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CONTENTSAlsobyTomClancyTitlePageCopyright

Chapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4

Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14

Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24

Chapter25Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31Chapter32Chapter33Chapter34

Chapter35Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40Chapter41Chapter42Chapter43Chapter44

Chapter45Chapter46Chapter47Chapter48Chapter49Epilogue

BTehran,Iran

ECAREFULhowyouspendyourtime.Younevergetit

back.Ofallthelessonshe’d

learnedfromhisfather,this

onetrulyresonatedwithJackRyan,Jr.—nosmallfeat,ashe’dreceivedtheadviceasateenagerwithlittlemoreonhismindthangirlsandfootballgames.Gofigure,Jackthought.

Inthiscase,withhislunchappointmentpredictablylate,Jackwasplayingaroundof“watchthewatchers,”agameintroducedtohimbyJohnClark.His

location,Chaibar,anoutdoorcaféonaquietTehransidestreet,madethegamemorechallenging.Nestledinthecourtyardgardenofarenovatedvilla,Chaibarwasfullofcouplesandsmallgroupsseatedatwrought-irontables.Jackcaughtglimpsesofmutedfloweredmuralsbehindpottedplantsandhangingvines.Overhead,boughscastthecourtyardin

dappledsunlight.WhilemostofthemurmuredvoiceswerespeakinginArabicorPersian,JackalsocaughtsnippetsofFrenchandItalian.

Thepremiseof“watchthewatchers”wasasimpleone:He’sinthefieldforHendleyAssociates,akaTheCampus.He’sundersurveillance.Butbywhom?Ifyou’relargelyunfamiliarwiththenuancesofcasual

Iranianinteraction,howdoyouspotthatonepairofeyespayingtoomuchattentiontoyou,orsomeonewhosemannerismsareoutofsyncwiththesurroundings?Withthischecklistinmind,Jackstudiedfaces,bodylanguage,banterbetweenthiscouple,orforcedbanteramongthatgroup.

Nothing,Jackthought.NoneofChaibar’spatronsset

offalarmsforhim.Inreallife,agoodthing;forthepurposesofthisgame,notsomuch.

IfHendleyAssociates,akaTheCampus,wereinfactwhatitseemed,aprivatelyheldarbitragefirm,Jack’sgamewouldhavebeenoneoffantasy,butTheCampus’struepurposewentmuchdeeper,asitsatsquarelyinthegrayestofareasinthe

espionage/counterterrorismworld—anoff-the-booksintelligencegroupanswerableonlytothePresidentoftheUnitedStates.WheretheCIAwasabazooka,TheCampuswasastiletto.

“Pardon,sir.Anothercoffee,please?”

Jackglancedup.Hiswaitresswasapetitetwentysomethingwomaninblack-rimmedglasses,her

haircompletelycoveredbyalightbluescarf.HerEnglishwasheavilystilted.

Sheworenoniqab.PerhapsKamranFarahaniwasn’tsimplygivinglipservicetohisadministration’smoderateplatform.Hell,evenayearagoChaibarmighthavebeensubjecttoapoliceraid;tothepreviousgovernment,coffeeshopswereincubatorsforyouthful

subversives.Jackglanceddownathis

emptycup.Theshop’sversionofcoffeemadeaStarbucksdarkroastseemlikeweaktea.

“No,thankyou,twoisenoughforme.Hopefullymyguestwill...”

Asifoncue,overhiswaitress’sshoulder,Jacksawamanwithwild,curlyblackhairwalkingintothe

courtyard,hisheadturningthiswayandthat.Therewasnomistakingthatmop.

“Hereheis,”Jacktoldher,raisinghishandtogettheman’sattention.“Giveusacoupleminutes.”

“Ofcourse,sir.”Themanwalkedoverto

thetable.Jackstoodup,theironlegsofhischairscrapingonthecobblestones.Theyshookhands,sharedaquick

bearhug,thensatdown.“SorryI’mlate,Jack.”“I’musedtoit.What

wouldalunchbewithanon-timeSethGregory?”

Ithadbeenthatwaysincehighschool.Ifthemoviestartedatseven-twenty,youtoldSethseveno’clock.

“Yeah,yeah.It’smyonlyfailing.Andifyoubelievethat...How’sthecoffee?”

“Itbentmyspoon.”

“Putshaironyourchest.”“How’veyoubeen,

Seth?”“Sharpstick,myfriend,

sharpstick.”Jacksmiled.Thiswas

Seth’sstandardresponsetosuchquestions.Translation:DoingbetterthanifIhadasharpstickintheeye.

“Gladtohearit.”“I’vebeenherebefore;I

knowwhatIwant.Theasheh

gojehfarangi—that’satomatostewwithonions,meat,peas,spices.Delicious.Huh...stillnoalcoholonthemenu,Isee.”

“Thatmighttakelonger.Farahanican’tshocktheoldguardtoomuch,tooquickly.”

Thewaitressreturned.Theybothorderedthestew.“Andwe’llshareabasketofbarbaribread,”Sethadded.Thewaitresscollectedtheir

menusanddisappeared.Withelbowsonthetable,

SethreachedacrossandgaveJack’shandacoupleofgentleslaps.“Jack,youlookgood!I’vemissedyou.Howyadoing?”

“Neverbetter.”“Iwassurprisedtoget

yourcall.”“Iwasthinkingwe’d

havelunchthenexttimeyouwereintheStates.Ihadno

ideayouwereinthearea.”Sethshrugged,wavedhis

hand.“How’sthefamily?Olivia?AndElPresidente...IlDuce?”

“Fine,allfine.”Jackhadtosmile,andnot

justbecauseSethwasoneofthefewpeoplewhocalledSallybyhergivennameandrefusedtocallJack’sfatherbyhiscorrecttitle,butbecausethisexuberantand

near-freneticquestioningwaspureSethGregory.Hisfriendnotonlywasthequintessentialpeopleperson,butalsosufferedfromADHD—emphasisonthe“hyperactivitydisorder”part.Sethhadstruggledinschool.Jackhadbeenhisunofficialtutor.

JackhadalwayssensedanundercurrentofsadnessbehindSeth’sgregariousness.

DespitehavingknownthemansinceSt.Matthew’sAcademy,JackalwaysfelttherewasapartofSethhekepthiddennotonlyfromtheworld,butfromJackaswell.JackhadfewfriendsatSt.Matthew’s,asmostofhisclassmateshadeithershunnedhimasthestuck-upGoldenChildofthenCIAbigwigJackRyanorhadbeenintimidatedbytheostensibly

loftycirclesinwhich“SpyBoy”orbited.Ofcourse,neitherscenariohadbeentrue,andJackhadspenthisfirstyearatSt.Matthew’stryingtoproveso,tonoavail.ButSethhadacceptedJackforwhohewas—anawkwardteenagerjusttryingtofindhiswaylikeeveryoneelse.Lookingbackatthattime,JackknewSethhadsavedhimfromwithdrawinginto

himselfandspiralingintoself-isolation.Sethdidn’tgiveashitwhoJack’sfatherwas,orwherehelived,orthatherubbedshoulderswithforeignroyaltyandheadsofstateatgranddinnerparties.Infact,invariably,Seth’sonlyquestionaboutsuchaffairshadbeenwhetherthere’dbeenanyhotgirlsattheeventandwhetherJackhadhookedupwithanyof

theminsomeüber-secretroomatLangley.

JackhadalwaysregrettednottellingSethhowmuchhisfriendshiphadmeanttohim.Perhapsnowwasthetime.BeforeJackcoulddothis,Sethcontinuedhisrapid-fireinterrogation.Sometimeshavingaconversationwithhimwaslikebeinginthemiddleofaverbaltornado.

“What’sgoingonwith

Olivia?”“Sally?”Jackreplied.

“Youhaven’theard?She’sanastronaut.”

“What?Oh,that’sveryfunny,Jack.You’requitethecommode-ian.”

Jacklaughed.“Man,you’restillsayingthat?Itwasn’tevenfunnywhenwewerefifteen.”

“Oh,itwasfunny,andyouknowit.So:Sally?”

“ShejustfinishedwithherresidencyatJohnsHopkins.”

“Underachiever,thatone.Areyoustillatthatplace...thatfinancialgroup?”

“HendleyAssociates.”“Right.Makingtonsof

money?”“Doingokay,”Jack

replied.Thetrueanswerwasyes.ThoughtheinvestmentsideofHendleyAssociates

wasmerelyacoverforTheCampus,Jackandhiscohortshadinfactmadehundredsofmillionsplayingtheworld’smarkets.Ofthatrevenue,onlyafractionpaidtheirsalaries.Therestfundedtheoff-the-booksintelligenceorganization.

Sethsaid,“Andhowabout—”

Jacklaughedandraisedhishandsinmocksurrender.

“Enough,Seth.You’rewearingmeout.Tellmeaboutyou.”

“Stillconsulting.BeenoncontractwithShellforthelasteighteenmonths.IwasbasedoutofBakuuntilabouteightmonthsago,whentheymovedmehere.”

AfterhighschoolSethhadsnaggedaGusArchieMemorialScholarshiptotheUniversityofIllinoisat

Urbana-Champaign’sCollegeofEngineering.Now,apparently,hewasparlayingthatintobigbucks.

“IlikeitinTehran,actually.Mycondo’swithinwalkingdistanceofhere.Greatplace.”

“What’syourspecialty?”askedJack.

“Mostlylookingatdrillingrigsandrefiningplants.It’sanicegig.Ispend

mostofmytimeinCentralAsia.”

“Diceyareas.”Especiallythetwo“stans”fromwhichtheEmir,akaSaifRahmanYasin,sprang,Jackthought.Helpingtonabthatsonofabitchhadbeennotonlydamnedsatisfying,butalsoJack’sfirstforayintotheworldoffieldoperations.

Sethsaid,“Wegetgoodtrainingandplentyofsecurity

whenweneedit—Blackwater-typeguys,mostlyretireesfromU.S.SpecialForces.Niceguys.I’dhatetogetontheirbadside,though.”

AsentimentmostbadguysshareafterreceivingavisitfromNavySEALsorArmyDeltaForce,Jackthought.

“Gotanyinvestmentadviceforme?”Jacksaid.

“No.Andyouwouldn’t

listenifIdid,”repliedSeth.“You’reastraightarrow,Jack,andyouknowit.”

Jackshrugged.“Trueenough.Plus,I’vegotahealthyfearoftheSEC.”

Theirfoodcameandtheyate.JackfollowedSeth’slead,tearingchunksoffthebarbaribreadandmixingitintothetomatostew.Itwasdeliciousandfilling.

“Iwassorrytohearabout

yourdad,”Jacksaid.“Yeah.Igotyourcard,

thanks.SorryIdidn’tsayanything.”

“How’syourmomdoingwithitall?”

“It’sbeenthreeyears.Lookingather,you’dthinkhediedlastweek.”

“It’sunderstandable.”Seth’sfather,Paul,haddiedofasuddenstroke.Seth’smotherhadfoundhiminthe

study.She’dneverfullyrecovered.

“Man,Idon’tknowwhattodoforher,”saidSeth.“Mysister,Bethany—yourememberBethany,right?—livesaboutanhournorthofherinGeorgia.Shetookhertothedoctor,whogavehersomekindofprescription—Lamictal,Ithink.”

“Moodstabilizerandantidepressant,”Jacksaid.

HalfexpectingSethtohavejumpedtoanothersubject,Jackwassurprisedhewasbeingforthcomingwithsuchintimatedetails.“Howlonghasshebeenonit?”

“Acoupleweeks.”“Ifit’sgoingtostart

helping,it’llbeanytimenow.”

Sethsmiled.“Thebenefitsofhavingtwodoctorsinthefamily,huh?”

“Yep.Osmoticknowledge,Isuppose.”

Sethdippedachunkofbreadintohisstew,thenpoppeditintohismouth.“So,whatbringsyoutoTehran?”

“Scouting.Iranianmarketsarestartingtoopenup.IfFarahanikeepshiscourse,there’sgoingtobeaboom.Hendleyneedstobeready.”

Whilethiswastrueand

wascertainlypartofthereasonforJack’spresenceinthecountry,thiswasprimarilyanintelligence-gatheringjunket.WhileporingoverthenewmediaoutletsblossominginIranwasinformative,therewasnosubstituteforwhatJohnClark,Hendley’snewoperationschief,calledaMarkIEyeballinspection.ItwasaNavyterm,Clarkhad

explained.“Walkthestreetsandtalktopeople.Besttoolinaspook’sarsenal.”SofarJackhadneitherseennorheardanythingtosuggestIran’snewpresidentwasanythingbutwhatheseemed—thefirsttruemoderatetoholdofficesincethe1979revolution.Whetherhe’dlastwasanyone’sguess.

JackputthatquestiontoSeth:“You’vebeenhere

awhile.What’syourtakeonallthis?”

“Hell,Jack,Idon’tknow.Icamehereforthefirsttimeaftertheelection.Icantellyouthismuch:Nobody’sbeenanythingbutpolitetome.Igetdirtylooksoccasionallyfromsomeofthegraybeardsbutthat’saboutit.Noone’severcalledme‘imperialistSatan,’ifthattellsyouanything.”

Itdoes,Jackthought.BeforeFarahanitookoffice,Sethwouldhavehadmindersonhistaileverymomenthewasoutsidehisapartment.Thatwould’vebeenthebest-casescenario.AndwithnoreportsofSAVAK-stylecrackdownsonthepopulation,thefactthatSeth—anAmerican,ofallthings—couldwalkthestreetsunmolestedsuggestedmostof

Iran’scitizenrywasonboardwithFarahani’sreforms.

Ceaselessmiracles,Jackthought.

TheychattedforanotherhourandsharedhalfadozencupsofmintteafromasilversamovarthesizeofasmallterrieruntilfinallySethglancedathiswatch.“Shoot.Igottago,Jack,sorry.”

Sethstoodup.Jackdidthesameandextendedhis

hand.Sethgraspeditandthendidsomethingherarelydid:HeheldJack’sgaze.“Reallygoodtoseeyou,man.Imeanit.”

“Youtoo,Seth.”Jackhesitated.“Everythingokaywithyou?”

“Yeah,whywouldn’titbe?Hey,listen,myapartment’saboutfifteenminutesfromhere.”Sethgavehimtheaddress.“It’s

rightoffNiavaranPark.Ifyou’reeverbackintownandneedaplacetocrash,it’syours.Justusethekey.There’resteaksinthefreezer.”

“Thanks,man,that’s—”“Travelsafe,Jack.”Sethturnedandwalked

away,disappearingthroughavine-wrappedarch.

Key...whatkey?Jackthought.Hesatbackdown

andreachedforhisteacup.Sittingbesideitwasabronzekey.

“Whatthehellwasallthatabout?”hemutteredtohimself.

Edinburgh,Scotland

AstheonlymemberofherteamtohavespenttimeintheUnitedKingdompriortothestartofthejob,Helenwas

unsurprisedbytheblitzofblinkinglightsandcacophonyofvoicesfilteringthroughthevan’shalf-openwindows.

Yegorbrakedhardandthevanlurchedtoastopasayoungmanandwoman,clearlyinebriated,stumbledpastthefrontbumper.ThewomanraisedtwofingersatYegorandcalled,“Tosser!”

HelensawYegor’sjawpulsewithanger,buthedid

notrespond,andinsteadwaitedforthemtopassbeforeeasingthevanforward.Oneithersideofthestreet,similarlyintoxicatedyouthstaggeredandweavedalongthesidewalks.Onthepassengerside,outsideHelen’shalf-openwindow,apub’sdoorburstopen,issuingastreamofdrunksandpulsingdancemusic.

“What’satosser?”asked

Yegor.Someonewhodesperately

needsagirlfriend,Helenthoughtwithasmile.“I’llexplainlater,”shesaid.

“Thisisamazing.Whatarealltheseplaces?”

“Pubs,”Helenanswered.“Allofthem?”“Prettymuch.Thisisjust

onearea.ThisisRose,”Helensaid.“It’sthemostpopularpubstreetfor

students.”“Allofthesepeopleare

studentsfromtheuniversity?”“Mostofthem.”“Howdotheyfunctionin

themorning?”askedYegor.“Don’ttheyhavelecturestoattend?”

Helensmiledatthis.Everthepragmatist,Yegorwasn’tsoconcernedabouttheimmoralityhewasseeingbutratherhowitaffectedthe

revelers’studyhabits.“Coffee,”sheanswered.

“Andotherthings,Isuspect.”Inthebackseat,theother

twomembersoftheteam,RomaandOlik,satwiththeirforeheadsnearlypressedagainsttherearwindows,theireyesagog.Wheretheycamefrom,publicdisplayslikethesewerepunishablebyimprisonment.Orworse.

Ofcourse,Helen

remindedherself,RomaandOlikweremen,andshelteredonesatthat.Mostoftheirastonishmentprobablystemmedfromtheseaofexposedfemaleskinpassingbeforetheireyes.Nottomentionthephysicalintimacycouplesshowedeachotheronthestreet.Snoggingwasthetermhere.Athome,neitherofthesewereseenoutsidethebedroomofahusbandand

wife.Olikleanedoverthefront

seat’scenterconsoleandsaid,“Andthisisanimportantschool,yousay?”

“Oneofthemostprestigiousintheworld,”Helenreplied.

Therewereafewsecondsofsilence.“Andwhatexactlyaretheadmissionrequirements?”

Helenchuckled,asdid

Yegor,whosaid,“Getaholdofyourself,Olik.”

Roma,however,muttered,“Whores,allofthem.Everyoneofthem.Theyshouldbewhipped.”

Thiscommentdidn’tsurpriseHelen.Ofthethreemenonherteam,Roma,alast-minuteaddition,hadbeentheonlyonechafingunderherleadership.Hewasazealot,andhethoughtlike

one.Theirswasabusinessofdispassion;Romadidn’tunderstandthat.Themanborewatching.Soonerorlatershewouldhavetoputhiminhisplace.

TheydroveforafewminutesbeforeturningontoCastleStreet.Here,too,thesidewalkwaslinedwithpubsandrestaurants,thoughtheseweremoresubdued,gearedtothosestudentswhodisliked

the“meatmarkets,”sheknew.Isthatthecorrecttermnow,“meatmarkets”?shewondered.Shewouldcheck.Standingoutwasahazardtobeavoided.

“MycontactsaysherfavoritespotiscalledTheStable,”shesaid.

“Likeforhorses?”askedOlik.

“Likeforuniversitystudents,”Helenanswered.

“Thereitis,Yegor,aheadontheleft.”

“Iseeit.Olik,Roma,lookforhercar.AredMiniCooperwithwhitehoodstripes.”

“Howdoessheaffordsuchavehicle?”askedRoma.

AgiftfromDaddy,Helenthoughtbutdidnotsay.“Nevermindthat.Justkeepyoureyesopen.”

Yegorslowedthevan.

Momentslater,frombehindthemcametheimpatienthonkingofcarhorns.

“Alittlefaster,Yegor,”Helensaid,andhepressedtheacceleratorslightly.Itwouldn’tdotobestoppedbythepolice.

“Wait,Ithinkwejustpassedhercar,”saidOlik.“Ontheright.”

Helenglancedinhersidemirror.“Yes,that’stheone.

Keepgoing,Yegor.”Yegorspedup,then

turnedleftontoFrederickStreet,wherehefoundaparkingspaceablockawayfromapetrolstation.Heputthevaninpark,shutofftheengine,andcheckedhiswatch.“Nowwhat?”

“Nowwewait,”repliedHelen.

Nowwebuildapattern.

JParsianHotelAzadi,Tehran

ACKSATBOLTUPRIGHTinbedandlookedaround.Just

someoneatyourdoor,Jack.Relax.Asmuchashelovedfieldwork,especiallythe

high-adrenalinestuff,itdidtendtoputyouinthatzero-to-sixtymind-set.

Heexhaledandrolledhisshoulders,thenhisneck.Hotelpillowsneveragreedwithhim.

Theknockonthedoorcameagain,politebutinsistent.Jackcheckedthenightstandclock.Sixinthemorning.Herolledover,gottohisfeet,donnedhisterry-

clothrobe,andheadedforthedoor.“Whoisit?”

Noanswer,butanotherknock.

“Whoisit?”Jackrepeatedalittlemorefirmly.Therewasnopeephole.Isn’tthatagainstfirecode?ItwasintheUnitedStates,atleast.

“Mr.JackRyan?”Theman’saccentwasEnglish.

Jackdidn’trespond.“Mr.Ryan,mynameis

RaymondWellesley.MayIspeaktoyouforafewminutes?”

“Aboutwhat,Mr.Wellesley?”

“YourfriendSethGregory.”

ThisgotJack’sattention.Wellesleysaid,“Thisis

perhapsamatterbestdiscussedinprivate.”

Easeup,Jack.Ifbysomefluketherehadbeenacoup

overnightandthesewereinfacttheShah’sSAVAKbackfromthedead,hewasscrewedanyway.Plus,thatkindofvisitordidn’tknock.

Jackunlockedthedeadbolt,swungthelatch,andopenedthedoor.Standingbeforehimwasashort,middle-agedmanwiththinningbrownhair.HeworeatailoreddarkblueBritish-cutsuit.SavileRow,Jack

decided.“Mr.JackRyan,yes?”

saidRaymondWellesley.“Yes,comein.”Wellesleystepped

throughthedoorandstrodeacrossJack’ssuitetothesittingareabesidethebalconywindows.Hecarefullyloweredhimselfintooneoftheclubchairsandlookedaroundasthoughcheckingforcleanliness.

Jackshutthedoorandwalkedover.

“Apologiesfortheearlyhour,”Wellesleysaid.“Pressingmatters,I’mafraid.Goodheavens,I’msorry,wouldyoucaretoseesomeidentification?”

“Please,”Jackreplied.Somethingtoldhimhewasabouttobehandedanondescriptbusinesscard.

Hewasright.Thecard

read:

RAYMONDL.WELLESLEYFOREIGN&COMMONWEALTHOFFICE

KINGCHARLESSTREETLONDONSW1A2AHUNITEDKINGDOMRLW@FCO.GOV.UK+442079460690

ThoughBritainwasn’tduetoreopenitsTehranembassyforanotherfew

months,somethingtoldJackthatRaymondWellesleywouldn’tbethetypetohaveanaddresshereanyway.Wellesley’sbusinesscardtoldhimnothingexceptthemanwasprobablynotinfactanemployeeoftheFCO.

Jackslippedthecardintothepocketofhisrobeandsaid,“YoumentionedSethGregory.Isheokay?”

“Curiousword,okay.

Lendsitselftoallmannerofinterpretation,doesn’tit?”

Wellesley’saccentwasnotjustBritish,Jackdecided,butwhathe’dcometorecognizeasReceivedPronunciation—RPorBBCEnglish.Nonregionalandindistinct.Apparently,Jackthought,he’dabsorbedsomethingfrommeetingthepanoplyofBritishdiplomatsthathadvisitedtheWhite

Houseduringhisdad’sfirstterm.RPwasstandarddialectamonghigher-echelonpeopleattheSecretIntelligenceService,an“oldboy”traditionthathadn’tchangedsincetheFirstWorldWar.

Wellesleyadded,“WhetherMr.Gregoryis‘okay’issomethingIwashopingyoucouldhelpmewith.”

Jackfelthisheart

quickenslightly.Whatthehellisgoingon?

Jacksaid,“Answermyquestion,Mr.Wellesley.”

“Asfaraswecantell,yourfriendisaliveandwell.YouhadlunchwithMr.Gregoryyesterday,didyounot?”

“Yes.”“Doyouknowwherehe

isnow?”“No,Idon’t.”

“Whatdidyoudiscussduringyourlunch?”

“HowmuchIwashopingtogetapredawnvisitfromtheFCO.Andhereyouare.”

“Iencourageyoutotakemyquestionsseriously,Mr.Ryan.We’reaffordingyouacourtesywemightnototherwiseextend.”

Themessagewasclear,oratleasthethoughtso:Ifheweren’tthatJackRyan,this

talkprobablywouldn’tbeevenremotelycordial.

JacksteppedaroundtheclubchairandtookaseatoppositeWellesley.

“Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”heasked.

“No,thankyou.Ican’tstaylong.”

“Mr.Wellesley,Sethisafriendofmine.We’veknowneachothersincehighschool.I’mhereonbusinessandI

askedhimifhe’dliketohavelunchandcatchup.”

“Whatdidyoudiscuss?”“Family,oldtimes,Iran’s

newgovernment,andabitaboutwork.”

“Whatkindofworkdoeshedo?”

“He’sanengineerwithShell.”

“Isthatwhathetoldyou?”

“Yes,that’swhathetold

me.Youhavereasontobelieveotherwise?”

“Ican’tdiscussthat.”“Whyareyoulookingfor

him?”“Ican’tdiscussthat,

either,butifyoucanhelpusfindhim,wewouldbegrateful.”

“I’dtradegratitudeforequity,”Jacksaid.“Givemeabetterideawhat’sgoingonandI’llseewhatIcando.”

RaymondWellesleypursedhislipsandstaredintospaceforafewseconds.“Verywell.Butnothere.Areyoufreethisafternoon?”

IsWellesleysuggestingmyroomisbugged?Jackwondered.Itseemedunlikely,buthe’dlearnedearlyontonevermistakeprobabilitywithpossibility.

“Icanbe.”Wellesleystoodupand

drewanotherbusinesscardfromthebreastpocketofhissuit.Withasilverpenhescribbledonthebackofthecard,thenhandedittoJack.

“Meetmethereattwoo’clock.”

•••

ASHADBEENdrummedintohimbyDingChavez,Hendley’ssenioroperationsofficer,Jack

arrivedbytaxianhourearlyforthemeeting,thengotoutandwalkedtheground,familiarizinghimselfwiththeneighborhoodaroundtheaddressWellesleyhadgivenhim,theupscaleZafaraniyehdistrictinnorthernTehran.Alwaysknowyouregress—or,inDing’sSpecFor-influencedvernacular,“KnowyourGTFOplan”:GettheFuckOut.

AccordingtothetravelwebsitesJackhadconsulted,ZafaraniyehwashometomostlyIranianandexpatriatemillionaires.Behindtree-linedsidewalks,theapartmentfaçadesweredoneinPahlavistyle,acirca-1960smixoftraditionalPersianandmodernEuropean.

Alightrainbegantofall.Jackopenedtheumbrellathehotel’sconciergehad

suggestedandcontinueddownthedampsidewalk.Thefewpassersbyhesaw,mostlyEuropeansincasualsportcoatsandtrousers,offeredhimaperfunctorysmile.Thelocalswereamixofmenandwomen,thelatterwearingnoheadscarvesatall,simplynodding.Nosmiles.Neitherfriendlynorunfriendly.Agoodsign,Jackknew.Hehadchosenhisattireinhopesof

blendingin.Atone-fifty,Jackmade

hiswaytothecorrectaddress,anapartmentfrontedbygranitecolumnsandalineofneatlytrimmedsquaredhedges.Heclimbedthestepsintothetiledfoyerandfoundtheintercompanel.HepressedthebuttonlabeledVII.Amomentlateravoicesaid,“Comeup,Mr.Ryan.”

Goodguessorforesight?

Jackthought.Assumethelatter,Jack.

Thefoyer’sinnerdoorletoutasoftbuzz.Jackopenedit,steppedthrough,andfollowedthecarpetedrunnertotheelevator,anold-styleaccordion-gatedelevatorthattookhimtotheseventhfloorandanothertiledfoyer.Asthegateparted,adooracrossfromhimopened,revealingRaymondWellesley.

“Earlyispunctual,”hesaid.“Amanaftermyownheart.Comein.”

JackfollowedWellesleyinsideanddownashorthallwaytoaspaciousroomdecoratedinwhatJackcouldonlydescribeasgray,withfurnitureanddecorthatwereneitherBritishnorPersian,neithercolorlessnorvibrant.Aperfectlyforgettablesafehousewithfurnishingsthat

camewiththeplace,Jackthought.

Hestoppedattheentranceoftheroomandlookedaround.Tohisleftapairofhallwaysledbacktowhatheguessedwerebedrooms;tohisrightwasanalcoveminibar.Standingbesideasectionalcouchareainfrontofthewindowswasasecondmanofmediumheight,withdarkcroppedhair

andaheavybeard.Hisfacewasdeeplytanned,asthoughhespentmoretimeoutdoorsthanhedidindoors.

Wellesleysaid,“Jack,mayIintroduceMatthewSpellman.”

Spellmansteppedaroundthecouchandextendedhishand.“Matt.”

“JackRyan.”“Coffee,Mr.Ryan?”

Wellesleyasked.

“Thanks.”Theysettledintothe

sittingroom,Jacktakingawingbackchair,Spellmanonthecouchoppositehim.WellesleypouredJackacupofcoffeefromthecarafeonthelowtablebetweenthem,thenjoinedSpellmanonthecouch.

Jackraisedhismuginahalf-toast.“ToAnglo-Americancooperation.”

“Let’shopeso,”Wellesleyreplied.

HavingalreadyguessedWellesleywasSIS,JacksurmisedSpellmanwasCIA.WhateverSethGregoryhaddoneorwassuspectedofdoing,hisfriendhadattractedsomepowerfulattention.Jackwastemptedtotakeahardline,todemandanswers,butheknewitwouldgethimnowhere,notyet.Moreover,

aggressionmightonlypiquetheirinterestinhim.Bettertolethishostsmakesomeprogressontheiragenda.

“Justsothere’snomisunderstanding,”Spellmanbegan,“weknowwhoyouare.”

“AndwhoamI?”“FirstSonofPresident

Ryan.”“AndifIwasn’t?”“Please,Mr.Ryan,”said

Wellesley.“We’renotthugs.What’syourbusinessinIran?”

“Marketscouting.I’mwithHendleyAssociates.Wedo—”

“WeknowwhatHendleydoes.Butwhyareyouhere,inIran?”

“Itoldyou.Marketscouting.PresidentFarahani’smovetowardmoderationmayopenthingsuptoforeign

investment.Ifso,wewanttogetaheadofthat.”

“Makessense.Heck,maybeIshouldgetsomestocktipsfromyou,”Spellmansaidwithachuckle.

“Howlongdoyouplanonbeinghere?”ThisfromWellesley.

Goodcop,badcop,Jackthought.ThoughHollywoodhadmadethetechniqueacliché,itwastried-and-true.

SpellmanandWellesleyweregivinghimamildformofitnow—affablecop,slightlytestyBritishbobby.

“It’sopen-ended,”hereplied.

“HowwelldoyouknowSethGregory?”askedWellesley.

“We’reoldfriendsfromhighschool.”

“Whenwasthelasttimeyouwereintouchwitheach

other?”Spellmanasked.Intentionallycovering

alreadyplowedground,Jackthought.“Yesterday,atlunch.Butyouknowthat.”

Wellesleysaid,“Beforethat,iswhathemeans.”

“E-mail,tosetupthelunch.”Youknowthat,too.

Thequestioningcontinuedforanothertenminutes,Wellesleyprobingandreprobingthenatureand

depthofJack’srelationshipwithSeth.Theyweresettingabaselineandlookingforinconsistencies.AsidefrominterjectingbitsoflightheartedhumortokeepJackontherollercoaster,Spellmansaidnothing,butsimplysippedhiscoffeeandstudiedJack’sface.

Finallyhesaid,“Doyouknowwhereheis?”

“Haveyoucheckedhis

apartment?”“Yes,”saidWellesley.

“Haveyoubeenthere?”“Idon’tevenknow

whereitis.”“PardisCondos,off

NiayeshExpressway.”Jackrecalledhisstill-

spottymentalmapofTehran.TheNiayeshExpresswaywasnowherenearNiavaranPark,whereSethhadclaimedhisapartmentwaslocated.What

thehellisgoingon?Jackshookhishead.“I

haven’tbeenthere.”“Iwentthereafterour

meetingthismorning,”saidWellesley.“He’snotthere.Infact,itlookslikehehasn’tbeenthereforquitesometime.”

“Hetravelsforwork.”“Weknowthat,”

Wellesleyreplied,withatingeofexasperationinhis

voice.Itsoundedgenuine.

PerhapsabuttonJackcouldpushlaterifnecessary.

“Didyoutwotalkabouthiswork?”askedSpellman.

“Onlyinpassing.HeconsultsforShell.”

Jackwatchedforareactionfromeitherman,butgotnothingbutimpassivegazes.Hesaid,“Guys,Idon’tknowwhattotellyou.You

seemtoknowmorethanIdoaboutwhat’sbeengoingonwithSeth.Areyougoingtoexplainwhat’sgoingon?Comeon,givemesomething.”

Wellesleyletoutasigh.Spellmansethiscuponthecoffeetableandleanedforward,hiselbowsonhisknees.“WethinkSeth’sgottenhimselfintotrouble.Wewanttohelphim.”

“Listen,Idon’tevenknowwhoyouare,butI’vereadenoughJohnleCarrénovelstomakeaguess.Youdon’thavetotellmeallyoursecrets,butifSeth’sintrouble,Ineedtoknowwhat’sgoingon.”

“No,youdon’t,”repliedWellesley.“Isuggestyou—”

Spellmanraisedahandtocutoffhiscolleague.“Hangonasecond,Raymond.Okay,

Jack,that’sfair.I’mgoingtostickmyneckout.Don’tchopitoff,okay?Igotkidstofeed.”Spellmangavehimasheepishgrin.

JackfoundhimselfnotdislikingSpellman—whichwasprobablythepoint,heremindedhimself.

“I’lldomybest,Matt.”“We’vehadanopgoing

forthepastyearorso.Seth’sbeenrunningitforus,butit’s

gotnothingtodowithIran.Somethingelse.Afteryoutwohadlunchhewassupposedtocomehereforasit-down,anupdatemeeting.Whenhedidn’tshow,wecheckedhisapartment.Hehasn’tbeenstayingthere.Thesupersaidhe’sbeencollectingSeth’smailforalmostamonth.”SpellmanhesitatedandglancedatWellesley,whogavehima

slightnod.“He’salsotakensomemoney—ouroperationalfund.Andwethinkheleftthecountry.”

Damnit,Jackthought.Spellmanwasn’tkidding;Sethwasindeeptrouble.WasSeth,hisoldhighschoolbuddy,whatheseemedtobe?Toomanyquestions,Jackthought.

Jackalmostforgottoaskthenextobviousquestion,

oneheknewtheywouldn’tanswerbutoneacivilianwouldcertainlyask:“Whatdoyoumean,‘op’?Youmeanoperation?Whatkind?Towhatend?”

Spellmangavehimanotherdisarmingsmile.“Sorry,that’sneed-to-knowstuff.Sufficetosay,we’rethegoodguys.”

“You’rekiddingwiththis,right?Thiscan’tbe

real.”“Thisisquitereal,Mr.

Ryan,”saidWellesley.“You’llagreethecircumstancesdon’tlookgoodforyourfriend.Ofcourse,allthiscouldbeamisunderstanding—”

“Crossedwires,”Spellmanadded.

“—whichiswhyit’simperativewefindMr.Gregory.”

“No,hey,Igetit,”saidJack.“AllI’vegotishiscell-phonenumberande-mailaddress,butI’mguessingyou’vegotthose,too.”

“Whatarethey?”askedSpellman.JackrecitedthemandSpellmannodded.“Yeah,thoseareright.”

“Idon’tbelieveSethwoulddosomethinglikewhatyou’retalkingabout.You’resuggestinghe’sa

traitor,aspy.”“Peoplechange,”

Spellmanreplied.“That’snottheSethI

know.”“You’refamiliarwiththe

apple-treeaphorism,Iassume?”saidWellesley.

“What,aboutonenotfallingfarfromtheother?Whatthehelldoesthatmean?AreyoutalkingaboutSeth’sdad?Heworkedforthe

DepartmentofAgriculture,forGod’ssake.”

“Ofcourse.”Jackstoodup.“I’vetold

youeverythingIknow.IfIhearfromhim,I’lltellhimtocallyou.Fortherecord,Ithinkyou’rewrong.”

SpellmanandWellesleystoodupaswell.TheAmericansaid,“Hangon,Jack...”

“No,I’mdone.”Jack

headedforthedoor.Wellesleycalled,“Mr.

Ryan.”Jackturnedaround.“Ifyou’relyingtous,or

youtrytoreachouttoyourfriendbehindourbacks,we’llknowaboutit.Ifthathappens,yourfather’sinfluencewillonlygosofar.”

“Areyouthreateningme?”

TheSISmanwasdoing

justthat,Jackknew,andhewasn’tparticularlysurprisedbyit,giventheallegedstakes.Still,thenaturalreactionofhispublicpersona,JackRyan,Jr.,FirstSonandworkadayfinancialanalyst,wouldbeoneofoutrageandfear.Givethemwhattheyexpect.

“ItoldyouwhatIknow.SethandIhadlunchforaboutanhour.Endofstory.”

Spellmanraisedhishandsinsurrenderandsteppedaroundthecouch.“Hey,Jack,you’reprobablyright.Wejustneedtofindhim,that’sall.You’rehisfriendandyouprobablywanttoprotecthim.I’dfeelthesame.Butyoureallydon’twanttogetinthemiddleofthis.Justgetaholdofusifyouhearfromhim.Usethee-mailonRaymond’scard.And

don’tgohuntingforhim,Jack.”

RaymondWellesleysaid,“Verygoodadvice,that.”

•••

ASSOONAShesteppedoutontothestreet,hetookadeepbreath,tryingtowraphisheadaroundwhathadjusthappened,thenstartedwalking.Thecool

springairfeltgoodonhisface.

Goddamnit,Jackthought.Can’tbe.NotSeth.Spellman’swarningaboutnotgettinginvolvedhadbarelyregisteredwithJack.NothelpSeth?Noway.Thequestionwas,Wherethehellshouldhestart?

Ascrazyasthemanhadbeen,JamesJesusAngleton,ColdWarCIAspyhunterand

ragingparanoid,hadgottenitrightwhenheassignedtheYeatsline“wildernessofmirrors”totheworldofintelligenceandespionage.ThefactthatJackcouldstillrememberthepoemwaseitheratestamenttooranindictmentofhisCatholic-schoolupbringing.

Jack’snextthoughtaboutthemeetingwouldhavemadeAngletonproud:Are

RaymondWellesleyandMatthewSpellmanwhotheyclaimtobe?Andifnot,whoarethey?Andif...

Stop,Jackcommandedhimself.Thosekindsofspiralingquestionswoulddrophimsquarelydowntherabbithole.Heneededfacts.Heneededafoundationhecouldstandon.

First:Knowwhoheisdealingwith.

Second:FindSethGregorybeforeWellesleyandSpellmandid.

S HORTOFSPENDINGweekstailingSpellmanand

Wellesleyandtryingtobuildaprofileoneachman,Jackhadonlyonewayofknowingtheirpedigrees.TapintoTheCampus’sresources.Butas

therewasnoremotelog-inportaltoHendley’sintelligencegoldmine,hehadtocallinafavor.

TwentyminutesafterhelefttheZafaraniyehapartment,thewheelswereinmotion.

•••

JACKSPENTtherestoftheafternoonkilling

time,thenhadadinneroflambkhoreshinthehotelrestaurant,followedbytwocupsofespresso,beforeleavingandwalkingtwoblockssouth,wherehecaughtataxiandsetoutforNiavaranPark.

Thesunwassettingwhenthetaxidroppedhimoffatthepark’stree-andstreetlight-linedsouthernentrance.AsJackmadehis

waynorthdeeperintotheparkhecouldhearstrainsofwhatsoundedlikePersianpopmusicandlaughing.Improbably,NiavaranParkwasnotonlytheformerhomeofthelastshahofIran,MohammadRezaPahlavi,butalsocurrentlyapubliclibraryandaroller-skatingrinkandteenagehangout.Jackresistedtheurgetogowatchthespectacleandmade

hiswaythroughtheparktoPourebtehajStreet,thepark’snorthernborder.Fromthere,Seth’sapartment—theoneWellesleyandSpellmandidn’tknowabout—wasafive-minutewalktotheeast.

Theapartmentsherewerebuiltinthefifties,oldbutwell-keptbrownstoneswithfreshwhitepaintandneatgrassstripsliningthesidewalks.Seth’sbuilding

wasinthemiddleoftheblock.Jackwalkedtothefarend,wherehefoundacoffeeshop.Hetookaseatnearawindowwithaviewofthebuildingandorderedacupofdecaftea.

