationsontheground.

InSevastopol,MidashadrunanAdvanceForceOperationscell,meaninghe

haddirectcontroloveronlythreeotherDeltamen.Foralieutenantcolonel,thiswashighlyunusual,butgivenhislanguageskillsandhisuniqueknowledgeoftheregion,hehadgonewherehewasneeded.Now,justdayslater,hefoundhimselfincontrolofaforceof429men.ThereweresixtyoperatorsandsupportpersonnelfromDelta’sBSquadron,along

withmenfrom5thSpecialForcesGroupand10thSpecialForcesGroup,aswellasaunitofBritishSAScommandos.

HealsohadaU.S.ArmyRangerrifleplatoonoffortymenhereonthebasetoprovidesitesecurity.

Besidestheseassets,hehadafewtransportandscouthelicoptersfromthe160thSpecialOperationsAviation

Regiment,threeBlackHawks,andsixtinyMH-6LittleBirdsfortransportinghisforcesaround.

Andanhourearlier,Midasreceiveddeliveryofalargeadditiontohisairsupport.FourCIAReaperdronesflownoutofBoryspilInternationalAirportnearKievweretaskedtoJSOC,andseveralArmyhelosarrivedhereinCherkasyfrom

Poland.Theseheloswouldbeusedprincipallyforlasertargeting,butMidashadbeenthinkingoutsidetheboxonthis,andhehadsentwordthathewantedoneflightcrewinparticulartodropinonhisoperationscenterassoonastheysettledintotheirnewquarters.

Obviously,theAmericansandtheBritswerenotalone.TheUkrainian

militarywasinplacealongtheborderandheldinreserve,andtheywereexpectingafight,butMidaswaspainfullyawarehowunpreparedforittheywere.Hehadspentthepastmonthreceivingreportsofthepoorstateofequipment,training,and,mostimportant,moraleintheUkrainianmilitary.Therehadbeenwidespreaddesertionsandcredible

reportsofspiesandsabotage.MoredebilitatingthanthiswasageneralsensefromUkrainianleadersfarawayfromtheborderthatiffightingstarted,NATOwouldswoopinandhelpthemout,oratleastenactpainfulsanctionsagainstRussiathatwouldforceVolodintostophisattack.

Midashadbeenawarfighterlongenoughtoknow

thesuitsinKievwerefoolingthemselves.

HehadspentthemorninginsecurecommunicationstoindividualUkrainiancommandersheknewaroundtheregion,stressingthefactthatthe429U.S.andUKtroopshereincountrywereprettymuchallthehelpUkrainewasgoingtoget.

Hismostrecentconversation,whichhad

endedjustaminuteearlier,wentmuchlikealltheothers.AUkrainianartillerycoloneltoldMidas,“IfyouknowtheRussiansarecoming,youneedtoattackthembeforetheycrosstheborder.”

Midaspatientlyrepliedthatheandhis429weren’tgoingtobeinvadingRussiainthislifetime.

Thecolonelreplied,“TheRussianswillattackwitha

fewrustytanks.Theywillflyoverheadanddropbombsonairportswearen’tevenusing.TheywillsailtheirBlackSeafleetaroundandshellourbeaches.”

“Theywilldomorethanthat,”Midasrepliedsomberly.

ThecolonelshoutedbackattheAmerican,“ThenIwilldieonmyfeetwithaguninmyhand!”

Midaswonderedaboutthelasttimetheartillerycolonelhadheldafirearminhishand,buthedidn’task.

AsaJSOCofficer,Barry“Midas”JankowskihadfoughtinIraqandAfghanistan,andhehadadvisedmilitariesinthePhilippinesandColombia.

Ukrainewasthelargestcountryhehadeveroperatedin,withthebiggestGDPand

themosteducatedpopulation.Buthe’dneverbeenina

morehopelesssituation.His429menandwomenwerepittedagainstsomewhereintheneighborhoodof70,000Russianspoisedneartheborder,readytoinvadeUkraine.WhentheRussiansinvaded,hisoneandonlyhopewastousehisfewtroopstoassisttheUkrainianstobeaforcemultiplier,notso

Ukrainecouldwin.NotsotheycouldbeattheRussiansbackovertheborder.

No.Theironlychanceatsurvival—hisonlychanceatsurvival—hingedonslowingtheRussiansdown,givingthemmorecasualtiesandheadachesthantheybargainedforinthehopestheywouldquittheattack.

He’dspentthepastdaysettinguphisJoint

OperationsCenterhereinCherkasywithallthecommunicationsandintelligencepersonnelheneededtokeepanunblinkingeyeoneasternUkraine.

MidasdidnotcontroltheCIAnonofficialcoverassetsinUkraine,theywerenotpartofJointSpecialOperationsCommand,buthedidhaveonemorearrowinhisquiver.AttheLighthousehe’drun

intothreemen:Clark,Chavez,andCaruso.Whenhe’dlearnedtheyweren’tCIA,DIA,NSA,oranyotherofficialacronym,he’dbeenreadytokickthembackoutthegateofhissecurelocation,butallthreeofthemenhadproventheirabilitiesandtheirallegianceinthebattlefortheCIAcompound.AftertheairevacfromSevastopol,JohnClarkhad

toldMidasheandhisguyswouldbereturningtoKiev,wheretheywerewatchingovertheorganized-crimegroupthathadinfiltratedthecountryonbehalfoftheFSB.ClarkalsotoldMidastheywerereadytohelphim,ifandwhenheneededit.

Itwasn’texactlybythebook—hell,MidashadnoauthoritywhatsoevertoaskAmericancivilianstoassist

himinhiscombatoperations.ButMidaslikedknowinghehadafewoperatorsoutsidethemilitaryandintelligencechainofcommandhecouldcallonifnecessary.

Midashadamaster’sdegreeinmilitarysciencefromAmericanMilitaryUniversity.He’dlearnedmuchinhishighereducationthathe’dfoundapplicableontheground,buthe’dnever

foundanythinginschoolthatmorereflectedtherealworldofcombatthanaquotationhe’dpickedupstudyinganineteenth-centuryGermanfieldmarshalnamedHelmuthvonMoltke.

Moltkesaid,“Strategyisasystemofexpedients.”

MidashimselfwasfromWestVirginia,andhepreferredplaintalk,sohistranslationofMoltke’squote

was“Aman’sgottadowhataman’sgottado.”

WhentheRussiansattacked,Midasexpectedthingswouldturnunconventionalveryfast.Moltke’smorefamousquote,“Nobattleplansurvivescontactwiththeenemy,”wasanothermilitarytruism.OncetheRussianskickedoffthisparty,Midasexpectedthemeticulouslyplanned

C

OperationRedCoalCarpettodevolveintoasituationwhereheandhisteamhereintheCherkasyJOCwouldjuststartwingingitthebesttheycould.

—hiefWarrantOfficersTwoEricConwayand

AndrePagewalkedacrosstheUkrainianmilitarybaseonabrightandcoolspring

morning.Theydidn’tknowtheirwayaroundandneitherofthemencouldreadtheCyrillicsigns,butthey’dbeentoldtoheadtotheendofthehelicopterflightline,turnleft,andthenkeepwalkingtilltheysawthegatewiththeAmericansguardingit.

Walkingaroundbasewithouttheirhelmets,thetwo-manflightcrewoftheU.S.Army’sOH-58DKiowa

WarriorlookedverymuchliketworegularArmyinfantrysoldiers.Theydidnotwearflightsuits;instead,themenworetan,gray,andgreenuniformsundertheirSAPI(SmallArmsProtectiveInsert)steelplates.TheycarriedU.S.Army–issuedColtM4riflesonslingsaroundtheirchestsalongwithBerettaM9pistolsontheirhips,andextrarifle

magazineshunginammoracksovertheirbodyarmor.

TheypassedagroupofUkrainianhelicoptermaintenancemenwhostoppedthemandshooktheirhands.NoneoftheseguysspokemuchEnglish,buttheyseemedhappytohavetheAmericanforceshere.Drewasblack,whichwasaboutasrarehereasEricandDrerunningintoaUkrainianback

attheirbaseinKentucky,andconsequentlyhedrewfascinatedstaresfromtheyoungUkrainianmen.

EricandDrewerepolite,buttheybrokeawayfromthegroupasquicklyaspossible,becausetheirCOhadorderedthemovertoabuildingontheoppositesideofthebase.

Andtheyhadnoideawhy.

AfterfightinginEstonia,

ChiefWarrantOfficersConwayandPagereturnedtoPoland,wheretheyservedinEuropeanCommand.TheirunitwaspartofaNATOdetachmentthattrainedwiththePoles,anditwasasinterestinganassignmentaseitherofthemneededafterthestressofcombatinEstonia.

Butjustyesterdaytheircompanyreceivedthe

surprisenewsthatthey’dbeheadingtoUkraine.TheyassumedithadsomethingtodowiththeattackonthePartnershipforPeaceofficeinSevastopolthatwasalloverthenews,butotherthanatonofidleconjecturebythemselvesandtheothermenintheircompany,theydidn’thaveanyrealideawhattheywouldbedoinghere.

Andtheyweren’tgiven

muchtimetothinkaboutit.Forthepasttwenty-fourhourstheyhadbeenpreppingfortheirmission,andthentheyandtheirentirecompany,helicoptersincluded,flewoverfromPolandinthebackoftwoC-17s,arrivinghereinCherkasyjustanhourearlier.

DuringtheirwalkacrosstheUkrainianbase,EricandDrearguedplayfullyabout

whatwasinstoreforthemontheothersideofthebase.Neitherthoughttheywereinanytrouble,butthefactthey’dbeenseparatedfromtherestoftheircompany,justwheneveryoneelsewasgettingsituatedinthebarracksandbeddingdownforalittlerelaxationaftertwenty-fourhoursofconstantmovement,wassomewhatannoying.

TheyfoundthegatewiththeAmericans,andtheyenteredanareaprotectedbymentheyrecognizedtobemembersofthe75thRangerRegiment.Theywereelitesoldiers,andConwayandPagenormallydidn’thavemuchdirectcontactwiththem,soRegimentstudsweresomethingofanoveltytosee.

Theynextmadetheirwayacrossarowofsmall

barrackswithlargegarage-typedoorsthatwereopentoletinfreshair.Insideoneofthebarracks,ConwayandPagespiedagroupofmenincamouflagewithnonregulationhaircutsandbeards.Theywereunboxingsomeoftheirequipment,andonelookatthehaircutsandthegeartoldthetwotwenty-six-year-oldsthatthesewereArmySpecialForces.

PageleanedovertoConwayastheypassedby.“Eric,firstwewalkedbyRegimentdudes,nowwe’rewalkingbyGreenBerets.Iguesswe’reworkingourwayup.”

Conwayjustlaughed,buthewasgenuinelycuriousaboutjusthowfarintotheinnersanctumofthe“special”sideoftheArmytheywereheading.

Soontheyarrivedatthelastbuildingonthebase.ItwasprotectedbyanothergroupofRangers,whoreadConway’sandPage’snametapesandcalledsomeoneovertheradio.Amomentlatertheywereledintoahallwayandtoldtoknockonthelastdoorontheright.

Nervously,ConwayandPagelookedateachother,thenConwayrappedonthe

metaldoor.“Enter,”cameabooming

voicefrominside.Theyentered,thenfound

themselvesfacingahalf-dozenmenincivilianattire.TheaverageageoftheseguyslookedlikeitwasabouttenyearsolderthantheGreenBeretsbackinthehangar,andtheyallworescruffybeardsanddifferenttypesofadventure-wearclothing.

Eachoneofthemenalsoworeapistolonhiship,andbothConwayandPagenoticedthatthegunswereindividualtothemen,andthistoldtheyoungwarrantofficersthattheseguyswerelikelyJSOC,JointSpecialOperationsCommandoperators.ThiswouldmeantheywereeitherSEALTeamSixorDelta.Eitherway,neitherConwaynorPagehad

acluewhattheyweredoinghere.

“Comeonin,gents.Thanksfordroppingby,”oneofthebeardedmensaid.

IntheU.S.Army,onedoesnot“dropby.”TheyhadbeenorderedoverherebytheirCO,butiftheseguyswantedtobeinformalaboutthis,ConwayandPagewerehappytooblige.

Themanwhoclearlywas

theteamleaderintroducedhimselfandhismen.“I’mMidas,thisisBoyd,thisisGreyhound,theseguysinbackareArctic,Beavis,andSlammer.”

BothPageandConwaythoughtthesamethingatthesametime.ThesedudesarefuckingDeltaForce!

Midassaid,“It’sanhonortomeetyouguys.IreadtheAARaboutthat

pieceofflyingyoudidupineasternEstonia.TheysayyoutwojokersgrabbedaroadmapandflewintodisputedterritorysolowthatRussianradarthoughtyouweredrivingataxi.Thenyoutookoutahalf-dozenT-90s.”

Conwayknewtheafter-actionreviewofhisoperationinEstoniahadbeenclassifiedbythemilitary.Still,itwasnosurprisetheseblack

operatorshadreadit.Conwaybeamedwith

pridebutreplied,“Thankyou,sir.Buttobehonest,wehadsomeluck.”

Pageadded,“WealsohadsomeApaches.”

Theentireroomburstintolaughter.

“Iloveit,”Midassaid,andhereadPage’snametape.“Mr.Page,whatdoyousay?IsMr.Conwayasgooda

pilotasthatAARmadehimouttobe?”

DrePagenodded.“Ihatetoadmititinfrontofhim,buthe’sbadass,sir.”

Midassaid,“That’sgoodenoughforme.He’stheoneflyingyouaround,soIfigureyouarethemantoaskabouthisabilities.”

Conwaysaid,“Pagedoesallofthetargeting,buthedoessomeflying,too.”

Midaspointedtoasofaagainstthewall,andthetwoChiefWarrantOfficerssatdown.Midaswalkedovertoacooleronatable,openedit,andpulledoutsomebottlesoficedSlavutichbeer,alocalbrand.Hepoppedoffthecapsontheedgeofthetable,thenwalkedthemovertothetwowide-eyedyoungmen.

“WelcometoUkraine,”hesaidashehandedoverthe

beers.Hewentbacktothecoolerandgotoneforhimself.Hetookaswig,andonlythendidthehelocrewfollowsuit.Conwaythoughtthiswasreallyweird,andhewonderedifhewasonsomenewAmericanForcesNetworkTVversionofCandidCamera.

Midassatontopofawoodentablenexttohismen.Theotherguyswereloading

riflemagazineswithbulletsfromammocans.ConwayandPagenoticedtherifleslinedupalongthewall.TheywereHK416s,whichlookedmuchliketheirColtM4sandfiredthesamecaliberbullet,buttheDeltaForcerifleswerefarsuperior.

Midassaid,“You’reprobablywonderingwhyyou’rehere.”

Conwaywasthequieter

ofthetwomen,soDreanswered.“Yes,sir.”

Midassaid,“SomegeneralinWashingtonhasseenfittogivemecommandauthorityoverthisoperationinUkraine.Withthearrivalofyourcompany,Inowhaveundermycommandfourhundredtwenty-ninemen.”Heheldahandupquickly.“Correction.Fourhundredeightmenandtwenty-one

women.Therearesomefemaleintelsupport,aswellasFlightOpspersonnel.ThereisonefemalepararescueBlackHawkpilot,too,Ihear.”

“Sawherthismorning.She’sprettyhot,”mumbledtheDeltamancalledGreyhound.

“Anyway,ifyouhadn’tguessedyet,theRussiansarecomingovertheborder.

Mightbetoday,mightbetomorrow,mightnotbeforaweek.Buttheyarecoming,andwhentheydo,we’llhaveSOFteamsupanddowntheregion,notrightattheborder,butfiftyorsomilesinside.TheyarehookedupwithSOFLAMlaserdesignators,andtheywillmarktargetsfortheUkrainianAirForcetotakeoutwithair-to-groundordnance.Youfollowmeso

far?”ConwayandPageboth

said,“Yes,sir.”Midassighed.“Okay,

bestwegetthisoutoftheway.Domeafavor.Cutthe‘sir’shitrightnow.”

ConwayandPagewereregularArmy.Theideaofcallingamanwhowasclearlyasuperiorofficer“Midas”madethembothuncomfortable.

“Yes...Midas,”Conwaymanagedtosay.

“WealsojustgotyourcompanyofOH-58s.Now,therestofyourcompanywilldothesamethingastheSOFtroops.Thatis,uselaserdesignationtofindandfixtargetsfortheUkrainianAFtofinish.TheotherKiowaswillhaveStingermissilestogivethemselvessomeairdefensecapabilities.”

“Okay,”Conwaysaid,unsurewherethiswasgoing.

“ButIwantyouguystodosomethingdifferent.IwanttoloadyouboysupwithHellfires,soyoucandosomeofthefinishingyourselves.”

“Yes,sir,”Pagesaid,holdinghisbeeruphighinsalute.

Midasstaredhimdownforamoment.

“Uh...Imean,Midas.”“Good.Ourprimary

missionistobelasingtargetsfortheUkrainians,butthat’snotgoodenough.Iwanttohavetheability,inaninextremissituation,tooperateindependentlyoftheUkrainians.”

Conwaygotitnow.“Iunderstand.”

“WehaveReaperdronesfromtheCIAarmedwith

Hellfiresthatwecancallontargets.ButIwantmyownbirdintheair,youguys,tobereadytogoplacesontheflytoattacktargetswhennecessary.Canyoudothatforme?”

“Absolutely.”“Asyoumighthave

guessed,IamnotconventionalArmy.Youguysareintheconventionalsystem,butIneedpilotswho

canthinkunconventionallyinthis.FromtheAARIreadaboutthestuntyoupulledinEstonia,I’mthinkingyouguysmightbeperfectasmyhiredgunupinthesky.”

Conwaysaid,“Whateveryouneed.”

“Goodtohearit.”Pagesaid,“Onequestion,

Midas.Wherewillwebegoing?”

“That’sgoingtobe

classified.CertainlynotintotheCrimea.ProbablynottoDonetsk,either.We’llletyouknowbeforetakeoff,usually,butwejustneedyoureadyforacallfromus.We’lltalktoyourCOandgetyoutakenofftheregularflightlinesoyoucanrunyourownop.”

EricandDrefinishedtheirbeers,shookthehandsofthemenintheroom,andstartedtoleave.Ericturned

awayfromthedoor.Hedidn’tknowifheshouldpushhisluck,buthethoughthewasonaroll.“Um,Midas...Ukraineisn’taNATOmember.Idon’tunderstand.Isourcountryreallygoingtowarforthem?”

“Ourcountryisnot.”Heshrugged.“Weare.Welcometothedarkside,boys.”

C57

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanawoketoa

determinedknockathishotelroomdoorinZug,Switzerland.He

lookedattheclockonthebedsidetableandsawitwasjustafterfoura.m.Herolledquicklyoutofbedandunlatchedthedoor;itwasallthewayopenbeforeitoccurredtohimthateventhoughhewasananalystandnotanoperative,hewasworkinginthefield,anditmight

havebeenagoodideatolookthroughthedamnpeepholebeforeflingingopenthedoor.

C’mon,Jack.Payattentiontowhatyou’redoing.

ItwasNickEastlinginthehall,andJackcouldimmediatelytellthemanhadbeenupforsometime.

Hecouldalsotellsomethingwaswrong.

“What’sgoingon?”

Eastlingsaid,“Ineedtocomein.”

“Sure.”Eastlingentered,

andJackshutthedoorbehindhim.Bothmenmovedtochairsinacomicallytinysittingarea.

Jacksaid,“Youjustgettingbackfromthesafehouse?”

“Yeah.BeenonthephonewithCenturyHouseandcontactsattheembassyinZurich.”

“What’sgoingon?”

“TheexplosiontonightattheRestaurantMeisser.

Therewerefourteendead.”

Jackcouldn’treadtheman’sface.Helookedsimultaneouslyexcitedandconfused.

Nickadded,“OneofthevictimswasMarcusWetzel.”

Jackcockedhishead.“Andheis...who,exactly?”

Eastlinggavea

longsigh.“Youwouldfindoutsoonenough,anyway.Hewasoursourceinthebank.HewasMorningstar.”

Ryanputhisheadinhishands.“OhmyGod.”

“Yeah.Hewasdiningwithanotherman,whosurvived.Heidentifiedthebody.”

Ryanstood.“Youstillthinkthiswasrandom?”

“I...obviously...Ofcoursenot.I’mnobloodyfool,Ryan.Morningstarwasmurdered.IhavetothinkitwasthesameactorwhokilledTobiasGabler.”

“I’mgladyou’ve

comearound.”“Yeah,well,I’ve

comearoundtothefactthebankersweremurdered,butnotDavidPenright.”

“Howcanyoubesocertainofthat?”

“BecauseGermanleftistswouldn’thavemuchinterestinDavidPenright,now,wouldthey?”

“Germanleftists?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“OneofthebodiesfoundintheexplosioninRotkreuzwasidentifiedasatwenty-five-year-oldGermanwomannamedMartaScheuring.Thelocationofherbodywascurious,itgavetheSwissreasonto

stopwhattheyweredoingandfocusonher.Shewasfoundinthekitchen,nearthegaslines,butshedidnotworkintherestaurant.Theyareassumingshebroughtsomesortofexplosiveintotheplace,butwhenshetriedtosetthetimer,thebloodythingwentoffinher

face.”Jackassumed

therewasmore.“Howdotheyknowshewasn’tjustlookingforthejohn?”

“Youmeantheloo,don’tyou?”

“Yeah.”“Because

coincidenceslikethisdon’toccur.MartaScheuringwasclosely

affiliatedwiththeRedArmyFaction.ShehastwoarrestsinGermanyforsubversiveacts.ShelivesinBerlin.Theyfoundheraddresswithheridentificationinabackpackshe’dleftinanalleybehindtheMeisser.”

JackknewallabouttheRAF.He

alsoknewtheydidnotnormallyoperateinSwitzerland.“WhywouldRAFblowthisrestaurantup?”

Eastlingshrugged.“Idon’tknow.IdoknowIamheadingtoBerlin.CenturyHousehasbeenincontactwiththeGermanpolice.TheGermanswillraidherflat,andI

willbetherewhenithappens.”

“Whatabouttheotherguy?”

“Whatotherguy?”

“ThemantheSwisspolicepickedupattheMeisserrestaurant.Themanwhowastakenawayinthesquadcar?”

Eastlingsaid,

“Oh,him.Heescapedcustody.Pickedhiscuffsandwrestledagunawayfromoneofthecops.Hecuffedthecopperstogether,back-to-back,aroundalightpoleinthecitycenterneartheBahnhof.Lookslikeheleftonthetrain.”

“Surelyhewasinvolved,too.”

“Mighthavebeen.ProbablyRAF.MaybeI’llfindoutmoreinBerlin.AsIsaid,I’moffinafewhours.Youarewelcometojoinme,althoughIcan’tspeakfortheGermans.Mightwanttogetthatclearedwithyourhomeoffice.”

Jackrubbedhiseyes.“Twodaysago

youheardthatagirlfromBerlinwasdrinkingwithaBritishagentwhowasthenkilled,workingonthesamecasewherealltheseotherpeoplehavebeenkilled.NowaGermanwomantiedtoRAFisalsotiedtotheotherdeaths.

“Doyoureallythinkthedeathof

DavidPenrightwasjustacoincidence?WhynotgobacktothebarwherePenrightdiedandshowthemthepictureofMartaandaskifitwasthesamewoman?”

“We’llpassitontotheSwiss,whoIamquitecertainwilldojustthat.ButthereareGermangirlsallover

theplace.IfPenrighthadnotbeenchattingupaGerman,hewouldhavebeenwithanAussieoraKiwioraFrenchieorsomeSwede.Thegirlinthebardoesn’tmatter.”

Eastlingcontinued,“WewillgotoBerlin,lookattheRAFevidencethere,andifit

somehowshouldleadusbacktoDavidPenright’sdeath,wewillactaccordingly.Inthemeantime,don’tyoubloodytellmehowtodomyjob!”

Ryansaid,“That’sfine.Let’sgo.ButIwanttobeinvolvedintheexploitationoftheintelligencefoundinthelocationinBerlin.

Idon’twanttobestandingonthesidelines.”

“Notformetosay,Jack,oldboy.TakeitupwiththeHuns.”

T58

Presentday

atianaMolchanovasmiledintothecameraasNew

Russia’ssixp.m.newsbegan.Normally,theeveningnewshere,likeeveryeveningnews

programonearth,beganbyreportingontheday’sevents,butValeriVolodinhadshownuprightbeforethestartofthenewscast,andhe’dwalkedhimselfontothesetandsatdowninwhatheconsideredtobehischair.

Sothecamerafadedinwithaclose-upshotofMolchanova,shestretchedanintroductionofthepresidentoutalittlewhileanaudio

technicianmikedVolodinonherleft,thensheturnedandgreetedthepresidentwithawidebutnotovertlyunprofessionalsmile.

Molchanovahadnoquestionsforhim;hisarrivalhadbeenacompletesurprise,andtheproducersinherearpieceseemedtobearguingwithoneanotherabouthowtostarthisinterview.

Shewouldhavetowingthissegment,butshecoulddoit,becauseshewasapro.Plus,shehadastrongsuspicionthepresidentwouldn’tgivehertoomuchopportunityforimprovisation.

“Mr.President,therehavebeensomedramaticeventswithinthebordersofourlargestneighbortothewest.Whatcommentsdoyou

haveabouttheattacksinUkrainethatseemedtobesoclearlydesignedtothreatenRussiansupportersthere?”

Volodinwaslikeacoiledspringreleased.“Notjustsupporters,TatianaVladimirovna.IremindyouthatmillionsofRussiancitizenslivewithinthebordersofUkraine.

“TheattackagainstmygoodfriendOksanaZueva

andthebombinginDonetskwerebothclearlybythehandsofpro-nationalistguerrillaforcessupportedbyWesternintelligenceagencies.AddtothistheattackbytheAmericanCIAinSevastopol.Thesewereprovokatsii!”Provocations!“TheenemiesofRussiaaretryingtodrawusoutintoafight.Wehavekeptourdisagreementspeacefuland

withinthediplomaticrealm,andtheydidnotknowhowtohandlethislevelofsophistication,sotheyresortedtobloodshed.”

Molchanovarecognizedhercue.SheaskedavaguequestionabouthowactionsinUkraineaffectedtheMotherland.

Volodindidnotmissabeat.“TherearefiftymillionpeopleinUkraine,one-sixth

ofwhomareethnicRussians.AndtheCrimeanpeninsulaisvitaltoRussiansecurityinterests.Thatisobvioustoeventhemostbasicstudentofinternational,economic,andmilitaryaffairs.

“ItishomeoftheBlackSeafleet.ThereareoilandgaspipelinestoEurope,Russia’svitalmarket,andmilitaryhighwaystotheWestthatareimportanttoour

securityinterests.”Volodincontinued,

“Ukrainebelongsinoursphereofinfluence.AsIseeit,therearetwothreatstoournation.Onlytwo.TheseareterrorismandthelawlesscriminalityoftheWestonourborders.

“Ourenemieswoulddismemberus,andweknowthis,sowekeepthemoutsideourborders,butthatisnot

enough.EasternEuropeancountrieshavebecomeslavesofAmericaandEurope,andwemustprotectourselvesfromthem,nomatterthecost.

“WehavereducedterrorisminRussiatoalargedegree.Ethnicdivisionswithin,alongwiththecriminalelement,mostofwhomwereofethnicminority,havebeencontrolledtoalargemeasure.

Wewillneedtocontinueourstruggle,topromotethestrengthofourlawenforcementandjudicialsystemathome,andincreasethescopeofoursecurityservicesabroad.Thereisnootherwaytosurvive.

“ButlookingintowhatisgoingoninUkraine,IseewenotonlyshareinterestswithourSlavicneighbors,butwealsosharethreats.

“TheUkrainiannationalistsinpowerinKievarejustsuchathreat.”

Volodinstaredintothelensofthecamera.TatianaMolchanovasatmeeklytotheside.Thepresidenthadclearlyforgottenhewasinaninterviewforthetimebeing.“Norogueregimewillbeallowedtoexistpeacefullyonourborders.ThisisjustthethingIhavebeentryingto

protecttheMotherlandfrom.“Thepervasivecrimeand

lawlessnessinUkrainehasshownmethattheRussiancitizenstheremustbeprotected,andthisprotectionmustbeactual,andnotsomenewlinedrawnonamap,whichwillnotserveanyone’sinterests.”

Hepaused,soTatianaMolchanovafilledthedeadairwithhervoice:“Canyou

telluswhatstepsyourgovernmentispreparedtotaketoalleviatethethreatsalongourborder?”

“Ihaveorderedourmilitarytoprepareaseriesofsmall-scalesecurityactionstoprotectRussia’sinterestsintheCrimea,andRussia’spopulationwholiveineasternUkraine.Icannotgointoanyoperationaldetails,ofcourse.”Hesmiled.“Not

evenforyou,TatianaVladimirovna.”

Shesmiledback.“Buteveryoneshould

rememberthisisnothingmorethanamissionofmirotvorsty.”Peacemaking.

Tatianasaid,“UkraineisnotaNATOmemberstate,buttheyareamemberofthePartnershipforPeace,whichmeansthereissometrainingandcoordinationwithNATO

forces.Doyouexpectthistocausetroubleinanysecurityoperation?”

Volodinsaid,“WewereNATOmembersuntilayearago,butIsawthefollyofthis.HowcouldwecontinueinNATO,anorganizationthatwassetupfortheexpresspurposeofdefeatingus?

“NATOisnotsomuchofathreat.MostEuropeannationsarecompletely

reasonable.ButAmericaisaconcern,andIwillgiveyouanexampleofwhy.Theyhaveanobsessionforantiballisticmissiles.ThiswasstartedbyRonaldReagan,andithascontinuedforthirtyyears.TheAmericanswantthesemissilesonlyforonereason.Tocloakthemselvesinsafetyforaninevitablebattle.Abattletheyplanonstarting.

“NowwehavebeensparedPresidentRyan’shyper-useofforceinthepastyears,onlybecauseourleadershipwasweakandAmericaenjoyedsettingallthetermsforus.Aslongaswewerecompliant,theywerekind.Amasterwhopetsalazycat.

“Butwehaveprivilegedinterestsinourregion,andAmericawoulddowellto

rememberwewillprotectthoseprivilegedinterests.”

“WhatdoyouconsidertobeRussia’sprivilegedinterests?”

“Theneighboringpost-SovietnationswhereethnicRussianslive.Itismyresponsibilitytoguaranteetheyareprotected.”

Volodinturnedtothecamera.“AndtoNATO,andespeciallytotheAmericans.I

willremindyouthisisourbackyard.”Hepointedafingeratthecamera.“Youhavebeenplayinginourbackyard,andweletitgo.ButnowIwillwarnyoutostayoutofourbackyard.”

Molchanovastruggledtocomeupwithhernextquestion,butsheneedn’thavebothered,becauseVolodinloweredhispointedfingerandcontinuedtalking

tothecamera.“Ukrainiansshould

understandthatweloveyourcountry,weareyourbestneighbors.Wedon’twanttoremoveyourflagoryouranthem.IonlywanttoaddressthequestionofUkraine’sborder.TheCrimeaishistoricallyRussian—everyoneknowsthis.Itwillbeforthegoodofbothnationsforbothofustohave

thesamerights,thesamelaws,thesamebrightfuture.”

Tatianaaskedthenextquestionwithsometrepidation.Shewasnotcertainifshewasbeingpulledalongintothequestion,butVolodinhadmadethefollow-upsoobvious,therewasnowayshecouldpassitup.“So,Mr.President,areyousayingtheCrimeaistheobjectiveofthe

securityoperation?”Volodindidnotanswerat

first.Heseemedcaughtoffguard.“Onethingatatime,MissMolchanova.Wemustseehowourpeacekeepingforcesaretreated.Iftheterrorismdiesdown...ofcoursewewillleave.”Hesaiditwithhishandsup,asifhewastryingtoinsinuateMolchanovahadbeentheonepromotingthetakeoverof

TUkrainianterritory.

—heopeningattacksoftheinvasionbeganasthe

presidentspokeontelevision.Thelate-afternoonstartoftheactionhadthedesiredeffectofsurprisingtheUkrainianforcesneartheborder.Theydidexpectanattackfromtheeast—buttheydidnotexpectonethatbeganatdinnertime.

Long-rangemissilebatteriesdevastatedUkrainiandefensivepositions,andfighterbombersflewinlandtodestroyairfieldsintheeasternCrimea.Tanksrolledwestovertheborder,muchastheyhaddoneinEstonia,butheretheymetmoreresistanceintheformoftheUkrainianT-64s.TheolderUkrainiantankswerenotnearlythe

qualityoftheRussianT-90s,buttheywereplentiful,andmostofthemwerewellduginorwereinhardenedbunkerpositions.

PitchedbattlesoftanksandGradmultiplerocketlaunchersystemsystemsonbothsidesofthelinecontinuedforthefirsthoursoftheconflict,andastheRussianarmorcrosseddeeperintoUkraine,Ukrainian

howitzerswerebroughttobear.RussianMiGsandSukhoiscontrolledtheskies,however,andtheytookoutthegunemplacementsjustasfastastheycouldarriveoverhead.

TheUkrainiansalsohadasignificantnumberofself-propelled152-millimeterartilleryvehicles—aRussian-builtmobilehowitzernamedaftertheMstaRiver,and

thesewerewellhiddenandmobileenoughtopresentaproblemfortheT-90s,buttheUkrainiangeneralskeptthemajorityofthisvaluableresourceinreserve,allbutcondemningtheforward-deployedMstaunitstodestructionbyRussianKamovhelicoptergunshipsandMiG-29s.

Byninep.m.theUkrainiancitiesof

Sverdlovs’kandKrasnodon,bothjustmilesfromtheRussianborder,weretakenwithbarelyashotfiredwithintheircitylimits,andMariupol,ontheSeaofAzov,fellbyten-fifteen.

Atmidnight,aflightofsixhugeAntonovAn-70trooptransportaircraftleftRussianterritoryovertheSeaofAzov;theycrossedintoUkrainianairspaceminutes

later.Onboardeachaircraftwerebetweentwohundredandthreehundredtroops.Mostofthemweremembersofthe217thGuardsAirborneRegimentofthe98thGuardsAirborneDivision,buttherewerealsoseveralhundredGRUSpetsnazforcesinthemix.

Theflightofair-transportaircraftwassupportedbyfighterjetsandradar-

jammingequipment,andwhentheyflewoverSevastopol,RussianshipsintheBlackSeaalsoprovideddefensefortheircountrymenoverheadwiththeirsurface-to-airmissiles.

TheUkrainiansengagedtheaircraftwithaflightofSu-27s,butallfourwereshotdownoverthesea,twobyRussianfightersandtwomorebysurface-to-air

missiles.TheRussianslostfive

fightersoftheirown,butallsixAn-70smadeittotheirdropzones.

TheparatroopersleaptintothenightfromtheAntonovsandlandedalloverthesoutherntipoftheCrimeanpeninsula.

ByhalfpastoneRussiahad1,435lightlyarmedbutwell-trainedtroopsonthe

groundinSevastopol;theyattackedtwoUkrainiangarrisonsanddestroyedseveralsmallanti-airbatteriesinthecenterofthecity.

IftheUkrainiansdidn’tknowwhytheRussiansdroppedtroopsinSevastopolthatevening,theywouldknowsoonenough.AcrosstheBlackSea,thesmallportofOchamchiraintheautonomousnationof

AbkhaziahadbeenthemakeshifthomeofaflotillaofRussianships,onboardofwhichsomefivethousandRussianmarineshadbeenlivingforseveraldays.AssoonastheAn-70stookofffromtheirbaseinIvanovo,Russia,theflotillasetsailforSevastopol.Theywouldnotarrivetillthemiddleofthefollowingday,butthiswouldgivetheparatroopersand

Spetsnazforcesthetimetheyneededtocompletelycontroltheneighborhoodsaroundtheport.

WhiletheRussianforcesspreadoutfromdropzonesintheCrimea,tanksandotherarmorrolleddeeperintoeasternUkraine.TheRussianshadsignificantlybetternight-visionequipmentthantheUkrainians,andtheirtankswouldusethistopress

onthroughtheentirenight,catchingtheenemyblindandpanicked.Althoughtheinvasionitselfhadbeennosurprise,theUkrainianleadershiprecognizedinhoursthattheirgeneralshadmisjudgedthespeed,thetactics,andtheutterintensityofthefightthattheRussianswerebringingovertheborder.

T59

herewerealotofmorningjoggersinLondon,notasmany

asinD.C.,butconsideringhowmiserabletheweatherhadbeenherethisspring,JackRyan,Jr.,wassurprisedjusthowmanymenand

womenhesawlacinguptheirshoestogetsomedawncardioexerciseintheelements.

Usually,however,Jacksawthemajorityoftherunnersduringthehomestretchofhismorningcardio.Helikedtohititveryearly,beforetheotherjoggerswereout,asthisgavehimacertainsenseofaccomplishmentthatheneverfeltwhenhegota

latestarttohisday.Butthismorningwas

different.Yes,hewasupearly—itwasjustaftersixandhe’dalreadyrunseveralmiles.Buthewasn’tfeelingthenormalsenseofexuberancethatcamealongwiththeworkout.Itwaswetandcold,andhewastired,andhisheadhurtalittlefromallthealehedrankthenightbefore.

AfterreturningfromhiswastedtriptoCorbytomeetamanoncecalledBedrock,he’dgonetoapubnearhisflatinEarl’sCourt.He’ddownedtwoordersoffish-and-chipsandseveralpintsofale.Mercifully,noonenoticedhimoreventalkedtohimatallinthepub,butonhiswaybacktohisplaceonLexhamGardenshe’ddetouredaroundseveral

blocks,makingawinding,backtrackinghour-longsurveillance-detectionrununtiltheearlymorning,andhewasalmostcertainanunmarkedpaneltruckhadpassedthreedifferenttimes.

Helayinbedforhourswonderingwhothehellwastailinghim,andnowitwashalfpastsixandhisrunwassufferinggreatlyforthepoortreatmenthe’dsubjectedhis

bodytotheeveningbefore.Atmilethreeheran

throughHollandPark,tryingtosweatoutsomeofthealcoholandfriedfoodhe’dputintohissystem.Hecircledabrownsoccerpitchenshroudedinmistandthenstartedupthelong,steephilltotheNottingHillneighborhood,followingtheHollandWalk,anarrowfootpaththatranattheedge

oftheparkalongabrickgardenwallofalongrowoftownhomesonhisright.

Hepassedapairofwomenrunningdownhillwiththeirhigh-endbabystrollers,andtheybothgavehimasmile.

Fiftyyardsbehindthemweretwomorejoggers,bigandbroadmenwhocrestedthetopofthehillataleisurelypaceandcontinued

downthefootpathinhisdirection.

Jack’smindwanderedbacktoOxley,theoldBritishspy.Bedrock.Jackhadnotcalledhisfathertotellhimhe’dstruckoutinhisattempttogetanyinformationfromtheman.Hetriedtothinkofsomenewtactictogetthegeezertotalk,buthehadn’tcomeupwithanythingsofar.Hehalfwaywantedtojust

forgettheentireaffairandhavehisdadsictheCIAorsomeotherorganizationonthemantotrytofindoutwhatheknewaboutashadowy,perhapsimaginary,assassincalledZenith.

Hetoldhimselfhe’dgivehimselfanotherdaytotrytothinkofanewtactic,andthenhewouldhandoverhisinfoonBedrock.

Thewarhadbegunin

Ukraine;Jackhadseenthisonthenewsthismorningashelaceduphisshoes.HehadnowayofknowingtheUnitedStateshadforcesincountryreadytoengage,buthestillknewhisfatherwouldbeworkingdiplomaticallyandintheintelligencefieldagainsttheRussiangovernment’sattack,soheknewfindingoutanydetailsaboutTalanovcouldprove

usefulinresolvingthiscrisis.Asheascendedthe

narrowfootpath,Jackglancedatthefacesandthehandsofthetwobigjoggersahead.Hehadbeentrainedtoidentifypreassaultindicators,smallcuesoftrouble,andhedidthisautomaticallynow,especiallywhenhesawfitormuscularyoungmeninhisproximity.

Thetwomen’shands

wereempty,andtheirfacesshowednoindicationsofanythreat.

Ryanturnedhisattentionbacktohisrun;heforcedhimselftopickuphiskneesalittleandtorelaxhisshoulders.Hestillwasn’tfeelingit,buthedecidedhewouldmakehimselfpushthroughthefunkandhitfivemiles,evenifitkilledhim.

Whenthetwo

approachingjoggerswerejustfifteenyardsaway,hiseyesautomaticallyflickedbacktothem.Herealizedhewas,onceagain,scanningthemforpreassaultindicators,andhechastisedhimselfforlivinghisnewexistencewoundupastightashehadlivedhispreviouslife.DespitethesituationhehadgottenhimselfandSandyLamontintoinAntigua,hetold

himselftherewasnoreasontofeelthreatenedwhereverhewent.Heknewhe’ddrivehimselfcrazyifhehadtoruleouteverypasserbyasapotentialdangerfortherestofhis—

What’sthat?Jacksawsomesortofsolidobjectunderthepulloverofthemanrunningontheright;itpointedthroughthefabricashisrightlegcameup.It

lookedlikeastickorsomesortofclub.Withintwostridesofnoticingtheabnormality,Jacksawthemanontherightstarttoreachunderhispullover.

Jack’sbodysnappedintoalertmodeinstantly;hismusclestightenedandhissenseswentintooverdrive.

Thegaitofthetwomenchangedatfivepaces,aslightweightshift,andthiswas

exactlyoneoftheindicatorsJackhadbeentrainedtorecognize.Heregisteredinstantlythattheywereturningtheirbodiestocrossintohispath.Hecarriednoweapon,andheknewhisonlychancewastousethespeedandsurpriseofhisownattacktohisadvantage,alongwiththemomentumoftheapproachingmen.

Themanontheright

pulledoutafoot-longblackrod,whilethemanontheleftbroughthisarmsupasthoughhewasplanningonsimplytacklingJackoffhisfeet.

Jackdovelow,belowthebigonrushingbearhug.Heexecutedaforwardrollonthewetpavement,snappingbackuptohisfeetashespunaround,andhechargedbackathisattackers.Jack’srightfistshotoutatthemanwith

theclub,whowasjustthenspinningbacktowardhimwhileraisinghisweaponhighasiftostrike.

Jack’srightjabtookthemanstraightinthenose,snappinghisheadbackandcausinghimtodrophisweaponontotheconcretepath,whereitmadetheunmistakablesoundofironclangingonthepavementbeforebouncingoffthepath

andintothebushes.Thebear-hugmanhad

stumbled,buthepushedhimselfoffthegardenwall,andnowhechargedatRyan.Ryandidn’tseeaweaponatfirst,butthemancameathimleadingwithhisrightarmoutstretched,soRyanfeltcertaintheattackermusthavehadsomesortofblade.Ryanswepthisarmout,blockingtheattacker’sarmataforty-

five-degreeangle,andonlythendidheseetheglintofsteel.Itwasasmallhookedknife,nomorethanthreeinchesinlength,butitwasdeadlynonetheless.

Jackexecutedhishand-to-handcombatmoveswiththeskillofamanwhohadtrainedintheartalmostdailyforyears.Hethrewhisbackintotheattackerwhileusingbothhandstocontrolthe

weaponhand.Hetwistedtheman’sarmhardtotheright,andsimultaneouslyslammedhisheadbackhardintothebigman’snose,droppinghimdowntothepavement.Theknifefellfree,andJackkickeditoffintothegrass.

Bothofhisfoeswerebleedingfromtheface,buthecouldseetheywereverymuchstillinthefight.

Thethugwhohad

droppedhismetalclubswungafistatJack,butthefistmisseditstargetwhenJackdroppeddownontoakneeandthenshotupattheman,closingthedistanceandimpactingtheman’schest.Bothmentumbledtothewetgrassbetweenthefootpathandthesix-foot-highgardenwall,andJackmadesurehecametorestontop.Heimmediatelythrewapunch

intotheman’salreadybloodyface,andthenherolledawayquicklyandshotbackuptoastandingpositionbecauseheknewtheotherthugwasonhisfeetandbehindhim,wherehecouldeasilygetanarmaroundhisneckorslamafootintohisribcage.Jackhadchosenhistacticwisely,asthesecondattackerkickedintotheairwhereJackhadbeen,andhiswildmiss

causedhimtofallonhisback.

Jackchargedthemanonthegroundmercilesslyanddrovehiskneehardintothesideoftheman’sheadasthethugtriedtogetup.Assoonashefelttheimpact,Jackknewthemanwouldbeoutcold,andhisownkneewouldswelluplikeagrapefruit.

NowJackwasonhisfeetandbothmenweredown.

Onewasnotmoving,andtheotherwasdazed,sittingupwithhisbackagainstthegardenwall.

Jack’sadrenalinewasthroughtheroof,butheknewheneededanswers.Whatthehellwasthisallabout?Werethesethesameassholeswhohadbeenfollowinghim?

Theywereyoung,neitherolderthantwenty-five,andtheybothhadshortbrown

hairandbigmuscles,butJackcouldnottellanythingelseaboutwhotheywere.

Hestartedovertothemanagainstthewall—helookedlikethebestbetforconversationatthemoment,sohekneltdownnexttohimandbroughthisfistuphigh.

AshrillwhistlefromacrosstheparkcausedJacktoturnhishead.

“Youthere!Whatareyou

doing?”Twopoliceofficers,onemaleandonefemale,ranacrossthesoccerpitchfiftyyardsaway.Onehadawhistleinhermouth,andtheothershoutedagain.

“Getoffofthatman!”Jackwasn’tactuallyon

anyone,buthestoodupandturnedtothepoliceofficers.

He’dmadeitlessthanfivefeetintheirdirectionwhenhefeltanimpactfrom

behind,betweenhisshoulderblades.Themanwho’dbeensittingonthegroundnexttothewallhad,apparently,leapttohisfeetandshovedRyanwithallhismight.

Jackwaspropelledacrossthepath,andhefellface-firstintothewetgrass.Hewasn’thurt,buthewasmadathimselfforturninghisattentionawayfromthemenhe’dbeenfighting.

Fromhishandsandknees,heturnedandlookedbackoverhisshoulder.Tohissurprise,bothmenwereontheirfeetnow,andtheywererunningaway,leavingtheirweaponsbehind.

Theyranafewyardsupthepathandthenclimbedthebrickgardenwallanddisappearedovertheside.Jackwasastonishedthatbothmenwereabletostand,much

lessfunctionwellenoughtoescape.Hestartedtogoafterthem,butbothofthepoliceshoutedforhimtostopwherehewas.

Thecopswerestilltwenty-fiveyardsaway,andtheydidn’thaveguns;Jackcouldhaveeasilyclimbedthestonefenceandhoppedintothebackyard,andtherewasagoodchancehecouldhaverundownthetwoinjured

men.Butthecopshadseenhim,helivedhereinthearea,anditwouldn’tbeterriblydifficultforthemtofindhim.

Ryanletthetwoattackersgo,andheputuphishandstoshowthecopshewasnothreat.Hetookaquicklookdownathiswarm-upsandsawthemcoveredwithmudandstreakedwithbloodfromthegushingnosesofthetwothugs.

Hetooklongbreathstocalmhimselfdownasthepoliceturnedhimaroundandhadhimputhishandsonthewall.Later,hewasthankfulfortakinghistimebeforespeaking,becauseinthatmomentwhenhepausedtocontrolhisheartbeatandhisbreathing,healsorealizedthatifhetoldthepoliceaboutthetwoweaponslyinginthebushes,hisfatherwouldfind

outthattherehadmostlikelybeenanattemptonhislife.

Jack’sdadwouldhavetheSecretServiceraindownonhimandformadiamond-shapedbarrierofsuitsandgunsallaroundhim,andthatwouldendhistimehereinEnglandandseriouslyimpedetheyoungerRyan’sfutureplans.

No,thatwouldnotdo.Hetoldthetwopolice

thathehadbeenjoggingandtwomenjumpedhim,demandingmoney.Muggingsweren’tuncommonhereinLondon,althoughasix-thirtya.m.assaultofajoggerwhowasn’tevencarryinghiswalletwasadmittedlyunique.

JackwastakentotheNottingHillstationbythepoliceafterthetwopatrolofficersquicklysortedoutthefactthesonofthePresident

oftheUnitedStateshadjustbeenattackedbeforetheireyes.Hewastreatedlikeacelebrity,andthemostdifficultpartoftheordealforJackwasthefacthehadtotellnolessthanadozendifferentpeopleadozendifferenttimesthatheneitherneedednorwantedtogotoahospital.

Hiskneewasgoingtobegoodandsore,butitwasn’t

hospitalsore.Hejustwantedtogohome.

Thepolicelecturedhimthathewasahigh-profilepersonandwasentitledtosecurityofficersand,ifonlyhewouldallowthis,therewouldbepeoplearoundtoprotecthimthenexttimetwomuggersinaparkchosehimasatarget.

Ryanthankedthem,toldthemhe’dthinkaboutit,and

alittlesquadcardeliveredhimbacktohisflatateight-thirtya.m.Thetwoofficersmadehimpromisetocallifhehadanyotherproblems,andhethankedthemonceagainfortheirconcern.Heclimbedthestairstohisflat,wentinside,andtriple-lockedthedoor.

Inthebathroom,hepeeledoutofhisfilthyclothesandturnedonthe

shower,thensatdownontheedgeofhistub.Whilethebathroomsteamedup,hethoughtabouttheimplicationsofwhathadjusthappened.

HeknewheneededtocallSandyandlethimknow.He’dprobablygetan“Itoldyouso”fromhisboss,althoughRyanwasinnowayconvincedthatwhathappenedthismorninghad

anythingtodowithhisjob.Ifthiswasaboutthe

caseshewasworkingonatCastorandBoyle,ifthatwasthereasonhehadbeenfollowedhereintheUK,thenwhathadchangedthathadmadethemgofromsimplesurveillancetoanattack?

Nothing.AlthoughtheGalbraithcaseinvolvedGazprom,andsomepotentiallydangerous

characters,he’dbeenonthecaseformonths,andhe’dbeentakenoffthecasedaysearlier.IfanyonewantedtohurthimforhisinvolvementwithMalcolmGalbraith,whythehellwouldtheydoitnow?

Suddenlyitoccurredtohimhehadmadeonechangetohisroutineinthepastfewdays.He’ddriventoCorbythepreviousafternoonina

failedattempttotalktoVictorOxley.

Jackthoughtitover.Couldthathavebeenthereasonhewasattacked?Itdidn’tmakeanysensetohim,butnothingelsedid,either.

TherewasclearlynorelationshipbetweenhisCastorandBoyleworkandtheex–BritishspyVictorOxley.Infact,heknewhehadbeenundersurveillance

sincebeforehe’deverheardthenameVictorOxley.

Buthesawnootherexplanation.He’dgonetomeetwithaBritishspywhomighthaveanswersastothepastofthecurrentheadofRussianintelligence,andthen,theverynextday,twoguystrytocomeafterhimwithclubsandknives.Ryandidnotbelieveincoincidence,andthoughhe

didn’thaveanyanswers,heknewwhodid.

EitherOxleywassomehowbehindwhathappenedthismorningor,attheveryleast,hemightknowwhyRyanwasattacked.Asheclimbedintothehotshower,hedecidedheneededtogobackuptoCorbyandsomehowgetthesurlybastardtotalk.

Thirtyminuteslater,he

wasshoweredandchangedandbehindthewheelofhisMercedes,racingtothenorth.

T60

hedirect-actionphaseofOperationRedCoalCarpet

beganshortlybeforefoura.m.onthesecondmorningaftertheRussianscrossedtheborder.Air-to-airbattles,mostlybetweenRussian

Kamov-52attackhelicopterswithsophisticatednight-flyingtechnologyandUkrainianMi-24sthathadnonight-flyingtechnologybutwereairborneanyway,hadragedoverthehillyforestseastofDonetskthroughoutthenight.Belowthem,atwelve-manA-teamfrom5thSpecialForcesGrouphadpositionedthemselvesontheroofofapressboxabovean

abandonedsoccerfieldinthetownofZuhres.Fromhere,withtheirsophisticatedoptics,theycouldseetwentymilestotheeast,andrangetargetswiththeirSpecialOperationsForcesLaserAcquisitionMarkeratmorethantwelvemiles.

Itwasamostlyclearnight;theAmericanswatchedthehelicoptersinthedistance,pinpricksoflight

mostly,untilfightingstarted,andflashesandstreaksaroundthepinprickscreatedafuturisticshow.Thiscontinuedforhours.Occasionally,afastmoverwouldraceoverhead,andrarerstill,agroundunitofUkrainiantroopswouldthemselvesfireartillerytothewest,creatingtwosetsofflashesonthehorizon.

Butshortlybeforefour,

theA-teamspiedacolumnofvehiclesthroughtheirFLIRunitsmovingunobstructedupOblastState’sH21Highway.TheAmericanforcesID’dthevehiclesasBTR-80armoredpersonnelcarriers,whichwasarmorinusebybothRussianandUkrainianforces.TheyradioedbacktotheJOC,lettingthemknowtheyhadpossibletargetsinsidetheengagementzone,butthey

couldnotpositivelyidentifythevehiclesasenemy,or“red,”forces.TheJOCtriedtogetpositiveconfirmationfromtheUkrainians,buttheUkrainianArmywasfullyengagedandinastateofchaos,andeventheAirForcewasslowtorespond.

Afterfifteenminutes,theBTR-80shadapproachedtowithineightmilesoftheSpecialForcesteam.Midas

orderedoneofthepatrollingReaperdronesintheareatooverflythecolumn,anditquicklyarrivedoverheadandbegantransmittingimagesbacktotheintelligencepersonnelattheJSOCfacility.

TheReapershowedallvehiclestobewearingtheRussianflag.TheReaperitselfhadtwoHellfiresonboard,butMidasorderedhis

communicationsofficertorelaythetargetmissiontotheUkrainiansagain.

ThistimeapairofMiGsarrivedonstationquickly.TheyreadthelaserdesignationfromtheSOFLAMlaserdesignatorfiredbytheAmericans,andsoontheUkrainiansbeganrainingKh-25air-to-groundmissilesonthecolumnthatwasmovingupthehighway.

The5thGroupA-teamonthegroundwaspleasedwiththeprogressoftheattackatfirst,butitsoonbecameclearthattheUkrainianMiGsweredawdlingtoolongoverthetargetarea.TheteamcommanderrelayedhisconcernsthroughtheJOC,butonlyhalftheRussiancolumnhadbeendestroyedwheninboundmissilesappearedfromthehorizonin

theeast.The5thGroupmenhadnotseentheattackingaircraft,butfiguredthemtobefastmoverstwentymilesormoreaway.

OneoftheUkrainianfightersexplodedintoafireball,andthesecondbrokeofftheattack.

The5thGroupmenlasedtwoofthefourremainingtargetsfortheReaperHellfirestodestroy,buttwo

BTR-80ssurvived.OperationRedCoal

Carpethadbegunwithaveryqualifiedsuccess.Yes,theyhaddestroyedsixpiecesofRussianarmorwellinsideUkraine,butithadcomeatthecostofoneofUkraine’smostpowerfulairweapons.MidasknewthiswasanattritionratethatworkedtotheadvantageoftheRussians.

P—

residentRyanmetwithAttorneyGeneralMurray

intheOvalOffice.Bothmenweretiredfromoverwork,butbothmenalsohadtheexperienceanddisciplinetoknowhowtopowerthroughtheexhaustionintimesofnationalcrisis.

Ryanhadspentthemorninginconversations

withhismilitaryadvisers,butbynecessityhehadkeptanormalschedule.TheRussianattackwasgettingalotofattentionintheUnitedStates,ofcourse,buttheWhiteHousewasbusymakingstatementsaboutsanctions,protestingtotheUNSecurityCouncil,eventhreateningtocancelU.S.attendanceattheupcomingWinterOlympicsinRussia,andother

diplomatic“combat”thatnooneintheRyanadministrationthoughtwoulddomuchofanything.Butthisfrontofdiplomatichand-wringingwasnecessarytohidethehardmeasuresAmericawasusingtocountertheRussianadvance,thecovertU.S.militaryactiononthegroundineasternUkraine.

PresidentRyandidn’t

havetimeformanyOvalOfficevisitsfromcabinet-levelstaffwhoweren’tintheU.S.militaryormembersoftheintelligencecommunity,buthemadetimeforDanMurray.TheysatacrossfromeachotherandRyanpouredcoffeeforthemboth.“Dan,”hesaid,“Ireallyhopeyouhavegoodnews.”

MurraycouldhavesimplytoldRyanwhathe’d

discoveredorpassedhimatwo-pagebriefontheinvestigation,butheknewhisbosslikedtogethishandsonactualintelligenceproduct,sotheAGlaidoutasetofphotographsonthecoffeetable.

Ryanpickedthefirstoneup.ItwasacolorphotoofsurveillancequalityofayoungHispanic-lookingwomanenteringwhat

appearedtobea7-Eleven-typemarket.

Jacksaid,“ThisisthesuspectintheGolovkopoisoning?”

“Correct.FeliciaRodríguez.”

Jacknoddedandlookedatthesecondpicture.Itappearedtohavebeentakeninthesamelocation,butadifferentpersonwaspassingthroughthedoors.Male,

shorthair,afitbuild,andheworeshortsandawhitelinenshirt.Thephotographwassurprisinglyclear—itoccurredtoJackthattheprevalenceandqualityofCCcamerashadbeenahellofaboonforcounterintelligenceandlawenforcementworkinthepastcoupleofdecades.

“Who’she?”“Wedon’thaveareal

nameyet,butusingfacial-

recognitionsoftwarewefoundthatheenteredtheUnitedStatesonaprivatejetfromLondon.HispassportisMoldovan,thenameonitisVassilyKalugin,butitdoesn’tcheckout.ThejetisregisteredtoashellcorporationinLuxembourg.Itdoesn’tcheckout,either.”

Ryanunderstoodtheramificationsofallthis.“He’saspook.”

“Damnrightheis.”“ARussianspook?”“Don’tknowforsure,but

wejustputoutaBOLOwithhisfaceandboguspassportinfo.”

Ryanreachedforthenextphoto.

ThiswasacopyofapassportphotoandpageofamannamedJaimeCalderón.“Anotherspook?”

“Asamatteroffact,yes.

HeisaVenezuelanintelligenceofficer.RealnameisEstebanOrtega.We’vetrackedhimintotheU.S.before,we’vewatchedhim,butwe’veneverhadanythingsolidonhim.”