Hestartedwatching.

•••

TWENTYMINUTESLATER,afterseeingonlyatrioofpeopleoutandabout—

twoofthemwalkingdogs,thethirdhurryingtocatchabusonthecorner—Jackfelthisphonevibrateinhisjacketpocket.ThescreenreadGavin.

GavinBiery’sofficialtitleatTheCampuswasdirectorofinformationtechnology,buthewasalsoaninformationscroungerwithoutequal.Hehadn’thesitatedwhenJackasked

himtodoanunofficialsearchintoWellesleyandSpellman.He’dsaidnothingaboutSethGregory.

“Hey,Gavin,what’sup?”“We’vegotsleethere.

That’swhat’sup.”Gavinwasn’tafanoftheoutdoors,orweather,orthingsthatdidn’tinvolvecomputers,forthatmatter.

“Sorrytohearthat.What’veyougotforme?”

“RaymondLamontWellesleyandMatthewSpellmanbothlooklegit.They’vegotprettyvanillatitles,butyou’dexpectthat.WellesleyisForeignOffice,nodepartmentordivisionnamed,whichsayssomethinginitself,andSpellmanisDepartmentofState,PoliticalAffairs,EuropeanandEurasia.

“ButonceIdugalittle

deeperIstartedhittinglayersofstuffthatreekedofbackstopping,”saidBiery,referringtoadministrativedetailsusedtobulwarkacoveridentity.“I’llkeepdigging.”

“Noredflags?”“Notsofar.I’llstep

lightly.Areyouintrouble,Jack?”

“Justbeingovercautious.Probablynothing.Thanks,

Gavin.”Jackdisconnected.Henursedhisteafor

anothertwentyminutesuntilsatisfiedtheblockwasclear,thenpaidthetabandwalkedoutside,acrossthestreet,andupthebrownstone’sfrontsteps.Theouterfoyerdoorwasunlocked.Hesteppedthrough.Unlikethebuilding’snondescriptfaçade,thefoyerwaspurePersian,

withblue-and-whitemosaicfloortilesandpristinewhitewalls.Hestoodstillforafewmoments,listening,thentookthestairstothefourthfloorandintothehallway.Itwasempty,linedonbothsideswithfourapartmentdoors;Jackheardnosoundfilteringthroughthem.Hefeltaprickleofapprehensiononhisneck.InanAmericanapartmenthallwayyou’dat

leasthearfainttelevisionnoise.Differentculture,Jackdecided.Hewalkeddownthehallway,pastSeth’sapartmentdoor,number406,andstoppedatthefireexit,whereheagainstoodstill,listening.Ifhe’dcollectedatailhere,theyhadtwochoices:waituntilJackemergedfromthebuildingagainorcomefindhim.Jacksatdownonthewindowsill,

hisbackrestingagainsttheromanshade,andwaited.

Hurryupandwait.ItwasaphrasebothClarkandDinghadusedmanytimes.Inboththemilitaryandintelligencework,patiencewasanindispensablevirtue.

Hewaitedtenminutes,thengaveitanextrafiveminutesforcaution’ssake,thenreturnedtoSeth’sdoor,pressedhiseartothedoorfor

afewmoments,theninsertedthekeyandturnedtheknobandsteppedthrough.Heturnedthedeadboltbackintoplacewithasoftsnick.Savethemoonlightcomingthroughapairofwindowsontheothersideoftheroom,thespacewasdark.

Jackthought:Gloves.Shouldhavebroughtgloves.

Inthecornerofhislefteye,hesawmovement—a

shadowedfigurerushingdownthesidehall.Jackspunonhisheeltofacethecharge.Inrapidfire,Jack’sbraindissectedtheincomingattack:probablynogun,orthemanwouldn’tbetryingtoclosethegap;theman’sarmsandhandsweretuckedclosetohisbody,soprobablynobladeorbluntobject.ThiskindofblindrushsuggestedJack’sarrivalhadsurprised

him.NowJack’sbrain

switchedtoautopilot.Heletthemancoverafewmorefeet,thendodgedright,offthelineofattack,spunonhisheelagain,andtwistedhisbody,slashingatthepassingmanwithhiselbow,catchinghimonthebackoftheheadwithaglancingblow.Itwasn’tenough.Themanturned,hunchedinafighter’s

stance,andlashedoutwithaMuayThai–stylekick.HisshinlandedhardonJack’sleftthigh.Jackimmediatelyfelthisquadricepsmusclegonumb.Thekickwasn’toneofdesperationreaction,Jackrealized.Hisattackerhadskill.

Hestumbledbackward,tryingtoregainhisbalance,tryingtotransferweightontohisgoodleg,buttheman

chargedagain,backinghimtowardthewindows.Abackfullofglassshardswouldendthefight,heknew.Hesidestepped,ahalf-stumble,thentookastepforward,duckedunderthestraightrightpunchfromtheman,thenslammedhisownrighthookintotheman’sribs.Themanstaggeredsideways.Jack’sdamagedthighfeltdead.Hewasn’tgoingtowin

thisstandingup.Hepushedoffwithhis

rightlegandcrashedintotheman.Togethertheyfellinaheaponthefloor,themanpinnedbeneathJack.Themanturnedontohisback,encircledJack’swaistwithhislegs,andpulledhisheaddownagainsthischest.Shit.ThemanhadBrazilianjiu-jitsu,too.IfJackdidn’textricatehimselfquickly,

he’dnodoubtfindhimselfinarearnakedchoke.Losestandingup,loseontheground.Dosomething,Jack.

ThemanslammedanelbowintoJack’stemple.Brightlightflashedbehindhiseyes.Hefelthisbodyswayingsideways,sawblacknesscreepingintohisvision.Knowingmorestrikeswouldbecoming,Jackbracketedhisheadwithhis

forearms,absorbingblowsuntilhecouldrighthimself.Hejerkedback,breakingtheman’sgrip,thensnappedhistorsodownward.Hisforeheadsmashedintotheman’scheekbone.Jackheardthesoftcrunch.Themanshovedhisarmup,palm-strikingJack’schin.Jackfelttheman’sfingersclawinguphisfacetowardhiseyes.Hejerkedhisheadsidewaysand

broketheman’sgrip.Don’tletup,Jack

thought.Finishhimbeforeyougoout.

Heliftedhisheadagain,broughtitdownagain,thenoncemore.Beforehisassailantcouldrecover,Jackreacheddownblindly,grabbedtheman’sears,andslammedthebackofhisheadagainstthehardwoodfloor.Thentwicemoreuntilthe

manwentlimp.Gasping,Jackrolledoff

themanandscootedsideways,disentanglinghimselffromtheman’slegs,andcranedhisneckuntilhecouldseedownthehallwayfromwherethemanhadcharged.Thankfully,therewasnoonethere;hewasinnoshapeforanotherfight.Hisheadthrobbedandhecouldheartherushofblood

inhisears.Halfconscious,moving

oninstinctalone,Jackcrawledovertotheman,flippedhimontohisbelly,andpressedhisleftkneeagainsthisneck.Themandidn’tmove,madenosound.Thehardwoodbeneathhisheadwasslickwithblackblood.Jackreacheddownandfelttheman’sthroatforacarotidpulse.Itwasthere,

steadyandstrong.Good,Jackthought.

Whilehe’dkilledbeforeandacceptedthenecessityofit,he’dneverlikedthefeeling.Italwaysmadehimmildlyqueasy—agoodthing,JohnClarkhadtoldhim:“Whenithasnoeffectonyou,eitherwhenithappensorlater,whenyou’realonewithyourthoughts,yougotaproblem.”Thatadmissionfromaman

likeClarkhadsurprisedJack,andhe’dwonderedifHendley’soperationschiefwasbecomingmorereflectiveinhisgoldenyears.Ofcourse,goldenyearswasn’tatermheeverutteredinClark’spresence.

Jackrealizedhisleftthighwastwitchinguncontrollably.Hesatdownonhisbutt,scootedhimselfbackwardoverthefloor,then

begankneadingthequadricepsmuscleuntilfinallythequiveringsubsided.Damn,thatkickhadbeenunlikeanythingJackhadeverfelt.Asecondonewouldhavedroppedhim.TimetodosomeMuayThaitraining,Jackthoughtabsently.

Think,Jack.Hadhisattackerbeensurprisedbyhisarrival,orhadthisbeenan

ambush?Onewaytofindout.Jackcrawledtothemanandfriskedhim.Therewasawalletinthebackpocket;Jackpulleditoutandstuffeditintohisfrontwaistband.Ontheman’srighthipwasapaddleholster;insideit,anine-millimetersemi-auto.Jackejectedthemagazine,founditfull,theneasedbacktheslideandsawtherewasaroundinthepipe.

Surprise,then,Jackthought.Ifthishadbeenanambush,themanwouldhavebeenwaiting,gundrawn.Evenso,he’dhadtimetodrawdownonJack.Themanhadprobablypanicked.GooddumbluckforJack.

“Whothehellareyou?”Jackmutteredtotheunconsciousman.Aquestionforlater.

Hewithdrewthenine-

millimeterandstuffeditintohisjacket’ssidepocket.

Jackpushedhimselftohisfeet,limpedovertothewindowsanddrewtheshades,thenbacktothedoor,whereheflippedontheoverheadlight.Saveafloorlampinonecorner,theroomwasempty.Jackwalkedoverandunpluggedthelamp,thenjerkedthecordfreeandusedittobindtheman’shands.

Jackmadehiswayintothekitchenetteoffthemainroomandturnedontherangehoodlight.Hefoundaglassonthecounterandfilleditwithwaterfromthesink,drankit,thenanother.Hishandswereshaking.Heputdowntheglassandclenchedhisfistsuntiltheyweresteadyagain.

Heopenedthemostlyemptyfreezerandfounda

bagoffrozencarrots.Withitpressedagainsthisthigh,heheadeddowntheshorthallway,wherehefoundabathroom,emptyexceptforabarofsoapintheshower,ahandtowel,andatoothbrushandatubeoftoothpastesittingontheedgeofthesink.InthemedicinecabinethefoundabottleofwhatlookedlikeIranian-brandibuprofen.Hedownedfourofthem,then

inspectedhisfaceinthemirror.Ahalf-dollarspotonhisforeheadwasbrightredandhisrightcheekbonewasswollenandscraped.Couldbealotworse,Jackknew.Heturnedonthefaucet,splashedwateronhisface,thenwipeditoncewiththehandtowel.

Attheendofthehallwasabedroomcontainingacampingcot,afoldingchair,andacardtablewithaflex-

necklampclampedtoitsedge.Thesinglewindowwascoveredbyblackoutcurtains,theiredgestapedwithsilverducttape.Onlyaribbonoflightshowedthroughthecenter.Inthecornersatatwo-by-two-footfloorsafe,itsdoorclosed.

“Nicedigs,Seth,”Jackwhispered.“Whatthehellareyouupto?”

Whyhadhisfriend

abandonedhisrealapartmentforthisspartanbolt-hole?AccordingtoSpellman,Seth’smailhadbeenpilingupforalmostamonth.ProvidingthatwaswhenSethhadmovedhere,whathadpromptedit?AndwhyhadSethgivenhimthekey?Itcertainlywasn’tsoJackwouldhaveanalternativeplacetolayhishead.Sethhadwantedhimtocomehere,

tofindsomething—mostlikelywhateverwasinsidethatsafe.

Jackcrossedtothesafe,kneltdown,andtriedthehandle.Itwaslocked.

Unbidden,Seth’sfinalwordsatChaibarcafépoppedintoJack’shead:“There’resteaksinthefreezer.”

“Cleverboy,”Jackmuttered.

Hesteppedoutofthe

bedroom.Andfroze.Attheendofthehall

stoodaman;hewaspointingagunatJack’schest.

“Notasound,orI’llputyoudown.”

•••

THEMAN’SACCENTwasAmerican.Hisfacewascoveredbyabalaclava.Quietbastard,Jack

thought.WashedealingwithoneofMattSpellmanandRaymondWellesley’smen?Ifnot,thiswasahellofacoincidence.

Themanheldasemi-autoaffixedwithanoisesuppressorthesizeofasodacan.Withasuppressorofthatsize,ashotwouldbesofterthanapaperbackbookbeingslammedonthefloor.Jack’sheartstartedtopound.

“Handsup,”themansaid.

Jackraisedhishands.Thebagofcarrotshe’d

hadpressedtohisthighhitthefloor.

Themanasked,“Didyoukillhim,thatoneoutthere?”

“Notquite.”“Bloodiedhimupabit,

though.”“Himorme.Friendof

yours?”

“Shutup.Iask,youanswer.”

Ifthesetwomenwerepartners,thisonewasgivingnothingaway.

“Yougothisgun,yeah?”themansaid.“Faceawayfrommeandpullitout—twofingersonthebarrel,niceandslow,putitonthefloor.”

Jackturnedawayfromthemanand,ashepulledoutthenine-millimeter,suckedin

hisgut,thenhunchedforwardslightly,edgingthewalletdownthefrontofhispants.Hekneltdown,repeatingtheundulationmotion,then,hopingthewalletwasoutofview,laidthegunonthefloor.

“Turnaroundandkickitovertome,”saidBalaclava.

Jackdidso.Thenine-millimeterspunacrossthehardwoodfloorandbounced

toastopattheman’sfeet.Hisowngunneverwavering,Balaclavakneltdown,pickedupthegun,andstuffeditintohiswaistband.

Jackthought,I’mstillalive.Thatwasbothverygoodnewsandverybadnews.SomethingtoldJackthisnewplayerwasn’tthekindofmanyouwantedtospendanyalonetimewith.

“Listen,”Jacksaid,“I

walkedinhereandthatguyattackedme.That’sallIknow.Letmegoand—”

Themanchuckled.“Nothappening,pal.Walktowardme.CarefulorI’llputoneinyourknee,gotme?”

“Gotyou.”Handsraised,Jack

walkeddownthehall.Themanmaintainedhisdistance,backsteppinguntilheandJackwereinthemainroom.

“Stopthere.”Themansteppedtothe

doorandflippedofftheoverheadlight.Theroomwentdark,savewhatlittlelightfilteredoutfromthekitchenette.

“Onyourknees,anklescrossed.”

Jackhesitated,consideringhisoptions.Therewasalmostnochancehecouldclosethegap.The

mancouldputthreeroundsintoJackbeforehetooktwosteps.

“Bestnottothinkaboutittoomuch,”themansaid.“DowhatIsayandmaybewe’llgettobefriends.”

Jackkneltdown.Themanwalkedtothe

unconsciousfigureonthefloor,kneltdown,andpressedhisfingerstotheman’sthroat.

“Stillalive?”Jackasked.“Heis.Goodluckfor

you.”“Maybehe’sgot

identification—”“Damn,man,shutyour

mouth.You’renotexactlyaquicklearner,areyou?”

Jackshrugged.“Turnaround,faceaway

fromme.”Jackshookhishead.“If

you’regoingtokillme—”

“Nah,see,I’mmoreofaface-to-faceguy.We’regoingtohaveaniceprivatechat.Howyoucomeouttheotherendwilldependonyouranswers.Turnaround.”

Jack’sheartwasinhisthroat.Hehadnochoice.Hewasgoingtoturnaroundeitherofhisownvolitionorbecausehehadabulletinhisknee.Shit,isthiswhereitends?hethought.Againhe

quashedtheimpulsetochargetheman.Jackguessedthisman’sideaofachatwasgoingtoinvolvealotofpainandblood,butitmightalsobuyhimsometime.Eitherway,attheendofwhateverwascoming,Jackwasgoingtoendupdead.Playfortime,then.

Themangroaned,rolledhiseyes.“Oh,comeon,man—”

HefiredaroundintothefloorbeforeJack’sknees.Woodchipspepperedhisthighs.Hesqueezedhiseyesshut.Sonofabitch.

“—you’retestingmypatience.Turnaround.Lastwarning.”

Jackmaneuveredhimselfsohewasfacingthewindows.

Footstepsclickedonthewoodenfloorbehindhim.

Hefeltsomethingslamintothebackofhishead.Thennothing.

J ACKFELTHISbodylurchupward.Hisheadbangedagainst

somethingwithadullthunk.Heopenedhiseyelidsslightly;wavesofpainradiatedacrosshisheadandpulsedbehindhiseyes.He

squeezedthemshutagain,tookseveraldeepbreaths,untilfinallythepaineased.Whathadhappened?Ambush...BalaclavaMan.

ThefloorbeneathJackwasshuddering,emittingacrinklingsound.Jack’sbrainstartedassemblingpieces:Hewasmoving.Insideavehicle.Heopenedhiseyesagainandscannedhissurroundings.Asmallpanelvan,whitewalls,

toolracksholdingspoolsofwireandhandtools.Anelectrician’svan.Rememberthat,Jackthought.

Hewaslyingonaplastictarp,feettowardthefrontseats,hisheadrestingonthedriver’s-sidewheelwell.Hisjacketwasgone,leavinghiminonlyapoloshirt.Jackrockedslightlyontohisbuttandcouldfeelhisbackpocketwasempty.

They’dtakenhiswallet,whichcontainedhisVirginiadriver’slicense,personalcreditcards,hotelroomkeycard,andhishybridsatellitecellphone.Noneofthesewouldleadhiskidnappersanywhereofvalue.AsdidallofTheCampus’soperationsofficers,Jackpracticedgooddigitaltradecraft:InadditiontohavinghisphoneAES-256password-protected,Jack

religiouslyclearedhiscallhistory,discussednothingoverinstantmessagingore-mailthatwasconfidentialorextraordinary,keptnothingbutinnocuouscontactsinhisaddressbook,andasidefromHendley’smainline,therewerenonumbersonhisspeeddial;theresthe’dcommittedtomemory.Inshort,hisphonewasasgrayascouldbe—aswashisroomatthe

ParsianHotelAzadi.Still,iftheyrealizedhewasJackRyan,Jr....Likeitornot,Jackknewhewasahigh-valuetarget.

Thetarphelayonwasabadsign.Itsuggestedtheyweregoingtostartworkingonhimhere.Itwouldn’tdotohavethevan’sinteriorbloody.Hishandswereboundbeforehimwithathickzip-tie,butnothisankles.

Betternews.Fromthefrontseata

voicesaid,“Checkonhim.”Jackrecognizedthevoice:Balaclava.

Jackshuthiseyes.Throughhislidshesensedaflashlightbeampassoverhisface.Thebeamwentdark.

“Stillout,”camethereply.

ThisvoiceJackdidn’trecognize,buttheaccentwas

American,aroughNewYorkone.Jackfeltcertainhe’dbrokenthenoseofhisassailantinSeth’sbolt-hole,butheheardnotraceofitinthisman’svoiceandhisheadwascoveredinadarkwoolbeanie,whichcouldbecoveringanyscalplaceration.InSeth’sapartmentBalaclavahadseemedbothinterestedanddisinterestedinthemanJackhadtakenout.His

kidnapperswereAmerican,andWellesleyandSpellmanhadwarnedhimnottogetinvolved.Wasthistheirresponse?

“Howfar?”Balaclavasaid.

“Twomiles.Takealeftonthisroaduphere.Thereareheadlightsbehindus.”

“TheonesfromtheShomal?”

“Idon’tknow.Can’ttell.

Shit,maybe—”“Relax.It’sprobably

nothing.”Afterafewmoments,

Jackheardthesofttick-tockofthevan’sturnsignal,thenfeltthevehicleturning.Heopenedhiseyesandcranedhisheadbackward.Upsidedown,throughthevan’srearwindow,hecaughtaglimpseofthemoon;asthevanfinishedtheturn,itslidfrom

view.Thetiresbegancrunchingslightly.They’dturnedontoagravelroad.WeretheyoutsideTehran?This,too,wasabadsign:dark,isolatedroad,handsbound,lyingonatarp-coveredvanfloor.

Shomal,Jackthought.Thenamesoundedfamiliar,andBalaclava’suseofthesuggestedahighwayorfreeway.Jacktriedtorecall

hismentalmapofTehran,buthedrewablank.

Doesn’tmatter,hethought.Onethingmattered:Hehadtogetout,makeabreak.Iftheyreachedtheirdestinationwithhiminsidethisvan,hewasfinished.Howfarwouldheget,though?Thehellwithit.Bettertodierunningthanlyingdown.

“Didtheymakethe

turn?”askedtheAmerican.“No,itkeptgoing.We’re

okay.”Notsofast,Jackthought.Hecurledhislegsuntil

hiskneestouchedhischest,tookadeepbreath,thenmule-kickedthedriver’sseat.Balaclavalurchedforward,hisheadsmackingthesteeringwheel.Thevanskewedtotheright,wheelsthumpingontheroad’sberm.

“Gethim,gethim,”Balaclavayelled.

Jackspunonhisbutt,curledhislegsagain,andkickedthebackdoors.Knowingitwouldtakemorethanonetry,Jackkickedagain,gruntingwiththeeffort,thenagainandagain,untilfinallythereardoorsburstoutward.Thethrumofthetiresandtheredglowofthetaillightsfilledthe

interior.Thevanveeredleft.Jackbouncedoffthesidewall.

Herolledontohisside,gothisfeetunderhim,andstoodinahalf-crouch.Hisheadbangedagainstthevan’sroof.Hefeltapairofhandsonhiships,pullinghimbackward.Headlightsfloodedtheinterior.Ahornbeganhonking.Howclose,Jackcouldn’ttell.Withhiseyes

squintingagainsttheglare,Jacktwistedsideways,brokefreeofthehands.

“Goddamnit...!”theAmericanshouted.“Getback—”

“Grabhim!”calledBalaclava.

Jackcurledhimselfintoaballandheavedhimselfoutthedoors.

•••

HEHITTHEROADHIP-FIRST.Theimpactjarredhisspineandknockedtheairfromhislungs.Hebarrel-rolledovertheroad,stonesgougingandscratchinghisarms,hiseyesightfilledwithsnatchesofdarksky,dirt,tallgrassalongsidetheroad,andheadlights.Behindhimanengineroared.Tiresskidding.Agustofairbuffetedhimasthecarswervedaroundhim.

Jackfelthimselfplowingthroughgrass,thendownanembankment.Hestoppedrolling,faceupandstaringatthesky.Hisstomachfilledhisthroatandhiseyesightsparkled.Herolledontohisbelly,gothisboundhandsbeneathhischest,andpressedhimselfup,thenontohisknees.Downtheroadhesawthevan’sbrakelightsflashasitskiddedtoastopamida

cloudofdust.Thirtyfeetbehind,thetrailingcarwasalsoslidingtoastop.

Damn,Jackthought.Fryingpantofire.Nowhehadatleastthreepursuerstoelude.

Thevan’sdriver’s-sidedoorswungopenandBalaclavahoppedout.

Jackgottohisfeet,startedtoturntorun.Hestopped.

Thetrailingcar’senginerevved,veeredsidewaysaroundthevan,itsnoseaimedatBalaclava,whoflunghimselfbackintothevan.Thecarplowedintotheopendoor;ittorefreeandskippedoverthecar’shoodandroofinashowerofdebris.Thecarskiddedtoastop,thereverselightscameon,anditbackedupuntilitwasevenwiththevan.Asit

passed,outthepassengerwindowcameatriooforangemuzzleflashes.

“Whatthefuck?”Jackmuttered.

Spewingaroostertailofgravel,thevansurgedforward,itsreardoorsbangingopenandshut.Thebrakelightswentdarkandfadedintothedustcloud.

Thecarkeptbackingup,pickingupspeed,thendida

J-turnandskiddedtoastopacrosstheroadfromJack.Thecarwasblack,aMercedesE-Class.

Fromthedriver’swindowafemalevoiceshouted,“Getin!”

Jackdidn’tmove.“Getinbeforethey

regroupandturnaround!”Nochoice,hethought.Halfstumbling,half

running,Jackcrossedthe

road,wentaroundthecar’srearbumper,thenopenedthepassengerdoor,threwhimselfinside,andslammedthedoorshut.Amomentbeforethedomelightwentdarkandthecarspedoff,Jackglimpsedlongblackhair,andmanicurednailsonthesteeringwheel.

•••

WITHTHECAR’S

HEADLIGHTSOFF,theMercedes’spowerfulengineateupthegravelroaduntiltheyreachedtheintersection.Thewomanturnedleftontopavement.IntheflashofheadlightsJackglimpsedasquare,white-on-bluesign:asinglenumber3.Thewomanflooredtheacceleratorandwithinsecondsthespeedometersweptpast140kph.

Insilencetheydroveon,thewoman’seyesflashingbetweenthewindshieldandtherearviewmirror.Shewasinhermid-thirties,withlargeblackalmondeyes,highcheekbones,andanever-so-slightlyhookednose.ShewasIranian,Jackguessed,buthe’ddetectedlittletraceofaPersianaccent,ratheramixofBritishandsomethingelse.

“It’sprobablynotagood

ideatojumpoutofthisone,yes?”thewomanfinallysaid.“Youwouldenduparedsmear.”

“Everything’srelative,”Jackreplied.Heglancedovertheseatthroughthebackwindow.Therewerenoheadlights.

“Theywon’tcatchup,”shesaid.“Theydon’thavethehorsepower.”

Thequestionis,Jack

thought,amIbetteroffwiththiswoman?

Asifreadinghismind,shesaid,“You’resafe.Iamnotwiththem.”

Theconvictioninhervoicewasgenuine,Jackdecided.

“There’sapenknifeintheglovecompartment,”thewomansaid.

Jackopenedit,dugarounduntilhefoundthe

knife,thenusedittosawthroughthezip-tiesecuringhishands.Herubbedhiswrists;theywereslickwithsweat-dilutedblood.

“Yourcarisgoingtoneedsomebodywork.”

“Ihaveanother.HowdoyouknowSethGregory?”sheasked.

“WhosaysIdo?”“Youwenttohis

apartmentbuilding.Youhad

lunchwithhim.”ThissurprisedJack;his

countersurveillanceskillsweresolid,yethe’dmissedhertailingofhim.“HowdoyouknowSeth?”heasked.

“Answermyquestion.”Alittlesteelinhervoice.

“We’reoldfriends.”“Whathighschooldidhe

attend?”“SaintMatt’s—

Matthew’s—Academy.Your

turn:Howdoyouknowhim?”

“SethandIworkedtogether.”

SomethingtoldJackthiswomanwasn’twithShellOil.

Thewomanslowedthecar,turnedrightontoanotherpavedroad,thenacceleratedagain.ThroughthewindshieldJackcouldseethelightedskylineofwhatheassumedwasTehran.

“What’syourname?”sheasked.

“Wedon’tknoweachotherwellenoughyet.”Jackthoughtforamoment,thensaid,“HowlongdidSethspendintheMarines?”

Thewomansighed.“Idonotlikedancing.Incaseyou’veforgotten,Ijustrescuedyou.”

“Answermyquestion.”“Hetriedtojoinafter

college—UniversityofIllinois,bytheway—buthewasn’teligible.Hewreckedhiskneeplayingfootballandhadtohaveitrebuilt.Threetimes.Hestillwearsabraceandneedscortisoneshots.”

Itwastherightanswer.ThemilitarydisqualificationhadnearlycrushedSeth,sobadlyhadhewantedtoserve.Infact,JackhadflowndowntoIllinoisinhopesof

cheeringhimup.Ithadworked,butonlyabit.ForSeth,beingturneddownforservicewouldbearegrethenevergotover.

“HealsotriedtojointheCoastGuard,buttheydeniedhim,too.”Sheturnedtowardhimandsaid,“Satisfied?”

WhileherknowledgeofSeth’sbackgroundwasn’tdefinitiveproofoftheirrelationship,itwouldhaveto

do.“I’mJack.”“JackRyan?Sethhas

spokenofyou.”Thanksalot,Seth.He

waitedforthefollow-upfromher—“TheJackRyan,sonofPresident...”—butsheonlytookherrighthandoffthesteeringwheelandclaspedhisinafirmgrip.“I’mYsabel.YsabelKashani.”

•••

HAVINGSPENTTIMEinRussiainhisearlydayswiththeCIA,JohnClarkhadlearnedhisshareofRussian.OneofhisnuggetsofteachingwisdomwasDoveryainoproveryai—trustbutverify,aphraseusedtogreateffectbyReaganduringINFtreatynegotiations.Aproverb,ClarkhadtoldJack,thatcouldalsobeappliedtointelligencework.

JackdecidedhewouldtrustYsabeltoapoint.Howhewouldverifyherbonafideswasaquestionhecouldn’tyetanswer.Nordidheknowwhatexactlyhe’dgottenhimselfinto.Eitherway,hecoulduseanally.

TheydroveinsilenceforfifteenminutesuntilreachingthenorthernoutskirtsofTehran.Jackasked,“IsthistheShomal?”

“Whydoyouask?”“Ioverheardthedriver.”“It’stheTehran-Shomal;

outsidethecityitbecomesFreewayThree.”

“Anyideawheretheyweretakingme?”Jackasked.

“Youmeanasidefromashallowgrave?”Ysabelreplied.“Noidea.”

“Doyouknowwhotheyare?”EvenasthewordsleftJack’smouth,thewordwallet

poppedintohishead.Inthecommotion,he’dforgottenaboutthesecondAmerican’swallet.Hepattedhiscrotch;thewalletwasstillhere.ThankGodforbadfriskingtechnique.

“Doyouneedsomealonetime?”askedYsabel.

“Funny.”Jackpulledoutthewalletandopenedit.

Ysabelglancedover.“Wheredidyougetthat?”

“Offoneofthembackthere.”

“Whataboutyours?”“They’vegotit.”Insidetheman’swallet

wasadriver’slicenseandtwocreditcards.Hestuffeditintothebackpocketofhiskhakis.“Wherearewegoing?”heasked.

“Myapartment.Weneedtotalk.Plus,you’reamess.Yourarms,yourface...”

Shegrimacedandsaid,“Youlookawful.”

Jackcheckedhisforearms;belowthesleevesofhispoloshirt,hisarmslookedlikethey’dbeenworkedoverwithabeltsander.

“It’llhavetowait.IneedtogobacktoSeth’s.”

“Why?”“Steaks.”Ysabelpaused,thenwith

aflashofrevelationinhervoice,echoedJack:“Steaks.”

•••

YSABELPICKEDHERWAYthroughthecity,takingacircuitousroutetoSeth’sapartment,skillfullydoublingbackandtraversingalleysuntilsheseemedsatisfiedtheyweren’tbeingfollowed.Shehadtradecraft,Jackrealized.

“Whotaughtyou?”heasked.

“Seth.Justafewthings,really.”

ShepulledtothecurbablocknorthofSeth’sbuildingandacrossfromthecaféinwhichJackhadsippedteaearlierthatevening.Thecaféwasclosed,itswraparoundwindowsdark.TheMercedes’sdashboardclockread12:09.Almostthree

hourssincethey’dtakenhimfromtheapartment.HeandYsabelsatinthedarkness,listeningtothecar’senginetickasitcooled.

Aftertenminutesofwatching,Jacksaid,“Nothing.You?”

“No.Thisisabadidea,Jack.”

“Idon’tseehowmynightcouldgetanyworse.There’ssomethingIneedin

there.”Providingit’sstillthere,hethought.

“We,”Ysabelsaid.“Weneed.”

“Slowdown.We’renotquitethereyet,”Jackgrumbled.

“Suityourself.Let’sgo.”

•••

THREEMINUTESLATERtheywerestandingbeforeSeth’sapartmentdoor.

Ysabelreachedintohershoulderbagandpulledoutahammerless.38-calibersnub-nosedrevolver.

Jackopenedhispalmandwhispered,“MayI?”

“Why?”“Please,Ysabel.”Shefrownedathimfora

moment,thenplacedtherevolverinhishand.

Key,hethoughtabruptly.Hepattedhispockets.He

said,“Damn,thekey.Theymusthavetakenit.”

“Holdon,”Ysabelmurmured.Sherummagedinherpurseandcameoutwithabronzekey.“Trythis.”

Jacktookit.“Where’dyougetthis?”

“SethgaveittomealongwiththeonetohisPardiscondo.Iassumeditwasforsomethingthere.It’sworthatry.”

Jackslippedthekeyintothelockandturnedit;thedeadboltslidback.Usingtheknuckleofhisindexfinger,Jackswungopenthedooruntiltheknobtouchedtheinnerwall.Theroomwasdark,thewindowshadesstilldrawn.Theattackerhe’dleftunconsciousonthefloorwasgone,butthebloodsmearwherehisheadhadlainwasstillthere.

Jackwaitedafewbeats,thenpeekedleftaroundthejamb.Nothing.Withtherevolveratwaistlevelandtuckedclosetohisbody,hesteppedintotheapartment.Ysabelfollowed,thenshutthedoorandlockedit.Onflatfeet,Jackwalkedintothekitchenette,clearedit,thenwentdownthehallwayandclearedthebathroomandbedroominturn.

HereturnedtothemainroomtofindYsabelstaringattheblood.“Whathappenedhere?”shemurmured.

“Igotambushed.”“Didyoukillhim?Was

heoneofthemenfromthevan?”

“No,andmaybe.Followme.Thequickerwe’reoutofhere,thebetter.Don’tstepintheblood.Keeptrackofwhatyoutouch.”

“Worriedaboutfingerprints?”

“Habit.Bytheway,whydoyouhaveagun?”

“Protection.RapesarerisinginTehran.Thelureofuncoveredhairandallthatnonsense.”

Theywalkedbacktothebedroom.Jackcrossedtheroom,adjustedthecurtainssothecenterslitwasclosed,thenturnedonthecard-table

lamp.JackhandedYsabelthefoldingchair.“Againstthefrontdoor.”

Shereturnedafewmomentslaterandpointedatthesafeandsaid,“Whatthehellisthat?”

“Whenwasthelasttimeyouwerehere?”

“Twoweeksago,withSeth.Itwasn’there.”

Jackkneltbythesafe.Thehardwoodflooraround

itsgraysteelbottomlipwasscarredandgouged.Themarkswerenew.BalaclavaManandhispartnerhadbeentryingtogettotheboltssecuringthesafetothefloor.Iftheywantedthecontentsthatbadly,they’dbebackwithheavierequipment.

“Steaks,”Ysabelsaid.“Steaks.”Theyreturnedtothe

kitchenette.Jackclickedon

therangelight,openedthefreezer,dugaround,andcameupwithfoursteakswrappedinwhitebutcherpaper.Hedumpedthemonthecounter.Togethertheybeganunwrappingthemeat.

“Ifoundit,”Ysabelsaid.Jacksteppedcloserto

her,theirshoulderstouching.Writtenontheinsideofthewrappinginblackmarkerwereastringofdigits:37-42-

51.Jackfoldedthepaper,stuffeditintohispocket.Theyrewrappedtherestofthesteaksandreturnedthemtothefreezer.

Theywalkedbacktothebedroom,whereJackdialedinthesafe’scombination,thendepressedthelever.Withadullclickthedoorswungopen.Insidewasasix-inch-thickbrownaccordionfolder.Jackpulleditout,then

inspectedthesafe’sinterior:nothingelse.

“Let’sgo,”hesaid.Afterusingthebathroom

handtoweltowipedownallthesurfacesthey’dtouched,theysteppedoutintothehallwayandlockedthedoor.

Totheirleft,thestairwelldoorbangedopen,thenclickedshut.

Atatrot,JackandYsabelheadedtothefireexitatthe

endofthehall.Jackplacedhishandsonthered-stripedpressbar,saidaquickprayer,thenpushed.Noalarmsounded.TheysteppedthroughandJackeasedthedoorshut.Theystoodstill.

Afterafewmoments,belowthemcametheechoedclickingoffootstepsontheconcretestairs.Jacksteppedtothehandrailandpeekedover.Twofloorsbelow,a

figuresteppedontothelandingandturnedontothenextsetofstairs.Inhisrighthandwasasemi-auto.

JackturnedtoYsabelandpointedupthenextsetofstairsandplacedhisindexfingeragainsthislips.Shenodded,thenstartedupward.Jackwaiteduntilshereachedthenextlanding,thenfollowed.Theyclimbedupward,Jackoccasionally

glancingovertherailtochecktheman’sprogress;hewasonthethird-floorlanding.

JackandYsabelreachedthesixthanduppermostfloor.Downashortcorridorlitbyadimceilingbulbwasasteeldoor—theroofaccess,Jackhoped.Jackpointedtoit,thenmadeakey-turninggesturetoYsabel,whonodded,thenpaddeddownthehall.Aftera

fewmoments,sheturnedandnodded,thenopenedthedoor.Thehingesletoutarustysqueak.

Ysabelfroze.Jackfroze.Silence.Footstepspoundedonthe

stairsbelow,headingupward.Mouthing“Go,go,go”to

Ysabel,Jackfollowedheroutthedoorandontothegravelroof.Hehesitated,thensteppedbackinsideand

tappedthebarreloftherevolveragainstthelightbulb.Itshattered.Thecorridorwentdark.Hesteppedoutontotheroofandswungthedoorshutbehindhim,catchingitbeforeitlatched,leavingitopenacrack.

JackwhisperedtoYsabel,“Walktotheedgeoftheroofandfaceawayfromthedoor.Tuckyourhairintothebackofthejacket.

Whateverhappens,don’tturnaround.”

Tohercredit,Ysabeldidn’thesitateanddidasJackordered.

Jackpressedhimselfagainstthewallbesidethedoor.Hedrewtherevolverfromhisbelt.

Afewmomentspassed.Fromthecorridorcamethecrunchofglass.

Silence.Afewmore

momentspassed.Thedoorswungopen,

thenavoicecalled,“Stoprightthere.”NewYorkaccent.“Handsup.”

Ysabelraisedherhands.Jackkickedthedoor

shut.Itcrashedintotheman,whobouncedoffthedoorframe,thenstumbledintoview.Jacktooktwostepsforwardandtoe-kickedthemaninthesideoftheknee.

Hislegbuckledandhedroppedtohishandsandknees,stunned.Hisgunbouncedacrossthegravelandcametorestafewfeetaway.

WhileJackwould’velikedtohavehisownQ&Asessionwiththeman,itwasn’tfeasible.

Hecockedhislegtohischestandheel-kickedthemanintherightear.Withagrunthedroppedface-first

intothegravel.Jackfeltaflashofguilt,

thenquashedit.Whilethechildhood“Playfair”rulewasstillapartofhispsyche,therewasnosuchthingasafairfight,notouthere,andnotwithguyslikethis.

Jackleanedovertheman;atthebackofhisheadthehairwasmattedwithdriedblood,andhisleftcheekwasswollenandthebonearound

hiseyesocketwassquashed,allsouvenirsfromtheirearlierfightintheapartment.Onemysterysolved.

Heturnedtothedoorandeaseditshut.Ysabelwalkedup,kneltdown,andcheckedtheman’spulse.“He’salive.”

Andhavingareallyshittynight,Jackthought.“Searchhim.”

Shedidso,thensaid,“Nothing.Jack,youusedme

asbait.”“Theywantedmealive,

they’dwantyoualive,too.Findthefireescape,willyou?”

“Don’tdothatagainwithoutwarningme,”Ysabelsaid,andwalkedaway.

Jackpickeduptheman’sgun,anine-millimeter,stuffeditintohisjacketpocket,thengrabbedthemanbythecollar,draggedhimto

thedoor,andpositionedhimacrossit.

“Overhere,Jack,”Ysabelcalled.Shestoodatthefarcorneroftheroof.

Hetrottedovertoher.Shewhispered,“Idon’tseeanyone.”

“Afteryou,”Jacksaid.

T WENTYMINUTESLATERtheyreachedYsabel’sbuilding,an

eighteen-floorhigh-riseinafashionablegardenneighborhoodoffValiAsrStreet.InsidetheapartmentJackfoundthedecoramixof

minimalistmodernandtraditionalPersian,withasunkenseatingareaandagourmetkitchenwithstainless-steelappliances.Thecarpetwasacreamberber.ThewallnearestJackwasdominatedbyafloor-to-ceilingbookcase;atfirstglance,allthebookslookedlikeeitherclassicalliteratureorhistory,someofthemrare.

Ysabelwalkedthrough

thespace,turningonfloorandtablelampswhileJackstoodatthebalcony’sFrenchdoors,gazingoutthewindowsatTehran’slightedskyline.Belowwasatree-linedlakerimmedbywhatappearedtobegaslamps.JackkeptYsabelinthecornerofhiseyeuntilshewalkedupandstoppedbesidehim.

“That’sMellatPark,”shesaid.“Beautiful,isn’tit?”

“Very.”Ineachhandshehelda

squareglassaquarterfullofamberliquid.Shehandedhimone;theicecubestinkledsoftly.

Hesaid,“Ysabel,justforcuriosity’ssake:Thisapartment...yourMercedes...Areyourich?”

“Myfatheris.”ThisgaveJackpause.

WasallthisalarkforYsabel,

anadventuretobreakupthemonotonyofwealthyleisure?Hehopednot.Thenagain,duringhisdad’sfirstadministrationhe’dfacedthesamekindofbullshit,sohehadnobusinessmakinganyassumptionsaboutYsabel.

“Iranianfathersliketodote,”shesaid.

“Isee.”“Don’tjudge,Jack.”“Ididn’tsayathing.”

“It’sinyourvoice.”Jacktookasipfromthe

glass.Itwasice-coldScotch;itburnedhisthroat,thensettledwarmlyinhisbelly.Heasked,“Aren’tyouMuslim?”

“Partiallylapsed.”“Daringgirl.”“Onlyinprivate.Tehran

ischanging,butit’sgoingtotakeawhileuntilonecanwalkdownthestreetwitha

bottleinabrownpaperbag.”“Hopefullythechanges

willstick.”“I’lldrinktothat.”She

tookasipfromherglass,thengesturedtotheparkbelow.“ItusedtobecalledShahanshahiPark—ParkoftheKingofKings—beforetherevolution,”Ysabelsaid.“IsupposeKhomeinithoughtitsoundedtoo...shah-like.”

Jackglancedsidewaysat

her.“I’msorryabouttheroof.Ishouldn’thaveusedyoulikethat.”

Ismyregretbecauseshe’sawoman?hewondered.No,ifit’dbeenhimandDingorDominiconthatroof...well,thatcomeswiththejob.Ysabelhadn’tsignedupforthis—atleastnottothatlevel.Evenso,she’dhandledherselfwell.Hell,she’dprobablysavedhislife.

“Apologyaccepted,”shereplied.“Justdon’tdoitagain.Whydidyouhavemefaceawayfromthedoor?Andwhythehair?”

“Sohedidn’tseeyourfaceand,ifwe’relucky,couldn’ttellyouwereawoman.”

“Ah.”“Thanksfortherescueon

theroad,bytheway.Thechanceofmegettingmore

thanafewhundredyardswasslim.”

“Somethingtellsmeotherwise.”

“Inoticedyouraccent.There’sonlyahintofPersianinthere.”Despitehimself,Jackfounditalluring,exotic.

“I’mmostlyaproductoftheWest.IwenttoLeysinAmericanSchoolinSwitzerland,thenCambridge—politicsandinternational

studies.”“Educatedinthe

decadentWest,”Jacksaid.“Howdidyoupullthatoff?”

“Myfatherwasadoctor.AndhesatontheTehrancitycouncilformanyyears.Hewasapoliticianthroughandthrough,knewhowtowalkthetightropeandgatherfavors.”Ysabelpausedandsmiled.“Plus,behindcloseddoorsevenextremistslike

KhomeinilikedhavingourchildreneducatedintheWest—theideabeingweabsorballtheimperialists’knowledgethenreturnhomeanduseittoglorifyIran.”

“Andhaveyou?”“Hardly.Iteachatthe

UniversityofTehran.Forwhateverreason,ourdepartmentwasimmunetopolitics—andSharia,ifyoucanbelievethat.Okay,that’s

enoughinterrogation,Jack—”“Iwasn’t—”“Let’sseetoyourarms

beforeyoustartbleedingonmycarpet.Andyoureyeisalmostswollenshut—notagoodlookforyou.”

Sheledhimdownahallwaytoaspaciousbathroomdoneinearth-tonedtile.Shetoldhimtositonthetoilet,thenturnedonthesinkfaucet,lethotwaterfillthe

basin,anddroppedinawashcloth.

“Youdon’thavetodothisforme,”Jacksaid.

Ysabelsmiled,thenwrungouttheclothandhandedittohim.“Sopresumptuous...I’llgetthefirst-aidkit.”

ShedisappearedandJackcouldhearherrummaginginthehallcloset.Shereturnedwithaclearplasticcase.

Teethgrittedagainstthepain,Jackfinishedwipingthedirtfromhisforearmsuntilonlyrawredabrasionswerevisible.Shehandedhimatowel,whichheusedtoblothisskindry.

“Painful?”sheasked.“Yes.”Shepulledasmallspray

bottlefromthefirst-aidkitandsaid,“Arms,please.”Jackextendedthemandshe

sprayedthem.Hewinced.“Otherside,”Ysabelsaid,thenrepeatedtheprocessontheinsidesofJack’sforearms.

“Liftupyourshirt,”sheordered.

“What?”“DoasIsay,Jack.”Heliftedhispoloshirt.

Sheexaminedhistorso,gentlyprobingvariousspotswithherindexfinger.

“WhyYsabel?”Jackasked.“That’snotPersian,isit?”

“Mymotherwassecond-generationAmerican—afieryAndalusian,orsomyfathertellsme.Ihavehertothankformydualcitizenship,Isuppose.ShediedwhenIwastwo.”

“I’msorry.”“Suchislife.”Herwordswerebreezy,

buttherewasnoneofitinhervoice,Jacknoted.Tohavelittlemorethansecondhandmemoriesofyourmothercouldn’tbeeasy.

Ysabelfinishedherexaminationofhistorsoandsaid,“Justafewbruises.You’relucky.Ofcourse,thevanwasn’tgoingallthatfast.”

“Stillprettydaring,Ithink,”Jacksaidwithmock

indignation.“Okay,IndianaJones.

How’syourvision?Anynausea?”

“No.I’vegotahardhead.”

“Inmorewaysthanone.”Ysabeldousedagauze

padanddabbedfirstathischeekbone,thenhisforehead.Sheleanedback,examinedherhandworkwithpursedlips,thennodded.“Better.

MeetmeinthekitchenandI’llgetyouanicepack.”

“I’llbeokay.”“Jack,ifthey’relooking

foryou,ablackeyelikethatmightmakeiteasier.Youcanshowerifyou’dlike,there’sarobeonthedoorhook.I’llmakeussomethingtoeat.Wehavealottotalkabout.”

Ahugeunderstatement,Jackthought.He’dalreadystartedcompilinghislistof

questions.

•••

FRESHLYSHOWEREDandwrappedinawhiteterry-clothrobe—aman’ssize,Jacknoted—hejoinedYsabelinthekitchen,whereshewasreheatingacasseroledishinthemicrowave.Shepointedtothecounter,whereapileoffourpillssat.“Ibuprofen.”

“Thanks.”“Feelbetter?”asked

Ysabel.“Much.ShouldIbe

expectingcompany?”Jackgrabbedthelapelofhisrobeandwaggedit.

Ysabelsmiled.“Nosy.”“I’vehadenough

surprisesforonenight.”“Theownerwon’tbe

comingback.”AmIwearingSeth’s

robe?Jackwondered.Themicrowavebeeped.

Ysabelopenedthedoorand,usingapairofovenmitts,liftedthecasseroledishout.Sheplaceditonthecounterandbeganspooningthefoodintobowls.“Khoreshtehqiemehbademjoon,”shesaid.“Persianeggplantstew.You’lllikeit.”

Jackcarriedtheirbowlstothediningnookandsat

down.Piledinthemiddleofthemahoganytablewastheaccordionfolderthey’dfoundinSeth’ssafe,alongwiththewalletandnine-millimeterJackhadtakenfromhisattacker.

“Ihaven’tlookedatthem,”shesaid,sittingdown.Shelaidabluegelicepackbesidehisbowl.Pressingtheicepackagainsthischeekbonewithhisfreehand,

Jacktookaspoonfulofthestew;themeatlikechunksofeggplanttastedofturmericandonion.“You’reright,itisgood.”

“Soaskyourquestions,Jack,”shesaid.

Notsurewheretostart,hetookamomenttogatherhisthoughts.

“DidSethhaveacar?”“That’syourfirst

question?”Ysabelreplied

withanamusedsmile.“No,hedidn’t.Heusedtaxisandbuses.”

“Whendidyoustartfollowingme?AfterIleftChaibar?”

“Yes.Sethtoldmeyoutwowerehavinglunch.ItwasthefirsttimeI’dseenhimhappyinweeks.”

“Nicedisguise,bytheway.Youlookedtenyearsyounger.”

“Thankyou.Ithink.”Jackwasonlymildly

surprisedSethhadn’trecognizedYsabel—ifshewasn’tlyingaboutthemknowingeachother,thatwas.TocompensateforhisADHD,Sethtendedtoblockouteverythingexceptwhomeverhewastalkingtoatthetime.Clearly,Ysabelknewthis.

“Butwhythesurveillance

atall?Whyfollowme?”IfYsabelhadpickedhimupatChaibar,itmeantshe’dbeenstakinghimoutforalmostthirty-sixhoursandhadfollowedhimtohismeetingwithSpellmanandWellesley.

Whateverherroleinallthis,shewasdedicated.

“WhynotfollowSeth?”Ysabelsaid,“Forawhile

nowI’vesuspectedhewasintroubleandnottellingme.

Plus,Sethis...cagey,especiallylately.Hewouldhavespottedme.”

“Ifhewas—is—introuble,whywouldyouexpecthimtotellyou?”

“We’refriends,Jack.And,yes—justfriends.”

“Notmybusiness.”“Butyouwerewondering

aboutit.”“That’snotthewhole

truth,though,isit?You’re

morethanfriends.You’reworkingtogether.”

“Afterafashion.”“That’snotgood

enough.”Insteadofanswering,

Ysabelaskedherownquestion:“WhatwereyoudoingatthatbuildingintheZafaraniyehdistrict?”

Jackwasgettingannoyedwiththethrust-and-parry,buthedecideditmightbreakthe

stalemate.“IwasmeetingamannamedSpeidel.”

Ysabelletoutanexasperatedsigh.“Spellman,Jack.MattSpellman.”

“Right,sorry.”“Sethwasreportingto

him.”InterestingthatSethhad

sharedSpellman’snamewithher;intheSpyRingsforDummiesmanual,sharingahandler’snamewastaboo.

WhyhadSethdoneit?DidshealsoknowaboutRaymondWellesley?Hesaid,“SpellmanthinksSethhasdonearunner—alongwithalotofmoney.”

“He’srightabouttheformer.ThemoneyIdon’tknowabout.”

Jackdecidedtogamble:“Youwerepartofhisnetwork,weren’tyou?Anagent.”Itwasalogicalguess;

ifSethwasreportingtoWellesleyandSpellman,itsuggestedtheywerehishandlers.Handlershandledagents.ThefactthatitwasadirectconduitwithnocutoutstoldJackthatSethwasoverseeingthenetwork.Butwhatwashe,anagentoraCIAoperationsofficer?Andwhatwasthepurposeofthenetwork?SomethingtodowithIran?Somanydamn

questions,Jackthought.Hehatedhavingtoplaycatch-up.

“Whowerethemenwhotookme?”heasked.

“Idon’tknow.ButIdidgetthevan’sregistrationplate.”Sheclosedhereyesforamoment,recalling,thenreciteditforhim.

“Couldtheyhavegottenyours?”Jackasked.

“Doubtful.Theyweretoobusydivingforcover.Their

platemightbeuselesstous,though—unlessyouwanttoringSpellman.”

“We’renotdoingthat.Imighthaveaway.”

“Fromyourvastarrayoffinancialcontacts?”Ysabelsaidwithasmile.

“Yep.Ithinkitwasanelectrician’svan.”

“Itwas.Icaughtasnippetfromtheplacardontheside—Yazdisomething.

I’llseewhatIcanfind.”Jacksaid,“Youknew

nothingaboutSeth’sNiavaranapartment?Oraboutthekeyshegaveyou?”

Sheshookherhead.“AsIsaid,IassumedtheywerebothforPardis.I’mjustguessing,butmaybehethoughtI’dbeabletotrackdownhisbolt-holeifthingswentbad—andifitwasimportantenough.”

Thiswasplausible,Jackdecided.ByleavingYsabelinitiallyignorantofthebolt-hole,hemighthavebeentryingtoprotecther.

“Okay,onemorequestion—”

“Thankgoodness.”“WasSethreallyworking

forShell?”“Idon’tknow.”WhileYsabel’sanswers

weren’tproofpositiveshe

wasonSeth’sside,Jack’sguttoldhimshewasonthelevel.

Hehadhisally.Provisionally.Goddamnespionage,Jackthought.He’dsteppedintothisworldofhisownvolition,butithadcomewithaprice:Outsideyourinnercircle,trustwasararething;ofcourse,theactionsofhisformergirlfriend,MelanieKraft,hadn’thelpedmatters.

Thoughshe’dhadherreasons—objectivelygoodones—hestillconsideredherturningonhimasabetrayal.

Enough,Jack.Ysabelsaid,“Shallwe

checkourbooty?”“Pardon?”“Ourspoils.Thefolder

andwallet.”

•••

THEWALLET

CONTAINEDtwocreditcardsandanIDP—InternationalDriver’sPermit—allissuedtoaDavidWeaver.TheaddressontheIDPwas4711HardestyStreet,Albany,NY12203.

“WhataperfectlyordinaryAmericanname,”Ysabelnoted.

“Very.”TheInternational

Driver’sPermitwasanice

touch,Jackthought.StandardsforIDPswereofteninconsistentfromcountrytocountry.Jacksuspectedthey’dgleanlittleofusefromdiggingintoDavidWeaver.Still,he’dhaveGavincheck.NodoubtWeaver’spartner,Balaclava,wasalsoequippedwithanIDP.

Jacksaid,“Spellmanwasn’talonewhenImetwith

him.HewaswithaBritnamedRaymondWellesley.”

“I’veneverheardofhim.So,BritishandAmericanhandlers,Americankidnappers.Quiteacoincidence,yes?”

“Nocoincidenceatall.”WellesleyandSpellman

hadtakenoffthegloves:Jack’sstatusasFirstSonhadearnedhimnolatitudeatall.AndasJackhadnointention

ofleavingSethonhisown,hisrelationshipwithWellesleyandSpellmanhadbeenboundtosour.Nowitwasoutintheopen.Oddly,Jackwasokaywiththat.

Also,hepreferredtoliveoutsidehisdad’sshadow—aswellasoutsidehisaegis.Ofcourse,RyanSeniorhadnocontrolovertheformer,butfortunately,Jack’sdadhadsofarresistedimposingthe

latter.Amorepressingquestion

forJackwaswhattodoaboutTheCampus.He’dfoundhimselfneck-deepinaCIA-SISoperation.GerryHendleyandJohnClarkwouldwanttoknowaboutit.Later.

MuchwoulddependonwhatwasinsideSeth’smysteryaccordionfolder.Jackpulledittowardhim,unwoundtheelasticband

closure,andopenedtheflap.YsabelscootedherchairaroundthetableuntilshewasshouldertoshoulderwithJack.

“ThisislikeShab-eCheleh,”shesaidwithatingeofgiddiness.SeeingJack’sconfusedexpression,sheexplained,“ThinkofitasPersianChristmas.IntheWestyoucelebratethebirthoftheson.Herewecelebrate

therebirthofthesun—theWinterSolstice.”

“You’reafontoffascinatingtrivia,”Jackreplied.

“Youhavenoidea.Openit.”

Jackdidso.Insidewasastackoflegal-sizedloose-leafpaper,atleastfivehundredsheets,heguessed.Heshuffledthroughtheream.Allthepageshadafaded,

old-styletypewriterfont.InCyrillic.

Thedateonthefirstsheetwas4MaH1963.

Ysabelsaid,“Idon’tsupposeyoureadRussian?”

“Onlyfair.”Thiswasaslightunderstatement,butnotfarfromthemark.Thoughhisgraspofthelanguagehadimproveddramatically,forsomereasonhehadahardtimegettingRussiantostick

inhisbrain.“ThatmiddlewordisMay.”

Yetmorequestions,Jackthought.Thebiggestbeing:Whatthehellweretheylookingat?AsidefromGavinBiery,Jackhadaccesstonoonewhocouldfaithfullytranslatethedocument,andhesureashellcouldn’tfaxthedamnthing.Suchataskwouldn’tescapeGerry’snotice,andJackwouldn’tput

Bieryinthatkindofspot.He’dhavetogiveitsomethought.

“Noneofthislooksfamiliar?”heaskedYsabel.“Sethnevermentionedsomethinglikethis?”

“Never.”“Doyouknowanyone

elseinthenetwork?”“Onlyone—code-named

Ervaz.”“IsthataPersianname?”

“No,Idon’tthinkso.I’vegotane-mailaddress.It’sbadform,Iknow,formetoknoweventhatmuch,butIsupposeI’dbecomeSeth’s‘righthand,’asitwere.I’venevertriedcontactingErvaz.ShouldI?”

“We’lldoittogether.”Unbidden,Raymond

Wellesley’s“appletree”commentpoppedintoJack’shead.“Ysabel,didSethever

talkabouthisfather?”“Areyoutestingme

again,Jack?”“No.Genuinequestion.”“Yes,hedid,quitealot.

Hesaidhisdad—Paul,Ithink—diedofastrokeafewyearsagoandthathismotherwashavingahardtimewithit.”

“Nothingelse?”“Uhm...Hisfather

workedforthegovernment.Somethingtodowith

farming.”“Departmentof

Agriculture.”“Yes,thatwasit.You

know,onethingalwaysstruckmewhenSethtalkedabouthisfather:Healwaysseemed”—Ysabelpaused,searchingfortherightwords—“morebitterthansad.Almostscornfulsometimes.”

“Aboutwhatspecifically?”

“Thedeath,Iassumed.Irememberbecauseitseemedanoddreaction.Whydoyouask?”

“SomethingWellesleysaid—thatSethhadn’tfallenfarfromthetree.”

“Strange.Thenagain,ifthisWellesleyiswhoyouthinkheis,thosetypesliketoplaymindgames,yes?”

“True.”Ifso,hadWellesleybeentryingtoplant

doubtinhisheadaboutSeth,orwastheresomethingtothecomment?

“Jack,youhaven’taskedmewhatSethhadmeworkingon.Why?”

ThequestionhadbeenonJack’smind.

“That’samorning-cup-of-coffeequestion,”hesaid.“WhereamIsleeping?”

J ACKDOWNEDTHEDREGSofhiscoffeeandsetthecuponthe

counter,whereYsabelscoopeditupandheadedbacktotheFrenchpress.Shereturnedwiththesecondcup,andtheywalkedtothe

sunkenseatingareaandsatacrossfromeachother.

Outsidethebalconywindows,thesunwasfullyup,andyellowraysstreamedin,castingsharpshadowsacrossthecarpet.Jackturnedhisfacetothewarmthandletitsoakin.

“Youreyelooksbetter,”saidYsabel.“Howdoyoufeel?”

“LikeIwentfiverounds

withChuckLiddell.”“Idon’tknowwhothat

is.”“Nevermind.So,when

andhowdidSethrecruityou?”

“Abouteightmonthsago.Thetruthis...wewerealittlemorethanfriends.”

TheadmissiontookJackbysurprise.“Youwerehookingup.”

“What?Oh,yes,Iguess

that’swhatyouwouldcallit.Purelyphysical.Doesthatshockyou?”

“Notparticularly.Wheredidyoumeet?”

“AtChaibar,asamatteroffact.”

“Soheseducedyou.”“Itwasgenuine,and

mutual.Icouldbewrong,ofcourse.Webrokeitoffafteramonthbutstayedfriends.He’sagoodman.”

MICE,Jackthought.ThemostcommonreasonsforsomeonecooperatingwithaforeignagencyfellwithintheacronymMICE—Money,Ideology,Compromise,orCoercion—buttheumbrellawasbiggerthanthat:ego,excitement,disaffection,personalties,sex...ThoughitseemedthislastonemayhavebeenSeth’soriginalmethodofrecruitment;the

relationshiphadendedquickly,butYsabel’scooperationhadnot.Ideology,then?

“Whydidyoukeepworkingforhim?”

“Ididn’tstartuntilabouttwomonthsafterwebrokeitoff—afterIjoinedtheresearchgroup,”Ysabelreplied.“Ithasnoname,really.It’sjustabunchofusacademics.Wetalkabout

Russia.”“WhenyouandSethmet,

didyouknowaboutthisgroup?”

“No,Igottheimpressionithadjustbeenfounded.”

IfYsabelwasright,perhapsSeth’srelationshipwithherhadbeengenuine,andherjoiningthegroupjustdumbgoodluckforhim.

“Tellmeaboutthisresearchgroup.What’sthe

context?”“Thenewleadershipin

Moscow—whattheywant,whattheymightdonextandwhere.It’sallbrainstorming,really.”

“Whorunsit?”“Mydepartmentheadat

theuniversity—Dr.PezhmanAbbasi.”

“Onedayoutofthebluehejustaskedyoutojoin?”

Ysabelnodded.“We’re

veryclose,heandI,likegrandfatherandgranddaughter.Hehiredmeattheuniversity.”

“Soyoureporttohim;whodoeshereportto?”

“Idon’tknowthathedoes,Jack.Youdon’tunderstand,it’salljustintellectual‘whatif’games.Manyofthedepartmentsdoit—econ,history...Sometimeswhattheycome

upwithbecomespartofcurriculum.Jack,weweren’tgatheringintelligence.”

Infact,cooptingprivate-sectoracademicgroupswasacommontoolforintelligenceagencies.Raw,puzzle-pieceintelcangetyouonlysofar.Whatanationorgroupwascapableoftoldonlypartofthestory;howthatnationorgroupintendedtousethosecapabilitieswastherealprize,

andgettingtothatoftentookout-of-the-boxthinking.

BeforeJackcouldexplainthistoYsabel,shesaid,“Ah,Iseewhatyou’regettingat.Wemayhavebeenfeedingsomeone?TheVAJA,yes?”

Ysabelwasnodummy,Jackthought.“Couldbe.”

VAJAwastheacronymforIran’sMinistryofIntelligence,Jackthought,andostensiblythelatest,

kinder-and-gentlerincarnationoftheSAVAK,ShahRezaPahlavi’sruthlesssecretpolice.

Ysabelsaid,“Ifeelfoolishforconsideringthis.Youdon’tthinkPezhmanisinvolvedin—”

“Atthispoint,Idon’tthinkanything,”Jackreplied.“SoyouwerefeedingSethyournotesfromthegroup.Tellmeaboutit.”

“Yes.Heneversaidwhyhewasinterested,butIknewwhohewas,Jack,andIknewhewasworkingfortheU.S.You’veheardtheoldPersianproverb:‘Myenemy’senemyismyfriend.’”

“Isn’tthatArabic?”Ysabelsmiled.“Atragic

misattribution.Anyway,bothIranandyourcountryshouldfearRussia.Plus,officially,I’mhalfAmerican.Ifafew

notesfromathinktankwouldhelpthecommoncause,thensobeit.”

Ysabelwasright:ThedirectionofRussia’sforeignpolicywastroublesome.Itspresident,ValeriVolodin,hadalreadyinvadedCrimea,easternUkraine,andEstonia—thoughhe’dbeenpushedoutofthelatter,somethingthatseemedonlytostrengthenhisultranationalist

tendencies.JackdoubtedYsabel’s

researchgroupattheUniversityofTehranwastheonlyonetheVAJAhadlaunched.DotheIraniansknowsomethingtheUnitedStatesdoesn’t?IsthiswhatSeth’snetworkwaschasing?

“IassumedIwasonlyworkingonmyownsmallpart,”saidYsabel.“Whetherthereweremorethanmyself

andthisErvaz,Idon’tknow.”Jackwentsilent,tryingto

assemblepieces,tofindtherightthreadtotugthatmightleadhimtoSeth.HesaidtoYsabel,“Writedownthee-mailaddressforErvaz.Ineedtomakeacall.”

“Youcanusemy—”“No,Ineedapay

phone.”“There’sonedownthe

block.I’vegotaprepaid

callingcard.”

•••

JACKGOTDRESSED,jottedtheserialnumberofDavidWeaver’snine-millimeteronhispalm,thenlefttheapartment.Hefoundthepayphoneonthecorneroutsideasmallconveniencestorefrontedbycratesoffruitsandvegetables.Anemployeewas

sweepingthesidewalk.HenoddedandsmiledatJack.

JackusedYsabel’scardtodialTheCampus’smainswitchboard.Itwaslateafternoonthere.Afterfiverings,Carly,Hendley’smostrecentintern,thisonefromTowsonUniversity,answered.

“Evening,Mr.Ryan.Youcaughtmegoingoutthedoor.”

“Iwon’tholdyouup.IsGavinstillin?”

“Whatdoyouthink?”shesaid,laughing.“I’lltransferyou.”

Thelinewentsilent,thenbuzzedtwice.GavinBierypickedupandsaid,“Stillalive,Jack?”

“Andkicking.”Jackhesitated.DraggingGavinintothiswasgoingtoputthemanintoatoughspot,but

unlesshewaswillingtogiveuponSeth,hehadnochoice.HewouldfallonhisswordwithGerrylater.“Ineedafewmorefavors.”

“Shoot.”“Ineedyoutobrickmy

phone.Ilostit.”Jackpaused,thenchangedhismind.“No,scratchthat.Trackit.”

“Cando.Youwantaclonedphone?”

“What?”

“We’vegotacloud.Webackupallyourphonesandtabletswheneveryou’reinthebuilding.Youdidn’tgetthememo?”

“Iguessnot.”“Bytheway,thoseare

somenastypicturesinyourphotoalbum.”

“Idon’thave—”“Kidding,justkidding.

Yeah,I’llsetupatraceonyouroldphone.Whenever

it’spoweredupandoneitherWi-Fiorroaming,Icantrackit.I’llgetaduplicateheadedyourway.”

“Givemeadifferentnumber,though.”

“Cando.You’reattheParsianHotel?”

“No,sendittoYsabelKashani,1214WestSedaqat,Tehran.Signaturerequired.I’mgoingtobuyadisposablecellphone.IfIgiveyouthe

number,canyouswitchittothenumberofthestolenphone?”

“Sure,noproblem.”Gavinpaused.“Jack,maybeyoushouldletGerryknow—”

“Iknow.I’llputhimintheloop.”Thequestionwas:When?Jackprobablyshouldhavealreadydonethis.

“Whatelse?”askedGavin.

“Monitormycreditcardsandgetmesomenewones.”

ThoughJackdoubtedhiskidnapperswouldbestupidenoughtousehiscards,itwasworthashot.

Gavinasked,“Didyougetmugged,Jack?”

“Moreorless.Next:Ineedeverythingyoucangivemeonthesetwoe-mailaddresses.”JackrecitedtheYahoo!andGmailaddresses

Ysabelhadgivenhim.“Next:LookintoaguynamedDavidWeaver.”JackalsorecitedtheaddressonWeaver’sIDP,aswellastheman’scredit-cardnumbersandthenine-millimeter’sserialnumber.“ItlookslikeaSIGSauerP226,buttherearenomarkingsandnologo.”

“Gotit.Next?”JackgavehimDr.

PezhmanAbbasi’snameand

particulars.“He’sattheUniversityofTehran.Whateveryoucangetonhim.”JackwastemptedtoaskforthesamecheckonSeth,buthedecidedtoholdofffornow.“I’vealsogotane-mailforyoutotrack.”HegavehimtheaddressforErvaz.“Finally,Ineedyoutorunalicense-platetrace.CanyoudoIran?”

“Mighttakeabitlonger,

butIthinkso.”Jackgavehimthevan’s

platenumber,aswellasthepartialwordingonitssideplacard,thensaid,“Thanks.I’llcallyouback.”

Jackhungup,thenwentintotheconveniencestore,boughtaprepaidcellphone,thenreturnedtoYsabel’sapartmenttofindhersittingatthediningtable.

Jackasked,“Whendid

SethgiveyouErvaz’snameandcontactinfo?”

“Aboutamonthago.”Thiswasaboutthesame

timeSethabandonedthePardiscondo,theoneSpellmanandWellesleyknewabout,forthebolt-holeoffNiavaranPark.“Didhesaywhyhewantedyoutohavethename,whenyoushoulduseit?”

“No.Hisbrainwas

alwaysgoingamileaminute.He’djumpfromonesubjecttothenext.SometimesIcouldbarelygetawordin.SometimesitwaslikeIwasn’teventalking.”

“That’stheADHD,”Jackreplied.

“Thatexplainsalot.”“Thinkback:Didhis

movetothebolt-holecoincidewithsomethingyougavehimfromyourgroup?”

“Well,thegroupmetonceaweekandIreportedtoSethaftereachone,soit’shardtosay.HenevershowedmuchreactiontoanythingIgavehim.”Afteramomentofsilence,Ysabelstoodupandheadeddownthehallwaytowardthebedrooms.“I’mgoingtohaveashower.”

Jackremovedhisdisposablecellphonefromitsblisterpack,powereditup,

thencalledGavinandgavehimthenewnumber.FiveminuteslaterthescreenblinkedwithatextfromGavin:THISNUMBERSWAPPEDTOYOUROLDNUMBER.JackpunchedinSeth’snumberandtexted:IT’SJACK.CONTACTMEATTHISNUMBER,ASAP.

Nexthejottedalistoffollow-upsonthepad:

—Makecontactwith

othersinnetwork.HaveGavintrack.

—LookintoDr.PezhmanAbbasi?Name,VAJApointofcontact?

—Licenseplate,van.Placeofbusiness?

—TranslatedocfromSeth’ssafe.

—Info:DavidWeaver.Gunserialnumber?

—Whoowns:Spellman/Wellesleysafehouse;Seth’sapartments?

—Spellman/Wellesley.Meetagain?Confront?

OftheselasttwoitemsJackwasuncertain.Diggingintotheownershipofthesafehousewouldprobablyrevealnothingbutafront,andtheprobingwouldn’tgounnoticed.Hedecidedtoback-burnerthis.

Asforanothermeeting

withSpellmanandWellesley,ifinfacthiskidnappersbelongedtothem,asecondvisittotheZafaraniyehdistrictsafehousemightlandhimonthetarpagain.Still,wantingtoknowifthey’dheardfromSethwasexactlywhatafriendwoulddo.

Anditmightbeworththerisktogaugetheirreactiontohisinjuredface—andtoanunexpectedvisit.

•••

AFTERTRYINGUNSUCCESSFULLYtoleaveYsabelatherapartment,Jackgaveinandtheytookhersecondcar,adarkblueRangeRover,toanearbymen’sclothingstoreandJackboughtafewchangesofclothing—khakis,button-downshirts,andawindbreaker—beforeheading

totheZafaraniyeh.YsabelparkedthreeblocksawayfromWellesley’sapartment,underabloominglindentree.

Jackpattedhissidepocketandfeltthereassuringheftofthenine-millimeter,thenclimbedoutandshutthedoor.

“Remember,”Ysabelsaidthroughtheopensidewindow,“onecallandI’llbethere.”

“Anotherdrive-bystrafing?”

“Ihavemymethods.”Inashorteighthours

JackhadlearnedthatYsabelKashaniwasbeautiful,smart,independent,andresourceful.Asallieswent,hecouldn’thavehopedformore.Toogoodtobetrue?hewondered.IfYsabelwasn’twhatsheseemed,hehopedhewouldfindoutsooner

ratherthanlater.“Givemethirtyminutes,

thenstartcalling.IfIdon’tanswer,callthisnumber”—YsabelpoweredupherphoneandJackrecitedGavinBiery’scell-phonenumber—“andtellhimeverything.”

“Startingwithwhereyouare.”

“Right.”“Goodluck.”

•••

JACKWALKEDthethreeblockstoWellesley’sapartmentbuildingandpressedthecallbuttonforthecorrectapartment.Wellesleyanswered:“Yes?”

“JackRyan.”“Comeup.”Thedoorbuzzedand

Jackwentthrough.Whentheelevatordoorspartedonthe

seventhfloor,Wellesleywaswaiting.HeledJackintotheapartmentandofferedhimtea,whichJackdeclined.Theysatdownintheseatingareabeforethewindows.Spellmanwasnowhereinsight.

“Where’sMatt?”“Elsewhere.Good

heavens,Jack,whatonearthhappenedtoyourface?”

Wellesley’ssurprise

seemedgenuineenough.Whichmeantnothing.

Theywereonafirst-namebasisnow,Jacknoted.Hetookamomenttogatherhisthoughts.Whathewasabouttosaymightpermanentlychangethegame.WhetherheansweredWellesley’squestiontruthfullyorwithalie,theSISman’sreactionmighttellJackmuch.Hedecidedonthe

former;itwasthebestway,hehoped,tomaintainhisbabe-in-the-woodsstatuswithWellesleyandSpellman.

“Someonegrabbedmelastnight.Therewereacoupleofthem.”

Wellesleyleanedforward.“What?Where?”

“Seth’sapartment.NotthePardiscondo.Asecondone.”

“Goon.”

“Iwokeupinavan.Imanagedtogetawayfromthemand...”Jacktouchedhisforeheadandfrowned.“Idon’tremembermuchafterthat.AwomanpickedmeupandthenI...Well,IguessIdidsomethingprettystupid.”

“Whichwas?”“IwentbacktoSeth’s

apartment.”“Why?”“Therewasasafein

there.Atlunch,Sethaskedmetogetitforhim.Iwentbackforit,butthesafewasopen.Therewasnothinginside,soIleft.”

ThiswastheweakestpartofJack’sstory.WhilethemanontheroofhadneitherseenJack’sfacenorheardhisvoice,theincidentmightinWellesley’seyesbetoocoincidental.Jack’shopewasthattheSISmanassumedhe

waslyingoutofself-protection.

“Whydidn’tyoutellusaboutSeth’sotherapartment?”

“HowcouldIknowyouwerewhoyouclaimedtobe?Anyonecanmakeupabusinesscard.Itmeansnothing.”

“Goodpoint,”repliedWellesley.

“Ihavetoask,Raymond:

IleavehereandafewhourslaterI’mkidnapped.Itlooksbad.”

“Iunderstand.”Wellesleyloweredhisheadinthought,slowlyrubbinghisthumboverhischin.“ButIcanassureyou,Jack,itwasn’tme.”

“You?OryouandSpellman.”

Wellesleydidn’treply.“Justbecarefulfromnowon,

Jack.Icangetyousomeprotectionifyou’dlike.”

“No,forgetit.”“Ifyouchangeyour

mind,callme.Andyoushouldgotothehospitalandhaveyourheadseento.”

“HaveyouheardfromSeth?”

“Sadly,no.AsIsaid,we’requiteconcerned.Didyoutrytocontacthim?”

“Itextedhim.Ihaven’t

heardanythingback.Listen,Ihavetobehonest:Ican’tbelievehe’sontherunwithyourmoney.That’snottheSethIknow.Couldsomeonehavetakenhim?”

“Perhaps,butwehavenoevidenceofthat.Wethinkheleftofhisownaccord.”

“Anyideawherehemighthavegone?IcouldtakealeaveofabsencefromHendleyand—”

“Andwhat,Jack?Huntforhimlikeyou’reinaLudlumnovel?Jack,Idoadmireyourdedicationtoyourfriend,butyouneedtoletushandlethis.Goaboutyourbusiness.InformusifSethmakescontact.That’sallyoucando.”

Theystoodupandshookhands.Wellesleywalkedhimtothedoorandsaidgood-bye.

JackreturnedtoYsabel’sRangeRoverandclimbedin.

“Didtheybuyit?”sheasked.

“ItwasjustWellesley.Ithinkso,butthat’sonecageybastard.Andifhewasbehindit,hedeservesanOscar.”

Jack’sdisposablephonetrilled.Itwasatextmessage.Thescreenread:IT’SSETH.

Jacktyped:WHEREAREYOU?

OUTOFTOWN.SAFE?Y,cameSeth’sreply.FIND

WHATILEFTFORYOU?Y.WATCHYOURBACK.WILL

CALLLATER.Thescreenwentblank.

Edinburgh,Scotland

TheplaceHelenhadfoundforthem,arun-down,side-alleygaragewithacramped,two-bedroomflataboveit,

wasprivateenough,butwasfilthyandstankofmotoroil.

AsOliksatontherattyplaidcouchwatchingtelevision,Helenfinishedcleaningthekitchenandputtingawaygroceries,thenstartedcookinglunch—beansandtoastandgrilledtomatoes,aUKstaple,apparently.Agoodleaderfedhertroops,shethought.

Frombelowcamethe

honkofacarhorn.Helensaid,“Olik,go.”Olikheadeddownthe

stairs.Helenleanedovertherailingandwatchedasheliftedthemaindoor’scrossbarandswungopenthedoubledoors.Thegarage’sinteriorwaslitbyalonefluorescentlightsuspendedfromtherafters.Outside,thealleyway’scobbleswerewetwithrain.

ThevanrolledinsideandOlikshutthedoors.Yegorshutoffthevan’sengineandclimbedout,asdidRoma.

“Ihaveit,”Yegorannouncedwithasmile.

Yegortrottedupthestairs,shruggingoffhiscoatashewent.

“Didyouhaveanytrouble?”

“Verylittle.Thestudentshavelockers.Whenshewent

tolunch,Ijimmiedthedoortohers.Noonesawme.”HedrewasmallnotebookfromhisbackpocketandhandedittoHelen,whoscannedthepages.

“Classschedule,dormitoryroomnumber,appointments...”

“Thereareonlyafewhere.”

“Therestwouldbeonherphone,”Yegorsaid.“I’m

surprisedtheywriteanythingdownthesedays.”

“Whichdormitoryisshein?”

“ChancellorsCourt.”“Good,”Helenreplied.Shewalkedtoanearby

cupboard,openedthetopdrawer,andpulledoutamapoftheuniversity’scampus.Shelaiditonthekitchentableandtracedherfingeroverthelegenduntilshe

foundChancellors.“Righthere.It’spartofthePollockHallscomplex.Weneedtoseeitupclose.We’llgowhenit’sdark.”

H OWDOweevenknowitwashim?”Ysabelsaid.

Theywerebackatherapartment,againwatchingthesunrisestreamingthroughherbalconywindowsandenjoyingacupofhernuclear-

poweredcoffee.Jackhadsleptfitfully,halfhopingforanupdatecallfromGavinBierywhilehisbrainworkedthe“Sethproblem.”Jackwantedtomove,totakeaction,butthesmartcoursewastodonothinguntilhegotGavin’sresults.

“Wedon’t,”Jackreplied.“Ifitwasn’thim,itmeanssomeone’sgothim.Oratleasthisphone.”

“Ifthat’strue,andtheywereaskingaboutwhatwefoundinthesafe,itmeansyoumighthavebeentalkingtothemenwhotookyou.Oh,thatremindsme...”

Ysabelgotup,walkedtothecredenzabehindhercouch,openedadrawer,thenreturnedwithafifteen-inchMacBookProandsatbackdown.Whenthelaptopbootedup,shestartedtyping.

Afteraminuteshesaid,“Thevan’splacardwasrealenough—YazdaniandSonElectricalContractors.Theaddressisinanindustrialpartoftown,ontheeastside—EhsanandTenthStreet.Shouldwego?”

Jackconsideredthis.Whiletheyweren’tgoingtofindBalaclavaandhispartnerloiteringaboutinYazdani’soffices,itwasalead.Seth’s

trailwasgrowingcold.

•••

THEYDROVEYSABEL’SRANGEROVERtoapublicparkinglotahalf-milefromtheYazdaniaddress,thengotoutandhailedacab.Asthecarpulledtothecurbbesidethem,Ysabelsaid,“Whenwegetthere,I’mgoinginalone.”

“No—”

“It’sbetterthisway.Trustme.”

Jackhesitated.“Okay,butcallmeandleavethelineopen.”

“Worriedformysafety,Jack?”

“Yes.”“That’ssweet.Let’sgo.”Thecabtooktheminto

theindustrialdistrict,twoacresofstreetslinedwithcrackedsidewalks,sliding

securitygates,andwarehousesfrontedbyfadedredandgreenawningsandsignsinPersian/Farsi.Thedriverpulleduptoastripofwarehousesandstopped.

YsabelsaidsomethinginPersiantothedriver,thenclimbedoutandheadedforthedoortoYazdani’soffice,dialingasshewent.Jack’sphonerang.Ysabelsaid,“Canyouhearmenow?”