“Istilldon’tseeanythingsolidhere.”Ryanheldupthelastphoto.Itwasanexcellent-qualityimageofasmallyellowhousewithapalmtreeinthefenced-in

frontyard.“Tellmewhat’sgoingoninthislittlehouse.”

Dansaid,“WeknowOrtegaflewintoMiamiandrentedthishouseinLauderdale-by-the-Sea.Hewastherefortwodays.

“ThemysteryMoldovan,whateverthehellhisrealnameis,clearedcustomsatFortLauderdaleExecutiveAirport.NinetyminutesafterlandinginFortLauderdale,

hepoppedintothismarket,whichhappenstobeninety-fivefeetfromthislittleVenezuelanintelligencesafehouse.”

JackjustlookedupatDan.“Ninety-fivefeetexactly?”

“Exactly.Wentdownmyselfyesterday.”

Ryansmiled.Danstilllikedtousehisownshoeleather.“Goon.”

“Then,thedayafterthemysteryMoldovanandOrtegaarrive,FeliciaRodríguezshowsup.Shegoesinthemarket,forwhatit’sworth,butmoreimportantly,aGPStrackofhermobilephoneputsherinsidetheVenezuelansafehouse.”

“Hotdamn,”Jacksaidinexcitement.

Murrayadded,“Shewas

onlythereanhour,thenshecheckedintoahotelintheneighborhood.Thenextmorning,shedrovebacktoKansas.”

Ryanlookedoverallthepicturesagainquickly,thenupatMurray.

TheAGsaid,“Beforeyouask,wepickedupveryfainttracesofpolonium-210inthehouseandinRodríguez’shotelroom.

HoweveritwasstoredatthattimewasmuchbetterthanhowitwasstoredrightbeforeGolovkowaspoisoned.Clearly,Rodríguezhaditinsomesortoflead-linedcontainer,butshetookitoutatthecafeteriaattheUniversityofKansas.”

Ryansaid,“SoletmeseeifIfollowyouhere.WethinkthemysteryMoldovanisapossibleRussianFSBagent

whobroughttheP-210intotheU.S.intheprivatejet,andthenpasseditofftotheassassinwiththehelpofVenezuelanintelligenceofficerOrtega.”

“That’sourtheory.It’simpossibletosayforsureiftheMoldovanwasinthesafehousehimself,butagain,hewasspittingdistanceaway.Iknowwedon’thavearealsmokinggunhere,but—”

Jackcuthimoff.“Weneedtofindtheseguys.Ortegaandtheotherguy.”

“Actually,weonlyneedtheotherguy.”

“Whydon’tweneedtheVenezuelan?”

“BecausethreedaysafterthemeetinginLauderdale-by-the-Sea,thedaybeforetheGolovkopoisoning,EstebanOrtegawasmurderedinMexicoCity.Adrive-by

shootingintohistaxi.Gunmanonthebackofamotorcycle,norealdescription.Onlywitnesswasthecabbie,andhewasprettyuseless.”

Ryanleanedbackonthesofa.“Coveringtheirtracks.”Heblewoutafrustratedsigh.“Theywillkillanyonewhocanpinthisonthem.Getwhateveryouneedforaninternationalarrestwarrant.If

wecanfigureoutwhotheMoldovanis,thenwecanpickhimup.”

“Willdo.”Ryanlookedagainatthe

photooftheyoungVenezuelanwoman.Sheseemedsoyoung,herentirelifeaheadofher.“Whatwashermotivation?”

“Notsurewewilleverknow.ShehasfamilybackhomeinVenezuela,there

couldhavebeenthreatsagainstthem.Weareprettysureshehadnoideawhatshewashandling,sowethinktheRussianortheVenezuelantrickedher.”

“AndanycluewhytheVenezuelanswouldbeinvolved?”

“Notyet.Again,quitepossibleOrtegadidn’tknowanythingmoreaboutwhatRodríguezwasactually

puttinginGolovko’sSpritethanshedid.”

“So,”Jacksaid,“Russiansgetlike-mindedusefulidiotstohelptheminaplot,andthentheRussiansscrewthemover,usethemfortheirowndevices.”

Murraynodded.“Thatsoundslikethe

playbookofRomanTalanov.”

“TheFSBguy?Really?

Sorrytosay,Ican’tsayIknowtoomuchabouthispast.”

“Noonedoes,forsure,”saidRyan.“ButI’mworkingonrectifyingthat.”

J61

ackRyan,Jr.,arrivedinCorbyatelevena.m.Theskywaseven

grayerherethanithadbeeninLondon,andtheairfeltnoticeablycolderasheclimbedoutofhisMercedesonthestreetinfrontof

Oxley’sbuilding.Onthetwo-hourdriveup

he’dconvincedhimselfthiswouldbeadeadend.Hewasnotlettinghimselfthinkforamomentthatthismorning’sattackhadbeenarandomevent,buthecouldnotputtogetherhowthisoldex-spywouldhavehadanythingtodowithit.He’dalmostturnedaroundinHuntingdon,buthe’dpushedon,telling

himselfthatitwouldn’thurttocontinueonuptoseeOxley—ifnothingelse,justtoannoytheoldfartonemoretime.

Jackdecidedtotellhimabouttheattackandthengaugehisreaction.JackwasconfidentthatifOxleyhadbeenbehindit,forwhateverthereason,justshowingupathisplacewouldcausehimtogiveawayhisinvolvement.

JacktookthestairsuptoOxley’sfirst-floorunit,andasheclimbedhenoticedhiskneewasachingfromhisrun-inwiththetwothugsearlierthatmorning.Heshouldhaveknowntoicethedamnthing;sittingstillinthecarontherideupwouldprobablyensurehe’dbewalkingwithalimpforthenextfewdays.

Hepushedthisirritating

thoughtoutofhisbrainandfocusedhisattentionontheannoyingprospectofhavingtospeakwithOxleyagain.Hetoldhimselfthatifthemanmadeanymoredisparagingcommentsabouthisdad,Ryanwouldpunchhiminthejaw.

Hewouldnothittheman,andheknewit,butitmadeJackfeelgoodtothinkaboutit.

JackstoppedatOxley’sdoorandbroughthishanduptoknock,butashedidthis,henoticedthedoorwasn’tlatched.Helookeddownatthelatchandsawasmearedblackbootprintrightbelowthelock.Nexttoit,thedoorjambwasbroken.

Someonehadkickedinthedoor,recentlyenoughthatJackcouldseemudinthebootprint.

Ryan’sbloodbeganpumpinghardandfast.Justashadhappenedthismorningduringtheattack,histhreatindicatorswereredlining.Hespunaround,lookeddownthelittlehallwaytowardthebackstairwell,buttherewasnooneelsearound.

Hisfirstthoughtwastoturnandheaddownthestairsandbacktohiscar.Hecouldcallthecopsfromthere.But

hehadnoideaifOxleywasstillalive.Ifhewas,anydelaymightmakethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathfortheoldbastard.

Asslowlyandsilentlyashecould,Ryanputhishandonthelatchandpushedthedooropen.

Instantly,JackrealizedVickOxleywasverymuchalive.Hesatthere,onametalchairathislittlekitchentable,

justtenfeetfromthefrontdooroftheone-roomflat.Infrontofhimwasacupoftea.Hishairwasaskew,andalittlesweatshoneonhishigh,wrinkledforehead,butotherwiseheappearedtobecompletelycomposed.Amaninhiskitchen,enjoyingamorningcup.

Onthecoldhardwoodfloorathisfeet,however,twomenlayontheirbacks.They

werequiteclearlydead,andtheirbodieswereunnaturallycontorted.Ryancouldtelloneofthemenhadhadhisnecksnapped,ashisheadlaywrenchedtotheright,oppositefromthedispositionofhiships.

Theothermanhadbloodycontusionsonhisface,andhiseyeswerewideopen.

OxleylookedupatRyan,

showingsomesurpriseatseeingtheyoungAmerican,althoughhecomposedhimselfquicklyandliftedhiscup.Hewaveditandasked,“Justpoproundforacupoftea,didyou?”

Ryanraisedhishandsslowly.Hedidn’tknowwhatthefuckhadhappenedinhere,buthewaspreparedforthebigmantolaunchoffhischairandcomeatRyan

himself.Instead,themanjust

calmlytookanothersip.Jackloweredhishands.

“What...whathappened?”“Youmeanjustnow?”Ryannodded,hiseyes

wideindisbelief.“ThePresidentofthe

UnitedStates’sonjustwalkedintomekitchen.”

Oxleyhadgonefrombeingacompleteassholeto

beingasmart-ass.Ryanwasn’tsurethatwasprogress,butatleasthehadhimtalking.Heenteredtheflatandshutthedoorbehindhim.

“Imean,obviously,beforethat.”

“Oh.Thoseblokes?Theybumpedintomybrassknuckles,gotbackuptohaveanothergo,bumpedintothemagain,anddidn’tgetupthesecondtime.”

Ryankneltoverthem,checkedthembothforpulses,butfoundnone.Oxleyjustwatchedhimdoit,hisfacehalfhiddenbehindhismugoftea.Slowlyheloweredhisteatohislap,andhisvoiceturneddark,almostmalevolent.“Youbroughttroublewithyou,didn’tyou,lad?”

“Ididn’tbringthem.”“Well,youshowup,then

thenextdaytheyshowup.Eitheryoucausedthemtocomeortheycausedyoutocome.Sinceyouwereherefirst,Iblameyou.”Hesmiled,butitwasapatronizingsmile.Thesmileofanannoyedperson.“Wetstreetsdon’tcauserain,dothey?”

JackpulledupametalchairandsatdownacrossfromtheEnglishman.He

said,“Twomencameaftermethismorning.InLondon.Notthesetwo.”

“Whatableedin’coincidence,that.”

“I’mgoingtogooutonalimbandsayitwasnocoincidence.”Ryanlookedattheheavysetman,thenbackdownatthetwobodies.Hereallycouldn’tgethisheadaroundtheobviousfactthatOxleyhadmanagedto

dispatchtheseyoungandfitmen.“Youkilledthem?”

“Well,theydidn’tdieofnaturalcauses.Youareasthickasyourdaddy.”

Jackgrittedhisteeth.Oxleyputhismugdown

onthetable.“Despiteyourparentage,IsupposeIhavetobeagoodhostandmakeyasometea.”Heclimbeduptohisfeetandmovedintothekitchen,grabbedtheteakettle

andputitbackonthegasburner,whichhecrankeduptillthebluegasflameslickedupthesides.

Jacksaid,“Hey!Idon’twanttea.Iwantanswers.Howdidthishappen?Howdidyoumanageto—”

Oxleywasn’tlistening.Hepulledamugdownfromthelittlecabinet,blewintoittocleanoutthedust,andthenhetossedinateabag.The

kettlebeganwhistlingsoonafter,andthewhite-hairedmanfilledthemugwithhotwater.Hedroppedintwosugarcubeshepickedwithhisfingersoutofacardboardbox,thenglancedoverhisshoulderatRyan.

“Lookingatyou,I’dsaynomilk.Youaren’tthatrefined,areya?”

Ryandidnotanswer.Rightnowhisheadwas

spinningwiththeimplicationsofthissituation.HewasthesonofthesittingPresidentoftheUnitedStates,andhewashereinatinyone-roomflatwithtwobodiesathisfeet.Themanwhokilledthemwaswalkingaroundasifitwasnogreatconcern,butnearlyeverynerveandmuscleinRyan’sbodywasscreamingathimtogetthehelloutoftherenow.

Therewas,however,onlyonethinginthisworldRyanwantednowmorethangettingawayfromthisscene.

Answers.Hesatthere,waitingfor

Oxleytotalk.ThebigEnglishmanput

themugofteadowninfrontofRyanandsatbackinhischair.Onlythendidhespeak.“So,drinkupquick,mate,becauseI’mtossingyouout

inamoment.BeforeIdecideifIkickyououtmydoororthrowyououtmywindow,whydon’tyoutellmewhatyouknowaboutthis?”

Ryansaid,“Iamnotsure,butthereisagoodchancethatthisisaboutyou.YourhistorywiththeBritishgovernment.”

TheEnglishmanshookhishead.Disbelieving.

Jackadded,“Ormaybe,I

shouldsay,thisisaboutBedrock.”

Oxleydidnotseemsurprisedatalltohearhisoldcodename.Hejustgaveahalf-nodandtookasipfromhisownmug.

Ryansaid,“Icameyesterdaytoaskyouaquestionaboutsomeeventsonthecontinentthirtyyearsago.”

“Bedrockisdeadand

buriedalongtime,lad.Anddigginghimupnowisonlygoingtogetmorepeoplekilled.”Hemotionedtothetwodeadmenonhisfloor.“NotjustRussians.”

Jack’sheadspuntothetwocorpses.“Russians?HowdoyouknowtheyareRussians?”

TheEnglishmanlookedatJackforamoment,thenstruggledtogetdownonthe

flooronhisknees.Hemovedawkwardly,wincingasheclimbedoutofthechair,butJackcouldn’tdeterminetheexactlocationoftheman’spain.Jackputhismugdownandleaptfromhisownchair,tryingtohelptheoldmanbeforehefellonhisface.

ButOxleymadeitdown,thenreachedforthejacketofthefirstmanonthefloor.Hepulleditoffroughly.Jack

thoughthewasgoingtosearchthemanforidentification,butinsteadhetossedthejacketaside,thenreachedbackdowntothebodyandunbuttonedtheman’sbelt.

“What,inGod’sname,areyoudoing?”

Oxleydidnotanswer.Heopenedthebeltandthenuntuckedthedeadman’sshirtandundershirt.Thesehe

pulledup,andhestruggledwiththem,fightingtogetthemofftheman’sbody.

Ryanwassickened.Heshouted,“Oxley!Whythehellareyou—”

Ryanstoppedshoutingwhenhesawthetattoos.

Themanwascoveredinthem,alloverhischestandstomachandneckandarms.

Onhisshouldersweretattooedepaulets;therewasa

MadonnaandChildonhisleftpectoral,anIronCrossbelowhisAdam’sapple,theimageofadaggerpiercinghisneck.

Ryancouldnotmakesenseoutofanyofthem,buthecouldmakeaguess.“Russianmob?”

“I’dsayso,”saidOxley.Heranhishandacrosstheman’sstomach.Alargetattoothatdepictedsomesortof

groupingofstones,seveninall,tookupthewidthoftheman’storso.

“HeisSevenStrongMen.”

Hemotionedtotheothertattoosontheman’sbody.“Thedaggerintheneckmeanshekilledinprison,theepauletsontheshouldermeansheholds—heheld—rankintheSevenStrongMen,likealieutenant.The

IronCrossmeanshedoesn’tgiveableedingshitaboutanyone.TheMadonnameanshe’sreligious,RussianOrthodox,althoughhe’sRussian-assassinreligious,whichisn’tterriblyreligious,Idon’tsuppose.”

Oxleymotionedtotheotherbody.“Yourturn,lad.”

Jackgrimaced,thenmovedovertotheotherbodyandpulledthejacketandshirt

off.Thismanwasasfestoonedwithinkastheotherman,andhehadthesameSevenStrongMentattooonhislowertorso.

“WhyaretheseSevenStrongMenafteryou?”Jackasked.

“Thesamereasontheyareafteryou,Iguess.”

“Whichis?”“Lad,Idon’thavea

fuckingclue.I’vehadnorun-

inswithRussianmafia.Ever.”

“Youthinktheguysthatjumpedmetodaywerepartofthesamegroup?”

“Didtheyhavelittlebananaknives?”

“Onehadasmallhookedblade.Isthatwhatyoumean?”

“Yep.SevenStrongMen.”

Jackcouldnotfathomit.

“Here?IntheUK?”“Ofcoursetheyarehere.

LondonisLondongrad,afterall.MyGod,ifyouarenotasdenseasyourdaddy.”

Jacksatbackinthechair.“Whatthehelliswrongwithyou?Whyareyousuchanasshole?”

Oxleyjustshruggedandsippedtea.

Jackwasstilltryingtofindsomesortofconnection

betweenhisworkatCastorandBoyleandthepastofVictorOxley.ThefacthehadbeenundersurveillancesincebeforehisfatherhadmentionedBedrockmeantthatthetwosituationswererelatedsomehow,orelseitwasonehellofacoincidence,andJackhadbeenatthisgamelongenoughthathenaturallyleanedtotheformer.Onequestion

occurredtohim:“HowdoyouknowallthisaboutRussianprisontattoos?”

OxleylookedatRyan.Forseveralsecondstherewasnosoundintheflatexceptforthetickingofsomeunseenclock,butwithashrugthewhite-hairedBritreachedtohiswaist,grabbedholdofhisthreadbaresweater,andpulleditup.

Jacksawnow.Victor

OxleydidnothavetheSevenStrongMentattooonhistorso,butheworeanincredibleamountofinknonetheless.Therewerestarsandcrossesanddaggers,andaskullwithateardropandadragon,alljustonthesmallportionofthebigman’schestandbellyhe’dexposedtoRyan.

Jacksaid,“Youwereinagulag?”

Oxleyloweredhisshirtandreachedforhismugoftea.“WherethehellyouthinkIlearnedthebadmannersyoukeepcomplainingabout?”

O62

xleyfinishedhisteasittingoverthedeadbodiesofthe

twoRussianmafiahitmen,thenrosefromthetableandbeganslowlypacingthelittleroom;eachtimehearrivedatthewindowsovertheroad

outfront,heglancedthroughthecurtains.Jack’smughadcooledsomewhatonthetablenexttohim,buthehadn’ttouchedit.

Forthepastfewminutes,JackhadtriedquestioningOxley,althoughtheEnglishman’sanswershadremainedvagueandevasive.

“WhendidyouleaveSAS?”

“Eighties.”

“AndyoujoinedMI5?”“Don’tknowwhereyou

heardthat.”“Whenwereyouinthe

gulag?”“Longtimeago.”“Whendidyoureturnto

theUK?”“Longtimeago.”Jackgrowledin

frustration.Hewasnotnearlyascalmastheoldermanwas.“Youhaveaproblembeing

specific,don’tyou?”“It’sallancienthistory.”“Itmighthavebeen

ancienthistoryuntiltheRussianmafiakickedinyourdoor,butthesedeadguysindicatetomethatyourpastisprettydamnrelevanttothepresent.”

Aphonestartedringingononeofthebodies,butOxleyignoredit.Instead,hesaid,“Gohome.Leaveme

be.”“Ican’tjustleave.You

aren’tsafehere.”“Yougoingtoprotect

me,areyou?Look,asfarasIcantellyouarethereasonthesegentscamekickinginmydoor.”

“Thenextcrewmighthaveguns,youknow.”

“SevenStrongMendoesn’tuseguns.NotintheUK,anyway.”

“That’sthefirstgoodnewsI’veheardtoday.”

“Theydon’tneedguns.Theyfavorknives,metaltruncheons,thatsortofthing.Theyworkinpairsorteamsofthreeormore.Theyarerightbrutes.”

Jacksaid,“Whatareyouplanningondoingwiththesebodies?”

Oxleyshrugged.“I’vegotasawandabathtuband

somegarbagebags.Icanmakethisproblemgoaway.”

“Youcan’tbeserious.”“Iamserious.Iain’t

goingtothepolice.Iliveaveryquietlife,forgottenbymygovernment,andthat’sthewayIlikeit.ThemomenttheBritishgovernmentlearnsRussiangangstersaretryingtokillme,thenIwillbecomeinterestingtothemagain.”

“What’swrongwith

that?”“Everythingiswrong

withthat.TheBritishgovernmentarethepeoplewhoturnedonme.”

“Turnedonyou?”Oxleystoppedinthe

middleoftheroom.“Turnedonme.”Hewalkedbacktolookoutthecurtainsforamoment,thenpacedacrossthefloor,allthewaytothelittlekitchen.Heturned

aroundandwalkedbackintheotherdirection.

Jackknewthemanwastryingtofigureoutwhattodo.Jackhimselfwasthinkingaboutthedeadmen,andwhatthiswouldmeanforhim.Therewasnowayhecouldhidethis,butrevealingthistohisfatherwouldputanendtoJack’stimehereinLondon.He’dbeonaplanebeforenightfall,orelseaSecret

Serviceprotectiondetailwouldbesentoverfromtheembassytokeephimcompany24/7.

Shit.AsRyanconsideredhis

ownpredicament,henoticedOxleyhadstoppedhispacing.Nowhestoodatthefrontwindow,lookingdownintothestreet.

Jacksaid,“Listen.We’vegottocomeupwithaplan

here.”Oxleydidnotreply.“Whywon’tyoutalkto

me?”“Idon’tlikeyou.”“Youdon’tevenknow

—”Oxleysteppedbackfrom

thewindow,shieldinghimselfbehindthewall.“No,lad,Idon’tknowyou,butIwillsignatrucewithyouforthetimebeing,becauseIalso

don’tknowthetwobastardsthatjustclimbedoutofacarattheendofmystreet.Idobelievetheyareontheirwayheretocheckontheirmates.”

“Shit.”Jackstoodquickly.“MoreRussians?”

Oxleyshrugged.“Dunno.Youpissanyoneelseoffoflate?Thesetwooutfrontarecomingfast.I’dbesurprisediftheydidn’thaveatleastonemoreheadinguptheback

stairs.Makeyourselfusefulandcheckitout.”

Ryanleaptup,pulledasmallknifeoutofadrawerinthekitchen.Oxleypulledapairofbrassknucklesoutofthepocketofhistrousersandslippedthemonhishand.

JackraceddownthehallwaytowardthebackofOxley’slittlebuilding,andherehelookedoutthewindow.Thebackgardenhad

justenoughroomforafewwashinglinesandacarparklargeenoughforfourvehicles.Jackscannedthetinycarparkandthelinenshangingoverthegarden,buthedidnotseeanyoneapproachingtherearofthebuilding.Hecheckedtheotherbackgardensonthestreet,lookingforanythreats,buthesawnothing.Quickly,heturnedtorunbackupthe

halltoOxley’splacetohelphimwiththetwomenheadingthere,buthe’dtakenonlyacoupleofstepswhenheheardfootfallsontherearstairwell.

WhoeverwascomingforOxleywasalreadyinthebuilding.Fromthesound,Jackdeterminedthereweretwoofthem,theywerebig,andtheywereascendingthestairsquickly.

Jackflattenedhisbacktothewallinthehallwaynexttotheentrancetothestairwell,andheheldthecarvingknifeinhisrighthand.

AmansteppedintoviewonJack’sright;hewassurprisinglybig,buthisattentionhadbeenfocusedontheflatatthefrontofthebuildingwhereOxleylived.Jacktookadvantageofthis

andfiredoutaleftjabjustasthemanturnedinhisdirection.Theblowtookthebigmaninthejawandsnappedhisheadback;herockedbackintothesecondmanoutofthestairwell,butbeforeJackcouldexecuteasecondattack,bothmenwerechargingforwardagain.

Jacksawtheknivesalmostinstantly.BothRussiansswungtheirshort

bladesathiminthehall;Jackduckedleft,wentlowandraisedbackupbetweentheattackers,thenstruckoutwithhisownknifeandfeltthetipofhisbladesweepacrosstheoutsideofthefirstman’srightshoulder.

Themangrabbedathiswoundandcriedout,butthesecondattackermovedpasthimandstabbedatJack.Jackparriedthestrikeawaywith

hislefthand,andrealizedatthesameinstantthatheneededmoreroomtomaneuver.HisbackwastothedooroftheflatnexttoOxley’s,sohedonkey-kickedthedoorashardashecouldwhenthetwoRussiansbothlungedathimagain,wavingtheirblades.

Thedoorflewin;Jackfellbackwardagainstitandtumbledonhisbacktothe

floor,droppinghisknifeintheprocess.

Themenwereabovehimnow,andhekickedthewoundedmanintheinsideofhisknee,bucklingthejointandsendinghimcrashingtothefloor.

Behindhim,anelderlywomancalledout,notscreaminginfear—rather,shewasyellinginangerattheintrusion.Jackdidnot

lookbackather;allhisattentionwasfocusedondealingwiththetwoknivessweepingtheairtowardhim.Herolledtohisright,justavoidingthecurvedbladeofthesecondattacker,andasheshotbacktohisfeet,heimmediatelyhadtospinawayfromawhippingblade.

Theattackermissed,spunalmostallthewayaroundafterhiswildswing,andJack

stompeddownonthebackoftheman’sleg,droppinghimtohisknees.

ThesecondRussianstruggledtoclimbbackupoffthefloor.Jackcouldhearthewomanshouting,aswellasangryscreamsinRussianfromthethug,butheconcentratedontheclosestarmedman,whowasnowonhisknees,facingawayfromhim.Jackdoveontothe

man’sback,slamminghimface-firstintothefloor.HetooktheRussian’sheadinhishandsandbangeditdownagain,knockingtheyoungRussianoutcold.

Theothermanwasupnow,andJackhadhisbacktohim.Jackknewhisonlydefensewastoleapbackuptohisfeetandrunoutofthelittleflat.Hedidthis,sprintingbackintothe

hallway,andheheardthearmedmanrightonhisheels.Jackstoppedinthehallway,droppedlow,andspunaroundwithasweepingkicktotherunningman’slegs.TheRussianwascaughtbysurprise,andhefellontoJackjustoutsidethedoorway.

RyanandtheRussianrolledaroundonthehallwayfloor,bothmenstrugglingdesperatelyforthecurved

Vknife.

—ictorOxleyhadmetthetwomenracingupto

hisflatwhentheywerestillinthefrontstairwell.Hisswingofthebrassknucklestookthefirstmanatthetopofthestairsinthejawandsenthimtumblingallthewaybackdowntothegroundfloorinacrumpledheap.

Butthesecondmanleapttotherightsohispartnerwouldn’ttakehimdowninhisfall,andthenhecontinuedtothetopofthestairs,hisknifeoutinfrontofhim,maneuveringforanopeningtostabthebigfifty-nine-year-oldBriton.

“Davay!Davay!”OxleyshoutedattheyoungerRussianmafiaassassin.Comeon!Comeon!TheRussian

waswary,clearlyafraidtocommittoalungingattackwiththeknifeagainstthebiggermanwiththebloodybrassknucklesonhisfist.

Butfinallyhedidcomeon.Hesteppedontothelandingwiththefirstswingoftheknife.HewentforOxley’schestbutstrucknothingbutair.Oxleytooktheopportunitytostrikeouthimself,buthisrighthook

misseditstargetaswell.Anotherjabbytheknife

caughttheloosearmofOxley’ssweater,cuttingitthroughbutmissingflesh.Oxleythrewhimselfathisattacker,slammingintohim,chesttochest,usinghislefthandtokeepthethreateningknifefromplungingintohim.Thereonthelandingbetweenthegroundfloorandthefirstfloorthetwomen,oneinhis

earlytwenties,theothernearlysixty,wrestledinabearhug.OxleycouldnotbringthebrassknucklesintoactionbecausehisarmwasheldupbytheRussian,andtheRussiancouldnotputhisknifetousebecausehiswristwashelddownbytheEnglishman.

Finally,Oxleygotthemaninthecornerofthelanding,andthen,withbrute

strengthandintenseeffort,hescootedthemanacrossthethreefeetofwalltowherehewaspressedwithhisbacktotheplate-glasswindowoverlookingthestreetfromthelanding.Theattackerlookedbackoverhisshoulderquickly,realizingthedangerhewasin,butallhecoulddowastrytopullhisknifearmfreeofthevise-gripclenchofVictorOxley’slefthand.

Thetwomenmadebriefeyecontact.TheRussianwasafraid,theEnglishman,exhaustedbutresolute.

VictorOxleyslammedhisforeheadintothefaceoftheRussianassassin,andhekeptpressingwithituntilthewindowglassshatteredbehindtheRussian’shead,hisheadcarriedonbackoutthewindow,andthejaggedglassbelowhisneckcutinto

him,diggingthroughskinandmuscleandstabbingbetweencervicalvertebrae,wherethesharpglassthenstabbedhisspinalcord.

Theknifefellfromhishand,andOxleyletgo,pushedofftheman,thensteppedbackawayfromhim.

TheRussianflailedforamoment,eyeswideinterrorandinpain,butthenhefelloffthebrokenglassand

collapsedtothefloorinanexpandingpoolofblood.Bloodybrokenglassraineddownonhisdyingbodyasthewindowshatteredcompletelyandfellin.

Oxleyreachedoutandputhishandonthebanistertokeepfromcollapsing.Hisheartfeltlikeitcouldripoutofhischestwithitsnextpowerfulbeat.Hesuckedinadeeplungfulofair,andonly

whenhehelditindidhehearanoisebelowhimonthegroundfloor.Helookeddowntothebottomofthestairsandsawthemanhe’dpunchedinthefaceaminuteearlier.Remarkably,themanhadmadeitbacktohisfeet,andnowhestoodthere,wobblingalittle,andheraisedsomethingoutawayfromhisbody,pointingitatthebigEnglishmanonthe

landing.Oxleycockedhishead.

Slowlyheraisedhishandswhenherealizeditwasagun.

Agun?Oxleysawthemuscles

tightenintheneckoftheRussianashebegantosqueezethetrigger,thenOxleylookedupquickly,abovethegunman,alertedbysuddenmovementthere.

JackRyan,Jr.,appeared

attherailingonthefirst-floorlandingandlaunchedhimselfoverthebanister,droppingtenfeetstraightdowntothegunmanbelowhim.Hecrashedontothemanjustasawildshotrangout.Oxleylurchedback;hethoughthe’dbeenhitatfirst,soloudandpercussivewasthecrackofthebulletintheenclosedstairwell.

Buthefelthimselffor

bloodandholes,andwasrelievedtofindneither.

Helookeddownatthetwomennow,bothfightingoverthesmallpistolbelowhim.Jacktriedtotearitfromtheotherman’shand;insteadtheRussianslammedJacktothefloorandfellontopofhim,thegunbetweenthem.

Asecondshotcracked,andthestrugglecontinuedforseveralseconds.Oxley

starteddownthestairs,tryingtogetcloseenoughtohelp,yetbythetimehegottothegroundfloor,therewasnothingforhimtodobutpullthedeadbodyoftheRussianofftheveryalivesonofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.

Ryanpushedhimselfuptoasittingpositionandleanedbackagainstthewallofthestairwell.Oxley,

exhaustedbeyondanythinghe’dfeltindecades,collapsednexttohim.

Forseveralsecondsthetwomenjustsatthere,thesoundoftheirnear-hyperventilatedbreathingfillingthesmallspace.

FinallyJackwasabletocontrolhisbreathingjustenoughtomutteranunderstandablesentence:“Whatthefuckwasthat

abouttheseassholesnotusingguns?”

Oxleytookhistimeresponding,needingtocatchhisbreathfirst.“WhatcanIsay?Haven’tbeenkeepingupwiththehabitsoftheSevenStrongMen.Couldbemyinformationissomewhatout-of-date.”

“Yeah.”Oxleyregardedthedead

manonthefloorinfrontof

him.Slowlyhisthick-beardedfacetightenedintoasmile.“I’llbedamned,Ryan.Youfightlikeyourdad.”

JacklookedangrilyatOxley.“Meaningwhat,exactly?”

“ItmeansI’mimpressed.Itookyouforrichandlazy.”

“Again,yourinformationisinaccurate.”Ryanwasonhisfeetnow.Withdifficulty,hepulledOxleyupaswell.

Ryanpointedtothemanlyingonehalf-floorabovehim.“Ishedead?”

“Doneanddusted,mate.”“Doesthatmeandead?”Oxleysaid,“Itdoesmean

dead.Whatabouttheboysintheback?”

“Onegotaway,theotherisKO’d.”

OxleylookedatRyan.Hecontrolledhisheavybreathingwellenoughto

adoptapatronizingtone.“Well,now,youdon’tsupposetheunconsciousblokemightbeabituseful,tous,doyou?Thatis,ofcourse,ifyouhaven’tlethimgetawayaswell.”

Ryanliftedthegunoffthefloorandheadedupthestairs.

—minutelater,Jackhad

AdraggedthemanupthehallintoOxley’sflat.Hewasnolongerunconscious,butJackcouldseeevidenceofasevereconcussioninhiseyes.

Oxleyhadmadeitupstairshimself,andhereheignoredhiselderlyneighbor,whostoodinthehallwayandyelledathimandRyan.

AsthebigEnglishmanenteredhisapartment,sheshouted,“I’mcallingthe

police!”Oxleysaid,“Idon’tgive

atosswhatyoudo.”Andwiththat,heslammedthedoor.

Assoonasitshut,heturnedtoRyan.“Don’tknow’boutyou,mate,butI’mgettingthefuckoutofhere.”Heretrievedahalf-filledduffelbaghangingfromahookbythedoor,thenrushedovertothelittledresserby

hisbedandbeganpullingoutitemsandthrowingthemintothebag.

JackhadthegunontheRussiannow.“I’lldriveyouwhereveryouwanttogo.Likeitornot,wearesortofinthistogether.”

Oxleydidn’tseemtolikeit,buthehadbeguntoacceptit.Withashortnod,hesaid,“Wecantakethisblokesomewhereandseeifhefeels

likehavingaconversationwithus.”Oxleywalkedovertotheman,slappedhimacrosstheface.“Howaboutit,Ivan?Youupforachat?”

Themanwobbledonhisknees,hewasstilloutofit,butJacksteadiedhim.LookingintotheRussian’seyes,hesaid,“Listentome.We’regoingdownthestairsandwe’regettinginmycar.Justsoyouknow,ifIseeany

J

moreofyourfriendsI’mgoingtoshootyouinthefuckinghead.”

ThemanjuststaredatJack.OxleyrepeatedeverythingJacksaidinRussian,andonlythendidthemannoddistractedly.

—ackRyanandVictorOxleyloadedthebleary-

eyedRussianintothetrunkof

Ryan’sMercedes,thenhog-tiedhimwithalengthofrubberhosefromthegardenofOxley’sbuilding.Whentheywerecertaintheirprisonerwassecure,OxleyandRyanshutthetrunk,anddroveoutofCorbyjustmomentsbeforewailingpolicecarspulledupinfrontoftheex–SASofficer’sapartmentbuilding.

Jackhadsuggestedthey

gotoLondon,andOxleymadenoprotest.Jackknewhecouldn’tjustbeinvolvedinthedeathofRussianmobgoonswithoutonehellofalotoffallout,buthedecidedhe’dwaittillhegotbacktothecapitalbeforecallingSandy,hisdad,thepolice,andanyoneelsewhomightbeinterestedintheevent.Inthemeantime,hewouldhaveOxleyaloneinacar,andhe’d

hopedtousethetimetodigintotheman’sstory.

Butitdidn’tworkoutthatway.Oxleysaidheneededafewminutestorelaxfirst.JackwasnottwomilesoutofthecitybeforehelookedtohisleftandfoundOxleysoundasleep.Jackshookhim,whichwokehim,butonlylongenoughtoconvinceJackthemanwasnotdead.HetoldJackto

buggeroffforawhileandlethimrecoverfromalltheaction,andJackreluctantlyobliged.

Ryandroveon,keptcompanybythenasalsnoreoftheEnglishmanandthesoundofthehog-tiedwould-beRussianassassinflailingaroundinsidehistrunk.

W63

Thirtyyearsearlier

estBerlinwaspopulous,

prosperous,cosmopolitan,andeducated.Butitwas

notacityasmuchasitwasanenclave.ThoughpartoftheFederalRepublicofGermany,thecitywascompletelysurroundedbythesocialistnationoftheDeutscheDemokratischeRepublik,aSovietvassalstate,andonlyseventymilesofdoublewalls,guards,

andgunsencirclingWestBerlinseparatedtwoarmies,twoeconomies,andtwobeliefsystems.

IntheEast,theyonceclaimedtheBerlinWallhadbeenbuilttokeepthecitizensofWestBerlinfromslippingintotheparadiseoftheDDR.

Butbythemid-

eighties,noreasonablepersonanywhereontheplanetbelievedsuchnonsense.

JustfiveblocksnorthoftheBerlinWall,anautomobileandmopedrepairshopoccupiedtheentiregroundfloorofafour-storybrickbuildingonthebusycornerofSprengelstrasseand

TegelerStrasse.ThebuildingwasinWedding,intheformerFrenchsectorofWestBerlin,andtheshopdidahugebusinesswithalltheBMWs,Mercedeses,Opels,andFordsthatpassedthroughtheneighborhoodeveryday.

Abovethe

ground-floorrepairshopweretheofficesforthecarcarecenter,andabovethatwasalarge,mostlyopenroomthatservedasanartist’ssharedstudiospace.Herepainters,sculptors,photographers,andwoodworkersrentedworkbenchesandfloorspace,andthey

workedontheircraftthroughoutthedayandintotheevening.

Mosteveningsthelastoftheartistsvacatedthebuildingwellbeforemidnight,butthebuildingremainedoccupied.Asmallnarrowstaircaseinacornerofthesecondfloorledtotheattic,andbeyondthe

dooratthetopofthestairs,sixmenandwomen,allbetweentheagesoftwenty-oneandthirty-three,livedtogetherinarusticbutlargethree-bedroomflat.Oneoftheirnumberwasapainter,andshehadmanagedtoobtaintheaccommodationsvirtuallyrent-free

fromthelandlordofthebuildingspace,becausealthoughhewasawealthylandownerhereindecidedlycapitalistWestBerlin,hehadbeenaradicalinthesixties,andhestillsharedintheidealsofthesixyounginhabitantsoftheatticflat.

TheresidentsweremembersoftheRoteArmeeFraktion,theRedArmyFaction,aMarxist-LeninistterroristorganizationformedhereinGermanyin1970.TheRAFattackedpolice,NATOpersonnel,andwealthycapitalistsandtheirinstitutions,bothhereinGermanyand

inneighboringcountries.

Theflatmates’securitysystemhereabovetheautorepairshopandtheartstudiowasmany-layered,thoughitwasnotparticularlysophisticated.Duringtheday,whentheshopandstudiowereupandrunning,

employeesdownstairskeptalookoutforanypoliceorunknownvehiclesonthestreet.Atnight,aguarddogintherepairshopwouldalertthosesleepingabove,althoughthereweremultiplefalsealarmseachandeveryevening.

Therewerealso

tripwiressetuponthestaircases,attachedtoairhorns,andonememberintheflatwastaskedtothenightshift,essentiallyorderedtositonthecouchinthecommonroomoftheflat,watchingTVwithanoldWaltherMPLsubmachinegunonhisorherlapandapotof

coffeeonthestoveinthekitchen.

ForoneofthemostnotoriousterroristorganizationsactiveinEuropeformostofthepastfifteenyears,thisdidnotamounttomuchinthewayofsecuritymeasures,butthesesixRAFguerrillaswerenotexactlyatthe

pinnacleoftheorganization,andtheorganizationwasnotexactlyinitsheyday.

TheRAFhadslippedoutofthenewsinthepastfewyears,andforthisreasonthiscelloftheorganizationhadrelaxedtheirguard.ThesewerethedaysoftheThirdGeneration

oftheRedArmyFaction,andtheyhadnotbeenlinkedtoanyattemptedlethalattackssincetheirfailed1981rocketingofRamsteinAirBaseand,beforethat,their1979unsuccessfulassassinationattemptonNATOcommanderAlexanderHaig.Themediacharacterized

theRAFasdemoralized,disorganized,andadrift,andthehalf-dozenyoungpeoplewholivedintheflathereinWeddingcertainlyappearedtobelivingdowntothatdescription.

—twasjustpastone

Ia.m.onaFriday

morning,andcellmemberUlrike

Reubenswasonthecouchinthecommonroom,keptawakebycoffeeandnicotineandanewVHScassetteplayerconnectedtothetelevision.ShewasengrossedinabootlegtapeofMerylStreep

andCherinSilkwood,andasshesatthereinthedarkwatchingthegrainyvideoshethumbedthefiremodeselectorswitchupanddownonhergun,asmallmanifestationofherfuryattheAmericangovernmentfortheircriminaluseofnuclearpowerandtheirlackofconcern

forthewelfareoftheproletariat,asportrayedinthemovie.

Inthetwolargebedroomsdownthehalloffthecommonroom,severalmoremenandwomenslept.FourofthemweremembersoftheRAF—afifthmember,MartaScheuring,had

lefttownsuddenlyafewdaysearlier.

AlthoughthesymboloftheRAFwasablackH&KMP5submachinegundisplayedoveraredstar,intruthnoneoftheinhabitantsofthisapartmentactuallyownedanMP5.Instead,theyallhadolderfifties-era

machinepistolsorrevolvers,whichwerenowhereasstate-of-the-artastheMP5butwere,atleast,withineasyreachwheretheyslept.Fourothersintheapartment,threewomenandaman,werebeddingdownwithloversinthecell,andalthoughallofthesehangers-onknew

theywereinthepresenceofurbanguerrillas,theyhadnoconcernsfortheirpersonalsafety,becausethiscelloftheRAFhadbeenlivingherealongtimewithnotroubleatallfromthepolice.

UlrikeReubensfinishedwatchingthecreditsofSilkwood,

thensheclimbedoffthecouchandovertotheVCRandhittherewindbuttonsoshecouldwatchitagain.Whileshewaitedforthemovietorestart,shewalkedintothekitchentopourherselfanothercupofcoffee,becauseshewascertainshewasgoingtobeinforalong,

Cboringnight.

—IAanalystJackRyanstoodina

makeshiftcommandcentersetupinadormantconcerthallonOstenderStrasse,sixblocksawayfromtheRAFsafehouse.AlthoughhewasherewithNickEastlingand

histeamofMI6counterintelligencemen,andalthoughtherewereeasilyfiftyGermanpoliceofficersanddetectivesaroundhim,aswellassomecharactershewascertainwereWestGermanintelligenceofficials,hefeltmuchashehadfeltinSwitzerland:aloneand

forgottenbythosearoundhim.

Eastlingstoodwithhismenontheothersideofthebigroom.TheGermanauthoritiesconferredwiththeBrits,butotherthansomeinitialgreetingsandintroductions,RyanwasmostlyignoredbytheGermans.Hesatto

thesideontheedgeofthestageandwaitedforsomethingtohappen.

Ithadbeenalongday.They’dflownoutofZurichateighta.m.,arrivinginFrankfurt,Germany,justninetyminuteslater,andtherethey’dcaughtashuttletoBonn,theWestGermancapital.

AttheBritishembassy,RyanhadbeengivenasmallofficewithasecurelinewithwhichhecouldcontactLangley,whileEastlingandhismenwentintonearlyafulldayofmeetingswithofficialsfromtheBundesamtfürVerfassungsschutz,WestGermany’s

domesticsecurityservices,andtheBundesgrenzschutz,theWestGermanfederalborderguard,whichservedasthenationalpoliceforce.

Byfourp.m.thediplomaticpartoftheoperationwascomplete,andithadbeenasuccess.TheBritishhad

successfullytalkedtheGermansintoraidingtheRAFsafehouseinBerlin.ItwouldbeaGermanmission,alltheway,butoncethetakedownofthepropertywascomplete,EastlingandhisfellowBritishintelligenceofficerswouldbeallowedtoexploitany

intelligencerecovered.WhileinBonn,

JackmadeasecurecalltoJimGreer,andthetwoofthemdecidedtoaskJudgeArthurMooretocontactthedirectoroftheBfVtoformallyrequesttheCIAbeallowedtotagalongasawitnessandadviser.Jackhadrelayedhis

doubtsabouttheintelligencetoGreer,butatthispointtherewaslittleJack,ortheCIA,forthatmatter,coulddobutgoalongfortheride.

RyanknewusingLangleytogodirectlytotheWestGermanswouldpissEastlingoff,buthedidnotcare.NickEastling

hadtriedtopushRyanoutoftheinvestigationinSwitzerland.RyanwasdeterminedEastlingwasnotgoingtodothesamehereinGermany.

Bysevenp.m.thesixSISmenandRyanwereonaLearjettoBerlin,andbytenp.m.theysatinona

planningmeetingwiththeGermanauthorities.

AtmidnighttheyweretakentothetheaterjustblocksawayfromwhereGermanpolicewerequietlyandcarefullybeginningacovercordonoperationaroundthesuspectedterrorists.

NowJacksippedawfulcoffeefromaservicesetupbytheGermanpoliceassistingwiththeoperation.Itimmediatelymadehisstomachburn;he’dnoteatenallday.

Ashesatthereontheedgeofthestageheheardseveralbigvehiclespullup

outside.Therewasabustleinthelobbysoonafter,andthenthedoortothelobbyopened.

Jacklookedupandsawthattheshootershadarrived.

Theuniformedpolicehereatthecommandcentertreatedthetacticalteamwithdeference,

andtheGermanswearingsuits—RyansuspectedtheywerealleitherBfVintelligenceofficersorBGSdetectives—livenedupquiteabitasthehouroftheraiddrewcloser.

TheshootersweremembersofGrenzschutzgruppe9,BorderGuardGroup

9,WestGermany’smosteliteunitofparamilitaryoperators.Ryancountedtwodozen,allinblackandcarryingheavycases,whichtheyplacedaroundthelargemainstageofthetheater.

GSG9wasarelativelyneworganization,formedafterthetragedyofthe

1972MunichOlympicsmassacre,whenitbecameabundantlycleartoWestGermanythatthecountrydidnotpossessthetactics,equipment,orcaliberofpersonnelnecessarytocombattherecentphenomenonofinternationalterrorism.Whenaneight-man

cellofBlackSeptemberterroristskidnappedmembersoftheIsraeliOlympicteaminMunich,theGermanpoliceallowedthemtoflyontwoHueyhelicopterstonearbyFürstenfeldbruckAirBase,wheretheywouldthen—accordingtotheir

demands,anyway—boarda727thatwouldflythemtoCairo.

Attheairport,withhourstoprepare,membersoftheGermanpolicesetuptoambushtheterroristsastheymovedwiththeirhostagesfromthehelicopterstothejet.

Andinthistask,theGermansprovedthemselvestobealmostcomicallyincompetent.Fivepolicemenweredesignatedassnipers,thoughnonehadsnipertraining,andtheyweregivenrifleswithoutscopesandplacedaroundtheairportwithoutradios,

withinstructionstowaitforasignaltofire.

Anothersixpoliceofficerswerearmedandplacedinsidethe727withorderstoshootitoutwiththeterrorists,butjustasthetwohelicopterslanded,thesesixcopsdecidedtheydidn’tparticularlycarefor

theirorders,sotheyranawaywithoutnotifyingtheircommand.

Thehelicopterslanded,andtheBlackSeptemberterroristsrealizedquicklytheairplaneonthetarmacwascoldanddark,andtheGermansweren’tplanningonflyinganybodyanywhere,so

theyknewtheyhadwalkedintoatrap.QuicklytheeightterroristsshotoutthefewlightstheGermanshadpointingatthem,andthesniperswhowerenotreallysnipersfoundthemselvesfiringblindlyinthevicinityofthehostages.

Ittookhoursfor

thebattletoend,andwhenitdid,onepolicemanandninehostageslaydeadalongwithmostoftheterrorists.

Afterthisdebacle,theGermangovernmentorderedthecreationofadesignatedfederalanti-terroristunit,and,withinjustafew

years,GSG9becameoneofthepreeminenttier-oneunitsintheworld.

Now,morethanadecadelater,Ryancouldnothelpfeelingsomeworryabouttonight’sraid,althoughthereputationofthetacticalteamaroundhimwascertainly

comforting,aswastheirimpressivefirepower.

Minutesaftertheyarrived,thecasesonthestagelayopenandemptyandtheblack-cladparamilitariesweregearedupandreadyforaction.Theirprimaryweaponwasthenine-millimeterH&KMP5

submachinegun,astate-of-the-artweaponforclose-quarterscombat.OntheirhipstheycarriedP7pistols,alsomadebytheGermanfirmHeckler&Koch,andvariousfragmentation,smoke,andconcussiongrenadeshungfromtheirvests.

Jackhadspentthe

pastfifteenminutesquietlywatchingGSG9getreadyfortheirraid,sohewassurprisedwhenEastlingappearedathisshoulder.HewasmoresurprisedtoseeEastlingwearingabulletproofvestoverhisshirtsleevesandtie.HewinkedatJackandsaid,“Goodnews,

oldboy.Wegettobepartoftheaction.”

Ryanstoodupfromthestage.HenoticedtheEnglishmanwascarryingasecondvestinhishand.

Eastlingsaid,“Wewillgobehindthetrucksdeliveringthetriggermen,travelingwiththedetectives.

Wecanwaitdownstairswhilethetakedowngoeson,andwecanenterwiththefirstteamofgentsfromtheBfVwhenit’sallover.”

“Great,”Jacksaid,thoughhewasn’tsurejusthowgreatthisactuallywas.

“Nogunsforus,I’mafraid.”Eastling

winkedagain.RyancouldseetheadrenalineoftheimpendingraidwasalreadyampinguptheEnglishman’smannerisms.“Personally,Ihavenouseforthedamnthings.Iknowyouarearealtrickshot,though.Howmanyterroristsdidyoukill

lastyear?”Jacksaid,“Itwas

theonewhoshotmethatremindsmetoleavethegunfightingtotheprofessionals.”

“Tooright,Ryan.We’lljustcomeupthestairswhentheygivetheall-clear.”

A64

fterCIAanalystJackRyan

donnedthebulletproofvestoverhisshirtandtie,hewasgivenazip-upjacketwiththewordPOLIZEIingold

ontheback,andhandedaradiobyaBundesgrenzschutzdetectivenamedWilhelm.

Atonea.m.theyclimbedintoWilhelm’sunmarkedcaranddrovetoastagingareajusttwoblocksfromthetargetlocation.HeretheGSG9menstoodby

theirarmoredvehiclesandsmoked,andseveralambulancesandmorepolicevehicles,includingapaddywagon,wereallparkedinadarkenedundergroundgarage.

Afteracallthroughtheradios,Wilhelm,Ryan,andEastling—theotherBritishintelligence

officersremainedbehindinthetheater—beganwalkingupthestreet,passinglocalpolicewhowerenowblockingoffthestreetsintheneighborhood.WilhelmledRyanandEastlingalongbehindanothergroupofarmeduniformedpoliceofficerstoyetanotherstagingarea,

thisonejustacrossthestreetfromthetargetbuilding.Justastheyarrived,theGSG9mencameintheirownvehicles,theirtrucksdrivingslowlyupSprengelstrassewiththelightsextinguished,andthetwenty-fourcommandosleaptoutfromthebackofthe

trucksandlinedupintwoteamsoftwelve.Onegroupunlockedthecarrepairshopdoorwithaskeletonkey,andtheotherusedaportableladdertogainaccesstothefireescape,andtheybeganmovingslowlyuptowardtheroof.Insidetherepairshop,abarkingdogwas

silencedwithatranquilizergun,andthenthisteamheadedupastaircasetothefirst-flooroffices.

NowWilhelm,Ryan,Eastling,andseveraluniformedstatepoliceofficerscrossedthestreetandenteredthetargetbuilding.Theyclimbedthestairsto

theofficesonthefirstfloor,andheretheystoodtogetherinahallwaynearthestairsuptothesecond-storyartists’studio.Justaheadofthem,theGSG9teamwaitedaminuteatthestairs,andthentheybeganmovinguptothesecondfloor,disappearingfrom

viewastheyascendedintoblackness.

RyanleanedclosetoEastling’searandsaid,“Theyknowtheyareheretoarresttheterrorists,right?Wewon’tbeabletotietheattacksinSwitzerlandtotheRAFifweendupwitharoomfullofbodies.”

Eastling

whisperedback,“You’dbesurprisedwhataroomfullofbodiescantellyou.”Hewinked.“Nostress,theshootersknowtogivetheguerrillaseverychancetosurrenderpeacefully.”Heputahandup.“Ofcourse,ifthebadguysdecidetheywanttoshootit

T

out,theseGermancommandoswillkilleverythingthatmoves.That’sjustwhattheydo.”

—heGSG9teammovedupthe

stairstothesecondfloorandintotheartists’collective,andtheyfoundthespace

tobemostlyopen;therewereafewpartitioned-offareashereandthere.Shelvesofpaint,rollingcartsofartsupplies,andeaselswithhalf-finishedpaintingswerepositionedaroundtheroom.Largewindowsonallfourwallsallowedthemoonlight

andglowfromthestreetsbelowtofilterin,sotheGermanparamilitarieswereabletoheadtowardthenarrowstaircasetothetopfloorwithoutusingtheirflashlights.Manyofthewindowshadbeenleftopen,sotheroomwascoldandbreezy.

Whentheywere

halfwayacrossthefloor,atransmissioncamefromtheleaderoftheteamwhohadtakenthefireescapetotheroof.“MannschaftEins,fertig.”TeamOne,ready.

Theteamleaderinthestudiorepliedwithawhisper,“Verstanden.”Understood.

Atthebottomofthestairwell,theteamleaderlookedupintothedarkness.Thedooratthetopofthestairswasopen,andhesawaflickeringdimglow,likethatcomingfromatelevisionscreensomewhereintheflatabove.

Heturnedaroundtofacehisteamto

givethehandsignaltoorderthemtopreparetoassaultupthestaircase,butjustasheraisedhisarm,thesoundofaloudslapechoedintheroom,andtheteamleaderspunaroundtohisrightandfell,crashingintoarollingcartfullofartsupplies.

Thecrashing

soundinthehuge,nearlyemptyroomsoundedlikeasmallbombgoingoff.Mendroppedtotheirkneepadsandscannedtheroomwiththehugeflashlightsattachedtothetopsoftheirguns.

Theclosestmenrushedtotheirleaderandrealizedhe’dbeen

shot.Hewasfacedownatthebottomofthestairs,andtheyassumedthebullethadcomefromtheflatabove,sotwomenfiredtheirMP5supintotheflattosuppressthethreatwhileotherspulledtheirleaderoutofthelineoffire.

U—

lrikeReubensleaptfromthe

couchwhensheheardsomethingcrashingintotherollingcartdownstairs.Thiswasnotoneoftheratsthatoccasionallykeptherjitteryatnight.Thenoisewastooloudforthat.Noonehadsaid

anythingtoheraboutanyofthestudiorentersstayinglatethisevening.

Ulrikehadjustmadeitintothekitchenwhenthegunfireeruptedinthestairwellinfrontofher.Sheleaptbackinsurprise,screamed,andfumbledwiththeMPLhangingoverher

shoulder.Anairhornbegan

toblowonthestairs,whichmeantsomeonehadtrippedthewireonthewayup.Sheraisedherweaponinfrontofherjustasshewasbathedinabrilliantwhitelight.

—hefirstmanthrough

Tthedoorwayopened

fireonthearmedsubjectinfrontof

him,perforatingthewomanwitheightroundsofnine-millimeterNATOammo.Shecrumpledtothegroundbeforeshefiredasingleshotfromhergun.

—

JackRyanhad

expectedthetakedownofthe

RAFsafehousetobeginwiththemuffledsoundsofdetonatingconcussiongrenadestwofloorsabovehim.Instead,thestillnessinthedarkhallwaywherehewaitedwasbrokenbymultipleautomaticweapons

firingdirectlyabovewherehecrouched.Instantly,policeradiosbegantocrackle,andtheshoutsofmenechoedfromthestudiothroughthestairwell.

Ryanandthemenaroundhiminstinctivelyduckedlowertothefloor.WilhelmturnedtoRyanandEastling—

helookedlikehewastryingtodecidewhetherheshouldshepherdthembackdownstairs,asthefightwascloserthanhehadexpected.

Nowtherewereshoutsonthestairsahead,andthegunfireabovegrewheavier.Menontheradiostartedyelling.

EastlinggrabbedWilhelm.“What’shappening?”

TheBundesgrenzschutzofficerassignedtoRyanandEastlingsaid,“Theteamleaderonthesecondfloorhasbeenshot!”

“Secondfloor?”Ryanheardthe

commotionofmen

shoutinginthestairs,andhesawflashesfromthebiglightsmountedonthetopoftheirH&Ksastheycamedown;thenagroupofGSG9appearedinthehall.AtfirstRyanthoughttheentireforcewasinretreat,butwithinafewsecondshesawtheyweremoving

somethingheavy,pullingitwithdifficultyinthetightconfinesofthenarrowhall.Theirgunsandotherequipmentweregettingcaughtononeanother’sgear,andtheystruggledwithwhatevertheywerecarrying.

Heknewitwouldbethewoundedteam

leader.Theyshoutedin

Germanastheypassed,andRyanandEastlingmovedoutoftheway.Ryancaughtaglimpseofthetacticalofficerbeingdraggedbythreeofhiscolleagues.Hewascompletelylimpandappeareddead.

Themen

continuedupthehallandthenintothestairwelldowntothegroundfloor.

Therewasanotherloudcrashabovehim;thissoundedlikeafraggrenade—RyanhadheardenoughofthemintheMarineCorpstorecognizethenoise.Plasterontheceilinginthefirst-

floorhallwayraineddownonRyanandEastlingandWilhelm,aswellastheuniformedLandespolizeiofficerswiththem.

Thewalkie-talkiesallaroundJackwerealivewithcracklingshoutsandcommands;hecouldn’tmakesenseofanyofit,but

hisimpressionwasthatsomethinghadgonedrasticallywrongandthesituationupstairshaddescendedintoutterchaos.

Secondslater,anothergroupofblack-cladofficersappearedinthestairwell,draggingawoundedmanalongwiththem.Inthelight

fromflashlights,Ryancouldseethewetbloodontheman’stunic.

Jackpushedhimselftightagainstthewalltoletthempass,buttheofficersstumbledwhilecarryingthedeadweightofthewoundedman.

Ryanrantothe

group,thenreacheddownandtookthewoundedmanunderhisarms.Heliftedthemanandbeganpullinghimupthehall;thecommando’sbootsdraggedonthelinoleumflooring.RyanwasnotencumberedwithgunsandammunitionasweretheGerman

paramilitaries,sohewasabletomovealittlebetterandquickerthantheothers,andheyelledatthemen,tellingthemtogetbackupstairs.

Whetherornottheyunderstoodthewords,theyunderstoodthedangertheircolleagueswere

inupstairs,sotheyturnedtoheadbackuptotheragingfight,reloadingtheirweaponsontheway.

“Nick!”Jackshouted.“Helpme!”

Eastlingcameoverandtookthewoundedmanbythelegsandlifted,andtogetherwithRyangothimtothestairwell.

Hewasstillalive,butapparentlyhehadbeenshotintheface.HisMP5hungfromaslingonhisneck,andarigfullofmagazinesandgrenadeswasstrappedtohischest.

NickandJackwrestledwiththeweightofthemanallthewaydownintothegarageofthecar

repairshop,andhereateamoftwoparamedicsappearedwithastretcher.Allfourmenstruggledtogetthewoundedofficerontothegurney.AparamedicsaidsomethingtoRyan;hecouldnotunderstand,buthethoughtthemanwasaskinghimtoremove

theMP5,soheunfastenedtheslingandtookthegun.

Ryanaccompaniedthewoundedmanandtheparamedicsallthewayoutsidetotheambulance,butEastlingwentbackupthestairs,passingathirdmancomingdownwithabullet

woundinhisarm,aidedbyauniformedpoliceofficer.

Theambulanceracedoff,andJackfoundhimselfinthestreetnow;abovehimintheflat,gunfirecrackled.Moreambulanceshadpulledupandpolicestoodinthestreetwiththeirgunsdrawn,all

lookinguptowardflashesoflightinthewindows.Jackdidn’tknowwhomtohandthesubmachinegunto,sohejustslungitoverhisshoulderuntilhecouldpassitofftoWilhelm.

Hesawsomeuniformedpolicemenclimbingthefireescapeonthesouth

sideofthebuilding;theyhadobviouslybeenordereduptohelpwiththefirefightthathadcontinuedmuchlongerthananyonehadexpected.

Ryanranbacktotheentranceofthegarage,butnowanotherteamofparamedicshadtheirgurneyatthebottom

ofthestairsthere,andtheywereloadingthemanwiththeinjuredshoulderontothestretcher.Ryanwantedtogetbacktohispositiononthefirstfloor,soheranaroundthebuildingtothefireescape,thinkinghecouldjustfollowthecopsuponeflightandreturntothehallway

wherehe’dbeentwominutesearlier.

Heheadedupthefireescape,climbingtheladdertothestairs.Ashestartedtowardthewindowtothefirst-floorhallway,heheardahigh-pitchedhissandhefeltapressurejustinfrontofhisface,andthenbrickexplodedoffthe

buildingtwofeetinfrontofhim.Thenoiseandpressurecausedhimtolosehisfootingandfallflatonthewetmetal.

Evenbeforehehitthecold,wetmetalheknewhe’dbeenshotat,andhealsoknewfromthesoundthatthiswasn’tsomeoneupstairsfiringdown.

Helookedtotheright;therewasafour-storybuildingacrossthestreet.Lightswereoninsomeoftherooms,andJackpressedhimselfflatintothewetfireescapelandingashescannedthem,lookingtoseewheretheshotcamefrom.

Butanother

buildingwasnexttoit,and,astheywereonthecorner,Jackrealizedhispositionwasexposedtowindowsallthewayupthestreetfortwoblocks.

Thereweresomanydamnwindowstocheck,hehadnoideawherethegunshothadcome

from.Hestopped

scanning.Itoccurredtohimnosniperwouldfirefromaroomwithitslightson,sohestartedlookingforthedarkwindows.Ahalf-secondlaterherealizedheneededtobelookingforanopenwindow,whichcutthe

potentiallocationsdownevenmore.

Whataboutthatone?

Aflashinafourth-storycornerwindow,rightnexttowherehewaslooking,caughthisattention.Itwasatleastseventy-fiveyardsaway,halfwayuptheblock.Hedidnotheara

bulletpass,whichtoldhimthesniperinthewindowwasusingasuppressedrifleand,moreimportanttoRyan,hewasnowshootingatsomeoneelse.

Jackfoughttogetthewalkie-talkieoutofthepocketofhisjacket.Hedidn’tknowhowmanyofthe

policearoundherespokeEnglish,butrightnowhedidn’tcare.

“Sniper!Outside,fourthfloorofthegraybuildingupthestreet!Secondwindowfromthecorner.”

Hewasansweredbyashoutintothemicrophone.

“Werspricht

denn?”Who’stalking?

Ryandidnotunderstand;herepeatedhisannouncement,andthenhecrawledtotheopenwindowanddoveinside.Hehadn’theardanotherroundfiredathim,butwithallthenoisecomingfromupstairs,hecould

notbesure.

I65

nthelivingroomofthethree-bedroomflaton

thetopfloorofthebuilding,theGSG9operatorsstillinthefighthadthemselvescometothe

conclusionthattheyweretakingfirethroughthewindowsonthesouthside.Whentwooftheirnumberwentdownhere,theyatfirstthoughttheRAFgunmeninthebackbedroomswerefiringthroughtheplasterwalls.Indeed,inthelightfromtheir

weaponstheysawholesopenonthewall,andtheyfeltbulletsandfragmentsofplasterastheypassed.SoGSG9firedback,dumpingmagazineaftermagazineoffullyautomaticfireinthedirectionofthethreatsinthebedrooms.

Itwasonlywhen

thethirdmaninthelivingroomwentdownwithagunshottothebackofhisrightshoulder,andpitchedforwardoveratableinthemiddleoftheroom,thatitbecameevidenttheyweretakingfirenotjustfromthefront,butfrombehindthemontheirrightaswell.

Atthatmomentsomeoneyelled“Sniper!”ontheradio,andthenhesaidsomethinginEnglish.“Sniper”wasuniversalforthesefederalparamilitaryofficers,everyoneknewtheterm,soalthoughtheycouldnotunderstandtherestoftheEnglish,severalofthemen

R

lookedtotheirrightandsawmoreglassshatterinthewindowasanotherbulletflewintothelivingroom.

AlltheGSG9menhitthedeck.

—yanshoutedfortheuniformed

policemenattheotherendofthehalltocome

tohispositionherebythewindow,buttheycouldnothearhimthroughthepersistentgunfireupstairs.Frustrated,hechancedalookbackoutthewindow,caughtaglimpseofmovementinthedarkenedroomwherehe’dseentheflashoflight.

Without

consideringtheconsequencesoffiringaguninthevicinityofdozensofarmedmen,JackraisedtheMP5towardtheopenwindowandaimedtheironsightsbyputtingthenarrowbladeatthefrontofthebarrelinthecenteroftheroundghostringbyhiseyeintherearofthegun.

JackhadnotspentagreatdealoftimewiththeMP5—itwasn’tsomethingthathe’dusedintheMarines,afterall—buthe’dshottheweaponbefore,andheknewenoughaboutsub-gunstoknowitwasalousyweaponwithwhichtotakeonasniperatseventy-five

yards.Jackheldhis

breathtosteadyhimself,thenpressedthetrigger.

Nothing.Quicklyhelooked

downatthegun,sawthesafetywassettoSforsicher,orsecure,andheflickedtheselectorswitchtothesingle-shotindicator.

Heaimedagain,andthen,justasheputhisfingerbackonthetrigger,hesawtheflashofanothershotcomingfromtheroomseventy-fiveyardsaway.Illuminatedinthequarter-secondoflight,Ryansawabed,amancrouchedbehinditonthefarsideoftheroomwith

agunpointedatthebuilding.Thegunhadascopeandabipod,butRyancouldn’ttellanythingelseabouttheshooterorhisweaponbeforetheroomwasonceagaincoveredindarkness.

Jackadjustedhisaim,concentratedonthespotwherehe’dseentheman,heldhis

breathagain,andpressedthetrigger.

ThelittleH&Kjerkedagainsthisshoulderashesentarounddownrange.Hefiredagain,andthenathirdtime.Hehadnoideaifhewashittingthesniperornot,buthehopedhewouldatleastencouragethegunmantorun.

Afterthethirdshot,Ryanwentflatonthefloorbelowthewindow.Hedidn’twanttopresshisluckagainstamanwithascopedrifle.

TwopolicemenranuptoRyan,andheyelledatthemtogetdown.TheyhadthegoodsensetodowhattheAmericansaid;

theyhitthedeckandthencrawledovertohisposition,yellingathimwiththeirpistolsintheirhands.

Oneofthemenraisedhisheadtolookoutthewindow,butJackgrabbedhimbyhissleeveandpulledhimdownhard.Hehadnoideaifthesniperwasstillinthe

fight,butifhewere,hewouldundoubtedlybefocusinghisattentiononthiswindow,wheretheincomingfirehadcomefrom.

ThelookofabsoluteconvictiononthefaceoftheAmericantoldthetwoGermanLandespolizeithattheyprobably

shouldjustgoaheadandmovetoanotherwindowbeforecheckingoutside.TheyusedtheirradiostodirectagroupofcopsdownatgroundleveltocheckoutthebuildingthattheAmericanCIAmanhaddescribed,andtheyorderedthecopsblockingoffthestreets

tobeonthelookoutforasnipertryingtomakehisescape.

ThentheydisarmedtheAmerican.Theyhadnoideawherehe’dgottenholdofaguninthefirstplace.

—heentiregunfightintheWestBerlin

Tneighborhoodof

Weddinglastedonlysixminutes,

buttoRyanitseemedlikeaneternity.TheGSG9menupstairsfinallypronouncedtheflatclear,buteveryoneremainedlowtothegroundforseveralminutesuntilthepolicewenttocheckoutthesniperhideup

J

thestreetandreportedthattheareawassafe.

—ackwasstillonthefloorinthehallway

whenWilhelmwalkeduptohimseveralminuteslater.“Wefoundthesniperpositionacrossthestreet.”

Jackstoodup

quickly.“Thereissome

bloodonthecarpet,andthreeholesinthedrywall.Youhitsomeoneinthatroom,buttheywereapparentlystillabletocollecttheirweaponandmakeanescape.”

WilhelmreachedoutandshookRyan’shand.“Dankeschön,

HerrRyan.”“Noproblem,”

Ryansaid,buthismindwasstilltryingtopiecethisalltogether.“HowdidtheRAFknowtohaveasniperthere?Didtheyknowwewouldbehittingtheflat?”

“Idonotknow.”“Isthatsomething

theyhaveeverdone

before?”“Nein.Nothing

likethis.TonightwehadtwoGSGNineandoneLandespolizeiofficerkilled.ThreeGSGNineandthreeLandespolizeiwerewounded.WehaveneversufferedsuchlossesagainsttheRAF.”

Itwasseveral

minutesmorebeforeEastlingandRyanwerealloweduptothethird-floorflat.Astheycrossedthestudiospacetothestairs,theypassedalightlyinjuredcommandostillreceivinginitialtreatmentfromhisteammates,andtheysawblood,bulletholes,andbroken

glassallovertheroom.

Upstairs,theGermansusedthebigflashlightsonthetopsoftheirgunstolookforalightswitch.Theyfoundonebythedoor,butthelightabovehadbeenshotoutorblownupbyagrenadeinthebattle.Eastlinghimself

turnedonalampintheattachedkitchenandpointedittowardthemainroom,castinglongshadowsacrosseverything.

Ryanwavedhishandthroughtheairtoclearsmokestillhanging,andhegothisfirstgoodlookattheroom.

Thefirstbodyhe

cameacrosswasthatofayoungwoman.Shewastenfeetfromtheentrancetothestairs,lyingonherbackanddisfiguredbythebulletwoundsoverheruppertorsoandhead.Inthelamplightdiffusedbysmoke,shelookedghostlike.Anautomaticweaponwasseveralfeetaway

fromher.Jackthoughtitlikelythiswashergunandithadbeenkickedoutofherreachasthecommandostooktheroom.

Hefollowedsomemenwithflashlightsdownahallwayandintothebedrooms,andherehesawatotalofeightmorebodies.Fourhadgunsstillin

theirhandsornearwheretheylay,andfourmoredidnot.Thewallsofoneofthebedroomsweresopepperedwithholestherewereplacesyoucouldreachthroughintothelivingroom.ItwascleartoRyanmuchofthisbattlehadtakenplacewithoutthetwowarringsides

evenseeingeachother.

JacklookedatEastling.“NosurvivorsamongtheRAF?”

Eastlingshookhisheadindisappointment.“Noneatall.”

“Shit.”Allthedeadwere

photographedwhere

theylayandthendraggedintothelivingroomandlineduponthefloor.Whilethistookplace,thepolicewerealreadybeginningtheirinvestigation.

JackandNickstartedlookingaroundthemselves,butafterjustafewminutestheradiosquawked.“Herr

Eastling?HerrRyan?Canyoucometothelastbedroomdownthehall,please?”

EastlingandRyanwalkedtothesmallestroominthehouse,thebackbedroom.Nobodieshadbeendiscoveredinhere,sotheyhadallbutignoreditontheirfirstpass,butnow,asRyan

steppedintotheroomandfollowedthepathofflashlights,herealizedwhyheandEastlingandbeenusheredin.Thereweretwopicturesonasmalldressingtable;theyweresmashed,andonewaspockedwithbulletholesnow,buttheyclearlyshowedayoung

womanwhomatchedtheIDphotoofMartaScheuring.

“Scheuring’sroom,”saidoneoftheBfVmen.

Asearchoftheten-foot-by-ten-footspacewasalreadyunderway.Therewasn’tmuchtolookthrough,justabed,afewtables,apileof

clothesinabasketinthecorner,andasmallclosetstuffedwithcoatsandotherclothing.

IttooknotimeatallfortheBfVmentofindahollowspacebeneathseveralloosefloorboardsunderthebed.ABfVinvestigatorpulledasilveraluminum

briefcasefromthecompartment.Itwassecuredwithasimplethree-numbercombination,buttheGermanputitonthebedandopenedthelockwithatinypickwhileRyanandEastlingpeeredoverhisshoulder.

Insidethecasewereseveral

notebooksandfiles.ThedetectiveshonehisflashlightonthecontentsforthebenefitoftheEnglishmanandtheAmerican.

“Well,hullo,”Eastlingsaid,ashelookedatit.

Ryanleanedinanddirectedthedetective’sflashlight

towardagroupofphotographs.

ThefirstthingRyansawwasablack-and-whitephotographofTobiasGabler,thefirstbankerkilledinZug.Theimagelookedasthoughithadbeentakenfromadistance,butitwasunmistakablythesamemanRyanhadseenin

thenewsreportsonGabler’smurder.UnderthiswasapictureofMarcusWetzel.RyanhadnoideawhatMorningstarlookedlike,butthephotowashelpfullymarkedwithawhitestickeruponwhichMarcusWetzel’snamehadbeentyped.

Underneaththis

photowasamapofZug,Switzerland.

Nextinthecasewasaone-pagetypewrittenmessageonasheetofwhitepaper.AtthetopofthepagewasanH&Krifleoveraredstar,abovewhichthelettersRAFweredisplayedinwhite.

TheGermansaid,

“Itisacommuniqué.Itlooksofficial,Ihaveseenthesebefore.”

“Wouldyoumindtranslatingit?”Eastlingasked.

“Ja.Itsays,‘Thenatureoftheseattacksspeakthelanguageofreaction.WeintheRedArmyFactionwillnotallowthosewhotrafficinthe

illegalmoniesthatlubricatethewarsagainstthepeopleofCentralAmericaandAfricatolivefreelyandinpeace.Wewillshowoursolidaritywiththeguerrillasoftheworldandfightagainstthebankerswhoprofitfromtheillegitimatewarsinthenameofthefailed

capitalistsystem.’”WhentheBfV

manfinished,heturnedtoRyanandEastling.“ItgoesontosayTobiasGablerandMarcusWetzelwerekilledbecausetheywerehigh-profilebankerswhodealtwiththeaccountsofGermanindustrialists.”

Ryanasked,“Andthislooksrealtoyou?”

TheGermanshrugged.“Itlooksreal.”

“But?”“ButHerrWetzel

waskilledovertwenty-fourhoursago.HerrGablerdaysbeforethat.Normallythiswouldhavebeen

distributedalready.Idon’tunderstandwhyithasn’tbeen.”

Eastlingsaid,“MaybeScheuringwassupposedtodistributeitherself,butsinceshewasburnedtoacrispinSwitzerland,shenevergotachance.”

TheBfVofficershookhishead.“If

thiswasarealRAFoperation,someonefromtheirpropagandawingwouldsendthistothemedia.Nottheactualbomber.”

TheGermanbegandiscussingthecommuniquéwithsomeofhiscolleagues,soJackandNickwalkedoutintothehallway.

Ryansaid,“Allniceandneatinonepackage.”

Eastlingclearlywasthinkingthesamething.Hestruggledwithhiswords,finallysaying,“Itdoeslooksuspiciouslyconvenientforus,I’llgiveyouthat.”

Ryansaid,“ThisisaplantifI’veever

seenone.”TheEnglish

counterintelligenceofficerseemedtorecoverfromhisdoubt.HestoppedinthenarrowdarkhallandturnedtoJack.“Haveyoueverseenone?”

Ryanhadtoadmitthathehadnot.Hedidnotinvestigatecrime

scenes,buthewasahellofananalyst,andhehaddealtwithallsortsofoppositiondisinformationcampaigns.This“evidence”didnotpassJackRyan’ssnifftest.

Theywentbackinthelivingroomandstoodoverthebodies.Thedetectiveswere

tryingtomatchfacestobookingphotosofknownRAFmembers.Sofar,they’dID’dfiveofthedead,buttheyhadnorecordoftheotherfour.Oneofthedetectivessenthispartnersintothebedroomstolookforpursesandwalletstotrytofigureoutwhotheywere.

AsJackandNicklookedoverthecorpseslineduponthefloorofthelivingroom,Jacksaid,“Thesepeople,alongwithanotherguytwoblocksupthestreet,managedtoshootninecopsandcommandos?Idon’tbelievethatforasecond.”

Eastlingshookhis

head.“Theywalkedrightintosomesortofatrap.MightbealeakinGermansecurity.”

“Thereisanotherpossibility.”

“What’sthat?”Jacksaid,“Think

aboutit.WhatifitwastheRussians?IftheRAFwasbeingsetupforwhathappenedinSwitzerland,the

Russianswouldhavetoensurethatnooneinthecellwouldbetakenintocustodytoproclaimtheirinnocence.Whatbetterwaytomakesurenobodytalkstothepolicethanturningthearrestintoafull-ongunbattle?Allyouwouldneedtomakethathappenisa

shooterwithalineofsightonthescene.OncetheGermancommandosstarteddropping,thereweren’tgoingtobeanyRAFsurvivorstoproclaimtheirinnocence.”

Eastlingsighed,butRyansawdefinitecracksinthecertaintythathadbeenon

displaybeforethebriefcaseturnedup.“Youhavenothingbutconjecture.Wedon’tknowwhowasinthesniper’shide.CouldhavebeenanRAFgunmanwhoheardtheshootinganddecidedtofightbackfromthatlocation.”

Jackjustshookhishead.Hecouldn’t

proveanything,buthisguttoldhimheandEastlingwereupagainstforcesmuchlargerthanthoseofaGermanleft-wingterroristcell.

J66

Presentday

ackRyan,Jr.,andVictorOxleymadeitbacktoLondonjust

beforefivep.m.Ofcourse,Ryanknewbetterthantoreturntohisflat.Instead,he

rentedaroomatamotorlodgeonWellesleyRoadinCroydon.Oxleyhadrecommendedit,explainingthathecametoLondonfromtimetotimeandalwaysstayedthere,andheassuredRyanitwasanout-of-the-wayandsuitableplacefora“noquestionsasked”encounter,whichwas,Oxleypointedout,justwhatthesituationcalledfornow.

Theyhadmadeonestopalongtheway.AftergrowingtiredofOxley’spestering,Jackpulledintotheparkinglotofasupermarketandfannedsomebillsoutofhiswallet,passingthemovertotheformerspy.Oxleyduckedintothemarketandreturnedtenminuteslaterwithtwoshoppingbags.

Theypulledbackontotheroad,headingforthe

lodge,andthiswaswhenJacklearnedOxleyhadboughtafifthofIrishwhiskey,aliterofcola,andtwolargebottlesofbeer.Asforfood,he’dpickedupsomesnackcakesandastickofsausagethatlookedtoJackasifitmighthavebeenasoldasOxleyhimself.

AsJacksuspectedwhenOxleydescribedtheplace,themotorlodgewasacomplete

dump.Therewaspeelingpaint,andburnsonthecarpetandmoldonthewalls,buteachroomwasoveritsowntinyone-cargarage,clearlyfortheexpresspurposeofhidingthevehiclesofwhoeverwasstayinginside.

Theypulledintotheirallottedgarageandclosedthedoor,thenJackandVictorheavedtheRussianmobenforceroutofthetrunkof

theMercedes.Victoryankedtheman’sjacketupoverhisheadsohecouldn’tsee.Theythenfrog-walkedhimupaflightofstairsoutofthegarageandintothehotelroom.

Thebathroomwastinyandfilthy,butitwasagoodplacetostashaRussiangangmemberforafewminutes.Therewasexposedpipingalongthewalls,andOxley

expertlytiedthemaninafashionthatkepthishandshighbehindhisbacksothathecouldnotmaneuvermorethanacoupleincheswithoutcausinghimselfincrediblepaininhisshoulders.Oxleythentookapillowwithasuspiciousstainonitfromthebed,removedthepillowcase,andhoodedthemanwithit.

TheyshuttheRussianinthebathroom,andthenJack

turnedupthetelevisioninthebedroom.Heandthefifty-nine-year-oldBritsteppedoutontoatinybalconythatoverlookedabusysix-laneroad.

Oxleywasangrythelodgedidnothaveasinglepieceofglasswareforhisuse,buthemadedobydrinkingafewlonggulpsoutofthebottleofcolaandthenfillingthebottlebackuptothetop

oftheneckwithIrishwhiskey.TheysatoncheapaluminumchairsonthebalconywhileJackwatchedthemandrinkandeatforafewminutes,usingeverylastvestigeofhispatience,tellinghimselfthatthemoresatiatedandsaucedtheex–Englishspywas,themorehemighttalk.

FinallyJacksaid,“Allright,Oxley.Iwantto

questionthatassholeinthebathroom,butfirstIwouldlikesomeanswersfromyou.Doyoufeelliketalking?”

Thewhite-beardedEnglishmanseemedrelaxed;Jackwassureithadsomethingtodowithallthewhiskeyinhiscola.Heshrugged,said,“First,startbycallingmeOx.Second,knowthis.I’drathernottalktoyouatall,butIdon’tfancyarmed

Russianthugschasingmetilltheendofmydays,soI’mwillingtoworkwithyoutogetthisallsorted.Still,therearethingsIcansay,andtherearethingsI’lltakewithmetomegrave.”

Jackopenedabottleofbeerandtookasip.“Fairenough.Let’sstartwithsomethingeasy.WhendidyougetbackfromRussia?”

Afteramoment,Oxley

said,“IreturnedfromtheMotherlandabouttwentyyearsago.”

“Whathaveyoubeendoingthepasttwentyyears?Canyoutalkaboutthat?”

“I’vebeenaround.Hereandthere.Collectinggovernmentassistance,mostly.”

“Unemployed?”“Onandoffthedole,lad.

DowhatIcan.”Heshrugged.

“Butnotmuchmore.”NowOxaskeda

question:“Howisitthatthesonofthebleedin’AmericanPresidentknowsaboutme?”

Jacksaid,“MyfatherwantedinfoonBedrock,andhethoughtSirBasilCharlestonwouldknow.Iwasoverhereanyway,soIwenttoaskhim.BasiltoldmeyouwereBedrock.Itrackedyoufromthere,using

SAScontacts.”“Goodol’Basil.”“Hethinksyouwanthim

dead.”Oxleycockedhishead.

“Doeshe,now?”Oxleyshookhisheadwithachuckle.“No.Charlestonwasn’tpartofthedirtytricksIwasinvolvedwith.OldBasildidn’tdomeanyfavors,butIcan’tsayhe’sallbad.”

“HesaidyouoperatedbehindtheCurtain.Youfitinlikeanative.”

“MymumwasfromOmsk,inSiberia.ShedefectedwithherparentsthroughBerlin,backbeforethewall.ShemetanEnglishArmyofficerandtheymovedtotheUK.SettledinPortsmouth.Dadbecameafisherman,hewasn’thomemuch.Mymumbecamepart

ofthelocalRussianémigrécommunity,soIgrewupspeakingmoreRussianathomethanIdidEnglish.”

Oxleygulpedfromhisbottle.“AndwhyonearthwasyourfatherinterestedinanoldstorylikeBedrock?”

JackhadbroughtalongthephotocopiedpagefromtheSwisspolicereport.HepulleditoutofhisjacketandhandeditovertoOxley.

Oxleylookedatthepage,thenreachedintohispocketandscroungedaroundforamomentforapairofreadingglasses.Heputthemonandlookedatthepageagain.

“It’sbloodyGerman.”“Yes.Butyourcode

nameisonthereinpencilthatsomeoneerased.NexttoastoryfromtheSwisspoliceofamanwhowasdetainedafterthebombingofarestaurantin

Rotkreuz,Switzerland.”Oxleynoddedvery

slowly,almostimperceptibly.“Soyouremember.”Oxleylookedoffinto

space,asifrecallingamomentinthedistantpast.“IwasorderedtotrackdownarumorintheEastaboutakillertheKGBcalledZenith.”

JackwonderedifBasilhadbeenuntruthfulabout

Bedrock’slackofinvolvementwithZenith,orifhe’djustforgotten.Ryansaid,“ZenithwasinWesternEurope.WhydidyougototheEast?”

“ThefirstrumorsaboutZenithcamefromtheCzechoslovakians.TwooftheirinvestigatorsworkingonacaseinPraguewerefoundfloatingfacedownintheVltavaRiver.ARussian

stayingatahotelintheareadisappearedinahurrywithoutpayinghisbill.Asearchoftheman’sroomturnedupsomeluggage.InitwasaKGBcipherbookwithsomewritingontheinsideflap.TheCzechsmanagedtobreakenoughofthecodetodeciphertheword‘Zenith.’WhetherornotthatwasthecodenameoftheownerofthebookwiththeRussians,

nooneknew,but‘Zenith’stucknonetheless.

“TheCzechoslovakianswenttotheKGB,buttheRussianssaidtheyknewnothingaboutanyonenamedZenith,nordidtheyadmittohavinganyoperativesinPrague.”

Jacksaid,“Yeah,well,theKGBliedalot.”

“True,”Oxleysaid,“andI’msurethePraguepolice

werethinkingthesamething,butsuddenlythebackalleysoffWenceslasSquarestartedtolooklikeaKGBconvention.Russianspiesraineddownonthecity,andallofthemwerehuntingforthisZenithcharacter.”

“AndtheUKlearnedthisfromasourceinPrague?”

“MI5gotwind.Don’taskmehow.Beforeitwasallover,hekilledtwicemorein

Czechoslovakia,andfourmeninHungary.”

“Allcops?”“No.InBudapesthe

killedemployeeswiththeStateBankofHungary,aswellasasmuggler.”

“Asmuggler?”Jackasked.

“Humansmuggler.Hewasablokethathelpeddefectorsovertheborder.ItwascommoninHungary

backthen,”Oxleysaid.“Anyway,fromourintelligencewegottheimpressionZenithwasnotKGB.Hewassomesortofarogue.TheKGBthoughthewasanex–GRUman,whowasnowbeingrunbyaWesternpower.Wewereworriedwewouldbeimplicatedinhisactions.”

“WhywouldtheUKbeimplicatedinhisactions?”

Oxley’schucklewaslowandraspy.“BecausewehadanassetoperatingbehindtheIronCurtainourselves,doingasimilartypeofwork.”

Jack’seyebrowsrose.Thingswerestartingtomakesense.“You?”

“Maybeyouaren’tquiteasdaftasItookyoufor.”Oxleyplayedwithhisreadingglasses,movingthemthroughhisfingersslowly.Hesaid,

“Yeah.IwasinPraguewhenZenithwasactivethere.IwasincoverasaRussian,Iwastherealone,sonaturallyIwasinterviewedbytheCzechs.Italkedmywayoutofit,butwhenthekillingscontinuedinHungary,somedimbulbinLondonthoughtImightgettiedtothecrimes.Zenithmighthurtrelations,rightwhenwewerehopingforathaw.Thiswasattheheight

ofthearmsrace,butwelikedthewaythingswereheading.Polandwaswellonitswaytodemocracy,ReaganandThatcherhadtheSovietUnionbytheknackers.Therewerestillmanybattlestofight,butanewagewasdawning.Zenithwasupsettingtheapplecart.”

“SoyouweresenttokillZenithsothattheKGBcouldn’tblametheWestfora

rogueassassinrunningaroundwhackingeverybody?”

“That’sit.”“Thenwhathappened?”“Icouldn’tbloodyfind

him.NeithercouldKGB.”“Butwhydidyougoto

Switzerland?”“Iwasfollowingsome

KGBgeezersinBudapestwhowerethemselveshuntingZenith.Iwashopingthey

mightleadmetohim.IwasquitesurprisedwhentheytraveledtotheWest,toZug,tovisitabank.”

“Andthenpeoplestartedgettingkilledthere,too.”

“Yes.”“Zenithkilledthem?”Oxleyshrugged,aslow,

tiredgestureonhisbigframe;alongstreamofairescapedthroughhisnose.Hewatchedthecarsrollbyontheroad

belowthebalcony.“Dependsonwhoyoubelieve.”

RyanlookedatOxley.“Callmecrazy,butrightnow,Ibelieveyou.”

VictorOxleysmiledalittle.“Then,yes.Zenithkilledthelotofthem.”

TheEnglishmanlookedupfromhisdrinknow.“Nowit’syourtimetotalk.Whyisyourfatherinterestedinthisstorynow?Thiswasthirty

yearsago.Hasn’thecreatedenoughproblemsintheworldtowherethisonecouldbeleftwhereitwas?”

“Itakeityoudisagreewithmydad’spolitics?”

“Politics?I’vegotnopatienceforpolitics.Don’tgiveatossaboutit.”

“Thenwhydoyouhatemyfather?”

“It’spersonal.”“Personal?Youknow

mydad?”“No,andIdon’tcareto.”

Oxwavedhishandaway,dismissingthetopic.“Iaskedyouthequestion,lad.Whynow?Whatdoesyourdearolddaddywantwithme?”

Ryanshrugged.“YourcodenamewasfoundinthefilesrelatingtotheZenithcase.Nobodyhadlookedattheminalongtime,Iguess,butanotheroldnoteina

dustyoldfileturnedupsuggestingthatRomanTalanovwasZenith.”

OxleylookedatRyan.“Talanov?Right.That’sthename.So?Again,thatwasagesago.Whatthehelldoesitmatternow?”

Jackwassurprised.“Wait.YouknowTalanovisZenith?”

“IsuspectIamtheonewhoputthatolddustynotein

thatfile.Backinninety-two,Ithinkitwas.AfterIgotoutofthegulag.Butyouhaven’texplainedwhyanyonecaresaboutthenameofarogueKGBassassinfromaquarter-centuryago.”

Jackthoughtforamoment.“Ididn’tseeatelevisioninyourflat.”

“Nouseforthem.Noradio,either.Occasionally,therewillbeafootballmatch

onatthepub,butIhavenointerestinthenews.”

“Thatexplainsit,then.”Oxwasconfused.“What

areyouonabout,Ryan?”“Thisisn’taboutwhat

happenedaquarter-centuryago.It’saboutwhat’shappeningnow.YouhavenoideathatRomanTalanovistheheadoftheFSB,doyou?”

Oxleystaredahead,watchingthetrafficraceby

onWellesleyRoad.Afteralongtimehesaid,“No.Ididn’tknowthat.”Hetookathoughtfulpullonhisdrinkandstaredoffoverthecity.“Bloodyfuckin’hell.”

C67

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanspentthefirst

fewhoursaftertheraidontheRAFSprengelstrasseflatin

amustyvacantofficeattheBritishconsulateinWestBerlin.

Assoonashewasgiventhechancetouseasecurephone,RyancalledtheCIAdirectorofintelligence,AdmiralJamesGreer.HereachedGreerathome—itwasninep.m.ontheEastCoast—and

hefilledhiminontheeventsofthepastfewhours.Theadmiralwasastonishedbythenewsoftheshootout,especiallyhisownman’spartinit.

RyanstressedtoGreerhewasskepticalthattheRAFhadoperatedalone,andhewascertaintherewereothershadowyforces

involvedinthisentireoperation.

GreerdoubtedRyan’stheoryofRussianinvolvement.“ButJack.WhataboutRabbit?YouknowaswellasIdowehaveanassetwhowaswellinformedonKGBoperations.We’vespentmonthsdebriefingRabbit.I

findithardtobelievehe’sgoingtojustscratchhischinandthensay,‘Oh,yeah,IforgottomentionthereisanassassinoperatinginEurope.’”

Jacksaid,“Weneedtocheckwithhimonthis.Maybehe’llremembersomethingrelevant.”

Greersaid,“Look,

Jack,we’lltalktohimagain,butyouandIbothknowhewasn’tholdingoutonus.Iftherewereanyactivemeasuresthatinanywayfitthedescriptionofwhatyouaredescribing,hewouldhavetoldus.”

“ZaitsevhasbeenoutoftheKGBcommunicationroom

formonths.Thiscouldbesomethingthatstartedafterheleft.”

“Possible,butunlikely,andyouknowwhy.Theseoperationstaketimetofield.AssassinatingWesternEuropeanbankers.Co-optingand—Iguessyouaresaying—framingWestGermanterrorists.

Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeanopthatwasjustthrowntogetherinthepastfewmonths,doesit?”

“No,”Ryanconceded.Hepaused.“Iknowwhatthissoundslike.”

“Itsoundslikeyouaregraspingatstraws.Ifitwereanyoneelse,I’d

dismissthisoutofhand.Butyouaren’tanyoneelse.Youareonehellofananalyst,andIoweittoyoutotellyoutofollowyourinstincts.”

“Thanks.”“Butwhatever

youdo,Iwantyoutorememberthis.TheBritsareprettygoodatthissortofthing.If

theysaytheyaredonewiththeinvestigation,you’llbeonyourownoverthere.Youcantapintowhateverlocalagencyfacilityyouneedtohelpyou,ofcourse,butbecareful.You’vecometooclosetodangeralready.Idon’twantyoutakinganyunnecessaryrisks.”

T

“Thatmakestwoofus.”

—wentyminuteslater,Ryanmet

withEastlingandhismeninasecond-flooroffice,andheretheyallwentoverthematerialfoundintheRAFsafehouseagain.TheGermanBfV

retainedcustodyofthebriefcaseandthecontentsinside,sotwoBfVinvestigatorsloomedoverEastling’sandRyan’sshoulderswhiletheEnglishmanandtheAmericanconductedtheirownreviewoftheitems.

Eastlingandhismenwentfirst.This

hadbegunasanSISoperation,afterall.OneofEastling’smenhadafingerprintkit,andhedustedthecaseandtheitemsinside,thenEastlinghimselftookeachpieceofevidenceandreaditover,examiningwatermarksonpaper,thetechniquesusedtoprintthephotographs

ofthebankers,thetypewritercharacteristicsofthelettersonthebomb-makingguideandthecommuniqué.

Thecaseitselfwasexaminedforafalsebottomoranyotherhiddencompartments,butnonewerefound.

Jackwas

fascinatedbyEastling’shandlingoftheevidenceforthesimplefactthatJackhimselfhadnotraininginthesetypesofinvestigativetechniques.Hewasn’tacoporadetective.HisdadhadbeenadetectiveontheBaltimorePD,andhe’dalwaysbeen

interestedinpolicework,buthe’dneverseenitashiscalling.

Hewasananalyst,however,sowhenhefinallygothischancetolookoverthematerial,hewentforthedocumentsfirst.Heworerubbergloves,ofcourse,andhadoneoftheBfVofficersstandingwith

himtotranslate.Jacktriedtoget

theBfVmentoadmittheydidn’tthinkitwaspossibletheRAFmembersattheapartmentcouldhavepossiblyputupsuchaprofessionalfightagainstGSG9,buttheGermansweren’tascertainasRyan.Therewereninedead

civiliansintheflatonSprengelstrasse,andsofaronlyfiveofthebodieshadbeenidentified.TheBfVofficerssaidtheycouldn’tpassjudgmentontheskilloftheRAFfightersuntiltheyfiguredouttheidentityofallthoselyingonslabsinthemorgue.

Ryanlearnedverylittlefromhisexaminationofthedocuments.Hewasn’taspecialistontheRAFbyanymeans,butthecommuniquélookedlikeastandardpronouncementfromaleft-wingterroristgroup,andallthematerialinvolvingtheattacksonGablerand

Wetzel—thephotos,themaps,andthebomb-makinginstructions—seemedlegitimate.

Theonlythingdoubtfulabouttheentirescenewasthatinordertotakethebriefcaseanditscontentsatfacevalue,onehadtobelieveMartaScheuring

possessedsomeoftheabsoluteworstoperationaltradecraftinthehistoryofleft-wingterror.EventhoughtheRAFroutinelytookcreditfortheiroperations,likemostterrorgroups,thefacttheyoungGermanwomanhadbroughtherIDalongwithheronher

opstrainedcredulity.Ryandidn’tknow

whattomakeofit.Scheuringhadacoupleofarrestsunderherbelt,butshe’dcertainlyneverbeenimplicatedinamurder.Thatsaid,twooftheinhabitantsoftheflathadbeenwantedforarocketattackonaNATO

installationseveralyearsearlier,andwhilenoonehadbeenkilledorevenseriouslyinjuredintheattack,certainlytheintentionhadbeentocauselossoflife.

Eastling,asusual,wasleaningtowardwrappingupthisinvestigation.Ryan,ontheotherhand,

thoughtthespoon-fednatureofthisevidencecreatedmoresuspicionsthantheevidenceitselfclearedup.

AstheGermanswereanxioustoleavewiththeirevidence,RyanandtheBritsfinishedtheirreviewofthematerialinunderanhour.

A

Jackhadbeenupformorethantwenty-fourhours,soaroundninea.m.hewasofferedacouchinanunusedofficetocatchacouplehours’sleep.

—televen-thirtya.m.Eastling

leanedintotheroom.Ryansatup,rubbing

hiseyesandpushingawoolblanketoffhislegs.

Eastlingsatdowninthechairinfrontofhim.Hiseyeswerebloodshot,andhisclotheswerewrinkled.Jackwonderedifhelookedastiredandworn-outastheEnglishmandid.

“What’sgoing

on?”Jackasked.“We’vebeen

througheverythingmultipletimes.ThedocumentswefoundinMartaScheuring’sroomattheRAFsafehouselooklegitimate.TheGermanshavefinallyidentifiedtheotherbodiesintheflat.Theywerethreegirlfriendsandone

boyfriendoftheoccupants.NoneofthemareknownRAFmembers,butofcoursethiswillbelookedintofurther.

“Theyalsocheckedintothesniperlocationacrossthestreet.Theone-roomflathadbeenrentedbyMartaScheuringthreenights

ago.”Jackwas

confused.“Martarentedaroomtwoblocksawayfromwhereshelived?Whywouldshedothat?”

Eastlingshrugged.“Can’tanswerthatone.Hernameisontheledger,butnoonecouldIDherpicture.It’satenement-type

lodging,sonobodypaysattentiontowhocomesandgoes.GuestworkersfromTurkey,Ireland,andNorthAfrica,mostly.Acoupleofpeopleonherfloorsaytheysawamanentertheroomlastnight,lateevening.”

“Whatdidtheysayabouttheman?”

“Twentiesorthirties.White.MighthavebeenGerman,mighthavebeensomethingelse.Nooneheardhimtalk.Nooneheardanyshootingcomingfromtheroom,either.”

“Howthehellisthatpossible?”

“Sniperriflewithasuppressor.Itstill

makesabloodyloudracket,butconsideringthefacttwoblocksawayasmall-scalewarwasgoingonwithmorethantwodozenpeopleblastingeachotherandtossingbloodygrenades,thepop-popofasilencedweaponcouldquiteeasilygomissed.”

Jacksighed,then

hehadanewthought.“We’vegottogobacktoZug,showthepicturesofMartaScheuringtothebartendersattheplacewherePenrightmettheGermanwomanthenighthedied.”

Eastlingwasalreadyshakinghishead.“It’sdone,mate.Swissdidityesterday,

usedacopyofherlicense.”

“And?”“Everyone

workingthatnightwasinagreement.ThewomanwhoEastlingtriedtopickupinthebarwasnotMartaScheuring.”

Jackhadbeensocertain.Nowhedidnotknowwhattosay.

Hejustmuttered,“What’sthenextstep?”

“That’swhatI’mheretotalktoyouabout.IknowyouhaveconcernsofKGBinvolvement,andI’mcertainlynotpreparedtoruleanythingoutatthismoment,butIdobelievethisRAFcellcommittedtheattack

thatkilledthetwoSwissbankers.”

“WhataboutPenright?”

Eastlingansweredwithunderstatedsarcasm:“IamstickingwithmyassertionthatthebusthatranhimdownwasnotdrivenbytheRAF,norwasitdrivenbytheKGB.

Seriously,Ryan,hewasn’tpushed.Remember,therewerewitnessessayinghewasdrunk.Andwedonotthinkhewasdrugged.Hisbodydidnotshowindicationsofknownpoisons,thoughtoxicologyresultswon’tbeavailableforawhile.IftheRedshavesome

newpoisonwedon’tknowabout,well,Lordhelpusall.Butthat’snotwithinthescopeofmyinquiry.”

“Sowhatareyoutellingme?”

“I’mtellingyouwearegoinghome.Thisafternoon.”

Jackrubbedhiseyes.Hefoundhimselfwantingtogo

homehimself,toreturntohishouseonGrizedaleClose.SittingonthesofawithCathy,Sallyonthefloorcoloring,andJackJuniorinhislap—itsoundedlikeheavenrightnow.

Buthepushedthefantasyoutofhismind.Notyet.

Jacksaid,“Havea

nicetrip.I’mstaying.”Eastlingseemed

toexpectthis.Hesaid,“AmIgoingtohavetoforcetheissue?”

Ryan’seyesnarrowed.“Youdon’thavetodoanything.Idon’tworkforyou.”

“Bloodyhell,Ryan,weareonthesamesidehere.”

“NotasfarasI’m

concerned.YouareonthesideofclearingupthePenrightdeath,andIamonthesideoffindingoutwhatthehellactuallyhappened.Thereareotherforcesatworkinthisoperation.IsitpossiblethatDavidfellinfrontofacitybus?Isupposeso,butIthinkwearegetting

playedbytheotherside.”

“HowcanIconvinceyou?”

“YoucangivemeeverythingyouhaveonMorningstar.AllthefilesleadinguptoPenright’striptoSwitzerland,aswellasthepaperworkfoundinthesafeatthesafehouseinZug.Giveme

that,letmelookitallover,andI’lldrawmyownconclusionsastowhathappened.”

“Ican’t—”“Basilbroughtme

intothisinvestigationbecausehethoughtIcouldhelp.Ihaveexpertiseinthisworld—inaroundaboutway,anyhow.IfIwasreadinonwhat

Penrightknew,IcouldtalktoLangleyandtrytogetmorerelevantinformationonRitzmannPrivatbankiers.MaybeIcanhelpconnectwhateverdotsPenrightwasworkingonwhenhedied.”

Eastlingsaid,“You’relikesomesortofafoxhound,aren’t

you?Youthinkyou’vefoundascentandnowyouwon’tstop,nomatterwhat.”

Ryanreplied,“Iamonascent.IknowIam.”

Eastlingdidnotrespondtothis,soRyanpromptedhim.

“Whatdoyouthink?”

Eastlingsaid,

“WhatdoIthink?IthinkyouareasanctimoniousYankwhodoesnotknowhowtobehave.YoushotupsomeUlstermenlastyearandyougotyourknighthood,andyoushotupsomeRAFsniperthismorningandtheKrautswillprobablymakeyoua

bloodyKaiserorsomethingequallyasridiculous,butyourgoodfortunehasadvancedyoufurtherthanyourabilitytoworkonateameverwill.IfIwastheonetomakethedecision,youwouldbedumpedonyourarseoutsidetheU.S.consulateandshippedbackto

America,whereyoubelong,inasteamertrunk.”Hetookadeepbreathandblewitout.“Butthisisn’tacallformetomake.”

Hesighedagain.“I’lltalktoBasil,andhewillmakethedeterminationwhat,ifanything,youcanseefromtheMorningstarfiles.”

“That’sallIask.”

V68

Presentday

ictorOxleyandJackRyan,Jr.,waitedanhour

beforebeginningtheinterrogationoftheSevenStrongMenhitman.Ryan

hadpromptedtheEnglishmanseveraltimestogetonwithit,butOxkeptsayingthathewantedtolettheyoungmanstewinthebathroomforalittlewhilelonger.Hewasheldinanuncomfortableposition,withnoclearunderstandingofwherehewasorwhatwasgoingon,and,OxleyexplainedtoRyan,givinghimsometimetothinkabouthis

predicamentwasstandardoperatingprocedureforahostileinterrogation.

JackthoughtitwasjustaslikelythatOxwantedtositonhisassanddrinkhiswhiskeyforaslongaspossible,sohewasstallingwithallthistalkofSOPs.

Jackhimselfgotuponce,declaringthathewouldgettheballrollingbyaskingthemansomequestions,but

Oxleypersuadedhimtowaitalittlelonger.

“Look,lad,wemighthavetoresorttothe‘goodcop,badcop’routine,andforthat,Iwanttostartwiththebadcop,andthat’sgonnabeme.”

Oxleyputhismixtureofcolaandwhiskeydownontheconcretesurfaceofthetinybalcony,stoodwithoutaword,andwentbackinthe

room.Jackfollowedhiminandhesawthebigmanpulloffhissweater,revealingawidebackwithasmanytattoosasJackhadseenonhischest.Oxtossedthesweateronthebedandtookafewslowbreaths,asiftryingtoreturntoaplaceinhismindhehadleftlongago.Thenhewalkedovertoasmallwoodentableandchairsetinthecorner.With

surprisingease,thefifty-nine-year-oldsnappedthelegoffthechairwithaloudcrack,thenturnedbacktoRyan.

“Weneedtoknowwhosenthimandwhy.Anythingelse?”

“Youdon’twantmeintherewithyou?”

“No,lad,I’llgoinalone.”

RyanknewwhatOxleywasdoing.Hesaid,“Look,I

appreciateyouwantingtokeepmeclearofanythingthatmightcompromisemeormydad,butIcanassureyou,atthispointI’malreadyinprettydeep.”

OxleystaredatJackforamoment,thensaid,“Lad,Idon’tgiveaflyingtossaboutcompromisingyouoryourbloodydaddy.That’satinyloointhere,andifIhavetostartswinging,there’snot

goingtoberoomforthebothofus.”

“Oh.Okay.”“Whydon’tyoubea

brightboyandlookoverhistelephone,seeifithasanyanswersIcan’tbeatoutofhim?Andwhileyou’reatit,turnupthevolumeonthetelly.”

“Okay.ButOx...Idon’tcareifyousweatthisguy,butdon’tkillhim.”

Oxleynodded;hisfacehadtakenonablankexpressionsincethemomenthepulledoffhissweaterandagainrevealedhimselftobeaformerinmateofaRussiangulag.Hesaid,“Ilearnedsomethingalongtimeago,somethingyou’ddowellnevertolearnforyourself.Survivingismuchmorepainfulthandeath.Believeme,Iwon’tdothisarsehole

H

thefavorofsnappinghisneck.”

Oxleysteppedintothebathroomandshutthedoorbehindhim.

—esteppedbackouttwentyminuteslater.

RyanhadspentthetimetranscribingnumbersofftheRussian’sphone.Alltheexchangeswereforeign,but

Ryanhadn’tlookedthemupyet.Hehadn’tcalledanyofthenumbers,either.ThecontactlistwasinCyrillic,butalthoughRyancouldreaditeasily,itwasjustabunchoffirstnamesthattoldhimlittle.

WhileRyanhadworkedonwritingthenumbersdownandlookingthroughthetexthistoryonthephone,he’dheardseverallowwailsand

twosharpscreamsfromthebathroom.

VictorOxley’sforeheadwascoveredinsweatnow.Hewasagoodsixtypoundsoverweight,butJacknoticedforthefirsttimethathisshoulders,arms,andpecs,althoughcoveredinathicklayeroffat,retainedagooddealofmuscularbulk.HeseemedtoJackmoreofanagingboxerwhohadlet

himselfgothanacompletelysedentarybar-stooldrunk.

“Howishe?”Jackasked.Oxdidnotrespondat

first.Instead,hejustwalkedouttothebalcony,breathedinalittlecoolair,andscoopeduphisbottle.Healsopickedupabottleofbeer,thenwentbackinside,openedthebathroomdoor,androlledthebottleinside.

Heshutthedooragain,

walkedovertothebed,andslumpedheavilyontohisbackonthemattress.

FinallyheansweredRyan.“He’sfine.Thetwoofusgotonlikeoldchums.Oleg’shisname.”

“Youdidn’thavetobeathimup?”

“Well,justtosayhello.Afterthat,hewasarighttalker.”

“And?”

“HeisSevenStrongMen.He’sbeenintheUKforonlythreedays,cameoveronaUkrainianpassportthathegotfromSevenStrongMencontactsinKiev.”

“Kiev?”“That’sright.Heworks

foraRussianblokecalledGlebtheScar.Glebisvory.”

“That’slikeamademaninRussia,right?”

“Exactly.Gleb’sblokes

inKievhadorderedsomeotherblokestotailyou,they’dbeendoingitforweeks,saysOleg.Hecouldn’tname’emordescribethem.Hesaidheneversawthem.”Oxleyshruggedandswigged.“AndIdobelievehim.Hewasn’tholdingout.Anyway,heandtwootherswemettodayinmyflatcameovertoLondonwithorderstotakeoverfor

anothercrewthatwasfollowingyouaround.Nothingmorethanthat.Butrightaftertheyarrived,yousurprisedthembydrivinguptoCorby.OneofthewatchersreportedthatupthechaintoKiev,andthensuddenlymoreSevenStrongMenhenchmenwereflyingoverfromKievwithneworders.”

“Whatorders?”Jackasked.

“Youweretogetagoodknockabout,brokenjaw,thatsortofthing,enoughtosendyouhometoAmericawithyourtailbetweenyourlegs.Me,ontheotherhand,wasn’tgoingtogetoffthateasily.Theyhadorderstokillme.”

“Why?”Oxleychuckled,alow

rumblethatshookthebedspringsofthecheapmattress.“Letmeexplain

somethingtoyou,lad.Olegisn’tinthe‘why’loopofthings.Hegetsaphotoandanaddress,andhegoesanddoeshisjobwithoutaskingaboutthe‘why’part.”

Jackthoughtitover.“SotheywereontomebeforeIevenknewaboutyou.”

“LikeIsuspected.Youbroughtthisdownonme.”

“ItmusthavetodoMalcolmGalbraith.”

“Who’sthat?”“He’saguywhogot

screwedoutofabilliondollarsinRussia.I’mworkingforhim.Well,IwasuntilIwasreassigned.”

Oxleyjustsippedhisdrink,lyingbackonthepillowsofthebed.

Jackasked,“You’veneverheardofGalbraith?”

TheEnglishmanshookhishead.

“WhataboutGlebtheScar?”

“Nottilljustnow.”Jackthoughtfora

moment.“DoyouknowamannamedDmitriNesterov?”

Heshookhishead.“Whomightthatbe?”

“He’sthecrookwhorippedoffMalcolmGalbraith.HeissupposedlyFSB.”

Oxleyshruggedandtookanotherdrink.Thebigmanlookedsomewhattipsy,whichwastobeexpected.Jackwasnoteetotaler,butherealizedhewouldhavepassedoutlongagoifhe’ddownedsomuchbooze.

Jacksaid,“Ineedtotalktomydad,andIneedtotalktomyboss.Maybewecanputmorepiecesofthepuzzletogether.”

“What’sdearoldDaddygonnasayaboutyoushootingitoutwiththeRussianmafia?”

Jackhadbeenthinkingaboutlittleelseforthepastfewhours.Itwasaproblem,butthishadgonewaypastthepointofshieldinghisfatherfrompossiblescandal.Hesaid,“He’sgoingtowantmetocomehometotheUSAassoonashehearswhat’s

happened.”Jackthoughtforamoment.“I’llwaitfornow,andcallmydadonceIknowalittlemoreaboutwhat’sgoingon.”

“Hewon’tbepleased.”Jackjustshrugged.He

feltbadaboutcontinuallyworryinghisparentswiththelifeheled,buthesureashellwasn’tgoingtotalktothisoldBritabouthisrelationshipwithhisfamily.Hechanged

thesubject:“WhatarewegoingtodowithyourpalOleginthere?”

“We’regoingtolethimgo.”

“Lethimgo?Areyoucrazy?”

“Mightbe,butwhenyouthinkaboutit,whatcanwedowithhim?Wearethetwosodswho’veputfourmenonicetoday,right?”

Jackdidn’tanswer.

Oxleysaid,“Look,weturnhimovertothecops,andthisgetsalotmorecomplicatedforyou.Wecuthimloose,andyoudon’thavetoadmityouwerethereinCorby.”

“Whataboutyournext-doorneighbor?Shesawme.”

“Blindasabloodybat,andhalfdeaftoboot.Shecouldn’tidentifyyouaswhite,black,green,orblue,

trustme.”“ButifweletOleggo,

howdoweknowhewon’tjustcomebackandtrytokillusagain?”

Oxlaughed.“I’dliketoseehimtryitwithhistwobrokenarms.”

Jackslowlyputhisheaddowninhishands.“Youbrokehisarms?”

“I’mnotfuckingdaft,Ryan.He’sadangerousman.

He’snotwalkingouttaherewithallhispartsinworkingorder.”

“Howthehellishesupposedtodrinkthatbeeryougavehim?”

Victorlaughedatthis,too.“Notmyproblem,isit?”

“Okay,”Jacksaidslowly.“IguessOleggetsapass.ButifthisGlebtheScarcharactersentahalf-dozenmenafterus,Iimaginehecancomeup

withanotherhalf-dozen.”Oxnodded.“It’sasafe

betthistowniscrawlingwithSevenStrongMenkillers.”

“Whydon’tyoucomewithme?You’llbesafe.I’lltalktoSandyandseeifhehasanyideasastowhothisGlebtheScaris.Castor,too.It’spossiblethatthey’vecrossedpathsinthe—”

VictorOxleysatupstraightonthebed.Hiseyes

werefullofintensityagain;whateveralcohol-fueledimpairmentRyanhaddetectedamomentagowasgone.“Whatdidyousay?”

“IsaidIhavetotalktoSandy.SandyLamont.He’smyboss.”

“Theotherbloke.”“Oh...Castor.Hugh

Castor.HerunsCastorandBoyle,theconsultingfirmwhereIwork.”

Oxleyclimbedoffthebed,stood,andwalkedovertoRyan.Hestoodabovehim,hisposturemenacing.

“Whatisit?”“YouaskedmeifIknew

alotofpeople,youdidn’taskmeifIknewHughCastor.”

“Okay.ItakeityouknowHughCastor?”

Oxleysqueezedthebottlehard.“Tellmeagain,lad.Howdoyouknowabout

me?”“Itoldyou.Yourcode

name.IshowedyouwhereBedrockwaswritteninthefile.”

“Yeah,youdid.ButhowdoIknowCastordidn’tsendyou?”

“Sendme?Why?”TheyoungAmericancouldtellthatwithhismentionofCastor’sname,thetrustOxleyhadslowlybegunto

givehimseemedtobeinjeopardy.“WhoisCastortoyou?”

“HewasmycontrolofficeratFive.”

Ryan’seyeswentwide.“Oh,shit.”

OxleyjuststaredatRyan.Jackcouldseetheoldermanwaslookingforsignsofdeception.

“Ididn’tknowthat.”Jackstoodup.“Idon’tknowwhat

happenedbetweenthetwoofyou,butheneveroncementionedyourname.I’vebeentryingtofindaconnectionbetweenmyworkatC&Bandyou,andnowIguessIfoundit.”Herubbedahandoverhisshort-croppedhair.“ButIdon’tknowwhatthehellanyofitmeans.”

Oxleyturnedaway.“Idon’tknowwhatitmeans,either.”

Jackcouldseethemanhadbecomeemotional.Hisfacereddened,butJackcouldn’ttellifitwasangerorthewhiskey.

“Whathappenedbetweenthetwoofyou,Ox?”

Oxleyjustshookhishead.

Ryancouldtellnowwasnotthetimetopress.“Okay.Iunderstand.Butlistentome.Iwanttounravelwhat’sgoing

on.Mydadsentmetofindoutaboutyou,toseeifitcouldhelptieTalanovtotheZenithkillings.You’vegotyourtheories,yourmemoriesofastoryyouheard,butthat’snotactionableintelligence.Ineedtodigdeeperinthis,andIreallyneedyourhelp.”

Oxwasbackonthebed,drinkingagain.Hiseyesweredistant,butRyansuspectedit

wasfromthememoriesnow,andnotthealcohol.Oxasked,“Whathelp?”

Jacksaid,“IneedtoknowwhereyoufirstheardthenameTalanov.”

Oxleyblinked.Again,itwasobvioustoRyanthattherewasanincredibleamountofpaininhismemories.

Hebeganspeakingslowly:“Itwouldhavebeen

about1989,Iguess.Timereallyhadnomeaningatall.IwasinSyktyvkar,agulaginKomi.NoonethereknewIwasEnglish.Sureashell,nooneknewIwasMI5.Iwasjustanotherzek.”

“Zek?”“Aprisoner.Anyway,I’d

beeninsidethesystemseveralyearsalready,Iwaslongpastsolitary.Asamatteroffact,Iwasrightpopular.I

knewenoughbattlefieldmedicinetokeepsomeoftheotherzekshealthy,andIwasfitenough,despiteallI’dbeenthrough,tobethechapyouwantedonyourworkcrew.Thatgoesalongwayoverthere.”

“I’msure.”“Iwasstillonthejob,as

farasIwasconcerned.Ispenteverydaytryingtopullintelligenceoutofthemen

aroundme.IthoughtsomedayIwouldescape,Ireallyfuckin’believedit,probablybecauseIwouldhavegonemadwithouthavin’alittlehope.Anyway,IworkedeveryotherprisonerIcouldgettoliketheywereasourceoranagent.Prisonersknowthings,Ryan.I’dworkedoutthenamesandlocationsofmosteverysecretmilitaryinstallationinthe

SovietUnionovertheyears.Noneofitmadeabitofdifferenceintheend,butasIsaid,aslongasIlivedlikeIwasoperational,eveninthegulag,Ihadlife,Ihadhope.”

Ryannoddedthoughtfully.“Iunderstandwhatyoumean.”

“OnedayIwaseatin’mysupperandlisteninginonaconversationbetweenacoupleofzeks.Onebloke

startsoffwithastoryabouthisday.Hesayshewasmoppingthefloorintheinfirmarywhenaprisonerfromanothercellblockwasbroughtin.Themanhadclassicsymptomsoftyphoid:bloodynose,fever,delirium.Hewasastrongchap,stillhadhisstrengthandfight.Therewerenotattoosonhisbody,sohehadn’tbeeninthegulagfortoolong.”