“Veryfunny.”Ysabelslidthephone

intoherpurse,openedthedoor,anddisappearedinside.

AfteraminuteofsilenceJackheardhertalkingtowhatsoundedliketwomen.Theconversationquicklyturnedintoanargument,Ysabelandthementalkingoveroneanotherinrapid-firePersianuntilfinallyonlyonemanwasreplyingtoherquestions,

hisvoicesofter.Theyspokeforanothercoupleofminutes,thenYsabelemergedfromtheoffice.Shegotinthetaxi,saidsomethingtothedriver,andthecarpulledaway.Jackopenedhismouthtospeak.Ysabelshookherheadslightly.

OncebackatherRangeRover,Jacksaid,“Well?”

“Twomen,bothPersian.Theowner—VahidYazdani

—andanemployee,maybehisson.Theywereold-school,angrythatawomanwasintheirshop,wearingnoheadscarfandbeingshockinglyassertive.”

“Soundedlikeyousetthemstraight.”

“Thosetypesarebulliesatheart,Jack.Pushbackandtheyusuallybackdown.Plus,I’mwelldressed—wealthhassomesocialcurrency.

Anyway,Yazdaniclaimsthevanwasstolentwonightsago.Heinformedthepolice,butnothinghascomeofit.”

“Deadend,”Jackmuttered.

“Notatall.WhileIwasstormingandranting,Ipeekedoutthebackdoor.There’safencedstorageareabehindtheshop.Thevanwasthere.”

“You’resure?”

“Therewasabulletholeinthedoor.RightwhereIputit.”

•••

HALFWAYBACKtoYsabel’sapartment,Jack’sphonetrilled.ItwasGavinBiery.

“Yourphoneshouldbetherethisafternoon,”hetoldJack.

“Thatwasquick.”“Weaimtoplease.I’ve

gotsomeinfoforyou.”Withhisphonebraced

betweenhisshoulderandhisear,Jackpulledouthispadandbalanceditonhisknee,penattheready.“Shoot.”

“First,there’snoactivityonyourcreditcards.Second,thevan’slicenseplatebelongstoanelectricalcontractor—”

“YazdaniandSon.Iwasjustthere.Thevanwasthere.Theownerclaimeditwasstolen.”

“Onpaper,theylooklegit.IalsocheckedoutDr.PezhmanAbbasi.Ageseventy-two,beenteachingatUniversityofTehranforthirty-plusyears.Noredflags,nocriminalrecord,nointerestingaffiliations.

“Now,thisDavidWeaver

guyisinteresting.TheAlbanyaddressonhisInternationalDriver’sPermitisbogus;it’sactuallyastorethatoffersshort-andlong-termP.O.boxes.”

“Howthehelldoesthatwork?Isn’tthatsomethingHomelandSecuritykeyson?”

“MorethePostalInspectionService,butyeah.I’llkeepplugging,butIwouldn’tholdmybreath.As

forWeaverhimself,Idrewablank.NoSocialSecuritynumber,nocredithistory—allthestandardstuff,nothing.Theguystinksofspecialops.”

“Andhisgun?”“Now,that’sreally

interesting.It’snotaSIGSauer,butanIranianknock-offcalledaZoafPC9.Theserialnumberisactuallyaversionofwhat’scalledan

NSN—NATOStockNumber.Inthiscase,it’saDMC—DomesticManagementCode.Thetwo-digitcountrycodemakesitanexporttotheUK.”

RaymondWellesley’shomeland,Jackthought.Tooobvious,anoversight,oracoincidence?Theblack-markethandgunbusinesswasbooming,asitalwayshadbeen.Heavyweaponswere

toughertosmuggle,especiallyafter9/11,butnotsowithhandguns.IranianorBritishorotherwise,thenine-millimeter’soriginwasproofofnothing.Interesting,though,thatitleddirectlybacktoWellesley.

“Whatthehellareyouinto,Jack?”askedGavin.

“I’vealreadyaskedmyselfthatmorethanafewtimes.Tellmeaboutmy

phone.”“It’spowereddownnow,

butitwason,briefly,yesterdaymorning.ThebestIcoulddowasaroughlocation.Somewherebetween—andI’lltrynottobutcherthesenames...EnghelabRoad,RashidYashemiStreet,andValiAsrStreet.”

Jacksaid,“Holdonasecond,”thenaskedYsabel:“TheareaofEnghelabRoad,

RashidYashemiStreet,andValiAsrStreet—meananythingtoyou?”

“Ofcourse.That’stheneighborhoodwhereSeth’sapartmentis—notthebolt-hole,hisrealone.It’sontheothersideofMellatPark,aboutamilefrommine.”

“Goodwork,Gavin.WhattimewasSeth’sphoneonandforhowlong?”

“Aboutthirtysecondsor

so,at10:09.”“Thanks.Talkto—”“Hangon,Jack.At

exactlythesametime,yourstolenphonepoweredup,anditstayedonforthesameduration.”

Someonehadhijackedhisoldphone.

•••

TWENTYMINUTESLATERtheywerebackat

Ysabel’sapartment.“Yourphone?Howis

thatpossible?”shesaid,pushingopenthefrontdoorandlayingherpurseonthekitchencounter.“Isthatevendoable?”

Jackclosedthedoorbehindthem.

“It’sdoable.”TheCampushaddoneitbefore,andWellesleyandSpellmanwouldhaveaccesstotheir

ownsophisticatedtechnerds.“AssumingmyphonewasactuallypingingfromSeth’sNaseriStreetapartment,somebody’slayingatrap.”Hehadtoalsoassumethey’dseentheearliertextexchangebetweenhimandSeth,thoughitwoulddothemlittlegood.

“YouthinktheywantthefolderwegotfromSeth’ssafe?”

Jacknodded.“It’sagoodbet.Let’sseeifwegetaninvitation.”

•••

JACK’SNEWPHONEarrivedmid-afternoon.Heporedoverhisnotes,tryingtomakesenseoftheglutofinformationhe’damassedoverthepasttwodays,andoccasionallycheckedhise-mail;earlier

he’dsentacurt“Contactme”e-mailtoErvaz,theotheragentYsabelknewabout.He’dreceivednoreply.

Jackwasn’tsureofhisnextmove.Irrationalthoughitwas,hefelthehadalotofleads,andnoleadsatall.Wellesley,Spellman,YazdaniandSon,BalaclavaMan,DavidWeaver,Seth/NotSethtextinghim,andapileofpapersin

CyrillicthatwasclearlyimportanttobothSethand...whoever.

JackbrieflyconsideredgoingtoPardisandsittingonit,butdecidedagainstit.Andwhilehecouldn’tbesurethetexthadcomefromtheapartmentitself,Jack’sguttoldhimithad.Suchamovemadetacticalsense.TheyknewhewaslookingforSeth,sowhynotlurehim

therewithexactlythat?Howcouldheturnthe

traptohisadvantage?Contingencies,countercontingencies,evasion,andescape...Itwasachessgamewiththehighestpossiblestakes,andnomatterhowwellpre-plottedyourgame,somethingwouldgowrong.Somethingalwayswentwrong.Whatmatterediswhatyoudidaboutit.And

withwhom.HewasmostlyconvincedthatYsabelwaswhosheclaimedtobe,andshe’dsofarprovenherselfreliable,butpartofhimwantedtoleaveherbehind.Wasthissexismoroverprotectiveness?Thelatter,hedecided.He’dhavetogetoverthat.Ysabelwasinthisbecauseshewantedtobe.Plus,withhimoverprotectivenesstendedto

precedeattachment,whichtendedtoprecededeeperfeelings—inhiscase,asequencethatoftenhappenedprematurely.Itwasacomplicationhedidn’tneedrightnow.It’dbesomucheasierifshewereunlikable.

Backtowork.HeopenedYsabel’slaptop,broughtGoogleMapsupinthebrowser,thenlocatedtheneighborhoodaroundPardis

Condosandstartedputtingthestreetsandbuildingtomemory.Thiswouldbetheirground.Theyhadsomeadvantage:thebadguyswouldassumethey’dbewalkingblindlyintothetrap.

Athoughtoccurredtohim.“Ysabel,canyoudomeafavor?”Shewalkedup.Hewroteacoupleofitemsonthenotepad,toreoffthesheet,andhandedittoher.

“Canyougetthisstuff?”“Ithinkso,yes.”“Shouldbeabletofindit

inamilitarysurplusstore,ifyouhavethosehere.”

“What’sitfor?”“Anexperiment.”

•••

ONCEBACKFROMHERERRAND,Ysabelspenttherestofherafternooncookinginthekitchenand

listeningtoherMP3player,hairtiedinaponytail,hummingasshemovedamongthesimmeringpots,stirringandtastingandaddingspices.Shewastryingtokeephermindoccupied,Jacksuspected.ThoughherromanticinvolvementhadendedwithSeth,clearlyshecaredabouthim.

Andheretheywere,Jackthought,sittingontheirhands

andplayinghouse.Atthisthought,Jacksmiled.Despitethecircumstances,hedidn’tentirelymindthefeeling.Careful,Jack.

Hegotupfromthediningtable,stretchedhisarms,andrubbedhishandsthroughhishair.HecalledtoYsabel,“Scotch?”

Sheremovedherearbuds.“What?”

“Scotch?”

“Please.”Hepouredtwoglasses

andjoinedherinthekitchen.Hehandedheraglassandshetookasip.Jacksaid,“Whendoweeat?”

“This?”shereplied,gesturingtothepots.“Tomorrow.It’sacomplexreciperequiringgreatpatience.Tonightwe’rehavinglastnight’sleftoversagain.”

“Khoreshtehqiemehbademjoon?Persianeggplantstew.”

“Verygood,Jack.”“Iranianshaveathing

aboutstew,don’tthey?”Shelaughed.“Wedo.”

Slowlythesmilefadedfromherfaceandshesaid,“Thisfeelswrongsomehow,youknow,enjoyingourselveswhileSethis...outthere.Weshouldbedoing

something.”“Ifeelthesame.Right

nowthere’snothingtodobutwait.”

“Well,I’mnotafan.Justsoyouknow.”

•••

ATEIGHT-FIFTEENJack’sprepaidcellphonetrilled.WithYsabelpeeringoverhisshoulder,hecheckedthescreen:

ATPARDISCONDO.YOUKNOWWHERE?

JacksaidtoYsabel,“Getyourcoat.”

“You’renotgoingtoreply?”

“IfIcantrackthem,wehavetoassumetheycantrackus.Wedon’twanttogetaknockonyourdoor.Idon’t

supposeyouhavebinoculars,doyou?”

“No,butMr.Hamdinextdoordoes.I’llgogetthem.”Ysabelleft.

Jackpulledouttheprepaidcell,powereditup,andtyped,OFFNIAYESH,RIGHT?APARTMENT12?

RIGHT.COMEASAP.BRINGSTEAK.—S.

JackdisconnectedandthenfromthetablegrabbedtheproductofYsabel’s

shoppingtrip,asilverbagaboutthreetimesthesizeofJack’sdisposablephone.Heputthatandhisclonedphoneinsideandsealeditshut.

“Whatexactlyisthat?”sheasked.

“It’scalledaFaradaybag.TheplasticIaskedforisESD,electrostaticdischargematerial.Specifically,MIL-PRF-8170—”

“Justtellmewhatitdoes,

Jack.”“Intheory?Itblocksall

outgoingsignals.Ifthey’retrackingus,thismightmakeitimpossible.”

“Let’shope.”“HowcloseisSeth’s

buildingtoMellatPark?”“It’ssoutheastofhere,

aboutamile.Rightacrossthestreetfromthepark’swestentrance.What’veyougotinmind,Jack?”

“We’regoingtokidnapakidnapper.”

O NCETHEYWEREOUTofYsabel’sapartmentgarage,

JackinstructedhertodrivesouthalongValiAsrStreet,skirtingtheeasternedgeofthepark.Itwasfullydarkandbothsidesofthestreetwere

linedwithyellowsodium-vaporlamps.Thetrafficwaslight;Jacksawonlyafewcars,mostofthemheadedsouthtowardtheexpressway.WhentheyreachedNiayeshtheyturnedwestandjoinedtheflowofmergingcars.

“Weneedaplacetopark,awayfromSeth’scondo,”Jacksaid.

“I’llfindsomething.”Afterabouthalfamile,

Ysabelsaid,“That’sit,outyourwindow.”

JacklookedrightandsawPardisCondos,aneight-floortoweroverlookingthelightedentranceofthepark.Ysabeldroveforanotherhundredyards,thenturnedrightontoashortbridgespanningacanal,thenturnedleftintoanemptywarehouseparkinglot.Afluorescentsecuritylightflickeredanemicallyoverthe

warehouse’sgaragedoor.Shedousedtheheadlightsandshutofftheengine.

“Thiswon’tdrawthepolice,usparkinghere?”Jackasked.

“No.Manyparkvisitorsparkonsidestreetsatnight.”

JackraisedthebinocularsYsabelhadborrowedfromherneighborandzoomedinonthepark.Justinsidethepark’sentrancehecouldseea

tieredfountainunderlitbyamberlights;stonebenchescircledtheflagstoneclearing,itselfhemmedinbytrees.

“What’stheplan?”Jackdetectedatingleof

excitementinYsabel’svoice.Hesaid,“I’mgoingtocallwhoeverI’vebeentalkingtooutonthatbenchtothefarrightofthefountain.”HehandedYsabelthebinoculars.“Youseeit,withthebranches

overhangingit?”“Iseeit.”“Whenyouseesomeone

approachitandsitdown,driveacrossNiayesh,thendownthatsidestreet—”

“RajaeiBoulevard—”“Assoonasyoupullonto

it,shutoffyourheadlightsandfindaspotdirectlyoppositethebench.Whatdoyoumakethedistance...fiftyyards?”

“Aboutthat.Icangetthereinlessthanaminute,Ithink.”

“Good.Ifanythinggoeswrong,ifIgettaken,driveaway.Slowly,headlightsoff,untilyoureachthenextmajorcrossstreet,thengobacktoyourapartment,waitfourhours,thencallthatnumberIgaveyou.”

“Gavin?”“Right.Tellhim

everythingandsittight.”JackpulledtheFaraday

bagfromhisjacketpocket,removedhisdisposablephone,thenpowereditonandtexted,MEETMEATTHEFOUNTAININSIDETHEPARK’SENTRANCE.SITONTHEFARRIGHTBENCH.

Aminutepassedbeforethereplycame:WHAT’SGOINGON?

NERVOUS,Jackreplied.JUSTDOWHATIASK,SETH.

OKAY.FIVEMINUTES.Jackpoweredoffthe

phoneandreturnedittotheFaradaybag.

“Idon’tlikethisplan,Jack,”saidYsabel.

“Noplanisperfect,”hereplied.“Youworkwithwhatyou’vegot,andthisiswhatwe’vegotrightnow.”

Ysabelhesitated,thensighed.“Goodluck.”

•••

JACKCLIMBEDOUT,walkedacrossthecanalbridge,thenwest,backdowntheNiayeshExpressway,untilhereachedacrosswalkleadingtoRajaeiBoulevard,thenwaitedforabreakinthetraffic,andtrottedacrossthestreetandontoRajaei.Incontrasttotheexpressway,Rajaeiwasquiet,itstree-linedsidewalksdevoidofpedestriansanddark,savea

fauxgaslampspacedeverytwentyyardsorso.ThesoundoftheexpresswayfadedasJackcontinuednorth.

Tohisrightheglimpsedthefountain’samberlightingthroughthedarkenedtrees.Whenhedrewevenwiththefountain,heturnedleftandstoppedbeneaththelow-hangingboughsofanoaktree.

Hedrewthenine-

millimeterfromhisleftjacketpocketandpulledbacktheslideaninchtoexposetheglintofbrassinthegun’spipe.Hereleasedtheslideandreturnedtheweapontohispocket.

Keepingtothedeepestshadows,Jackpickedhiswaythroughthetreestowardthefountain,hiseyesscanningleftandrightuntilhereachedthetreedirectlybehindthe

bench.Beyondit,thefountaingurgledsoftly,theamberspotlightscastingswirlingshadowsontheundersideofthefountain’stieredbasins.ToJack’sleft,downthebroadpavedentrancetothepark,hecouldseethelightedlobbydoorsofSeth’scondobuilding.

Hecheckedhiswatch.Threeminuteshadpassedsincehe’dsentthetext.Inthe

nexttwominuteshe’dhaveananswertooneofhisworries:WouldwhoeverwasontheotherendofthetextmessagesassumeJackwasinfactexpectingSeth?Jackhopedso.Ifnot,they’dlikelybesettinguptheirownambushoratleastscoutingthearea,whichwouldtakemorethanthefiveminutesJackhadgiventhem.

Sixtymoreseconds

passed.Afigureemergedfrom

thecondo’slobby,crossedthestreet,andtrottedupthestepstothepark.Itwasaman,Jackcouldseefromthebuildandgait,buthewaswearingahoodie.Thefacewasinshadow.Themanangledrightsohepasseddirectlyunderthestreetlamps,hisheadtilteddownward,handsstuffedinto

thehoodie’spockets.Sonofabitch,Jack

thought.Hetookadeepbreath,letitout,thendrewthenine-millimeterfromhispocketandthumbedthesafetytotheoffposition.

Themanreachedtheentrancetothefountain’sclearing.Hestopped,lookedaround.

Comeon,comeon...Themancontinued

forward,hisbootsechoingontheflagstones,thensatdownonthebench.

Jacksaid,“Ifyoumove,I’llputabulletinthebackofyourhead.Nodifyouunderstand.”

Themannodded.“Areyoubeing

covered?”Themanshookhishead.“Sayit.”“Doesitmatter?You’re

goingtodowhatyou’regoingtodo.”

Thiswasn’tSeth,Jackrealized,butratherBalaclava.

“Howdidyouknow?”themanasked.

“Standup,stayfacingawayfromme,andtakeyourhandsoutofyourpockets.”

“You’remakingamistake,son.”

Jackrepeatedhisorder.Balaclavastoodand

removedhishandsfromhispockets.

“Keepyourhandsouttoyoursides.Turnaroundandpulloffyourhood.”

Themandidasinstructed.

Balaclavawasinhismid-thirties,tanned,withblackhairandamustache.InIran,hewouldblendin,Jackdecided.

“Walktowardme.”

Balaclavasteppedaroundthebenchandintothetrees.Jackbackedup,nine-millimeterontheman’schest,untiltheyweredeeperintheshadows.JackorderedBalaclavatodroptohisknees,thentohisbelly,whichhedid.Jacksteppedforward,thenkneltdown,leftshinjammedagainsttheman’sneck,thenine-millimeterpressedbetween

hisshoulderblades.WithhislefthandJackfriskedhim,havinghimrollslightlyontohissidetocheckhisfrontpockets.Balaclavawascarryingneitheraweaponnorawallet,butinthehoodie’sright-handpocketwasaphone—Jack’sphone.

“Nowwhat?”saidBalaclava.

“Nowwegosomeplacequietandtalk.”

“Youhaven’tthestomachforit.”

“We’llsee,”Jackreplied.Thetruthwas,he’dneverhadtomakethatdecision.Thoughthebattery-cables-and-pliersroutinelookedsexyinHollywoodmovies,tortureusuallyproducedsketchyresultsatbest.Thenagain,ithadworkedonSaifRahmanYasin—theEmir—butithadbeenuglyandthe

imageofYasinwrithingonthetablewasneverfarfromJack’smind.

“Standup,”Jackordered.“We’reheadingwesttowardRajaei.Youlead.Ifyourunorturnaround—”

“Iknowthedrill.”“Walk.”Theyheadedthroughthe

trees,Jacktrailingtenfeetback,hiseyesscanningformovementinthetreesand

occasionallyglancingoverhisshoulder.Therewasnoone.Thatwouldn’tlast,though.UnlessBalaclavawasworkingsolo,withoutDavidWeaver,someonewouldhaveseenBalaclavadisappearintothetrees.Ifthecavalrywasn’talreadycoming,itsoonwouldbe.

WhentheyreachedthesidewalkJacksawYsabel’sRangeRoverparkedacross

thestreet.Goodgirl,Jackthought.She’dparkedinthedarkspotbetweentwostreetlamps.TheRangeRover’senginestarted.Ysabel’sfacewasilluminatedbythedashboard’sblueglow.

JackandBalaclavastartedacrossthestreet.

Ysabelrolleddownherwindowandsaid,“Any—”

ThetopofBalaclava’sheadexplodedintoaredmist.

Deadwherehestood,Balaclavadroppedtohisknees,thentoppledontohissideinthemiddleoftheroad.Hisleftlegtwitchedspasmodically.Bloodgushedfromtheman’sheadwoundandbeganpuddlingbeneathhistorso.

“Down!”Jackrasped.“Ysabel,down!”

Sheduckedoutofsight.Jackresistedtheurgeto

runfortheRangeRoverandinsteadturnedonhisheelandsprintedbackacrossthesidewalkandintothetreeline,wherehestoppedandcroucheddown.

“Whereareyou?”Jackmuttered.Jackwasstunned,hisbrainracingtocatchupwithwhatjusthappened.Theshothadbeenlittlemorethanamuffledcrack—notthesoundofahandgunbutrather

asuppressor-equippedrifle.Wherewastheshooter?LogicsuggestedsomewherefromSeth’scondo,somewherehighup.Nootherfiringanglemadesense.Eitherway,hecouldn’tstayhere.Asquietastheshothadbeen,hehadtoassumesomeonehadhearditandcalledthepolice.

“Ysabel,”Jackcalled.“I’mhere.”

“I’mcomingtoyou.Bereadytomove.Nomatterwhathappens,stayaslowasyoucan.”

“Hurry,Jack,thepolicewill—”

“Iknow.”Jackdidn’tgivehimselfa

chancetothink,butstoodupandwalkedbacktowardthestreet,hisheadturnedrightsohecouldkeepthecondoinviewthroughthetrees.When

hewassixfeetfromBalaclava’sbodyanddirectlyoppositeYsabel’sRangeRover,hestoppedandlookedrightagain.Attheendoftheblock,aroundtheedgeofanoaktree,hecouldseethecornerofthecondo’sroof,twohundredyardsdistant.Ifthesniperwasstillaround,that’swherehewouldbe.

Jackdashedforward,leaptoverBalaclava’sbody,

andranfortheRangeRover’srearbumper.Ashereachedit,heglimpsedareddotreflectedontheRangeRover’swindowtohisleft.Abulletthunkedintotherearcornerpost.Jackduckeddown,keptgoing.Anotherroundsmackedintothecurbtohisright.Jackreachedthesidewalkandjumpedontoit.Histoecaughtthecurbandhesprawledface-firstonto

thepavement.Outofthecornerofhis

eye,sixinchesaway,thereddotappearedonthepavement.

Done,Jackthoughtnumbly.He’sgotme.

Heheardapop,thenanotherone.Thereddotskitteredacrossthesidewalk,thenleaptwildlyintothetreesbeyond.

Jackpushedhimselfto

hisknees,gothisfeetunderhim,anddodgedleft,behindtheshelteroftheSUV.Heopenedthepassengerdoor,crawledinside,thenslammedthedoorbehindhim.

Ysabelslammedherfootagainstthegaspedal,jerkedthewheelleft,andtheSUVsurgedaheadanddownthestreet.

Edinburgh,Scotland

Ithadtakentime,toomuchtime,Helenthought,tofindapattern,andithadnothingtodowithprecautionstheirtargettook.Infact,they’dfoundtheyoungAmytraveledwithnobodyguardsandusuallystrolledtheRoseStreetareawithonlyanentourageofgigglingandfrequentlydrunkgirls.WhetheranyofherfriendsknewAmy’strueidentity

Helendidn’tknow,buttheywerecertainlyawareofthedepthoftheyoungwoman’spockets.Theprofessionalpartofherbraindidn’tcareonewayoranother,butthematernalpart,smallthoughitwas,hopedAmy’sfriendsweregenuine.BeingfarfromherhomelandandamongstrangerswasanexperienceHelenknewverywell.Evenwithtrainingandpreparation,

itwasalonelyexistence;foranineteen-year-oldMuslimgirltryingtofitinhere...

Helenpushedthethoughtfromhermind.Theyhadajobtodo.

Sheturnedinthevan’spassengerseatandsaidtoRomaandOlik,“Areyouclearonwhat’stohappen?”Shedidn’tneedtoaskYegor,who’dbeenwithherforallbuttwoofthesejobs.

“Clear,”Olikreplied.“Roma?”“I’mnotanidiot,”he

grumbled,eyesstaringouthiswindow.“Iknowwhattodo.”

“Ifyouwereanidiot,youwouldn’tbehere,”Helenreplied,hopingthecomplimentwouldmollifyhim.Hewasanidiot,butshewasstuckwithhim.

“Justwatchformy

signals.Ifyoudon’tseetheabortsign,goaheadwithit.Don’thurry,andkeepcalm.Doitaswerehearsed.”Helencheckedherwatch.Tenminutes.

“Letoneofuscomewithyou,”Yegorsaid.

“No.I’llarousenosuspicionifI’monmyown.”

Helenclimbedout,waitedforagapinthecars,thencrossedPrincesStreet

andstarteddownFrederick.Behindher,Yegorpulledthevanawayfromthecurb,itsredtaillightsfadingquicklyinthelowmistclingingtotheground.HelenpulledthesequinedFrenchmilitaryballcap—thecurrentandinexplicablefashiontrendamongtheuniversitystudents—closeroverhereyes.

Ifnotforthehonkingofthecarsandthehissingofbus

brakes,shecouldimagineherselfbackinVictorianEdinburgh,suchwasthearchitecture.Morebuildingsthannotseemedtohavefrozenintheirmedievalforms,withturrets,alleysfrontedbysallyportentrances,andmoss-trimmedstonework.

Putherfellowpedestriansandrevelersinperiodgarbandthescenewouldbe

almostperfect.TheMexicanrestaurant,

Chiquito,wasjustablockaway,andittookHelenlessthantwominutestogetthere.Chiquitohadonlyrecentlybecomearegularstopforthegirl,everyMonday,Wednesday,andFridaynightfromseven-thirtyuntileightforty-five,withtwoofhergirlfriends.

Amyhadbeennaughty,

Helen’ssurveillancehadrevealed.Thegirl’snewestboyfriendorhookup—onecouldnevertellanymore,noteventhekidsthemselves,shesuspected—was,Robby,athirtysomethingbusboyatChiquitowhoapparentlycouldmaketimeforAmyonlyafterhisshiftandbeforehewenthometohiswifeandkids.HavingspenttimetailingRobbyadayearlier,

Helendidn’tunderstandtheallure,butclearlyAmydid.Sheseemedcontentwithtakingwhatevertimeheallowedher.

Atseventwenty-five,HelenpassedRoseStreetandsteppedinsidethedimlylitplexiglassbusstand.Thenextbuswasdueshortly.

Theminutestickedby.“Evening,”aman

standingbesidehersaid.

“Chillytonight.”“Pissoff,wanker,”Helen

shotback,herchintuckedintothecowlofheranorak.

“Hey,I’mjustbeingfriendly.”

“Isaid,‘Pissoff!’”Helensuspectedtheman

wassimplymakingconversation,butapparently“Pissoff,wanker”wasaperfectlyacceptableresponsetounwantedattentionon

RoseStreet.Itseemedrude,shethought,butwheninRome...

“Sorry,”themanmuttered.

DowntheblocktowardChiquito,HelenheardatrioofraucousgigglesandimmediatelyrecognizedoneofthemasbelongingtoAmy.Shehadanicelaugh,natural,notthemush-mouthedcacklesmanyofherfriends

letoutwhendrunk.TonightAmywaswiththemostobnoxiouspair,MargaretandTera.

HelenglancedleftandsawAmy,flankedbyhertwofriends,walkingtowardthebusstand.Astheypassed,Helensteppedoutandfollowed.Amywaswearingathickredcardiganagainstthechill.Thatmakesthingseveneasier,thoughtHelen.

WhentheyreachedPrincesStreetthegroupdisappearedaroundthecorner,headingeast.Good,Helenthought.Stickingtoschedule.Sheslowedherpace,lettingthemgainsomedistance,thenalsoroundedthecorner.Fiftyfeetahead,Amyandherfriendswerewalking,shoulderspressing,talkingandgigglingandoccasionallysidesteppingto

avoidcollisionswithfellowbar-goers.

Atthenextintersection,Hanover,Amyandherfriendsstoppedatabusstand.Helenkeptwalking,passedthem,andhurriedthroughthecrosswalktotheotherside,whereshestopped,gotouthercellphone,andpretendedtomakeacall.

Acrosstheintersection,Margaretsaidinalilting

Scottishaccent,“Doyouhavetogo,Ames?Staywithus.We’llgotoVoltaire!”

“No,sorry,thisistheonlytimewegettoseeeachother.”

“Yeah,right.Well,don’tdoanythingIwouldn’tdo.”

“Youdoeverything,youslag—what’reyoutalkingabout?”saidTera.

“Hey,that’snotnice!”“Thenwhat’sitgonnabe

tonight,Ames?”Teraasked.“Needtoborrowacondom?”

“God,no,”Amyshotback.“Wehaven’tdonethatyet.”

“Yeah,Iknowwhatyou’redoing,”Margaretsaid.“It’sallniceforhim,buthashereciprocated?Youknow,southoftheborder...”

“Stop,Margaret,you’reawful.”

“I’mjustlookingoutfor

you,girl.”“Ihavetogo.Yourbus

willbeheresoon.Textme,letmeknowyougotbacktoPollocksafe,”Amysaid,andthethreeofthemexchangedcheekair-kisses.

Astheyparted,Helenpocketedhercellphone,thenrecrossedthestreet,passingAmyhalfwayacross.Hurryingnow,Helenheadeddowntheblockuntilshesaw

abreakinthetraffic,thenjaywalkedtotheothersideofthestreetandontoagravelpathleadingintothetree-linedPrincesStreetGardens.SheglancedleftandsawAmyinherredcardiganstepontothesidewalkandheadinHelen’sdirection.

Helenkeptgoingandsoonwasonthecurvingpaththatledpastthegarden-keeper’scottage.Oneither

sideofthepath,greentulipleaveswerepokingfromthesoil.ThesoundsofthecarsonPrincesStreetfadeduntilallHelencouldhearwasthehissingoftiresonthewetpavement.

Helenglancedoverhershoulder.Amywasthirtyfeetbehind,herfaceilluminatedintheglowofhercellphone’sscreenasshedouble-thumbtextedsomeone—

Robby,Helenassumed,lettinghimknowshewasonherway.

Their“snogspot,”asMargarethaddubbeditonAmy’sbehalf,wasthedecidedlyunromanticroofofatoolshedbesidesomerailroadtracks;abovethese,atopalushhillaquarter-mileaway,satthedecidedlyromanticEdinburghCastle.

Thepathstraightened

out.Ahead,Helensawthevansittingonthemaintenanceroadthatborderedtherailroadtracks.Yegorhadpositionedthevehicleperfectly,bisectingthepathleadingtoAmy’ssnogspotsoshewouldhavenochoicebuttogoaroundthevan.

HelenslowedherpaceandstartedrummagingthroughherpurseuntilAmy

passedheronthepathandstartedacrossthemaintenanceroad.Asshedid,Helenupendedherpurse.Itscontentsspilledontothegravel.

“Oh,bloodyhell,”Helencried,puttingalittlesobinhervoice.“Ofallthedamnednights!”

Amystoppedandturnedaround.“Youallright?”

“Myboyfriend,that

wanker...”Helenreplied.“Here,letmehelp,”Amy

said,andstartedwalkingbacktoHelen.

Yegor,climbingfromthevan’sdriver’s-sidedoor,wasalreadystridingacrosstheroadtoAmy,theflour-sackhooddanglingfromhislefthand.Suddenly,Romacamearoundtherearbumperandchargedtowardthegirl.Hisfacewasamaskofanger.

Despiteherself,Helencalled,“Yegor,grabhim!”

Amystoppedinhertracks.“What?”

YegorgrabbedatRoma’sshoulderashepassed,butitwastoolate.

Amyhadstoppedinhertracks.“Yegor?Who’s—”

Sheturnedaround.“No,Roma!”Helen

screamed.Romawasalready

swinging,arighthaymakerhookthatcaughtAmysquarelyinthejaw.Herheadsnappedaround.Shestumbledsideways,tryingtoregainherbalance,butHelen,alreadyrushingforwardtocatchAmy,sawthelightgooutofhereyes.Shelandedinapileinthestreet.Romawasstillcharging,closinginonherinertform.Helensteppedinfrontofhimandhe

skiddedtoastop.Sheshovedhimbackward.“Youfool!”

Atthevan,Olikwasclimbingoutthereardoors.

Helensaid,“Yegor,checkher.Olik,getoverhere.Roma,yougetinthepassengerseat.”

Romadidn’tmove.“Doit!”Helenbarked,

andRomastalkedoff.Helenlookedaroundand

sawnoone.YegorandOlik

werekneelingnexttoAmy.Helenasked,“Isshealive?”

“Yes,”saidYegor,reliefinhisvoice.

“Putthehoodonherandgetherinthevan.”

WTehran,Iran

HATJUSTHAPPENED,Jack?”asked

Ysabel.Sheshruggedoffherpurseandletitdroptothefloor,thentossedthe

binocularsandherkeysontothecounterandwalkedtothesideboard,whereshepouredaglassofScotch.

Jackclickedthedoorshutbehindhim,thenleanedhisbackagainstitandclosedhiseyes.Hetookadeepbreath,thenanother.Itfeltgoodtobe...home.Itwasn’tquitetherightword,butYsabel’sapartmenthadbecomenotonlyJack’sbaseof

operations,buthissafehouseaswell.Sofar,nooneknewofthisplace.

Ysabelsaid,“Isawhis...Hisheadjust—”

“Iknow.”“Whowasshootingat

us?”“Idon’tknow.”“What—”“Ysabel,stop.Letme

think.”Hepausedforafewmomentstoorienthis

thoughts.“Doyouhaveawashingmachineinhere?”

“Yes.”Jackheadedforthe

bathroom,callingoverhisshoulder,“Weshouldbothshowerandwashourclothes.”

“Why?”“Bloodparticlesget

everywhere,Ysabel.”JackhadnoideawhethertheTehranpolicewere

sophisticatedordedicatedenoughtolookforsuchforensics,buthewastakingnochances.TheideaofendingupinanIranianprison—whichwasthebest-casescenario—heldnoappealatall.

•••

AFTERTHEYwerebothshoweredandtheir

clotheswereinthewasher,theysettledintothesunkenlivingroom,YsabelwithhersecondglassofScotch,Jackhisfirst.

Hetookthenine-millimeterfromhisjacketpocket,aswellastheFaradaybagholdingbothhisphones,andplacedthemonthetable.

Ysabelsatinthechairoppositethecouch,herlegscurledbeneathherandaglass

pressedagainstherchestwithbothhands.Hereyeswerevacant.

“Werewefollowed,doyouthink?”shemurmured.

Itwasagoodquestion.Jackhadbeencarefultocheckfortailsandthey’dpulledintoYsabel’sapartmentgaragejustasthepolicesirensbeganconvergingonMellatPark.Thoughitseemeddoubtful

anyonehadgottentheRangeRover’slicenseplates,Jackcouldn’tbesure.

“Tomorrowmorningyou’regoingtocallthepoliceandreporttheRangeRovermissing,”hesaid.

Ysabel’seyeswentwide.“Jack,that’scrazy.”

“That’swhataninnocentpersonwoulddo.Ifsomeonereportsitbeingnearthesceneoftheshooting,youneedto

bedisconnectedfromit.”“They’llaskalotof

questions.”“Allofwhichyou’llhave

answersto.We’lltalkitthrough.Theywon’tbeabletomaketheconnectionbetweenyou,Seth,andthePardiscondo.You’llbeavictimofacrime,nothingmore.Where’stheclosestsketchyarea?”

“Sketchy?”

“Run-down,awayfromthings.”

“Uh...there’sabunchofvacantlotsbeneathVelayatBridgeaboutthreekilometersfromhere.”Ysabelstoodup,collectedherMacBookfromthecredenza,andthen,afteritwaspoweredup,showedJackVelayatBridgeonGoogleMaps.

Jackscrolledaroundonthemap,thentappedthe

screen.“TakeyourMercedesandmeetmeablocksouthofthisbusstopinabouttwentyminutes.”

•••

AFTERPOPPINGtheRover’signitionwithascrewdriverandtearingoutthewires,JackparkeditbesideapylonbeneathVelayatBridge,thendoused

theseatsanddashboardwithabottleofYsabel’snailpolishremover,settheinteriorablaze,thenranthequarter-miletowhereYsabelwaswaitingforhim.Fortyminutesafterleavingtheapartment,theywereback.

“Whattimewouldyounormallygooutinthemorning?”Jackasked.

“Iguessabouteight,forbreakfast.”

“Thenfollowthatroutine.Walkdowntothegarage,lookforyourcar,thencalltheconciergeandreportthetheft.”

“Whatwillyoubedoing?”

“Makingmyselfscarce.”“Whowasthat,theone

thatdied?”“Oneofthemenwho

kidnappedme,”Jacksaid.“I’dnamedhimBalaclava.

Anddon’taskmewhoorwhatorwhy,Ysabel,becauseIdon’tknow.Ineedtosortitout.”

Ysabeltookhisadmonishmentinstride,simplynodding.ShedownedtherestofherScotch—herthirdone—thengavehimasloppyhalf-grin.Shewastipsy,borderingondrunk.“I’mgladtheydidn’tshootyou,Jack.Thatwouldhave

beenabadthing.”Despitehimself,Jack

laughed.“Me,too.”Andwhyaren’tIdead?

hethought.Jackreplayedtheeventsinhismind.Thesniperhadhimdeadtorights.TheslightestadjustmenttothatredlaserdotwouldhaveputJack’sskullinthecrosshairs.Thetwopopshe’dheardbeforethereddotwentwildhadcomefromahandgun;of

thatJackwascertain.Someoneelsehadbeenonthatroofwiththesniper.WhowasJack’sguardianangelandwhyhadheinterceded?

“You’refaraway,Jack,”saidYsabel.“Whatareyouthinkingabout?”

“I’mwonderingwhyI’malive.”

“What?”“Nothing.”JackopenedYsabel’s

laptop,broughtupthechatwindow,andenteredGavinBiery’scell-phonenumberandtyped:IT’SJACK.YOUTHERE?

AfewmomentspassedbeforeGavinreplied:IFTHISISJACK,HOWOLDISMYCAT?

Jacksmiled.Gavinenjoyedwhathecalled“allthatspynonsense.”Jackindulgedhimoccasionally.Hereplied,PEEPERSDIEDTWOWEEKSAGO.

GOODANSWER.WHAT’SUP?IGOTMYHIJACKEDPHONE

BACK.CANYOUDOANYTHINGWITHIT?REMOTELY,IMEAN.

DEPENDSONWHATTHEYDIDTOIT.WHEREISIT?

POWEREDOFFANDINSIDEMYHOMEMADEFARADAYBAG.

WHYBOTHERWITHIT?IMIGHTBEABLETOGET

THROUGHTOSETH—THEREALONE.

LETMESEEWHATICANDO.POWERITUP.WATCHTHECLOCK.IFYOUDON’TSEETHESCREENFLASHTWICEINTHENEXTSIXTYSECONDS,POWERIT

DOWNAGAINANDPUTITBACKINTHEFARADAY.

Jackremovedthephonefromthebagandturnediton.Hewatchedthescreen.Onlytensecondspassedbeforethescreendouble-flashed.

Gavintyped:GOTIT.ITMIGHTTAKESOMETIME.NOGUARANTEES.BACKTOYOUASAP.

AsJackclosedthechatwindow,Ysabel’slaptopletoutachime.

“Newe-mail,”shesaid.Jackcalledupthee-mail

window.“It’sErvaz,”Jacksaid.

“Really?”Ysabelclimbedoutofherchairandsatdownbesidehim.“What’shesay?”

“Basically,‘Whothehellisthis?’”Jacktypedin:FRIENDOFSETH’S.

SETHISMISSING.IKNOW.I’MTRYINGTO

FINDHIM.

GIVEMEPROOFTHATYOUAREHISFRIEND.

ICAN’T,Jackreplied.IDON’TKNOWYOU,DON’TKNOWANYTHINGABOUTYOUANDSETH.HELPMEFINDHIM.HE’SINTROUBLE.