“Goon.”“Thisbloketellsmethe

guystartedrantingabouttheKGB.”

“WhatabouttheKGB?”“Hesayshewasabloody

KGBofficer,startstellingthedoctortomakeacalltoconfirmit,hegiveshisname,whichdidn’tmatchthenameonhischart.”

“Didtheybelievehim?”“Fuckno.Iprobablytold

somebodyIwasintheKGBatonepointoranotherinSyktyvkar.Prisonerslie,Ryan.OnceImetachapinthegulagwhosaidhewasYuriGagarin.Ofcourse,inhiscase,itwasn’tsomuchalieasafantasy,asIbelievehemeantit.”

“BacktotheKGBguy,Ox.”

“Right.Sothisdeliriouschapsayshe’sKGB,andhe’s

inthegulagonanoperation.Everyonejustlaughedorwhathaveyou,thenhestartsinwithhowhewasaparatrooperwhowastherewhenthepresidentialpalacewastakeninKabulonthefirstdayoftheAfghanistanwar.ClaimedhethenwentintoGRU,that’sRussianmilitaryintelligence,fightinginAfghanistan.

“Iwaseatin’mesoup

throughallthis,listeningintothebloke,ofcourse,butitwasn’tuntiltheguytoldthedoctortocontactanumberinMoscowandreportthatZenithneedsemergencyextractionthatIknewI’dstumbledintoapieceofmeownhistory.”

Ryanwastransfixedbythestory.“Whathappenedtohim?”

“LikeIsaid,noone

believedhim,buthewaspersuasiveenoughthatoneofthenursespickedupthephone.You’vegottounderstand,everyonemusthavebeenthinking,‘It’sprobablyjustthefevertalking,butifthere’saone-in-a-thousandchancehe’sontheup-and-up,thenwemightaswellmakethecall,’becauseeveryoneworkinginthatinfirmarywouldhave

beenshotifhisstorypannedoutandtheyhaddonenothing.”

“Right.”“Thenursecalls,theguy

ontheotherendofthelinesayshedoesn’thaveafuckingcluewhatshe’sonabout,andhehangsup.Everyonefiguresthat’sthat.Theydecidetheblokeonthegurneycoveredinhisownpukeandbloodandshithasa

cointossofachancetosurvive,andtheyrollhimintoacorner,justlikethey’ddotoanyotherzek.”

Ryanrealizedtherewasmore.HisheartwaspoundingwhilehewaitedforOxleytotelltherest.

“Fiveminuteslater,Iwasinthekitchenpouringsaltintohotwater.Idrankitdownfast,andwithinafewsecondsIwaspukin’across

thechowhall.Theywheeledmeintotheinfirmary.”

Ryanwasimpressed.“Whatdidyousee?”

“Ididn’tseeZenith,unfortunately,Iwasshackledtomybed.ButIdidhearwhatwasgoingon.Thetruckscamearoundmidnight.Itwasaregularprisonertransfer,wasn’tKGB,itwastheMinistryofPrisons.Theyhadthepaperstotakethe

otherzekaway.Iheardthecommotionastheywheeledhimout.

“Laterthatnightablokewithamopcamebymybed.IofferedhimallthefoodI’dmanagedtosaveupinmecelltotellmewhathe’dseenandheardthatday.

“HetoldmethezeksickwithtyphoidhadcalledhimselfTalanov.”

“OhmyGod,”Ryan

muttered.“Theprisoner-transfer

truckshowedupwithdoctorsinthebackofthevehiclereadytotendtohim.Didn’tsoundlikeanyprisonertransferI’deverheardof.”Oxshrugged.“Bythetimethischaptoldmethestory,thezeknamedTalanovwho’dsaidhewasaKGBofficercalledZenithwasgonefromSyktyvkar.”

Ryanbelievedthestory,orheatleastbelievedthatOxbelievedit.

OxleykepthiseyesonJacknow.Therewasalackoftrusttherestill,butJackalsogottheimpressionOxleydidn’tknowwhatelsetodo.Hecouldn’tgohome.Afteramoment,hesaid,“I’llstickaroundforaweebit,Ryan.ButI’mwatchingyou.Yougotit?”

“I’vegotit.”“What’sournextmove,

then?”“Weuntiethatassholein

thebathroom,leavehimhere,getbackinthecarandgosomeplaceelse.Don’tknowwhere,butwe’llwingit.OncewegetthereI’llcallafriendwhocantellmeeverythingI’deverwanttoknowabouteveryphonenumberonOleg’sphone.

Thatshouldhelp.”“Soundslikeabloody

handyfriend.”“Hehashismoments.”

E69

ricConwayandAndrePageheadedouttotheirhelicopter

atfivea.m.They’dbeenupformorethananhouralready,drinkingcoffeeandgoingoverweatherreportsintheflightoperationscenter.

ConwayhadspentalittlelongerthanusualattheweatherdeskinFlightOps,becauseathickfoghadsettledoverCherkasy,andstormswerebrewingtothenorth.Itwassomethingtheywouldhavetomonitor,butthiswascombat;itwouldnotaffecttheirplannedsixa.m.departure.

Eventhoughtherewasawargoingonoutthere

somewhere,itseemedquietandpeacefulhere.MostoftheUkrainiangroundforcesatthebasehadrolledoutforthefrontlinesassoonasthefightingbrokeout,leavingbehindthecompanyofAmericanmultipurposescouthelos,theRangersecurityforce,andMidas’sJointOperationsCenter.

FourofBravoCompany’seightmatte-black

KiowaswerealreadyupintheairtosupportUkrainianMi-24attackhelicoptersfightingagainstgroundunitsnearChuhuivAirBase,ahalf-hourflyingtimetotheeast.

ThoseOH-58swouldbeusedtofirelasersattargetsinlocationswheretheSpecialForcesandDeltateamswerenotavailable.Theirworkwouldbenomoreorless

dangerousthantoday’sflightbyConwayandPage,exceptforthefactEricandDrewouldbeflyingintobattlewithoutanyairdefensemissiles.

BlackWolfTwoSixworefourHellfiremissilesonitspylons,andthatwasall.TheyhadconsideredoperatingwithapairofStingersononepylonandapairofHellfiresontheother,

butConwaydecidedtotrustintheadvancedcountermeasuresofhishelicopteraswellasitsradar,andtogiveupair-to-aircapabilitytobuyhimselfdoubletheair-to-groundcapability.

TheyfinishedtheirpreflightworkupoutsidetheheloandeachmanwalkedtohissideoftheOH-58.Here,theystoodatthecrewstation

doors,putontheirhelmets,attachedtheircommosets,andunhookedtheirM4riflesfromtheslingsaroundtheirnecks.Itwasimpossibleforthemtoflywithrifleshangingofftheirchests,sotheystoredtheweaponsonthedashboardabovetheinstrumentpanels,keepingthemwithinreachatalltimessotheycouldgrabthemandfireouttheopensidesofthe

littlehelicopterifnecessary.TheykeptafewfraggrenadesandsmokemarkersVelcroedintopositionhereaswell.

Acoupleofcarbinesandsomefragswasn’tmuchwhencomparedwiththefourantiarmormissilesontheoutboardstores,butthebattlerifleshadcomeinhandyforthetwomenbefore.Twoyearsearlier,inAfghanistan,

they’dbeenonacloseair-supportmissionoveragroupofDutchcoalitioninfantryindangerofbeingoverrunbyTalibanonahillside.TheylaunchedalloftheKiowa’sHydraseventy-millimeterrocketsatanenemyposition,wipingoutthethreatthere,butalmostimmediatelyafterthisanRPGstreakedpastthewindscreenoftheOH-58.Conwaysawtheoriginofthe

launch,calledoutthelocationtohiscopilot,thenturnedtheheloninetydegrees.HeflewsidewaysatthethreatwhileDreaimedhisM4andemptiedafullmagazineattheRPGcrew,killingbothmenbeforethey’dbeenabletofireanotherrocketateitherthehelicopterortheDutchtroopsinthevalley.

Thetwoyoungwarrantofficersflewbackto

Jalalabadcelebratingwithhighfives,butPagehadbeennearlydespondentuponreturningtothereadyroomafterthefactwhenitbecamecleartheKiowa’sguncamerahadn’trecordedtheshootingforposteritybecauseithadbeenpositionedforward,notfacingoutthesideofthehelicopter.

BothmenknewthatthecampaignhereinUkraine

wouldbearlittleresemblancetowhattheyhadexperiencedaroundJ-bad.TheRussianmilitary,withitsAirForceandlong-rangemissiles,alongwithitssophisticatedattackhelosandT-90tanks,madetheTalibanlooklikeamateurs.

Whiletheypreppedfortakeoffthisfoggymorning,eachofthemenworkedfromachecklist,goingthroughthe

varioussystemsonthehelicopter;ConwayfocusedontestinghisSperryFlightControlSystemandhisavionics,whilePagespooledthroughhiscameras,targetingcomputer,andmast-mountedsightlaserdesignationandbackupsystems.

Bothmentestedtheircomms,andbothmenfeltovertheirbodiesforallSERE

equipment.Shortlybeforesixa.m.

theircrewchiefgavethemathumbs-uponthepadandConwaystartedtheRolls-Royceengine.Therewasaten-second-longhigh-pitchedwhinebeforethemainrotorevenbegantospin,andittookmorethanaminutefortheAllisonenginetotransferenoughpowertothemainandtailrotorsfortakeoff.

Anotherroundofchecklistswastackled;bynowPagewastalkingonachanneltothecrewchief,discussingthepossibilityofaquickreturntothepadtogetmoreHellfiresinthecaseofheavyaction.

Thecrewchiefinsistedhe’dbereadyforthemwhentheycameback,whetheritwasinfourhoursorfourminutes.

Atsixa.m.EricConway

keyedhismicrophone.“BlackWolfTwoSix,CherkasyGround,over?”

“CherkasyGround,BlackWolfTwoSix.”

“BlackWolfTwoSix,readyfortakeoff.”

TheflightcontrolofficerclearedtheOH-58fortakeoffandasoutherlydepartureoutofthebase,andtheblackbirdroseslowlyintothefoggymorning.

TheywerejustafewhundredfeetintheairwhenatransmissioncamethroughtheirheadsetsfromtheJOC,whichwasdifferentfromBravoCompanyFlightOps.

“BlackWolfTwoSix,WarlockZeroOne.Howcopy?”

BothConwayandPageknewthiswasMidastransmittingonthenet.HerantheJOC,butintypical

ArmyobfuscationhisradiocallsignwasdifferentfromhisDeltacallsign.

“WarlockZeroOne,copy.WeareoutboundtowaypointAlpha.ETAisone-ninemikes,over.”

“Roger,TwoSix.ProceedtowaypointGolfandadvise.AtthispointIdonothaveanytargetsforyou,soI’llneedyoutoloiteronstation,howcopy?”

“BlackWolfTwoSixcopiesall.”

Conwaypushedthecyclicforwardandpulledupthecollective;theaircraftclimbedupthroughthefogasitracedtowardtheCrimea.

“Youdon’tfeellikeskimmingthetreesinthissoup?”Pageaskedjokingly.

“Youknowwhattheysay.‘Speedislife,butaltitudeislifeinsurance.’”

Theirmissiontodaywasflexible.Theirprimarytaskwastocollectbattlefieldintelligencefortheforcecommander,butConwayknewatanymomentMidas,orWarlockZeroOne,orwhateverthehellhisnamewas,mightorderthemtosupportoneofthedozenorsoU.S.andBritishspecialoperationsteamsactiveinOperationRedCoalCarpet.

Astheyclimbedoutofthefog,seeingnothingbutblueskyandgreenpasturelandinthedistance,aseriesofcracklingtransmissionscameovertheirradios.TwooftheKiowasneartheChuhuivAirBasehadlocatedtargetsmovingthroughapavedroadlinkingtwosmalltowns.TheWarriorswereintheprocessoflasingtargetsfora

squadronofMi-24Hinds,andtheirtransmissionsmadethetwomeninBlackWolfTwoSixwishtheywerepartoftheaction.

Thebulkofthefightingsofarhadbeenintheprovinces—calledoblastsinUkraine—ofDonetskandLuhansk,andtheAmericanhelicopterswereorderedtostayoutsideofthisarea,althoughsomeoftheDelta

M

ForceteamswereoperatinginDonetskjusttobluntthespeedatwhichtheRussiansadvanced.

—orethananhourintoitsflight,BlackWolf

TwoSixwasflyinglowalongtheE50highwayeastofthelargeindustrialtownofDnipropetrovs’k.Thehighwaywasfilledwith

civilianvehiclesleavingDonetsktotheeast;many,ifnotmost,lookedliketheywerefullofpersonalbelongingsandvaluables.

Conwayspokethroughhisintercom:“Hey,Dre,Ireadthatovereightypercentofthecitizensaroundhereare,toonedegreeoranother,alliedwithRussia.”

“Somethinglikethat.”“Sowhythehellis

everybodymakingarunforit?TheyshouldbegladtheRussiansarecoming,right?”

“Theymightbegladtheyarecomingtoliberatethem,orwhatever,butthatdoesn’tmeantheywanttobestandingrighttherewhenitgoesdown.There’sashittonoffightingtobedonebeforethisthingissettled.”

ConwaywasabouttorespondwhentheJOCcame

overtheirheadsetsanddirectedthemtoagridcoordinatejustfifteenminuteseastoftheirposition.Conwayacknowledgedandpickedupspeedandaltitude,leavinghisflyoverofthethicktrafficbehindandheadingoverrollingforestland.

Astheyflew,Midasgavethemmoreinformation.

“BlackWolfTwoSix,

WarlockZeroOne,standbyforsitrep.”Therewasabriefpause,thenMidassaid,“TeamFritohaseyesontwoBM-30emplacementsdigginginsoutheastofMezhova.TheyhavenotbeenabletoraiseUDFassetstoengage,andtheredforceswillbeinrangeofmajorpopulationcenterswithinthenexthour.”

ConwayandPageboth

knewtheBM-30wasamassiveRussianmissilelauncherthatfireduptoadozen300-millimeterrocketsatatimeatadistanceofuptofiftymiles.Alongwitheachonetherewouldbeseveralsmallersupportvehicles.Itwasapowerfulandpotentweapon,andthefactfourofthemhadbeenamassedwithinrangeofthecityofDnipropetrovs’kdidnotsay

muchforthefutureprospectsofUkrainianforcesinandaroundDnipropetrovs’k.TherewasaUkrainianforwardhelobaseaswellasthelargestmilitarybaseintheoblastjustonthefarsideofthecity,andbothoftheselocationswouldbeperfecttargetsforthemulti-rocketlaunchers.

Pagetookovertheradionowtogetmoreintelonthe

targets.“Canyouadviseotherredassetsatemplacementlocation?”Drewantedtoknowiftheywouldbeupagainsttroops,tanks,helicopters,orothermeanstoshootdowntheKiowa.

“WarlockZeroOne.AWACSadvisesnoenemyairinarea.Fritoadvisestrooptransportvehiclesandmultipledismounts,butnoconfirmationofanti-air.”

“Rogerthat,”saidPage,andhelookedtoConway.“Dude,whatarethechancestheRusskisaregoingtosetuptwobig,dumb,slowmissilebatterieswithoutprotectingthemfromairattacksomehow?”

“Nochanceatall,”confirmedConway.“Wewillengagefrommaxstandoffdistanceandminimizeexposure.”

B

“Soundslikeaplan,”Dresaid,andhebeganmakingprepsonhismultifunctiondisplaysightingsystemfortheengagementtocome.

—eforearrivingonstationfivemilestothewestof

theBM-30emplacement,BlackWolfTwoSixwasputindirectradiocontactwithFritoActual,theleaderofthe

10thSpecialForcesGroupteaminthearea.Page’stargetingcomputershowedhimthelocationofthefriendly,or“blue,”forces,andFritogavehimup-to-dateintelonthethreatsinthearea.

PageandConwaybothlookedoverthemovingmapdisplaywhentheywerestilltwentymilesout,andPagescannedforwardwithhismast-mountedsight,looking

foranythingoutoftheordinary.Therewereafewsmallvillagesandfactoriesawayfromthecity,butmostlytheareawasrollingforest.Pagesaid,“IknowFritosayswe’regoldenonthis,butIthinkyouwanttocomeinlow.Sneakinforapeekwiththeoptics.Seethembeforetheyseeus.”

Conwaysaid,“Rogerthat.”

BlackWolfTwoSixdescendedtojustfortyfeetabovethetreetops,andConwaydippedevenlowerastheycrossedclearingsandstreams.Page’sstomachhadlongsincegrownaccustomedtothevomit-inducingroller-coasterrideofnap-of-the-earthflight,butinthebackofhismindeverynowandthenhestillthoughtConwaymadesomeofhismaneuversforthe

solepurposeoffuckingwithhisinternalorgans.

Theypassedasmalltownbuiltaroundalargebutdesertedredbrickfactorybuilding.Fromthelookofitsthreesmokestacksontheroof,Conwaythoughtthefactorymighthavebeensomesortofsmeltingoperation.Heloweredtoonlytwenty-fivefeetaboveagravelroadjustbehindthefactory,

positioningthethree-storybrickbuildingbetweenhisaircraftandthetargetarea,separatedbynearlyfivemilesofforestsandfarms.

PagewasontheradiowithteamFrito,andheflippedbackandforthbetweenmultipleviewsofthetargetarea.Hesaid,“I’mnotanexpertontheBM-30,butthosefuckerslookliketheyarereadytolaunch.”

Conwayhadbeenspendinghistimewithhiseyesoutsidethehelicopter.TherewereenoughgadgetsandgizmosintheWarriortowherepilotsrantheriskofpullingintoahoverandthenspendingtoomuchtimeabsorbinginformationotherthantheenvironmentaroundthem.

ButConwaywastooexperiencedforthat.Helet

Pagedotheprepfortheattackwhilehewatchedthefields,roads,buildings,andwoodlinearoundthem,knowingthathoveringstillhereabovethisgravelroadinarelativelysoft-skinnedhelicoptermeantitwouldtakeonlyacoupleofRussiansinajeepwithamachineguntoruinthisotherwisedecentmorning.

Heglanceddownat

Page’smonitorandsawtheRussianmissiletrucks.Hewasnoexpert,either,buttheylookedliketheycouldstartrainingmissilesdownonUkraineatanytime.

Pageswitchedhisviewtohisowncamera,locatedinthemast-mountedsight,thelargepodabovethemainrotorassembly.TheMMSwasaballwithtwoprominentglass“eyes”in

front,andDrecalledtheinstrument“E.T.”ThenewversionoftheWarriorwascomingonlinestatesiderightnow,andConwaylookedforwardtogettinghishandsononebecauseofallthenewdevelopmentsintheaircraft.Thatsaid,thenewmodelhaditslaserrangefinderanddesignatorinapodbelowthepilot’sfeet,sotheaircraftwouldhaveanewlook.Eric

hadflownE.T.aroundfornearlyfouryears,andhewouldmissthedistinctivelooktheMMSgavehisbird.

Rightnowtheywerebehindthebuilding,andDrecouldn’tseethetargetthroughhisowncamera.

Hesaid,“Allright,Eric.Let’shaveusalook-see.”

Conwaypulledthecollectiveonhisleft,andthehelicopterroseslowlyinits

hover.Atfiftyfeetabovetheground,themast-mountedsightwasabovetheroofofthebrickbuildingjustfortyyardsahead,peekingatthedistanttarget.

WhenPagesawwhatheneededtoseeonhismonitor,hesaid,“Good.Rightthere.”

Conwayheldthehelostationary.

Pagesawthetwotargetsinapairoffieldsseparated

byasmallriver;abridgeconnectedthem.Alongwiththetwomassivetrucks,eachwithmissiletubespointedhighintheair,therewereanotherdozenormoretrucksandarmoredpersonnelcarriers.

“Airdefenseassets?”Conwayasked.

Pagecouldn’tseeanythingdefinitiveatthisdistance,butheknewthere

hadtobesomethingouttherethatcouldkillhim.

ButDrePageknewhehadajobtodo,andtheU.S.taxpayergavehim$38,124ayeartoputhislifeonthelineinforeignlands,soheputasmuchworryoutofhismindaspossibleandsaid,“Looksclearontheground.Stillnoredairtoworryabout?”

“Negative.Closestthreatsareseventymilesawayin

Crimea.It’sclear,blue,andtwenty-twohere,bro.”

Thiswashelicopter-pilotspeakforgoodflyingweather.

“Rangetotarget?”Conwayasked.

Pageshotthelaserrangefinder.“Lasingtarget.Seventhousandsixhundredeighty-one.”

“Yougoodwiththatrange?”Conwayasked.It

wasnearmaxdistance.HecouldmovetheaircraftcloserifDrefelttheengagementnecessitatedit.

Pagesaid,“Dude,thefighterinmewantstoberightontopofthem.Butthesurvivorinmekindalikeshidingbehindthisbigfuckingbrickfactory.”

“Iheardthat,brother.Let’srockitfromhere.”

Pagetransmittedinhis

headset.“WarlockZeroOne,thisisTwoSix.WearerequestingclearanceforfiresforHellfire.”

Midascameovertheradioinstantly:“BlackWolfTwoSix,thisisWarlockZeroOne.I’vegotnoUkrainianairassetsinthearea.YouareclearedhotwithHellfires,over.”

“Roger,clearedhot.”Conwaysaid,“Let’sdo

it.”PageignoredConway;he

knewthatConway’sadrenalinefiredhimuplikethis,butPagepridedhimselfonstayingcool.“FritoActual.BlackWolfTwoSix.Beadvised,wewillbeweaponsrelease.”

“Rogerthat,BlackWolf.Wearewellclear.Negativefriendliesattargetpos.Getthosemissiletrucksandget

thefuckoutofherebeforeenemyheloscomehuntingforyou.”

“Rogerthat.”Conwayslippedhis

thumbundertheguardontheWeaponsFireswitchonhiscyclic.

Hesaid,“Firinginthree,two,one.”Hepressedthefirebuttonandsentanair-to-groundmissiletowardthefirstofthetwohugemobile

missilelaunchers.“Hellfireblazing,”

Conwaysaid,confirminghecouldseegoodpropulsiononthemissileasitracedtotheeast.

“That’ssixty-fivegrand,offtherails,”Pagesaidcalmly.Itwashisjoke,notConway’s,becausePagewasthemorerelaxedofthetwomenincombat.

Conwaydidnotwaitto

watchtheimpactontheMFD.Instead,heselectedasecondmissile,andfiredatthesametargetasthefirst.Hecouldhaveswitchedbetweenthetwotargets,butstackinguptwoback-to-backshotsatthesametargetincreasedthechancestheantimissilefeaturesofthebatterywouldbedefeated.

ThefirstHellfirewasdetectedbylaserwarning

receiverssetupattheemplacement,andcountermeasureswerefiredintotheair.TheAmericanwarheadwasknockeddownseventy-fiveyardsawayfromimpactbyanautomaticmissiledefensebatterythatneitherPagenorFritohaddetected.

ButthesecondHellfiregotthrough,anddetonatedabovethemissilelauncher,

andeventhoughConwayhadbeenintheprocessofcountingdownhisthirdHellfirelaunch,hestoppedwhenhisMFDwhitedout.

Hethoughtsomethingwaswrongwiththesystematfirst,andhebeganadjustingthemonitor.

Inhisheadsetheheard,“TwoSix,FritoActual.Goodhit,goodhit.Multiplesecondarydetonations.

Damn,dude,youreallynailedit.”

JustthenPagecalledoutnexttohim:“Holysmokes.”

Conwaylookedup.Fivemilesinthedistance,ablackformwasslowlymorphingintoamushroomcloud.Severalsecondslater,alowboomwasaudiblethroughhisheadsetandthesoundoftherotorsabovehim.

Ittookamomenttoget

reset,buthefiredhisthirdmissiletotheeast.

Justashedidso,adigitizedmalevoiceboomedinhisandPage’sheadsets.“Laser!Laser!Eleveno’clock.”

Pagesaid,“Inboundfire!”

“Rapidrelease!”Conwaysaid,andhefiredanothermissile,thisoneatthesecondBM-30.

JustthenConwaypulledrightonthecyclicandpuncheddownontheleftpedal,turningthecraftninetydegrees.Heputtheaircraftinanose-downattitude,andthehelicopterdoveatthegravelroadbehindthebrickfactorybuilding.

“Countermeasures,”Pagesaid,andtheKiowaautomaticallyfiredflaresasitplummeted.

JustafewfeetabovethegroundBlackWolfTwoSixleveledout,andracedoverafield.

Lessthanonehundredfiftyyardsbehind,amissilefromashoulder-firedlauncherslammedintooneofthefactory’sthreesmokestacks,blowingittobitsandsendingredbrickshrapnelinalldirections.

Conwaykepthisspeed

upasasecondmissilehitthefactorybehindthem.Ashelookedbackoverhisleftshoulder,hisearsfilledwithanexcitedtransmissionfromFritoteam.

“Hell,yeah!Secondtargetdestroyed!Anotherfuckin’neutronbomb!”

“Rogerthat,”Pagesaidcalmly.Nowhelookedouttheopendooronhisside.Thewarningalarmshadceased,

butheandConwaywerestillonthelookoutforthreats.

WarlockZeroOnecameoverthenetnow.“BlackWolf,hellofajob,buttheyknowyou’reoutthere.Returntobase.”

Conwaysaid,“Rogerthat.RTB.”

Bothyoungmen’sheartspoundedagainsttheirbodyarmorastheyracedoveralarchforesttothenorthwest.

Normally,theydidalotoffistpumpingafterasuccessfultargetengagement,butrightnowbothmenwerelostintheirownthoughts,becausetheyknewthey’djustcomeahair’sbreadthawayfromdeath.

J70

ohnClarkandhisgroupofoperationsofficersfromTheCampushad

spenteverydaysincetheirreturnfromSevastopolphotographingpeoplewhovisitedtheninthflooroftheFairmontGrandHotel.

Theyhadquiteanimpressivearrayofcharactersintheirrogues’gallery,andtoputnameswiththefaces,GavinBieryranthepicturesthroughfacial-recognitionsoftware,usingdatabasesfromtheCIASIPRNet,theUkrainianSecurityServicefiles,andotheropen-sourcelocations.

Still,noneoftheteamhadgotteneyesonGlebthe

Scarhimself.Itwasclearthatthiswasbydesign.Theteamhadstakedoutalltheexitsofthehotelintheworrythathehadsomesortofclandestineaccesstohispenthouse,butafterspendingadayspreadaroundtheneighborhood,watchingemployeeentrances,loadingdocks,andtherooftopheliport,theycametotheconclusionthatGlebwasn’tcomingandgoing.

No,hewasapparentlyjustsitting.

Clarkhadmovedhisoperationtoyetanothersafehouse.Thiswasasmallerflat,justtwoblocksawayfromtheFairmont,anditwasownedbyafriendofIgor’s.Theflatownerhadfledthecitywithhiswifeandkidswhenthewarstartedintheeast,fearingtheRussianswoulddriveallthewayto

Kiev,andthisgaveClarkandcompanyasecuresafehousewithalivingroomwindowthataffordedthemagoodviewoftheFairmont,andwiththeirphotographicequipmenttheycouldgetdecentimageryofthosewhocameandwentinthebuilding.

Abalconyontheninthfloorwasalsoinview,andonittheycouldseetwoarmed

securityofficersstanding,twenty-fourhoursaday.ThemenhadscopedDragunovsniperrifles,aswellasbinoculars.Theylookedoutovertheneighborhood,scanningforanysurveillanceorthreats,buttheCampusmenhadcoveredalloftheirapartmentwindowswithblackpaper,saveforasmallholewheretheycouldpositiontheircameras.

Clarkandhisteamhadsweptforbugshere,andfoundtheplacetobeclean.TheFSBdidn’thaveeveryapartmentinthecityundersurveillance,ofcourse,andKryvov’sfriendhadnotbeendeemedasecuritytargetbyeithertheUkrainiansortheRussians.

AssecureastheCampusstafffeltintheirnewdigs,theyfeltmoreandmore

insecureonthestreetsofthecity.Inthepastthreedaysseveralpoliceofficersandgovernmentofficials,andevenanSSUspy,hadbeenkilledonthestreetsofKiev.Apro-nationaltelevisionstation’sbroadcasthadbeeninterruptedbytheexplosionofableachbombthatrenderedtheairinthestudioscaustic,andaradiostationthathadspokenoutagainst

Russia’sattackintheeasthadbeensetonfireandknockedofftheair.

Justbeforeeightp.m.,Gavinsatonthesofainthesafehouse.Infrontofhimonthecoffeetablesatseveralslap-onGPStransmitterswiththeirbatterycompartmentsopen.HeandClarkwerechangingoutthebatteries,adullbutnecessarytask,madealittleharderforClark

becausehe’dhadmostofthebonesinhisrighthandshatteredmorethanayearearlier.

Astheyworkedinsilence,Gavin’smobilephonerang;hedidn’tevenlookatitbeforeheanswered.“Yeah?”

“Hey,Gav,it’sJack.”“Ryan!Goodtohear

fromyou.How’severythinginjollyol’England?”

“NotasjollyasI’dlike,totellyouthetruth.”

“No?Well,youshouldseeitoverhere.Riotsinthestreet,assassinations,bombings,spies,mobthugs,younameit.”

Therewasapauseontheline.“GerrymovedHendleyAssociatestoD.C.?”

Gavinlaughed.“Iguessyouareoutoftheloop.We’reinKiev.”

“Really?Ihadnoidea.Whatareyoudoingthere?”

“Youknow.Spyshit.”“Right.Iseverybody

safe?”“Yeah.Gotdiceyfor

John,Dom,andDingtheotherday,butwe’refine.”

“Well,Ineedafavor.Ihavealistofphonenumbers,andIwashopingyoucouldtracethem.”

“Sure.Sendthemon.”

Afewsecondslater,ane-mailappearedonGavin’sphone.Heopeneditandthumbedthelistofphonenumbersupanddown.

“Interesting.MostofthesearelocalKievnumbers.Wheredidyougetthem?”

“OffofoneofthemobgoonsinLondonwhotriedtokillmetoday.”

GavinlookedatClarkwithwideeyes.Clarksawthe

look,andhereachedoutforthephone.

Gavindidn’thanditoverimmediately.“Areyouserious?”

“’Fraidso.Icouldusethatinformationassoonasyoucangetittome.”

Gavinsaid,“Soundslikeit.I’llgetonthisrightnow.I’vebeenplayingaroundinsidethenetworkofthelocaltelecomsystem.Ican

getyounamesandaddressesoftheownersofthephone,butIcanalsodoanotherneattrick.”

“What’sthat?”“IcanbacktracktheGPS

localizerassociatedwiththesenumbers.ThatmeansIcantellyouwhereeachoneofthesephoneshasbeen,physically,forthepastthirtydays.Wecallitbread-crumbing.”

“Thatwouldbegreat.”Clarksnappedthefingers

ofthehandheldoutforthephone.

Gavinsaid,“I’vegotsomeoneherewhowantstotalktoyou.”

Ryanmumbled,“Iwasafraidofthat.He’sgoingtochewmeout,isn’the?”

GavinBierysaid,“Thinkofitastoughlove,kid.”

Clarkgotonthephone

withRyan,whoproceededtotellhimeverythingabouttheeventsofthepastday.Clarklistenedintently,hedidnotinterruptatall,butonceRyanwasfinishedwithhisstory,thepauseonthelinetoldtheyoungermanthattheoldermanwasnotpleased.

Clarksaid,“Kid,IsweartoGod,youmanagetogetyourselfintotheshit,don’tyou?”

“Well...thiskindofblewuponme.”

“Thesecondyouhadevenjustthattwitchyfeelingthatyouwerebeingtailedyoushouldhavepickedupthedamnphoneandcalledme.”

“Well,John,fromwhatGavjusttoldme,you’vebeenalittletiedupyourself.”

“Thatdoesn’tgetyouoffthehookonthisone.You

knowIcouldhavehadguysandgunsaroundyouwithinacoupleofhours.Hell,IknowenougholdSASguysthereinLondonIcouldhavehadsecurityonyouintwentyminutes.Youcan’tjustrunsololikethat,forcryingoutloud.YouarethePresident’sson.”

“Iknow.IthoughtIwasjustbeingparanoid.Ididn’trecognizethethreatlevel

untilitwastoolate.”“ThisGlebtheScaryou

mentionedisapersonalityweareveryfamiliarwithoverhere.”

“Really?”“Yes.He’sSevenStrong

Men,fromSaintPetersburg.Wethinkhemightbethenumber-twoguyintheirorganization.”

“Who’snumberone?”“Nooneknows.ButGleb

isoverhererunningproxyopsforFSB.”

Ryansaid,“Interesting.Theguyswhoattackedmeworkforhim,andinmyworkatCastorandBoyle,Iuncoveredanillegalschemetodefraudoneofourclients,andtraceditasapayoffbyGazprom,whichistheRussiangovernment,toamanwithFSBtiesnamedDmitriNesterov.”

ClarktoldRyantoholdthelinewhilehecheckedtoseeifthatwasanametheyhadcomeacrossinUkraine.Theyhadnot.Hethenaskedhislocalexpert,IgorKryvov,ifhehadeverheardthename,butitwasnewtohimaswell.

Clarkspokequicklyandwithcompleteself-assuredness.“Allright,youareobviouslyinthecenterofashitstormoverthere,so

here’swhat’sgoingtohappen:I’msendingDing,Dom,andSamtoyourightnow,tonight,ontheGulfstream.TheywillescortyoubacktotheStates.Ifyournewfriendtherehasapassport,theycantakehimaswell.Ifhedoesn’thaveapassport,wemightbeabletoswingsomething.”

Ryanhesitatedforamoment.

Clarksensedthereticenceandsaid,“Jack,yourealizeyoucan’tstaythere.Right?”

“John,IknowitlookslikeI’mrunningahellofariskstayingoverhere,butIaminthemiddleofsomethingIcan’tdrop.Thestakesaretoohigh.I’dappreciatealittlemuscletowatchmyback,onlyifyoucanspareit.”

“I’llhavethemmovinginahalf-hour.Areyouatleastinasecurelocationnow?”

“Iammobile.Ileftmycaratamallandwetookataxitoacarrentalagency,whereIpickedupanewride.It’sinmyname,soIcouldbetraced,theoretically,buttheSevenStrongMenguysonmehaven’tshownthattheyareusingmuchhigh-techsurveillancejustyet.Justto

besure,I’vedoneanSDR,andthereisnotail.”

Clarkreplied,“I’dfeelbetterifyou’dgobacktotheStates,butfornow,I’llgettheplaneandtheguystoLondon.Inthemeantime,wewillcallyoubackwhenGavinrunsthenamesonthephonedatayousenthim.”

“Thanks,John.”

—

RyanandOxleydrovethrough

thecountrysidenorthofLondonwhiletheywaitedforGavintocall

back.Therewasnoconversationbetweenthetwoofthem.Oxseemedlostinthought,andRyanwasthinkingoverhisnextmove.

HewantedtotalktoSandyLamont,buthewasnotsurehecouldtrusthim.ItwasverypossibleLamont

hadtippedoffsomeonethatRyanwasgoingtoCorby.ItwaspossiblethatLamontknewabouttheconnectionbetweenCastorandOxley,althoughwhyanyonewouldneedtodieoveritremainedamysterytoRyan.

ThemoreJackthoughtaboutLamont,themoresuspicioushebecame.Herecognizedhisaffablebosshadtwicewarnedhimagainst

diggingdeeperintotheGazpromdeal,beforefinallypullinghimoffthecasealtogether.Couldtherehavebeenreasonsforthismorenefariousthanthosehe’dstated?

Jackknewtheonlywaytofindoutforsurewastoconfronthimandgaugehisreaction.

Theystoppedatafast-foodrestaurantandgrabbed

takeout,andthenparkedinthelotbehindabusymotorlodgetoeat.TheyhadjustfinishedtheirmealwhenJack’sphonechirped.

“Hey,Gavin.”ItwasJohnClarkwho

spokefirst.“Actually,it’sJohnandGavin.We’vegotyouonspeakerphone.”

Gavinspokenext.“Ryan,you’vegotyourselfasituationthere.”

“Explain.”“Thereweretwenty-four

contactsonthephonethatwereofpossibleinterest,butIwhittleditdowntosixthatneededthefulltrackrunonthem.Twoofthesixarepersonalitieswe’verunintooverhereinKiev.”

“You’vegottobekidding.”

“Nope,”saidClark.“We’vespentmostofthepast

weektaggingmenwho’vemetwithGlebtheScarattheFairmontGrand.Thesetwoguysonyourhitman’sphoneareobviouslymobcharacters.Iputthemaslieutenants.They’vebeeninregularcontactwithyourmanOlegforatleastthepastmonth,andspoketohimwithinthepasttwenty-fourhourswhilehewasthereintheUK.”

Gavinpickedupfrom

there.“Twomoreareapparentlyinthegroupyouputonice.TheirphonesstoppedmovingjustafternoontodayinthetownofCorby,andnowtheyarebeamingsignalsinapolicestation.IbacktrackedtheGPSbreadcrumbstoseverallocations,bothintheUKandinUkraine.Theyaren’tsoterriblyinterestinginandofthemselves,buttheirphones

wereinthesamelow-renthotelthedaybeforeyesterdayasanotherphoneonthelist,andthatphoneisthemostfascinatingofall.”

“Andwhyisthat?”JohnClarkspokenow:

“BecausetheownerofthatphonehasspentpartofthepastmonthinahouseinaMoscowsuburb.ThathouseisownedbyamannamedPavelLechkov,andalthough

weknowhe’sRussian,wedon’thaveanythingonhim.WetriedtofindapictureofLechkovbutcameupblank,whichmakesmesuspecthemightbeanintelligenceagent.”Clarkadded,“There’smore,Jack.”

“I’mlistening.”Gavinsaid,“Ibread-

crumbedhisphonenumberandtrackedittoacoupleofhotelsinLondon.ButFriday

eveninghewenttoaprivateresidenceinIslington.”

Jackaskedthenextquestionwithtrepidation.“FridayeveningisafterIwenttoCorbytoseeOx.WhoseplacedidLechkovgotoinIslington?”

Clarksaid,“Hespenttwenty-fiveminutesatthehomeofHughCastor.”

“Isthatright?”Jackmumbled.

Clarksaid,“Yes.WhetherornothemetwithCastor,ofcourse,wecan’tsay.Nevertheless,I’mafraidyouremployerinLondonisstartingtolooklikehemightbeinvolved—indirectly,atleast—intheattackonyou.”

Ryansaid,“That’stwostrikesagainsthim.He’sinvolvedwiththeSevenStrongMen,andheknewOxleyfromalongtimeback.

ItseemslikethisLechkovpaidCastoravisitafterIwentandmetwithOxley,andthenLechkovmetwithOlegandtheotherSevenStrongMengoonsandgavethemorderstokillOx.”

Clarksaid,“Jack,Ihopeyouwillagree,thisseemslikeafinetimeforyoutoheadbacktotheU.S.”

Ryandidnotagree.“IhavesomeonehereinLondon

thatIneedtotalkto.Afterthat,IwanttomeetwithMalcolmGalbraith.Hemightbeabletoconnectsomemoredots.”

Clarkwentsilent.Tobolsterhisargument,

Jacksaid,“John,I’llbeatStanstedwhentheplanelands,andwe’llflytoEdinburgh.It’sEdinburgh.It’snotKievorMoscow.PlusI’llhaveDing,Sam,andDom

atmysidethewholetime.AdarawillkeepwatchontheaircraftandOxley.AllIwanttodoisgohaveteawithabillionaireandpickhisbrain—howmuchtroublecanIgetintowiththat?”

Clarksighed.“Iguesswe’reabouttofindout.”

A71

Thirtyyearsearlier

fterhisaltercationwithMI6

counterintelligenceinvestigatorNickEastling,CIAanalyst

JackRyanlefttheBritishconsulateandtookacabtotheWestBerlinsuburbofZehlendorf.Here,onClayallee,alargecompoundofbuildingsknownasClayHeadquarterslaysprawledoverseveralfenced-inblocks.ThiswasthehomeofBerlin’sUnitedStates

militarycommand,knownastheBerlinBrigade,aswellastheOfficeoftheUnitedStatesCommander,andU.S.MissionBerlin.

MissionBerlinwasessentiallytheStateDepartment’stoeholdinthecity,becausetherewasnoU.S.embassyhere.

TheCIA,notsurprisingly,hadmanysecretlocationsinWestBerlin,buttheirfacilityherebehindtheofficesofMissionBerlinwasamongthemostsecureandwellequipped.

RyanhadchosenthislocationsothathecouldcommunicatewithLangley.

HewassearchedbytheU.S.ArmyguardsattheClayalleemaingate,andsomecallsweremadetoestablishhisidentity.Soonhewalkedaloneupatree-linedstreetandenteredthesideentrancetoMissionBerlin.Hegavehisnametoamanbehindadesk,andhewas

searchedagain,andthenescortedtoafreestandingbuildingbehindtheStateDepartment’sfacility.

ThiswasthelocalCIAstation,anditdidnottakelongforRyantoestablishhiscredentialsandobtainhisownsmallofficetoworkfrom,alongwithasecurephone.

Ittookafewminutestogetthephoneworking,andassoonashegotadialtonehecalledCathyatHammersmithHospital.Hewasdisappointedtoreachareceptionistwhotoldhimhiswifewasinsurgeryatthemoment,soheleftamessagesayingallwaswell

andhe’dtrytocallthatevening.

HethenputinacalltoSirBasilCharlestonatCenturyHouse,butagain,hecouldnotreachhisintendedparty.Charleston’ssecretarytoldJackthatSirBasilwasonacalltotheUnitedStatesandthathewouldgetback

withhimatthesoonestpossibleopportunity.

Jackspentanhouroftheafternoonsittingintheofficewaiting.Finally,atfourp.m.,SirBasilCharlestoncalledback.

“I’vehearditallfromNick,”Basilsaid.

“EastlingandI

don’tseeeyetoeyeonthis.Oronanything,forthatmatter.”

“Igatheredasmuch.Youhavetounderstandonething,Jack.Thenatureoftheworkofourcounterintelligencestaffmakesthemataddifferentthanus.Iamgoingtouseafootballanalogy.Idohopeyou

canfollowalong.”Jackreplied,“I

assumeyoumeansoccer.”

“Yes,youcallitsocceroverthere,don’tyou?Anyway,we,asintelligenceofficers,areoffensiveplayers.Weseetheworldasouropponent’sgoal,andweattackit,leaving

theroleofprotectingourgoaltoothers.Counterintelligence,ontheotherhand,arethedefenders,theyaretrainedtoprotectthegoal.Theytakeissuewithusrunningupthefieldandleavingthemtosussouttheopposingsideontheirown.Theylookatusasarisk.

“Ateamneedsbothtypes,butsometimesweattackersdon’tappreciatethetacticsofthedefenders.”

Ryansaid,“Ihopeyouwillletmeplaysomeoffense.Morningstarmaybedead,butthereismoretolearnabouttheaccountsatRitzmann

Privatbankiers.”“Ispokewith

JudgeMooreandAdmiralGreerthisafternoon.IhaveagreedtogiveyouaccesstotheMorningstardossierandthepreliminaryfilesofthePenrightinvestigationontheconditionthatyoushareallyourfindings

withusimmediately.”Awaveofrelief

washedoverRyan.“OfcourseIwill.”

“WillyoubecomingbacktoLondon?”

“I’dliketostayoverhereincaseIturnupanything.”

“Ithoughtyoumightsaythat.I’mhavingeverything

drivenovertoyoufromourconsulateinBerlin.Acourierwillstandbywhileyoulookitover.He’llexplaintheprotocoltoyou.”

“I’llgetrighttoworkonithere,andI’llcallyouifIfindanything.”

—

Anhourlater,Ryanmet

thecourierfromthelocalMI6

officeinthelobbyofMissionBerlin.ThemancalledhimselfMr.Miles,andafterJackgavehimonelookhedecidedthemanhadbeenoutofthemilitaryandworkingforSISforallofabouttenminutes.

Hewasmiddle-agedbutsquare-jawedandmuscularandhestoodwithhisshouldersramrodstraight.Hecarriedabriefcaseinwhich,Jackassumed,thefileswerestored.Jackreachedouttotakeit,andMr.Milespulledthearmofhiscoatupafewinchestorevealthecase

discreetlyhandcuffedtohiswrist.

“Let’syouandmehaveaweechatbeforeIhandthisofftoyou.Isthatallright,sir?”

“Sure,”Jacksaid.ItdawnedontheAmericananalystthenthatbeingpassedsecretdocumentsinthefieldwasadifferentprocessfrom

havingthemsentovertoone’sdeskatCenturyHouse.

Together,JackandMileswalkedtothecafeteria,andassoonastheysatatatable,theEnglishmanhadJacksignseveralsheetsofpapersayinghewouldn’tstealanyofthedocumentshewasabouttosee,nor

wouldhecopyanything,destroyanything,orotherwisedoanythingthatwouldgivetheBritishSIScourierareasontohithimovertheheadwithachair.

RyanthoughtthisfellowtobeoneofthemostseriousEnglishmenhe’dmetinhistimeoverhere

inEurope,but,hehadtoadmit,sendingMr.Milesoverwiththefilesdidhavethedesiredeffect.Ryantoldhimselfhe’dbetternotgetsomuchasasmudgeonthepaperwork,becausehedidnotwantthismanannoyedwithhim.

Soonthecouriersatatatableinthe

cafeteriatosmokecigarettesanddrinkcoffee,andJackwentbacktohistinyborrowedofficesohecoulddigintothefilesrelatingtotheMorningstarcase.

HesawimmediatelythatmuchofitwasintheformofnotesinDavidPenright’sown

handwriting,andotherdocuments—theseallrelatedtoPenright’sdeath—wereinthehandwritingofNickEastlingandmembersofhisteam.

Ofallthedocumentspresent,thedot-matrixprintoutofinternalbankaccounttransfersatRitzmannPrivatbankierswasthe

mostcurioustoJack.Atfirstblushitwasn’tmuchtolookat.Justcolumnsofnumberedaccountsnexttoothercolumnsofnumberedaccountsalongsideacolumnthatshowed,asfarasJackcoulddetermine,valuesrepresentedinSwissfrancs.

Paper-clippedto

thefilewasanEnglishtranslationofthefewwordsonthepages.

Therewasnothingabouttheprintoutthatseemedobviouslycrucialtothecase.IftheKGBorotherRussianswereusingRPBtoholdmoney,thetransfersintothebanktothesuspectedRussianaccount

wouldbedamnimportant,aswouldanytransfersoutofthebanktootherbanksaroundtheworld.ThesesortsoftransactionscouldhelpSISandCIAfollowthemoneytrail.

ButinternalaccounttransfersdidnotseemterriblyusefultoRyan.He

knewenoughaboutbankingtoknowthatmanyaccountholdershadmultipleaccountsandroutinelymovedtheirmoneyaroundwithinthebank.Someaccountsmightbetiedtoaninvestmentportfoliooranotheraccountmightbeusedforpayablesattheaccountholder’splace

ofbusiness.Thissheafof

papersseemedtoRyantobemoreclericalinnature.

Anotherproblemwiththeprintoutwasthatitwasindecipherabletohim,becausealthoughPenrighthadgivenhimthelistofclientsofthebanks,theclient

listwasnottiedtothenumberedaccountsthemselves.

No,therewasnoreasontofindthisprintoutinterestingintheleast,exceptforthefactthat,asfarasanyonecoulddetermine,abankexecutivehadhand-deliveredtheseinternaldocumentsto

aBritishspyonthenighttheBritishspywaskilled,andthebankexecutivehimselfwaskilledtwodayslater.

Thatalonemadethislong,foldeddot-matrixprintoutworthyoffurtherinvestigation.

Ryanbeganlookingatthedatesfor

thetransactionslisted.Theprintoutwas122pageslong,andfromwhatRyancouldtell,itseemedtocontainallin-housetransfersforthepastthirtydays.

Nowhethoughtback.TobiasGablerhadbeenkilledfivedaysearlier.Ryanranafingerquicklydown

thedatecolumn,flippedthroughpageafterpage,andfinallyfoundthedateofGabler’sdeath.

Hestartedlookingatthenumberedaccounts,andthein-housetransfers,andhesearchedformultipletransfersleavingthesameaccount.Thereweredozensofcases

ofthis,sosoonhebeganlookingathigh-valuetransfers,orcaseswherethesameaccounthadmademanytransfersintoasinglesecondaccount.

Heusedalegalpadtocalculatehowmuchhadbeenmovedoutofeachaccount.Itwasslow,laborious,andboring,butafter

anhourandahalfhebegantofocusontwoparticularnumberedaccounts.BeginningonthedaybeforethedeathofTobiasGablerandcontinuingforthreedays,therehadbeenseverallargetransfersoutofaccountnumber62775.001andintoaccountnumber

48235.003.Ittooktwomore

hourstofinishhiswork.Allinall,sincethedaybeforethedeathofTobiasGabler,therehadbeen704in-housetransfersoffunds.Twelveofthemcamefrom62775.001,andthetotalofalltwelvetransferswas461

millionSwissfrancs.Jackcheckedtheexchangerateinafinancialnewspaperhefoundonthedesk;thenhepulledhiscalculatorcloser,andkeyedinsomenumbers.

Theamountofthetransferwas$204million.Penrighthadtoldhimtheaccount

beinginvestigatedbythesuspectedKGBmencontainedexactlythatamount.Lookingoverthe704transactions,Jacksawthatnootheraccounthadmovedatenthofthemoneyaroundashadaccount62775.001.

Jackfeltcertainthiswastheaccountin

questionandallitsmoneyhadbeenmovedoutofitandintoanotheraccountinthesamebank.Jackhadnowayofknowingifthiswassimplyapoorattempttohidethefundsfromthefirstaccount,orifitrepresentedsomesortofpaymenttoanotherentitywhohad

anaccountatRPB.Butwhateverwas

goingonhere,Jackknewitwasimportant,andknewheneededtofindoutwhoownednumberedaccount48235.003,thereceiverofthe$204million.

Jackputthedot-matrixprintouttothesideandspentthenext

hourreadingeverythingelseavailableaboutMorningstarandthePenrightdeathinvestigation.Therewaslotsandlotsofmundanedata:meetingplacesandtimesforMarcusWetzelandDavidPenright,protocolsestablishedforsetting

upadeaddrop,makesandmodelsofvehiclesseeninthearea.Jackdidnotlearnmuchfromanyofthis.

Buthediddiscoversomethinginteresting.InameetingthreedaysbeforethedeathofTobiasGabler,PenrighthadpressuredMarcusWetzeltotry

togetmoreinformationabouttheaccountholderofthetwohundredmillion.Todothis,itappearedfromthedocumentation,MorningstarhadspokendirectlytoTobiasGableratameetingbetweenthetwooftheminaparknearLakeZug.

Jackwonderedifthatconversationsetinmotionthedeathofallthreemen.ItseemedpossiblethatonceGablerknewWetzelwasfishingaroundforinformationabouttheaccount,hemighthavegonetotheRussiansdirectlytowarnthemabankexecutivewasasking

questions.Then,itwas

conceivabletoRyan,theRussiansmighthavedecidedtomovetheirmoneytosafetyandtokillbothWetzel,themanaskingthequestions,andGabler,themaninpossessionoftheanswers.Andthen,itwasastretch,butit

waspossible,theRussianskilledtheBritishagentmanagingtheoperationagainstthem.

Ryanrubbedexhaustionfromhiseyes.

Justafterninep.m.,JackcalledSirBasilathishomeinBelgravia,London.“I

don’tknowwhatIfound,butatleastIhaveaplaceforustostart.”

“Where?”“Firstthingsfirst.

Thankyouforlettingmetakealookatthefiles.”

“Ofcourse.”Jackexplained

thathe’dworkedthroughthein-house

transfers,andhewasnearcertainthatthemoneyMorningstarhadflaggedassuspicioushadallbeenmovedintoanotheraccount.

Jacksaid,“Weneedtodigintothenewnumberedaccount.Ifwecanfindoutwhoownsthis,wecancontinueto

monitorthesefunds.”Charlestonsaid,

“Asusual,Jack,youhavedoneimpressivework.ButIamafraidwhatyouareaskingforcannotjustbeorderedup.Gettinginformationonthenewaccountwouldinvolvefindinganewinsidemanatthisparticularbank.A

bloodyrarething,indeed.I’mafraidMorningstarwasaone-off.”

“Wehavetogotothebank.EitherSISorLangley.Wecanpressurethem.”

“PressuringaSwissbankwillnotsucceedwithoutgoingthroughtheSwisslegalsystem,andeven

ifwedidreceivepermissiontogetinformationontheaccountitwouldtakemonths.Whoevercontrolsthataccountcanmovethemoneyoutindays,ifnothours.

“I’msorry,Jack.Wehadaninsideman,welosthim,andnowwehavelostthe

accessheprovidedus.”

JackknewBasilwascorrect.MorningstarhadworkedasanassetonlybecausehehadcomewillinglytotheBritish.AnyattemptstopressureRPBforinformationontheaccountswouldtakealotlongertobearfruit

thanitwouldtaketheRussianstomovetheirmoneyfromthebank.

Ryan’sworkofthepastseveralhourshadbeen,ifnotawasteoftime,certainlynothingthatwouldcreateactionableintelligenceanytimeinthenearfuture.

Dejected,Ryan

toldCharlestonhewouldflybacktotheUKthenextday,andhewishedhimagoodevening.Thenhegatheredupallthefilesandleftthelittleoffice.

TheSIScouriernamedMr.MileshadbeenwaitinginthecafeteriatheentiretimeJackhadworked,

andnowhewentthrougheverypageofeverydocument,checkingthephysicalfileswithaprintouthehadwithhim.Thenheputthembackinhiscase,handcuffedittohiswrist,bidJackgoodevening,andheadedouttohiscar.

TheCIAstaffstillinthebuildingoffered

JackabedinaportionoftheArmybarracksusedforCIApersonnel,buttheywarnedhimtherewouldbenohotshowertonightandthatthecafeteriahadclosedfortheevening.

Jackwasn’taMarineanylonger;hehadnointerestinausterityandhe

wantedtoclearhisheadwithamealandahotshower.HegrabbedhissuitcaseandwalkedoutthefrontgateofClayHeadquarters,andflaggeddownataxi.ThedriverdidnotspeakmuchEnglish,butheunderstoodwhenJacksaidhewantedtogotoa

hotel.“Whathotel?”the

driverasked.Itwascertainlya

reasonablequestion,butRyandidn’thaveananswer.Hedidn’tknowBerlinwellatall.Hethoughtbacktotheareahehadbeenintheeveningbefore.Hesaid,“Wedding?Isthereahotelin

Wedding?”Thedriverlooked

upintherearview,shrugged,andsaid,“Allesklar.”

Fifteenminutesafterward,RyanclimbedoutofthecabonLuxemburgerStrasse,infrontofachainhotelthatoverlookedLeopoldplatz,a

concretesquareringedbybuildingsallerectedsincetheareahadbeenflattenedinWorldWarTwo.Jackcheckedinforonenight,thenwentuptohisroom.HewantedtocallCathy,butherealizedhewasstarving.Withouteventakingoffhiscoatorhisscarf,heheaded

backdowntothelobby,wherehetookamapfromthedeskclerk,borrowedanumbrellafromthedoorman,andthenheadedoutintothecoldrain,lookingforabeerandaquickbitetoeat.

S72

Presentday

andyLamontlivedintheTowerHillneighborhoodof

Londoninaninth-floorflatthatgavehimaspectacularviewoftheThamesaswellas

theTowerofLondon.Hisplacewasrightinthemiddleofsomeofthebestnightlifeinthecity,andSandy,abachelor,enjoyedspendinghiseveningsinthepubswithhismates.Thiseveninghadbeennodifferent,andasusual,Sandyhopedtoendthenightwithsomefemalecompanionship.

Alsoasonmostnights,Sandythoroughlystruckout,

soaroundmidnighthewalkedaloneupthestepsofhisbuildingtohislobbyandthensteppedintotheemptyelevator.

Aminutelaterheenteredhisflat,thentossedhiskeysonthetableinhisentrywayandputhisjacketontherackbythedoor.HeflippedontheTV,turnedtoasportschannel,andsatdownonthesofa.

Justashebegancheckingfootballscores,alightflickedoninthefarcornerofthelivingroom,causinghimtojumpafullfootoffthesofa.

Sandysawamanthere,sittingbythewindowoverthestreetinachairthathe’dobviouslymovedinfromthekitchen.

“Bloodyhell!”Lamontshoutedinsurprise.

TheEnglishmanleaned

forward,hishandonhispoundingheart,andhesaid,“Ryan?”

JackRyanlookedoutthewindowforamomentbeforespeaking.Finallyhesaid,“Imightbemakingamistake.”

Lamontneededanothermomenttogetovertheshockoftheintrusion,thenreplied,“Iguaranteeyou’remakingamistake!Whatareyoudoinginmyflat?”

“Imean,Imightbemakingamistakebytrustingyou.”

“Thisisashowoftrust?Howthefuckdidyougetin?Didyoupickthebloodylock?”

“No.Hedid.”Ryannoddedtotheoppositecorneroftheroom.There,inthedark,Sandycouldjustmakeoutthesilhouetteofaheavysetmanleaningagainst

thewallasifbored.“Who...Whothefuck

isthat?”Ryancontinuedasifhe

hadn’theardhim:“Iwouldn’ttrustyouatall,exceptyouwerethereinSaintJohn’s.Youhadnoideathatwewereinanydanger,Icouldseeitonyourface.”

“Whatareyouonabout?”

“Ifyouknewaboutthe

menafterme,youwouldn’thavereactedlikethat.AndeventhoughyoupressuredmetodropGazprom,thatwasonlyafteryoutookheatfromCastor.YouwereasgunghoasIwasinthebeginning,weren’tyou?”

“Youarefreakingmeout,Jack.EitheryoutellmewhatisgoingonorIcallthepolice.”

Thebigmaninthecorner

spokeinagravellyvoice:“Youwon’tmakeitanywherenearyourphone,mate.”

JackwalkedoverandsatnexttoSandynow.“Itrustyou,”Jacksaid,almosttohimself.“Idon’tbelieveyouarepartofwhatCastorisdoing.”

“Castor?What’sCastordoing?”

“HughCastorisworking

fortheRussians.”Sandylaughed.Itseemed

nervous,Jackrecognized,buthedidnotdetectdeceit.Hesawmoreconfusion.Incomprehension.