Thereplytooksixtysecondstoarrive:MAYBE.HAVETOTHINK.IWILLGETBACKTOYOU.

Jackclosedthelaptop.“Nowwewait.”

“Nowwesleep,”Ysabelrepliedwithayawn.

•••

ASPLANNED,Ysabellefttheapartmentateighta.m.Jackrodedownintheelevatorwithher.Whenthedoorspartedonherparkinglevel,shesaid,“I’llcallyouwhenI’mdone.”

“Right.Usetheclonedphonenumber.”

Hetooktheelevatordowntothegroundlevel,left

thegarage,andwanderedintoMellatPark.Itwasanotherrainyday.ShelteredunderoneofYsabel’sumbrellas,Jackstrolledthepatharoundthepark’snorthend,resistingtheimpulsetoheadsouthtowhereBalaclavahadbeengunneddownthenightbefore.Thepolicemightstillbecanvassingforwitnesses,andthatwasalistJackdidn’twanttobeon.Evenso,he

eventuallyneededtogetintoSeth’scondo,aswellasontoitsroof.Unlikelythoughitwas,perhapsthesniperandhisguardianangelhadleftbehindsomethinguseful.ItseemedunlikelySethhadbeenkeepinganythingofvalueinhiscondo,butitwasstillastoneJackwantedtoturnover.

HemadehiswaytotheshoresofMellatLake,where

hefoundacanvas-coveredvendorstall.Heboughtacupofcoffeeandabagofbreadcrumbs,thenpickedhiswaythroughthetreestothewaterline,wherehecroucheddown.Therainpatteredsoftlyontheumbrella.Apairofducksspottedhimandpaddledover,squawkingandturningsmallcirclesuntilJacktossedthemsomebreadcrumbs.Clearlythey’dbeen

throughthisroutinehundredsoftimes.

ForthesecondtimeinasmanydaysJackwonderedwhathe’dgottenhimselfinto.ThemurderofBalaclavahadchangedeverything,andnotjustintermsofviolence.Jack’sguttoldhimBalaclavahadbeentakenoutbyoneofhisown,perhapsbyhisownpartner,DavidWeaver,perhapsbyaplayerJackhad

yettomeet.Ifso,someonewasdeeplyanddangerouslyinvestedinwhateverSethwasdoinghere—somuchsothatBalaclavahadbeendeemedbetteroffdeadthantalking.Whohadmadethatdecision?Spellmanand/orWellesleyweretheobviouschoices,butJackwasreluctanttobuyintothatanswer.SpellmanwasAmerican,likeJack,and

WellesleywasfromtheUK,America’sclosestally.Whatwoulddriveoneorbothofthesementoorderlastnight’sambush?Andwho’dsavedhislife?

Jackfoundanearbyrock,setitbetweenhisfeet,thendrewhisdisposablecellphonefromtheFaradaybagandlaiditontheground.Hetooktherockandsmashedthecellphoneintoseveral

pieces,thenshovedthedebrisintothewater.

Jack’sclonephonetrilled.

“Hello.”“It’sdone,”Ysabelsaid.Jackdumpedtherestof

thebreadcrumbsintothewater,watchedforamomentastheducksgobbledthemup,thenshovedthebagintohispocketandstartedwalking.

•••

“YOUWERERIGHT,”Ysabelsaidafewminuteslater.Shewasstandinginthekitchen.Shepouredhimacupofcoffee.“Theyaskedafewquestions,butseemednonchalantaboutit.Theysaidsomeonewouldgetbacktome.”

“Good.Ifthey’dalreadyfoundyourRangeRoverand

connectedittotheshooting,you’dbeinaninterviewroomtalkingtoadetectiverightnow.”

“Theywillfinditeventually,though.”

“Probablytodayortomorrow.Unlessthey’reincompetent,they’llseethebulletholes,maketheconnection,thenprocessthecarforprints—”

“Butyoursareallover

it.”“I’mnotintheirsystem,”

Jackreplied.Notinanysystems,unlessyou’vegotalotofhorsepower,hethought.WorkingatHendleyhadmorethanitsfairshareofperks,asdidbeingtheFirstSon.Thenagain,ifhewasarrestedandtheyhadprintsonfile,noneofthatwouldhelphim.

“Afterthey’redonewith

theRangeRover,”hewenton,“they’llcomebacktoyouandaskmorequestions.Juststicktoyourstory.Youprobablywon’tgetyourcarbackforawhile,aslongasthemurder’sunsolved.Callyourinsurancecompanyandreportthetheft.”

“Howdoyouknowallthisstuff,Jack?”

Heshrugged,tookasipofcoffee.“Howdoyoufeel

aboutgettingintosomemoretrouble?”

“Whatkind?Mangettingkilledinfrontofme,orsomethingelse?”

“TonightIwantyoutogoseeyourboss,Dr.Abbasi.Weneedtoknowwhohe’sfeedingyourthinktank’sinfoto.Whatdoyouthink?”

“That’snotrouble.IfIapproachthesubjectintherightway,he’llgivemethe

name.Andwhatkindoftroublewillyoubegettingyourselfinto?”

“ThatdependsonwhetherYazdaniandSon’sofficehasanalarmsystem.”

•••

HAVINGDECIDEDYsabel’sMercedeswassafetouse,JacktoldhertotakeitforhervisittoAbbasi.

JackutilizedTehran’s

surprisinglyuncomplicatedsubwayandbussystemstomakehiswaytothecity’seasternoutskirts,wherehegotoffandwalkedtheremainingdistancetothewarehousecomplexwhereYazdani’sofficewaslocated.Aftercompletingasurveillancecircuitofthesurroundingblocksandfindingtheareadesertedandquietandsofardevoidof

patrollingpolicecars,Jackmadehiswayaroundthebackofthewarehousetotheweed-entangledhurricanefenceenclosingYazdani’srearlot.ThroughthefencehecouldseethevanBalaclavaandWeaverhadusedtokidnaphim.

Jackstoodstill,watchingandlisteningfortenminutes.Nothingmoved.Hepickedupahandfulofpebblesand

spentanotherfewminuteslightlypeltingthebuilding’saluminumwallandthesidepedestriandooruntilsatisfiednoonewasabout.

FromunderhisarmhetookablanketYsabelhadgivenhim,tosseditontothefence’sbarbed-wiretoppertoformadrape,thenscaledthefence,wriggledhimselfovertheblanket,thenhoppeddown.Hetuggedtheblanket

free,thenwalkedtothesidedoor.Lackinganylock-pickingtools,Jackhadalreadydecidedonthebluntapproach.

Heclickedonhispenlightandscannedtheenclosureuntilhefoundwhatheneeded,arustedleafspringfromwhatheassumedwasoneofYazdani’svans.Hedrapedtheblanketoverthedoorknobandslammed

theleafspringintotheknob.Hestopped,listenedforthirtyseconds,thenrepeatedtheprocess.Onthefourthstrike,theknobtorefreeandhitthegroundwithametallicthud.Jackscootedtheknoboutoftheway,thenstuckhisfingerintotheholeandswungopenthedoor.

Inside,thegarage’swallswerelinedwithsteelshelvingholdingplasticbinsand

pegboardtoolracks.Tohisright,upasetofshortsteps,wasaglass-enclosedoffice.ThroughthewindowsJackcouldseethemilkyglowofacomputermonitoragainstthebackwall.

Hurryingnow,Jackscannedtheinteriorforanalarmpanel,firstbesidethepedestriandoor,thenbesidethefrontdoor,thenfinallyintheoffice.Hefoundnothing.

Yazdani’scomputersystemwasancient,withanIBMtower,amousethesizeofadoubledeckofcards,andaclunkyfourteen-inchmonitor.Theupperrightcornerofthescreenwastapedtothehousingwithastripofgrimyducttape.Tothesidethedial-upmodemblinkedgreenandamber.

“Timetoupgrade,Mr.Yazdani,”Jackmuttered,and

satdown.Hepulledonapairofthinleatherglovesandwenttowork.Itdidn’ttakelong.Neitherthecomputernoranyofitsfileswerepassword-protected.Onthedownside,mostofthefileswerewritteninFarsi.

Hecalledupthecomputer’saccountingprogramandtookphotosofthebankrecords,expensereports,andbalancesheets

forthelastthreemonths.NexthephotographedtheWebbrowser’shistory,thenitscachedfiles,beforeturninghisattentiontothee-mailwindow.HescrolleddownuntilhereachedthedayofYsabel’svisit,butfoundnothingbutwhatappearedtoberoutinee-mails,somepersonal,sometosuppliersandcontractorsaroundthecity.

“Damn,”hemuttered,thenimmediatelythought,Trash.Toomanypeoplethoughtsendingafiletothetrashwasthesameasdeletingit.HehopedYazdaniwasoneofthosepeople.

Heclickedonthetrashiconandagainscrolleddowntothecorrectdate.Therewereeighteenmessages.Jackcheckedeachinturnuntilanaddresscaughthiseye.This

onewasinEnglish:info@hamrahengineeringarch.com.Hescannedthemessages:SOMEWOMAN...HITHERCAR...WHATSHOULDIDOWITHTHEVAN...Andsoon.Jackphotographedtheentireexchange.

AtthebottomofeachmessagefromHamrahwereanameandanaddress:

FARIDRASULOV,SHIPPINGMANAGER

HIGHWAYE19ARCHIVAN,AZERBAIJAN(+99425)4917912

“Gotcha,”Jackmurmured.

W HAT’STHESAYING?”Ysabelasked.“Never

meetyourheroes?”Jackhadreturnedtothe

apartmenttofindhersittingonthebalcony,sippingacupoftea.He’djoinedherand

togethertheywatchedthelightsofMellatParkbelow.

“Why?Whathappened?”Jackreplied.

Ysabelsighed.“Dr.PezhmanAbbasi,mybelovedmentorandkindlygrandfatherfigure,hasbeentakingkickbacks.”

“Explain.”“Someinvestmentfirm

basedinMashhad—theBayqaraGroup—hiredhimas

‘consultant.’Apparently,ourthinktankisaboutlookingforopportunitiesintheRussianFederation.”

Jackdidn’treplyimmediately.Thiswasunexpected,andprobablynonsense.GiventhenatureofRussian–Iranianrelations,unlesstheBayqaraGroupwasworkingbehindmultiplefrontcompanies,itseemedunlikelyMoscowwould

permitsuchinvestments.AfterthebusinessinCrimea,easternUkraine,andEstonia,PresidentValeriVolodin’spolicieshadgrownevenmoreinsular.

ThequestionwaswhethertheBayqaraGroupwasbarkingupthewrongfinancialtreeorwasitselfafrontforsomeoneelse—suchasIranianintelligence.

Wheelswithinwheels,

Jackthought.Beforelonghe’dhavetostartflowchartingthiscrap.

“WhendidBayqaraapproachPezhman,beforeorafterhesetupyourgroup?”

“After.Itstartedoutasjustaninternalthing,likealltheotheronesattheuniversity.”

SohowandwhydidBayqaragetinterestedinit?Jackwondered.

“WhydidPezhmantellyouallthis?”

“Guiltyconscience,Iimagine.HewantedtogetitoffhischestandIaskedthequestion.Hiswifeissick.Terminalcancer.He’sbeentakinghertoanyclinicordoctorhecanfind,andthatcostsalotofmoney.”

“LuckyforhimtheBayqaraGrouphappenedalong.”

“Mythoughtexactly.Andyes,beforeyouask,Itoldhimtotellnooneaboutourchat.Hewill.”

“Howcanyoubesure?”“Ijustam.”“Who’shiscontact?”“Iwroteitalldownon

thepadonthediningroomtable.Suleimansomething,”Ysabelreplied,gesturingoverhershoulder.“AllPezhmanhadwasacell-phonenumber.

TellmewhatyoufoundatYazdani.”

“Alotofstuffforyoutotranslate.”Jacktoldheraboutthee-mailbetweenYazdaniandFaridRasulovofHamrahEngineering.“Yourvisitstirredupahornet’snest—atleastonYazdani’send.Youscaredthehelloutoftheguy.”

Ysabelsmiled.“Ihavemyways.What’sHamrah

Engineering?”“Idon’tknow.I’llgiveit

toGavin.WhatkindofnameisFaridRasulov?”askedJack.

“‘Farid’isArabic,butit’salsoAzerbaijani.‘Rasulov’isRussian,ofcourse,butmostAzerbaijanisurnamesareholdoversfromtheSovietdays.Whatdowedonext,Jack?”

Thisquestionhadbeenin

theforefrontofJack’smindsincetheshootingatPardisCondos.“Timetopaythepiper,”hesaid.

•••

JACKSETTLEDintoYsabel’sguestbedroom,closedthedoor,andusedhisclonedphonetocallGavinBiery.Hisinstructionswerecurt,andproducednearly

immediateresults.Tenminutesafterhisinitialcall,Jack’sphonetrilled.

“Jack,it’sGerry.I’vegotJohnClarkwithme.You’reonspeaker.What’sgoingon?”

Jackthought,Ihavenoidea,butsaid,“I’mintosomethinginTehran.”

Forthenexttenminutes,hetookthemthroughthelastfourdays,fromhislunch

withSethGregorytohisbreakingintoYazdani’soffice.Heleftnothingout.

Therewasalong,uncomfortablesilenceonthephone.Finally,JohnClarksaidsimply,“ChristAlmighty,Jack.”

“Areyousafe?”Gerryasked.

“Ithinkso.”“Whatdoyouknow

aboutthiswoman?”

JackgavethemYsabel’sparticulars,thensaid,“She’sonthelevel.”

“Ornot,andshe’splayingthelonggame.”

Clarksaid,“What’syourgutsay,Jack?”

“She’sonthelevel,”Jackrepeated.

“Thenthat’swhatsheis,Gerry,”saidClark.

Gerrysaid,“Jack,canyouguesswhatI’mgoingto

saynext?”“Dropitallandbeonthe

nextplaneout.ButI’mnotgoingtodothat.”

“Thehellyouaren’t!”ThisgaveJackpause.

GerryHendleywastheepitomeofeven-keeled;hisresponsewasanythingbut.

JohnClarksaid,“Gerry,hangon.Jack,explain,andwhateveryoudo,don’tsay,‘BecauseSethismyfriend.’”

That’sexactlywhatJackwasgoingtosay,despiteknowinghowjuvenileitsounded.“Okay,then,let’sbreakitdown,”hebegan.“CIAandSISarerunninganopoutofTehran;Sethisrunningthenetworkandhe’sgonetoground,alongwiththeoperationalfunds;twomen,probablyAmericans,kidnappedme,andlastnightsomeoneblewtheskulloff

oneofthosemensimplybecausehemighttalktome—”

Gerrysaid,“Youdon’tknowthat.”

“It’stheanswerthatmakesthemostsense.Listen,Gerry,Igetit:Thisisn’texactlyinourbrief,butit’sdamnedclose.Letmekeepworkingit.”

“Jack,you’reputtingmeinahellofaspot.Ifthisgoes

bad,theblowbackonuscouldbe—”

“Iknow.”“Whatdoyouwantmeto

say?Comehomeoryou’refired?”

“Yourcall,Gerry.”“You’dtakeitthatfar?”“Iwould.”Therewereafew

momentsofsilence,thenJackheardJohnClarkchuckle.“Hell,Gerry,friendsis

friends.Plus,Jackisright:Langleyandouracross-the-pondcousinsarerunninganop—inIran,ofallplaces—andifJack’sright,thething’sintheshitter,ornearlyso.Maybeweshouldknowwhythatis.”

“Thatsoundslikea‘them’problem,”Gerrysnapped,butJackcouldhearthetoneofhisboss’svoicesoftening.

“Neverlettheplumberwhobrokeyourpipestrytofixthem.”

“That’sdownrightfolksy,John,”repliedGerry.“Damn,Jack,whendidyourbrassonesgetsohuge?”

Itwasagoodquestion,oneJackhadneverreallythoughtabout.Alothadhappenedsincehe’djoinedTheCampus,mostofitsincehe’dstartedworkingtheops

sideofthehouse:theEmir,India,China,Ukraine,NorthKorea...Somewhereinthere,hesupposed.

“Whenyouweren’tlooking,Gerry,”hereplied.

“Apparentlyso.Whatdoyouneedfromustogettheballrolling?”

Edinburgh,Scotland

“Howdidthishappen,

Yegor?”Helensaid,pacingtheirloftapartment’skitchenette.“Howcouldyou—you!—getitthiswrong?”

Yegorsatatthediningtable,hisheaddown,fingersdrummingthetabletop.OlikandRomasatonthecouch,thelatterwatchingyetanothergameshow.

“I’msorry,Helen,”Yegorreplied.“Theylookalike,theystayinthesame

dormitory,havethesamefirstname—”

“Notthesamefirstname!”Helenshotback.“Amelia...Amy...Notthesame!”

“Nickname,then,”Yegorreplied.“Theirfriendscallthemboththesamenickname.I’msorry,Helen.Iassumeditwasher.”

Asifoncue,bumpingsoundsandmuffledscreams

camefromthebathroom.Helensaid,“Olik,goquietherdown.Gently.”

Romaboltedfromthecouchandheadedtowardthebathroom.“I’llquiether.”Inhisrighthandafoldingknifeappeared;heflickedopentheblade.

“No!Sitdown!You’vedoneenough.”Thegirl’sjawwasbadlybrokenandthewholeleftsideofherface

swollenandbruised.“Olik,goon.”

Grumblingunderhisbreath,Romareturnedtothecouchandhisgameshow.

Olikdisappearedintothebathroomandshutthedoorbehindhim.Forseveralmomentsthethumpingsoundsgrewlouder;thenHelenheardOlikmurmuring.Thesoundslessened,thenstoppedaltogether.

Helenwalkedovertothecouch,herbodyblockingtheTV.“Whatwereyouthinking?”sheaskedRoma.

“Aboutwhat?”“Youalmosttookher

headoff.”“So?She’sawhore,a

disgracetoIslam—”“Shutupaboutthat,”

Helensaid,thenthought:AsamI,strictlyspeaking,buthereweare.Shelovedher

faithandlovedAllahandtheprophetMuhammad,butsometimesthemyriaddictatesfeltlikeabootonherneck.Surelythatwasn’twhatAllahintended,wasit,forwomentofeellikethis?

Eyesnarrow,Romasatup.“Woman,”hegrowled,“youwillnotspeaktomelikethis.Youshouldknowyourplace.”

Helensteppedcloserto

thecouch,penninghimin.“Andyouyours,”shesaid.“I’mincharge.Youknewthatwhenyoujoined.I’vedonethisbefore.Haveyou?”

“What’stoknow?Yougrabthem,youholdthem,youletthemgo.”

“You’reanidiot,”Helenreplied.“You’lldoasItellyou.”

“Iwon’t—”Beforeshecouldstop

him,YegorwasoutofhisseatandmovingtowardRoma,shouldershunchedandfistsraised.“Youstupidbastard!”

Helenraisedherarm,blockingYegorfromreachingthecouch.

“Doyouknowwhatthey’lldotousifwegetcaught?”shoutedYegor.“Intheireyes,we’llbeterrorists.Notrial,nolawyers,just

somedarkholetheBritishhavedugspeciallyforpeoplelikeus!Useyourhead!Helenknowswhatshe’sdoing.Ifyouwanttogetpaidandgetbackhome,you’lllistentoher.”

Yegor’swords“backhome”resonatedwithHelen.Iftheyfailedhere,endingupinprisonwouldbethebetteroftheirtwofates.Heremployer,wildlygenerous

thoughhewas,hadmadeplainthepricethey’dpayforeitherfailureorrefusaltodoexactlyasheordered.Andeveniftheysucceeded,whatwouldawaitthembackhome?Almostcertainlysheandtheotherswouldbelooseendsthatneededtyingup.

First,finishthejob,shethought.

ForseveralsecondsRomasaidnothing.Thenhe

leanedbackonthecouch.“Fine.Nowletmewatchmyprogram.”

“Firstgivemetheknife,”Helensaid.

Withoutlookingather,Romadugintohisfrontpocketandhandedhertheblade.“I’llwantitback,”hesaid.

Olikemergedfromthebathroomandwalkedtothesink,wherehebeganfillinga

glasswithwater.Helenjoinedhim.“Well?”sheasked.

“I’mgoingtogivehersomeaspirin.She’sinalotofpain.Andveryscared.Itoldherweweren’tgoingtohurther.”

Romamuttered,“Moron.Wecan’tlethergo.”

“We’renotdoingthat,”saidHelen.

“Thenwehavetogofor

therightgirlandmakesurewedon’tmessitup,”repliedOlik.“Helen,wecan’tdealwithtwoofthematthesametime.It’stoomuchofarisk.”

Objectivelysheknewhewasright,butthegirlintheirbathtubwastherebecauseoftheirmistake,anduntilnowHelenhadneverhadajobgowrong.She’dneverkilledone,hadnevertorturedone,andhadneveraccepteda

contractthathadaskedforeither.Whatsympathyshefeltforthegirlwasreinforcedby...what?Acommitmentofprofessionalism?Thethoughtwasalmostlaughable,butthereitwas.

Shewouldn’tkillthegirl.Evenso,Helenknew

noneofherpersonalreasonswouldconvinceherteam,especiallyRoma,andwhileshedidn’tparticularlycare,

thiswasn’tadiscussionshewantedtohaveagain.

“Ifwekillher,wecan’tkeepthebodyhere.Andifwedumpherwe’llhaveaconstableoneveryblock,knockingoneverydoor,”Helensaid.“Asitstands,thatgirlissimplymissing.Thepolicewillassumeshe’sgoneoffwithherboyfriend.It’llbeafewdaysbeforetheystartaskingrealquestions,then

anotherdayortwobeforetheystarthuntingforher.Bythen,we’llbeoutofthecity.”Helenlookedateachmaninturn.“Agreed?”

YegorandOliknodded,butRomanevertookhiseyesofftheTVscreen.

“Roma,answerme.”“WhereIwoulddump

thebodynoonewouldeverfindit.”

Hesaidthiswithasmug

half-smile.Helenfeltachillonherneck.Romameantit.

“Okay,haveityourway,”hesaid.“Let’sgrabtheotheroneandgetoutofthisplace.”

J ACK’SANSWERtoGerry’squestionwasasimpleone:Allhe

neededfornowwasGavinBieryandhisexpertise.Gerryagreed,butconditionally.One,JackwouldkeepJohnClarkcloselyupdated;and

two,anyfurtherrequeststhatinvolveddiggingintoCIAorSISbusinessmustbepreapprovedbyHendley.ThoughafewpeoplewithintheU.S.intelligencecommunity—MaryPatFoley,thecurrentdirectorofnationalintelligence,beingthemostprominent—knewaboutTheCampus,Gerrytriedtokeepdirectcontacttoaminimum.

Jackwasrelievedthatoneofhisboss’sprovisoshadn’tinvolveddispatchingClark,DingChavez,orDominicCarusotorideshotgunoverhim.Hedidn’tneedhand-holding,andhadn’tforalongtime,infact.

“ThanksforbringingGerryintotheloop,”Gavinsaidoverthephone.“Iwasgettingnervousaboutallthis.”

“Noproblem.Didhetearyouanewone?”askedJack.

“Nah.Justreadjustedmineabit.SoI’vegotsomethingforyou.First,youroldphoneisclean.Whoeverhaditputsomemalwareonit,thisniftylittlecodethatinjecteditselfintheRTOS—”

“You’regivingmeaheadache,Gavin,”Jacksaid.“Bottomline,Icanusethe

phone?”“Yep.Iranaquickcheck

onHamrahEngineering.It’sheadquarteredinBaku;thee-mailyougavemebelongstoitsArchivanbranch.Hamrahisacontractor—oneofhundreds—attachedtotheParsabad–Artezianrailwayproject.”

“Neverheardofit.”“It’saplantorunarail

linefromnorthernIran,

throughAzerbaijan,Dagestan,thenintoUkraine.MoscowispushingforabranchlineinGeorgiaaswell.Theproject’sbeengoingonfortwentyyears,buthalfofthattimeonhold.Aboutfiveyearsagoitrestarted.”

“I’llbetGeorgialovesthatidea.”GivenRussianpresidentVolodin’saggressioninUkraineand

Estonia,thelastthingthegovernmentofTbilisiwantedwasadirectlinefromRussiatoGeorgia’sdoorstep.

“Anyway,I’mstilldiggingintoHamrah,butonthesurfaceitseemstobewhatitis.”

“Itisn’t.Orsomeonethereisn’t.”Jacktoldhimabouttheexchangehe’dfoundbetweenYazdaniandFaridRasulov.

“I’llbedamned.YouknowthatGmailaddressyougaveme,theonebelongingto,whatwastheagent’sname,Ervaz?”

“Right.”“Thatalsolinksbackto

Hamrah.ThealternateGmailcontactislistedasinfo@hamrahengineeringarch.com—sameasthisRasulovguy’saddress.”

ErvazandFaridRasulov

werethesameperson.“FocusonRasulov,see

whatyoufind,”saidJack.“DothesameforaguynamedSuleimanBalkhiwithacompanycalledtheBayqaraGroup.They’reoutofMashhad.”JackgavehimBalkhi’scell-phonenumber.

“I’monit.”Jackdisconnected,then

switchedtohismainphoneandtextedSeth:IT’SJACK.

URGENT.REPLY.Hewaited,staringatthe

screen,hopingforaquickreply,butnonecame.

HecameoutofthebedroomandfoundYsabelonthecouch,herMacBookonherlap.BeforemakingthecalltoTheCampus,Jackhaduploadedthephotoshe’dtakenatYazdani.

“Nothingsofar,”shereported.“Alloftheir

accountingisdonein-house,asistheirbanking.Ihaven’tfoundanyfinancialconnectiontoHamrah.Wedid,however,hearbackfromErvaz.”

“And?”“He’sagreedtomeetus.

Ihaven’trepliedyet.”“Whereandwhen?”“Dayaftertomorrow,

eightp.m.,atafarmhouseoutsideNemin.It’saboutfour

hundredkilometersnorthwestofhere,neartheAzerbaijanborder.”

“Hownear?”“Eightkilometersorso.”“Andhowfarfrom

NemintoArchivan?”Ysabelstudiedher

laptop’sscreenforafewseconds.“Twenty-eight.”

Jackdidaquickconversioninhishead:aboutfivemilesandtwentymiles,

respectively.Itcouldn’tbeacoincidenceErvazwantedtomeetsoclosetotheborderandsoclosetoHamrah’sArchivanbranch.JackmentionedthistoYsabel.

“Iagree,”shereplied.“Okay,so,BalaclavaManusedoneofYazdani’svanstokidnapyou,andYazdaniisunderFaridRasulov’sthumb,amanwhosharesthesamee-mailaddressasErvaz.Right

sofar?”Jacknodded.“Goon.”“So,ipsofacto,Farid

Rasulov,akaErvaz,oneofSeth’sownagents,isbehindyourkidnapping.”

Iftrue,Jackthought,SethhadevenbiggerproblemsonhishandsthanWellesleyandSpellmanhuntingforhim.

“Andjusttoremindyou,Jack,thisisthemanwhowantstomeetusinthedead

ofnightinavillageinthemiddleofnowhere,”saidYsabel.

“It’sallwe’vegot.Replytohim.Tellhimwe’llbethere.Wait...Addadollarsignattheendofthemessage.”

“Why?”“Justdoit.”

Edinburgh,Scotland

Hopingtomakeupallthetimethey’dwastedbuildingamovementpatternonthewrongAmy,Yegorhadspenttheprevioustwenty-fourhourstailingtherighttarget.HelenhadsentOlikalong,waryofhowRomamightbehaveonacampusfullofyoungwomennobetterthanwhoreswhosefathersshouldhavelongagokilledthemtorestorehonortotheir

families.Romawasnotjustanextremist,Helenhadcometorealize,butonewhohadlittleimpulsecontrolandevenlessfearofconsequences.Soonerorlater,hewouldgettiredoftakingordersfromawoman.Helenonlyhopedthisjobwouldbeoverbeforethathappened.

•••

YEGORANDOLIKreturnedmid-afternoon,pulledthroughthedoublegaragedoors,andshutofftheengine.Helenwalkeddownfromtheapartment,shutthedoors,andmetYegorasheclimbedoutofthedriver’sseat.

“She’sgotalateclasstoday,alabintheSandersonBuildingthatgoesuntileight-fifty.Shetakesthenumber

twenty-twobusbacktoPollockHalls.FromSandersontothebusstand,fourminutes.”

Oliksaid,“Wefollowedthebustwice.FromSandersontoPollock,betweentenandtwelveminutes.Atnight,probablyabitlessthanthat.”

“You’resureaboutthis?”Oliknodded.“Andtheroutefromthe

busstoptoChancellorsCourt?”

Yegoranswered,“Fiftymetersonanarrowpathwithplentyoftrees.”

“Vehicleaccess?”“Ahundredmeters

directlynorthofPollock,DuddingstonLowRoad.Itheadsdirectlyeast.Eightminutesafterweleave,we’llbeinJoppa.Thiswillwork,Helen.Weshoulddoit.

Tonight.”Helenthoughtforafew

moments,thennodded.“Olik,goupstairsandstartpackingourthings.TellRomatostartcleaning;Idon’twantatraceofus,orthegirl,leftbehind.”

“Right.”Oliktrottedupthestairs.

Oncehewasoutofearshot,HelenwhisperedtoYegor,“WatchRomatonight.”

“Youhadanotherrun-in

withhim?”“Justwatchhim.”

•••

ATEIGHT-TENP.M.withthesunalmostfullyset,theyleftthegarage,Yegorbehindthewheel,Helenbesidehim,andRomaandOlikintherearseats.

BeforeleavingthegarageOlikhadmadesurethedrughadtakeneffectandAmelia

wassleepingsoundlyinthegarage’sbathroom,hergagandbondssecure.OncetheyhadtherealtargetinhandandtheywereclearofEdinburgh,HelenwouldplaceananonymouscalltothepoliceandgivethemAmelia’slocation.Thegirl’sjawwouldheal,aswould,eventually,thetraumaofwhathadhappenedtoher.ItwasbetterthanRoma’s

solution,Helentoldherself.Asshe’dinstructed,

YegordrovethemeasttoPortobelloBay,thennorthintoJoppa,thenDuddingston,wheretheyspentfifteenminutesdrivingthenarrowandwindingstreets.YegorandOlikwereright,shedecided.Iftheworsthappenedandtheyfailedtogetcleanlyawayaftertakingthegirl,theycouldgetlostin

oneofthesevillages,whichmightbuythemenoughtimetomaketheirwaytothesafehouse.Maybe,shethought.

Ateightforty-fiveshetoldYegortoheadforthecampus.

•••

WITHYEGORDRIVINGslightlyunderthespeedlimit,theyreachedtheentrancetothecampus,

HolyroodParkRoad,at9:00.HeleninstructedYegortopassitandpullontothedarkenedshoulderandshutofftheheadlights.FromthegloveboxHelenpulledaspraycanofsyntheticsnowthey’dpickedupatadollarstore.Shegotout,walkedtothefrontofthevan,sprayedthefrontlicenseplate,thentherearone,thenclimbedbackintothevan.

Yegorpulledout,thenU-turnedontoHolyroodParkRoad.

HelencouldseeChancellorsCourtsilhouettedagainstthenightskyoutYegor’swindowbehindascreenoftrees.Almostallthetop-floorwindowswerelit,someofthecurtainsopen,butmostofthemclosed.

“Herroomisonthesecondfloor,thirdfromthe

rightcorner,”Yegorsaid.Helensawit;thewindow

wasdark.“She’llbeonthebusby

now,”Oliksaidsoftlyfromthebackseat.

“Showmewhereshegetsoff,”HelentoldYegor.

Hereachedtheintersectionandturnedleft.

“Thestand’supaheadonyourside,”Yegorsaid.

Threepeople,allcarrying

bookbagsorbackpacks,werewaitinginthedimlylitstand.Waitingforthenumbertwenty-two,Helenthought.Shecheckedherwatch:9:02.

“Thepathshe’lltakeisdirectlyacrossfromthestand.Cominguponmysidenow.”

“Good,”Helenreplied.“Thatwillwork.Turnrightuphere.”

Yegorpassedthebusstandandturnedintothe

parkinglot.Outherwindow,HelensawasignthatreadROYALCOMMONWEALTHPOOL.ShetoldYegortopulluptothecurb,thenturnedaroundinherseat.“Olik,pickherupatthebusstandandfollowherdownthepath.Don’tcrowdher.Textmewhenshe’sonherway.Understood?”

“Understood.”Olikclimbedoutandshut

thedoorbehindhim.“BacktoPollock,”Helen

toldYegor.HemadeaU-turn,then

turnedleft,headingbackthewaythey’dcome,thenrightontoHolyrood.Helencheckedherwatchagain:9:04.“Slowdown,Yegor.”

Shedidn’twantthemsittingintheChancellorsCourtparkinglotformorethanthreeminutes.Theone

variabletheyhadn’taccountedforwastheroutesandtimingoftheuniversity’ssecuritypatrols.Ifonehappenedbyatthewrongtime,Helenwouldhavenochoicebuttocallitoff.

YegorturnedintothePollockparkinglot.Helencranedherneck,lookingforpedestriansandparked,occupiedcars;therewasoneofthesesittinginfrontofthe

lobbytoChancellorsCourt,somethirtymetersaway,headlightsoffandatrickleofexhaustilluminatedbythelobby’sinteriorlights.Helencouldseenooneinsidethecar.Fornow.Theyhadtoassumetheownerwouldbebacksoon.Shefeltherheartrateincrease.

Hercellphonevibratedinherhand.Thescreenread:OFFBUS.COMINGYOURWAY.

ToYegorsheasked,“Wheredoesthepathcomeout?”

“Aheadontheright.Almostthere.”

Yegorfollowedtheroadasitcurvedtowardthetree-linedexitofthepath.Hepulleduptothecurbandputthevaninpark.

Helen’sphonevibratedagain:Iseeyou.Twentyseconds.

Sheturnedinherseat.“Roma,getinthebackandbereadytoopenthedoors.”

Hedidn’treply.“Roma!”“Iheardyou.”“Ready,Yegor?”“Yes.”Helenglancedouther

sidewindowandsawafigureemergingfromthepath;tenfeetbehindher,thesilhouetteofOlik.Helenwaiteduntil

Amywastwentyfeetfromthevan,thenopenedherdoorandclimbedout.

“Excuseme,miss,I’mlookingforChancellorsCourt.”

Amy,herarmsfullofbooksclutchedtoherchest,stopped.

Thiswastherightgirl,Helenrealizedwithrelief.

“Oh,you’vefoundit,”Amysaid.

“Where?Canyoushowme?”

Amywalkedtotherearofthevanandstoppedatthebumper.Helenfollowed.AmypointedtowardChancellors’lightedentrance.“Rightthere—”

YegorcamearoundtheothersideofthevanandstrodetowardAmy,hoodinhand.

“Hey,whatareyou—”

Amydroppedherbooksandstartedfumblinginherpurse.

HelenpushedherforwardasYegorstuffedaballed-upsockintohermouthandslippedthehoodoverherhead.Amystartedwriggling.Helenknockedonthevan’sreardoors.Theyswungopen;crouchedinside,RomareachedforAmy,whobegankickingandscreaming

throughthegag.OlikappearedbesideHelenandtogetherthefourofthembeganwrestlingthegirlintothevan.Shewassurprisinglystrong.HelenfeltoneofAmy’sarmsbreakfree,thenfeltablowtothesideofherhead.“Getherin,getherin,”Helencalled.

“Hey,stop!”Avoiceshouted.“Amy!”

Helenheardfootsteps

poundingonthepavementbehindYegor,andoverhisshouldershesawamanchargingtowardthem.“Behindyou,Yegor!”Helenrasped.

Heturned,butnotquicklyenough.Theman,nowrunningatfullspeed,tackledYegorandtogethertheyfellinaheaponthepavement.

“Olik,helphim,”Helen

said,asshebodilyshovedAmyintothevan.Romagrabbedherbytheneckanddraggedhertherestoftheway.“Bitch!”herasped.

“Don’thurther,”Helentoldhim.

Behindher,Helenheardathump,thenagrunt,thenanotherthump.Sheturned.Yegorwaspinnedbeneaththeinertfigureoftheman.

Helenmadeasplit-

seconddecision:“Takehim,puthiminside.”

OlikrolledthemanoffYegorandtogetherthethreeofthemliftedhimup,manhandledhimoverthebumper,androlledhiminside.Helenslammedthedoorsshut.

“Getin,”HelentoldOlikandYegor.

Shetookamomenttolookaround.Shesawnoone,

butseveralpreviouslydarkwindowsabovetheChancellorsCourtlobbywerelit;inoneofthem,acurtainslidopen.

Helenwalkedtothepassengerdoorandclimbedin.

“Drive.”

JTehran

ACKAWOKEtohissatphonebuzzingonthenighttablebesidethe

bed.Herolledoverandcheckedthescreen:RaymondWellesley.

“Goodmorning,Raymond.”

“Myapologiesforwakingyousoearly,Jack.”

“Noproblem.WhatcanIdoforyou?Ihaven’theardanythingfromSeth.”

“Norus,sadly.Mightyouhavetimetomeetthismorning?ComebytheapartmentandI’llhaveaheartyEnglishbreakfastforyou.”

WellesleywasbacktojovialBritishbobby.DidWellesley’suseof“I’ll”meanSpellmanwouldn’tbejoiningthem?Hehadn’tbeenattheirlastmeeting,either.Didthatmeansomething?

JackhadnointentionofsteppingontoWellesleyandSpellman’sturf.“I’mpressedfortimetoday.Whydon’twemeetatmyhotel,aroundten,inthelobby.”ThoughJack

hadn’tbeenbacktotheParsiansincethedayofhiskidnapping,hehopedtheydidn’tknowthat.

“Verygood,”saidWellesley.“Seeyouthen.”

•••

DESPITEHERPROTESTS,JackmanagedtopersuadeYsabeltostayattheapartmentanddosomeresearch.Ervazhadchosen

thegroundfortheirmeeting,Nemin,soJackwantedtoknowasmuchabouttheplaceaspossible.Plus,hedidn’twanttoruntheriskofhavingWellesleyorhispeoplespotYsabel.

Jack’scabdroppedhimattheParsian’slobbyatnine-thirty.Hewenttothefrontdesk,askedifhehadeitheranymessagesorvisitors.He’dhadneither.Asithad

thefirsttimehe’dseenit,Jackfoundthehotel’slobbymildlyastonishing,agalleryofkhakiandecru,fromthetiledfloors,totherowofcolumnsrunningdownthecenter,tothecircular,lightedtrayceilingsabove.Seatingareaswithburgundyandbrownwingbackchairsbracketedbypottedpalmswerestrategicallyplacedthroughoutthespace.

Jacktooktheelevatoruptohisroom,slidthekeycard,andstoodatthethreshold.You’regettingparanoid,Jack.Thenagain,afterthelastfewdays,thefeelingwasforgivable.Hewalkedin,closedthedoorbehindhim.Asidefromsignsthemaidhadcomeintoclean,nothingappeareddisturbed.Hisbriefcase,whichcontainedTehransightseeingbrochures,

nonconfidentialHendleydocuments,andJack’spassport,lookeduntouchedaswell.

Jackpocketedhispassport,butleftthebriefcase,thenwentbackdowntothelobby.Hetookachairinaseatingareafacingthedoor.WellesleyarrivedinablackKhodroSamand,Tehran’sversionofahiredLincolnTownCar,gotout,

andwalkedintothelobby.“Jack,thereyouare,”

Wellesleysaid,walkingover,hishandextended.

Jackshookit.“Thanksformeetingmehere.NoMatt?”

“He’sotherwiseengaged.”

JackledWellesleytotheParseh,thehotel’stwenty-four-hourcafé.Thehostessgavethemaboothinthe

back.AwaitresspromptlybroughtacarafeofcoffeeforJackandapotofteaforWellesley,thentooktheirorders.Whensheleft,Jacksaid,“WhatcanIdoforyou,Raymond?”

“You’renotonesforsmalltalk,youAmericans.”

“Sorry.I’vegotabusydayinfrontofme.”

“Verywell.I’llcometothepoint.Amanwas

murderedoutsideSethGregory’scondominiumthenightbeforelast.”

ThestatementtookJackbysurprise;withoutmissingabeat,helettheemotionshowonhisface,thenreplied,“Tellmeitwasn’tSeth.”

“Jack,please,let’snotdothis.YouknowaswellasIdoitwasn’tSeth.Youwerethere.Yousawthemandie.HadInotputoneofmymen

there,youwouldbeinthecitymorguealongsidehim.Tellmewhyyouwenttothepark.”

“IgotatextmessagefromSethsayinghewantedtomeetme.WhenIgotthere,itwasthisotherman.HetoldmehewasgoingtotakemetoSeth.Westartedacrossthestreet,then...Youknowtherest.Whowashe?”

Wellesleyshrugged,then

asked,“Tellmethis:DidhehaveanAmericanaccent?”

“Yes.Whosenthim?”Jackasked.

“It’sverycomplicated.”“Spellman?”“Jack,please,Ican’t

answerthatquestion.”“Thentellmehowyou

knewtosendsomeonetoPardis,”saidJack.

“You’reinoveryourhead,Jack.Itoldyouonce

andnowI’mtellingyouagain:Leaveitbe.Gohome.”

“YouknowIcan’tdothat.TellmehowyouknewtosendsomeonetoPardis,”herepeated.

“Ihadyoufollowed.”Hesaid,“Youhadme

followed,oryouandSpellmanhadmefollowed?”

Wellesleyhesitated,thensaid,“Theformer.AsIsaid,it’svery—”

“Complicated.Iknow.”“Ican’tmakeyoustay

outofthis,Jack,andIcan’tforceyoutogohome.Instead,domeafavor,ifyouwould:Keepmeinformed.Nightbeforelastdidn’thavetohappen.Youcouldhaveeasilydiedonthatstreet.Ifthathadhappenedyourfatherwouldhavebeenlookingforsomeone’sheadonapike—mine,specifically—andhe’d

damnwellgetit.”“You’retellingmeto

leaveittotheprofessionals?”“That’smystrong

recommendation.”

•••

WHENJACKWALKEDintoYsabel’sapartment,shecalledfromtheseatingarea,“Thepolicecalled.TheyfoundmyRangeRover.Youdidn’ttellmeyou

weregoingtotorchit,Jack.”“Sorry.”Sheshrugged.“Insurance

willcoverit.”Jacksatdownonthe

couchandrecountedforherthemeetingwithWellesley.Shesaid,“Howmuchofthatdoyoubelieve?Couldtheyhavebeenfollowingus?”

“Idon’tthinkso,butit’spossible.Butifthey’veknownallalongwhatwe’ve

beenupto,whydidn’ttheyrollusup?”

“Eitherway,Ithinkwecansafelyassumeoneortheotherluredyoutothecondo.”

“Orboth.SpellmanandWellesleycouldstillbeworkingtogether,andWellesley’sjustplayingmindgames.Hell,forallweknow,Balaclava’smurdercouldhavebeendesignedtoscareusoff.”

“It’saverycoldthingtokilloneofyourownmen.”

“Oranally’sman,”Jackadded.“Ithinklastnightwasproofofthat.”

Ysabelletoutanexasperatedsigh,leanedherheadback,andwriggledherfingersthroughherhair.“Thisisenoughtogivemeamigraine.”

“Me,too.Let’sbreakitdown.Comeon.”

Theywalkedtothediningroomtableandsatdown.

Jacksaid,“Okay,thisiswhatweknow,orcanreasonablyassume.”

Hestartedwritingonthenotepad:

—Sethmissing.—Wellesley/SpellmanclaimSeth’sCIAandhe’sstolenoperationalfunds

andgonetoground.—Sethkeptbolt-holeapartmentunknowntoWellesley/Spellman.

—Sethkeptsafeinbolt-holeapartment.

—Balaclava/Weaverkidnappers.HaveAmericanaccents.

—Balaclava/WeavertriedtobreakintoSeth’ssafe.

—ContentsofsafeimportanttoSeth.Documentin

Cyrillic.—BalaclavaandWeaverusedYazdanivanforkidnapping.

—YazdanilinkedtoHamrahEngineering.

—Seth’sagent,Ervaz,isFaridRasulov,Archivanbranch,HamrahEngineering.

—Balaclava/WeavertookJack’sphone.UsedittoposeasSethandlureJacktoPardisCondos.

—BalaclavakilledoutsidePardiscondo.AttemptonJack’slife.

—Wellesleyimpliedhe’sJack’sguardianangel,impliedSpellmanuntrustworthy.

—Ervaz/RasulovbehindJack’skidnapping.

Jackstoppedwritingandstudiedthepoints.He

frownedandshookhishead.“What?”Ysabelasked.“Idon’tknow.I’m

missingsomething.Ican’tputmyfingeronit.”

“Itwillcometoyou.ButJack,let’smakesurewedon’tglossoverthelastone.Tomorrownight,themanwe’remeetinginthemiddleofnowhereisbehindyourkidnapping.”

•••

HOPINGWELLESLEYwouldassumehewasneitherstupidenoughnorboldenoughtogobacktothePardiscondo,Jackdidjustthat.AfterwalkingasurveillancecircuitthroughMellatParkandthenthesidestreetsborderingthecondo,hewalkedintothelobby,usedthekeyYsabelhad

givenhimtoopentheinnerdoor,thentooktheelevatoruptoSeth’sfloor,wherehegotoffandwalkeddownthehall.Hefeltthereassuringheftofthenine-millimeterinhisjacketpocket.Sofar,hisexperiencesatSeth’stworesidenceshadbeenbad,oneambush/kidnappingandonesniperattack.Hehopedthethirdtimewouldbethecharm.

Heputonhisgloves,thenslidthekeyintothelock,pushedopenthedoor,andsteppedinside.Hedrewthenine-millimeter,thenwentfromroomtoroom,clearingeachinturn,beforereturningtothefrontroom.

ThisapartmentwastheexactoppositeofSeth’sbolt-hole,lavishlyfurnishedwiththickcarpet,leathercouchesandchairs,Persiantapestries,

andagourmetkitcheninstainlesssteel.

Jackcaughtawhiffofsomethingintheair.Copper,hethought.Heknewtheodor.Hefeltahollownessfillhisbelly.God,no,hethought.Bathroomtubs,hethought.Hehadn’tcheckedthe—

Hestrodedownthehalltotheguestbathroom,thenjerkedbacktheshower

curtain.Thetubwasempty.HeheadedforSeth’smaster-suitetubandsweptopenitscurtain,theringsrattlingonthebarabove.

Hefoundhimselfstaringintoapairofmilkyeyes.

Floatinginthehalf-fullbathtubwasthebodyofDavidWeaver.Therewasaragged,golfball-sizedholethreeinchesabovehislefteyebrow.Someonehadputa

bulletinthebackofhishead.Who?Thebodyshowed

littlesignofdecay;Jackguessedhe’ddiedaroundthesametimeasBalaclava.ThetwomenthathadkidnappedhimfromSeth’sbolt-holewerenowdead.Wellesleyhadtakencreditforkillingthesniper.DidhemeanWeaver?

Therewasvirtuallynobloodinthetub’swater,and

Jacksawnosignsofbloodanywhereelseintheapartment,andwithaheadwoundlikeWeaver’s,theplacewould’vebeenaslaughterhouse.Thatleftonepossibility.

Jacklefttheapartment,walkedthefourflightstothetopfloor,andwanderedaroundforafewminutesbeforefindingtheroof’saccessdoor.Jackopenedit

andsteppedoutside.Withhisfeetcrunching

onthegravel,hecrossedtherooftothesouthwestcornerandlookedovertheedge.Hehadadirectlineofsightaroundtheedgeofthenearesttree,thendownontoRajaeiBoulevard,whereBalaclavahadgonedown.Jackraisedhisarmstosimulateholdingarifle,hisfarindexfingerasthebarrel.Henodded.This

wasthespot.Jacksteppeddirectly

backwardtomaintainthesightline,andbeganscanningtheroof.Hewouldfindnoshellcasings,heknew,butifthiswaswhereWeaverhaddied,theremightbesomething.Usingthetoeofhisboot,hebeganrakingthegravelaside.

There.Hestoppedandknelt,

shovelinggravelwithhishandsuntilhe’duncoveredacirclethreefeetindiameter.Apatchoftheexposedtarpaperwasdiscoloredapaleyellow.Jackleanedoverandsniffed.Hewrinkledhisnose.Bleach.Inthemiddleofthepatchwasabullethole.Jacktookthepenfromhispocketandpokeditintotheholebutfeltnothing.

Heputittogetherinhis

head:SecondsafterWeavershootsBalaclava,someonekillsWeaverhimself,thencollectstherifle,theshellcasings,thespentroundembeddedinthetarpaper,andWeaver’scorpse,thengoesdowntoSeth’sapartment,putsthebodyinthetub,thenreturnstotherooftodumpbleachonthebloodpool—allwhilethepolicesirensareconvergingonthearea.Had

thismansatinsideSeth’scondowhilethepolicedidtheirdoor-to-door,orhadhecalmlyleft,riflehiddenunderhiscoat?

Whatevertheanswer,Jacknowknewhewasdealingwithoneice-cold,andwell-trained,operator.

Edinburgh,Scotland

Theirsafehouse,arental

cottageonPettycurBay,waslessthanideal,withacottagecloseontheirleft,butitdidhavethreethingsHelenhaddemandedfortheoperation:abasement,agaragefortheirvan,andalandlordwhotookcashandconsideredahandshakebetterthanacontract.Helenhadtoldtheoldmanshewouldbeattendingtheuniversitynextyearforherpostgraduate

degreeinarthistoryandthatshewantedtospendthesummergettingtoknowtheareaalongwiththreeofherfellowstudents.Thelandlordhadsimplynodded,smiled,andtakenthecash.

Withanyluck,Helenplannedtobegonebeforethenextmonth’srentwasdue.

•••

“HE’SABULL,”

Yegorsaid,emergingintothekitchenfromthebasementstairs.Justbeforethedoorswungshutbehindhim,Helencouldhearmuffled,angrycriesfrombelow.“Ifhekeepsthisupwe’llneedchains.Youwouldthinkhe’dbeexhaustedbynow.IknowIam.”

“Leavehim.Noonecanhearhim.”

Almostsevenhourshad

passedsincethey’dtrundledtheboyandAmyintothevan.

Afterleavingthecampus,Yegorhaddriventherouteashe’dpracticedseveraltimesbefore,headingdirectlynorthtoLeith,wherehepulledovertowipethesyntheticsnowfromthelicenseplatesbeforeturningontothecoastroad.ThirtyminuteslatertheycrossedForthRoadBridge

andwereheadedupthecoast,rapidlyputtingmilesbetweenthemandEdinburgh.

Inthebackseat,Olikhadsatwithheadphonespressedtohisears,listeningforsignsofalarmfromeithertheuniversitysecurityforceorthelocalpolice.Allwasquiet.Thatwouldn’tlast,Helenknew.WhoeverhadslidopenthatcurtainbackatChancellorsCourthadseen

something.Whetherithadbeenalarmingenoughtocalltheauthorities,onlytimewouldtell.

Yegorlimpedtothesinkandsplashedsomewateroverhisface.Hegingerlytouchedthetopofhisleftearandwinced.Ingoingtothegroundwith“thebull,”Yegor’searhadbeensmashedagainstthepavement,andtheleftsideof

hisribcagewasonfire,fromeitherabreakoradeepbruise.

“I’llseetothoseinabit,”Helensaid.“Sit,I’mmakingeggs.”

OlikcamedownthestairsandjoinedYegoratthetable.InthefrontroomHelencouldhearthestrainsofgigglingandvaudevillianmusic.Romahadfoundacartoonnetwork.Theman

wasworryingHelen,moresothanbefore.Hewasnolongersullen,butsimplywithdrawn,speakingonlywhenspokento,andthenonlyincurtreplies.Thishadn’tgoneunnoticedbyYegorandOlik,Helenwassure.

“How’sthegirl?”HelenaskedOlik.

“Sleeping.Igavehersomething.”

“Iwantyoutocheckon

hereveryfifteenminutes.Thesamewiththeboy,Yegor.”

Yegornodded.Olikasked,“What’sour

nextstep?”Helencheckedherwatch.

Itwasalmostfoura.m.here,soalmostseveninKizlyar.“I’llmakethecallinfourhours.”

PIran

ROVIDINGTHEYDIDN’TgetstuckinoneofTehran’soften-

unpredictablerush-hourjamsontheirwayoutofthecity,Ysabeltoldhim,thefour-

hundred-milejourneytoNeminwouldtakeaboutfivehours.Thoughthehighwayspeedlimitsoutsidethecapitalwereonly110kph,theywereonlylightlypatrolledbypolice.

Atsixp.m.theypulledoffthehighwayandintoagasstationonthesouthernedgeofArdabil,Iran’snorthernmostmetropolisand,accordingtoYsabel,the

homeoffinesilks,carpets,andthebestpizzainIran.

JackgotoutandstartedpumpinggaswhileYsabelwentinsidetoprepayandgetthemsomethingtodrink.WhensheemergedJacknoddedatthegaspump’sdisplay.“Translatethatforme.”

“Ninethousandrialperliter.Aboutadollartwentyagallon.”

“Wow.Mustbenice.”Shelaughedandhanded

himabottleofwater.“Jack,youdoknowwhereyouare,right?We’vegotafewgallonsofoillayingaround.”

“Funny,”hereplied,thenthought.

Hetoppedoffthetank,thenreplacedthepumpnozzle.AsheclimbedintotheMercedes’spassengerseat,hisphonerang.Itwas

Gavin.“What’sup?”Jacksaid.“SuleimanBalkhiandthe

BayqaraGroup.”“Tellme.”“Thegroup’sreal,but

Balkhi’snot—atleast,he’snotemployedthere.Itriple-checkedit.Themanmightexist,buthe’snotwhoheclaimstobe.”

“Whatabouthiscell-phonenumber?”askedJack.

“It’svalid.I’veaskedMr.Clarktolookintoit.CouldbeBalkhi’swithVAJA,”Gavinsaid,referringtoIran’sprimaryintelligenceagency.

“Mythoughtexactly.”“Oneotherthing:Gerry

lookedintoWellesleyandSpellman.They’relegit.Wellesley’swithSIS’sMaghrebandGulfStatesDivision.SpellmanisNCS.”

TheCIA’sNational

ClandestineServicewasthenewnamefortheDirectorateofOperations.“Whichdepartment?”askedJack.

“Apparently,he’s‘withoutportfolio,’astheBritssay.Essentially,Spellman’safreesafety.”

“Okay,keepmeposted.TellGerrywe’reheadedtoatowncalledNemintomeetSeth’sagent—”

Ysabelbrokein,

whispering,“FaridRasulov.”“Ifyoudon’thearfrom

meorYsabelbyteno’clockourtime,youcanassumethingswentbad.”

Jackdisconnected.HeaskedYsabel,“Howlonguntilwe’rethere?”

“Thirtykilometers,butfromheretheroadsgetworse.We’reheadingintotheElburzMountains.Anhour,giveortake.”

•••

BYNIGHTFALLthey’dreachedNemin,atownofabouttenthousandsittingonamostlybarrenplainsurroundedbybrownhills.Atthisdistance,perhapsafewmilesaway,JackcouldseetheslopesandpeaksoftheElburzMountainsagainstthenightsky.

Ysabelfollowedthemain

roadintothecityproper.Jackfoundthearchitecturesurprisinglyutilitarian.IfnotfortheoccasionalIslamic-stylefaçadeonsomeoftheshops,hecouldimaginehimselfinanysmallU.S.town.

“I’mnervous,Jack,”Ysabelsaidsoftly.

“Understandable.”“Let’sgobacktoArdabil

andhavepizza.”

“Youcandropmeoffnearthefarmhouse.I’llcomefindyouafterit’sover.”

Ysabelglancedsidewaysathim,herfaceilluminatedbythedashboardlights.“Howcouldyouaskmethat?”

“Ithoughtyouwereserious.”

“Iwasn’t.Iwassharing.Nowshutup.Checkmygun,willyou?It’sinmypurse.”

Jackreachedbehindtheseat,pulledouttherevolver,andflippedopenthecylinder.“You’regood,”hesaid,thenreturnedtheguntoherpurse.

“Itwon’tbeenough,thatoneandyours,ifthingsgo...Well,youknowwhatImean.”

Jackdid,andtheanswerwasno,herrevolverandhisnine-millimeterprobablywouldn’tbeenoughtoprotect

themiftheywerewalkingintoatrap.WhileYsabel’spizzaideadidhaveitsappeal,iftherewasanyhopeofreachingSeth,itlayatthisfarmhouse.

“We’llbefine,”hesaid.Whentheyreachedthe

citycenter,theMercedes’snavigationsystemtoldthemtoturnrightontoImamKhomeini,whichtookthemsoutheast,pastasports

stadium,thenontoanunlitgravelroadborderedbydrainageditcheshalffullwithstandingwater.Ysabeldroveforanotherhalf-mile,thenpulledontotheshoulderanddousedherheadlights.Shestudiedthecar’snavigationscreenforamoment,thentappedaspotwithherindexfinger.

“It’supaheadontherightside.Youseethelight

pole?”“Iseeit.”“That’sthedriveway.”Jackcheckedhiswatch.

Itwas7:20.Hetookthebinoculars

outofthecenterconsole,liftedthemtohiseyes,andpanneddownthedrivewaytoaclearing,wherehesawaramshackletwo-storyfarmhousewithpeelingwhitepaint.Jackzoomedinonit.

Thewindowswerepartiallyboardedup,butnotthefrontdoor.LikemostofthebuildingsinNemin,thehousehadadistinctlyMidwesternfeeltoit.Diagonallyacrossfromthehousestoodabarn,andbesideitasmallshed,beforewhichsatapairofrustingsteeldrums.

“Idon’tseeanycars,”Jackmurmured.

Hehandedthebinoculars

toYsabel.Shescannedthearea,thensaid,“Idon’tseeany,either,butthatbarnisbigenough.”

Agoodpoint,Jackthought.IfErvazhadinfactarrivedearly,andnotalone,andtherewerecarsinsidethatbarn,thentherewaslittledoubttheywerewalkingintoanambush.Theproblemwas,theonlywaytoknowforsurewastowalkintoit.

Jackleanedclosertothecar’snavscreenandusedhisindexfingertoscrollthepicture.Afterafewmomentshefoundwhathewaslookingfor.HeturnedtoYsabel.

“Isyourcarall-wheeldrive?”

•••

FOLLOWINGTHEWAYPOINTJacksetintheCar’snavsystem,Ysabel

drovepastthefarmhouse,shutoffherheadlights,thenturnedrightontoanarrowdirttrackshieldedfromthefarmhousebyascreenoftreesandovergrownbrush.Withhereyesscanningtheroadahead,Ysabelslowedbesideaslopinggapintheshoulder,didaK-turn,andbackedontothedual-ruttractorpath.TheMercedes’sgroundclearance,

significantlylessthananytractor,scrapedontheraisedcenterdirtstripasshereversedtowardthetreeline.AsJackhadinstructed,shekeptherfootoffthepedal,usingthehandbrakeinsteadtoslowthecartoastop.

Sheshutofftheengine.“Goodenough?”she

asked.“Perfect.”“Doyouthinkanyone

sawus?”“Ifthey’reinthere

waiting,probably.”ThatwasfinewithJack.Ifnoticed,theirstealthyapproachtothefarmhousemightforcetheoccupantsintoaction.Maybe.ThiswasthepartJackhatedmostaboutthesesituations—theuncertainty.Eventuallyyouhadtomakeamove,andoftenblindlyornearlyso.Defenserarelywinsthefight,

heremindedhimself.HeaskedYsabel,

“ShouldIbothertryingtotalkyouintostayinghere?”

“Iwouldn’t.”Shesaiditwithasmile,buttherewasasettoherjawthattoldhimshewasserious.Shedidn’tlikebeingcoddled,andhe’dbeendoingsomeofthat.

“Okay,let’sgo.Ifyouhearevenonegunshot,gobacktothecar.I’llberight

behindyou.”“Promise?”“Promise,”Jackreplied

withhisownsmile.“UnlessI’mshot,thatis.”

Theygotout,walkedaroundtheedgeofthetreeline,thenheadedforthefarmhouse’srearwall,somehundredfeetaway.Therutted,coldsoilcrumbledbeneaththeirfeet,keepingthemoffbalance.Withthe

nine-millimetercarriedintheready-lowposition,Jackscannedthehouse’swindowsandcorners,watchingfortheslightestmovement.

“Stillwithme?”Jackwhispered.

“Yes.”Theykeptmovingand

weresoonstandingwiththeirbackspressedagainstthefarmhouse’swall.Thelowermostwindowwasafoot

aboveJack’shead.HegotYsabel’sattention,pointedathiseye,thenathers,thenatthecornerofthehousetotheirright.Shenoddedherunderstanding.Jacksidesteppeddownthewall,hiseyesmovingfromthewindowsabovethemtothecornerhewasapproaching.Whenhereachedit,hestopped.Behindhim,Ysabelgavehimanothernodanda

half-smile.Jackleanedclosertoherandwhispered,“We’regoingforthebarn.We’llbeexposedbetweenitandthehouse.I’llwatchthebarn,youwatchthehouse.”

“Gotit.”“Ifyouseeanyoneinthe

windowsoranyonecomesoutthefrontdoor,firearoundinthatdirection,thenheadbacktothecar.”

“Okay.”

Jackledthewaydownthesidewall,peekedaroundthenextcorner,sawnothingmovingonthefrontporch,thenkeptgoing,turningincirclesandscanningforthefarmhouse’swindowsashesteppedintotheopen.WhenhesawYsabelhadpassedtheporchandhadeyesonthefrontofthehouse,Jackturnedhisfullattentiontothebarn.Ysabel’sgunhandling

wasn’tperfect,butitwassolidenough.

Throughthebarndoor’sslattinghesawapairofheadlightsglowtolife,castingstripedshadowsontheground.Jackneverstoppedmovingbutadjustedhiscourseandheadedforthesteeldrumsinfrontoftheshed,wherehekneltdown,thenine-millimetertrainedonthebarndoors.Heglanced

overhisshouldertomakesureYsabelhaddonethesame.

Shewhispered,“Jack...what—”

“Eyesonthehouse,”hewhispered,thenshouted,“Youinthebarn!Canyouhearme?”

“Wehearyou,”cametheRussian-accentedreply.“AreyouSeth’sfriend,theoneIhavebeentalkingto?”

“Firstthingsfirst:Howmanyareyou?”

“Three.”“Comeout,handsup.

Stayintheheadlights.”“Yes,yes,we’re

coming.”Theman’svoicewassteady,withoutatraceofpanic.“I’mopeningthedoors.”

Jackheardthesqueakingofhingesandthedoubledoorsswungopen,their

bottomsscrapingtheground.Dustbillowedintheglareoftheheadlights.Slowly,threefiguresemergedfromthebarn.Asinstructed,theirhandswereup.

“Youontheleft,”Jackcalled.“Stepintothelight.”

Whenthegroupwastenfeetaway,Jackorderedthemtostopandturnaroundtofacetheheadlights.

“Whichoneofyouis

Ervaz?”askedJack.Themanclosesttohim

said,“Iam.”“Whythedramatic

entrance?”“Wewantedtoletyou

knowwewerehere.Ithoughtitbetterthansimplycomingoutofthedoors.Ididnotmeantoscareyou.”

Youfailed,Jackthought.Hetookadeepbreath,willinghishearttoslow.

“HowdidIendourlaste-mailexchange?”

“Idon’tunderstand.”“Attheendofmye-mail,

whatdidItype?”“Uhm...mayIcheck

myphone?Itisinmyleftcoatpocket.”

“Slowly.”Themanreachedintothe

pocketandwithdrewaphone.Helookedatthescreenforafewmoments,thensaid,“A

dollarsign.”“Goodanswer.”Thiswas

Ervaz.Behindhim,Ysabel

whispered,“Verysmartofyou.”

“Thanks.I’mcheckingthebarn.Ifanyofthemmove,shoot.”

SlowlyJackrosefrombehindthebarrels,steppedaroundthem.

“I’mcheckingthebarn,”

hetoldErvaz.“Stayput.”“Youstilldonottrust

me?”“No.”Stayingclearofthe

headlights,Jackwalkedpastthemenuntilhereachedthecorneroftheright-handdoor,thenpeekedaroundtheedge.Therewasnoone.Hewalkedthroughthebarn,clearedit,thenreachedthroughthecar’swindowandshutoffthe

headlights.HerejoinedYsabelatthe

barrels.Heloweredthenine-millimetertohisside.

“Satisfied?”saidErvaz.Hewasshortandstocky,withagoatee.

“We’llsee,”saidJack.“WhereisSeth?”

“Iwashopingyoucouldtellme.Ihaven’theardfromhimforoveraweek.Thatisnotlikehim.”

Inhispantspocket,Jack’sphonevibrated.Hepulleditoutandcheckedthescreen.ItwasatextfromSeth:WHEREAREYOU?

Ervazasked,“Isthathim?”

Jackignoredhimandtyped,TELLMEHOWYOU’REDOING,SETH.Inreply,atrioofquestionmarksappearedonthescreen.

Jackrepeatedhislast

message,thistimeinallcaps.Anotherfewseconds

passed,then:SHARPSTICK,JACK.

Jacksmiled.HewastextingwithSeth,therealone.OUTSIDENEMIN,hereplied.MEETINGERVAZ.

Seth’sresponsewasimmediate:RUN.

J ACKFELThisgorgeriseintohisthroat.Hesuppressedit.“No,it’s

nothim,”hetoldErvaz.“Idon’tbelieveyou.”BehindErvaz,oneofthe

mentookahalf-steptotheright.Hewasclearinghimself

foracleanshot-line.Jackhalfraisedthenine-

millimeterinhisdirection.“Don’t.”

Ervazsaid,“Whoareyou?What’syourname?”

Jackdidn’treply.“TellmewhereSethis.”ThemanbehindErvaz

tookanothersidestep.“OnemorestepandI’ll

dropyou!”Jackbarked.Ervazrepeatedcalmly,

“WhereisSeth?”Jackheardtheroarofa

carenginesomewheretohisright.HeresistedtheimpulsetolookandkepthisfocusonErvazandhismen.ToYsabel,heasked,“Whereisit?”

“Comingdownthedriveway.Fast,oneSUV,headlightsoff.Whatshouldwedo?”

Jack’sphonebuzzed

again.Heglancedatthescreen:RUN!

InunisonthemenbehindErvazreachedintotheircoats.

Jackshouted,“Ysabel,gettothehouse!”

Jackturnedslightlyright,double-tappedthemanbehindErvaz,thenadjustedaim,firedathirdroundatthefleeingErvaz,thenbacksteppedbehindthe

barrelsandcrouched.Atrioofbulletsslammedintothesteellip.Jackfeltastinginhiseye.Tohisright,apairofheadlightscameon,pinninghim.Heglancedthatway,sawtheSUV’sgrilletwentyfeetawayandclosingfast.

Jackturnedonhisheel,coiledhislegsunderhim,andsprintedtowardthefarmhouse.Ysabelwasalmostthroughthedoor.He

heardacrashofmetalonmetal,thenahollowgongasthesteeldrumsscattered.Thenthreegunshots,followedbytwomore.Jackreachedthedoor,duckedthrough,andturnedrightandpressedhimselfagainsttheinsidewall.Hepeekedaroundthejamb.

TheSUVhadcometoastop,halfhiddeninacloudofdust.Fromthebarncame

flashesoforange.Jacksawthedriver’sdooropen;then,amomentlater,camethechatteringofanassaultrifle.Thegun’smuzzleflarelitupthefrontoftheSUV.Fromthepassengerside,anotherrifleopenedup,thebulletspepperingthefrontofthebarn.

Therifleswentsilent.Avoiceshouted,“I’vegottwodown,twodown!”

“Checkthem!”camethereply.

FromtheSUV’spassengerside,afigurecrossedinfrontoftheheadlightsanddisappearedintothebarn.Afteramomentcamealonegunshot,thenasecondone.Themanemergedfromthebarn.

“They’redone,”hecalled.

“Stripthem,”themanat

thedriver’sdoorreplied,thenshouted,“Jack!Youthere?”

ItwasSeth.“I’mhere!”hecalled

back,thenwhisperedtoYsabel,“Stayput.Samedeal:Ifthere’sshooting,runforthecar.”

“ButJack,that’shim.Irecognizethevoice.”

“JustdowhatIsay.I’mcomingout,Seth.”

Withthenine-millimeter

hangingathisside,Jacksteppedoutthefrontdoor.

Sethcalled,“Nicetoseeyoualive,Jack.”Heturnedaround,openedtheSUV’sreardoor,anddroppedtheassaultrifleinside.Jackstuffedthenine-millimeterintohisjacketpocketandwalkedover.

Sethwalkedup,embracedhimbriefly,thensaid,“Sorryaboutallthat.

Wow,whatarush,huh?”“Christ,man,youalmost

ranmeover.”“BetterthanasharpSUV

intheeye,though.”Despitehimself,Jack

laughed.“Hey,youlooklikehell;

lookslikeyou’vealreadybeenrunoveronce.Andyoureyebrow’sbleeding.”

Jacktouchedthespotwithhisindexfingerandfelt

somethinghardjustbeneaththeskin.“Splinterfromoneofthebarrels,Ithink.Bytheway,Ysabel’shere.”

“ThankGod.Ihopedyou’dfindher,butIwasn’tsure.Listen,wegottagetoutofhere.Thegendarmerieouthereisontheball.”

Seth’spartnercameoutofthebarnandwalkedover,hisassaultriflecradleddiagonallyacrosshisbody.

Sethsaid,“Jack,Ithinkyou’vemetMattSpellman.”

“Goodtoseeyouagain,Jack.”

W ITHJACKANDYSABELfollowinginher

Mercedes,SethledthemnortheastawayfromNeminandhigherintotheElburzMountainsuntiltheycouldseesnowcappedpeaksappear

inthedistance.“Whereishegoing?”

Ysabelsaid.“We’realmosttotheAzerbaijanborder.”

“Noidea,”Jackreplied,butdecidedifSethdidn’tstopbeforetheborder,theywould.Itwastimeforsomeanswers.

“Jack,isthatreallySpellman?”

“That’shim.”“Thenwhyarewe

followinghim?HesentBalaclavaandWeavertosnatchyouinavanthatbelongstoErvaz,triedtokillyouatPardis,thenkillsErvazbackatthefarm.Areyousureweshouldbetrustinghim?”

“No,I’mnot,butSethseemsto.”

“I’mnotsurethatmeansanythinganymore,”Ysabelwhisperedunderherbreath.

“Ireallydon’tknowhowyoudowhatyoudo.I’mstartingtothinknooneistrustworthy.”

Welcometotherabbithole,Jackthought.

Afteranothertenminutesofdriving,Seth’sSUVpulledofftheroadandintowhatJackguessedwasascenicoverlook.Outhiswindowhecouldseeasteep-sidedvalleycloakedinfog.Sethand

Spellmanclimbedout;JackandYsabeldidthesame,andthegroupmetattheSUV’shood.

Spellmanhadlefthisassaultrifleinthevehicle,Jacksaw.

“Youlookgreat,Ysabel,”Sethsaid,comingaroundtogiveherahug.Shebackedawayfromhim.Hehelduphishands,said,“Okay,okay,Iunderstand,”thenreturned

towherehewasstanding.Sethsaid,“Jack,you’re

goingtowantsomeanswers,I’mguessing.”

“Damnedright.”Jackpulledthenine-

millimeterfromhispocketandlaiditontheSUV’shoodwithadullthunk.Hekepthishandonit.

“Easy,Jack.What’s—”“Fuckeasy.Spellman,

you’dbetterstarttalking.”

“What’sgoingon,Jack?”saidSeth.

“It’sokay,”Spellmanreplied.“Icanputyourmindatease,Jack.”

“Makeitgood.”“Threenightsagoat

PardisCondos,”Spellmanbegan,“therewerethreeshotsfired.Onetookoffthatman’shead—”

“Balaclava,”Ysabelinterrupted.

“HisrealnamewasScottHilby,he’sex–RoyalMarines.Afterhewentdown,thereweretwomoreshots,oneintotherearcornerpostoftheRangeRover.ThethirdoneIdidn’tsee.Thefourthshotnevercame.Youweresprawledface-firstonthesidewalk.YouandYsabelheadednorthonRajaeiBoulevard—”

Ysabelbrokein:“How

doyouknowmyname?Seth,yougavehimmy—”

“Afterthat,Ilostyou.”“Thatmeansnothing

exceptoneofyourpeoplewasthere,”saidJack.“AlongwithBalaclavaandthesniper.”

“IassumeyouwentintoSeth’scondo?”

Jacknodded.“Therewasamaninthe

bathtubwithaholeinhis

forehead.”“DavidWeaver,”Jack

replied.“Nothisrealname,I’m

sure,”Spellmanreplied.“Idon’tknowwhatitis.HisAlbanyaddressisfake.”

“TellmewhatIfoundontheroof,”Jackpushed.

Spellmansmiledatthis.“You’resharperthanIgaveyoucreditfor,Jack.Southeastcorneroftheroof,

abouteighteeninchesbackfromtheedge,Idumpedagallonofbleach,thencoveredthebloodpoolwithgravel.Therewasaholeinthetarpaper,butnobullet.”

“Waitasecond.Yousaidyoudumpedit?Thatwasyouupthere?”

“I’vehadtowearafewdifferenthatssincethisthingstarted.”

MattSpellmanwashis

ice-coldguardianangel.Ornot.

“Keepgoing.”“TheweaponWeaver

usedwasaL115A3Lapua—standardissueforBritishArmysnipers,sansmarkings.It’sinthebackofourcar,ifyouwanttoseeit.Satisfied?”

“Mostly.”Ysabelsaid,“What

exactlyis‘thisthing’youmentioned,Mr.Spellman?”

“Matt.We’llgettothat.”JackaskedSeth,“Why

didyoukillErvaz?”“Firstofall,thatwasn’t

Ervaz.Rightnow,Ijustwanttomakesurewe’reallfriendsagain.”

“That’sabitofastretch,”repliedYsabel.“Doyouhaveanyideawhatyou’veputusthrough?Anyideaatall?”

“No,Idon’t.Youcantellmeallaboutitlater.Weneed

togetacrosstheborder.I’vegotsomewheresafewecango.”

“Ididn’tbringmypassport,”Ysabelsaidsarcastically.

“Youwon’tneedit,”Spellmanreplied.

“What’sacrosstheborder?”Jackasked.

“SomeoneIwantyoutomeet,”saidSeth.

•••

THEIRCROSSINGintoAzerbaijanwassurprisinglyuneventful,ameretwenty-minutedrivethroughawindingmountainpass,thendownintoavalley.Nospotlitcheckpoints,noguards,notevenasigntoletJackknowthey’dleftIran.HekepthiseyeonYsabel’sdashboardcompass,butafter

thetenthswitchbackcurveJackgaveup.

FinallySethpulledtheSUVontoashortdirtroadthatopenedintoaclearingwiththreerust-streakedQuonsethutsandawoodentower,atopwhichsataroofedplatform.Thisplacewasaforestryservicecamp,heguessed.Eitherthatoranoldborderoutpost.

HeandYsabelclimbed

out.Theairwasmuchcolder;theirbreathsteamedaroundthem.TheyfollowedSethandSpellmanintothesmallestofthethreehuts.Theinteriorwaslitbyapairofkerosenelanternshangingfromarafteraboveaworkbenchwithascarredandstainedtop.

Thegroupgatheredaroundit.

Ysabelsaid,“Seth,doyouhaveapairoftweezers,a

pocketknife?Andsomealcohol?”

“Yeah,hangon.”Hewalkedtoanearbycabinet.

“Jack,sitdownonthatstool.Don’targue.”

Jackdidasinstructed.Sethreturnedwithapairoffineneedle-nosepliersandahalf-pintbottleofvodka.WithherindexfingerunderJack’schin,sheturnedhisfacetowardtheglowofthe

lantern,dippedthetipofthepliersintothebottle,thenintothewoundinhiseyebrow,andpluckedoutthesplinter.Jackwinced.

“Done,”shesaid,thenhandedJackthevodkabottle.“Cleanit.”

ShesetthepliersasideandturnedtofaceSeth,herhandsonherhips.“Howdidwegetacrosssoeasily?Ithoughttheborderwasbetter

guardedthanthat,andIlivehere.”

“What’swiththeattitude,Ysabel?”Sethreplied.“Why’reyoumadatme?”

“Becauseyou’reanasshole,that’swhy.”

“What?”Spellmaninterruptedand

answeredherquestion.“Iran’sgotalmostthirty-fivehundredmilesofborder,agoodchunkofitwithIraq,

Afghanistan,andTurkey.Yournewpresident’sgotbiggerworriesthanaborderwithamostlyfriendlyneighbor.”

Jacksaid,“Yousaidyouwantedmetomeetsomeone,Seth.Wherearethey?”

“He’slate.Crossingbordersisalittleharderforhim.”

“Telluswhatthisisallabout.”

“Bettertoletourguestgetherefirst,”Spellmanreplied,“butI’lltellyouthis,RaymondWellesleyain’tafriendofours.”

“UsorAmerica’s?”“Both.Jack,youtwohad

breakfastyesterday.Whatdidhetellyou?ThatoneofhismensavedyouatPardis?”

“Yeah.”“Thinkitthrough.Didhe

giveyouanydetailsthathe

couldn’thavegottenfromthenews?”

“No,hedidn’t.”Jackshookhishead,frustrated.Wellesleyhadn’tofferedanydetailsbecausethetwomenwhocould’veprovidedthemweredead.“Ishouldhavecaughtthat.”

“Nah,listen,Wellesley’samasteratthisandhe’sbeendoingitforthirtyyears.Letmetakeawildguess,Jack:

Hethrewmeunderthebus?”“Subtly.Weaver’s

address,theAmericanaccents...”

Sethsaid,“AndafteryoualmostgetkilledWellesleyshowsup,thesympatheticWhiteKnight,andhandsyouacommonenemy.”

Unbidden,asentencepoppedintoJack’shead:“Youhaven’tthestomachforit.”ThatwaswhatScott

HilbyhadsaidtoJackmomentsbeforethekillshothadcome.Not“Youhaven’tgotthestomachforit.”ThephrasingwasBritish.Therewasnodoubtnow:HilbyandWeaverbelongedtoWellesley.

Jackaskedthemboth,“Didyouknowtheysnatchedmeup?”

“When?”askedSpellman.

“Thenightafterthethreeofusmet.TheywereatNiavaranPark,tryingtogetinyoursafe.”

“Shit,”Sethmuttered.“Didtheygetin?”

“No.”“NiavaranPark?”

Spellmanrepeated.“Seth,what’shetalkingabout?”

“IhaveaplaceyouandWellesleydidn’tknowabout.”

“Clearly,Wellesleyknewaboutit,”Jackreplied.

“Doyouknowwheretheyweretakingyou?”askedSpellman.

Ysabelanswered,“Northofthecity,uptheShomalFreeway.TheywereheadedeastonadirtroadoutsideKeshar-eSoflawhenIcaughtupwiththem.Doesthatmatter?”

“Itmight.Letmelook

intoit.”Jacksaid,“Tellmeabout

Ervaz.”Sethhesitated,thensaid,

“Idon’tknowwhothatwasbackthere,butitwasn’tErvaz.Probablyoneofhisheavies.ErvazisactuallyaguynamedFaridRasulov—”

“Weknowthat.HamrahEngineering.”

“He’salsotwootherpeople:SuleimanBalkhiand

—”Ysabelsaid,“The

BayqaraGroup.Weknowthat’sfake.”

“Well,he’snoneoftheabove.HisrealnameisOlegPechkin.He’sSVR,”Sethsaid,referringtoRussia’sforeignintelligenceservice.

•••

JACKTOOKafew

momentstodigestthis.Therevelationmadethingsbotheasierandmoretreacherous.They’djustconsolidatedfournamesintoone,butthatnamehadalsoputtheRussiansfirmlyontheplayingfield.

OnceagainJackfoundhimselfassemblingpuzzlepiecesinhishead:PechkinorderedYazdani’svanbeusedbyapairofkidnapperssuppliedbyWellesley,who

wasworkinghand-in-glovewithPechkin.