“Bollocks.”“Thinkabouteverything

goingonatCastorandBoyle.WearepartofthesystemtheKremlinisusingtopummelitsenemies.Allofoursuccessfulcasesareagainst

oligarchswhoopposeVolodin.Allofthecasesagainstholdingsofthesiloviki,liketheGalbraithcase,areslow-walkedorleftinlimbo.”

“That’spreposterous.We’vewoncasesagainstmembersofthesiloviki.”

“Iresearcheditonmyown.Theonlysilovikicaseswe’veworkedonthathadapositiveresolutionforour

clientswereonesagainstsilovikiwho’vehadafalling-outwithVolodinandhistopmen.”

Lamontthoughtaboutthatforamoment.Heslowlyshookhishead.“You’velostyourmind.”Heseemeduncertain.

JacklookedoutthewindowattheblacknessoftheThames.“CastormetwithaRussianinhishome.Aman

namedLechkov.”“Okay.So?Heknows

heapsofRussians.”“Doyouknow

Lechkov?”“No.Whoishe?”“Wethinkheisanagent

fortheSevenStrongMen.Hesentsomegoonstobeattheshitoutofme,andtokillthisman.”

Lamontseemedgenuinelystunned.“Why?”

“OxleyhereusedtobeMI5.Castorwashishandler.IwenttomeetwithOxleyathishomeinCorby,andassoonasIdidthat,everythingchanged.TheRussianswhohadbeenpassivelytailingmeattackedme.TheyattackedOxleyaswell.”

Lamontlookedbackandforthatthetwoofthem.“Right.It’sonthenews.ThemurdersinCorby.”

Ryanjustsaid,“Itwasn’tmurder.Itwasself-defense.”

SandyLamontleanedforwardnow;Jackthoughthewasgoingtovomit.Eventuallyhemumbledsomething,butJackcouldnotunderstand.

“What?”Sandyrepeatedhimself,

louder:“Nesterov.”“WhataboutNesterov?”“WhenHughfoundout

you’dzeroedinonDmitriNesterov,hewentbloodymental.HewantedtofireyouforcontinuingtheGazprominvestigationwhenIwarnedyouawaytwice.Hewantedtofiremefornotpushingyouharderoffit.”

“Why?”“Idon’tknow.Hetold

youhefoundoutfromSISthatNesterovwasFSB,butthatwasn’ttrue—heknewthe

nameimmediately,Icouldtell.Isuspectedhehadsomeknowledgeoftheman.Therewassomethingoffaboutthewayheacted.Iknewitatthetimebutcouldn’tpinitdown.”

Ryansaid,“SoCastorknowsNesterovsomehow.TheKremlinpassedwelloverabilliondollarstohim.Why?”

Sandysaid,“Idon’t

know.”Itwasquietintheroom

foramoment.ThenJacksaid,“IneedtotalktoCastoraboutthis.”

“Whynotjustgotothepolice?”

“Idon’tneedhimarrested.Ineedanswers.”

Sandysaid,“Castorlefttownthisafternoon.”

“Wheredidhego?”“Ihaven’tgotaclue.

R

He’sgotpropertyallovertheworld.Hecouldbeanywhere.”

Shit,Jackthought.IfCastorlefttownafterhelearnedthatJackandOxleyhadescaped,itwasprobablybecausehewasontherun.

—yanandOxleyleftaveryshakenSandy

Lamontaloneinhisflat,and

thentheydrovetoStanstedAirport.HeretheymettheHendleyAssociatesG550initsslotatafixed-baseoperator.Whenthedooropenedandthestairscamedown,AdaraShermanlookedoutontothetarmacandeyedthetwomenstandingtherebythecar.Jacksawherhandmovebehindherbackslightly.

Ryanknewshekepta

SIGSauerpistolinaholsterthere.

Heraisedhishands.“Adara.It’sme.Jack.”

Shecockedherhead,thenrelaxed.“I’msorry,Jack.You’vechanged,haven’tyou?”

Jacksmiled,pleasedhiseffortstodisguisehimselfhadworked.

Ding,Dom,andSamsteppedofftheplane,and

eachmanrantheirhandsoverRyan’sshorthair,pulledonhisbeard,andcommentedonallthebulkhe’dputoninthepastfewmonths.

Ryanfeltapowerfulsenseofreliefwhenheboardedtheaircraft.Beingbackwithsomeofhiscolleaguesgavehimnewenergy.AshegaveDing,Dom,Sam,andAdaraeachahug,hewonderedwhythe

hellhe’dcometotheUKbyhimselfinthefirstplace.

TheteamintroducedthemselvestoOxleywithoutknowingmuchofanythingaboutwhohewas.ForOx’spart,hewasmorebemusedthananythingaboutsittingina$25millionGulfstreamwithabunchofYankswhoseemedtobeaspecialoperationsoutfit,butheinteractedwiththesonofthe

PresidentoftheUnitedStatesasifheweresomesortoflong-lostcolleague.

AdaraaskedJackwherehewantedtogo.ShehelpfullyexplainedthattheycouldheadovertoFranceorBelgiumwithoutfueling,butifRyanwantedtotravelmuchfartherthey’dneedtogasup,andifhewasreadytogobacktotheUnitedStatestheywouldneedtoobtain

departureclearances.Hetoldherhewantedto

gotoEdinburgh.NowthatCastorhadrun,Jackknewhe’dhavetofindanswerssomeotherway.HeneededtomeetwithGalbraith.

Theywerewheels-upinlessthanfifteenminutes.

T73

ojudgefromenemylossesalone,thefirstforty-eighthoursof

OperationRedCoalCarpethadbeenasuccess.TwelveAmericanandBritishspecialoperationsteamsandeightscouthelicoptershadbeen

deployedintothecombatzone,eachequippedwithlasermarkersthatcouldbelinkedtoUkrainianAirForceassets.Thesetargetingforces,alongwiththelonearmedKiowaWarriorandthefourarmedReaperUAVs,hadregistered109killsofenemyarmorandweaponry.AmongthedestroyedequipmentwerenearlythirtyofRussia’smainbattletank,theT-90,andtwo

massiveBM-30MLRVs.The109killsrepresented

nearlyfiftypercentofallthetargetsdestroyedbytheUkrainians,aremarkablenumber,consideringthattheUnitedStateswasfieldinglessthanonepercentofalltheforcesinthefight.

EventhoughRussiacompletelyoccupiedtheCrimeanpeninsulabytheseconddayoftheinvasion,

aftertakingtheborderoblastsofLuhanskandDonetsk,theirlosseshadmountedtothewest,andbytheendofthedaytheywereeffectivelystalledbybadweatherthatgroundedmostRussianhelicopters.ThecloudcoveralsocausedproblemsforRussianjets,asthemajorityoftheordnanceusedwasgeneral-purposebombsandunguidedrockets,bothof

whichrequiredgoodvisibilitytobeeffective.

ButtheAmericansandBritishhadtakensignificantlossesthemselves.FourMH-6LittleBirdlifthelosusedfortransportinggroundteamshadbeendamagedorshotdown,aswellasoneBlackHawkandoneKiowaWarrior.Fivemorehelosofdifferenttypeshadbeendestroyedwhileonthe

ground.NineAmericansandtwo

BritishSASsoldiershadbeenkilled,andanothertwentyhadbeenwounded.

TheJOCatCherkasyArmyBasehadoperatedtwenty-fourhoursadaysincetheopeninghoursoftheconflict.Thebasehadbeenbombed,buttheAmericanswereinahardenedbunkerthatcouldsurviveeverything

shortofthelargestbunkerbusteroranucleardetonation,andthebombsthathadhitthebasehadbeenfarenoughawaytobenomajorconcerntoMidas.

Eventhoughtheenemywasstalledtonight,goodweatherwasforecastforthenextthreedays,andeveryoneinvolvedintheoperationrealizedthismeanttheRussianswouldinevitably

pushwestagain.Somehadhopedthat,

aftertakingtheCrimea,theRussians’willtofightwouldwane,butsofarnooneintheU.S.defenseandintelligencecommunityhadseenanyrealevidenceofthat.

TheRussianswerecoming,anditlookedliketheywereplanningonmovingallthewaytoKiev.

Midasknewhecouldn’t

keephisoperationhereformuchlonger;therewaseventalkofmovingtheJOCtothewestimmediately,buthequashedthetalkquickly.Alltheforwardoperatingunitsstillinthefieldhadfallenbackseveraltimesoverthepasttwodays,yettheywereallstilldozensofmileseast.MidasdeterminedhewouldmovehisJOConlyiftherewassomecompromisedueto

anintelligencefailureoriftherewasarealriskhisdeployedassetsmightleapfrogpasthispositionastheycontinuedfallingbackinordertostayjustaheadoftheRussianadvance.

DespitethefactthathisophadsignificantlyslowedtheRussianattack,ColonelBarryJankowskididn’tfeellikethingsweregoingwell,sohedecidedtochange

tacticsafterdarkthisevening.TheydesperatelyneededtocovermoregroundbeforetheRussiansconsolidatedaftersweepingthroughtheCrimeaandpressingthefightinthedirectionofKiev,sohemadethedecisiontoreduceeachunit’ssize.HeturnedhistwelveteamsinthefieldtoeighteenbysendingafewreserveDeltareccetroopsintotwonewpositionsup

neartheBelarussianborder,andbreakingsomeofthelargerA-teamsdownintofive-,six-,andseven-manunits.

Itwouldcostnothingasfarasoffensivefirepower,asthemeninthefieldweren’tusingtheirownrifles,grenades,andpistolstoengagetheenemy.ButMidasknewwellitwoulddepleteeachforce’sabilitytodefend

itselfifattacked.He’dradioedeachunit

andtoldthemtheywouldbelighterandfasternow,andtheyneededtousethisasanadvantageandnotseeitasaliability.

Midashadallowedhimselfaforty-five-minutecatnaponabunkneartheJOC,andnowhewasbackonduty,standingbehindarowofmenwithcomputersin

frontofthem.Beyondthem,onthewall,wasamonitoraboutthesizeoftheaverageflat-screentelevisioninanAmericanhome,butitsuitedtheirneedstogivethemasingledigitalmapthateveryonecouldpointtowiththelaserpointersallthetacticaloperationsmenkeptattheirworkstations.

Oneofthemenincommswitha5thSpecialForces

Groupobservationunit,callsignCochise,motionedMidasovertohislaptop.“Hey,boss,CochiseisreportingalongcolumnofT-90shasmadeitbehindtheUkrainiandefenseforceT-72sintheirsector,andtheyarenowbypassingCochise’spos,movingupanaccessroadofftheM50highway.TheysaytherearenootherUkrainiangroundassetsthat

canengagethematthistime.”

“Showmewheretheyarenow.”

Theoperatorusedhislaserpointertoindicatetheunit’sreal-timepositiononthemap.

Midassaid,“ThesetanksareclosertoCherkasythananybody,aren’tthey?”

“Yeah,andtheyaresupportedbydismountsand

dedicatedairthat’skeepingupCAS.Theymightloseairduringthenight,especiallyinthisweather,butbytomorrowmorningCochiseadvisestheywillbewithintwentymilesoftheJOC.”

“What’sthestrengthoftheredcolumn?”

“AftertheengagementwiththeT-72s,CochiseActualputstheirstrengthatfifteenT-90s,andanother

forty-plusAPCs,MLRVs,andothersupportvehicles.”

“Cochiselostacoupleofguysyesterday.”Midassaidittohimself,butthecontrollertookitasaquestion.

“Yes,sir.ThecaptainleadingthemwasKIA,andtheyhadanothertroopinjuredinahardlandingintheinitialheloinsertion.Therearefourtroopsintotalstilloutthere,ledbyafirst

lieutenant.”“ButtheirSOFLAMis

operational,right?”“That’sright,butinorder

toengagethenewcolumn,they’llhavetobreakcoverandheadsouthwest.It’sgoingtotakethemawayfromtheM50,andwhothehellknowswhatelsemightbecomingupthathighwaythatthey’llmiss.”

Midassawtheproblem.

FromtheBelarussianborderdowntotheCrimea,hehadonlyeighteenteamstocoveraboutthirty-fivepossibleattackvectorstheRussianscouldbeusing.Itwasimpossibletomanthemall,andalthoughtheUkrainianArmywasoutthereontheground,theirtechnologywasn’tgivingthemthepunchinthisfighttheyneeded,consideringtheirsmaller

strengthandsubpartraining.WhatMidasneededwas

anotherteamtofirethelaser.Helookeddownatthecontroller.“YoutalktoUkrainianSF?Theygotanybodywhoknowshowtodothis?”

“Negative,sir.Theirequipmentistheirequipment,andtheyarealldeployed.”

He’dbeentoldinnouncertaintermsnottousethe

Rangersonbaseforforwardoperations.Theresimplyweren’tenoughmentoprotecttheAmericanhelosandtheJOCandalsotaskthemwithoperatingtheSOFLAM.

Midasthoughtitover.“Okay.SendtheKiowa,BlackWolfTwoSix,andanyReapersthatareinrange.”

“That’snotgoingtobeenoughHellfirestostopthat

attack.”“Iknow.They’llhaveto

doahit-and-run,trytoslowthemdowntonighttobuysometimefortheUkrainianstogettheirshittogetherandrushsometanksovertherebymorning.”

“Yougotit,boss,”saidthecontroller,andhereachedforhiswalkie-talkie.

M74

alcolmGalbraithwasnotapleasantman.

Ryanhadlearnedenoughabouttheseventy-year-oldScottishbillionaireinthepastfewmonthstoknowthatalthoughhe’dhadthe

misfortuneoflosingtenbillionU.S.dollarswhenhiscompanywasstolenoutfromunderhiminRussia,heretainedapersonalnetworthsomewherenorthoffivebillion.

TheGalbraithRossiyascandalhadn’texactlylefthimhomeless,either.Hismainresidencewasarestoredeighteenth-centurycastleintheScottishvillageofJuniper

Green,andhepossessedhomesalloverEurope,aswellasyachts,privatejets,andtwostate-of-the-artEurocopters.

Butwealthhadnotboughthimhappiness—thiswascleartoRyanthemomenthemetthemanface-to-faceinGalbraith’sprivateofficeinhisJuniperGreencastle.

Ryanwasunableto

detectanythingbutsournessandmistrustinhisdemeanor,andhehadn’teventoldGalbraiththebadnewsyet.

Ryanhadaskedforthesurprisemeetingthismorningandtherequesthadbeengrantedimmediately,eventhoughhehadrequesteddiscretionandthattheconversationbebetweenjustthetwoofthem.Jackarrivedalone—SamandDomhad

drivenhiminarentalcaranddroppedhimoffatthefrontgate;thentheypulledupthestreetwithinsightofthegateandkeptthecarrunning.

Jackhadexpectedarobustsecurityforcehereprotectingtheman—hewas,afterall,worthmorethantheGDPofsomesmallnations—buttherehadbeenonlyacoupleofuniformedmenatthegateandarent-a-cop

drivingaroundinthegolfcartthatranhimupthedriveway,andhereinsidethebuildinghewasshownintoGalbraith’sstudybyawell-dressedmanwhomayormaynothavebeencarryingaweaponunderhissuit.

Butthatwasit.Eventheman’sdogswerecorgis.NotrottweilersorDobermansorGermanshepherds.

ItoccurredtoRyanthata

manwhowasconsideringlegalactionagainsttheRussiangovernmentmightwanttotakeafewmoremeasurestokeephispersonsecure.

TherewasalotaboutGalbraiththatJackfoundodd.Jackhadnotbeenofferedcoffeeorteawhenhearrived,whichhesuspectedwasamajorbreachofprotocolforabusiness

meetinginacastle.AndwhenGalbraithhimselfsteppedintotheroom,JackwassurprisedtoseethemanwearingfadedbluejeansandaplainwhiteT-shirtthatlookedlikehe’dusedittocleanaxlegreaseoffhishands.

GalbraithwalkedpastRyan,whohadhishandextended,andthensatbehindhisdesk,puthiselbowsonit,

andasked,“So,whatarewegoingtotalkabout?”

Eitherthemandidn’tknowRyanwasthePresident’sson,orelsehedidn’tgiveadamn.ItwasjustaswellforRyanthatthemanhadn’tofferedtoshakehands.Ryanwasnotoverlymeticulousabouthisappearance,butGalbraith’sbodyodorwasextreme.

Ryansatbackdownin

thechair.“Mr.Galbraith,asIexplainedtoyoursecretary,IhavebeenworkingonyourcaseforCastorandBoyleforthepastfewmonths.”

Noresponse,soRyancontinued.“It’sbeenadifficultmaze,andtheillegalraidingtacticusedbythegovernmentagainstyoumakesitalmostimpossibletoidentifyanyoneintheprivatesectorwhoisculpable.”

“SoHughCastorhasbeentellingmefornearlyhalfayear.”

“Yes.ButIdecidedtodigalittledeeperintoothertransactionsmadebysomeofthesamecorporateentitiesthatwereinvolvedintheauctionofyourassets,andbydoingthis,IhaveidentifiedacompanythatbenefitedfromthesaleofGalbraithRossiyaEnergy.”

Theseventy-year-oldletoutanannoyedgrunt.“SohaveI.Gazprom.WhythefuckamIpayingyoutotellmesomethingIalreadyknow?”

Jacktookadeepbreath.“No,sir.Anothercompany.Asmallercompanythatseemslikeitwasonlysetuptoreceiveapayofffromtheproceedsofthesale.”

“Ashellcompany?”

“Yes,butIknowwhoisontheboardofdirectors.AreyoufamiliarwithamannamedDmitriNesterov?”

Heshookhishead.“Whoishe?”

“IamtoldheisaffiliatedwiththeFSB.”

Galbraithshruggedlikethatwasnosurprise.“Andhowmuchdidheget?”

“AsfarasIcantell,Mr.Galbraith,hegotallofit.

One-point-twobillionU.S.”Galbraithleanedforward

overhisheavydesknow.“HughCastorhasn’ttoldmeawordofthis.Howisityouhavealltheanswers?”

“It’sacomplicatedscheme,anduncoveringitinvolvedsome...sometacticsthatCastorandBoyledoesnotfullysupport.”

“Andthatiswhyyouarehereandnotyourboss?”

Jacknodded.“IhaveidentifiedthebankwhereNesterov’sAntigua-basedbanklaundersmoneyinEurope.”

“Whereisthisbank?”“It’sinZug,

Switzerland.”Galbraithimmediately

said,“Letmeguess.RPB?”Jackwasastonished.

TherehadtohavebeenadozenbanksinZug.“That’sa

goodguess.”Galbraithwavedaway

thecompliment.“LotofdirtymoneyatRPB.Dirty,oldmoney.Dirty,oldRussianmoney.”

Jackcockedhishead.“Ihavetoask.Howdoyouknowthat?”

Withashrug,theScotsmansaid,“There’sabitofoldScotmoneythereaswell.”

“YouhaveaccountsatRPB?”

“NothingIwanttotalkabout.Noteventosomekidwhosneaksuphere,hidingfromhisboss,totrytoshakemedownforacut.”

“Acut?Acutofwhat?”“Iknowyourtype.Seen

ahundredlikeyou,Ihave...Whatdidyousayyournamewas?”

Sothisguydidn’tknow

him.Jackfoundhimselfsurprised,butpleasantlyso.Hejustsaid,“Jack.”

Galbraithchuckled,butitwasanangrysound.“Okay,Jack.Letmehaveagoatit.Yourbossdoesn’tgivemewhatIwant,sohereyoucome,young,hungry,withastoryabouthowyoujustwantwhat’sbestformycompanyandmybottomline,andifI’llcutyouinaweebitwecan

doago-aroundonyourbossandyourcompanyandyoucanrecovermeassets.What’sthepitch?Computerhacking?OnelookatyouandIthinkit’scomputerhacking.Youcanstealmymoneybackorworkasago-betweeninthemiddlebetweenmeandtheRussianmob.OnlycatchisIsliptenpercentofthereturntoyou,paidintoyouraccountinBVIorLuxembourgor

Singapore.Right?HowdidIdo?Nailonthehead?”Hestoodup,readytoendthemeeting.

“Look,Malcolm,”Jacksaid,keepinghisseatwhilethelordofthecastlestoodthere.Jackhadgivenuponpoliteandrespectful.“Idon’twantonepenceofyourfuckingmoney.Yesterday,abunchofRussianmafiagoonstriedtofuckingkillme

forwhatIknowaboutyourshittybusiness,soIamtryingtogetanswers.”

“Killyou?Isthatright?”HedidnotbelievetheAmerican.

“Youeverwatchthenews?Corby?AcouplehoursnorthofLondon?FourdeadRussians.”

MalcolmGalbraithsatbackdownnow.

Jacksaid,“Yeah.That

wasallaboutyou.”“Whatareyouon

about?”“I’vebeendiggingtoo

deepintoyourcase.IfoundoutthisguyDmitriNesterovwastiedupinthis,andthensuddenlyagroupofSevenStrongMenassassinscameoverfromUkrainetostopme,andtokilloneofmycontacts.”

TheScottishoilservices

tycoonsoftenedhistone.“Youarecompletelyserious.”

“I’mafraidIam.”“Whyisn’tCastortelling

meanyofthis?”Jackdecidedtolevelwith

him.“Mr.Galbraith,IthinkitisverypossiblethatMr.Castorissomehow...compromisedbyMr.Nesterov.”

MalcolmGalbraithstared

Jackdownforanuncomfortablylongtime.Jackthoughthewasabouttomeetresistanceinhistheory,butinstead,Galbraithsaid,“Castor’safuckingcrook.”

Jackraisedhishandsandbegantotemperhiscomment.“Ican’tsayforsurejustwhat—”

TheScotsmansaid,“Iknewheworkedwithsketchy,powerfulRussians.I

justdidn’tknowheworkedwiththesketchy,powerfulRussianswhotookmymoney.Whoisthiscontacttheywantdead?”

“He’sanoldBritishspy.Idon’tknowhowheisconnectedyet,butI’mhopingyoucanhelpout.”

“Name?”“Oxley.VictorOxley.”“Neverheardofhim,”

Galbraithsaid,disappointed.

“HewasinvolvedinacaseinSwitzerlandinthe1980s.Thatcase,believeitornot,involvedRPB.”

“ThebankerskilledbyZenith.”

“That’sthestory.Nothingproved.”

“Yes.Iremember.IwasbankingatRPBatthetime.”

“Icametoyouhopingyoucouldhelpmeconnectthedotsbetweenthemurders

thereandthetheftofyourproperty.OxleyandCastorareconnected,butthesameSevenStrongMenhenchmenwhotriedtokillOxleyalsohadbeenfollowingmewhileIworkedonyourcase.Idon’tknowwhy.”

“Theconnection,lad,istheRussians.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”MalcolmGalbraith

pressedabuttononhisdesk,

G

andafemalevoicecameovertheintercom.

“Sir?”“Teaforme,coffeefor

mynewfriend.”“Rightaway,sir.”

—albraithandRyanhadmovedtoaparlor;in

frontofthemwasateaandcoffeeservice,andRyanwasputtingittogooduse.He’d

sleptlittleinthepasttwenty-fourhours,andhedidn’tknowwhenhe’dgetanotherchancetorest.

Galbraith’smoodhadmadea180-degreechangesincethemomenthelearnedJackwasn’tupherewithabusinessproposition.Theoldmanevenapologizedforhisappearance,tellingJackhe’dbeenworkingononeofhisclassiccarsinhisgarageand

hadnotbotheredtochangebecauseheexpectednothingmorethanavisitbyashysterjunioranalyst.

AstheysippedtheirbeveragesGalbraithgotintohisstoryaboutRPB.Jackwantedtotakenotes,buthewasn’tabouttobreaktheflowbyaskingforpaperandapen,sohejustlistenedverycarefully.

Galbraithsaid,“Shortly

beforethedeathofTobyGabler—hewasthefirstofthetwobankerstodie—hecametoafriendofminewhoheldsomeassetsatRPB.Gablersaidhehadaclientwhowantedtobuyouthardassetsthemanheldinsafetydepositboxes.”

“Whatkindofhardassets?”

“Gold.Don’tknowthevaluebutthisblokehad

gottenoutofthemarketsandputeverythingingoldbars.Thedealfellthrough,don’trememberwhy,butimmediatelyafter—I’mtalkinglikethenextday—Tobycametomeandtriedthesamething.Hesaidhehadaclientwithaproblem.Theclienthadfundsinanumberedaccount,buthedidn’ttrustthesystemanymore.Hehadtogetthe

fundsoutofthebankinahurry,couldn’ttransferthemtoanotherbankbecauseofsomesortofcorporatedispute.TobyhintedthemenwereEastEuropean.Didn’tsaytheywereSoviet,thatIwouldhaveremembered.

“Atthetime,IhadmultipledrillingoperationsgoingintheNorthSea,I’ddonequitewellformyselfwhenoilpriceswentupinthe

seventies,andIhadadealintheworkswithoneoftheyoungSaudiprincestoexpandmyoperationsintotheMiddleEast.Todothis,Ihadarrangedsomehardassets.”

“Whatkind?”Heshrugged.“Theprince

likedgold.Turnedoutitwasagoodinvestment.Ithoughthewascrazy.Anyway,Ibeganamassingitforthe

deal,andIkeptseveralsafe-depositboxesfullofbarsatRPB.”

“Okay,”Ryansaid.Herealizedthemanwastalkingaboutsomesortofakickback,buttherewasnoshameinhisvoice.“WhatdidGablersay?”

“Tobysaidheoperatedasanagentforhisclient.Saidhe’dpaywaybeyondtopbloodydollarforthelotof

mygold.Ihadoveronehundredmillion,laddie.Atwhathewasofferingforit,Iwouldbeafoolnottotakethedeal.”

“Whathappenednext?”Galbraithliftedhisteacup

andlaughed.“Iwasafool.Ididn’ttakethedeal.IknewtheSaudicontractcouldpaymefordecades,soIhungontothegold,despitetheoffer.Sadly,theprincewasarrested

byhisbrothersandInevermadeashilling.”

“AndthenGablerwaskilled?”

“Yes.AndWetzel,oneoftheVPsofthebank.Didn’tknowhim.TheGermanswereblamed,asyouknow,andthatwastheendofit.Ididn’tlearnanythingelseabouttheaffairtilltheearlynineties,whenIgotavisitfromagroupofRussians.”

“KGB?”“No,no.Farfrom.These

chapswerejustaccountants.AtthetimeRussiawasswirlingdownthetoilet,andtheywereinsearchofamysteriousblackfundofex-KGBmoneyfilchedfromSovietcoffers.Theywerequiteup-frontaboutit,andtheyonlycametomebecauseIhadmentionedtheaffairwiththeRPBgoldofferafew

timesatcocktailpartiesandthelike.Thatgotbacktotheseaccountants.”Helaughed.“IrememberthinkingthatthenewRussiadidn’tstandachancebecausetheKGBhadbeenreplacedwiththesefriendlyaccountantsaskingfriendlyquestions.LittledidIknowtheKGBwouldeatblokeslikethatforlunchsoonenoughandtakechargeonce

again.”“Didyoulearnanything

fromthemaboutthisblackfund?”

Heleanedforward.“No.Nothingtospeakof,otherthantheobviousfacttheydidn’tthinktheRAFkilledSwissbankersintheeighties.Instead,itwascleartome,someoneintheKGBstolethemoney,haditinanumberedaccountatRPB,and

somehowKGBfoundoutwherethemoneywas.”

“Anyideahow?”“No,butIcanguess.I’d

wagerKGBwasalreadyinsideRPB.Whoeverstolethemoneyandparkeditthereeitherdidn’tknowthisorelsetheythoughttheywereclevererthantheywere.WordgottoKGBthatotherRussiansweremovinglargesumsofmoneyintotheWest.

TheKGBcamelookingforanswers.WhenthishappenedtheaccountholdermadeGablerrunaroundlookingforsomeoneinsidethebankwhohadhardassetssotheycouldphysicallytakethemoneyandrun.”

Jacksaid,“Butwedon’tknowiftheyfoundanyonetodothedealwith.”

“Wedon’t,”Galbraithsaidwithasmile.“ButIhave

asuspicionwhodoes.”“Who?”“HughCastor.Hughand

IkneweachotherfromEton.Weweren’tchums,butIknewenoughtoknowhewasinthesecurityservices.WhentheRussianaccountantsmetwithmeandaskedmeallthequestions,Ipassedonalltheinformationtohim.HewasquiteexcitedbytheprospectofmissingKGBriches.He

evenhadmeintroducehimtothepresidentofRPB.

“IfoundoutlaterCastorhimselfbecameaclientofthebank.Hegrewquitewealthyoverthenextfewyears—thiswasthenineties.HewasconnectedinthenewRussia,leftMI5andwentintoprivate-sectorintelligence.Iknewhewastradingininformation,andthat’swhy,whenIlostmycompany

therelastyear,Iwentstraighttohim.Ithoughthe’dbeabletoclearthematterupwithhisinsideconnections.”

GalbraithlookedatRyanandsighed.“Thebastardprotectedhisfriendsinpoweratmyexpense,didn’the?”

Ryannodded.“It’sbeginningtolooklikethat’sexactlywhathedid.”

Galbraithsaid,“ThesodevenboughtahouseinZug,

justtobenearhismoney,Iguess.”

“CastorhasaplaceinZug?”

“Hedoes.Achaletrightonthelake.I’vehaddinnerwithhimthereafewtimes.”RyancouldseethemusclesinMalcolmGalbraith’sjawsflexinanger.“AndthenheswindlesmeonbehalfofbloodyGazprom.Whatdoyousupposetheyarepaying

him?”Ryanadmittedhehadno

idea.Jacksaid,“Mr.Galbraith,

I’mgoingtobeperfectlyhonestwithyou.Iamnotsurewhatisgoingtohappen,butIdon’treallyexpecttheFSBtowriteyouacheckforone-point-twobilliondollarswhenthisisallsaidanddone.”

Galbraithreplied,“Ican’t

rememberthelasttimeIusedthisphrase,butatthispoint,thisisn’taboutthemoney.”

RyanwasgladtoseeGalbraithunderstood.

Galbraithsaid,“Youareabraveyoungmanforananalyst.”

Jacksmiled,thoughtofhisdadforamoment,thensaid,“Ihavesomemenwithme.”

“Whatkindofmen?”

“MentowatchmybackiftheRussianscomeaftermeagain.”

“Thesechaps,theyaren’temployeesofCastor’s,arethey?”Galbraithasked.

“No.Why?”TheScottishbillionaire

shiftedinhisseatuncomfortablynow.“BecauseI’mafraidthereisacomplication.”

Ryancockedhishead.

“Whatcomplication?”“IcalledHughthis

morning,askinghimwhathisjunioranalystwasdoingflyinguptoEdinburghdemandingameeting.”

Jackgroaned.“WhenIaskedforthismeetingtobediscreet,andjustbetweenthetwoofus,CastorisexactlywhoIwasworriedabout.”

Galbraithhelduphishands.“That’sclearnow,

isn’tit?Wasn’tclearthen.”Jackwonderedwhatthis

meant,butattheveryleastheknewitmeantheneededtogetthehelloutofherenow.

Hesaid,“Justonemorequestion.Whatphonenumberdidyoureachhimon?”

TheScotsmanpulledhismobilephoneoutofhispocket.Hescrolledthroughsomenumbersforamoment,thenpasseditovertoRyan.

“Thinkingaboutgivinghimacall?”

“No.Ihaveabuddywhojustmightbeabletofindhimthroughhisphone.”JacklookedatMalcolmGalbraith.“Atthispointinthegame,I’dmuchpreferaface-to-facemeetingwithHughCastor.”

A75

Thirtyyearsearlier

fterventuringoutinthe

rainfromhisBerlinhotel,CIAanalystJackRyanfounda

smallrestaurantstillopenatelevenp.m.,andheboughtamealconsistingofbratwurstandfrenchfriesalongwithalargeglassofpilsner.Hesatatthefrontwindowandenjoyedhismealwhilelookingoutatthedrearyweather.Afterafewminutes,heopenedhismapto

orienthimself,andherealizedhewasonlyafewblocksawayfromwheretheshootouttookplaceonSprengelstrasseveryearlythatmorning.

Thoughitwasaftereleven-thirtyintheeveningwhenhelefttherestaurant,hedecidedtowalkthefiveblocksjusttopass

bytheRAFflat.Ittookhimless

thantenminutestofindthecorner,andhewasimmediatelysurprisedbyhowdeadtheareaseemednow.Theeveningbefore,hehadassumedthepolicecordonwaskeepinganytrafficclearoftheintersection,but

tonight,withnopolicecordonwhatsoever,theactivitylevelintheneighborhoodwasvirtuallythesame.Otherthantheoccasionalslow-movingtaxiandoneortwopensionersunderumbrellastakingtheirdogsforlate-nightstrolls,Ryandidnotseeanyoneouton

Sprengelstrasse.Thecoldrain

pickedupashenearedtheintersection,andhenoticedapolicecarparkedinfrontofthebuilding,facingintheoppositedirection.Hecouldn’tseeanyoneinsidethevehicle,buttheenginewasrunning,sohesuspectedthepolice

hadpostedaguardtokeepanycuriouspeopleawayfromthecrimescene.

JacksteppedbackintoadarkeneddoorwayonthenortheasterncornerofSprengelstrasseandTegelerStrasse,andfromherehecouldtakeintheentirescene.

Thebaydoorsoftheautorepairshopwereclosed,whichcameasnosurprisetoJack.Therewasnolightcomingfromthebigbrickbuildingatall,andthewindowsonthehigherfloorsthathadbeenshotoutduringthegunfightnearlytwenty-fourhoursearlierwerenow

coveredwithashinyblackmaterial.

Ashestoodthere,itoccurredtohimthathe’dlovetogetanotherlookinsidethatflat.EventhoughhewascertaintheBfVwouldhavepulledanythingofobviousintelligencevalue,Jackwonderediftherewassomewaythey

mighthavemissedsomesmallthing,sometinyitemthatcouldpossiblyconnectMartaScheuring,thegirlwhodiedinSwitzerland,withtheRussians.

Ryanwonderedwhatthatmightbe.Hewasn’tacoplikehisdad,crimesceneinvestigationwasnot

hisforte,soherecognizedthefacthe’dneedtofindsomethingasobviousasaphotoofMartaonRedSquaretoknowhehadthesmokinggunhewaslookingfor.

Nochanceofthat,hetoldhimself.

WhileJackstoodthere,anotherpolice

carpulledupclosetotheoneparkedinthestreet.Bothdriversrolleddowntheirwindowsandstartedtalking.Fromahundredfeetaway,Jackcouldhearmuffledvoices,andhesawtheflashandglowasoneofthecopslitacigarette.

Jacksteppedout

ofthedoorwayandcrossedTegelerStrasse,andbeganwalkingalongthesideofthebuilding.Herehewassurprisedtoseethatthefireescapeladderhehadclimbedtheeveningbeforehadnotbeenresetalltheway.Herealizedthatifheweresoinclined,hewouldbeableto

reachitandpullitdownwiththehookofhisumbrella.

Hewascertainthepatrolcarsaroundthecornercouldnotseehimwherehewas,andhealsoknewthecopsweredistractedbytheirconversation,so,withnoadvanceplanwhatsoever,Jackdecidedtoclimbthe

fireescapeandslipinsidethebuilding.Heknewthepolicemightwanderaroundthecornerhereatsomepoint,butheseriouslydoubtedthattheywouldbegettingoutoftheirwarmanddrypatrolcarsanytimeinthenextfewseconds.

Still,Jackdidnotreachfortheladder

immediately;instead,hekeptwalkingalong,hisumbrellaandhiswaterproofcoatkeepinghimdry,althoughhebegantosweatashethoughtabouttheprospectofgettinganotherlookinsidethethird-floorflatusedasasafehousebytheRedArmyFaction.Twice

hetalkedhimselfoutofgoingaheadwithhisidea,buttwicemorehereasonedthat,intheunlikelyeventthepolicemencaughthimintheact,hewouldn’tbeinanyserioustrouble.HecoulddropafewnamesofBfVofficershe’dmetinthepastday,andhe’dlikely

receiveanuncomfortabletongue-lashingfromtheGermans,buttheprospectofthispaledincomparisonwiththepossibilityofhavinghiscuriositysatisfiedbyanotherlookattheflat.

Whileconsideringhisnextmove,he’dwalkedhalfablockup

thestreet.Hestopped,turned,headedbacktothefireescape,andlookedaroundatallthebuildings,searchingforanyonewhomightbewatchingwhathewasdoing.

Therewasnoone.AsRyanarrived

againatthefireescape,heusedhis

umbrellatopulldowntheladderslowlyandrelativelyquietly,thentossedhisumbrellabetweenacoupleofnearlybarebushesalongsidethebuildingandbeganclimbing.

Thewindowonthefirstfloorhadbeenshatteredthenightbefore;thiswaswhereRyanhadfiredatthe

snipertwoblockseastofhereonSprengelstrasse.Nowcardboardwrappedinablackplastictarphadbeenfittedinplaceofthewindow.Ryanhadnotroublepushinginthecardboardandclimbinginsidethebuilding.Helookedbackoutontotherain-sweptemptystreet,

thenpushedthecardboardandplasticbackintoplace.

Justlikethat,hewasin.Itwasquiet,asheexpected,andthoughthishallwayhadbeendarklastnight,ithadbeennothinglikethis.Nowtherewasnotasinglesourceoflight.

Fearofthedarkis

anaturalfear,andJackhadnoreasontobeafraidhere,ashewascertainthebuildingwasbothemptyandcoveredbythepolice,buthisheartpoundedagainsthischestashefelthiswaytothestairwaytothesecondfloor.

Comparedwiththepitchblackofthe

hallandthestairwell,thesecondfloorwasrelativelywelllitbythelargewindowsonallsides.Severalofthesewindowshadbeenshotoutandthey,too,hadbeenreplacedwiththesamecardboardandplasticsheeting,butseveralmorewereintact,andJackhadnoproblem

findinghiswayforwardthroughtheartcollective,towardthestairsuptothethird-floorflat.

JacktookachanceintheRAFflat.Asinthehallwaytwofloorsbelowhim,hecouldbarelyseehishandsinfrontofhisface.Fortunately,herememberedfromthe

eveningbeforethatallthewindowsintheflathadbeendestroyedbygunfireorconcussiongrenades.Hepresumedthatwhoeverhadcoveredthewindowsdownstairswouldhavedonethesamehere,sohefeltarounduntilhefoundasmalldesklamponaside

table.Hepulledthecordandwasnotsurprisedtofindthelampwasinoperable.

Ittookseveralmoresecondstofindasecondcord;thisoneledtoalampwithabulbthathadnotbeendamagedinthechaoticmeleeoftheeveningbefore.

Hetookablanket

offachairagainstthewallandpartiallycoveredthelamp,leavingjustenoughlightforhimtotakeinhissurroundings.

Thelivingroomfeltsmallernowthathestoodaloneinit.AdozendetectivesandcommandosandBritishagentshadaddedasenseof

expansetothespace,butnowitwasjustafifteen-foot-by-fifteen-footroomwithtoomuchcheapfurniturethatwasmostlyshotupandsmashed,andwallspockmarkedwithholes.Therewasanoutlineonthefloorintheshapeofabodylyingonitsside,withthearmsoutinone

directionandthelowerlegsintheother,makinganS-shape.Thiswasthewomanwho’dbeenkilledinthefrontroom;Jackhadreadhernameinthereportthisafternoon.Ulrikesomething.Herememberedseeingherbullet-riddledbodytheeveningbeforeand

anautomaticweaponlyingnexttoit.

Thegirlandthegunweregonenow,butheroutlineandafour-foot-widebloodstainremained.

Hestoodstillintheroomforamoment,thinkingaboutthescenelastnight.Hewassurehecouldstillsmellthe

smoke,andhethoughthecoulddetectthescentofdeath.

Afteraminute,heflippedoffthelampandfelthiswayforwardtothehallway,andthenheheadedbacktowardthebedrooms.

MartaScheuring’slittleroomseemedevendarkerthanthe

hallway.Hefeltaroundonthewallforamoment,huntingforalightswitch,butwhenhefoundnothing,hedroppedtohiskneesandreachedoutinalldirections.Heputhishandonawireandfollowedittosomesortofalamplyingonitssideonthefloor,andheflippeda

switchonit.Itwasabluelavalamp;apparentlyithadbeensittingonafoldingTVtraythatMartahadusedasanendtable.Thetraylayonitssideonthefloornexttothelamp.

Jackpickedupthelampanduseditasaverypoorflashlight.Helookedaroundat

thesmashedfurnitureandtheholesinthewall.Helookedattheclothingintheclosetandtheshatteredmirroronatinydresser.

Itwasquiet,theonlysoundthetinkleofprecipitationontheplasticandcardboardcoveringthewindows.

Jacktookinhis

palebluesurroundings.Noonehaddiedinthisroom;therewasnobloodonthefloororthewalls.Butitfeltlikedeath,becausetheyoungwomanwholivedinthistinyspacehadbeenkilledtwonightsearlierseveralhundredmilessouthinSwitzerland.Herfew

personaleffectswereallthatremainedofher.Therewaslaundryinahamperinthecorner.Athreadbaretowel,apairofbluejeans.Ablacksweater,andaplaintanbra-and-pantysetpiledontop.

SuddenlyitfeltwrongtoJacktobehere.

Intellectually,heknewtheBfVwouldhavesearchedeverything,butJackhadwantedtopokearoundonhisown.Butnowhedidnotwanttotouchherclothing,tolookthroughherdrawersorcloset.

Herealizedhe’dmadeamistake.He’d

beenattheendoftheroadinhisinvestigation,andlogichadtakenabackseattoemotion.

Jacksighedloudly.Hismindswitchedgears,andhestartedthinkingabouthowhisunauthorizedlate-nightvisittothiscrimescenewouldlooktohispeers.

ShouldheevenmentionhisskulkingaroundheretonighttoeitherSirBasilorJimGreer?Probablynot,hetoldhimself.Itmightmakehimlookimpetuous,undisciplined.

Hecouldn’ttellCathy,either,butthatwasprobablybestforeveryone.Hetold

himselfhe’djustleavenowandnevermentionawordofthisto—

Jackheardanoise,thecreakingofafloorboardsomewherefaraway.Heleanedoutintothehall.Thesoundcontinued,andafteramomentherealizedhewashearingthe

footstepsofsomeonecomingupthewoodenstaircasethatleduptotheflat.

Hequicklyflippedoffthelavalamp,putitdownonthefloor,andbackedintothecloset,pressinghimselfintotheclotheshangingfromtherack.

Damnit,Jack,he

saidtohimself.Hewascertainitwasthepolice.Heknewhehadn’tbeenseencomingup,andhealsoknewhehadn’tmadeanynoise.Hefiguredthedamnlightshehadturnedonhadshonethroughsomebulletholeinthewallandtippedoffthecops.

Thefootfallsapproachedslowly,movingdownthehallnow.Theclosetdoorwasopen.Jackdidnotwanttopullitshut,fearingthehingesmightsqueak,soheveryslowlypushedhimselfbackwardevendeeperintothedressesandcoatsMartahadlefthanging

inhercloset.Hethoughthehadachancetoremainunseenifthecopsjustpassedbytheroomandwavedtheirflashlightin,sincetheclosetcouldnotbeseenwithoutsteppingintotheroom.

Butthenitoccurredtohim.Therewasnoflashlight.Jack

wouldhavebeenabletoseeanyresiduallightofsomeonecomingupthehall,buthesawnothingatallexceptcompletedarkness.

Thefactthattherewasnobeamwasdisconcerting.Hehadnoideawhowasintheflatwithhimnow,buthesuspectedthisother

personhadaslittlerighttobehereashedidhimself.

Thehardwoodflooringinthehallwaycreakedwitheachstep.Thedropsofpeltingrainontheplasticsheetingcontinuedunabatedasthestepsmovedcloser.

Theystoppedin

thedoorwaytoMartaScheuring’sroom.Jackwassixfeetawayfromtheothervisitor,onlypartiallyhiddeninthecloset.

Afigureenteredtheroominfrontofhim.Hecouldfeelthepresencemorethanseeanythinginthedark.Hethoughtaboutleapingout,

takingtheotherfigurebysurprise;hismindraced,andhewonderedifthiscouldhavebeenthepersonwhohadfiredonhimandtheGSG9mentwenty-fourhoursearlier.

Hehadnoweaponatall;hisonlyhopewastostayhidden.Hedidnotmove.Heheld

hisbreathnow,andforcedhiseyesopenevenwidertotakeinanyambientlightthatmightgivehimanadvantage.

Therewasashufflingsound;Jackrecognizedthesoundofthelavalampscuffingthefloor.

Shit.Hepoisedhimselftoleap

forwardassoonasthelightcameon.

Suddenlytheroomwasawashindimbluelight.Afigureinabigblackhoodedcoatkneltonthefloor,andthenthefigurerosebackup,facingaway.Ryanballedhisrightfist,heneededtotakeonlytwoquickstepstobe

instrikingdistance,buthequicklyrealizedthefigurewasmovingawayfromhim,towardthebed.

Thepersonkneltdownandreachedunderthebednow.Jackheardthesoundofthefloorboardsmoving,andheknewwhatwasgoingon.

Afterafew

secondsoffeelingaround,thefigurestoppedmoving,asifgivingup,anddroppedhisheadonthebed.Whoeverthiswas,hehadobviouslybeenlookingforthebriefcase,andhe’dobviouslyrealizedthepolicehadfoundit.

Jackknewhehadtotaketheinitiative

now,whilethestrangerwasonhiskneeswithhisheaddownandfacingaway.

Jacksteppedoutoftheclosetandstartedacrossthelittleroom.He’dmadeitonlyhalfwaywhenthefloorboardsunderhisfeetgavehimaway.

Thestranger

launchedupandspunaround.Inthebluelight,Jacksawahandreachintoacoatpocket,andthenreemergequickly,wrappedaroundsomethingsmallandblack.Jackdidn’tknowifitwasagunoraknife,butitdidn’tmatter.Hehadthemomentum,and

continuedrushingforwardwithhiseyesontheweapon,thenballedhisfistandreachedback.

Hesawthepointedsteelatthesametimeheheardtheclickoftheswitchblade.ThestrangerslashedwiththeknifeasRyanfiredoutarightjab.Hisfist

slammedintotheman’sjaw,connectingnearperfectly,andtheheadsnappedback.

Theknifeflewthroughtheairasthebodyfellbackwardonthebedandlaythere,unconscious.

Jackfeltapaininhisforearm,andherealizedhe’dbeencutbytheswitchblade;he

couldn’tseehowbaditwasinthepoorlight,buthefeltthroughthetearinhisjacket,thenpulledhishandbackandrubbedthewetbloodwithhisfingertips.Hedidn’tthinkitwastoosevere,butitstunglikehell.

“Sonofabitch!”heshouted,ashe

pulledoffhisscarfandwrappeditaroundthewound.

Ittookamomenttotieitoff,andwhilehedidthishekepthiseyesonthefigureonthebedinfrontofhim.Hecouldn’tseetheface,sohesteppedforward,leaningovertheunconsciousform.Heleanedcloserstill,

reachingdownandpushingthehoodofthecoatback,thenmovingwethairoutofthewaysohecouldseetheface.

Hestoodupquickly,stunned.

Thiswasawoman.

Helookeddownathisownfist;hisknucklesthrobbed

I

aftertheviciousblowhe’ddeliveredtoherface.“Oh,Christ.”

—ttookthewomanfiveminutesto

comearound.InthattimeJacktiedherhandsbehindherbackwiththebrafromthelaundrybasketinthecornerandplacedher

onthefloor,sittingherupagainstthebed.He’dalsosearchedherthoroughly.Shehadnomoreweapons,andshecarriednoidentification,onlyakeychainwithafewkeysonitandtwosmallwadsofcurrency.Ryanthoughtitwasinterestingshewasin

possessionofbothWestGermandeutschmarksandEastGermanostmarks,butthiswashardlythemostinterestingthingabouther.

Ashesatonthefloorinfrontofher,thelavalampbetweenthetwoofthem,hestudiedherface.Thelightingwasbad,her

blondbangshunglowoverhereyeswithherheadslumpedforward,andtherewasared-and-purplebruiseonherjawfromRyan’sfist,soitwasdifficulttogetagreatlookather,buthestartedtosuspectheknewwhoshewas.

Andwhenshewoke,whenhereyes

openedandsheslowlybeganlookingaroundtheroom,Jackwascertain.

Hesaid,“Icangagyou.Ifyouscream,Iwilldojustthat.Doyouunderstandme?”

Hecouldhearherbreathquicken.Shelookedathim,andhereyeswidenedinfear

andtearsdrippeddownherface.

“YouspeakEnglish,don’tyou?”

Afteramoment,sheasked,“Whoareyou?”HerGermanaccentwasstrong,butRyanhadnotroubleunderstandingher.

Inthesoftbluelighting,helookedintohereyes.Hesaw

theterror,buthecouldalsoseeexhaustion.Herwethairhungonherforehead.

Hesaid,“YoucancallmeJohn.AndhowaboutIcallyouMarta?MartaScheuring.”

J76

ackhadnoideahowitwasso,butsittingbefore

himwastheRedArmyFactionmemberwhosebodyhadbeenidentifiedatthesceneofthefirebombingin

Rotkreuz,Switzerland.“Thatisnotmy

name,”shesaid.Ryanwishedthat

NickEastlingwerehere.Thecounterintelligenceofficerhadhisfaults,buthehadaknackforgettingpeopletotalk.

“Thereisnouseindenyingit,”Jacksaid,whilelooking

aroundtheroomforanypicturesofher.Hecouldn’tfindanything,buthewonderediftheBfVmenmighthavetakenthemawayasevidence.

“Fuckingpig,”shesaid.Sheturnedaway,lookingatthefarwall.“YouareAmerican?”sheasked.

“Yes.”

“FBI?CIA?”“HowaboutIask

thequestions?”Sheshookher

head.“Idon’twanttolistentoyourshitquestions.Youareafool.Youallare.YouthinkwewereinSwitzerland,youthinkwewereinvolvedintheattacksthere.Butitwasn’tus.Noneof

uswere.Youpigskilledeveryoneherefornothing.”

Jackshookhishead.“Notfornothing.YourfriendswerekilledbecauseyouareRAF,andyouridentificationwasfoundatthelocationwherefourteenpeoplewereburnedtodeath.WhenGSGNinecame

toraidthisplace,someonestartedshootingfromyourhotelroomupthestreet.”

Sheshookherhead.Herwetbangsdroopedintohereyesandsheblewthembackup.“Wasmeinstdudenn?”Whatthehelldoyoumean?“Whathotelroom?”

“DidyourentaroominaguestworkerhoteltwoblocksuponSprengelstrasse?”

“WhywouldIdothat?”Hervoicewaslacedwithderision,buttherewasadefinitetonetoherwordsthattoldJackshewastellingthetruth.

Jackfiguredasmuch.Hesaid,“Idon’tknowyou,Marta,butforyoursake,Ihopeyouaresmartenoughtorealizethatyouhavebeensetup.Yourentireorganizationhasbeensetup.”

TheGermanwomancockedherhead,andagainthe

bangsdrooped.Sheletthemhang.“Youbelieveme?YoubelievethatIdidn’tkillanyone?”

“Ibelieveyou,yes.ButrightnowIamtheonlyonewhobelievestheRedArmyFactionisjustapawninthis.AssoonastheBfVfindsoutyouarestillalive,youwillbe

themostwantedpersoninGermany.”

Jackthoughtthegirllookedlikeshewouldstartcryingagain,butinsteadshejustmuttered,“Fuckingbourgeoispigs.Allofyou.”

“WhowasthedeadgirlinSwitzerlandwithyourID?”

Shedidnotanswer.

“Marta,nobodyintheworldknowsIamhererightnow.Ifyouwant,Icangodownstairsandtellthecopsoutfrontthatyou’rehere.Oryoucantalktomealittle,andthenbothofuscanslipaway,safeandsound.”

Martamumbledsomething.

“What’sthat?”“IngridBretz.Her

namewasIngridBretz.”

“WassheRedArmyFaction?”

Martajustshookherhead.“ShewasawaitressatabarinAlexanderplatz,inEastBerlin.”

“EastBerlin?SheisfromtheEast?”

“Ja.”“Whatwasshe

doingwithyouridentification?”

“Igaveittoher.Aweekago,IwentovertotheEast.ShesaidsheneededtocometotheWestforafewdays.SheneededanAusweis,an

identification.Welookedenoughalike,soIgavehermine.”

“Youwerefriends?”

Martahesitated.“Yes,butshepaidme.ShepaidmetogototheEast,togivehermyAusweis,andtowaitafewdaysforhertoreturn.”

“Whoarranged

this?”“Noone.Itwas

justanideashehad.”Jackdidn’t

believeherforasecond.“Ifyoudidn’thaveanyidentification,howdidyougetbackintoWestBerlin?”

Martashrugged.“Thereareways.”

“Whatways?Like

atunnel?”“Ha.Atunnel?

Youareafool.”Jackdidn’tpress

thequestion.Insteadheasked,“Whydidn’tIngridsneakoverlikeyoudid?”

MartaglaredatRyan.Itwasalookthataleft-wingterroristmightgiveanemployeeoftheCIA.

Fullofsanctimonyandintellectualsuperiority.“ShewasgoingtoSwitzerland.ThereisnotunneltoSwitzerland.”

JackrealizedMartawassayingIngridwouldhaveneededtheidentificationtogetoutofEastBerlinandintoWestGermany,

andthentogetfromGermanytoSwitzerland.

“DoyouknowwhyshewasgoingtoSwitzerland?”

“Shetoldmeshehadaboyfriendwhoimmigratedthere.”

“Andyoubelievedher?”

“Whynot?Sheshowedmeanecklace

hesenther.Itwasabigdiamond.Shedidn’tevenwearit.NotmanyEastGermangirlswearadiamondnecklacearound.”

“Didshegiveyouthenameofherboyfriend?”

“No.”“Butyouwere

friends?”Jackasked

incredulously.Hewasn’ttrainedtointerrogate.Hewonderedifhisinquisitivenaturewaspushingthingstoofast.Beforehecouldthinkofanother,softerlineofquestioning,Martaspokeonherown.

“Ingridhadneverevenbeento

Switzerland.Sohowisshegoingtogothere,onherown,andstartmachine-gunningpeopleandblowingupbuildings?Dasistverrückt.”Shetranslatedforherself.“Thatiscrazy.”

“Theywillsayshedidnotdoitalone.TheywillsayothersintheRAFwereworking

withher.Evenyou,maybe?”

Martashookherhead.“IngridwasnotRAF.Andanyway,whatdowecareaboutbankersinSwitzerland?Therearebankershere.Industrialistshere.NATOhere.”ShelookedupatJack,stillseatedaboveheron

herlittlebed.“Capitalistspies...here.”

“Howdidthebriefcaseendupunderthebed?”

Martawentquiet.Thistime,Jackansweredforher.

Hesaid,“Here’swhatIthink.Idon’tbelieveyouloanedyouridentificationto

thiswaitressforafewEastGermanmarks.Ithinkyouwereorderedtogiveittoherbythesamepeoplewhoplantedtheevidenceunderyourbed.”

Herlaughseemedfake,forced.“Orderedbywho?”

Jackshrugged.“Stasi,maybe?Orwas

itKGB?Idon’tknow.Idoknowyourorganizationworkswithbothofthem.Whoeveritwastoldyoutheyneededtostashsomethinghere.Youmusthavetoldthemaboutthefalsefloorunderthebed.Onceyoufoundoutyourplacehadbeenraided,yourealized

you’dbeenframed.”Sheshookher

headagain.“TypicallieoftheCIA.”

Ryansqueezedthescarfwrappedonhisforearm;hefeltthewetnessfromwherethebloodsoakedthrough.Hesaid,“Listen,Marta,whoeverdidthisusedIngridbecausethey

couldn’tgetarealRAFmembertogotoSwitzerlandandplantthebomb.Theygotyouridentificationandgaveittohersothatyourgroupwouldbeblamedforthekillings.Yourfriendsdiedasaresultofit.

“Youobviouslyknowyouhavebeensetup,becauseyou

camebackoverhere,hopingagainsthopethattheevidencewasstillunderthebedandyoucouldgetitthehelloutofherebeforeyouandyourgroupofleft-wingloserswereimplicatedevendeeper.”

“Ihavenothingmoretosaytoyou.”

“Don’tyouwant

theworldtoknowRedArmyFactionhadnothingtodowiththedeathofallthoseinnocentpeopleinSwitzerland?Thisistheworstpossiblethingthatcouldhavehappenedtoyourorganization.”

Shesaidnothing.Sheonlyshookherhead.

“Youwon’ttalk,sohowaboutyoujustlistenforamoment?Incaseyoudon’tknow,yourfriendsdiedbecauseofmoney.Thisisallaboutabankaccount.AnaccountwithtwohundredmilliondollarsinitinaSwissbank.Tohidethemoney,somepeople

hadtodie,sotheRussiansdecidedtheywoulduseyouandyourfriendstotaketheblameforkillingthem.”

Ryansmiledather.“It’snothingmorethanmoney,mydear.Yoursocialistideals,yourstrugglefortherightsoftheworker,noneofthatbullshit

hasonegoddamnedthingtodowithanyofthis.TheRussianswantedtokeeptheirmoneyhidden,andtheRAFmadeausefulstooge.”

Jackcontinued,“Theyarealldead,Marta.Allyourfriends.Thereisnoonetoprotectexceptthemanwhodidthis

toyou.Ifyouprotecthim...”Jackmotionedtotheemptyflataroundhim.“Thenyouareevenmoreapartofwhathappenedtothemall.”

Sheweptopenlynow,herheadhung,tearsdrippedontothefloorinfrontofher.Butshedidnotsayanything.

“Youdon’twanttotalk.That’sfine.Irespectthat.Itellyouwhat.Ifyoucanansweronemorething,I’lluntieyouandletyougo.”

Shelookedup.Aglimmerofhopeinhereyesnow.“What?”

“Onequestiononly,Marta.Ipromise.”

Hernoseran;shecouldn’twipeitwithherhandsbehindherback,soshejustsnortedloudly.“Okay.Whatquestion?”

“Whyareyoualive?”

Shetiltedherheadslowlytotheside.“Wasmeinstdu?”

“Thesepeoplehavedoneanexcellent

jobcoveringtheirtrackssofar.TheykilledIngrid,whowasanEastGermangirlandwouldnotbemissedoverhere.AndtheykilledthemenwhoknewaboutthemoneytheRussiansstashedinthebank.Iamprettysuretheykilledafriendofminewhowastryingto

exposetheiroperation.Andtheymadesureeveryoneinthisapartmentwasdeadsonoonewouldbelefttoprovetheyweren’tinvolvedintheattacks.”