“I’vebeenplayingcat-and-mousewithPechkinforalmostayear,”Sethsaid.

“Who’sthecatandwho’sthemouse?”

Sethshrugged.“It’sonlybeeninthelastfewweeksIdiscoveredhewasalsoErvaz,andthathewasconnectedtoHamrah.”

“AndtoRaymond

Wellesley,”Spellmanadded.“What’ssospecialabout

Hamrah,anyway?”askedYsabel.

“Easyaccess,”Sethreplied.“HamrahdoesalltheParsabad–Artezianrailwayprojectsurveys,fromParsabadinthesouth,allthewaynorthpastMakhachkala.Withmydegree,gettinghiredwasasnap.IcancrosstheborderslikeI’mcrossingthe

street.”Jacksaid,“Gettothe

point,Seth.What’sitabout?”“Self-determination.”Fromoutsidecamethe

crunchingoftiresonthedirtroad.Spellmantrottedtothehut’spartiallyopendoorandpeekedout.“It’sthem,”hecalledoverhisshoulder.“Medzhidandtwobodyguards.”

Instinctively,Jackputhis

handinhispocketandgrippedthebuttofthenine-millimeter,thenchangedhismindandpulledhishandbackout.Sethsawthis.

“You’vegottotrustsomebodysometime,Jack.”

“Ido,”Jackreplied,andtiltedhisheadtowardYsabel.

“I’mnotsettingyouup,Jack.Notonmylife.”

“You’vealreadydonethat,”Ysabelshotback.

“Threetimes.”“Necessitiesofwar.”BeforeJackcould

respond,thehut’sdoorswungopenandthreemenstrodeinside.Spellmanledthemtotheworkbench.Astheleadmansteppedintothelantern’slight,Jacksawhewastall,broad-shouldered,withperfectlystyledsalt-and-pepperhairandasquarejaw.Hewas,Jackthought,movie-

starhandsome.Despiteprobablybeinginhislatefifties,Medzhidlookedtenyearsyoungerthanthat.

Theman’stwobodyguardssplitupandstartedsearchingthehut.Oncedone,onereturnedtothedoorwhilethesecondtookuppositionjustoutofthepooloflight.

Sethsaid,“Jack,Ysabel,I’dliketointroduceRebaz

Medzhid,headofDagestan’sMOI—MinistryoftheInterior.Herunsthecountry’spolitsiya.”

U NSMILING,MedzhidsteppedforwardandshookJack’sand

Ysabel’shands.“Verynicetomeetyou.”HisEnglishboreonlythetraceofanaccent.

“Onecorrectiontoyourstatement,Mr.Gregory,”

Medzhidsaid.“RepublicofDagestanandsoon-to-beformerfederalrepublicoftheRussianFederation.Orperhapsnot.Muchdependsonthismeeting.”

JacklookedfromMedzhidtoSethtoSpellman.“You’replanningacoup.You’regoingtotrytobreakDagestanawayfromVolodin.”

Medzhidnodded.“And

hopefullynotgetsquashedintheprocess.”

Absently,Jackwonderedifhisfatherhadauthorizedthecoup.Probablyso.Topplinganentirecountry,letalonearepublicoftheRussianFederation,wasn’tsomethingtheCIAwouldinitiateonitsown—atleastnotunderaRyanadministration.

Jacksmiled.Herehewas,

onthegroundandinthemiddleofanoperationhisownfatherhadsanctioned.Andthehellofitwas,neitherofthemwouldtelltheother.Onefamilialhandnotknowingwhattheotherwasdoing.

“Wait,”Spellmansaid.“Rebaz,yousaid‘perhapsnot.’Whatdoyoumean?Hassomethinghappened?”

“Someonetookmy

daughter,Mr.Spellman.Aminatwaskidnappedfromheruniversitydormitorytwodaysago.”

MedzhidsaidthissodispassionatelythatJackwasn’tsurehe’dhimheardcorrectly.

“Damnit,”Sethgrowled.“Howdidyoufindout?”

askedSpellman.“Iwasapproachedthis

morningbyamanoutsidemy

tennisclub.Hismessagewastothepoint:‘Donotcooperatewiththeauthoritiesandawaitfurthercontact.DisobeyandwewillbeginsendingAminatinsmallpiecestoyouandyourwife.Wewillbeginwithhertoesandmoveupward.’”

“Oh,God,”Ysabelmurmured.

“Didyouhavehimfollowed?”askedSpellman.

“Hispartingwordswarnedagainstthat.HeshowedmeapictureofAminatunconsciousandtiedtoabed.Thisisveryreal,andtheyareobviouslyprofessionals.TheyknewIgotothetennisclubeveryThursdaymorning.Theyhadbeenfollowingme.Themanwascalm,self-assured.Hehasdonethisbefore.”

“Whatareyougoingto

do?”askedYsabel.“Abetterquestionis,

Whotookher?Myenemiesormyfriends?”

“Holdon,”Spellmansaid.“You’renotsuggestingthisisourdoing.”

“UntilthekidnapperscontactmeagainIhavenoideaoftheirgoal—tohaltmyparticipationinthecoup,ortoensureit.Ifitisthelatter,thenyoutwoarebehindit.”

“It’snotus,”Spellmanreplied.“Youhavetobelievethat.”

“Idonothavetobelieveanything.Whateverthetruth,Iblameyou.Eitheryoutwoarebehindthisorsomehowyouractionstippedofftheoppositiontomyinvolvement.Letmebeclear:IfAminatisnotreturnedtomesafeandunharmed,ourpartnershipisfinished.Andif

Ifindyouwerebehindthis,Iwillhuntthetwoofyoudown.”

Sethsaid,“Rebaz,youcan’tdothis—”

“IcanandIwill.”“We’veworkedtoolong

forthis.Threefuckingyears!”

“AllthemorereasonforyoutotakeAminat.”

Sethturnedaway,pacedinasmallcircle,then

slammedhishandonthetable.“You’regoingtosacrificethefutureofyourcountry?Youcan’tbeserious!”

Medzhid’shandlashedout,thepalmlandingsquarelyonSeth’scheekbone.Sethstumbledsideways,thenregainedhisbalance.ThebodyguardbehindMedzhidsteppedforward,handreachinginto

hiscoat.Medzhidhelduphishandandthemanstopped.

“DoIlookserioustoyou,Mr.Gregory?”

Rubbinghisreddeningcheek,Sethreplied,“Yeah,youdo.Okay,we’llgetherback.Justdon’tstartrollingbackwhatwe’vegotinplace.Please,Rebaz.”

“I’llgiveyouoneweek.And,you’llreturnwithproofyouweren’tinvolvedinit.”

“What’reyoutalkingabout?”

Jackansweredforhim:“Youtakeher,thenrescueher,andhe’sinyourdebt.”

“Wewouldn’tdothat,”saidSpellman.

“Oneweek,”Medzhidrepeated.“Ifyoufindher,giveherthissoshewillknowIsentyou.Itwasherfavoritechildhoodtoy.”Hetossedared-and-yellowpolka-dotted

thimbleonthetable.“IwillbeinBaku.Youknowtheplace.”

Medzhidturnedandstrodeawaywithhisbodyguardsintow.Theydisappearedthroughthedoor,andmomentslaterJackheardthecarpullingaway.

Ysabelmurmured,“Seth,whatiswrongwithyou?Howcouldyousaythattohim?That’shisdaughter.”

“No,it’sanentirefuckingcountry,”Sethshotback.“Thisistherealworld,Daddy’sGirl!”

“Youbastard!”Ysabelstartedtoward

him.Jackcaughtherelbowandpulledherback.“Leaveit,”hewhisperedinherear.“Let’sgetsomeair.”Jackgentlypushedheraheadofhim,andtheyheadedoutthedoor.Jacksaidoverhis

shoulder,“Seth,getyourselftogether.WhenIcomeback,you’regoingtotellmeeverythingorwe’regone.”

•••

HEANDYSABELwalkedaroundtheclearingforafewminutes,Jacksayingnothingasshecooledoff.Abruptly,Ysabelsaid,“Followme,”thenstrodeovertothefiretowerand

startedscalingtheladder.“Ysabel...”“Comeon.”Jackstartedafterher.At

thetopoftheladderheclimbedthroughtheopenhatchandfoundYsabelsittingattheedgeoftheplatform,herlegsdanglingovertheedge,herforeheadrestingagainstthewaist-highhandrail.Jacksatbesideher.

“That’snottheSethI

know,”shesaid.“Meneither.”“What’shappenedto

him?Doyouthinkhetookthegirl?Couldhehavedonethat?”

Jackwantedtoreply,“Noway,”butnowhewasn’tsure.“Ontheupside,”hesaid,“we’vegotaclearerpictureofthefieldnow.”

Ysabelnodded.“Thanksforwhatyousaidinthere—

thatyoutrustedme.Itmeansalottome.”

“You’renotadaddy’sgirl.You’veproventhat.”

Ysabelcurledherarmthroughhisandlaidherheadagainstthisshoulder.“It’scold.”

Jackalmostsaid,“Thenlet’sgoinside,”buthestoppedhimself.“We’llsithereforabit.”

•••

JACKPUTHERinthecarwiththeheaterrunning,thenreturnedtothehut,whereSpellmanandSethwerehuddledtogetherattheworkbench,whispering.

“Matt,giveusafewminutes,willyou?”saidJack.

“Sure.”OnceSpellmanwasgone,

Jacksaid,“Thatwasashitty

thingtosay,Seth.”“Shedoesn’tgetit,Jack.

We’vegotachancetopryDagestanoutofVolodin’sgripandMedzhid’sgoingtothrowitawayforoneperson.”

“Hisdaughter.”“Ithoughthewastougher

thanthat.”“You’regoingto

apologizetoYsabel.”“Yes,Father.”

“Youhavenoideawhatshe’sgonethroughtostandbyyou,Seth.Makeitrightwithher.”

“Okay,okay.”“ImeantwhatIsaid,

aboutleaving,soyou’dbetterstarttalking.”

“Wheredoyouwantmetostart?”

“Howabout,whydidn’tyoujusttellmewhatwasgoingonwhenwemetat

Chaibar?Whythemysteriouskeycrap?”

“Ididn’thavethetimeanditwouldhavebeenalongdamnedconversation.Iknewyou’dgototheapartment.Iknewyou’dfigureoutthesteakthing.Ijustdidn’tthinkWellesleywouldmoveonyou—oratleastthatfast.Wasitbad?”

“Iwokeuponatarp.Youfigureitout.”

Sethsaidnothing.Noapology,noremorse.Thenheasked,“HowdidyoumeetWellesley?”

“Hecametomyhotel,thenlaterheandSpellmanlaiditoutforme:You’veturnedandyou’vegonetogroundwiththeoperationalfunds.”

“Thefirstoneisn’ttrue.Thelasttwoare,butIhadgoodreason.See,Istartedto

getsuspiciousaboutWellesley.MovesIwasmakinginMakhachkalaweregettingcountered.Assetsweredisappearing,gettingrunoverbycars...MattandIdecidedtofeedWellesleysomethingthatlookedjuicy,butwasactuallytrivial.Twodayslaterwegotareaction.”

“Whatkindofreaction?”“Oneofmypeoplethere,

ahacker,wentmissing.”

“YouburnedsomekidjusttoflushWellesley?”

“Ah,Christ,Jack,notyou,too.Whenareyougoingtogetitthroughyourskull?Shithappens.Thepointis,afterthathappenedwewereprettysureWellesley’sgoneover.”

“Prettysure?”“Well,we’resurenow.”“Whyhaven’tyougone

toLangleyaboutallthis?”

“Becausethey’dpulltheplug,”Sethreplied.“Ican’tletthathappen.IcanworkaroundWellesley.Icanstillpullitoff.”

JacksuddenlyrealizedthetruthofwhatheandYsabelhadbeengoingthrough.“You’vebeenusingusasstalkinghorses,”hemurmured.“Yousonsofbitches.”

“Wefiguredifyoupoked

thehornets’nestenoughWellesleywouldmakeamistake.He’sjustthatcocky.Nowwe’vegothisnumber,andthatheandPechkinareinittogether.Wecanturnthattoouradvantage.”

“Wellesleyknowsthatweknow,Seth.Ifhehasn’talreadyheardaboutthefarmhouse,hewillsoon.”

Sethscratchedhishead.“You’reright.Oh,well,

doesn’tmatter.”Ofcourseitmatters,Jack

thought.Sethhadtunnelvision.Notonlywasthisnotthefriendheknew,butitwasaSethheneverimaginedcouldexist:cold-blooded,driven,reckless.Thiscouldn’tbejustaboutmakingsureacoupsucceeded,couldit?

Ratherthanpushthisquestion,Jackaskedinstead,

“WhydidWellesleyturn?”Fromthedoorway,

Spellmansaid,“Differingpoliticalagendas.”Hewalkedoverandleanedhiselbowsontheworkbench.“Firstthingyouhavetoknow,Jack,isthatwethinkWellesley’sjustfollowingorders.”

“Explainthat.”“We—theU.S.—think

Volodinisspreadtoothin,literallyandfiguratively.

AfterUkraineandCrimeaandthenever-endingChechnyamess,hispoliticalbaseinMoscowhasweakened.Ifweeverhadachancetopulloneoftherepublicsfree,it’snow.Andbelieveme,Dagestanwantsindependence.Youwon’tseethatonthenews,butit’sthetruth.”

Sethadded,“Dagestanbreakingawaymaysparka

CaucasianSpring.Otherrepublicswillfollow,andthemoredemocraciesborderingRussia,thebetter.”

“AndtheBritsdisagree?”repliedJack.“TheythinkVolodinwillinvadeandtheregionwillplungeintochaos.”

“Maybe,”Spellmansaid.“Officially,we’reallonthesamepagewhenitcomestoRussia.Butifnot,theycan’t

openlyopposeus;we’rebosombuddies,theirclosestally.SotheyjoinedtheopandputWellesleyinplacesohecouldworkitfromtheinside.”

Thescenariosoundedplausible,butJackhadahardtimebelievingtheUnitedStates’closestallywouldgoasfaraspartneringwiththeRussianSVR.

“Wellesleycouldhave

gonerogue.”“Alsopossible,”

Spellmanreplied.“Wouldn’tbethefirsttimeafieldoperatormadehisorherownnationalpolicy.”

“You’vegotproofthathe’sturned.Layitoutforyourbosses.”

“Theman’salegend.He’sgotmoreintelligencedecorationsthanmyshoeshaveeyelets.Hell,rumoris

he’sinlinefortheOBEwhenheretires,”Spellmansaid,referringtoOfficeroftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire.“Hiscredibilityisimpeccable.EvenifIcanconvinceLangleytoapproachtheSIS,bythetimethesmokeclearsWellesley’sreputationwillwinthedayandSethandIwillbepulledout.”

Whichpredictionofthe

coup’soutcomeiscorrect,Jackwondered,theBrits’ortheUnitedStates’?Jackdidn’tknowtheanswer,butheagreedwiththetheorybehindboxinginValeriVolodin.Themanmightlosehisgriponthegovernmentandgetpushedoutinfavorofamoderate.But,asMedzhidhadsaid,wouldDagestangetsquashedintheprocess?Volodinwouldn’ttakekindly

totheideaoflosinghisonlytworepublicsalongtheoil-richCaspianSea,andhedidn’tgiveadamnwhatDagestan’scitizenswanted.

Plus,sinceNapoleonhadinvadedRussia,Moscowhadalwayspreferredhavingabufferofsatellitecountries.Inthatrespect,VolodinwascutfromthesameclothasJosephStalin.

Sethwenton:“And

Wellesley’saheadofus,thebastard.Hehasbeenforawhile.Iknowwecanstillmakeitwork,though.”

Jackasked,“DidyoutwokidnapMedzhid’sdaughter?”

Seth’sheadsnappedupandhelockedeyeswithJack.“No.Onourfriendship,wedidn’ttakeher.”

Jackbelievedhim.“Thenit’stheSVR.”

“OraFederation-friendly

groupinDagestan,”repliedSpellman.“Thereareafewofthem,thoughnoneofthemnaturallyoccurring,ifyougetmymeaning.”

“Seth,thisisn’tjustaboutthecoup,isit?”saidJack.“Youfedsomepoorguytotheoppositionasanexperiment;youservedupYsabelandmetoWellesley.Hell,youevenmissedseeingthatoneofyouragentswas

SVR.Tellmewhat’sgoingon.”

Sethfrownedandshookhishead.“Nothing.”

Spellmansaid,“Bullshit,Seth.ClearlyyouandJackgobackalongway.Isheright?”

Sethsaidnothing.“Goddamnit,answer

me!”saidSpellman.“It’scomplicated.”“OneofWellesley’s

favoritewords,”Jack

observed.“You’renotgoingtolike

this,eitherofyou.”Spellmansaid,“Outwith

it,orI’msendingyouhome.”“Fine.Jack,youknow

aboutmydad...thestroke.Itwasn’tastroke.Hekilledhimself,shothimselfinhisstudy.Hisbrainswerealloverthefuckingwall.Momfoundhim.”

“Why’dhedoit?”

“Shame...anger.Hewasn’twiththeDepartmentofAgriculture,Jack.HewasCIA.Theydrummedhimout—aftertwenty-twoyearsofservice.”

Spellmanreplied,“Wellesleysaidsomethingabouttheappletree.Isthatwhathemeant?”

“Iguess.Langleythoughtmydadhadturnedtraitor,goneovertotheSoviets.This

wasbeforethecollapse.Adocumentwentmissingfrommydad’sgroupandendedupinMoscow.”

“Document,”Jackrepeated.“WasthattheoneIfoundinyoursafe?”

“Yeah.”“Whatisit?”“Forlackofabetterterm,

it’smydad’scoupmanualforArmenia.HeranthisgroupforIntelligenceDirectorate

dedicatedtodrawingupplansandcontingencies.TheywerebehindGuatemala,Congo,Brazil,Chile—allofthose.”

“Waitasec,”saidSpellman.“Iheardaboutthem.Ithoughtitwasurbanlegend.Theywerecalled‘thegoldenboys,’asIrecall.”

“Theywerereal.Langleydisbandedthemin1974.”

“Why?”askedJack.“Dadhadbeenpushing

foracoupinArmeniafornineortenyears.Hisbosseskeptshootinghimdown,sayingSouthandCentralAmericawerethesafebets.Armeniawastoorisky,tooclosetotheSovietUnion.WhentheywentafterArgentinain’seventy-three,theysaidmydadwentoffthedeependandtriedtosabotagethecoupoutoffrustrationoramisguided

attempttogetthemtolistenaboutArmenia.It’sallbullshit.Thentheyfoundwhattheyclaimedwasevidence,thatheleakedplansforTurkeyandNicaragua—andArmenia—totheKGB.”

“Yousaid‘claimed.’”“Theyhadnothing,”Seth

replied.“Nothingexceptamistakemydadmadewhenhejoined.Heliedabouthisheritage.”

Jackfeltasinkingfeelinginhisbelly.“HewasArmenian.”

“Yeah,heemigratedherein’fifty-three.Hehadafalsepassportandbirthcertificate.HisrealnamewasBoghos—Armenianfor‘Paul’—Grigorian.”

“Christ,”Spellmanmuttered.

“TheythoughthewasaKGBplant.Hewasn’t.He

wasloyal.”“Thenwhythefalse

documentation?”askedJack.“Heknewtheywouldn’t

takehim.Hewantedtojointhemilitary,buttheyrejectedhimforasthma,soheappliedtoCIA.Hejustwantedtoserve,Jack,andhedid.Thentheytossedhimout.”

JackwonderedifSethrecognizedthestrikingparallelsbetweenhisfather

andhimself:Bothhadtriedtojointhemilitaryandthen,failingthat,hadjoinedCIA.

“Langleyshouldhavecaughtthis,”Spellmansaid.

“Whichiswhytheydidn’tprosecute;theydidn’twanttheembarrassment.Butwhattheydidwasjustasbad.Theycalledhimatraitor,strippedhimofhisretirement,hisrighttovote,kepthimundersurveillance

forthenexttenyears...”Seth’svoicebroke;hewipedathiseyes.“Theyhoundedhimtodeath.”

“I’msorry,Seth,”saidJack.

“Yeah,metoo.”Spellmanasked,“How

thehelldidyougethiredwithyourhistory?”

“EitherIslippedthroughthecrackslikemydadortheydecidedtogivemeachance.

Whathappenedwithhimwashalfacenturyago.”

Jackasked,“Didyoujoinwithallthisinmind,toredeemyourdad?”

“Ionlyfoundoutabouthimafewyearsago.Mymomtoldmeafterhedied;infact,IthinkmyjoiningCIApushedhimtotellherthestory.”

“Howdidyourdad’smanualendupintheSoviets’

hands?”“Idon’tknow,butit

wasn’thim.AndasfarasIknow,theynevermadeuseofit.Yougottabelieveme.”

Jackwasn’tsureonewayortheother,anditwasirrelevantnow.“Wheredidyougetit?”

“Doesn’tmatter.”“Bullshit,”said

Spellman.“What’sthebigdealwiththisdamnedthing?”

“I’musingitastheblueprintforDagestan.”

“You’rewhat?”Spellmanroared.“That’sridiculous,Seth.Thatthingis,what,fiftyyearsold?”

“Fifty-two.”“It’sobsolete!Anditwas

writtenforArmenia.NotDagestan!”

“Thatdoesn’tmatter,I’mprovingthathere.”

“Andintheprocess,

what,absolveDaddy,sootheyourboo-boos?Thisisabso-fucking-lutelyunbelievable!”Spellmanstalkedaway,kickedapailacrossthehut.“Goddamnit,Seth!DoyoureallythinkCIAstoppedplanningcoupsafteryourdadgottheboot?You’velostit,man.Gone.”

Spellmanwasatleastpartiallyright.ForSethtothinkacoupmanualfromthe

earlydaysoftheColdWarwasviablefortoday’sworldmeanthewasatbestunstable;atworst,he’dlosttouchwithreality.Didheevencareaboutthiscoupsucceedingforitsownsake,orwasthisjustapersonalmission?

Sethasked,“Bytheway,Jack,whereisit?”

“Inasafeplace.”Spellmanwalkedbackto

thetable.“It’sdone.We’reouttahere.”

“Fuckthat,”Sethshotback.“Yougo.I’mstaying.”

SpellmanreachedintohisjacketandcameoutwithaGlock19.Heletitdanglebesidehisleg.“Youwanttostay?Finebyme.I’llburyyouinthisgoddamnedshed.You’refuckingwithmycareer,man.”

JackknewtheCIAman

meantit.Herosefromhisstool.“Okay,everybodyrelax.Matt,putitaway.”

SpellmanturnedhisgazetoJack.“Huh-uh.Whoareyou,anyway?Somefinancialnerd?Notbuyingit.You’vegotsometraining.Youshowup,chasealloverTehran—”

“Leavehimalone,Matt.”“Shutup.”Jacksaid,“Matt,you’re

right.I’vegotsometraining,

butbelieveme,we’reonthesameside.IfyoushootSeth,you’llhavetokillmeandYsabel,too.Areyoupreparedtodothat?”

Spellmangrumbledacurseunderhisbreath,thenreturnedtheGlocktoitsholster.“Justtellme:Whoareyouexactly,asidefromtheFirstSon?”

Jackgavehimwhathehopedwasadisarmingsmile.

“Askmenoquestions...Let’sworkthisthrough.Seth,convinceuswhyMattshouldn’tabortthiswholething.”

“Becausetheplanisworking.Comeon,Matt,youknowthepieceswe’vegotinplace,youknowhowlongwe’vebeengroomingMedzhid.Listen,mydad’splanain’tthestandard‘Taketheradiostationandarrestthe

president’bullshit.Hewasaheadofhistime.

“Thinkaboutit,”Sethwenton,tickingpointsonhisfingers:

“Medzhid’sgotaninety-plusapprovalrating;thepeoplelovehim,Avarsandminoritiesalike,MuslimsandOrthodoxalike.He’sbecomeDagestan’sdefactoforeignminister;he’smadeinroadswithTbilisi,Baku,andeven

fuckin’Grozny.They’llallstepupwhenthetimecomes.He’sgotallbutahandfulofdistrictpolicecommandersonhisside,andthosehedoesn’thaveareoutliers.

“Jack,weknowthey’regoingtoshutdowncelltowersandregularInternetassoonasthingsgetstarted,sowe’vegotthewholeofMakhachkalariggedwithaccesshubsthat’llbemanned

andguardedfortheduration.”“Hubs?”“See,we’renotso

worriedthatpeoplewon’tbeabletocalloutofthecountry.Wewanttomakesurethevisualsgetout,andsinceCrimea,Ukraine,andEstonia,VolodinhasorderedsatelliteInternetdishesfromthebiggerrepublicsconfiscated.Medzhid’shadnochoicebuttocomply.Our

hubsarebasicallycollectioncentersforuploadingvideosandpictures.We’vegotanetworkofblindagents,andtheyaretheirownnetwork,andsoon,likeapyramidscheme.Afterahalf-dozenhandoffsandcutouts,videosandpicturesthatgettakenonthestreetsendupatahub,whichthenuploadsthemviasatelliteInternet.Wefigureifwecangeteventwenty

percentoftheon-the-groundstuffuploadedit’llgoviralonYouTube,Twitter,Instagram,allthat.Themorelivestuffwe’vegot,thelesschanceofMoscowputtingitsownspinonthings.”

“Thisiswhereyou’velostme,Seth.Yousaidyou’vebasedyourplanonyourdad’smanual.Backthen,therewasno—”

“Semantics,Jack.I’m

usingthemanualasaroughblueprint.Hetalkedaboutcontrollingcommunications,makingsurenoneofitwashappeninginavacuum,thatkindofstuff.I’mjustapplyingthatprincipletoourtechnology.”

“Gotit.Keepgoing.”“Asforcrowdcontrol,

we’vegotbothonlineandon-the-groundorganizersandaprecisetimetablewith

primaryandsecondaryrallypoints.Twohoursafterwepullthetriggerthere’llbeahundredthousandpeopleonthestreets,tenthousandcellphonesfilmingit,andhundredsofinternationaloutletsairingeveryoneofthem.It’llmaketheArabSpringlooklikea...likeanoldladies’bingomeeting.

“See,Jack,that’swhatpeopledon’tunderstand:

Coupsaren’taboutinfrastructureorwho’stakenoverwhichbuilding.Coupsareaboutpeople,exposingtheirshitlivesandtellingthemitdoesn’thavetobethat.It’sabouthope—andsomeonetheyfocusthaton.That’swhywe’vespentsomuchtimeonMedzhid,hisimage,hismessage.We’reframingthedebatesowheneverythingjumpsoff,the

oppositionwillnevercatchup.”

JackhadtoadmitthatwhateverSeth’sfailingselsewhere,bothpersonalandprofessional,hewaspassionate.Hewas,Jackdecided,atruebeliever.

“Whileallthisisgoingon,what’retheRussiantroopsinDagestandoing?”

Sethgrinned.“Youshouldreallykeepuponyour

reading.SinceUkraineandEstonia,Volodin’sdownsizedthegarrisonhere—sixtythousandtosixteenthousand,andthree-quartersofthosearestationedindistrictsalongtheChechenborder.TheonesleftinthecapitalarenativeDagestanis.We’reguessingtheywon’tturntheirgunsagainsttheirownpeople.”

“Youbetterberight.Ifnot—”

“We’reright.See,Jack,Volodin’sgotabigPRproblemanddon’tletanybodytellyouhedoesn’tcare.Sofar,anytimearepublic’sevenhintedatwantingtobreakaway,hissolutionhasbeentosendintroopsandtanks.ThequestionisbeingaskedinMoscow:IfVolodincan’tkeeptheFederationtogetherwithoutusingforce,maybe

he’snottherightmanforthejob.Heneedsthiscouptofailorganically.”

“WhataboutDagestan’spresident?”

“Nabiyev?He’sdirtierthanPapaDocDuvalierandhedanceseverytimeVolodinjerkshisstrings.Thepeoplearesickofit.He’scoveredhistracksprettywell,butoncewe’redonewithhim,hiscorruptionwillbeoutfor

everyonetosee.He’llhavetenthousandpissed-offprotestersonthedoorstepofhismansion.”

“Well,noneofthismightmatter,”Spellmanreplied.“Yousaidityourself:WellesleyandPechkinareaheadofus.”

“Notthatfar,”Sethreplied.“They’vegotbitsandpieces,butnotenoughtostopit,andtheydon’tknowthe

timetable.What’sVolodingoingtodo,rollthetankssouth,parkthemontheborder,andwait?Guys,whatthehelldoesitmatterifI’vegotanotherdoginthehunt?Thepointis,wecanwinit.”

JackhadtoadmitSeth’scasewascompelling.

Spellmansaid,“Youshouldhavetoldme.”

“Don’tpulltheplug.Please.Let’sfinishit.”

SpellmanglancedatJack.“Whatdoyouthink?”

“Me?Listen,Ireunitedthetwoofyou.Mypartinthisisover.”

“Youdon’tmeanthat,”Sethreplied.

“You’vegothundredsofthousandsofDagestanisonyourside.Youdon’tneedme.Butifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,I’llwatchitallonTVandraiseabeerwhen

Medzhid’sonthethrone.”“Actually,wedoneed

you,Jack,”saidSeth.“Ifwedon’tgetMedzhid’sdaughterbackandproveweweren’tbehindit,thewholething’soverbeforeitstarts.”

“Whatdoyoucaremoreabout,thecoupormakingsurethisgirldoesn’tgetabulletinthebackofherskull?”

“Comeon,Jack.Of

courseIdon’twanthertodie.”

“Thensendsomeoneelse.Youhavetohavespecial-opsguysaroundheresomeplace.Theyknowhowtodokidnap-and-rescue.”

“Thereisnooneelse,”saidSpellman.“AndSethandIcan’tleave,notthislate.”

“ThencallLangleyandhavethemputsomebodyonagoddamnedGulfstream.”

“IfIcallhomethey’regoingtoaskmequestionsIdon’twanttoanswer—andIdon’twanttolieabout.Bettertoaskforforgivenessthanforpermission.”

Sethsaid,“Ithastobeyou.”

Jacksatbackdownonthestool.Badidea,Jack.

“Where’sshegotoschool?”heasked.

JDundee,Scotland

ACKPULLEDtothesideoftheroadandturnedonhishazardlights,

thencheckedhisphone’sscreen.Outside,thewindbuffetedhisFordFiesta

hatchback.Heglancedup,halfexpectingtoseetheFiestaslidingsidewaysontheroad,butsawonlytheserratedwavescrashingagainsttheseawallouthissidewindow.TheFirthofTay,whichJackassumedwasGaelicfor“stretchofnastywater,”hadbeenragingsincehearrivedthepreviousday.Ontheupside,thesunwasoutandbright.Jackadjusted

theroofvisorsohecouldbetterseethephone’sscreen.

“Shit,”hemuttered.He’dtakenawrongturnthreemilesback.ThesignsforDundeewerefewandfarbetween,andhisphonereceptionwasspotty.

Thedaybefore,afterfollowingSethandSpellmaneasttotheAzerbaijanicoasttoLankaran,JackandYsabelhadcheckedintoamoteloff

theM3andgottenafewhoursofsleep.Thenextmorning,onthewaytotheBakuairportwithamildlydisgruntledYsabel(JackhadaskedthatsheremainbehindtokeepaneyeonSeth),he’dcalledhomeandgottenGerry,JohnClark,andGavinBieryonthelineandpreparedhimselfforyetanotheruncomfortablediscussion.

Helaidoutwhathadhappenedinthelasttwelvehours,fromtheambushatthefarmhousetoSeth’srevelationabouthisfather’ssecretpast,OlegPechkin,andtheCIA’splansfortheDagestancoup.JackendedthestorywithaparaphrasedversionofthecaseSethhadmadefornotabandoningthecoup.

“Well,I’llgivehimthis,

it’sasolidplan,”Gerrysaid.“Still,yourfriendsoundsnuts.Sorry,butithastobesaid.”

“‘Nuts’isastretch,Gerry,”saidClark.“He’sgotsomedaddyissues,sowhat?WhenIwasatLangleyImetashit-tonofpeoplethatshould’vebeenwearingcanvas‘Hugme’jackets.”

“You’remellowingwitholdage.”

“Thepointis,itcouldwork.AndIthinktheBritsarewrong.GettingDagestanoutofVolodin’ssphereisthesmartmove.It’sworththerisk.”

“Myconcernisn’twhetherit’sworththerisk.Theplanlooksgoodintheabstract,butwhataboutinexecution?OnpapertheBayofPigsshouldhaveworked.Jack,howlongdoyouhave

togetthisgirlbacktoMedzhid?”

“Justunderaweek.”“Notmuchtime.You’ll

havetomovefasterthanthepolice—probablyScotlandYard,givenwhoherfatheris.”

“Also,MedzhidwantsproofthatSethandSpellmandidn’torderthekidnapping.”

“Youdidn’ttellusthat.”“Itslippedmymind.”

JohnClarksaid,“Ifthepolicegettoherfirst,youcanforgetabouttheproofMedzhidwants.”

“Okay,”Gerrysaid,“howdoyouwanttogoaboutthis—findingonegirlinacityofhalfamillion?”

“IneedGavin.”“Shoot,Jack.”“First,findoutifthe

storyhasbrokenaboutthegirl.HernameisAminat.

Medzhidhasn’talertedtheauthoritieshimself,butIdoubtherdisappearancehasgoneunnoticed.Next,getonFacebook,Twitter,Instagram,whatever,andseewhatherfriendsaretalkingabout.Finally,seeifyoucanhackintotheuniversity’scampussecurity.Lookforanyreportsthatjumpoutatyou.”

“Likewhat?”“Stalking,break-ins,

thefts—especiallyiftheycamefromAminatherselfortheyhappenednearwhereshelivesorhangsout.”

•••

TWOHOURSLATERGavincalledwithbadnews,ormostlyso.IftheEdinburghpoliceknewaboutAminat’skidnapping,theywerekeepingitquiet,whichdovetailedwiththe

kidnappers’instructions.Thiswasthegoodnews.ThebadnewswasthatifinfacttherewasaninvestigationJackcouldtapinto,theinformationmightbeburieddeepbehindfirewalls.Ifso,JackwascountingonGavin’sopen-sourcedata-miningskillsbeingfasterthanthoseofthepolice.

AsforEdinburghUniversity’scampuspolice

database,Gavintoldhim,theyhadnoreportsthatfitJack’scriteria.

“Thereisonethingthatcaughtmyeye,though.ThedaybeforeAminatwentmissing,agirlnamedAmyBreconwentmissingforabouttwenty-fourhours.Afterananonymouscall,thepolicefoundhertiedupinagarageoffKirkgateRoad.”

“Getmeeverythingyou

canonthegarage.”“Right.Apparently,the

girl’sjawwasbrokenandshe’dbeendrugged.Now,getthis:AccordingtoTwitter,AminatwentbythenicknameAmy.”

“Goon.”“BothAmyslivedat

PollockHalls,andtheylookalotalike.I’veseentheirFacebookprofilepagesmyself.”

“WherecanIfindher?”“Theytransferredherthis

morningfromSaintJohn’sHospitaltoNinewellsinDundee.”

•••

JACKPULLEDintoDundeeatseveno’clockandfollowedthesignstoNinewells,whichsatafewmilesfromthecoastnorthof

theairport.Thehospitalcomplexwassprawling,withwhitebuildingssittingon150acresoflushgreenlawns.Heparkedinthemainlot,walkedintothelobby,andusedthelightedinformationmaptofindthecorrectward.Level5,ward17.

Awomaninthenearbyinformationboothasked,“MayIhelpyou,sir?”

“Whatareyourvisiting

hours?”“Eightinthemorning

untileightatnight.You’vegotabitoftimeyet.”

“Thanks.”Jackfoundtheelevator

banksandtookacaruptolevel5,followedthesignstoward17,thenwalkeddownthehalltoAmyBrecon’sroom.Ashepassedthedoor,hesawamiddle-agedmanandwomansittingbesidethe

girl’sbed,chattingquietly.Jackturnedaroundand

walkedbacktothevisitors’loungebesidetheelevators.Hesatdown,startedpagingthroughamagazine,andwaited.

Atsevenforty-five,Amy’svisitors—hermomanddad,Jackassumed—camearoundthecornerandpressedtheelevatorcallbutton.Oncethecar’sdoors

closed,JackreturnedtoAmy’sroom.TheinteriorwasdimlylitandthecurtainaroundAmy’sbedwashalfdrawn.Jackgentlyrappedonthedoor.

“Hello?”Amycalledgroggily.

Jacksteppedforwardthroughthecurtain.Thesideofthegirl’sfacewasyellowandblackandstillbadlyswollen.

“Hi,Amy,mynameisJack.IwaswonderingifIcouldtalktoyouforacoupleminutes.”

“Areyouthepolice?”sheasked,throughthewiressecuringherfracturedjaw.“Ialreadytalkedto—”

“Justafewfollow-upquestions,ifthat’sokay.”

“Okay.”Jackpulledupachair.Amysaid,“You’re

American.”Jacksmiled.“A

transplantfromLosAngeles.I’vegotfamilyhere,soIdecidedtogetawayfromthesmog.Iheardwhathappenedtoyou.I’msorry.Iknowyou’vebeenthroughallthiswiththeotherinspectors,butI’dliketogooveritoncemore.Whatdoyourememberaboutthatnight?”

“Notmuch.Bitsand

pieces.ThedoctorssaidIhadalotofantihistamineinmysystem,plusthatdate-rapestuff.”

“Rohypnol?”“Yes,”shereplied,then

quicklyadded,“TheysaidIwasokaydownthere,youknow,sothat’sgood.”

“I’mglad.”“Yeah,so,Iremember

walkingthroughtheGardens—PrincesStreet—andthere

wasawoman.Shedroppedherpurse.Iheardfootsteps,thenIwasfalling.IheardhervoiceyellingandIheardacoupleofnames.Funny-soundingones.Roman,orsomethinglikethat,andYegor.”

“Youtoldallthistotheotherinspectors?”

“Yeah.Mymumthinksyoulotaren’tverykeen.Iwasdrunkandhaddrugsin

mysystem,andIwaswalkingonmyown.Justastupidgirlbeingstupid.IguessifI’dbeenraped,thenyou’dbemoreinterested.”

Amy’seyesbrimmedwithtears.Jackpulledatissuefromtheboxonthebedsidetableandhandedittoher.Thoughhedidn’twanttobelievethepoliceweregivinghercasetheshortshrift,therewasnowaytotell.Similarly,

hehadnowayofknowingwhetherthepolice,ifinfacttheywereactivelyinvestigatingAminatMedzhid’sdisappearance,wouldconnectthisAmy’sabductiontothatofAminat.HeneededtoreachMedzhid’sdaughter,andherkidnappers,first.

“I’minterested,Amy,”saidJack.“Doyouhaveanymemoryofthegaragewhere

wefoundyou?”“Justbeinginthetub

wherethepolicefoundme,andsomeonegivingmewater.”

“Howaboutthevan?Doyourememberanythingaboutit?Smells,sounds,snippetsofconversation?Closeyoureyes.Takeafewdeepbreaths.”

Amyclosedhereyes.AfterabitJacksaid,“It’s

okayifyoudon’t—”“No,wait.Something

aboutatoll.Someonewasarguing—‘notoll’...‘usedtobe’...‘February.’Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“Ican’ttellifanyofthat’sreal.Sorry.”

“It’sokay.Didyoujustrememberthis,ordidyoutelltheotherinspectors?”

“Ijustrememberedit.Whywouldsomeonedothistome?Iwasn’traped,my

parentsdidn’tgetanyransomcalls,we’renotevenrich...Whatwasitallabout?”

Somethingfar,faroutsideyourworld,Jackthought.

Whathecouldn’tunderstandwaswhyAmyBreconwasevenalive.

•••

HEDROVEBACKto

Edinburgh,checkedintoamotel,sleptuntilsix,thendrovetoKirkgateRoadinthesoutheasterncornerofthecity.Afterseveralwrongturnsonthenarrow,windingsidestreetshefoundthegaragewhereAmyhadbeenheld.Itwasnothingmorethanapairoftallwoodendoorssetintoagraffiti-coveredcinder-blockwall.Thefrontofitwas

crisscrossedwithblue-and-whitepolicetapeandthesidedoorwasopen.Ashepassed,hesawapolicewomankneeling,lookingatsomethingonthefloor.