Jackleanedcloser.Notthreateningbutimploring.

“Butyou,Marta,youaretheonlyloose

end.YouwalkingaroundWestBerlincancausetheirentireplantofalltopieces.Doyouthinktheyaregoingtojustsitbackandletthathappen?”

Themusclesinhernecktightened.Thelookonherfacemeldedperfectlywithsomeonewhohadjustlostakeytenetofher

beliefsystem.Jackwantedto

feeltheschadenfreudeofwatchingaterroristrealizeherentirecausewasbuiltonafoundationofbullshitandsupportedbyanorganizationofsoullesskillers.Butinsteadhefoundhimselffeelingsorryforher.

Thedistantlookinherweteyesmadeherappearnearlycatatonic.Shesaid,“Iamnotsupposedtobehere.IwasintheEast.IcameoverearlythismorningwhenIheardaboutwhathappened.”

“Cameover?How?”

“Thereisatunnel.ItisusedbyEast

Germanintelligence.Iknowofitbecausesometimeswehelpthembringthingsacross.”

“Nooneknowsyouarehere?”

Sheshookherheadagain.

Heleanedcloser,inchesfromherface,andhetookachance.“NotevenyourKGB

controlofficer?”MartaScheuring

shookherheadslowly.Tearsflowed.“Idon’thaveacontrolofficer.TheRussianwhoconnectedmetoIngridwasastranger.I’dnevermethimbefore,butheknewothersinmyorganization.TheytoldmeIcouldtrust

him.IassumehewasKGB.Imean...howelsecouldheknowaboutus?HetoldmehewouldsupportusifIdidwhatIwastold.Icouldnotrefuse.Weneedthesupport.”Shelookedaround,asifjustrememberingthatallherfellowurbanguerrillasweredead.“Weneededthe

support.”“Whatwashis

name?”Sheshookher

head.“Hedidn’tgivemehisname.Onlyacodename.”

“Whichwas?”“Zenit.”Jacksaid,

“Zenith?”“Doyouknow

him?”sheasked.

“No.ButIthinkIknowhiswork.”

Thetearspourednow,andmucusdrippedfromhernose.Herbodyshook.“Heisgoingtokillme,isn’the?”

Jacksaid,“IfyouhadstayedintheEastlikeyouweresupposedto,youwouldbedead

already.ThisZenith,andotherslikehim,willbelookingforyourightnow.Youhavetoletusprotectyou.”

“Butyouarealone,aren’tyou?”

“RightnowIam,butIcantakeyoutoClayHeadquarters,andyouwillbeprotectedbytheentire

BerlinBrigade.We’llgetyououtofWestBerlinandfindsomeplacesafeforyou.”

“Inreturnforwhat?”

RyanrealizedhisconcernfortheGermanwomanwasreal.Eventhoughshewasmisguidedattheleast,andmostlikelya

dangerousterrorist,hisinstinctstoprotectthevulnerablewererealenough.

Hewasn’tthinkingaboutquidproquonow.Hewasjustthinkingaboutkeepingthetwenty-five-year-oldwomanalive.

Hewonderedifthismeantthathe

wasn’thardandcynicalenoughforrealoperationalwork.

Hepushedthethoughtoutofhismindandstoodup.“That’snotformetosay.First,let’sgetoutofhere,andgetyousomeprotection.Thenwecanworryabouteverythingelse.”

“Youarelying.

TheAmericangovernmentisnotgoingtohelpme.”

“Well,atleastwe’renotgoingtokillyou.Thinkaboutitthisway,Marta.Wearecapitalists.Yougiveussomething,andwewillgiveyousomethingintrade.Yougiveusinformation,andwe

willgiveyoutheprotectionyouneed.Thisrelationshipdoesn’thavetobeanymorecomplicatedthanthat.”

“WhyshouldItrustyou?”

Jackcrackedahalf-smile.“BecauseAmericaworkswithpeopleitdoesn’tlikeallthegoddamned

time.”Thatseemedto

sinkin.JackcouldtellthatMarta’sdirepredicamentwascleartoher.Shedidnotagreeverbally,shestillseemedtobeonthevergeofpanic,butshenodded.

Ryanuntiedher.Whiledoingso,heasked,“Whydoesn’t

theRAFreleaseastatementsayingtheyweren’tinvolvedinthis?”

Shesaid,“IdonotleadtheRAF.IftheKGBtrickedus,usedmetotakeresponsibilityforwhathappenedinSwitzerland,theRAFwillnotcomeoutpubliclyagainstthe

SovietUnion.Thatwouldbethefinalnailinourcoffin.WewouldgetnomoresupportfromanyCommunistPartygroupintheworld.”

ThatmadesensetoRyan.Theywere,tosomedegree,avassalofRussianintelligence.Theymightcomplain

internallyabouttheaffair,buttheycouldn’tgopublicandadmittheyhadbeenusedbytheKGB.

RyanhelpedMartatoherfeet.Hesaid,“Yougofirst,I’llwalkbehindyou.”

“Why?”“BecauseI’mnot

turningmybackonyou.You’vealready

stabbedmeonce.”

M77

artaandJackmoved

togetherslowlythroughthedarkenedbuilding.Onthefirstfloor,Jackturnedtogotothefireescape,

butMartasaid,“No.Followme.”

Jackfollowedherdownanotherflightofstairs,allthewaytotheautomotiveshoponthegroundfloorofthebuilding.Therewereafewdimbulbsglowinghere,enoughforthetwoofthemtoeasilymaketheirwaytoautilityroomonthe

northwestsideofthebuilding.Anarrowwoodenstaircaseleddowntothebasement.Martapulledacordinthecenteroftheroomandabarelightbulbrevealedawasheranddryer.Nexttothesewasametalhatchinthewall.

“What’sthis?”Jackasked.

“Thiswasacoalchutebackbeforethewar.Weuseittocomeandgoincasethepolicearewatchingthefrontofthebuilding.”

Martaopenedthechute;itmadeamuffledscrapingsound,butJackknewthepoliceonthefarsideofthebuilding

wouldnothaveheardathing.Shecrawledoutfirst,andJackfollowed.

Jackfoundhimselfstandinginapavedspacebetweentwobuildings.Therewasbarelyroomtowalk.

Martasaid,“Ourbuildingsurvivedthewar,butthisbuilding

ontheleftcameafter.Theybuiltitsoclosethatonamapitlooksliketheyareconnected.Thestupidpigsdon’tevenknowaboutthisalley.”

Theymadetheirwaythroughthedark,narrowspaceforaminute,movingbetweenapartmentbuildings,andthen

theycameoutonafootpathnexttoSparrstrasse.

Oncetheyarrivedatthestreet,Jacksaid,“Weneedtohailataxi.”

Martasaid,“Ataxi?Youdon’thaveacar?”

“No.Icameonfoot.”

“Whatkindofa

spyareyou?”“Ididn’tsayIwas

aspy.”Martalooked

terrifiedagain.ItwascleartoRyanshewasafraidofbeingoutonthestreet.Shesaid,“It’soneinthemorning.HereinWedding,atthistime,theonlychanceisonFennstrasse.That’s

threeorfourblocksaway.”

“Let’sgo,then.”Shehesitated.

Ryansawtremorsinherhands.Finallyshesaid,“Thisway.”

Jackheldhissorerightforearmwithhislefthandastheywalkedtogetherpastasmallemptypark.Hekepthiseyesshifting

fromtheapartmentbuildingsonhisrighttothewomanwalkingonhisleft.HesawapayphoneandthoughtaboutcallingsomeoneatMissionBerlintocomepickthemup,butdecidedagainstit,figuringtheycouldmakeittoClayHeadquartersfasterbytaxi,andhedidn’t

I

wanttowaitaroundouthereforaride.

—twaspitchdarkintheSparrplatz,the

block-widegreenspacenexttowhereJackandMartawalkedinthefreezingrain,sotheycouldnotseethelonemanwatchingthemfrom

thetreesnexttotherun-downbasketballcourt.HestoodstillandsilentuntiltheymadearightonLynarstrasseanddisappearedfromview,thenhemovedoutofthepark,passingwideoftheglowofastreetlightashewalkedonthepavementtheyhad

crossedthirtysecondsearlier.

Heworealeatherbomberjacket,aridingcap,andleathergloves.Anyonewatchingfromthestreetmightnotethat,eventhoughtherainwasheavyenoughtowarrantone,themanhadnoumbrella,buthewasotherwise

unremarkableandimpossibletoidentify.

ThemanturnedonLynarstrassejustasJackRyanandMartaScheuringmadealeftonTegelerStrasseinfrontofhim.

Themanpickedupthepaceandduckedhisneckdeeperinhisbomberjackettowardoffthe

Jrainandthechill.

—ackwasbeginningtoworryabout

Marta.Hernervesweregettingthebestofherastheywalkedaloneintherain,asifthedarknessbetweenstreetlampswasterrorizingheranew.Andeachtimea

vehiclepassed,sherecoiledinterrorandlookedtoJackforcomfort.

TheyspottedapassingtaxionFennstrasse,butitdroverightpastthemastheytriedtoflagitdown.Asecondcabalreadyhadalate-nightfare,soitrolledbyaswell.Jackwas

gettingfrustrated;hedidn’tlikewalkingthenearlyemptystreets,morebecauseofthedangerMartawasinthananythoughtsofhisownsafety.

Martasawthe

headlightsofanapproachingvehiclebeforeJackdid,forthesimplereasonthatJackwastoobusywatchingMartatohavehiseyesfocusedfourblocksuptheroad.

WhenJackdidlook,hecouldnottellwhatsortofvehicleitwas.“Isthatataxi?”

Jackasked,andhelookedbacktoMarta,andrealizedshehadstoppedwalking.

“Dasweissichnicht,”shesaid.Hereyeswerelockedontheheadlights,andtheywerewideinterror.

“Marta,relax,”Jacksaid,andhesteppedtothecurb,

readytoflagdownthecar.

Butitwasnotataxi.Itwasalargewhitevan.

Anditbegantoslowdownasitnearedthem.Itpulledtoastopalongthesidewalkinthemiddleoftheblock,notfiftyfeetaway.

Asidedoorslid

openloudly.“It’shim!”she

said,hervoicepanic-stricken.

MartaScheuringturnedandran.

Jackstartedtodothesame,butashestartedfollowingafterherhelookedbackoverhisshoulder.Ahugestackofnewspapers,alllashed

togetherwithcordandwrappedinclearplastic,flewoutoftheopendoorofthevan.Thenewspapersslammedtothegroundatthefrontdoorofanall-nightmarket.

Amomentlater,amansteppedoutofthemarket,gavethevanaquickwave,thenliftedthenewspapersand

returnedtohiswarmanddrystore.

Thevandroveoffdownthestreet.

JackcalledouttoMarta:“It’sokay!”Heblewoutasighofrelief,butonlyuntilherealizedMartaScheuringwasgone.

Hesawthedoortoanapartmentbuildingclosingjust

yardsaway;heracedforitandtriedtofollowherthrough,butthedoorwouldnotreopen.

Martahadlockedthedoor.

Heranaroundtheoutsideofthebuilding,lookingforsomeotherwayin,butwhenheturnedthecornerhesawthat

Martahadleftthebuildingthroughasidedoor,andnowshewasrunningontheothersideofthestreet.

“Marta!”heshoutedatherassheracedthroughtherain,butshedidnotlookback,sheonlykeptrunning.

Jackchasedafterherasshedisappeared

downadarkenedstreetcalledAmNordhafen.Shehadatleastfiftyyardsonhim,andhehadafeelinghewouldn’tcatchherbeforeshegotwhereshewasgoing.

TheBerlinWallwasjusttwoblocksaway.

Heshoutedforher

oncemore,thistimewhileheracedbehindheralongsidetheBerlin-SpandauShipCanal,anarrowconcrete-linedwaterwaythatranalongRyan’srightashenearedtheBerlinWall.

Martadartedbetweenbuildingstoherleftnow,Jack

followingherinthedarknessacrossavacantlot,butasheroundedanopeninginametalfence,heslippedinslickmud.Ittookhimamomenttoclimbbacktohisfeet,andbythetimehedidso,he’dlostsightoftheGermanwoman.Severalbuildingsthatranalongtheopenlot

werealldarkandvacant,andhesawadozenblackenedwindowsatgroundlevelthatshecouldhaveclimbedthrough.

Hecalledouttoher,andhisvoiceechoedoffthebuildings.“Marta?Don’tdothis.Ineedyoutotrustme.Wecanhelpyou.”

Therewasnoresponse.Herantoawindow,lookedinsidetoadarkenedroomthatsmelledlikesawdustandwetplaster,buthesawnotraceoftheGermanwoman.

ShehadtalkedofusingatunneltomoveintoandoutofEastBerlin;hehadnoidea

ifitwasanywherenearhere,buthedidknowthathedidn’thaveaprayeroffindingitintheblacknight.

Hedidn’twanttoadmititatfirst,butslowlyhecametotheconclusionthattheGermanwomanwasgone.

Jackstoodtherein

thevacantlotforafullminute,andhenoticedhiswethairforthefirsttime,themudonhispants,andthechillintheair.Hewalkedbacktothestreet,headeddowntothecorner,andstoodthereunderastreetlight.

TheBerlinWallstoodjustablockaheadon

Boyenstrasse,andbeyondtheouterwallweretheglowinglightsilluminatingthedeathstrip,awide-openbandbetweenthewallandthebacklandwallontheeasternside.Insidethestripwereautomaticmachineguns,andmenwithgunsanddogsandsearchlights

werepositionedonthefarsideofthewall.

Jackstoodthere,stillcomingtotherealizationthathe’dlosttheproofforhistheoryconcerningtheMorningstarcase.AcarpulledintoviewonSellerstrasse,andthen,justaninstantlater,thelightsofasecondvehicleappearedon

AmNordhafen.Athirdsetofheadlightsmovedacrossthebridgeoverthecanaltohisright.

Itwasn’tlostonJackthathehadseenonlythreevehiclesinthepasttenminutes,yetnowsuddenlythreecarswereconvergingonthestreetcornerwherehe

stood.Hesteppedback

outofthelightandmovedupintothevacantlot.

AvanracedsouthonAmNordhafen,skiddedattheintersection,andmadealeft.Asecondvehicle,theonecrossingthebridge,alsoracedbythe

intersectionjustvacatedbyRyan.Hegotaglimpseinsidethesedanasitpassedunderneaththestreetlight,andhesawfourmeninside.Hedidn’tknowwhotheywere,buthehadthedistinctimpressionbothvehicleswereracingintotheareatohuntforMarta

Scheuring.Ryanturnedto

headbackupAmNordhafen,buthesawafigurestandingonthesidewalksomeseventy-fiveyardsaway.Theman—Jackassumedhewasmalebecausethefigureworeabomberjacketandaridingcap—stoodnexttoa

metalworkingshop.HewasperfectlystillandstaringinJack’sdirection.

JackcrossedthestreettotherelativeseclusionofsometreesliningtheNordhafen,awiderareaintheBerlin-Spandaucanalusedfordockingandturningaroundbarges.

Beforehesteppedintothetreeshelookedbackandsawthatthemanwasgone.Jackthoughthemighthavegoneintothemetalshop,althoughitwascertainlyclosedatthistimeofnight.

Whereverhewas,Jackwascertainthemanhadnotcrossedthestreethimself.

Jackwalkednorthonthelittlepathbetweenthetreesonhisrightandthewaterwayonhisleft.HisplanrightnowwastomakeitbackuptotheFennstrasse,thelargeststreetinthearea,andtofindataxi.He’dgodirectlybacktotheCIAstationatMissionBerlininClay

Headquarters,andtherehewouldtalktoBerlin’sCIAchiefofstation.HehopedtheCOScouldrouseanyassetsintowntogetoutintotheneighborhoodtofindMartabeforeshewasfoundbytheRussians,ortheEastGermans,orwhoeverthehellwasafterhernow.

Jackbeganrunning,knowingtimewasoftheessence.

Buthedidnotgetfar.Twomenintrenchcoatsappearedfromthetreesinfrontofhimandblockedhiswayforward.

Ryanstoppedinhistracks.

Itwasdark,butRyancouldseethe

menwereintheirthirties;theyhadshort,croppedhairandmustaches.Oneofthemenasked,“Whoareyou?”

HehadastrongGermanaccent,buthe’dspokenEnglish,whichRyanfoundodd,althoughheknewitwaspossibletheyhadheardhimcallout

toMartaaminutebefore.

“Whoareyou?”Jackreplied.

“Polizei,”onesaid,butneitherwaswearingauniform,andneitherpulledoutabadge.

“Sureyouare.”Jacksaidthisashelookedaroundhim.Hewasalonehere,in

asecludedarea.Behindhimwasametalrailing,beyondwhichwasasix-footdropintoafrigidcanal.

Hewouldnotberunningawayfromtheseguys.He’dhavetogothroughthem.

“Showmeyouridentification.”Itwasthesamemantalking.

Whatthehell?HewasinWestBerlin,notEastBerlin.Ryandidn’twanttoshowtheseguysanything,buthereachedintohiscoatpocketasiftocomply.

Hishandwrappedaroundthefour-inchstiletto,andheclickeditopen.

Ashestartedto

pulltheknifefromhiscoat,bothmenlungedathim;thefirstknockedtheknifeaway,andthesecondgotbehindhimandtriedtopinhisarmsbehindhisback.

Ryanslammedhiselbowbackintothemanbehind,knockinghimdown,andthenhekickedoutattheman

infrontofhim.Hisfootcaughtnothingbutair,buthemanagedtomakealittlespaceforhimself,soheturnedaroundandchargedatthemanthere,crashingintohim,andthetwoofthemslammedintotheironrailingalongthewater.JackthrewapunchattheGerman;

itgrazedhischinwithoutdoingmuchdamage,butitdidservetokeepthemanbackforamoment.Jackadvancedonhim,hadhimbackedupagainsttherailingnow,withnoroomtomaneuver.Hethrewanotherpunchthathitthemaninthenose,andthemustached

Germanfellinaheapalongthefootpath.

Ryanspunaroundnowasfastashecouldbecauseheknewhe’dleftthesecondattackersomewherebehindhim.Assoonashelookedup,hesawthemanwasthereonthefootpath,tenfeetawayatmost,andhewas

raisingasmallblackpistoldirectlyatRyan’shead.

RyanfrozeashelookedintotheGerman’scoldeyes.Theytoldhim,withoutanydoubt,thatthemanwasabouttoshoothimdead.

Hethoughtofhisfamily.

AsJacktightened

inanticipationoftheshot,hesawmovementonthegunman’sleft—adarkfigureappearedfromthetrees,runningacrossthefootpathatanincrediblepace.Thegunmannoticedthemovementoutofthecornerofthiseye,andhestartedtoturnhisweaponinthe

directionofthefigure,buthisspeedwasnomatchfortheoncomingthreat.

ThemaninthebomberjacketandtheracingcapslammedintotheGermanattacker;hisgunarmflewtothesideandashotcracked,flashedinthedarkness.JackRyanleaptbackand

awayfromtheblast,buthestumbledoverthelegsoftheunconsciousmanbehindhim.Hefellbackward,hislowerbackhittingthefootpathrailing,andhismomentumflippedhimheadlongovertheside.

Jackcriedoutashefell,andhetriedto

reachouttograbsomethingonhiswaydown,buthehitthewaterseveralfeetbelow.Ashebrokethesurface,thecoldenvelopedhim.Heflailedintheblackwater;hehadnosenseofupanddownasthecoldshockedhissystemanddisorientedhim.

Jack’sheadcameoutofthewater;hespitoutamouthfulofwaterandsuckedcoldair.Hewasreadytodivebackdownbelowthewatertoavoidgunfire,buthelookedupandsawnooneattherailing.

Then,forjustaninstant,hesawthemaninthebomber

jacket.Hishatwasgone,butallJackcouldtellwasthathewasawhitemalewithabeardandmustache.Themanputhisfootonthebottomrail,andhelookedlikehewasgoingtoleapoveranddiveintothewaternexttoJack.

Asecondgunshotrangout.Themanon

therailstoppedinmid-movement,heraisedhishandsandturnedaround,andthenhedisappearedfromview.

Ryanfelthimselflosingfeelinginhisarmsandlegs;hekickedferociouslyandwavedhisarmsaroundinanattempttoswimtotheedgeof

thecanal.Afterjustamomentherealizedthecurrentwaspullinghimtothesouth.Inthespaceofjustafewsecondshe’dalreadydriftedtenyards.Helookeddownthecanalandsawabridgejustanotherfiftyyardson.Oneofthesidespansenteringthewaterneartheabutmentwouldbe

I

inreachifhejustwentwiththeflow,soheconcentratedonnotdrowningandletthewatertakehim.

—ttookRyannearlyfiveminutesto

makeitbackuptostreetlevel.BynowWestGermanpolicecarswerealloverAm

Nordhafen,aftermultipleresidentsofnearbyapartmentbuildingshadreportedthegunfire.MosthadreasonablyassumedsomeonehadbeencaughtinthedeathstripoftheBerlinWallandshotbyEastGermanborderguards,butquicklyitbecameclearthenoise

hadcomefromtwoblockswithintheWestGermansideoftheborder.

Ryanstaggereduptothefirstpatrolcarparkedbythebridge.ThroughchatteringteethhetoldthemenhewasanAmericandiplomat,andhe’dbeenattackedbytwomen,oneofwhomhad

apistol.AsfarasJack

knew,aGoodSamaritanhadsavedhim,butasforwhathadhappenedtothemaninthebomberjacket,hehadnoclue.

Hewasgivenablanketandtoldhe’dbetakentothehospital,butJackinsistedtheydrivehim

backtothepointwhereithappenedinstead.

HeretheyfoundnotraceofeithertheGoodSamaritanortheattackers,andsoonthepoliceinsistedontakingRyantogetcheckedoutbymedicalpersonnel.Hetalkedthemintotakinghimstraightto

ClayHeadquarters,wherehewouldhaveaccesstoAmericanmedicalfacilitiestogetthegashinhisforearmtreated,butonlybecausehewantedtoalerttheCIAtoeverythingthathadhappenedinthepasthour.

Jackwantedthemtodowhateverthey

couldtohelpbothMartaandthemanwhosavedhislife,because,hefeared,theywerebothnowinthehandsoftheEastGermans.

I78

Presentday

thadbeenalongdayforJackRyan,Jr.Assoonashe’dleftthehomeof

MalcolmGalbraith,he’dreturnedtotheGulfstreamandthey’dflowntoFrance.

ThepurposeoftheirtripwassimplytogetawayfromScotland,becauseitwasclearHughCastorknewJackwasthere,andtherewasachancehewouldsendmoreRussianassassinsafterhim.

TheylandedatanairportnearLille,France,andheretheywaitedwhileGavinBiery,stillintheflatinKiev,spenthourshackingintothecellularcompaniesintheUK

inanattempttogeolocatethetelephoneusedbyHughCastorinhisconversationwithMalcolmGalbraith.ItbecameapparentafterlengthyresearchthatCastorwasusingpowerfulencryptiononhisphonethathiditsconnectiontomobilephonetowers,andGavinwasthereforeunabletolocateitorbread-crumbpastGPSsignals.

Justwhentheywereabouttoadmitdefeat,however,Ryangotanotheridea.HecalledSandyLamont,andaskedhimwhichofCastor’sstaffwasalsooutoftheoffice.Sandyseemedreluctanttogetinvolved,butfinallyhecheckedintoitandtoldRyanoneofCastor’stwosecurityofficers,aformerMI5manhimself,wasalsoaway.Ryanfoundtheman’s

mobilenumberbydoingasocialmediasearch,andsoonBieryhadlocatedthismobilephone’ssignal.

ItwaspingingatowerinKüssnacht,Switzerland,amunicipalityinthecantonofSchwyz.KüssnachtwassouthwestofZug;Castor’schaletwasonthelakeinBaumgarten,acommunityinKüssnacht.

Ryandiscusseditwith

A

Dingandtheothers,andbymidafternoontheGulfstreamwasbackintheair,headingsoutheastoverFrance.

—nhourfromtouchdowninZurich,Adara

Shermansatdirectlybehindtheflightdeck,thenbehindher,Caruso,Chavez,andDriscolldozedinreclinedcabinchairs.OxleyandRyan

wereintheverybackoftheaircraft,andtheyweretheonlytwoawakeandinconversation.

Ryanwastryingtogetinformationabouttheirdestination.Heasked,“DidCastorhavetheplaceinZugbackwhenyouwerethere?”

Oxleyshookhishead.“NotthatIknewof.Weweren’tfriends,youunderstand.Hewasmy

handler.HewasinLondon,Iwasinthefield,whichusuallymeanttheEast.WhenIwenttoZug,Castorneversaidanythinglike,‘Whynotpoproundtomylakehouseforteawhenyou’vesussedoutthatZenithmess?’”

Ryanlaughed.Thenhesaid,“OnethingGalbraithdidn’tknowwaswhattippedtheKGBoffinthefirstplace.Whenyoutailedthemen

fromHungarytoRitzmannPrivatbankiers,didyouknowanythingaboutthetrailtheywerefollowing?”

“Notaclue.Iwasn’tinside.Iwasmoreengagedinfoot-followsurveillance.IhadinstructionsandIcarriedthemout.Triedto,anyway.Yourdadwouldknowbetterthanme.”

Ryanwasn’tsureheheardthelastpartcorrectly.

“Mydad?”Nowthebig,silver-

beardedEnglishmanturnedtotheyoungAmerican.“Yourfather.Hewasthere.Youknewthat,ofcourse.”

Jackshookhishead.“InSwitzerland?”

“AndinBerlin.”“Berlin?”Oxleyshookhisheadin

utterdisbelief.“Doyoutwoevertalkaboutanything?”

“Ox,mydadwasCIA.I’vepickedupalotthroughtheyears,mostlythroughothers,buthecan’ttellmemuchaboutwhathedidbackthen.”Jacksaid,“You’resure?You’recertainhewastherewhenallthiswasgoingon?”

“OfcourseI’mbloodycertain.”

“Howcanyoubesosure?”

I

“BecauseI’llneverforgethim.”Oxleypausedbeforesayingthenextpart.“HiswasthelastfaceIsawbeforemyworldwentdark.”

—twasnoonattheWhiteHouse.PresidentJack

RyanhadspentthefirsthalfofthedayinandoutofmeetingsrelatedtothesituationinUkraine,andnow

hewasrunninglatetoaluncheonhereinD.C.Hewassigningafewdocumentsathisdeskwhenhissecretary’svoicecameovertheintercom.

“Mr.President?”Ryanrepliedwithout

lookingup.“TellArnietoholdhishorses.I’llbeoutinonesecond.”

“Sorry,sir.It’sJackJunioronlineone.”

Ryanputdownhispen.

“Great,puthimthrough.”Jack’shandfiredoutand

snatchedupthephone.Asalways,hedidhisbesttokeephisvoicelighttomaskhisconcernforhisson.Evennow,whenhehadnoreasontothinkJackJuniorwasinanydanger,heheardfromhimseldomenoughthathisimaginationoftengotthebestofhimandhecouldnothelpworrying.

“Hey,sport.Youdoingokay?”

“Hey,Dad...Ihavetoputyouonspeakerphone.”

JackSeniorwasdisappointedhissonhadsomeonewithhim.Hefiguredhe’dbeaskedtosayhitosomestranger,andthoughhedidn’treallymind,he’dratherjusthearaboutJackJunior’sday.Hesaid,“Actually,Imighthaveto

callyouback.HavetorunuptotheWashingtonHiltonforaspeechonforeignaffairs.Asyoucanimagine,we’vebeenrunningbehindscheduleallday.”

Therewasnoresponseforamoment.

“Whodoyouhavetherewithyou,son?”

“AmannamedVictorOxley.”

BeforeRyanSeniorcould

sayanything,Junioradded,“He’sBedrock,Dad.He’sgotahellofastory,andyouareinit.”

“I’minit?”Alow,gruffEnglish

accentcameoverJack’sphonenow.“Howcoldwasthatwater,Ryan?”

“Ibegyourpardon?”“Musthavebeenbloody

razorblades.Iwasthere.InBerlin.Youweretakinga

late-nightswim.Iwasjustabouttojoinyou,whensomeothergentsletmeknowthey’dmuchratherIcamealongwiththem.”

PresidentJackRyandidnotspeak.

“Jogyourmemory,doesit?”

Softly,Ryansaid,“Itdoes.”

ArnieVanDammwalkedpurposefullyintotheOval

Office,readytohurryJackalongtothelimo.Jackpointedatthedoor,andArniecaughttheurgentgesture,theglazedlookinhisfriend’seyes,andherushedout.InsecondshewasonthephoneannouncingthatthePresidentwouldbealittlelatetohisluncheonappointment.

T79

Thirtyyearsearlier

hemaninthebomberjacketstoodinthe

treesinthecoldrain,watchingthedramaunfold.Behindhim

wasAmNordhafen,adarkenedstreet.Infrontofhimwasthecanal,andinfrontofthatwasafootpath.HewatchedtheCIAmangetaccostedbythetwomenonthepath,andheimmediatelytookthemforStasigoons.

Thiswasn’tgoingtobepretty.Atfirsthe

thoughttheywerejustgoingtobeatsevenshadesofshitoutoftheYank,butwhenthemenstartedlookingaround,makingsurethecoastwasclear,Bedrockrealizedtheyweregoingtotrytowaylayhim,andpossiblyshanghaihimovertheborder.

Savingthelifeofsomesquare-jawedCIAsuitwasn’tBedrock’smission,sohewatchedfromthetreesatfirst,alreadythinkingaboutcallingthisintoCastor,hiscontrolofficer,afterthefact.

He’dspenttheeveningoutsidetheRAFsafehouse,

stayingoutofsight,inthehopethattherealMartaScheuringwouldturnup.Hehadn’tboughtthestoryaboutthedeadterroristleavingherIDoutsidetherestaurantbeforeblowingtheplaceup.HeknewtheIDdidn’tbelongtothebody,soheassumedMartawasstillalive.

Ifthiswastrue,itstoodtoreasonshewouldatleastcomebytheflatforalook.

ButwhilewaitingforMarta,BedrocksawtheAmericanCIAofficerwho’dbeeninZugwiththeMI6teamtherelookingintothedeathofPenright.HeassumedtheAmericanhad

cometoBerlinforthetakedowntheeveningbefore,butBedrockdidnothaveacluewhyhe’dcomealoneintheraintosneakintothebuilding.AtthetimeBedrockwonderedifthemanhadmuchofaplanatall,asheseemedtowanderaroundforseveralminutesbefore

committingtoclimbingupthefireescape.

BedrocktooktheYankforabitofabumblingidiotatfirst.Hejuststoodbyandwatched,lookingforwardtothespectacleofthelocalcoppersarrestinganAmericanspookforbreakingandentering.

AndthenMartacame.He’dseenherupthestreetwhenshedisappearedbetweentwobuildings,andheknewshewasslippingintoabackentrance.

BedrockwonderediftheCIAmanandtheRAFwomanweregoingtofightitoutupintheflat,andthen,when

theyhadbeeninsidethebuildingforwhatseemedbloodyages,hewonderediftheyjustmightbemakingababyupthere.

Finallytheycameout,throughthebackentrancethatBedrockhadspottedminutesintohisreconofthebuilding.Hefollowedthem,inthehopethat

ZenithhimselfwouldturnuplookingtopunchMarta’sticket.

Bedrock’smissionwastofindandkillaRussianwhocalledhimselfZenith,andtheGermanterroristwasjust,asfarashewasconcerned,nothingmorethanbait.

Bedrockknew

moreabouttheactivitiesinZugandtheactionsofaRussiancalledZeniththananyoneelse,becausehehadbeenonthisoperationformorethanamonth.HehaddutifullyreportedallhisactionstoHughCastor,who,Bedrockonlyassumed,wouldhavescrupulously

heldontothisinformationandnotpassedabloodyshredofittoMI6.

Hewasrightaboutthat.

Afterfollowingtheunlikelyduothroughtherain-sweptstreetsoftheformerFrenchsectorofWestBerlin,BedrockwatchedtheGerman

girldoarunner,andhewatchedtheAmericanpromptlyloseher.Itwasatthispointhenoticedtwomenskulkingabouttheneighborhood,andhewatchedthehandsomeAmericanblokebumblerightintothem.

HepeggedthemenforStasi

operators,whichmeanttohimtheoppositionhadatunnelnearby,whichmadeperfectsense,sinceMartaScheuringhadjustevaporatedintothinair.

Bedrockstoodinthetreeslessthantwenty-fiveyardsaway,whiletheCIAmanfoughtagainstthe

twoStasiofficers.TheEnglishmanwassurprisedtoseetheAmericanwasagoer,andhetookdownthefirstStasiassetwithasomewhatadequaterightjabtothesnout,sowhen,withhisbackturned,theothermanpulledoutaWaltherPA-63,Bedrockdeemedthemana

poorsport,andhedecidedtointervene.

Heviolatedhismissionparametersandbrokecover,racingacrossthefootpathinwhathethoughttobeamillion-to-onechanceofstoppingakidnappingoramurder.

Hetookthe

secondGermandown,butthebloodyYankfellintothecanal.Bedrockhadjustpickedhimselfupoffthepavementandscannedthewindowsofthenearbyapartmentbuildingstomakesurenoonewaswatching,whenfourmoremencameoutofthetrees.

TheneighborhoodhadgonerottenwithEastGermans.ThesewouldbeStasiaswell,whichwasbadnewsforBedrock.

Heturnedtodiveheadfirstintothewater,hisonlymeansofescape.

“Halt!”cameashoutfrombehind.Heknewiftheseblokes

camefromthetunnelaswell,itwaslikelytheywouldalsobecarryingWaltherPPKsorPA-63sorsomeothersidearm,sincetheydidnothavetogothroughanysortofcontrolarea.

Thecrackofagunshotconfirmedthis,anditstoppedhiminhistracks.He

turnedandsawthreemenwithpistolsonhim,andafourthmanwithhisgunhighintheair,wispsofsmokefloatingintherainynightarounditsmuzzle.

Bedrockknewhewouldnevermakeitintothecanal.

Ahoodwasplacedonhishead,he

heardGermanspokenashewaspushedupthestreet,andsoonhewasshovedthroughthedoorofoneofthebuildingsablockawayfromtheBoyenstrassesectionofthewall.

Hewasleddownanarrowstaircase,andthenlowereddeeperbelowgroundinsome

sortofametalbasket.Ittookfifteen

minutesforthemtogetahoodedandtiedmanthroughahundred-meter-longtunnel.Bedrockmovedonhiskneeswithhishandsbehindhisback,andwhenhiskneesweresobloodyandrawhecouldnolongerstandit,he

rolledonhisbackandkickedhiswayon,abradinghiselbowsandheadandbackside.

Whenheandthefourmenmadeittotheothersideofthewall,hewasbroughtbackuptothesurfaceandledintoavan.Asitdrovearound,themenwithhimkicked

himforafewminutes,justforfun,beforethevanstoppedabruptly.

Twenty-nine-year-oldVictorOxley,code-namedBedrock,tookanotherboottothebackofhishead—itmusthavebeenthefifthorsixth,buthe’dlostcount.Thisoneslammedhisfaceevenharderintothemetal

floorofthevan.Hefeltbloodonhislipsandrunningfromhisnose.

Asmuchashehurt,heknewthiswasonlythebeginning,becausehewasintheEastnow,andtheoppositioncouldbloodywelldowithhimwhatevertheybloodywellpleased.

Thedooropened.Bedrockthoughthe’dreachedhisdestination,butinsteadsomeonejoinedtheminthevehicle.

TherewasalongconversationinGerman,somearguing,andthoughBedrockcouldnotunderstandthewords,

hehadtheimpressionthatithadtodowithcontrolofhim,theprisoner.ItseemedtheGermansweregettingtheupperhand,andforashortmomenthethoughtthemenabovehimmightevencometoblows,butfinallythingssettleddown.

Amanleanedrightoverhisface;the

Englishmancouldsmelltobaccoandsweat.Whenthemanspoke,hespokeinEnglish,buttherewasnodoubt.ThemanwasRussian.

“Idonotknowwhoyouare,butIthinkyouareoneofthepeoplewhohavebeenmakinglifeverydifficultformeand

myassociates.IfIcould,Iwouldtakeyououtofhereandshootyourightnow.”Hepaused.“WhenStasiisfinishedwithyou,youmightwishIhad.”

Andthatwasall.Thevanstoppeda

momentlater,thedooropened,andsomeoneclimbedoutwithouta

word.Bedrockheardfootstepsretreatingongravel,andhewassurprisedtohearfromtheunevencadencethatwhoeverwaswalkingawaywasdoingsowithapronouncedlimp.

Theyweremovingagaininmoments;theEnglishspythoughtitwasthe

Russianwhohadleft,becauseimmediatelytheGermanmenaroundhimallbegantalking.OxdidnotspeakGerman,buthesensedawaveofreliefinthevoicesoftheStasimen.

ThereliefdidnotextendtoOxleyhimself;thebootsjustraineddownharder.

Theydroveformorethantwohours,butOxknewenoughaboutStasitacticstoknowtheycouldhavejustbeengoingincircles,alittletheatertokeephimguessingaboutwheretheyweretakinghim.

Whentheystoppedagain,Oxwaspulledfromthevan,

andhisarmswereboundatthewristsandheldhighupbehindhiminastressposition,forcinghimtoleanallthewayforwardatthewaist.Thereweremenonbothsidesofhim,andtheypushedhimonward,upstairs,downstairs,inelevatorsthat

disorientedhimtothepointhedidnotknowifhewasinthebottomofanuclearsilooratthetopofaTVtower.

Finallyhewasbroughtintoaroom,hishoodwasremoved,andhiscuffswereattachedtoahookatatable.

Hehadnotspokenawordsofar,andhe

madeadecision,rightthere,thatwouldsimultaneouslysavehislifebutcondemnittounbearablehardship.

HedecidedtospeakRussian.

Hehadnoidentificationonhim,he’dlefteverythinginhishotel,sohecouldsaywhateverhe

wantedwithoutanydirectproofhewaslying.

Aslongashekepthiscoverup.

Forthreedayshewaskeptawakewithcoldwaterandelectricshocksinanattempttobreakhim,buthespokeonlyRussian,toldtheGermanshedidn’tknowwhatthey

wanted,andtheyhadnorighttodothistoacitizenoftheSovietUnion.

OxhadheardthestoriesabouthowStasiagentshadaparticularlynastywayoftrackingpeopletheyhadpickedup.TheStasiwouldsitthemdowninfrontofwhatlookedtobe

somesortoflargecamera,thentellthemtowaitwhiletheychangedfilm.

Butitwasnotacamera.ItwasanX-raymachine,andtheentiretimetheunfortunatesubjectssattheretheywerebeingbombardedwithradioactiveparticles.

Theprocess

wouldensurethateverytimethesubjectspassedthroughanyofthecheckpointswiththeWest,allofwhichhadradiationdetectors,theywouldbeflaggedashavingbeenpreviouslypickedupbytheStasi.

Theymighthavetheirlivesshortenedbydecadesbecauseof

cancerfromradiationpoisoning,butnomatter.TheStasifoundthetacticconvenient.

ButOxleywasnotradiatedbytheStasi,becauseOxleywasnotheadingbackouttotheWest.

No,hewasheadedeast.

TheEastGermans

handedhimofftotheKGB.

P80

Presentday

residentoftheUnitedStatesJackRyanrealizedhewas

squeezingthesideofhisdeskwithhisfreehandashelistenedtothegravel-voiced

EnglishmantellastorythathadturnedoutsowellforRyanandsopoorlyforhim.

Whenthestorystopped,Jackknewtheremusthavebeenmuch,muchmore,butherecognizedtheEnglishmanwaswaitingtohearsomethingfromRyan,justtoknowhewasstillthere.

Jacksaid,“Idon’tknowwhattosay.”

“Didyoucallitin?Did

youreportwhathappened?”“DidIcallitin?Iwas

withtheGermanpolicefiveminutesafterthefact,lookingforyou.Anhourlater,IhadeveryU.S.intelligenceassetinthecityonthehunt.Bythenextday,IwasinLondonintheofficeofthedirectoroftheSIS.OfcourseIlookedforyou.IdidnotknowyouwereaBritishoperative,butIhadeveryonehuntingforyou

andMartanonetheless.”Oxleysaid,“Fairenough,

Ryan.I’vegotreasonstobelieveyounow,thankstoyourboyhere,butIspentthirtyyearsundertheimpressionyou’dkeptyourmouthshutaboutthewholebloodyaffair.I’vebeenholdin’abitofagrudge,tobehonest.Ididn’tknowyoufromAdamatthetime.ButyearslaterIwassittinginmy

pubwhenyourfacecameuponthetellysayingyouweretheAmericanPresident.”

JackJuniorspokeupnow:“Dad,OxwasthemanwhogaveSIStheintelaboutTalanovbeingZenith.HewasinagulagwhenTalanovwasthere.Hedidn’tmeethim,buthepickedupthestory.”

“Isitcredible?”Oxleysaid,“Seemedso,

butitwasalongtimeago.

Mymemoryisnotwhatitoncewas.”

“Iunderstand,Mr.Oxley.”

JackJuniorsaid,“Wehavetogo.I’mgoingtogetanswersforyouonZenith,butIdon’thavethemyet.”

“Justtellmeyouareokay.”JackJuniorcouldheartheemotioninhisfather’svoice.Hewaslostinthepastnow,andhadnoideawhat

hissonwasinvolvedinatpresent.

“I’mwithDing,Dom,andSamintheHendleyjet.”

“TheHendleyjet?Youaren’tinLondon?”

“We’regoingtocheckaleadortwoonthecontinent.I’llcallyouwhenIknowsomething.You’vegotenoughonyourplaterightnowdealingwithUkraine.”

“Itisadifficult

R

situation,”Ryansaid,“butaslongasIknowyouaren’tinthemiddleofit,I’llfeelalittlebetter.”

JackJuniorjustsaid,“I’malongwayfromUkraine,Dad.”

—yan,Chavez,Caruso,Oxley,andDriscoll

arrivedinZurichintheearlyevening,rentedapairof

MercedesSUVs,andheadedsouthtowardZug.Therewasheavyrainandfog,whichRyanhopedwouldworktotheiradvantage,astheyhadnoideawhowaslookingforthem.

ThefourAmericanswerearmednow.BeforetheylefttheG550,Adarahadpassedoutpistolsthathadbeenhiddeninanaccesspanelontheflightdeck.JackandDing

bothchosetheGlock19,andDriscollandCarusotookSIGSauerP229s.ThemenknewifCastorwasprotectedbyanysizablesecurityforcetheywouldnotbeabletoinitiateanysortofrealattackwithhandguns,butatleastwiththefirearmshiddeninsidetheirjacketstheywouldbeabletodefendthemselvesfrommostthreats.

Theyhadlittle

informationaboutthephysicalpropertyofCastor’splace,otherthansomenotesGalbraithmadeforJackregardingthelayout.Fromthisandacarefulsearchofonlinemaps,themendecidedtheirbestchancetoenterundetectedwasviathelakeattherearoftheproperty.

Theyrentedaboatandscubagearinthemarina,andbysevenp.m.theywerea

quarter-mileoffshorefromCastor’slakehouse,scanningthetwo-acregroundsthroughbinoculars.Theycouldseesomeactivityinsidethroughthehugefloor-to-ceilingwindows,aswellasplainclothessecuritymenpatrollingwithsubmachinegunsaroundthebuilding’sexterioranddownahillintherearofthepropertyatapierandboathouseonthelake.

Thesecuritymenlookedlikeaprofessionalgroup,anditgaveRyanconfidencethatCastorwas,infact,onthepremises.

Dingsaid,“Iseeeighttotenguys.Wearenotgettingthroughthemundetected,andwearen’tshootingitoutwithSwissrent-a-cops.”

Ryanagreed.“We’llhavetofigureoutanotherwayin.”

TheAmericanssatonthe

boat,discussingsomewaytocovertlygainaccesstoCastorwithoutbeingdetectedbyhissecurity.

Oxleyhadbeensilent,sittingaloneuponthebow.Finallyhesaid,“Gents,Idon’twanttotellyouyourbusiness,butIwouldliketoofferasuggestion.”

Dingsaid,“Byallmeans.”

“Whydon’twejustwalk

uphisbloodydrivewayandtalktohim?”

“Talktohim?”Ryanasked.

“Ofcourse.Castorbelievesinself-preservation.Hebelievesinplayingbothsides.He’snotamadman.HeisnotgoingtokillthePresident’ssonwhenothersknowyouarewithhim.Itispossiblethingswon’tgothewaywewantthemto,so

maybeyourfriendscangetascloseaspossible,butmyvoteisyouandIjustconfrontthesodandseewhathehastosayforhimself.”

RyanlookedtoChavez.Dingsaid,“Yourcall,kid.”

Jackshrugged.“Idon’thaveanythingbetterthanthat.”

Samsaid,“Wecandropyouupthecoast,thenwecananchorahalf-mileawayand

doacovertentryonthebackofthegroundswiththescubagear.Wemightbeabletoparlaythedistractionofyourarrivalintousgettingalittleclosertothehousethanwecouldotherwise.”

Chavezsaid,“Ilikeit.Butremember,Jack.TheywillsearchyoubeforeyouseeCastor.Youcan’ttakeagunoranycommunicationsgearthatshowsthemyou

broughtcompany.”“Iunderstand.”JackwantedOxleyto

stayontheboat.Heknewthefifty-nine-year-oldex-spyhadeveryreasonintheworldtowanttoconfrontHughCastor.HesensedtherewasmoretotherelationshipthanOxhadleton,buthe’dnotmentionedit.JacksawnothinggoodcomingfromOxley’sfacingCastorright

now.ThethreatofOxley’srevealingCastorasaRussianspy,Jackreasoned,wouldbealotmoreusefulthanactuallyhavingOxleyenterCastor’sgrounds,wherehewouldbevulnerable.

ButVictorOxleywashavingnoneofit.Hemadeitclearthathewouldbeinvolvedinthemeeting,andJackandhismateswouldhavetotiehimtotherigging

Ttokeephimfromgoing.

—heRussiansarrivedinZuginaRussian-built

Mi-8,whichwasnotanunusualoccurrenceatall,astherewasalotofoffshorebankingstilldoneinSwitzerland,andnoonedidmoreoffshorebankingthesedaysthantheRussians.

Anyonelookingoverthe

menwhoclimbedoffthechopper,however,mighthavenoticedthatmostoftheirsuitswerebrand-newandoff-the-rack,andtheiraverageagewasonlythirtyorso,whichwasyoungfortheaverageRussianinvestmentbankerorwhite-collarcriminal.

ThesewerenotSevenStrongMenhenchmen.TheywereSpetsnaz,FSBSpecial

Forces,buttheirleaderstraddledthelinebetweenbothorganizations.HisnamewasPavelLechkov,hewasSevenStrongMenandFSB,andhe,liketherestofhisunit,carriedasmall,collapsible,Brügger&ThometMP9submachineguninashoulderholsterunderhiscoat,andahookedknifeinasheathinthesmallofhisback.

TheRussianshadaschematicofthelakefrontpropertyofHughCastor,andtheyhadgoneoveritinthehelo,andbythetimetheyarrivedinZugandclimbedintoavantotakethemtoapropertyonthewestsideofthelake,eachmanintheunitknewhispartintheoperationtocome.

Atasmalllakesidechaletattheedgeoftheforest,the

menchangedclothes,removingthebusinesssuitstheyhadwornforcoverandputtingondarkcottonpantsanddarkjacketsthatwouldhelpthemblendintothenight.

Althoughtherewereeightofthemandtheyknewtheymightwellbeupagainstaslightlylargerforce,PavelLechkovalsoknewtheywouldhaveskillandsurprise

J

ontheirside.Theymoveddowntothe

waterline,whereaneight-manZodiacrigidinflatableboatwaswaitingforthem.

—ustafterelevenp.m.JackRyan,Jr.,andVictor

Oxleywalkedtogetherupanunpavedwindingstreet.Itwasalmostperfectlyquiet,theonlynoisecomingfrom

dripsofcondensationoffthetreesoneithersideoftheroadand,everyfewminutes,apassingvehicle,usuallyaPorscheorBMWorAudi.

TheyhadtowalknearlyamilefromtheclosestplaceDingcouldlandtheboat,sotheyhadplentyoftimetotalkabouttheirplantogetCastortorevealinformation.Jackknewhisbestoptionwastoclearlyandimmediatelylet

themanknowthatalotofpeopleknewhewasthere.HehopedCastorwasdesperateenoughtotalktosavehimself,butnotsodesperatethathewouldjustshootRyanandOxleyintheheadandtrytofleetosomecountrywithnoextraditiontreatywitheithertheUnitedStatesorGreatBritain.

Thisallseemedlikealongshot,butJackwas

emboldenedsomewhatbythefactthreeveryablemenwouldbelurkinginthedarknessoutsidethelakehouse.

Astheywalked,RyanaskedOxleyaboutwhathadhappenedafterhewastakenoutofEastBerlin.Oxleysaidhespentdaysinatraincarunderguard,whileoutsidethelandscapeofEastGermany,Poland,and

Belaruspassedby.HepassedintoRussia,continuedallthewaytoMoscow’sLeningradskayastation,wherehewasplacedinthebackofatruck.Theydrovehimaroundthecity,andhewasabletoseeitallthroughaslitinthewallofthevehicle.Throughtheslithesawasignthatmadehisheartsink.EnergeticheskayaStreet.Heknewthentheywere

takinghimtoLefortovoPrison.

OxleyspentweeksinasmallcellinLefortovowithanasphaltfloorandasingletwenty-five-wattbulbthatburnedbothdayandnight.

Everydayhewastakenintointerrogations.HeclaimedhewasnothingbutasimpledefectortotheWestwhowalkeduponafightamongsomeplainclothes

men,andhegotinvolved.HesaidhethoughtonemanwasbeingattackedbyWestGermanpolice,andhe’dgotteninvolvedonlybecausehewasnofanofWesterngovernments.

TheKGBdidnotbelievehisstory,butthey’dcaughthiminnoverifiablefabrication,either.Afterweeksofsleepdeprivation,stresspositions,torture,and

thethreatofexecution,noneofitmadehimchangehissimpleyetdoubtfulstory.

Theywereunabletobreakhim.

Normally,theKGBwouldhavemadeexplicitthreatsinvolvinghisfamily,butthisarrowhadbeenremovedfromtheirquiver,becausetheKGBcouldnotpindownanyfamily.

Itwouldhavebeenan

easymattertotakethetwenty-nine-year-oldRussiandefectorintoafieldandshoothim,butthiswasthemid-eighties.TheKGBstillkilledpeople,theKGBwouldnotexecuteitslastprisoneruntilthefinaldaysofitsexistencein1991,butbytheeightiesaterminationrequiredpaperworkandsignaturesandapost-actionreview.

Itwasmucheasierand

cleanertolockhimupandletnaturetakeitscourse.

OxwasplacedintothegulagsystemandshippedinatrainintotheUralMountainsintheKomiRepublic.

Ryanwantedmore;hehadn’tyetgottenOxleytoexplainhowhe’dmadeithometoGreatBritainafterleavingthegulag,butbynowtheyhadalmostarrivedatHughCastor’slakehouse.

Theyturnedtoheadupthelongdrivewayandmadeitlessthanathirdofthewaytothehousebeforeamansteppedoutfromthedarknessandshoneaflashlightonthem.“Halt!”

Jackshieldedhiseyesfromthelight.Hesaid,“WeareheretoseeCastor.”

“Name?”“RyanandOxley.”“Ja.Wehavebeen

waitingforyou.”Ryanhadnotexpected

this.HewashopingCastorwouldbeputonhisheelswiththesurprisevisit,butclearlythatwasn’tgoingtohappen.

Thesecuritymanspokeintohiswalkie-talkie,andanSUVrolleddownthedrive.Menclimbedoutandsearchedthetwovisitorsthoroughlyupagainstthe

S

hoodofthevehicle,thentheyallwalkeduptothefrontdoorasagroup.

—amDriscollroseoutofthecoldblackwaterof

LakeZugslowly,inchbyinch,sothewateronhisinsulatedwetsuitwouldreturntothelakewithoutdrippingandmakingnoise.He’dalreadytakenoffhis

swimfinsandhistank;hepulledthemalongwithonehandasheheldhispistolwiththeother,scanningthedarknesstothenorthofthepier.

SoonDingChavezappearedfromtheblackwateronthesouthsideofthepier,andhecarriedhisequipmentwithhimaswell.Hestoweditagainstalowretainingwallattheedgeof

theproperty,makingcertainitcouldnotbeseenfromthehouse,ashedidnotwantanybeamcastfromaflashlighttoreflectoffeitherthetankorthemask.

DominicCarusorosefromthewaterunderthepieritself,andhetiedoffhisgearandclimbedoutontotherocksbehindthewoodenboathouse.

Atwo-mansecurity

patrolpassedthearealessthanaminuteafterDommadeitintoposition.Herolledundertheraisedboathouse,keepinghisbodyoffthesharprocksbyholdinghimselfinaplankpositiontilltheypassed.

Afteranotherminute,thepatrolhadfinisheditscircuitoftherearofthepropertyanddisappearedaroundthesideofthehouseupthehill.Ding,

Dom,andSamtooktheirBluetoothheadsetsoutofwaterproofboxesandattachedthemtotheirears.Theyestablishedcommswithoneanother,andallthreeusedbinocularsfromtheirpackstosearchthewindowsofthehouseitselftolookforRyan.

—ughCastorstoodinfrontofa

Hroaringfireinthelivingroom

ofthelakehouse,andhegreetedRyanand

Oxleyastheywereescortedinbythesecurityofficers.Thesixty-eight-year-oldmanworeablacksweaterandcorduroys,andhiseyeglassesandshortsilverhairshoneinthelightfromthefire.

OxleyandCastormadesomeeyecontact,butRyanwassurprisedtherewereno

realwordsbetweenthem.HehalfwayexpectedOxtolaunchacrosstheroomandgrabCastorbythethroat,butnothingofthesorthappened.

Instead,CastorjustdirectedOxleyandRyantoasofa,andhesatdownonawingbackchairfacingthem.

TwoSwisssecuritymenhadbeeninthelivingroom,butonceRyanandOxleysatdowntheysteppedintoan

adjacentkitchen.Ryancouldhearthemthere,justaroundthecorner,andhesuspectedthatwastheirintention.

Threeglassesofredwinehadalreadybeenpouredandsatwaitingonthetableinfrontofthemen.Castortookhisglassanddrankaslowsip.OxleyandRyandidnottouchtheirs.

NeitherJacknorOxhadbeenhandcuffedortied,

whichsurprisedJackgreatly.Sofar,noneofthiswasgoingthewayhehadimaginedit.ItwasalmostasifCastorwerehappytohavethevisitors.

Castorsaid,“Jack,youmightnotbelievethis,butIdidnotknowathingaboutwhathappenedinCorbyuntilSandytoldmethismorning.Ilookedituponthenews,andtheonlyconclusionIcancometoisthatclearlysome

associatesofminedouble-crossedme,thesameastheydidyou.”

“SandytoldyouIwenttoseehimyesterday?”

“Hedid.”Castorshrugged.“No,no.Iknowwhatyouarethinking.Sandyisnotawareofanyofthisatall.Heisjustagoodcompanyman,andadecentlapdog.Hehasbeenafaithfulservantformanyyears.He

knowsthereismorethanmeetstheeye,butheisnotsocuriousaboutmyprivatedealingswithRussia’seliteawayfromCastorandBoyle.”

CastorpointedatRyanwithhiswineglass.“You,ontheotherhand,youngRyan.Youarethecuriousone.ImustsayhowterriblyimpressedIamwitheverythingyouhave

accomplished.Obviously,Iunderestimatedyourabilities.”

“AndIoverestimatedyourcharacter.”

Castor’seyebrowsrose,andhelookedtoOxley.“You’vebeentalking,Isee.”

Oxsaid,“You’vebeentalking,yafuck.Ioweyounotableedin’thing.”

“Icouldhaveleftyoutorot,youbloodyfool!OrI

couldhaveletthemshootyou!”

“Youshouldhavedonejustthat,youoldbastard.”

“It’snottoolate,Bedrock.Theyjustmightgetyouyet.”

Jackwasutterlyconfusedbytheback-and-forth.

CastorlookedatRyan,andthenbackatOxley.“Whatdoesheknow?”

“HeknowsIwas

shanghaiedbytheStasiwhiletryingtohelpouthisfather.HeknowsIwasthenpassedtotheRussians.HeknowsIwentinthegulags,andheknowsIcameoutafewyearslater.”

“Andclearlyhethinksthisissomehowmyfault.”

Oxsaidnothing.Castorcrossedhislegs.

ToJack,itappearedanaffectation.Hewasn’tas

relaxedashepretendedtobe.Theshort,bitingargumentwithOxleywasevidenceofthat.

Castorsaid,“Jack,IhadnothingtodowithourfriendVictorheregettingwaylaidbytheEastGermansinBerlin.Itwasbadluck.Thatwasall.Ispentyears,literallyyears,tryingtofindoutwhathappenedtohim.”

RyanlookedtoOx,and

OxconcededCastor’sremarkswithahalf-nod.

Oxleysaid,“Castorwasn’tdirtythen.Hedidn’tturndirtytilltheIronCurtainfelldownandabunchofmoneypouredout.That’swhenhebecameoneofthem.”

Castorshookhisheadvigorously.“Iwasn’toneofthem,Jack,oldboy,Iwasanopportunist.I’dspentthe

yearslookingintoOxley’sdisappearance,somethingofapersonalmission,becauseMI5hadgivenhimupfordead.Imadecontactsthroughouttheregioninthisendeavor.InHungary.InCzechoslovakia.InRussia.HereinZug.WhentheIronCurtainfell,Iwasinapositionofleverageoversomepowerfulindividuals.Iusedthatleverage.Simpleas

that.”Jacksaid,“Malcolm

GalbraithtoldyouaboutthestolenKGBmoneyZenithwasinvolvedwith.”

“Hetoldmebitsandpieces,indeed.Otherstoldmeotherthings.ButbythetimeGalbraithtoldmeabouttheRussianaccount,themoneywaslonggonefromRPB.Zenithgotitoutviadiamonds.”

“Diamonds?”“Yes.Zenith’scontrol

officertransferredtheentiretwohundredfourmillionintoanotheraccountatthebank,anaccountownedbyadiamondmaninAntwerp.PhilippeArgens.HemetwithZenithhereinZug,passedhimtwohundredmillioninuncutdiamonds,andZenithreturnedtoRussia.”

“Whathappenedtothe

diamonds?”“TheRussiansincontrol

oftheblackfundkeptthemuntil1991,andthentheysoldthembacktoArgens.Slowly,theyliquidatedtheirassets.Afewmillionhere,afewmillionthere.Itworkedforbothsides.Argenswasabletohidethetransactions,soheeffectivelylaunderedmoneyforyears.AndtheRussianshadtheassetstheyneededto

buyupstate-runbusinesseswhenRussiawasnationalizingeverythingandofferingitinriggedauctionsforpeanuts.”

“Aquarter-billiondollarsbuysalotofpeanuts,”Ryanadmitted.“Whostolethemoneyinthefirstplace?”

Castorsmiled.“Thisiswherethebargainingstarts,myboy.”

“Whatbargaining?”

“I’lltellyouwhatIwantinamoment,butfornow,Iwillwhetyourappetite.”Hesippedhiswineandthenlookedintotheglass.“It’sFrench,notSwiss,soit’squitegood.”

NeitherRyannorOxleyhadanyinterestinthewine.

Castorshruggedandsaid,“EvenbeforeGorbachevcametopowerandstartedliberalizingthings,theKGB

realizedtheyhadaproblem.MembersoftheFirstChiefDirectorate’sleadershipbeganmeetinginsecret,discussingtheinevitabilitythattheirmodelcouldnotcontinuemuchlonger.

“Theywantedafallbackplan.Theycouldseethepotentialforacompletecollapseofthesystemasfarbackasthemid-eighties.Theybeganpullingmoney

outofaccountssetuptosupportcommunistrevolutionsinLatinAmerica,ortobankrollcommunistdictatorsalreadyinpower.

“Later,mycontactinthisgrouptoldmetenpercentofallthemoneyearmarkedbytheKremlinforCubaandAngolaforatwo-yearperiodhadbeenskimmedbyasingleyoungKGBofficerworkingfortheleaders.

“Hecreatedthisblackfund,readytosupportthemincasetheyhadtorun.TheystudiedwhatthesmartestoftheNazisdidaftertheendoftheSecondWorldWar,andtheylearnedfromthem,buttheKGBhadlongertoplanandmoreresourcestopullfrom.TheThirdReichhadonlybeenaroundforadecade.Bythelateeighties,Sovietshadbeeninpowerfor

seventyyears.”Jackleanedforwardin

raptfascination.Castorseemedtobecertainofhisinformation,thoughJackknewhehadhisownagendahere.

Ryanasked,“WhowasZenith?”

Castorsaid,“InorderfortheKGBgraybeardstoprotectthiscovertoperation,theymovedstaffoutofthe

intelligencehierarchy,andsetthemupastheirownprivateorganization.AyoungofficerwaschargedwithsettingupandprotectingtheassetsintheWest,andhebroughtonboardanassassinfrommilitaryintelligence,amanwhohadalotofexperiencekillingfromhisyearsinAfghanistan.”

Ryansaid,“RomanTalanov.”

Castornoddedgravely.“TheRomanTalanov.Ofcourse,I’dneverheardofhimtillOxleytoldmewhenhegotoutofthegulag.”

“Howdoyouknowtherest?”

“TheyoungKGBofficerchargedwithprotectingtheassetsrealizedhiscontroloverthemanZenithgavehimgreaterpowerthantheKGBgraybeardsinchargeofthe

operation,sowhenthetimecamefortheassetstobedistributedtothemenwhocameupwiththeplaninthefirstplace,theKGBofficersentTalanovtokillthem.Itwasadoublecrossofadoublecross,youmightsay.Therewasatwo-yearperiodintheearlyninetieswhenformerKGBandGRUbigshotswerefallingoffbuildings,steppinginfrontof

buses,turningupintheMoskvaRiver,andcommittingsuicidewithgunsthatwerecuriouslyabsentfromthescenewhenthepolicearrived.ThiswasallTalanovandhiscontrolofficertyinguplooseends.”

Castorcontinued,“Oneofthesemenreachedouttomeindesperation,knowingIwasBritishintelligenceandIcouldprotecthim.General

MikhailZolotov,oftheGRU,Russianmilitaryintelligence.Mishatoldmeabouttheplan,theblackfund,andhetoldmeaboutthedoublecrossperpetratedbytheyoungofficeroverseeingtheaccounts.Hetoldmeeverythingbutthenames.WewereworkinguptothatpointwhenhediedinaboatingmishapintheGulfofFinland.”

“Aboatingmishap?”“Indeed.Apparently,he

wenttoseaandforgottobringhisboatalong.HewasfoundfloatingthreekilometersoffshoreofSaintPetersburg.”

“Whydidn’tyougotoMI5whenhetoldyouaboutthis?”

Castorshrugged.“Iwantedsomeofthemoney.SoIwenttotheRussians.”

“Fuckin’cunt,”Oxleymumbled.“HeknewTalanov’snamefromme,andhefoundTalanovinSaintPetersburg.Hetoldhimwhatheknew,toldhimhe’dkeephismouthshutifhecouldbecutintothedeal.”

“Whydidn’tTalanovjustkillyou?”

“BecauseIhadanaceintheholeandheknewit.Itoldhimabouthistimeinthe

gulag.YoushouldhaveseenthelookonhisfacewhenItoldhimtherewasvideoofhiminhistyphoidragetalkingaboutZenithandtheKGB.”

Ryanstoodup.“There’savideo?”

OxleyansweredforCastor.“There’snobleedin’video.HejusttoldTalanovtherewasforleverage.”

Ryansatbackdown.

“Youtoldhimyoumadecopies,hadthemhiddenhereandthere,andifsomethinghappenedtoyou,theywouldgetout.”

“That’sright.Hepaidmeoff,butthensomethingevenbetterhappened.Wewentintobusinesstogether.He’sbeengivingmetipsforovertwentyyears,andI’vebeenhelpinghiminhisbusinesspursuits.”

“Whatbusinesspursuits?”

Castordidnotanswerthis.Instead,hesaid,“Whatisimportantforyoutounderstand,lad,isthis.Icommittednotreason.”

Jackcouldn’tbelievewhathewashearing.“Howthefuckcanyoupossiblymakethatclaim?”

“Easy.VictorOxleywasnotanemployeeofMI5.He

wasacivilian.Runcompletelyoffthebooks.Whenhereturnedfromthegulagsandreportedin,ImerelyflewtoMoscowandspokewithhim,thenaccuratelytoldMI5leadershipthatthemanwasnotanagentofours,andnofurtheractionwouldbenecessary.Noofficialassistancewouldbeforthcoming.”

Ryanwantedtokilltheoldmaninfrontofhim.Hesaid,“Evenifthatweretrue,youwereanMI5manworkingwiththeKGB.”

“Wrongagain,youngRyan.ThemenIuncoveredinmyinvestigationwereworkingverymuchagainstthewishesoftheKGB.Theymayhavebeenformeremployees,buttheywereprivatecitizensbythispoint.

TheyhadstolenfundsfromKGB.Theyweren’tevenideologicallyconnectedtothem.”Castorwavedhishandtostressthenextpoint:“Itradednosecretswithanyforeignintelligenceagency,atanytime,whileIwasatFive.WhenIlearneddetailsfromOxleyuponhisrelease,IresignedfromFive,andthenIreachedouttoTalanov,akaZenith.Imerelyentered

intoanagreementwiththesementhatIwouldkeeptheirsecretinreturnforpayment.IcertainlydidnottelltheRussiansthatajust-releasedzekhadbeenanMI5asset.IknewtheywouldkillVictoriftheywereawarewhohewasandwhatheknewaboutZenith,butIpreventeditbykeepingmymouthshut.”

RyanturnedtoOxley.“Howdidyougetoutofthe

gulag?”“Theywerelettingalot

ofuspoliticalprisonersoutatthatpoint.ItookatraintoMoscow,Ialmoststarvedtodeathonthejourney.Didn’thavearubleinmypocketoranoniontoeat.StaggeredintotheBritishconsulate.Justawalk-inoffthestreet.Iwaitedinlinenearlyalldaytoseesomeone.

“Itoldthewomanatthe

counterIwasaBritishcitizen,whichcausedabloodyruckus.Iwastakenintoaroom,whereIwasinterviewedbyanSISemployee.ItoldhimI’dbeenrunoff-bookbyMI5,butIgavehimaname.”

RyanlookedtoCastor,andCastorraisedhishand.“Iwasonthenextflightover.”

Oxsaid,“IalsotoldthewomanaboutZenith,andshe

hadafilefaxedoverfromLondon.OnitwasareferencetotheexplosionattheMeisserrestaurantinRotkreuz.ItoldherIhadbeenpickedupbypolicethere,andshejotteddownmycodenamenexttothementionoftheincidentinthereport,intendingtoresearchitlater.”

Jacksaid,“SowhenIshowedyouthefile—”

“Iknewexactlywhatitwas.Iwassittinginfrontofthewomanwhenshemadethenote.Funnyhowyourememberthelittlethings.”

Oxleycontinued.“WhenCastorshowedup,hetoldmeIwasluckytobealive.TheAmericanssoldmedowntheriver.TheKGBhadbeenhuntingme,buttheydidn’tknowIwasinthegulag.HetoldmeIneededtostayoff

theradar,forever,becauseiftheoff-the-booksopfromtheeightiesgotout,alotofpeoplewouldsuffer.”Oxshrugged.“Firstlyandmostly,me.”

Castorpickedupthestoryhere.“Oxleyjustwantedtoliveouthisyearsinpeace.Iallowedhimthat.IsaidnothingtotheRussiansthatheexisted,andIsaidnothingtoMI5thathehad

reemerged.“Wehadanagreement,

thetwoofus.Isenthimmoneyeveryyear,enoughtokeephiminthemannerinwhichhehasbecomeaccustomed,andhestayedquiet.HeknewtherewerepowerfulpeopleinRussiawhocouldhaveendedhimwheneverthehelltheychose.Ikeptthatfromhappening.”

Oxsaid,“NowIam

learningthatnooneinRussiaknewagoddamnedthingaboutme.Itwasallalie.”

Castorshookhishead.“AtleastIdidn’tinformonyou,youmiserablefuck.”HeturnedtoRyan.“VictorandIhavelivedinastateofmutuallyassureddestructionforsometwentyyears,haven’twe?”

Oxleymumbled.“Ijustwantedtocomehomeandbe

leftalone.”TherewasonethingJack

didn’tunderstand.HeaskedOxley,“Whydidyouagreetocomehelpmeinallthisifyouronlyintentionwastobeleftalone?”

“BecauseoncetheSevenStrongMenattackedme,IknewtheRussianswereontome,andIknewCastorherehadrenegedonhissideofthebargain.Itwasover.Ihadto

fightback.”Castorlookedintothe

fire.“Whichbringsmetoyou,Ryan.TheSevenStrongMenhadbeenfollowingyouduringyourGazprominvestigation.Itriedtopushyouawayfromthataffair,gently,throughLamont,andthenmoreforcefullywhenIhadyouinmyofficetoorderyouoffthecase.ButtheSevenStrongMenknewyou

weretooclosetostoplooking.Then,theothernight,oneoftheirinternationaloperativescametomyhouseandsaidyouweremeetingwithamaninCorby.Theygavemetheaddress,IrealizedyouandOxleyhadgottentogether,andItoldthemwhoOxleywas.Whatheknew.”

“Andatthatmomenttheydecidedtokillhim,”Jack

said.“Ofcoursetheybloody

welldid.”Castorleanedforward;hiseyeglassescaughtthefirelightanditobscuredRyan’sviewofhiseyes.“Evenafterallthistime,it’snottoolateforbloodyBedrockheretoruineverything.”

C81

Thirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanreturnedto

Londonduringanafternoonthunderstormthat

bouncedhisLufthansa727allovertheskyaboveHeathrow.Jacktightenedhisbodyontheleftandtherightasiftryingtosteertheaircraftwiththemusclesinhisbackandlegs,andhesqueezedthearmrests,althoughtheburningstinginhisbandagedrightforearmmade

thisexcruciating.Theplanefinally

pitchedandyawedallthewaydowntotherunway,wherethewingsleveledwiththegroundeffect,andJackwasrelievedtofindthelandingmercifullysmooth.

HewantedtogostraighthometoChathamandbewith

hisfamily,butthatwasn’tanoption.Heknewhe’dneedtoheadtoCenturyHouse,andheimaginedhe’dbethereuntilverylateintheevening.

HehadonlyenoughtimetoputdownhissuitcaseandslipoffhisraincoatbeforeSimonHarding

steppedintohisoffice.“Welcomeback,Jack.Howdideverythinggo?Waitatick!Whathaveyoudonetoyourarm?”

JackhadthrownhissuitcoatawayattheCIAstationinBerlin.Thetearinthearmofthecoatwasn’trepairable,andthebloodstainwasn’t

somethinghewantedtobringhometoCathyafterassuringherhe’davoidanydangeronthistrip.

Withoutthecoat,hiscutshirtsleevewasvisible,rolleduptohiselbow;athicklayerofwhitegauzewaswrappedonhisforearm.Thiswasn’tsomethinghe’dbe

abletohidefromCathy,either.

Hell,hehadn’tevenbeenabletohideitfromSimon.

Jacksaid,“Hadalittleaccident.”Itwasn’tagreatsurprisethatHardingdidn’tknowabouteverythingthathadhappenedtoJack,butitwasstillawkwardto

keepinformationfromanSISmaninsidetheSISHQ.

“Letmeguess.Flatiron?EverytimeIventureoffwithoutthemissus,Iamuselesswhenitcomestoironingmyownshirts.I’vetakentojuststeamingupthelooand—”

Thephoneon

Jack’sdeskrang.Withanapologeticsmile,hesnatcheditup.“Ryan.”

“Oh,good,you’vemadeitin.”ItwasBasil.“Docomeupassoonasyou’resettled.”

—acksatonthesofainCharleston’soffice;

Jacrossfromhimwere

NickEastlingandSirBasil.He’d

beenofferedteaorcoffee,buthe’dtakenneither.HisstomachhadtieditselfintoknotsintheskiesoverLondon,andthiswasaddedtotheotherstresseshe’denduredinthepastfewdays.Hedidn’twanttopour

coffeeintotheacidthatchurnedthere.

HespentseveralminutesgoingoverhisactionssinceEastlinghadlefthiminBerlin.Hisretellingwentsmoothlyatfirst;hewantedtomakecleartobothmenthatthe$204millioninin-housetransfershe’ddiscoveredat

RitzmannPrivatbankiersneededfurtherscrutiny,althoughhedidn’tknowhowthatcouldpossiblybeaccomplished.

WhenitcametohisdecisiontoreturntotheSprengelstrasseflatoftheRAFcell,hisexplanationlostalotofitsdetailand

emotion.Hestillwasn’tsurewhathaddrivenhimthere,otherthansomesortoflast-ditchefforttolearnsomethingactionableinwhathadbeenadisastroustripabroad.NeitherEastlingnorCharlestonpressedhimonthematter;itwasmoreacaseofJacktryingtojustify

hisactionstohimself.Thenhewentinto

hislate-nightmeetingwithMartaScheuringinherbedroomintheRAFflat.EastlingaskedafewpointedquestionsabouthowhecouldbecertainthiswastherealMartaandnot,infact,animposter.Asusual,Eastling’strackof

thinkingannoyedRyan,butheexplainedasthoroughlyashecould.EastlingwrotedownthenameofIngridBretz,andpromisedhe’dlookintoher.

Jacksaid,“I’vecheckedalreadywithmysources.Langleydoesn’thaveanythingonher.Neitherdoes

BfV.Ifshe’sanOssi,that’stobeexpected.”

Nicksaid,“AndyourMarta,therealMarta.ShesaidnothingaboutDavidPenright,correct?”

JacksawwhatNickwasdoing.HisjobwastolookintothePenrightdeath,andthatwasit.Hesawalltherestoftheintrigue

asirrelevant.“HowthehellwouldMartaknowaboutPenright,Nick?Shewasn’tinSwitzerland.IngridwasinSwitzerland,usingMarta’sID.”

“I’mjustclarifying,Ryan.Noneedtobedefensive.”

SirBasilturnedtoEastling.“Nick,gocarefully.Jack’sbeen

throughquitealot.”Jackskippedover

somedetailsnow,andfast-forwardedtothepointwhenhelostMartainthestreet.Thenhetoldthemaboutthecarsracingintothearea,andthetwomenwhohadjumpedhim.

Finally,hetoldthemabouttheGood

Samaritanwho’dsteppedinandquiteliterallysavedhislife.

Whenhewasfinished,Charlestonmumbled,“Incrediblestory.”

Eastlingsaid,“TheBfVfoundthetunnelthisafternoon.Theyusedyourstatementtogothroughallthevacant

buildings,butitturnedoutthetunnelwasunderthefloorofaneardoctor’sofficeonBoyenstrasse.Aboutonehundredmetersfromwherethegirlslippedawayfromyou.Notellinghowlongithadbeenupandrunning,butfromwhatshetoldyou,itwasrunbytheStasi

themselves,withthedoctorbeingtheiragentonthisside.”

Ryanjustnodded,thensaid,“MartawasadamanttheRAFhadnothingtodowiththeattacksinSwitzerland.Shesaidshe’dbeensetupbyaRussianwhowentbythecodenameZenith.Ididn’ttelltheBfVaboutthis,

butwhenIgotbacktoCIAstationBerlin,IcalledJimGreer.He’dneverheardthecodename,andhecheckedintoit.It’snotsomethingthathaseverbeenonourradar.Doesthatnamemeananythingtoyou?”

NickEastlingshookhishead,but

BasilturnedtoEastlingandsaid,“Nick,canIaskyoutoexcuseusforafewminutes,please?”

Eastlingseemedconfused.Basiljustnoddedathim,andslowlythecounterintelligencemanstoodandlefttheoffice.

Whenthedoor

closedbehindNick,Basilsaid,“Therehavebeensomedevelopmentslatethisafternoon.Thingswedon’tneedtoinvolveNickin.Frankly,I’mnotclearedtoinvolveyou,either,butIthinkyoudeservetoknow.”

“Knowwhat?”“Firstthingsfirst.

WestGermansoldiers

manningthebordernearGöttingenheardalandminegooffintheno-man’s-landbetweenEastandWestGermanythismorning.Theareaisriddledwithmines,ofcourse—it’showtheEastkeepsitspeoplein.TheWestGermansoldiersarrivedatthesightoftheincident

andsawthebodyofayoungGermanwomanthereintheno-man’s-land,justasitwasbeingrecoveredbytheEastGermans.”

Jackputhisheadinhishands.“Marta.Theyfuckingkilledher.”

“Ithinkthatiswhathappened,butyouknowhowitwill

bereportedinthenews,don’tyou?”

Jackkepthisheaddown.“TheywillsayEastGermancitizenIngridBretzattemptedtofleeintotheWestandwaskilledbyalandmine.”

“Yes,”saidSirBasil.“Andprovingotherwisewillbeimpossible.”

Jackliftedhisheadup.“Whycouldn’tEastlinghearthis?”

“Thatwasn’twhatIwantedtokeepfromhim.It’sZenith.IfirstheardthenameZenithtodayinameetingIhadatNumberTen.”

TenDowningStreetwastheheadquartersofHer

Majesty’sgovernment.Charlestonsaid,

“ThePMwasn’tinattendance,buthertopstaffwas,alongwithSirDonaldHollis,thedirectorofMI5.”

“MI5?Domesticintelligence?”

“Yes.ThemeetingwastoinformmethatFivehasbeenrunningaconcurrentoperation

inEurope.FirstI’veheardofit.ItinvolvestheRussianoperativecalledZenith,whois,atthispoint,onlyarumor.”

“WhatisMI5’sinterestinZenith?”

“TheyhaveanassetinthefieldwhowastryingtotrackZenithdown.Apparently,theirasset

ismissing,somewherebehindtheCurtainbutlastheardfrominHungary.”

“Idon’tunderstand.HungaryisMI6’sresponsibility.”

“Quite,”saidBasil.“ItmightnotsurpriseyoutoknowIgavethemabloodyearfulaboutthefact

I’mjustlearningaboutaprogramrunonourturf.IdonothavetheparticularsastowhythiswasdeterminedtobeinthepurviewofMI5.Perhapsifweknewaboutthisassetinthefirstplace,hadsomeoperationalinfluenceoverhim,thenhemightwellstillbeupandrunningand

notmissing.”“Andnowthey

wantyoutohelpfindhim?”

“That’sright.MI5hasgonedirectlytoDowningStreet,andtheyhavecometous.MaggieThatcherherselfisaskingforupdatesonthiscase.”

“DoyouthinkZenithmightreally

havebeentheassassininSwitzerland?”

Charlestonsaid,“Jack,youaswellasanyoneknowthattheKGBnormallyusesproxiesforinternationalwetwork.Bulgarians,forexample.”

“That’sthemodelwe’veseen,”Jackacknowledged.“But

thereisalotaboutthelastweekthathasbeenadeviationfromtheSovietplaybook.”

Basilsaid,“Admittedlytrue.Thatsaid,despitewhatMartaScheuringtoldyou,wethinkitwaslikelytheKGBorderedtheRAFtodothekillingsinSwitzerland.Perhaps

itwasn’tMartaherself,perhapsitwasn’tevenhercell,butwebelieveIngridBretzwasworkingwiththeRAFnonetheless.Therehavebeenanumberofcasesofcollusionbetweentheorganizations,expresslyforthebenefitoftheKGB.”

“Soyoudon’tbelieveinZenith?”

“IcanonlysaywehavefoundnoevidencethereisanysortofKGBassassinrunningamokinWesternEurope.Youdon’tevenknowitwasKGBwhodidthis.Thinkaboutit.WhywouldtheykillTobiasGabler?

AccordingtoMorningstar,hemanagedtheiraccount.Hewastheirbloke.”

“Maybehewasgoingtotalk.”

“Towhom?NottoLangley.Nottous.DoubtfulhewastalkingtoanyotherWesternintelligenceservice.”

“WhatifGablerwastalkingtotheKGB?”

SirBasilblinkedinsurprise.“IfhewastalkingtotheKGB,whywouldtheKGBkillhim?”

Jacksaid,“Ihaveatheory,Basil.ButIcan’tproveit.”

Basilreplied,“Jack,Iwanttohear

it.Iwanttoknowwhatyoumakeofallofthis.”

Ryansaid,“I’vebeenthinkingaboutitallday.Lookattheevidence.Penright’sassertionthatthereweretwogroupsofRussiansinplayatRPB.Alltheeffortrequiredtokilleveryonewith

knowledgeofthetwo-hundred-four-million-dollaraccount.TheextraordinarymeasurestoshiftblametotheRAFcell,andthentowipeoutthecellsotheycouldn’tproclaimtheirinnocence.”

Jackblewoutalongbreath.Hewasalmostafraidtosay

thenextpart,because,asananalyst,herealizedhewasreachingintothedangerouslandofconjecture.

“IbelievetheKGBisfightingwithitself.”

“Why?”“It’sovermoney.

Thetwohundredfourmillion.Thatmuchis

clear.“AsfarasIcan

see,iftheKGBwantedtokilltheSwissbankersandpossiblytheBritishagent,theycouldhavegottentheRAF,orsomeotherleft-leaninggroup,toactuallydoit.Theydidn’tneedtoframethem.Thefactthat

theyframedthem,andthenkilledthemtohidetheruse,makesmethinkthiswasnotaregularKGBoperation.

“Thatsaid,themeninvolvedhadtohavebeenKGB,becauseotherwisehowwouldtheyhaveallthecontactsinplaceintheStasi

necessarytomakethishappen?”

Charlestonasked,“WhydoyouthinkKGBofficershavemoneyhiddenfromtherestoftheKGB,andwhyisitinanaccountinWesternEurope?”

Ryansaid,“Isn’titpossiblethatsomeofthemmightbe

workingtogetherjusttoshavefundsoffotheropsforarainyday?Squirrelawayafortuneinanumberedaccount—inSwitzerland,forexample—incasetheyneedmeansforaquickgetaway?LookattheNazisattheendofWorldWarTwo.Thosethathadaccess

tocashhadameansofescape.”

Charlestonsaid,“That’sallspeculation,Jack.Idon’twanttostifleyourfertilebrain,it’scomeinquitehandy,butlookatitfrommyperspective.Haveyoubroughtmeanythingactionable?”

Ryanletouta

longsoftsigh.“No.Nothingat

all.”Charlestonputup

hishands.He’dmadeadecision.“EastlingwantstoclosetheinvestigationintothedeathofDavidPenright.Iamgoingtodenyhisrequest,butwithoutanynewinformation,Isuspect

itwillgodormant.IwillalsoleavethematteroftheZenithoperativeuptoMI5,astheyalreadyseemtobeworkingonitwithoutourhelp.We’lldowhatwecanfortheminCentralEurope,askaroundabouttheirmissingman,butIamafraidiftheyarecomingtous

withtheirhatintheirhandlikethisthenitisverylikelythemanisinagreatdealoftrouble.It’sprobablytoolateforhim.”

SuddenlysomethingoccurredtoJack.“Howlonghasthisguybeenmissing?Couldhebethemanwhohelpedmelastnight?”

Charlestonshookhishead.“Theytellmehehasnotcheckedinforsomeweeks,andremember,hewasanassetbehindthelines.InHungary,theysaid.WestBerlinwasnothisturf.”

“Idon’thaveahellofalotofexperiencewiththeoperationssideof

things,butdon’ttheseguysgolongperiodsoftimewithoutcheckingin?Imean,ifhewasoperationalinthefield,hecan’texactlyjumpintoaphoneboothandcallhometoLondon.Anddon’ttheydotheirownthingfromtimetotime?Who’stosayhedidn’tgotoWest

GermanylookingforZenith?”

Charlestonthoughtitover.“IcangobacktoHollisandrunyourconcernsbyhim,butasIsaid,themissingmanisnotoneofmine,soIcan’tspeaktohismethodsofoperation.”

Jacksighedagain.“So,whathappens

now?”Charlestonwas

sympathetic,buttherewasonlysomuchhecouldsay.“Yougohometoyourwifeandyourkids,andyouhugthemtight.YoupushedEastlingwhenheneededtobepushedinSwitzerland,andyousavedlivesinBerlin,nearlyatthe

expenseofyourown.Beproudofwhatyou’vedone.AslongastheMI5operativeismissing,however,wemustentertaintheideathatheisbehindtheCurtain.Itwouldbebestforhim—‘crucial’isperhapsthebetterword—thatnorumorsmaketheroundsaboutamissingBritishspy.”

“YouareaskingmetokeepthisfromLangley.”

“IfMI5wantstoaskLangleyforofficialhelp,allowthemtodothat.ButasaliaisonwithMI6,Iamrequestingyourcompletediscretioninthematter.Wedon’twanttogettheblokekilledbytalkingabout

him.”Jackshookhis

head.“Thisoperationisnothingbutalonglistoflooseends.”

“Intelligenceworkislikethatsometimes,lad.Theoppositionhasasayineventsjustthesameaswedo.”

“Thisfeelslikelosing,Basil.”

SirBasil

CharlestonputhishandonJack’sshoulder.“Wedidn’tlose,Jack.Wejustdidn’twin.”

D82

Presentday

riscollandChavezhadmovedforwardthroughthetreeson

thenorthernandsouthernendsofHughCastor’slakesideproperty;theywere

justtwenty-fiveyardsawayfromthebackofthechalet,andtheywerewellhidden.ChavezhadalineofsightonRyanviaalargeglasswindow.ThroughhisbinosheclearlysawRyanseatedonthesofawithOxley,andinfrontofthemwasanelderlymanseatedbyafireplace.

Atwo-mansecuritypatrolwalkedbackandforthonthereardeckofthe

property,sotherewasnowayforDingandtheotherstogetanycloserwithoutriskingdetection.

HerealizedthateventhoughhecouldseeRyan,Ryanwasstillonhisown.

DomCarusowasclosesttothewater,hiddenbetweenapairofoildrumsandtheboathousenearthepier.Ashelookedthroughhisbinocularsatthebuildingup

thehillinfrontofhim,heheardafaintrumblingoverthewater.Theengineofsomesortofskiff,bythesoundofit.Helookedoutintothedarknessandfogandsawnoapproachinglight.

Amomentlaterthefaintsounddisappeared,asiftheenginehadbeencut.

HewhisperedintohisBluetoothheadset:“ThisisDom.I’vegotsomesortof

watercraftapproachingthepier.It’snotusinganykindoflight,andit’scutitsengine.”

Chavezsaid,“Soundsliketrouble.Iwanteveryoneoutofsight.Letmeknowwhatwe’redealingwithassoonasyoucan,Dom.”

“Rogerthat.AnywaywecanwarnRyanifthisturnsintotrouble?”

Chavezsaid,“Yeah,Ican

W

startshooting.Shortofthat,thereisnotadamnthingIcandotoalertRyan.”

—hileHughCastortalked,Jackcouldnot

helpimaginingthesixty-eight-year-oldasayoungintelligenceoperative.Hewasself-assuredandintelligent;heseemedtoJacklikesomesortoflong-lost

uncle,socomfortablewastheconversation,eventhoughthetopicinvolvedCastor’sdeceptionsthatultimatelyledtotheattackonJack.

Herealizedthemanhadallbutabsolvedhimselfofanysortofimpropriety.Hedidn’tknowifCastorreallybelievedit,orifhewasjustanincrediblygiftedliar.Jackfigureditwasoftenlikethatinthespyworld,where

nothingwascut-and-dried.“Everythingyoudoat

CastorandBoyleisdesignedtoprotecttheRussiangovernment,”Ryansaid,tryingtogetCastortoadmitthathewas,ifnotatraitor,atleastastooge.

Castorshookhishead.“No,notatall.AmIremuneratedforpassingoninformationtokeybusinessleadersfromtimetotime?

Yes.Guiltyofthat,I’mafraid.Industrialespionage.”

Ryansaid,“ThebusinessleadershappentoruntheFSBandthegovernment.”

“Dothey?”Castorasked,withaslysmile.“IworkcloselywithofficialsinGazpromanditsaffiliates.Whattheydowhentheyarenotatboardmeetingsisnoneofmyconcern.”

Ryanaskedthequestion

intheforefrontofhismindnow:“Whatareyoutryingtoaccomplishbytellingmeallthis?”

Castorsaid,“Verysoon,keyindividualsinRussiawillgetwordthatthemaninCorbyyoumetwithwasinthesamegulagwhereRomanTalanovhadhistyphoidattackandmadeaconfessioninthemedicalward.Atthatpoint,theywillinferthatI

misrepresentedmyleverageoverthem.Theymightwelldeterminethereneverwasproof,therewasonlyhearsay.AssoonastheydecideOxleyandmyselfexclusivelyhaveinformationthatcouldprovetobetheirundoing,therewillbenoreasontoallowustowalktheearthanylonger.”

Ryantranslatedtheman’slegalese.“NowthatTalanovknowsaboutyouandOx,

he’llfigureoutthatyou’vebeenbullshittinghimabouthavingavideotape.Whenthathappens,he’llsendgoonstokillyou.”

“Thatismypredicament,unfortunately.Heisn’tthesortofmanwhowillhaveagoodbellylaughattheironyofbeingtricked.Heisusuallytheonedoingthetricking.Icansurroundmyselfwithguards,butsoonerorlater

TalanovwillgettomelikehedidtoGolovkoandZuevaandBiryukovandalltheKGBandGRUleadershiphedispatchedtwentyyearsago.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”“Iamwillingtobarter

certaininformationIhavecollectedthroughouttheyearsinexchangeforimmunityfromprosecutionandprotectionbyyourgovernment.”

“TheAmericangovernment?”

“Yes.Ihavecommitted,asIsaid,someindustrialespionage.ButIamnospy,Iamnotraitor.IcanmorethanredeemmyselfwiththeinformationIhave.Obviously,yourfatherwillnotgoagainstthewishesoftheUnitedKingdom,butIfeelcertainhecouldencouragetheUKtodropany

investigationintomethatmightarise.”

“Andyouwilltellmydadwhat,exactly?”

“IwillprovethatDmitriNesterov,themanwhowasfunneledone-point-twobillionU.S.dollarsbytheRussiangovernment,isnoneotherthanaSevenStrongMencapowhooperatesunderthealiasGlebtheScar.”

JacklookedatOxley,

thenbackatCastor.“You’resureaboutthis?”“Verysure.”“That’sgood,butit’snot

goingtobeenough.”“That’sonlythetipofthe

iceberg,lad.Talanov’scontrolofficerisstilloutthere,andheisinplay.”Castorgrinned,helookedlikethemostconfidentmanintheworld.“Butthat’smytrumpcard.I’lltellyourfather,

face-to-face,whenIamsafeintheUSA.”

Jackstartedtoreply,butjustashewasabouttospeak,asecurityofficerraninfromthekitchen.InheavilyaccentedEnglish,hesaid,“HerrCastor.Wehavereportsofmenapproachingthechaletfromthelake.Wehavetogetyouupstairs!”

—

Carusowatchedthemenin

blackleavetheboatatthepier,thenracepasttheboathouse,overthe

smallretainingwall,andupthehilltowardthebackofthehouse.Theyfannedoutastheyadvanced,keepingthemselveslowandmovingintwo-manfireteams.

DompresumedthementobeRussian;hecouldn’tthinkofanyotherlikely

scenario.WhethertheywerehereforRyan,Oxley,Castor,orperhapsallthree,hecouldn’tsayforcertain.Buthedidseetheywerearmedwithsubmachinegunsandtheymovedlikeaconfidentandwell-trainedfightingforce.

DomwhisperedintohisBluetooth.“Theyarepastmyposition.Ifyouwant,Icanopenuponthemfromhere.”

“Negative,”Dingsaid.“WegetinagunfightwiththesefuckersouthereintheopenandtheSwisswilljustfiredownonusallfromthechalet.They’lltargeteverymuzzleflashinthedarkandwasteeverybody.”

Chavezwasshieldedfromthehousebyagroupingofpinetrees.Hesaid,“I’mgoingtofireoneroundintheairasanalerttoRyan.Donot

engage.Repeat,donotengage.”

Chavezraisedhisweapontofire,makingsuretheflashwouldnotbeobviousfromthechalet.Justasheputhisfingeronthetrigger,therattleofautomaticriflefirerippedthroughthenight.

Itwasasinglesecurityofficeronthedrivewayatthesideofthehouse,firingdownontheattackingforce,which

wasnowspreadoutwideonthehill.

Dingloweredhisweapon.“Allright.IftheRussiansmakeitinside,wegoinrightbehindthemandengageanyhostilesuntilwegetRyanoutofthere.Untilthen,weholdourpositions.”

SamandDomrespondedintheaffirmativeovertheradios,butitwasdifficultforChaveztohearthemnow,

T

becausearaginggunfightwithnearlytwodozenautomaticweaponshadbegun.

—hesecurityofficerusheredCastor,Ryan,

andOxleyupastaircaseandintoabackbedroom.Oncetheywerethere,hehandedCastorapistol,thenheadedbackdownstairs.

Castorheldthepistolbyhisside,andhelookedatRyan.TheEnglishman’sconfidence,soevidentaminuteago,seemedtobefaltering.“Youbroughtfriends?”

Jackreplied,“Thoseguysaren’twithme,whichmakesmethinktheyareprobablyRussians.Talanovfiguredoutyou’vebeenlyingtohimevenmorequicklythanyou

thoughthewould.”TheEnglishman’sface

morphedquickly,asherealizedyoungRyanwascorrect.

“Mymenwillstopthem.”

“Suretheywill,”Ryansaid.“YourSwisssecuritymenherearebetterthananFSBSpetsnazunit.”

Oxleymusthaveknownhisownlifewasindanger,

buthejustlaughedatCastor’spredicament.

“Helpme,”saidCastor.Theterrorwasobvious.

“Givemethegun,”Ryanreplied.

“No.”“Youdon’tlooklikeyou

knowhowtohandlethatpistol,soIguessyou’llhavetotalkyourwayoutofthisshit.”

CastorlookedtoOxley

now,hopingforanylifelinefromtheman.

Oxwasstillsmiling.“Whathesaid,yacunt.”

Justthenawindowoverlookingthebackofthepropertyshattered.Thethreemenwerewelloutofthelineoffirefrombelow,butstillCastorspuntowardthesound.Ryanstartedtogoforthegun,buttheoldmanrecoveredquicklyandturned

itbackontheyoungAmerican.

Hesaid,“Look,Jack.Icantellyouanythingyouwanttoknow.Everything.Callyourfather.Havehimsendforces.”

“Sendforces?”Jackjustshookhishead.“Youthinkyoucanbargainforyourlifewhenkillersareatthefuckingdoor?”

Boominggunfire

emanatedfromthekitchenbelowthemnow.Castorjumpedandpointedhisweaponatthedoor.Jackstartedtomovetowardhimagain,butonceagainthejitteryweaponturnedbacktohim.

Oxleysaid,“Hugh.Putdownthefuckin’gunbeforeyouhurtsomeone.Passittooneofus,andwe’llgetthroughthis,thelotofus.”

Castorshookhishead.“I’llkeepthegun,”hesaid.“Iftheygetthrough,I’llneedit.”

Oxleymutteredangrily,“You’ddowelltoputthebarrelinyourbloodymouthrightnow.”

“IfIdie,youdie,Ox.”

—havez,Driscoll,andCarusohadbrokencoverandwereon

Cthemovenow.Eachmanran

towardadifferententranceofthechalet.

Driscollarrivedatthesidedoortothedriveway;itwasopen,andadeadSwisssecuritymanlayonhisbackonthepavementwithhisautomaticweaponbyhisside.Driscollheftedtheweaponandreloadeditwithafreshmagazinefromthedeadman’schest,andthenhe

enteredthebuilding.Chavezwasonthe

oppositesideofthechalet,andhe’dfollowedatwo-manRussianfireteamalongthetreesandwatchedthementerthroughaslidingglassdoortoabedroom.Itwasdarkhereoutside,nosecurityofficershadengagedtheRussiansastheyapproached,buttherewasgunfirethroughoutthegroundfloor

ofthehouseassoonasthefireteamentered.

Dingstartedtowardtheslidingglassdoor,butsubmachinegunfirefromthefrontofthepropertyechoedthroughthenight,andinstantlyheheardthesnappingsoundsasbulletspassedbyhishead.Heracedthroughthedoorway,narrowlyavoidingbeingshottodeathbyoneoftheSwiss.

Carusohadthelongesttotravelbeforeenteringthehouse,buthefinallyarrivedatthebackdooronthedeck.Bynowtheglasshadbeenshotoutofthedoorandthewindowsaroundit,sohesteppedthroughtheglass,andheinstantlyencounteredtwoRussianswhoweremovingthroughthekitchenwiththeirweaponsheldhigh.

Domsawthemfirst;they

swiveledtoengagehim,buthefiredtwice,shootingthembothdead.Justthenheheardgunfireinthenextroom,andthenshoutsinGerman.Returnfirefromapistolboomed,andmasonrydustbeganburstingfromthewallnearwhereDomstood.Hedovetothefloorbehindasofa.

—

Upstairs,Castorstoodbythe

bed.HisgunswiveledbackandforthbetweenRyanandOxley,who

werestandingeightfeettohisright,andthedoortothelanding,whichwasdeadaheadofhimsometenfeetaway.

Jacksawtheterrorintheman’seyesandworriedhisshakinghandmightsendaroundcrackingoutofthe

gun.Castorwasstilltryingto

leveragehisimportancetogethimselfoutofdanger.“Yourfatherneedsmealive.Ihaveinformation.”

Oxleysaid,“You’vebeenpeddlingyourbloodyinformationforyourwholelife.Atthemomentitwon’tdoyouanygood.ShutthefuckupandwaitfortheRussianstocomeupthe

stairs.”ButJacktriedtocalm

him.“Look,Castor.I’vegotthreeguysoutsidewhowillhelpus,wejusthavetoholdouttilltheygetthesituationundercontrol.Ipromiseyouonething,though.Iftheycomethroughthatdoorwayandseeanybodybutmewithapistolintheirhands,thentheywillshootwithouthesitation.”

Castorrepliedtothisbysaying,“ItwasVolodin.IcanproveitwasVolodin.”

Jackdidn’tunderstand.“WhatwasVolodin?”

“IcanprovethatValeriVolodinwasRomanTalanov’scaseofficer.HeranZenithbackintheeighties.HestolethemoneyfromtheKGBleadership.HehadthemkilledwhentheCurtaindropped.”

Jackshookhisheadindisbelief.“Bullshit.”

“It’snotbullshit.GetmeoutofhereandIwillgiveyouproof.”

RyanlookedatOxley,andOxleyjustshrugged.Hedidnotknowiftheinformationwastrueornot.

Castoradded,“VolodinknewthatwhentheSovietUniondissolved,theunderworldwouldtakeover

asthetruerulerofthenation.Andheknewtheorganizedcriminalgangswhopopulatedthegulags,runningtheprisonswiththeirownhierarchythere,wouldleadtheunderworld.

“HeandTalanovcameupwithaplan.HehadTalanovthrownintothegulagsohecouldestablishhisbonafideswiththeRussianmob.Hewastaken

totheprisonintheKomiRepublicnearSyktyvkar,andtherehecaughttyphoid.Theplanwasscrappedforafewmonthswhileherecovered,butthenhetriedagain.Hewasputinanothergulag,andhespentfouryearstheregrowinghispowerintheSevenStrongMen.”

Fullyautomaticgunfireragedthroughoutthegroundfloorofthechaletbelow

them.“Whenhewasreleased

fromprison,hewassetupatthetop.Hewasmadevoryvzakonye,hehadasmallarmyofmenwhopledgedloyaltytohim,andheusedthispowertohelpthesilovikiretakethegovernment.Heprotectedthesilovikiashegrewhisorganization.

“TheyassassinatedenemiesofVolodin,

destabilizedpoliticiansinpowertogreasethewayforwardforhim.TalanovtookoverastheleaderofSevenStrongMeninsecret,sohecouldentergovernmenthimself.HebecameapolicecommissionerinNovosibirsk,andthen,whenVolodincametotheKremlinasPM,heputTalanovinasaregionalFSBchief.”

Ryansaid,“Andnow

ValeriVolodinhasRomanTalanovastheheadofallRussianintelligence.”

Oxleystartedshakinghisheadbackandforth.HelookedatRyan.“Impossible.Thefuckerislyingtosavehisskin.Tellingyouafairytale.”

“Howdoyouknowhe’slying?”

“Talanovwouldneverhavebeenmadevoryvzakonye.Youhaveto

understandhowtheRussianmobworks.Youcan’tbeamademanintheRussianmafiaifyoueverworkedfortheSovietgovernment.Trustme.It’sanorganizationwithheapsofiron-cladlaws,butthatisattheverytopofthem.Youcouldn’tdeliverthefuckingmailfortheSovietsandbemadeintovory,muchlessworkforthebloodysecurityservices.”

Jacksaid,“ButifTalanovwasputintothegulagasaplant,thenmaybehekeptknowledgeofhisformerlifefromthem.”

Castornoddedwildly.“That’sit,lad!That’showithappened!”

Jacksaid,“Ox,whatwouldhappeniftheSevenStrongMenfoundoutTalanovusedtobeKGBandthenliedtobecomeleaderof

T

theirorganization?”Oxleylookedathima

longtime.Slowly,aslysmilegrewonhisface.Hesaid,“They’dfuckingkillthecunt.”

—hedoorinfrontofthemburstin,splintersand

doorframeflewawayfromit,andCastorspuntowardthecommotion.Heraisedhis

pistol,butJacktooktheopportunitytoleapatCastor.HegrabbedthepistolinCastor’shandandwrencheditawaywithaviciousyank.AsJackpulledbackhard,helookedintothedoorway.Amanindarkclothingraisedanautomaticweaponathim.Jackrealizedtheattackerhadaclearshot;hespunandraisedtheweaponintoafiringgrip,butheknewhe

wouldnotbeintimetofirefirst.

VictorOxleyappearedonRyan’sright,fallingthroughtheair,puttinghimselfbetweenRyanandtheRussiancomingthroughthedoor.Aburstofautomaticfireerupted,andthebigEnglishmanjoltedbackfrommultipleimpacts,thendroppeddowntowardthefloor.

HughCastorwasunarmednow;asOxleyfell,hebroughthisownhandsuptoprotecthimself,buttheRussianshothimthroughthechestandstomach,sendinghimtumblingaway.

TheRussianspunhisguntowardthelaststandingtarget,andhepressedthetrigger,buthishandrelaxedandletgoofthegunasasingleroundslammedintohis

forehead.Jackhadshottheman

deadatarangeoftwelvefeet.JackRyanleaptoverOx

andranforward,kickedthegunawayfromthedeadman,andthenleanedoutintothestairwell.AnotherRussianwasmovingupwithhisguninfrontofhim.

Ryanopenedfire,shootingthemanoverandoveruntilhefellface-first

andslidbackdownthestairs.JackranbacktoOxley.

Thefifty-nine-year-oldhadtakenthreenine-millimeterroundstothechest.Heheavedandhiseyesfluttered.

“Fuck!”shoutedRyan.“Hangon,Ox!”

OxleysqueezedRyan’sarm,andbloodsmearedacrosstheAmerican’sshirt.Oxleycoughed,andbloodwethislipsandbeard.

Jackpresseddownhardontheman’schest,butthewoundsweretoosevere,thebloodflowtooheavy.Helookedaroundforsomethingtohelphimwiththepressure.Atoweloracoat,orabedsheet.

There.Acomforterwasontheendofthebed.Hestartedtoreachforit,butOxleysqueezedhisarmtighter.

J

Hespoke,buthisvoicewassosoftJackhadtoleanintoit:“It’sallright,mate.It’sgoodlikethis.Youwatchyourself,now.Watchyourself.”

Hisgriprelaxed,andhiseyesflutteredandshut.

—ackdidnotwanttolookaway,butnoiseonthe

staircaseforcedhimtoswing

hispistoltowardthedoorwaytothelanding.

Afigureappearedatthetopofthestairs.

ItwasCaruso.Domloweredhisgun

quickly,andRyandidthesame.Domspokeintohisheadset:“I’vegotJack.Upstairs.We’reclearuphere.”

DomrushedtoOxleyanddroppedtohiskneesnextto

Ryan,butheimmediatelysawthattherewasnothingthatcouldbedone.

B83

odieslayalloverthegrounds,bothinsidethechaletandouton

theproperty.Sam,Dom,andDingcheckedtheareaquicklytomakecertaintherewerenomorethreats,andinsodoingtheycounted

eighteendead.Thechaletwassecluded

andinathickforest,butthemenknewthegunfirewouldhavecarriedoverthelakeitself,soDingtoldeveryonetheyneededtoexfiltratebeforethepolicearrived.Driscollhurriedthroughthewreckage,takingpicturesofthefacesofthedeadRussianstosendtoBierytorunthroughfacialrecognition,

T

whileDompulledmobilephonesandpocketlitter.

SoonChavezhadRyandownintheRussianZodiacboat.DomandSamleaptaboard,andtheyracedawayintothefog,justminutesaheadofthefirstresponders.

—heywerewheels-upatZurichsixtyminutes

later.Theyhadfiledaflight

planforParis,whichmeanttherewasnocustomsdeparturechecktodealwith,althoughtheyhadnorealsureplanofwheretheywouldgo.

RyanwasstillinastateofdespondencyoverOxley.Hecouldn’tgetpastthefactthatthemanhadtakenbulletsmeantforhim.Heknewhehadtocallhisdadandtellhimeverythinghe’dlearnedfromHughCastor,although

whathehadbeentoldwasnotthesameaswhathecouldprove.Buthecouldn’tmakehimselfpullthecabinphoneoutofthecradleanddialthenumber.Insteadhejustlaytherewithhisheaddownonthetable,whilethemenaroundhimworked,discussedthebattlethey’djustfought,andoccasionallypattedhimonthebacktocheckonhim.

AfteraphonecalltoClark,thedecisionwasmadetogotoKiev,althoughClarkwasadamantthatRyanwouldnotevengetofftheplane.TheothermenwoulddeplanetoheadbacktothesafehousesotheycouldcontinuetheinvestigationintoGlebtheScar,whileJackwouldreturnwiththeGulfstreamtotheUnitedStates.

T—

hey’dbeenintheairforlessthananhourwhen

Clarkcalledback.Samflippedonthespeakerphonefunctioninthecabin.

“What’sup?”“I’vegotbignews,guys.

Youhitthejackpot.”Chavezsaid,“Howso?”“Thedeadguysyou

photographedatthescene.

Gavingotziponsevenofthem,butnumbereightcameuphuge.”

“Whoishe?”“Wephotographedhim

hereinKievattheFairmontmeetingwithGlebtheScarlastweek.AtthetimeGavinranhisfacethroughallfacial-recogsourceswehadandtherewasnomatch.Butwerantonight’spicture,justtobesure.Itcameupwitha

match.ThereisaBOLOoutforhimwiththeFBI.Theyhaveapicofhimloaded,andit’samatch.”

Dingsaid,“Thedeadpictureworkedbetterinthesoftwarethantheliveone?That’sweird.”

“No.Thelastonedidn’tworkbecausetherewasnopicofhimuploadedthen.TheBOLOisbrand-spanking-new.He’swantedin

connectionwiththepoloniumpoisoningofSergeyGolovko.”

ThemeninthecabinoftheG550exchangedshockedstares.ItwasquietforamomentuntilChavezsaid,“Well,I’llbedamned.”

Gavinspokeupnow:“Yep.Andthere’smore.Hewascarryingthephonewe’dtiedtoHughCastor’svillainIslington.Theoneownedby

PavelLechkov.We’reassumingthat’shisname.”

Carusosaid,“SoLechkovisSevenStrongMenandanassociateofGlebtheScar,andwasinontheGolovkoassassination.”

“Righttoallofthat,Dom,”saidGavin.

Ryansatupstraightnow.Hesaid,“AndaccordingtoCastor,Talanov,theheadoftheFSB,isalsotheheadof

SevenStrongMen.ThatputstheGolovkomurderinthelapoftheKremlin.I’mgoingtocallmydad.AttheveryleastheneedstogetateamintoKievtopickupNesterov,akaGleb.”

Clarkcameonthelinenow.“SendingateamtotheFairmont,evenSEALTeamSix,isn’tgoingtobeeasy.Glebhasashittonofsecurityinhissuite,andtheentire

hoteliscrawlingwitharmedmenloyaltotheRussians.Moreimportant,theRussianArmyisfortymileseastofthecityandadvancing.”

Ryansaid,“IftheU.S.doesn’ttakedownNesterovrightnow,theywillmisstheirchance.OncetheRussianscome,oroncehefleestoRussia,he’llbeunreachable.”

Driscolladded,“AndnowthatLechkovismissing,

Nesterov’sgottobesweatingbulletswonderingifhismanhasbeencapturedandissinginglikeacanary.”

Clark’svoicecameoverthespeaker.“Youguyshurrybackoverhere.I’lltrytoascertainthesituationatthehotelsowehavegoodintelincasetheU.S.decidestogoaheadwithatakedown.I’llmeettheplaneattheairportandgiveyoualiftbacktothe

safehouse.”

T84

hemenofthe75thRangerRegimenthadarrivedat

BoryspilInternationalearlyintheafternooninfourChinookhelicopters.Assoonastheywereoffthehelostheyfannedoutintothebuildings

atafarendofthebusyairport,checkingthesecurityofthesiteandmakingsurethefences,gates,andotherfacilitieswereingoodcondition.

Withinanhour,thelocationwassecureandmoreAmericanhelosbeganlanding.

Thepilotsoftheheloslandedinagrassyfield.Itwasn’toptimal;theywereon

thegroundsofamajorinternationalairport,afterall,soonemightimaginetherewasapieceoftarmactobehadfortheRangerChinooksandtheAirForcepararescueBlackHawksandtheJSOCLittleBirdsandtheArmyKiowaWarriors.ButtheUkrainianmilitaryhereattheairporthadexplainedtotheU.S.forcesthatthenorthernendofthepropertywasthe

mostsecurefromanypotentialsappers,sothatiswherethenewAmericanJOCwastobeestablished.

ThefourReaperdroneshadbeenflyingoutofthisairportfortheentirewar.NowthattheentireJOCandalltheaircrafthadarrived,thefourReapershadtosharehangarspacewithtroopsandequipment,buttheCIAcrewsweregladtobeunderthe

protectionofU.S.forcesnowandnotUkrainianArmyunitswhoseloyaltieshadbeenquestionedmorethanonceinthepastfewdaysbyUkraine’spresident.

TherelocatedJOCwasupandrunningherebyeightp.m.,andbyeight-thirtytheywerecommandingforcesonlasertargetingmissionstotheeast.

ColonelBarry

Jankowski,codenameMidas,movedthroughouttheJOC,talkingtointelofficersincommswiththeteamsstilllasingfortheUkrainians.TheUnitedStatesandBritishforceswerepullingback,stillinanorganizedmanner,butastheRussianscontinuedtheiradvanceacrosseasternUkrainetowardKievandtheDnieperRiver,Midasknewhissoftholdingactionhad

alreadyturnedintoaseriesoflesscoordinatedhit-and-runstrikes,anditsoonwouldbelittlemorethansmall-scaleharassmentinthemidstofafullretreat.

Thatsaid,hisboyswerestilloutthere,theywerestillkillingRussianarmor,andhaditnotbeenforthissmallcoalitionofspecialoperationspersonnel,Russiantankswouldlikelyalreadybe

drivingdownthestreetsofKiev.

AsMidasreachedforacanofcolafromaStyrofoamcooler,avoicecamethroughhisheadset.“Midas,callfromthePentagon.SecDef.”

Midasforgotthecolaandheadedbacktohisdesk.Amomentlater,heansweredthecallfromSecretaryofDefenseRobertBurgess,andtenminutesafterhefinished

thatcall,hepickeduphishandheldsatphoneandwalkedoutoftheJOC.HesteppedintoaquietgrassyspacenearthepararescueBlackHawksandmadeacallofhisown.

Afterseveralringsheheard:“Clark.”

Midasblewoutasighofrelief.“It’sMidashere.YoustillinKiev?”

“Iam.Howaboutyou?”

“I’matBoryspilAirport.We’vemovedouroperationhere.”

“That’sstilltwenty-fivemileseastofKiev.Areyouguyssafethere?”

“We’dbesaferinIdaho,butIcouldn’tgetcommandtoapprovethemove.”

Clarklaughed.“I’mimpressedbyamanwhocankeephishumorinallthis.”

“It’saboutallIhave

left.”“WhatcanIdoforyou?”“Ineedtoknowifyou

stillhaveeyesontheFairmont.”

“Wedo.Notaperfectlocation,butwecanseethefrontfromoursafehouse.WecanalsoseethebalconiesatthetopwherethePOIisholedup.Why?”

“Canyouseetheroof?”“Affirmative.”

“What’supthere?”“LasttimeIchecked,

therewereafewgoonsandapairofEurocopters.Theyarecivilianmodels,buttheylookprettyrobust.”

Midassaid,“Iwasafraidofthat.”

“Canyoufillmeinonwhat’sgoingon?”

“AnychanceyoucancomeovertoBoryspilforachat?”

Clarksaid,“I’mtenminutesout.Meetinganaircraftwithsomeofmyguysonit.They’llbelandinginanhourandheadingovertoanFBOhangaronthesouthernsideoftheairport.Whereareyoulocated?I’lldropby.”

“Tellyouwhat,Clark.Youarealittlebitlikemycrazyauntintheattic.I’dratherasfewpeopleknewaboutyouaspossible.I’ll

C

meetyouattheFBO.Saytwentyminutes?”

“Rogerthat,”Clarkrepliedwithachuckle.

—larksataloneonabenchinthecoldnightair.

Therewasnoonearound,althoughtheairportrunwayaquarter-mileawaywasinaconstantstateofactivityasplaneslandedandtookoff

withnomorethanthirtyseconds’separationbetweenthem.

Halfoftheflightswereciviliancarriersfullofpeoplegettingthefuckoutoftown,andtheotherhalfweremilitarytransportorcombataircraft.

Clarkhadjuststartedthinkingofothercivilianairportshehadseeninwarzonesaroundtheworldand

overtime,whenMidasappearedaroundthecornerofametaloutbuildingattachedtotheFBO.Hewasdressedinjeansandanyloncoat,underwhichClarkassumedheworebodyarmorandagun.Hewasalone,whichClarkfoundfascinatinggiventhatthismanwasinchargeofU.S.combatopsintheentirecountry.

“Thanksformeeting

me,”Midassaid,astheyshookhands.

“Gladtoseeyouarestillinonepiece,”Clarkreplied.“HowcanIhelpyouout?”

Midasdidn’twastetime.“I’vebeenorderedtosendaforcetotheFairmontGrandtoarrestDmitriNesterov,akaGlebtheScar.Apparentlyhe’sgotsomethingtodowiththepoloniumattackonGolovko.”

Clarkknewthis,buthedidn’tbothermentioningit.Hesaid,“Whydoesn’tJSOCsendSEALstodoit?”

MidasgaveClarkanannoyedlookthereinthedarkness.ClarkknewtherewasalittlefrictionbetweenSEALsandDelta,predominantlyofthegood-naturedvariety.Bothforceswantedtogetinonthebighits,andthiswasmost

definitelyabighit.“YouwereaSEAL,weren’tyou?”

Clarksaid,“Guiltyascharged.Wedidn’thaveaTeamSixbackthen,though.”

“Yeah,well,Sixwon’tgethereintime.Theproblemis,theyhavereasontobelievehe’sabouttomakearunforit.Maybeeventonight.Ifwedon’tgrabNesterovnow,hecanshootnorthtotheBelarussianborder,oreastto

getbehindtheadvancingRussians.HedoesthatandtheonlywaySEALTeamSixcantakehimistoenterdeniedterritory.”

“Soyouneedtograbhimrightnow.”

MidaslookedoutintothenightasapairofMiGstookoffontherunway.“LikeIdon’thaveenoughonmyplate.”

“Howmanymendoyou

haveavailableforthisop?”“I’vegotA-teamsin

goddamnedpickupssmashingthroughgridlockedtraffictryingtostayinfrontoftheRussianarmor.I’vegotallmyODAsdownbelowhalf-strength,andifIpullanyofthemoutofthefieldtherewillbenowaytoreinsertthem.TheUnitguysIhavearesplitupaswell.I’vegotadozenassaultersandrecce

menbackhereintheJOCbecausetheirpositionwasoverrunthisafternoon,butthat’sit.”

“CouldyouuseyourRangersforthis?”

“No.IneedtheRangerQRFonstandbyforemergenciestotheeast,andtherestpullingsecurityhere.I’msureRangerswouldgetthejobdone,butshitlikethisiswhattheArmypaysus

Unitguystodo.”“Adozenguyscan’ttake

thatplace,”Clarksaidflatly.“Theydon’thavetotake

theplace,theyonlyhavetotakeNesterov.”

Clarkwhistled.“Damn,Midas.Idon’tknowifyouareplanningonhittingthathotelwithadozenmen,butIhopeIcandissuadeyoufromthat.Deltaorno,adozenshootersisgoingtomeana

dozendeadAmericans.”Midassaid,“I’vegotan

ideaortwo.I’mingoodwithaUkrainianArmycolonel.Hisbattalionhasthedutyofprotectingthegovernmentofficesofthecity,he’sanationalist,andhe’sculledhisunitofeveryonewhothinksdifferentlythanhedoes.He’sworkedwiththeCIAforyears,andI’veknownhimsinceIcameover

herelastyear.“Idon’ttrusthimtohit

thatbuildingtocaptureNesterov—he’dprobablytrytolevelitwithT-72s—butIdotrusthimtokeepquietaboutthistotheRussians.I’mthinkingIcanhavehimsendtroopstotheFairmont,justparkoutsideliketheyaregoingtohitfrombelow,maybesendsomearmoredcarsuptothedoortoengage

meninthelobby,justtokeepthemajorityoftheSevenStrongMenforcesthereoccupied.”

Clarksaid,“Ifyoudothat,GlebwillflyoutonaEurocopter.”

“Notifwehittheroof,disablethehelos,andcutoffhisescape.Personally,I’djusthaveaLittleBirdfirerocketsontotherooftoblowtheEurocopterstoshit,but

weruntheriskofkillingthedudewe’vebeenorderedtotakealive.Hissuiteisrightbelowtheroof,sowecan’tjustblastthehelos.WehavetodoaninextremistakedownandgethimoutoftherebeforetheRussianscome.”

Clarknodded,andheunderstoodwhyMidashadcometotalktohim.Hesaid,“I’vegotthreetier-one-levelshooters.Thetwoyoumet

theotherdayandanotherguy,whowasaRanger.YoucaninsertyourmentograbNesterov,andmyboyswilltakecareofthehelosandbereadytosupporttheUnitteamsinthehotelifnecessary.”

Midassaid,“Iappreciateit.Onequestion:Howareyourboysfixedforweaponry?”

Clarkanswered,“Hey,

W

man.I’llprovidethelabor.YouaretheU.S.Army.Youcanprovidethegunsandbullets.”

“Fairenough.I’llseewhatIcanscareupthatmightbehelpful.”

—hentheGulfstreamlandedtwentyminutes

later,JohnClarkboardedandexplainedthesituationtohis

men.Sam,Dom,andDingwerereadytogoimmediately,ofcourse,butClarkknewhe’dhavetodealwithsomethingelsefirst.

JackRyansaid,“John,onemoregunonthatroofmightmakeadifference.”

“Sorry,Jack.Ican’tletyougoonthis.”

“Andwhyisthat?”“Youknowwhy.You

can’tcompromiseyourdad

byexposingyourselflikethis.Evenwithyourbeard,youmightberecognizedbyDeltaboys.It’sonethingtooperateforTheCampus,butyoucan’tjustmixinwithmilitary,notevenblack-sideguyslikeDelta.”

RyanturnedtoChavez,lookingforaconfederatetohelphimmakehiscase.

ButDingsaid,“John’sright,andontopofthat,

we’vebeentrainingthelastfewmonths.You’vebeenawayfromtheteam.Thisisgoingtobeaninextremisrushjob,andweneedtobetightandsmoothwhatevergoesdown.”

DomreachedoverandsqueezedJack’sshoulder.“ComebacktotheStateswithuswhenthisisover.We’llgetyoutrainedinnotime.”

W

Ryannodded.Notsatisfiedthathe’dhavetostaybackhereattheairportwhiletheoperationwentoninthecity,butresignedtothefact.

—hileClarkmetwithhismen,Midas

arrivedattheKiowaWarriorsectionoftheflightline.HefoundConwayandPage

lyingonsleepingbagsinthecornerofadry-goodsstorageroomnexttothecafeteria.Bothmenwereinfullcombatgear,theyevenhadtheirbootson,buttheyweretryingtocatchanhourofsleepbeforetheirnextmission.

Theywereawakenow,though,andbothyoungmenstoodwhenMidasapproached.

Midassaid,“Evening,

chiefs.Dumbquestion.Doyouguyshavethecapabilitytocarrytroops?”

Conwayrubbedhiseyes.“Yes.We’vegotathingcalledtheMulti-PurposeLightHelicopterkit.Wecantakeoffourweaponspylonsandattachbenchessowecancarryuptosixguysontheoutsideofthefuselage.”

“Haveyoueverdonethatbefore?”

Thetwoyoungmenlookedateachother.Conwayshookhishead.“Never.”

“Well,thiswillbeanewexperienceforeveryone,Iimagine.We’regoingtoneedyoutoinsertmenontoaroof.Wedon’tthinktheoppositionhasanyrealairdefenseotherthanassaultriflesandmaybeRPGs,butwe’llhavetogoinwithoutmuchofapictureoftheterrain.”

Hethensatdownwiththemenandtoldthemexactlywhatheneeded.Whenhewasfinished,hesaid,“Ican’tmakeyoudothis,andit’sgoingtobeprettymuchthedefinitionofdangerous,butthat’sthedeal.”

PageandConwayexchangedalook,andConwayspokeforbothmen,confidenthewasexpressingDrePage’ssentimentsaswell

ashisown:“We’regoodtogo,Midas.We’llgetthehelooutfittedfortheop.”

Midasshookbothmen’shandsandthenhurriedbacktotheJOC.Hestillhadahellofalottodo.

T85

hegrassfieldhelicopterflightlineattheJSOCbaseon

thenorthernendofKiev’sBoryspilInternationalAirportwasalivewithactivityatonea.m.

TwoMH-6LittleBirds

alreadyhadtheirrotorsturning,andBlackWolfTwoSix,theKiowaWarrioroperatedbyConwayandPage,hadalreadygonethroughitspreflightchecklist,althoughthepilotswerestillinFlightOpsgettinglast-minuteintel.

BothDingChavezandSamDriscollhadsatontheoutsideofamovinghelicopterbefore.Dominic

Caruso,ontheotherhand,hadnot,norhadheeverhadmuchofadesireto.

HesawthetinylittlebenchboltedontothesideoftheKiowa,andherealizedthiswaswherehewassupposedtosit.Thenhesawthesmallrestrainingcablethatwouldhooktohisbodyarmortokeephimfromplummetingtohisdeath,andhisfirstthoughtwasNo

fuckingway.HelookedatDing.“I’ve

gotabetteridea.How’boutItakeabusandcatchupwithyouguys?”

Dingpattedhimonthepack.“Mano,Ilearnedatrickalongtimeago.Ijuststrapmyselfin,thenItellmyselfI’mwatchingareallyawesomemovieonareallyawesomebig-screenTVwithareallyawesomeaudio

system.”Carusolookedathim

doubtfully.“Andthatworks?”

Chavezshruggednoncommittally.“ItdidwhenIwasyounganddumb.”Withawink,headded,“Youshouldgiveitatry.”

Asthethreemenstrappedthemselvesin,twofiguresindarkuniformsandbodyarmorwalkedoverfrom

theJOCbuilding.FromtheHK416sontheirshoulders,itwasobvioustheywereDeltaForceoperators.

OneofthemenlookedattheKiowa.“Wedrewtheshortstraws,soitlookslikewe’reontheothersideofthisoldpieceofshit.”HeshookDing’s,Dom’s,andSam’sglovedhandswithaglovedhandofhisown,andtheotherDeltamandidthesame.

“Whoareyouguys?”oneoftheDeltaForcemenaskedChavez.

Dingsmiled.“Youareprobablymoreusedtopeopleaskingyouthat.”

“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion.”

“Doyoueveranswerthatquestion?”

Themanshookhishead.“Negative.”

“Well,then,”Dingsaid.

“Thereyougo.”Therewasanobvious

presumptionbytheDeltaForceoperativesthatDingandhismenwereCIASpecialActivitiesDivisionofficers,whichwasexactlywhatClarkandChavezusedtobe.Chavezdidnothingtodispelthisnotion,andClarkhadevenmentionedthatMidaswasonboardwithkeepingupthisrusewithhis

men.BeforetheDelta

operatorswenttotheothersideofthehelo,ConwayandPagecameoutofFlightOpsandintroducedthemselvestothementheywouldbeflyingintotheoperation.

Conwaysaid,“We’regoingtodeparttothesouthwest,awayfromthecity.We’llberightbehindthetwoMH-6s.We’llpickupthe

DnieperRiverandthenturntothenorth,golowandshootstraightupintoKiev.Withtheroutewe’regoingtotake,itwillbethirty-onemilestothetarget.Wearegoingtodoeverythingwecantokeepeveryonefromknowingwhoweare,wherewearegoing,andwhatweareupto.

“Thatmeanswe’regoingtoflyreallyfuckinglowandreallyfuckingfast.Ijustwant

toletyoududesknow,thisisgoingtobeawildride.Youseebridgesorpowerlinesinourpath,thenit’sagoodbetIseethem,too,sodon’tfreakout.”

Thefivemenjustnoddedbackatthehelopilot.DomCaruso’snodwastheleastsureofthemall.

Conwaycontinued,“LikeIsaid,we’regoinginbehindtheLittleBirds,butI’mnota

NightStalkerandthisisnotaLittleBird,soiftheyhavesomecapabilitiestokeepthemenontheoutsideoftheiraircraftfromshittingtheirpantsandpukinguptheirMREs,thentheguysontheotherheloswillbebetteroffthanyou,because,frankly,I’veneverdonethisbefore.”

Carusowasalreadyturninggreenwiththethoughtofwhatwastocome.

Dingsaid,“Don’tworryaboutus.We’llbestrappedin.Aslongasyoudon’tslamthisintoawallorintotheground,thenwe’llbeokay.”

Conwaynodded.“Whenwegetthere,theguysontheotherheloswillfast-ropetotheroofexitsandtheLittleBirdswillgetoutoftheway.I’lllandontheroof,andwhenIdo,IwantyouguysoffmyheloPDQ.I’lltakeoff

andheadbackovertheriver,andI’llwaitforyourcommstocomebackandpickyouup.”

Dingsaid,“Thatsoundsgood.”

Theytalkedanotherminuteortwoaboutthepossibilitytheymightbeleavingwithaprisoner,andalsoaboutthepossibilityforevacuatingwoundedaftertheraid.Dingdidn’tthinkit

soundedlikethereweremanyfeasibleoptionstogetoutofthathotelfromtheroofwithagunshotwound,andhegottheimpressionfromeveryonethatadownedAmericanmighthaveabetterchanceatsurvivaljustwaitingforaUkrainianambulancethere.

Hedidhisbesttoputthoseconcernsoutofhismind,toldhimselfitwouldbebestifhedidn’tgetshotor

F

letanyofhisbuddiesgetshot,andthenhesatdownonthenarrowbench.

—iveminuteslatertheKiowaWarriorwas

airborne,flyingslowandlowacrosstheairportgrounds.Itsoonclimbedintothenightsky,followingtheMH-6safewhundredyardsahead.

ForDom,thefirstcouple

ofminutesweren’tnearlyasbadashethoughttheywouldbe.HisearplugskepttherotornoisetoaminimumandthefacthewassandwichedbetweenSamandDingmeanthewasn’trockingaroundasmuchashe’dfeared.Astheyracedoverflatfarmland,hismainissuewastheincrediblecoldbroughtonbythewind.Hewaswearingalotofclothingandgear,aswellasa

Kevlarhelmetandgoggles,buthischeeksfeltliketheywouldfreezesolid.

Justwhenhedecidedtheflightitselfwouldn’tbesoscary,theKiowalurchedintotheairsuddenlyandviolently.DomslammedhishelmetintoSam,andDingslammedhishelmetintoDom.

Theyshotjustoverasetofhigh-tensionwiresacross

anopenfield,socloseDomthoughthisbootswouldcatchawire.

Thentheydroppedstraightdownontheotherside,levelingoutatlessthantwentyfeet.Domfeltthevertebraeinhisbackcompress,andhealsofelttheacidinhisstomachchurning.

Heleanedforwardandlookedahead,andhisheartsank.Thereweremorewires

andhillsbetweenhimandtheriver.

Fuck.Nowitfelt,toCaruso,

likehewasrelivingahorrifyingplanecrashoverandoverandoveragain.TheKiowaWarriorfiredupafewhundredfeettoclimbabovewiresandbuildingsandhills,andthenitplungeddown,noseforward,pickingupspeed.AlthoughDomwas

strappedintothenarrowbench,hisbodyfeltweightless,hislegsroseinfrontofhim,andhehadtosqueezethe416onhischesttightlytohisbodytokeephisarmsdownandtheguninplace.

Thentheweightlessnessceased,andhefeltthepullonhisstrapsandthepressureinhislowbackagainstthebenchastheWarrior

bottomedoutandracedsolowoverthegroundthat,whenDomdidopenhiseyes,hesawtheroofsofsmallhousesateyelevelandtreetopshigherthanthehelicopterhewasridingon.

Hehadnotroubleconvincinghimselfthatthepilotwasinsane,andhesuspectedthepilotwaspersonallytryingtogivehimaheartattack.

Thehelicopterracedlowoversomesortofastripmineinthemiddleofaforest.Therewasenoughlighttoseepyramidsofgravelallaroundthem.

Withoutwarningtheaircraftturnedonitsy-axis,thetailshotouttotheside,andthethreemenonDom’ssideoftheaircraftwereallpulledtotheright.Forahundredyardsorsoitseemed

toDomasthoughhewasatthefrontastheKiowaracedalongsideways,slowed,andthenbeganflyingforwardagain.

Itwasjustasuddenchangeofdirection,butthemenonthebenchhadbeenrocked,pummeled,andspunbyit.DomlookedtohisrightjustintimetoseeSamDriscollleanforwardslightly,thenvomitviolentlyoutinto

thedarksky.Carusoleanedawayfrom

hiscolleague.GettingSam’spukeonhisbootswouldn’tbetheworstthingDomhadtodealwiththisevening,hewassure,buthekickedhisfeetouttoavoidthevomitnonetheless.

WhenSamwasfinishedwithhispukingfit,hetookahandoffhisrifleandwipedhismouthandbeardwiththe

backofhisarm.HeturnedtoDom,sawthathehadseenthewholething,andshruggedslightly,asifitwasnobigdeal.

Thehelicopterplungedagainonthefarsideofthehill,andDomhimselfbeganthrowingup.

—W2EricConwayracedhishelothirtyfeetoverthecold

CwateroftheDnieperRiver,

hiseyesdartingbetweenthetwobirdshewas

followingintothetarget,thewaterandtheboattrafficonit,andhisvarioussensorsthattoldhimhowfaruntilhisnextwaypointandthestatusofalltheaircraft’ssystems.

Themastofashipwasjustahead,sohepulledonhiscyclictoavoidit.Heknewhewastossingthemenonthe

outsideofthefuselagearoundlikemarionettes,buthedidn’thavetheabilitytofocusonanythingasunimportantasthecreaturecomfortsofhispassengersatthemoment.

SoonhesawtheFairmontaheadonhisleft;itwasthetallestbuildingalongthewateronthewesternsideoftheDnieper.TheNightStalkerpilotintheleadLittleBirdannounced“One

minute”ontheradio,andPagereportedthathewasgettingnowarningsofinboundbogeysontheradar.

Conwaywatchedasthetwosmallblackhelosroseabovethewaterandslowed,thenmadeonequickcirclearoundtheroofofthehotel.Hesawtheflashesofgunfireontheroof,andimmediatelyhesawmoreflashescomingfromtheLittleBirds.

Hebeganclimbingawayfromtheriverhimself,andpitcheduphisnosetoslowhisspeed.

Overtheradioheheard:“Takingfirefromtheroofandbalconyonsouthernside.”

Conwayslowedfurtherashemadeittorooflevel.NowhecouldheartheDeltaForceguysonhissideofthehelofiringdownattargets

nearthehelicopters.Withinsecondsallthetargetsweredown,andthen,withacommandfromoneoftheotherhelopilots,bothLittleBirdsdescendedjustabovetheroof.Conwaykepthiseyesflittingbetweenhismultifunctiondisplayandhisoutsideenvironment,buthecaughtaglanceofmenslidingdownropesfromthehelicopters.

Inseconds,tenmenwereonthedeckandmovingtothestairwells,andtheMH-6swereclimbingbackintothesky.Conwaywastednotimemovingintopositiontodropoffhispassengers.

Therewasspaceontheroofenoughforthreehelicopters.ThetwobigEurocopterswereonhelipads,buttherewasawide-openareaalittlelower

thantheraisedpadsthatwasjustenoughroomforhimtoputdown.

Hecameinasquicklyaspossible,andwhilehewatchedtherotorsduringdescentPageleanedoutsidetheopendoortocountdownthedistanceinmeterstothedeck.

“Five,four,three,two...one...”Theytoucheddown,andPageturnedandyelledat

themenonhissideofthefuselage,“Go!Go!Go!”

Conwayturnedtodothesame,buttheDeltamenonhissidewerealreadyrunningforthestairs,stackingupwiththemenwhofast-ropedofftheLittleBirds.

ThemenonPage’ssidegotoffthebenchquickly,andPagetoldConwaytheywereclear.TheKiowaroseintothenightandturnedtothe

south,carefultoavoidtheMH-6salreadypositioningthemselvestothenorth.

D86

ingChavezledhistwomentothefirstEurocopter.Ashe

climbedontothehelipadhesawthelastoftheDeltaoperatorsdisappearintostairwellsleadingdowntoNesterov’ssuite,buthedidn’t

focusonthestairwellsforlong.Hewaslisteningintothecommsoftheassaulterssohecouldbereadywhentheycamebackup,butfornowhewouldignoretheirtransmissionssohecouldpayattentiontohisportionofthemission.DomhadasmallshapedchargegiventohimbyaDeltademolitionsman,andhepulleditfromhispack.SamandDinglifted

Domupontotheirshoulders,hebalancedhimselfonthefuselageofthehelo,andthenheputhisbootsontheirshouldersandstoodsohecouldreachtherotors.Heplantedthedeviceatthebaseoftherotorshaft,andthenheslidbackdown.

Ittookanotherminutetodothesametothesecondhelo.AfterDomslidbackdowntothehelipad,allthree

menrandownthehelipadstairsandtowardoneofthestairwells.

DinghadbeenadvisedtospeakontheDeltacommunicationsnetaslittleaspossible,sotherewouldn’tbeanyunnecessarycross-talk.ButwhenheandhistwomatesmadeitintothesafetyofthestairwellandDomhadhisdetonatorinhishand,Dingdidbroadcast:“Assault

team,thisisTopside.Chargesareinpositionontheroof.”

“Roger,Topside.Confirmweareallclearoftheroof.Blowthem.”

“Rogerthat,”Dingsaid,andDomturnedadialonhisradiodetonator.

Abovethem,apairofloudboomsconfirmedthedestructionoftherotorsofthehelos.

C—

havezknewhisportionofthemissionwas

complete,otherthantheextraction,buthecouldhearmassiveamountsofgunfiretwofloorsbelow.Ontheradioheheardthecall“WoundedEagle,”whichmeantoneoftheDeltaassaultershadbeeninjured.

Dingcalledintothe

alreadycrowdedradiotraffic.“ThisisTopside.We’reinstairwellBravo.Wecancomedownandrecoverthewoundedifyouneedus,over.”

“Topside,doit.Descendtostairwellontheninthfloor.Wewillmeetyouthere.Donotleavethestairwell.Wehaveablockingforceintheeighth-floorstairwellkeepingenemybelowus,andall

personsintheninth-floorhallwaywillbeconsideredhostileandengaged.”

“Understood,”Dingsaid,andhe,Sam,andDomrusheddownthestairs.

Fromthesoundofthegunfire,DingcouldtelltheDeltablockingforcebelowhimwasheavilyengaged.Nosoonerhadtheyarrivedatthemeetingpointforthefirstwoundedoperatorthana

secondWoundedEaglecallcame,thisonejustonefloorbelowthemonthestairs.DingsentSamdowntotrytohelpgetthatmanuptotheroof,whileheandDomwaitedforthefirstinjurytoarrivefromthehallway.

Astheradiotrafficcontinuedatacalmbutrapidclip,DomleanedovertoDing.“ToomanyfuckingRussians.”

“Yep,”Dingsaid.Thehallwaydoor

opened,andtwoDeltamenappeared,draggingbyhisbodyarmoramanwithabloodylegwound.DomandDinggotthemantohisfeetandputhisarmsovertheirshoulderstosupporthim.

ThetwoDeltamenturnedtogobackintothesuite,butDingsaid,“Itsoundslikeit’sfallingapart

inthestairwell.”Aloudexplosion,just

belowtheirfeet,confirmedthis.

OneoftheDeltaoperatorssaid,“It’sgoingbadallover.Gethimontheroofandthenheadbacktohelpoutdownthere.”

“Roger,”Dingsaid,andthenheandDomstruggledtoclimbthestairstotheroof.

A—

fterfiveminutesofconstantgunfireallover

theupperfloorsofthebuilding,DeltaannouncedontheradiothattheyhadDmitriNesterovincustodyinthesuite,buttheywerepinneddown.SamandtwosurvivingDeltameninthestairwellhadretreateduptotheninthfloorjustbeforetheywereoverrun

bydozensofSevenStrongMengunmen,butnowtheyweredroppingfragandflashgrenadesdowninanattempttoholdthehordeofattackersback.

DomandDinghadbeenpulledoutofthestairwellbytheDeltateamleader,whotoldthemtogetintothehallwaytocovertheelevator.Theyarrivedtofindadeadassaulterlyinginanopencar,

withfourdeadSevenStrongMenwithhim.Thesecondelevatorcararrived,andDomandDinggottheirgunsupjustintimetoseeahalf-dozenarmedmeninside.

BothAmericansdroppedtothefloorandopenedfire,andeachofthemdumpedanentiremagazineintothemen.Whentheywerealldown,Domranforwardandpulledabodyhalfwaythroughthe

door,ensuringitcouldnotcloseandsendthecarbackdownstairstopickupmoreenemy.

Adoorattheendofthehallopenedsuddenly,andChavezswungtoit,pullinghispistolbecausehisriflewasempty.HesawtwoDeltaoperatorspushingalongahoodedmanwithhishandszip-tiedbehindhisback.

Everyonewithagunin

thehallway,allfourmen,pointedtheirweaponsatoneanother.Dingwasthefirsttolowerhispistol.Intohisradio,hesaid,“We’refriendlies!”

TheDeltaguysgotthemessagequickly.Theyloweredtheirriflesandpushedtheprisonerforward.Dingsawoneoftheassaultershadbeenshothimself.Hisrightshoulder

wascoveredinblood,andabloodybandagewaswrappedaroundit.

Domwasalreadypullinggearoffthedeadoperator.Soonhehadhimoverhisshoulder,andhestruggledbacktothestairwell.

ThefourmenhadmadeitonlyafewfeettowardthestairswhenSamandtwoDeltamencamethroughthedoor.Again,everyoneswung

theirgunsupatpotentialtargets,butquicklytheyrecognizedtheywereallblueforces.

Samsaid,“We’reoverruninthosestairs.Gottafindanotherwaybackup.”

Theforceofmenheadedbacktowardtheentrancetothesuite.DingandSamkepttheirweaponstrainedonthedoortothestairs,andsoonitburstopen.Thetwo

AmericanscutdowntheSevenStrongMengunnersthere,andaDeltamanthrewasmokegrenadetoobscuretheirretreatupthehall.

Inthesuitetheteamleadercalledovertheradio.Therestoftheforcehadmanagedtokeeptherearstairwellclear,soeveryonemovedtothebackofthesuite,wentbackintoanemployeeaccessarea,and

linkedupwiththeDeltaForceoperatorsthere.

Ittooknearlyfifteenminutestogeteveryonebacktotheroof.Deltahadtwodeadandsixwounded.SamDriscollhadcutsonhisfaceandarmsfromanexplosioninthestairs,butDmitriNesterovwasinhand.

ThefirstLittleBirdarrived,andthetwomostseverelywoundedwere

strappedonbetweenthefourlightlywoundedmen.Thehelojoltedintotheairandtookofffortherelativesafetyoftheriver.

TheKiowawascalledinnext.TheCampusmenandtheDeltaoperatorscoveredthetwostairwellsontheroofastheywaitedforthehelotoland.

—

AsConwayloweredtowardthe

roof,Pageshoutedintotheradio,“Comeright!Comeright!”

Conwaydidn’tknowwhatwasgoingon,buthefollowedinstructions.Ashedidso,herealizedPagewasgrabbinghisrifleoffthedashandaimingitouttheopendoorofthehelicopter.

DrePageshouted,“Pivotone-eightyandhold!”

Conwaydidasinstructed.Hewasonlytwenty-fivefeetfromtouchdown,andbylookingoutpastDrehesawthatagroupofmenhadusedaropetoclimbontotherooffromtheninth-floorbalcony.Obviously,theyweredoingthissotheywouldn’thavetoexitthestairwells,whichwouldsurelybecovered.

DreaimedhisM4rifleandopenedfireonthefour

men.Heblastedonemanofftheroof,andthemanfellmorethanahundredfeettothestreetbelow.Anothermanfellwherehestood,deadontheroof.Twomoredovebehindthelipofthehelipad,buttheDeltaassaultersontheroofsawwhatwashappeningandengagedthem.

Conwaylandedamomentlater,andahoodedprisonerwasattachedtohis

portsidebench.Operatorsstrappedinquickly;acoupleofthemenlookedwounded,butConwaykeptmostofhisfocusonhisradarandthestairwellexitrightinfrontofthenoseofhishelo.Heknewthatatanytimeitcouldflyopenandarmedenemycouldpourthrough.

Someoneontheradiosaid,“Weneedthirtyseconds!”

Conwaycalledback,“Fuckthirtyseconds!We’vegottogo,now!”

Helookedoverhisshoulderandsawmenfiringontheotherstairwellentrance.Heknewatanymomentbulletscouldstarttearingthroughhisaircraft.Hegrabbedhisownriflewhilehewaitedandleanedout,aimingitbehindhim.

Beforehesawany

targets,however,Pagecameovertheradio:“We’regoodmyside.Threepassengerslockedinandready.”

Conwaysawtwopassengersonhisside.Onewastheprisoner.HecalledtotheDeltateamleader.“BlackWolfTwoSix.Readytodepartwithfivepax,includingprisoner.Confirmthatiscorrect.”

“Youarecorrect,Two

Six.Getoffthefuckingroof.”“Rogerthat.”Thehelicopterroseinto

thenight.Menonthefuselageopenedfireonmoreattackerscomingoverthesidefromthebalcony.Conwayknewtoflyintheoppositedirectionoftheoriginoffire,soheflewoutoverthewesternwall,thendroppeddowntowardthestreetlikearockinthehopes

D

anyarmedmenonthebalconywouldnotbeabletogetashotoff.

—omCarusoheldontothestrapattachinghim

totheheloandshuthiseyes.Hewascertaintheyweregoingtoaugerintothestreet,butaseverytimebefore,theKiowaleveledoffandhisspinepaidtheprice.He

T

didn’topenhiseyesfornearlyhalfaminute,andwhenhedid,hewashappytoseetheywereoutoverthewateragain.

—heflightbacktoBoryspilwasaseventful

anduncomfortableastheflightin.MultipletimesDomthoughttheywerebeingchasedbyotherhelicopters,

becausetheKiowatookallsortsofcrazyevasive-actionmaneuvers.

NesterovhimselfvomitedrightnexttoDom.Thepukeseepedoutfromundertheman’shood,andCarusostuckhisglovedhandunderthecovertocleanofftheman’sfaceandnosesohedidn’tsuffocate.

ThismadeDomwanttovomitagain,buthehad

nothinglefttooffertheforestbelowhim.

J87

ohnClarkstoodaloneontheflightlinewhenthehelicoptersarrived.

HewatchedasthecriticallywoundedDeltaoperatorsweretakenofffirstandpiledintoambulances,thentwodeadAmericanswerecarried

offonlitters.Menwhowereonly

lightlywoundedwerehelpedovertoaplaceontheflightlinewhereAirForcepararescuemencouldtendtotheirwounds.

Finallythebruisedandbatteredandtiredleftthehelos,mostwalkingalongwiththeirprizepossession,theRussianinthevomit-coveredhood.

Asthiswasallgoingon,MidasfoundClarkstandingbyhimself.Heshookhishand.“Yourboyssureashellcamethroughonthisone.NotsurehowIcanthankyou.”

Clarkdidnotmissabeat.“Iknowjusttheway.WewanttotalktoNesterov.Giveusfiveminutes.”

Midascockedhishead.“AsfarasI’mconcerned,you

cantakehimoutbackandbeathimwithrubberhoses.Whydoyouwanttotalktohim?”

Clarkexplained,briefly,thatheandhisteamhadinformationaboutNesterovthatcouldbeusedtocompromiseothermembersoftheRussiangovernment.Hedidn’tgointoanydetails,buthefinishedhissemi-explanationbysaying,“We

seethisasapotentialwaytogetRussiatoquitUkraine.Itmightbealongshot,butit’sworthpursuing.”

“I’mallforthat,”Midassaid.“Whatthehell?I’vebeenplayingfastandloosewiththeregsonthisopenoughasitis.Mightaswellgoalloutandpassmyprisonerovertoacoupleofciviliansforachitchat.Fiveminutesmax,though,I’vegot

N

togethimreadytoflyoutofhereinanhour.”

—esterovwasbroughtintoasmallofficeinthe

backofawarehouseintheJOCpropertyandhewaschainedtoachair.Hisfilthyhoodwaskeptonexceptwhenapararescuemancheckedhisvitalsignsandgavehimadrinkofwhiskey.

TwoRangersstoodguardoutside,andNesterovthoughthewasbeingleftaloneinanemptyroom,sohejumpedatthesoundofalightswitchclickingon.ClarkandRyanentered,pulledupchairsinfrontofthehoodedman,andsatdown.

Itwasquietforafewsecondsmore.Nesterovlookedaroundleftandright,buthecouldn’tseepasthis

hood.ClarkspokeinRussian:

“DmitriNesterov.Atlastwemeet.”

Nesterovdidnotreact.Clarksaid,“Iknowwho

youare.IknowyouareGlebtheScar,voryvzakonyeandmemberoftheSevenStrongMen,aswellasDmitriNesterov,presidentofShoalBank,AntiguaandBarbuda,andchairmanoftheboardof

IFCHoldings.”Nesterovspokeinaweak

andunsurevoice:“Untrue,butpleasecontinue.”

“PavelLechkovisinU.S.custody.”

“Whoisthat?”“Heisthemanwho

deliveredthepoloniumtotheUnitedStateslastmonth.HeisthemanwhoconspiredtoattackthesonofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,andheis

themanwhowasphotographedhereinKiev,meetingwithyou.HetriedtoassassinateBritishbusinessmanHughCastorinSwitzerland.Hefailed,andnowheandHughCastorhavegivenuseverythingonyou.”

ClarkwashopingtheseliesbasedontruthswouldcarryweightwiththeRussian.

Nesterovsaid,“Idon’t

knowwhatyouaretalkingabout.”

Clarksaid,“YouarehereworkingfortheFSB,butthetideisgoingtoturnbeforeRussiamakesittoKiev,sothatwon’thelpyou.We’llhaveyoushippedofftoablacksite,anyway,soitdoesn’treallymatterwhathappenshere.”Clarkleanedrightintotheman’sshroudedface.“Youbelongtousnow,

Dmitri.Youarefucked.”Nesterovdidnotreply.Clarkleanedbackupand

changedhistone.Itwaslessgrave,morematter-of-fact.“IwanttoknowhowitisyoucanworkforRomanTalanov.”

“Talanov?Idon’tunderstand.AminuteagoyousaidIwasinorganizedcrime,andnowyousayIworkfortheintelligenceservices?Can

yougetyourstorystraightandtrythisagain?”

Clarkdidn’tmissabeat.“TalanovistheleaderoftheSevenStrongMen.Thathasbeenconfirmed.”

“Confirmed?”Nesterovlaughed.“DidyoureaditonFacebook?”

Clarklaughedwithhim,pattedhimonthebackroughly.Thenhisvoicedarkened.“Somethingelseis

confirmed,Dmitri.RomanTalanovwasinthegulagsystem—inthelateeightiesandearlynineties.ThisiswherehebecameSevenStrongMen.Hewasachartermember.”

Nesterov’shoodwasperfectlystill.

“ButRomanTalanovwasnotborninthegulag,Dmitri.HearrivedafterworkingfortheKGB.”

Nesterovlaughedagain.“Whoeveryouare,youareoperatingwithsomanyincorrectassumptionsthatitisobviousyouarejustflailingaround,tryingtofindoutsomeinformationfromme.”

“Tellme,howIamwrong,Dmitri?”

“Theaccusationyoujustmadeisimpossible.”

“Howisitimpossible?”

Nesterovjustchuckledunderthebag.

Clarksaid,“YouthinkitisimpossiblebecauseyouknowthatTalanovisvoryvzakonye,andhewasvoryvzakonyebeforehewentintotheFSB.Thiswasallowedbytheleadership,becauseofthetimes,becauseoftheaccessthisgaveSevenStrongMentotherealpowerinRussia.TheKremlin.”

Nesterovsaidnothing.Clarksaid,“Butheused

you,justlikeheuseseveryone.”

Afteramomentofquiet,Nesterovsaid,“Hedidn’tuseus.Heisoneofus.”

Clarksaid,“HowcanhebevoryifhewasacaptainintheGRUandthenaKGBassassinintheeighties?Didyouguyschangeyourentrancerequirements?”Very

coldly,headded,“Heisusingyourightnow.Yourorganizationwasjustastepping-stonetopower.BecomingvorywasaKGBoperationtothem.Averysuccessfulone,atthat.”

Nesterovsaid,“Thatisallalie.Andevenifitweretrue,thatwasalongtimeago.”

“No,itwasn’t.Iknowhoworganizationslikeyourswork.Youwon’tforgivehim

justbecauseafewyearshavegoneby.Eachoneofthoseyearswhenhewashonoredasvorywasafurtherinsulttothesanctityofyourcode.Hemadeamockeryofyouall.”

Clarkleanedcloser.“Andyoucan’tletthatstand,canyou?”

Thepausewaslong.Finallythevoiceunderthehoodasked,“Whatdoyouwant?”

“ThenewsIjusttoldyouisabouttogopublic.Talanovmightdenyit,butyouknowhowthisworks.Peoplewhoknewhimwillcomeforwardnow.EveryonewillknowtheheadoftheFSBisalsoheadoftheSevenStrongMen.Thiswillbetroublesomeathome.Troublesomeforeveryone,exceptperhapsthemandirectlyunderhiminthehierarchyofthe

organization.”“Whatareyousaying?”“Whenthewordgetsout

thatSevenStrongMenwasnothingbutanothershill,anotherproxyforcedoingtheworkoftheKremlin,thenyourorganizationwillhavenoalternativebuttomakesomechanges.

“Youcansurvivethis,Dmitri.”Clarkleanedforwardagain,almostinto

Nesterov’sear.“ButTalanovwon’t.”Hepaused.“Willhe?”

P88

residentoftheUnitedStatesJackRyansatathisdeskintheOval

Office.Ontheblotterinfrontofhimwasalegalpadwithseveralbulletpointswritteninhisownhand.Helookedattheclockquickly,thendown

athistelephone,andhedidhisbesttocontrolhisracingthoughts.

Thiswasoneofthosecrucialmomentsofstatecraftwhereheknewthateverythinghedidinthenextfewminutescoulddeterminelifeanddeathforthousands,tensofthousands,orperhapsevenhundredsofthousands.

He’dspenthoursinmeetingsthenightbefore,

withScottAdler,withMaryPatFoleyandJayCanfield,withBobBurgessandMarkJorgensenandDanMurray.

Theyhadalltalkedhimthroughthisconversation,butmoreimportantthantheinputofanyoftheselearnedprofessionalswasaninety-minutephonecallhe’dhadwithhisownsonthatsettheballrolling.

JackJuniorhadstarted

theconversationwiththenewsthatBedrockhadbeenkilledbytheRussians.Hisfather’sfirstquestionwasaboutthesafetyofhisownson.JackJuniorconvincedhisfatherhewassafeonlybyputtingDomingoChavezontheline.

Oncethatwasdone,andwithPresidentRyanstillreelingwiththenewsthatthemanwho’doncesavedhis

lifehaddiedsavingthelifeofhisson,JackJuniorthenbombardedhisfatherwithfactsandfiguresanddetails.StoriesaboutRomanTalanovandValeriVolodinandthemanwhopoisonedGolovkoandhisrelationshiptoamafiabossinUkraine.

JackSeniorhadjottednotesdown,askedforclarifications,andthenmadenotesunderhisnotesabout

thingshewouldbeabletodouble-checkonhisown.

ThenewsthattheaccountatRitzmannPrivatbankiershadbeenliquidatedintodiamondsownedbyanotheraccountholderhadbeenespeciallyinterestingtohim.Ryanvaguelyrememberedthatatthetimetherehadbeenaquestionaboutdiamonds,thoughhecouldnotrecall

anyspecificsafterthirtyyears.

WhenhegotoffthephonewithJackJuniorhecalledeveryoneintotheSituationRoomandheexplainedeverything.FoleyandCanfieldandMurrayhustledouttocheckwhatitemstheycould.AdlerhadadvisedthePresidentonwhatheneededtodoaboutallthis.

Ryanmadethedecision

toordertheimmediatearrestofDmitriNesterov.BurgesssuggestedoperatorsinthefieldinKievcouldhandleit,andRyansignedoffontheplan.

NowthatNesterovwasinpocket,eventhoughhehadn’tsaidawordyet,theconsensuswasthatPresidentRyanneededtogetonthephonewithVolodinandlayeverythingout.Itwaslittle

morethanaHailMaryattempttomarginalizethemanbythreateningtorevealeverythingtheyhad,oreverythingtheycouldconvinceVolodintheyhad,whichwasalotlessthanwhattheycouldactuallyprove.

Thelightonthephoneblinked,lettingJackknowthecallhadbeenputthroughtoMoscow.Hetookonedeep

breath,situatedhispaperworkinfrontofhim,andliftedthereceiveroffthecradle.

Volodin’svoicecameovertheline.HespokeRussian,ofcourse,butRyanrecognizedthefasttempo,theself-assuredness.ThevoiceofthetranslatorintheCommunicationRoomwaslouderthanVolodin’s,soRyancouldhearthetranslationseasily.

“Mr.President,”Volodinsaid.“Wespeakatlast.”

RyanspokeEnglish,whichwashandledquicklybyVolodin’stranslatorintheKremlin.Ryansaid,“PresidentVolodin,IneedtostartthisconversationbymakingasuggestionthatIhopeyouwillseriouslyconsider.”

“Asuggestion?MaybeyouwillsuggestthatIresign.

Isthattheidea?”Helaughedathisownjoke.

Ryandidnotlaugh.Hesaid,“Mysuggestionisthatyouaskyourtranslatortoleavetheconversation.WhatIhavetosaytoyouisforyoualone,andmytranslatorcanconveythis.Ifyouchoose,whenIfinish,youcanbringyourmanbackintotheconversation.”

“Whatisthis?”Volodin

asked.“Youdonotsetthetermsforourconversations.Thisisjustsomeploysoyoucancontrolthedialogue.Iwillnotbebulliedbyyou,PresidentRyan.ThatwasthelastpresidentofRussia,notme.”

Jacklistenedtoanotherfewsecondsofblusterconveyedthroughhistranslator,andthenhesaid,“ThisisaboutZenith.”

ThismadeitswaythroughVolodin’stranslator,andthenallwasquietonthelineforamoment.

“Idon’tknowwhatthatis,”saidValeriVolodin.

“Well,then,”repliedJackRyan,“Iwilltellyou.Iwilltellyoueverylastdetail.Accountnumbers,names,dates,victims,consequences.Wouldyoulikeyourtranslatortostepaway,or

shallIgoahead?”Jackdidn’texpecttohear

anythingontheotherend,butVolodinsaid,“Iwillindulgeyoubriefly.”Hisvoicealreadysoundedonguard.

WhentherewasnooneelseattheKremlinontheline,Ryanwentinadifferentdirection:“Mr.President,IhavedirectevidencethatconnectsyoutothepoloniumpoisoningofSergey

Golovko.”“Iexpectedtohearthis

evensooner.ItoldtheworldyouwouldhaveallmannerofliestoimplicateRussia.”

“PavelLechkov,anoperativeoftheSevenStrongMencriminalorganization,passedthepoloniumofftotheVenezuelans,whointurnedpoisonedthevictim.WehavephotographsofLechkovintheUnited

States.”Volodinsaid,“Noone

believesphotographs.Plus,ifthismanwasacriminal,whatdoesthathavetodowithme?Yourownnationhastroublewithcrime,doesitnot?ShallIblameyoufortheactivitiesofyourgangs?”

“LechkovwasalsophotographedmeetingwithDmitriNesterov,amemberoftheSevenStrongMen.”

“Iamputtingmytranslatorbackonthecall.YouhavenothingthatcannotbeheardbyeverycitizenofRussia,althoughitwillonlyshowthemthefoolishnessofanoldColdWarspy.”

Ryansaid,“RomanTalanov’srelationshiptotheSevenStrongMenwasestablishedbyyouasanintelligenceoperation,andherosetothetopofthat

organization,justasyouhaverisentothetopoftheRussiangovernment.ButRomanTalanovisnowdamaged.WehavealreadyinformedkeymembersofSevenStrongMenthatTalanovwasKGBbeforehebecameamademan,andthatisverymuchasignofdisrespecttotheirorganization.”

Ryanadded,“Ishouldthinkthiswillmakelifevery

difficultforhimindeed.”Volodinspokeupnow,

andJacknotedthathehadnotcalledforhisowntranslatortoreturntotheline.Hesaid,“Thesearealllies.”

“Mr.President,HughCastorhasgivenusevidence.Evidenceyouknowexists.WecapturedDmitriNesterovalivelastnight.Wehaveshownhimtheevidence,andheisangryenoughtowhere

heistalkingquiteabitalready.Onceweputhimontelevisionexplaininghowhewaspaidone-point-twobillionbytheFSBtodestabilizeUkraine,topoisonSergeyGolovko,andtofacilitateillegalbusinesstransactionssothatthesilovikicancontinuetorapethepublicholdingsofthepeopleofRussia,thenyoursituationwillbecomedire.

“PresidentVolodin,eventhoughTalanovwillbedestroyedbythis,thereisawayforwardforyou,ifyousochoose.Wewillrevealourfindingsofthepoloniuminvestigation.TheywillpointtotheSevenStrongMen.That,andthefactthatTalanovjustbecameastoxicasGolovkowas,givesyouanopportunitytopubliclydistanceyourselffromhim

beforeyouraffiliationdestroysyou.”

Volodinasked,“Whatisyourobjectiveinallthis?”

Jackknewwhathemeant.VolodinwasaskingwhatitwasthattheUnitedStateswantedinreturnfornotexposingtheRussiangovernment’spaymenttotheSevenStrongMen.

Ryansaid,“Itisverysimple.Yourarmorstops

whereitis,andreturnstotheCrimea.Youwillhavewonasmallvictory,butanyvictoryatallismorethanyoudeserve.Ifthathappens,wewillnotconnectthedotsbetweenyourselfandZenith.”

“Icannotbeblackmailed!”

“Butyoucanbedestroyed.Notbyme.Idon’twantwar.Butyoucanbe

destroyedfromwithin.Russianeedstoknowwhoisatitshelm.NooneinRussiawillbelieveme.Butthereisevidence.EvidencefromNesterovandCastorandothermen,andtheevidencewillspeakforitself,anditwillgetoutthere.”

“IfyouthinkIamafraidofyourpropaganda,youaremistaken.”

“PresidentVolodin,the

oldguardstillaliveintheKGBwilllookintothedates.Thebankerswilllookintotheaccountnumbers.ThebureauofprisonswilllookintoinformationonTalanov.SeveralEuropeannationswillreinvestigateoldcrimes.Ifitismypropagandathatstartsthesnowball,itwillonlybeforamoment,atthetopofthehill.EverythingIsaywillbeprovennowthateveryone

knowswheretolook.”ValeriVolodinhungup

thephone.Anaidecameontheline

asecondlater.“Mr.President,shallItrytogethimback?”

“No,thankyou,”Ryansaid.“Ideliveredmymessage.Nowwehavetowaittoseehisresponsetoit.”

—

RomanTalanovresignedfrom

theFSBtwodaysafterRussiaceasedoffensive

operationsinUkraineandpulledforcesbacktotheCrimea.Typicalofhiscareeringovernmentservice,Talanovmadenoannouncementhimself;instead,ValeriVolodinwentbeforehisfavoritenewspresenter,andafteracceptinghighpraiseforhissuccesses

instampingoutterrorismineasternUkraine,hesaidhehadaveryunfortunateannouncementtomake.

“IhavedecidedIhavelostconfidenceinRomanRomanovichTalanov.Disturbingfactshavecometolightabouthisdealingswithorganizedcrime,andasthepersonresponsiblefortheintegrityofallRussiancitizens,IrecognizeTalanov

isnottherightmanforthejob.”

Volodinappointedamannoonehadeverheardof—hehimselfpickedhimfromacabaloftrustedadvisers,thoughthemanhadnointelligenceexperience—andheorderedTalanov’snameremovedfromallofficialcorrespondence.

—

RomanTalanovknewwhatit

meanttobeadisgracedvory.Therewasno

moredangerouspositioninallofRussia,becauseeveryonehehadsurroundedhimselfwithbecame,intheblinkofaneye,theverypeoplemosthazardoustohim.HeretreatedtohisdachainKrasnodarKrai,ontheBlackSeacoast,withasecuritystaffoftwenty

trustedmen,andhearmedthemallfromanarmoryofweaponsstolenfromaKGBSpetsnazunit.

ValeriVolodinsentanemissary—hewouldnotspeakwithTalanovhimself—andassuredhimhewouldhavegovernmentprotectionandalltheproceedsfromsellinghisGazpromshares,inexchangeformakingnopublicannouncements.

Talanovagreed.HehadbeenfollowingtheordersofValeriVolodinformorethanthirtyyears;hereallydidn’tknowhowtodoanythingelse.

Itwasamemberofhisownstaffwhokilledhim.SixdaysafterTalanovwasoutedasaKGBofficerwhomisrepresentedhimselftoearnvoryvzakonyestatus,oneofthejuniormembersof

hisguardforce,acivilianwhosecretlyaspiredtogreatthingsintheSevenStrongMen,waitedforTalanovtostepoutofhisshowerandthenstabbedhimthroughtheheartwithadagger.Hetookpicturesofthebodywithhiscellphone,andpostedthemonsocialmediatobragoftheevent.

Therewasaspecialironyinthefactthatthefirstimage

J

mostRussianseversawoftheformerintelligencechiefwasofhisbloodynakedbodylyingfaceuponatilefloor,hiseyeswideindeath.

—ackRyan,Jr.,calledhisfatherfromthebackofthe

HendleyAssociatesjetwhenhewasovertheAtlantic.Hisdadhadbeenworriedabouthimforthepastweekforthe

simplereasonthatJackhadgonetoLondontomoveoutofhisflat,andevenwithDomandSamtohelphim,itstilltookalittletime.

Jackdidn’twanttocallhisdadwhilehewasstillintheUK.Instead,hecalledhismomandsente-mails,assuringthemboththathe’dbehomesoon.

DomandSamlovedtheUK,andJackhadtoadmithe

wasgoingtomissitgreatly.Herecognizeditwashisownmelancholywhenhearrivedthathadmadehistimeheretoughgoingatfirst,longbeforetheRussianmobmadetheexperienceevenlesscheery.

Butnowhewasonhiswayhome,whichmeanthecouldtalktohisfatherwithouthavingtohearalltheconcerninhisvoicethatJack

hadheardsomuchofthepastfewyears.Herealizedhemadehisdad’stoughlifeeventougherbyhischoiceofprofession,buthealsorealizedoneotherthing.

Iftherewasanyoneonearthwhounderstoodtheneedtoserveagreatergooddespitepersonaldanger,itwashisownfather.

—

Afterestablishingthefactthat

hisson’snextstopwouldbetheUnitedStatesofAmerica,Jack

Seniorsaid,“Son,Ihaven’thadachancetothankyouforpassingmealltheintellastweek.Youturnedthetide.Youdamnwellsavedalotoflives.”

JackJuniorwasn’tpattinghisownback,though.“Idon’tknow,Dad.Volodin

isstillaliveandinpower.TheyaredancinginthestreetsinthepartsofUkrainewhereheisnowtheheadhoncho.Doesn’tquitefeellikeavictory.”

Ryansaid,“It’snottheendinganyofuswanted.Butwestoppedawar.”

“Areyousureyoudidn’tjustdelayit?”

JackSeniorsighed.“No.I’mnotsureatall.Infact,in

somewaysaweakenedVolodinisevenmoredangerous.Hemightbelikeawoundedanimal.Readytolashoutatanything.ButI’vebeenatthissortofthingforawhile,andIfeellikewemaximizedbenefitandminimizeddetriment.Alotofgoodpeoplelosttheirlivesoverthis:Sergey,Oxley,meninandoutofuniformservinginEasternEurope.It’sokay

towishwegotmoreoutofthis,buttherealworldbitesback.”

“Yeah,”JackJuniorsaid.“Itdoes.”

JackSeniorsaid,“Wedidn’tlose,Jack.Wejustdidn’twin.”

Thatsankinafteramoment.“Okay.”

Ryanasked,“What’syourplannow,son?”

“Iwanttocomehome.

I’vetalkedtoGerryalready.HefoundanewbuildinginFairfaxCounty,andGavinhascomeupwithsomenewtechnologytohelpusmoveforward.”

Ryansaid,“That’sgood.Iknowyoumissworkingwiththeteam.Ican’tsayIdon’twishyouwouldliveasaferlife,though.”

JackJuniorsaid,“YousawwhathappenedwhenI

tookaboringjobwithnochancefordanger.”

“Yeah,Idid.Isentyouoffaftersomeofthatdanger,didn’tI?”

“Youtrustedme.Iappreciatethat.Thanks.”

“Youbet,sport.Dropbyassoonasyoucanwhenyougethome.Imissyou.”

“Iwill,Dad.Imissyou,too.”

CEPILOGUEThirtyyearsearlier

IAanalystJackRyanclimbedout

ofthetaxiinfrontofhishouseonGrizedaleClose.He’dborrowed

acoatfromacolleagueatCenturyHouse,andhewasgladhehad,becauseitwasacoldnighthereinChatham.Thestreetwasempty,andhefiguredithadtohavebeenaftermidnight,buthe’dtakenhiswatchoffinBerlinwhenthedoctortreatedhisinjury,and

he’dthrownitinhissuitcaseafterthat.

IthadoccurredtohimonthetrainfromVictoriaStationthatheshouldhavecalledhomefromhisoffice.InsteadSirBasilhadinsistedhegethisforearmlookedoverbytheirdoctor,andthen,afterthat,he’dspenthoursreviewing

afacsimileofacopyofthecontactreporthe’dwrittenthatmorningatMissionBerlin.Hisfirstdraftransomeelevenpages,andwhilereadingitatCenturyHousehe’daddedanotherfivepagesofinformation,usingamapofBerlinandsomeotherreference

materialstohelphimgeteverydetailjustright.

He’dbeentoodistractedtocallCathythen,andbythetimehethoughtofithewasalreadyonthetrain.

Heenteredthroughthefrontdoorasquietlyashecould;hedidn’twanttowake

thekids.Heputhisluggagedowninthefoyerandstartedtotakeoffhisshoessohecouldstepevenalittlemorequietly,butheheardCathymovingupthehallinthedark.

Cathyallbutleaptintohisarms.“Imissedyou,”shesaid.

“Imissedyou,

too.”Itwasatender

moment,brokenonlyby“Didyougetanewcoat?”

“Oh.It’sborrowed.Longstory.”

Theyhuggedandkissedallthewaytothelivingroom,whereCathysatonthecouch.Shelooked

beautifultohim,eveninherhousecoat.Jackpulledoffhiscoat,forgettingthathisrightforearmlookedlikeithadbeenmummified.

“OhmyGod.Whatdidyoudo?”

Jackshrugged.Hecouldn’tlietoCathy,becauseshewashiswife,buthealso

couldn’tlietoherbecauseshewasasurgeon.She’dtakeonelookathisforearmandknowthathe’dbeenslashedbyaknife.

Withinseconds,shehadthebandagesunwrappedandheldhisarmuptothelightfromthelampontheendtable.She

examineditwithapracticedeye.“Youarelucky,Jack.It’slong,butit’snotdeepatall.Itlookslikesomeonedidagoodjobdressingit.”

“Yes.”Shestarted

rewrappingit.“I’llcleanitagainandrebandageitinthemorning.What

happened?”“Ican’tsay.”Shelookedatthe

injury,thenupintohiseyeswithanexpressionthatwasoneofbothconcernandhurt.“Iknewyouweregoingtosaythat.”

“Ican’t,”herepeatedhimself,imploringhertonot

diganydeeper.Andthistoldher

mosteverythingsheneededtoknow.“Theonlyreasonyouwouldn’tbeabletotellmeisthatthishadsomethingtodowiththeCIA.Wereyouattacked?”

Youmightsaythat,hethought.ButnotjustbytheGerman

terroristwiththeknife.TherewasalsothelittlematterofthesniperandtheunknowngoonsbytheBerlinWall.Hedidn’tsayanyofthis,ofcourse.Instead,hejustsaid,“I’mfine,babe.Ipromise.”

Shedidnotbelievehim.“I’vebeenwatchingthe

news.TherestaurantinSwitzerland.TheartgalleryinBerlin.Jesus,Jack,whichonewasit?”

Ryancouldhavesaid“Both,”orhecouldhavebeenpedanticandpointedoutthatitwasn’tactuallyanartgallery.Instead,hesaid,“Youhavetobelieveme,

Cathy.Ididn’tgolookingforanytrouble.”

“Youneverdo.Youjustcan’tturnawayfromitwhenitpresentsitself.”

Jacklookedacrosstheroom.Hewastootiredforafight,andtherewasn’tmuchhecouldsay,anyway.Shewasright.She

didn’tmarryasoldieroraspy.Shemarriedacommoditiestraderandahistorian.HewastheonegettinghimselfintosituationslikeBerlin.HehadnovalidargumentthatBerlincamelookingforhim.

Hesaidtheonlythinghecouldthinkof,anditwastrulythe

onlythingthatmatteredtohimnow:“Iloveyou,andI’mgladtobehome.”

“Iloveyoutoo,Jack,andIlikehavingyouaround.Whichiswhyit’ssodamndifficultwhenyouaregonefordays,andthencomehomewithaknifewound.Pleasetellmeyouunderstand

that.”“OfcourseIdo.”Theyhugged.

Therewasnothingaboutthismatterthatwasresolved,really,butsheshowedhimshewasgoingtoletitgofornow.

Cathysaid,“I’msorry,butIhavesurgeryatnine.”

Jacklookedatthe

time.Onea.m.Thenightbeforeatthistime,he’dbeensittingwithMartaScheuring,andtwonightsearlierhe’dbeenminutesawayfromagunbattle.Threenightsearlierhe’dstoodinZug,Switzerland,watchingabuildingburn.

Jackkissedhis

R

wife,andsheheadedtothebedroom.Hecalledafterher,“I’llberightinafterIcheckonthekids.”

—yanlookedinonlittleSally.She

wassoundasleep,withherstuffedbunnyclutchedtightly.Hesteppedinsilentlyand

kissedheronherforehead.

NextheleanedintolittleJack’sroom,andhewassurprisedtoseehistoddlerstandingupinthecrib.Underashockofblackhairwerewideblueeyesandabigsmileforhisdaddy.

Ryanlaughedsoftly.“Hey,sport.”

HepickedJackupandhuggedhim,thencarriedhislittleboyintothelivingroom,wherehesatonthesofawiththeboyonhislap.

Itwasquietintheroomevenwiththetickingoftheclock,andasRyansattherehefelthisson’sheartbeatagainsthis

ownchest.Suddenlythe

dangeranddeathofthepastfewdaysrushedtothefrontofhismind.Hislifehadbeenonthelinemultipletimes,andnowhisownheartpoundedinterrorwiththeknowledgethathecouldhavelosteverythinghehad,

everythingheheld.Andhisfamily

couldhavelosthim.HesqueezedJack

tighter,andthelittleboysquirmedinhisarms.

HetoldhimselfhehadtogetawayfromthislifebeforelittleJackandlittleSallylosttheirfather.

Ashesatthere

contemplatinghisownmortalityandwhathesuddenlysawastheirresponsibilityofplayingfastandloosewithhislife,hethoughtnotonlyoftheperilhehadbeenin,butalsoofothers.OfDavidPenright,ofthetwoSwissbankershe’dneverevenmet,theinnocentskilledin

SwitzerlandandGermany,andhethoughtofIngridBretz,ofMarta,andofthemanwho’dcomeoutofthetreestostepintohelpastranger,atgreatdangertohimself.

Jackgotintothisintelligencegametomaketheworldabetterplace.Itwas

naive,hehadtheself-awarenesstoadmitthis,butattheendoftheday,heknewhe’ddonesomegood.Maybenotmuch,buthell,hewasjustoneman,andhewasdoinghisbest.

HelookeddownatJackJunioragain,andwaspleasedtoseehe’dfallenasleep,just

likethat,rightthereinhisarms.

Ryanknewhecouldnotwalkawayfromdoinghisbest.Hewoulddowhateverhecouldtostaysafesothathecouldlivealonglifeandprovideforhisfamily,butherealizednowthatthemorehedidhimself,theharderhefoughtto

makethisworldabetterplace,thegreaterthechancetheworldJackJuniorwouldinheritwouldbejustalittlebetteroff,andalittlesaferforhim.

Jackfiguredhisownlatefather,aBaltimorecopnamedEmmetRyan,hadprobablyheldhimin

hisarmsandthoughtthesamething.Hell,itwaseveryfather’swish,thoughhewonderedhowhopefulitmightbe.ForallRyanknew,littleJackwouldfacedangersRyanhimselfcouldneverimagine,butashestoodupandcarriedhissleepingsonbacktohisroom,

herealizedeveryfatherowedittohischildrentotry.

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