Followinghisphone’smap,Jackthendrovetwomileseasttoablockofrowhousesthatbackeduptoacemetery.Heslowed,studyingthehousenumbersuntilhereachednumber15.

Inthefrontwindowhungagiantred-and-blueroundelemblazonedwiththewordsRangersFootballClub.Hegotout,walkedupthefrontsteps,andpushedthebuzzer.Thirtysecondspassed.Jackpressedthebuzzeragain.

“Yeah,yeah...holdon,”amalevoicecalled.

Thedooropened,revealingagauntelderlymaninplaidpajamas.Hisskin

waspaleandpaperthin.Acigarettedangledfromhislips.“Whatyawant?”hegrumbled.

Insteadofanswering,Jackpulledapairoffifty-poundbillsfromhispocketandpressedthemagainsttheglass.

“What’sthatfor?”“Fiveminutesofyour

time.”“What’sitabout?”

“Whathappenedatyourgarage,”Jackreplied.

“Alreadytalkedtoyou.Theybrokein.Squatters.”

Jacktappedthemoneyontheglassandrepeated,“Fiveminutes.”

“Ah...”AccordingtoGavin,the

ownerofthegarage,FingalCowden,wasdirtpoor,subsistingonwelfareandwhatsporadicincomehe

gainedfromrentinghisgarage,andhewasalsodyingofemphysema.

Cowdensatdownonthecouch.

Jacklookedaround.Theapartmentwascramped,withjustarattycouchagainstonewallfacingathirteen-inchtelevision.Theonlylightcamefromafloorlampaimedatthewall.Beneaththelampwasagreenoxygen

cylinder.Cowdenwasmiserable,

anddying.Jackfeltbadforwhathehadtodonext,butheputitoutofhismind.

HehandedCowdenthebills,thensaid,“Youtoldthepoliceyouhadn’trenteditout.”

“Right.Theybrokein.”“You’relying.”“Getoutofhere!”Jackpulledanotherfifty-

poundnotefromhispocketanddroppeditonthecouchbesideCowden.“I’mnotthepolice,andIdon’tcarethatyouliedtothem.”

“Ididn’twantnotrouble.IfI’dtoldthem,theywould’vestuckmeinacell.”

“Idon’tcare,”Jackreplied.

“Whoareyou?”Cowdensaid,eyesnarrowing.

“Didthepolicetellyou

aboutthatgirltheyfoundinyourtub?”

“Notmytub.”“Didtheytellyouabout

her?”Jackpushed.“HernameisAmy.”

“Yeah.”“She’sinthehospital,

badlyhurt.I’mafriendofthefamily.I’mheretofindwhodidthistoher.”Jackdroppedanotherfiftyonthecouch.Cowdenstaredatthebillfor

amoment,thenslowlyreachedoutandtookit.Jacksaid,“Tellmewhoyourentedthegarageto.”

“You’renotthepolice?”“No.”“I’mgonnaneedmore

thanthisyougaveme.”Jackpulledoutanother

fifty,waddeditup,anddroppeditbetweenCowden’sfeet.“That’sallyou’regetting.”

“Thengetouttahere—”“Haveityourway.I’m

comingback—thistimewithAmy’sdad.”ThisgotCowden’sattention.HelookedupatJack.“Who’sherda?”

“I’lllethimintroducehimself.Ifhecomes,itwon’tbewithmoney.Tellmewhoyourentedthegaragetoandwe’redone.”

“Idon’tknowwho—”

Jackturnedandheadedforthedoor.“Twentyminutes,”hecalledoverhisshoulder.

“Wait!Ihaveaphonenumber.Icangiveyouthat.Andaname,thewomanwhocamewiththerentmoney.”

•••

“THAT’SIT?”Gavinsaidafewminuteslaterover

thephone.“Aphonenumberandafirstname?Helen?”

“Notquite.”Ithadtakenanotherfiftypounds,butCowdenalsogavehimthemakeandmodelofthevan.Ithadbeeninsurance,Cowdenhadtoldhim,incasethewomandidanydamagetothegarage.

“Prettyweakinsurance,”saidGavin.

“Haveyoumadeany

progressonwhatIgotfromAmy?”

“Assumingthey’reevenreal,”Gavinsaid.“HelenandRomanhavealotofvariationsfromseveralcountries.”

“AnyofthemfromtheCaucasus?”

“Bothofthem.‘Yegor’isavariationon‘Igor.’ThemostprevalentdistributionisinRussia.”

“Howaboutwhatshesaidaboutthetolls?”

“Stillworkingonit.Itcouldberoads,freeways,bridges,parkinglots,andtherearealotofthemaroundEdinburgh,andchatroomsabouttollroadsinScotlandaren’texactlyabigthing.Andwe’reassumingthat’swhereshewaswhensheheardit.”

“Youcandoit.I’vegot

faith.”“Blessyou.I’vealsogot

somethingonHelen’sphonenumber.It’sapayphoneinKinghorn.Asthecrowfliesthat’sninemilesnorthofEdinburgh.Andno,beforeyouask,Ican’tgetLUDsfromthephone.Hey,areyounearadecentWi-Ficonnection?”

“Icanbe.”“Ifoundsomevideo

surveillancefromtheuniversityyouneedtosee.”

Jackwasbackinhishotelroomthirtyminuteslater.Hepowereduphislaptop,thencalledGavin,whodirectedhimtoaDropboxaccount.HegaveJackthelog-inandhetypeditin.

“I’mthere,”saidJack.“Idownloadedallthe

feedsforthatnight,butthe

twoIwantyoutoseearelabeledzero-two-fourandzero-two-six.”JackscrolledtothefirstMP4fileanddouble-clickedonit.Hisscreenfilledwithadimbutotherwisesharpblack-and-whiteimage.

“I’mwatchingit.”“That’stheCCTV

camerajustsouthofPollockHalls,lookingnorth.”

Afterafewmoments,the

whitetopofabuscameintoviewfromtheloweredgeofthescreen.Itpulledtoastopbesidealightedbusstand.

Gavinsaid,“That’sthenumbertwenty-twobus.Aminat’sonit.She’llgetoffandcrossthestreet.”

ThebuspulledawayandJackwatchedafiguretrotacrossthestreetthendisappearbeneathsometreesalongthesidewalk.“Whatis

that?”heasked.“Apaththatleads

directlytoChancellorsCourt.Keepyoureyesonthesidewalk.Youseehimyet?”

“Gothim.”Afigurejoggeddownthe

sidewalkandturnedontothepath.“He’sinahurry,”Jackmurmured.Hefelthisheartquicken;hewaswatchingsomethinghorribleabouttohappentoRebazMedzhid’s

littlegirl.Inhismind’seyehecouldseethefigurejoggingupbehindher—

“Okay,nowgototheothervideo,”saidGavin.

Jackdouble-clickedonthefileandagainablack-and-whiteimagefilledhislaptop’sscreen.“WhatamIlookingat?”heasked.

“CCTVattheintersectionofDalkeithandHolyroodParkRoad,looking

north.Youseethebuildingattwoo’clock,theonewiththelightedtopfloor?That’sChancellorsCourt.ThepathAminattookistoyourright,outofframe.”

“Wedon’thaveanythingoftheactualparkinglotitself?”

“No.Keepwatching.”Jackkeptoneeyeonthe

video,theotherontherunningtimecodeatthe

bottom.FortysecondshadpassedsinceAminatenteredthepath.

Fiftyseconds.Fromthedirectionofthe

pathadark,late-modelvanapproachedtheentrancetoChancellorsCourt.Itstopped.Theright-handturnsignalstartedblinking.ThevanslowlypulledoutandturnednorthontoHolyroodParkRoad.Jacklostsightofit.

“GodAlmighty,”Jackmurmured.FromthetimeAminathadsteppedontothepathtowhenthevanleftthescene,barelyoneminutehadpassed.

“Shewasinthere,Jack,”repliedGavin.“Maybefighting—”

“Shutup,Gavin.”“Sorry.”“Doyouthinkyoucan

makesomethingoutofthe

licenseplate?”“They’relocal,thatmuch

Icantell,butatadistancetheCCTVresolutionislousy,soIcan’tmakeanythingmoreofthelicenseplate.”

“Wheredoesthatroadlead?”

“ATintersectionwithroadsheadingeastandwest.I’mcheckingforanytrafficstopsonthoseroads,butIwouldn’tholdmybreath.

Whoeverwasinsidethatvan,they’vedonethisbefore.”

“Canyoutellwhethercampussecuritymadeanycopiesofthesevids?”

“Therearenoduplicatesontheirservers,butwhetherthey’dforwardedcopiestothepoliceisanyone’sguess.”

Jackhopednot.Thevideohe’djustseenmightleadthepolicetoAminatbeforehecouldgettoher.If

thathappenedhe’dnevermakeMedzhid’sdeadline.“Canyouwipetheoriginalsfromtheirservers?”

“Yeah,but—”“Doit.”

TEdinburgh,Scotland

HETHOUGHTGNAWEDathisbrain:Hadhejustsigned

AminatMedzhid’sdeathwarrant?Ifthepolicehadn’tyetobtainedthesurveillance

videosGavinhadjusterased,theymightnowhavenoleadsatall.ChancellorsCourt’sparkinglotlookedemptyandwaspoorlylit.Eveniftherehadbeenwitnesses,somethingtoldJackthepeopleinsidethatvanweren’tdumbenoughtousereallicenseplates,oratleastunobscuredones,leavingthepolicewithonlyavaguedescriptionofavehiclethat

hadbeensittinginthelotforlessthantwominutes.

Ofcourse,Jackhadlittlemorethanthisinformation.Thesmartmovewouldbetoturnoverwhathehadtothepolice,praytheyfindAminatbeforeMedzhid’sfive-daydeadlineexpired,thenhopeSethcouldconvinceMedzhidtheyhadnothingtodowiththekidnapping.

Jackdismissedtheidea.

Hewouldfindherandgetherbackhome.

WhathappenedwiththecoupwasSeth’sproblem.

•••

JACKSPENTtherestofthedayandallthenextmorningeitherpacingaroundhishotelroom,watchingthenewsforreportsoneitherAmyBrecon’skidnappingor

thedisappearanceofAminat,ordrivingaroundthecity,goingnowhereinparticularandhopinghissubconsciousbrainwouldkickoutsomeanglehehadn’tyetconsidered.HemanagedtoresisttheimpulsetogotoChancellorsCourtandstartcanvassingtheoccupants,knowinghe’dendupsittinginapoliceinterviewroom,beingaskedquestionshe

couldn’tanswer.

•••

JACKAWOKEtothesoundofanewsreporter’svoice:“...policespokeswomanhasverifiedforanSTVEdinburghproducerthatreportsofamissingEdinburghUniversitystudentareindeedtrue.”

Jacksatup,foundthe

remotebesidehispillow,andincreasedthevolume.

“Thoughthepolicespokeswomanrefusedtoconfirmwhetherinvestigatorsbelievetheyoungwoman’sdisappearancemaybetheresultoffoulplay,theywillbetreatingthecircumstancesofthedisappearanceassuspiciousuntilfurthernotice.Theyoungwoman,asyetunnamed,isapparently

thecitizenofanothercountry,havingcometoEdinburghtwoyearsago—”

JackmutedtheTV.Theracewaswelland

trulyonnow.

•••

HISPHONERANG.ItwasYsabel.

“Whereareyou?”sheasked.“Areyouokay?”

“InaseedymotelinEdinburgh.I’mfine.You?”

“InBakuatthelovelyMirabatHotel.Therearecockroachesintheshower.SethsaidhewantstobeclosetoMedzhid.He’salsotalkingaboutbreakingintoHamrah’sheadquarters.HethinkshemightbeabletofindaleadtoPechkin.IthinkSpellman’stalkedhimoutofit.”

“How’sSethacting?”

“Hyper,worsethanI’veeverseenhim.Idon’tthinkItrusthimanymore,Jack.”

Hewasmorethanalittleashamedtoadmitit,buthesharedherfeelings.Whilehethought—hoped—Sethwouldn’tburnthemagain,hisfriend’sjudgmentwasstillhighlyquestionable.

“Idon’tblameyou,”hesaid.

“Onemorething:Ifound

outthatmeeting,ourrelationship,wasalie.”

“Explain.”“Hetoldmehimself.

He’dbeenfollowingPechkininTehran;PechkingotinterestedinthePezhmanworkinggroupattheuniversity,sowhenIwasbroughtonboard,Sethsethissightsonme.”

WashistailingofPechkinhowSethgot

involvedwithHamrahEngineering,orwasittheotherwayaround?Itdidn’tmatter,Jackdecided.Thetwowereintertwined.

Ysabeladded,“Idon’treallycare,actually.Thewayhetoldme,itwassomatter-of-factitgavemethechills.”Shechuckled.“Icantellyouthismuch:He’soffmyShab-eChelehcardlist.”

Jacklaughed.“Youhave

auniquesenseofhumor,YsabelKashani.Domeafavor:Don’tlethimoutofyoursight.”

GivenSeth’sobsessionwiththecoup,vindicatinghisfather,andthemistakeshe’dalreadymade,Jackwonderedwhatmightbeunravelingwithouttheirknowledge.

•••

MID-AFTERNOON,

hisphonerang:Gavin.“Iassumeyousawthenews?”

“Yes.”“Thelatestisthat

ScotlandYard’sinvolved.”“Pleasetellmeyoudidn’t

calltoruinmyday,”saidJack.

“Itismostlybadnews.Istruckoutonthevan’sorigin.”

JackhadhopedthatifHelenhadpaidcashforthe

garage,shemighthavedonethesameforthevan.

“Edinburgh’sgottoomanyback-lotdealerships.”

“We’vegotanothermissingEdinburghstudent,Jack,akidnamedStevenBagley.ThesamenightAminatwasgrabbedhewassupposedtobeheadedhometoLondonforawedding.Henevergotthere.StevenandAminatareFacebookfriends.

Goodones,basedontheirposts.CampussecurityfoundhiscarparkedablockfromChancellorsCourt.Theymusthavegottenhim,too,Jack.”

“MaybehestoppedbyChancellorstosaygood-bye,”Jackreplied.“Wheredidyoufindthis?”

“Bagley’sparentscalledhisfriends,thencampussecurity.Thepolicewillhaveallthisbynow.”

Jackthought,Helenandherteamdidn’tintendtotakeBagley.Hesawsomethingandtriedtointervene.Bagleywillbeaburdentothem.Expendable.

“Startwatchingforreportsofbodiesturningupthatmatchhisdescription,”hesaid.“Anythingelse?”

“IthinkI’vefiguredoutwhatAmywastalkingaboutwiththetolls.ForthRoad

Bridgeusedtobetoll-free,butthetollwasreinstatedbackinFebruary.”

JackcalledupGoogleEarthonhislaptop,typedinthebridge’sname,andscannedthearea.ForthRoadlednorth,awayfromthecity,andacrossthechanneltotheNorthQueensferry.Onahunch,Jacktypedin“Kinghorn.”

Thetownwaseighteen

milesfromForthRoadBridge.

•••

JACKGAVEGAVINhisnextsetofmarchingordersandthen,sickofsittinginhisroomwaiting,gotintohiscarandheadedeast,crossedthebridge,thendroveupthecoasttoKinghorn,moreaquietseasideresortthanatown.As

touristseasonwasstillthreemonthsaway,thestreetswerequiet,withonlyafewlocalcarsonthemainroads.AsithadattheFirthofTay,thewindwhippedofftheocean,buffetingtheFiestaandwhistlingthroughitswindowseals.

Heknewthetripwaspointless,butitwasactionhecouldtake.Ifhewasvery,veryluckyperhapsthegods

wouldsmileonhimandhe’dstumbleuponalate-modeldark-coloredvan.Itwasn’tgoingtohappen,heknew,noteveninatownassmallasKinghorn.

Atsunsethedrovebacktothemotel.

Anothertwelvehourspassed.

•••

“ITHINKYOUHIT

PAYDIRT,”Gavinsaidthefollowingafternoon.“YourboyPechkinisn’tascraftyashethinks.HedeletedhisGmailaccount,butforgotaboutGoogle’smysteriousways.”

“Explain.”“Pechkinfrequently

checkedhisGmailaccountfromtheHamrahofficeinArchivan.Hedeletedallofthee-mails,andhisbrowser

history,butheforgotordidn’trealizethatHamrah’swebsiteissetupwithGoogleAnalytics.Ittracksback-endwebsitedata—traffic,referrers,conversions,andsoon.Italsokeepsahiddencacheofbrowserhistory.Interesting,no?”

“Gavin...”“Okay.Aboutsixhours

afteryourshoot-outattheNeminfarm,someonelogged

intoHamrah’scomputersystem,thenwentstraighttoaWeb-basede-mailsitecalledYourMailStack.Theirfirewallisforshit.Pechkine-mailedsomeoneoutsidethecountry—someoneinScotland.”

Longshotthoughithadseemed,JackwonderedwhetherOlegPechkin—alsoplayingtherolesofFaridRasulov,SuleimanBalkhi,

andErvaz—mightalsobepullingthestringsofAminatMedzhid’skidnappers.

“Where’dhise-mailgo?”Say,“AnaddressinKinghorn,”Jackthought.

“Acellphone,butit’ssomewherewherethecelltowersarefewandfarbetween.Idon’thavetheresourcestopindownthesignal.”

“Shit,”Jackreplied.

Then,athought:“TheNSAwould.GiveittoGerry,tellhimtogetouthisfavors-owedbook.Andonemorething:Ineedagun.”

•••

THEIRSECONDCAPTIVE—Stevenwasthenamehe’dfinallyofferedOlik—hadbytheeveningtiredhimselfoutandnowlaysleepingonablanketinthe

cottage’sbasement.Theteamsatdownatthe

dinnertableforamealofTVdinnersHelenhadstockedtherefrigeratorwith.Hunchedover,Romashoveledspoonfulsofpastaandgreenbeansintohismouth.“Notbad,”hesaid.“PerhapswhenIgethomeIwillbuymyselfamicrowaveoven.”

“Goodidea,”Helensaidwithasmile.

Forwhateverreason,slowlythroughoutthedayRomahademergedfromhisfunkandhadstartedtalkingandjokingwiththeothers,andevenaskingafterthegirl’scondition.

“I’msorryaboutallthat,”hetoldthegroup.“Ishouldn’thavehittheothergirl.It’sjustthatthisplace,allthesepeople...Idon’tlikeithere.”

“We’llbehomesoon,myfriend.”

Helenhopedthiswastrue.Herlatestcommunicationwiththeiremployerwastroubling.Medzhidwouldnotbeapproachedinthemannerplanned.Sheandtheothersweretostayinplaceandnotleavethecottageunderanycircumstances.Worsestill,Aminat’s“disappearance”

hadreachedthenewsearlierthanHelenhadhoped,andthefactthatScotlandYardwasinvolvedtoldhertheauthoritiesweretreatingtheaffairasakidnapping.Thishadhappenedmuchmorequicklythanshe’danticipated.

Thoughherteamhadseenthesamenewsreports,Helenhaddoneherbesttoassuagetheirfears.“Thiswas

allexpectedandplannedfor.We’resafehere.”

ButnotAminatandSteven,shethought,ifshefollowedorders.

YegorsaidtoRoma,“Andwhenwe’rebackwewillgoshoppingformicrowaves,thetwoofus.IknowtheperfectstoreinLipetsk.”

“Withyourmoney,yes?”“Donotpushyourluck.”

Romalaughed.

•••

HELENAWOKEtoshoutingandfootstepspoundingthekitchenfloorbelowherroom.Stilldressedasshe’dfallenintobed,Helenthrewbackthecovers,reachedunderherpillow,andgrabbedthesemi-autopistolthere,thenranforthedoor.

Yegor,emergingfromhisownbedroom,nearlycrashedintoher.Hebackpedaledassheracedtothestairs,thenfollowed.

Takingthestepstwoatatime,HelenheardadoorbangopenandthenOlikrasping,tryingtokeephisvoicedown,“Roma,no,don’t—”

HelenturnedthecornerintothekitchenandsawOlik

dashthroughtheopendoor.Fromoutsidecameareedyscream,thenthegrunting-thumpoftwobodiescolliding.Thescreamsbecamemuffled,butmorefrantic.

“Shutup!”Romagrowled.“Shut...up!Shut...up!”

Witheachrepetitioncameanumphofexpelledbreath.

Helensprintedoutthedoor.Inthedrivewayapairofbodieswerewrithing,indistinguishablefromeachotherinthedarkness.Helensawoneofthebodiesriseup.Moonlightglintedonthebladeofaknife.Itplungeddownward.

HelenshovedOlikaside,rushedforward,raisedthepistol,andslammeditagainstthebackofRoma’sskull.He

rolledoffthebodybeneathhimandstartedcrawlingaway.Helentookanotherstepandcrashedthepistol’sbuttagainsthistemple.Hewentdown.

“Oh,no,no...”Yegormurmured.

Helenturned.YegorandOlikwerekneelingbesideSteven.Theboylayonhisback,eyesglazedover.Thefrontofhissweatshirtwasa

patchworkofblood.Helen’sheadswirled.

Shetookabreath,refocusedontheboy.Think...

“Gethiminside,”shewhispered.“Puthimonthekitchenfloor.”

WithoneliftingSteven’sshouldersandtheotherhisfeet,theycarriedhimtowardthedoor.

“Thencomeandgetthispieceofshit,”Helencalled.

“Andputhiminthebasement.”

•••

HELENSTOOD,staringdumblyattheboy.Thelinoleumfloorbeneathhisbodywasslickwithblood.

“Goupstairsandgetsometowels.”Shekneltbesidetheboyandgraspedhishand.“It’sokay,”she

murmured.“You’llbeokay.Justlookatme.That’sit...”

Shekepthereyesonhisuntiltheywentdarkandhestoppedbreathing.

Whentheothertworeturnedshetoldthemtopacktheblanketsaroundhisbodytodamtheblood.

Helenshuffledtothediningtableandsatdown.Shecouldfeelahazeofpaniccreepingintoherbrain.

“Getbuckets,”sheordered.“Washthebloodoffthepavement.Checkeverywhere.Don’tmissevenadrop.Olik,whenit’sdone,takeawalkaroundtheneighborhood.Lookforanyoneoutsideoranylightson.”

Ittookfiveminutes,thetwoofthemfillingandrefillingbucketsinthekitchensinkuntilYegorcame

backinsideandshutthedoorbehindhim.HewalkedtothesinkanddroppedRoma’sknifeintoit.Itclatteredagainstthestainlesssteel.

YegorsatdownatthetablewithHelen,neitherspeakinguntilOlikreturned.“Nothing.Nolights,nooneoutside.Iheardnosirens,either.”

Helenwonderedifitmattered.Ifthepoliceeven

knockedontheirdoorandaskedanythingmorethanthemostrudimentaryquestions,itwasoverforthem.

“Whathappened,Olik?”“I’msorry,I—”“Tellmewhat

happened.”“Iwasinthekitchen,like

youtoldme,keepingwatch.Romawasintheotherroomwatchingtelevision.ItoldhimIhadtogotothe

bathroomandaskedhimtocoverforme.Itwasonlygoingtobeforafewminutes.”

“Keepgoing.”“WhenIcamebackdown

here,thebasementdoorswungopenandtheboycamestumblingup.”

“Steven.”“What?Yes,Steven.I

reachedforhim,butImissed,thenRomashovedmeaside

andwentoutthedoorafterhim.Youknowtherest.Ithappenedsofast,Helen.”

Yegorasked,“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”

Shestoodup,openedthebasementdoor,andstarteddownthestairs.“Bothofyoustayhere.”

Asshe’dinstructed,YegorandOlikhadtiedRomatothesamepipesagainstthebasement’sfar

wallwhereStevenhadbeensecured.Theroomstankofurineandsweat.Alonelightbulbdangledfromthecenterrafter.Romalayonhissideontheblanket.

Shewalkedtohimandnudgedhisfootwithherown.

Hedidn’tstir.Shekickedhiminthe

thigh.Hejerkedhislegback.Hisheadrolledsidewaysandhiseyesopened.“What

happened?”hecroaked.“Hey,whyamItiedup?”

“Youkilledtheboy.”“Hetriedtogetaway.”“Howdidthathappen?”“Olikwenttopiss.I

heardthekidcallupthathehadtousethebucketsoIwentdownstairs.Thebucketwasfull,soinsteadofdraggingittohimandgettingpissandshitalloverme,Iuntiedhimandwalkedhim

overtoit.Hebrokefree,ranupthestairs,andthenoutthedoor.Itackledhim,buthewasstrong.Hewasfightingme.Ihadtostabhim.”

Roma’sstorywasplausible,butHelencouldhearthelieinhisvoice.Worsestill,hiseyesshonewithamusement,asthoughhewasreplayingtheactforhisownpleasure.NowHelenwassure:Romawasa

psychopath.HeletStevengo,toldhimtorun,thenchasedhimdownandstabbedhimtodeath.He’ddoneitbecausehewantedtodoit.

“Ididn’thaveachoice,Helen.Hewasgoingtogetaway.Untieme.Thisissilly.”

Helenturnedaroundandwalkedbackuptothekitchen.

Romashouted,“Hey,

comeon,letmego.”“Whatdidhesay?”asked

Yegor.Helenignoredhim.She

climbedthestairstoherroomandgrabbedapillowfromherbedandreturnedtothekitchen.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Olikasked.

“Shutup.”Shepickedupthegun

fromthediningtableand,

withthepillowinherlefthand,walkedbackdownstairs.WhenRomasawherhesaid,“Areyougoingtoletme—”

“No.”Shestrodeovertohim,

doubledupthepillow,andshovedithardagainsthishead.

“Hey,what—”Shepressedthegun’s

barreltothepillowandpulled

thetrigger.

O FJACK’STWOlatestrequestsofGavin,thegunhadbeen

theeasier,surprisinglyso.Jack’srequestforanNSAtraceofwhatJackhopedwasHelen’scellphonewasatoughertask.

“Thegun’scomingfromsomeconnectionofMr.Clark’s,”Gavinexplained.“SomeguyfromHereford,whateverthatis.”

“Homeofthe22SASRegiment,”Jackreplied,referringtotheSpecialAirService,Britain’seliteSpecialForcesunit.

“Sure,”Gavinreplied,andthengavehimthedetails.

Aspromised,inlocker

123atSaintAndrewsStreetbusstationJackfoundtheweaponinsideapaddedenvelope.Itwasanoise-suppressed.32-caliberWaltherinsideapaddleholsterwithbeltpouchescontainingthreesparemagazines,eachfullofwhatJackknewwouldbesubsonicrounds.

Jackwaspullingbackintohismotel’sparkinglot

whenhisphonetrilled.“It’sunderway,”Gavinsaid.“Gerrydidn’tlooktoohappyaboutit,butyou’vegotyourtrace.Providingthephone’snotoff,weshouldhavealocationinacouplehours.”

“Good.I’mheadingbacktoKinghorn.”

•••

THETRACEdidn’t

comeinacouplehours,anditdidn’tcomefourhoursafterthat.Jack,who’dbeensippingcoffeeandwaitinginKinghorn’sonlytwenty-four-hourcoffeeshop,leftasthesunwascomingupandcheckedintotheCarouselMoteloverlookingtheocean.Throughhisbalconywindowsthesunreflectedyellowoffthechoppywater.

Atnoon,Gavintexted

hima“stillworkingonit”message.

•••

ATFIVE,Gavincalled.“I’mwithGerryandMr.Clark.”

Clarksaid,“We’vegotahitonthephone.It’spingingsomewhereeastofthePettycurcoastalroad,aboutahundred-metersquare

betweenAbdenPlaceandLongCraigsTerrace.”

“Howmanyhouses?”Gavinsaid,“Twenty-two.

Wehavenowayofknowingwhichonesareoccupied,though.”

“HelenpaidcashforthegarageinEdinburghandI’mbettingshepaidcashfortheirvan.Standstoreasonshewouldhavedonethesamehere.”

“Goodpoint,”saidClark.“Gavin,seewhatyoucancomeupwith.Checkrentalpermitsversusprivateownership,landlordshauledintocourtforunfitlodgings,pensionersonafixedincome—”

“Why?”“Ifyouownthehouse

you’renotaslikelytohandthekeystoastrangerwithawadofbills.Andpoor

landlordswhotakecashunderthetableareoftenstingywithrepairsandnotfansofHerMajesty’staxcollectors.”

“Ah.Okay,I’malloverit.”

Gerrysaid,“John’sgoingtoruntheplanwithyou,Jack.”

“Icanhandle—”Clarkinterrupted.“Ifyou

findthehouseyou’ll

probablybeoutnumbered.Andwhoever’sinsidehasdonethiskindofthingbefore.Failtoplan,plantofail.”

He’sright,Jackthought.Asmuchashewantedtomoverightnow,blindlycrashingthroughwhateverdoorheeventuallyfoundwouldprobablygetbothhimandAminatMedzhidkilled.

“Okay,let’swalkit

through.”

•••

JACKWAITEDuntilnightfall,thenparkedhisFiestainapubparkinglotonNethergateStreet,thenstartedthefive-minutewalktothetargetarea.IfKinghorn’sstreetswerequietduringtheday,theywerealmostdesertedatnight.Hepassed

anequallyvacanttrailerparkoverlookingtheshorelinetohisright.WhenhedrewevenwithAbdenPlace,whichsatbacktwentyyardsfromthecoastalroad,hesteppedofftheshoulderanddownashortgrassslopetoapavedtrailborderedbyhedges;throughthemhecouldhearthecrashofwaves.Inthedistanceabuoybellgongedrhythmically.Acrosstheroad

satthelineofAbdenPlace.Hecountedfiveporchlightson,butnoneofthefrontwindowswereilluminated.

Jackstoppedandtexted,INPLACE.

STANDBY,camethereply.ThiswouldbeJohnClark.

Tohislefthesawapairofheadlightscomingdowntheroad.Hebackeddeeperintothehedgeandcroucheddown.Afewsecondslaterhe

sawthecarpass;onitsroofwasalightbar.

POLICE.KEEPGOING...Thecar’senginefaded.Jackwaited.

•••

HISPHONEVIBRATED.

SIXRENTALCOTTAGES,Clarktexted.TWOONLONGCRAIGSTERRACE,FOURONABDENPLACE;OFTHESE,TWOBELONGTOPENSIONERS.HOUSE

NUMBERS5AND9.Jacktexted,MOVING.STAYINTOUCH.Jacklookedleftandright

downtheroad,thencrossed.Ontheothersideofastripofgrasshereachedthesidewalk.TheaddressplacardonthecottagebeforehimreadABDENPLACE#2,theonetoitsright,#3.Bothporchlightsweredark.

Behindoneofthe

cottagesadogyippedtwice,thenwentsilent.

Jackstartedwalking,countingcottagesashewent.Whenhedrewevenwithnumber5hesawtheporchlightwason.Hecontinuedonandsoonreachednumber9,thelastcottageontheblock.Thisone’sporchlightwasalsolit.

Werethekidnappersmoreorlesslikelytoleave

thelightson?hewondered.On,washisguess.Ifthegroupwasclever—whichHelenclearlywas—they’dwanttobehaveasnaturallyaspossible.Occupiedhomestendedtoleavetheporchlightson.Itwasthefriendlythingtodo.

Jackpassednumber9andfollowedthesidewalkasitcurvedaroundandintersectedwithLongCraigs

Terrace.TohisrighthecouldseethefencedbackyardsoftheAbdencottages;runningbetweeneachonewasanalleyway.Hewalkedsouthuntilhewasbackatnumber5,thenturneddownthealleyway.Atitsendhefoundhimselfstandingbetweenthecottageanditsgarage.Gently,Jackopenedthesidegateandcreptdownthegrasspathtothegarage’shalf-glass

door.Heclickedonhispenlightandshineditthroughthewindow.InsidewasawhiteŠkodastationwagon.

Thiswasn’tproofpositive,ofcourse.Thekidnappersmayhaveditchedthevanthey’dusedtoabductAmy.

Heretracedhispaththroughthealley,thenbackdownthesidewalkuntilhereachedthesecondcottage’s

yard,thenagaintookthealleytothefrontofthehouse.Tohisrightwasthecottage’ssidedoor.Throughitheheardasoftmetallicclink,likeautensilstrikingmetal.Thekitchen.

Jackcroucheddown.Hisheartwaspounding.

HedrewtheWaltherfromitsholsterandthenaffixedthenoisesuppressortothemuzzle.Guntrainedon

thedoor,hesteppedontothedriveway,thensidesteppedtothegate.Hepusheditopen,wentthrough,swungthegateshut,thensteppedtothegaragedoor.Handcuppedaroundtheendoftheflashlight,heshinedthebeamthroughtheglassandsawadarkbrownwheelwell.Hepannedtheflashlightupward.

Itwasthevan.Behindhimthecottage

doorcreakedopen.“I’mtakingthegarbage

out,”avoicecalled.Jackdetectedanaccent.

ItsoundedRussian.Heretreateddownthe

pathtothecornerofthegarage,circledit,pressedhisbackagainstthewall.HebroughttheWaltherupacrosshisbodyandaimeditatthecorner.

Thegatebangedopen

againstthefence.Footstepssquishedonthe

soddengrass.Jackrealizedhewas

holdinghisbreath;heletitout.

Comeon,goaway...Thegaragedoorswung

openandamomentlaterJackheardthesoftclunkofaluminumcansandglassonconcrete.

Thefootstepsfaded.The

cottagedoorclickedshut.Jackcouldn’ttellifthe

lockhadengaged.Hegotouthisphoneand

texted,FOUNDIT.GOINGIN.Hecheckedhiswatch:

10:04.Asarranged,ifhedidn’t

reestablishcontactwithintenminutesClarkwouldpushthepanicbutton.Thiswasfalsecomfort,ofcourse,andJackassumedClarkknewit.Three

thousandmilesfromhome,tenminutesortenhoursmadenodifference.

MONITORINGPOLICECHANNELS,Clarkreplied.WATCHYOURSIX.

•••

HAVINGALREADYdecidedkickinginthecottage’sfrontdoorwasano-go,Jackturnedhisfocustothesidedoor.Thiswas

problematic,however.Therewasatleastonemanontheothersideofit,inthekitchen.Beyondthis,hehadnoideaofthecottage’slayout.Hewouldhavetoclearthecottageblindlyandonthefly.

Youknowthisstuff,hetoldhimself.Don’thurryit.Watchyourcornersandyourintersections—Hestoppedhimself.Getonwithit.

HeshiftedtheWaltherto

hislefthand,swipedhissweatyrightpalmacrosshischest,thenregrippedthegun.

Onflatfeethewalkedbackdownthepathandoutthegate.Hescannedthelengthofthedrivewayandthefrontcornerofthehouse.Nothingmoved.

Downthestreetthedogyippedagain.Avoiceshouted,“Quiet,Numsy!”

Jackcrepttothecottage

door.Throughitheheardrunningwater,thentheclinkofadish.Hereachedoutwithhislefthand,turnedtheknob.Itwasunlocked.Hepushedopenthedooracoupleoffeet;throughitwasarounddiningtableandanarchedentryway,throughwhichhesawtheflickeringlightoftelevisionplayingonthewalls.

Aloudbuzzerwentoff

andavoicesaid,“No,sorry,Annette.TheanswerisDumfries.”

Totherightofthediningtableawoodenplankdoorwassetintothewall.Abasementdoor,Jackguessed.

Usingthedoorasascreen,hesteppedinsideandpeekedaroundit.Amanwasstandingatthesink,doingdishesundertheglowofapendantlamp;itslight

reflectedoffawindowabovethesink.Careful,Jack.Ifhelooksup—

Somethingonthebeigelinoleumfloorcaughthiseye.Inthefloor’sindentationsweresliversofabrownsubstance.Driedblood.

Jackcroucheddownandcrab-walkedintothekitchenuntiltheman’sbodywasbetweenhimandthewindow,thenstoodup.Asingleshot

atthebaseoftheskullwoulddothetrick.He’dneverdonethatbefore.Thenagain,hetoldhimself,thesepeoplehadthreatenedtosendAminatbacktoMedzhidinpieces,andJackhadnodoubttheymeantit.They’dsignedupforwhatevertheygot.

Makeadecision.Hecrepttowardtheman,

whosuddenlyshutoffthewaterandreachedforatowel

onthecounterbesidehim.Jackclampedhislefthandovertheman’smouth,thenrappedhimbehindtheearwiththebuttoftheWalther.Themanwentlimp.Jackcaughthimandloweredhimtherestofthewaytothefloor,thenturnedthesinkfaucetbackon.

HeturnedhisattentiontotheentrancetotheTVroom.Itwasempty.

Hepacedtothebasementdoorandwaitedforthegameshow’sbuzzertosoundagain.Whenitdid,heopenedthedoor,revealingasetofstairs.Leavingthedooropenacrack,hetookthestepstothebottom,wherehefoundadimlylitbasement.

Tuckedagainstthefarwallbeneathsomepipeslayanelongatedshapebeneathagraywoolenblanket.

“Please,no...”Jackmurmured.

Hewalkedover,tookabreath,andjerkedbacktheblanket.Lyingontheconcretefloorweretwobodies.Bloodytowelswerepackedaroundtheedgeofthecorpses.Onemanwaslyingonhissidewithabulletholeinhistemple;theother,whowasyounger,layonhisback.Hisshirtwassoddenwith

bloodandhisforearmswerecoveredinslashes.

ThishadtobeSteven,Jackthought,butwhowastheotherone?Stevenhadgonedownfighting,whilethesecondmanhadbeenexecuted.

Fromupstairscamethecreakingoffloorboards.

Jackfrozeandlistened,tryingtogaugetheirpath.Inhismind’seyehesawtheTV

watchersteppingintothekitchen.Jackbracedhimselffortheshoutofalarm.Nonecame.

Hecreptbackupthestairsandstoppedatthedoor.

Ashadowpassedthegap.“Whatthehell...Yegor

—”avoicemuttered.Jackpushedopenthe

doorandraisedtheWalther.Themaninfrontofhim

wasalreadyturningaround.

Inhislefthandwasasmallsemi-autoequippedwithanoisesuppressor.Jackshothimtwiceinthechest.Asidefromtheclick-clackoftherackingslide,theWalther’sreportwasalmostsilent.Themanstumbledbackward,eyeswidewithsurprise.Hislegsgaveoutandhedroppedbutt-firstonthefloor.Helookeddownattheseepingholesinhischest,thenatthegunstill

clenchedinhisrighthand.Hestartedtoraiseit.Jacktookastepforwardandshothimintheforehead.

Upstairs,adooropened.Afemalevoicecalled,“Everythingokay?”

ThiswouldbeHelen.Shit.Jackdidn’tgive

himselfachancetothink.HeputwhathehopedwasaRussian-likeaccentinhisvoiceandsaid,“Dropped

something.”Thewomandidn’treply.Then:“Okay.Turnthat

down,willyou?”Thedoorclickedshut.JackwalkedtotheTV

room’sentranceandpeekedaroundthecorner.Carpetedstepsledupwardtothedarkenedsecond-floorlandingborderedbyawoodbalustrade.

Jackfoundtheremoteon

thecouchandloweredtheTV’svolume.

Twodown,buthowmanymoreupstairs?

H ETOOKTHESTEPSSLOWLY,agonizinglyso,

stoppingeachtimeoneofthetreadssqueaked,untilhereachedthelanding.Beforehimwasahallwaywithfourdoors,twoontheleft,oneon

theright—whichJackcouldseewasabathroom—andoneattheend.Allbutthebathroomdoorwereshut.

AgainJackforcedhimselftostandstillandlisten.Thiswasafailingofhis,heknew,theurgetogo,go,go;everytimehefoundhimselfinthefieldhehadtofightagainstit.Hislegsweretrembling.

Hesteppedtothefirst

doorontheleft.Itwasunlocked;heopeneditacoupleofinchesandlookedinside.Thebed’scoverswerejumbled,butitwasempty.Hemovedtothenextroomandrepeatedtheprocess.Thisbedwasoccupied.

Thediminutiveshapetoldhimitwasagirl.Shewasturnedslightlyawayfromhim,herduct-tapedrightwriststretchedtoward

thebedpost.Moonlightstreamedthroughthesidewindowandcastapalerectangleonthecarpet.

Jacksteppedthroughandclickedthedoorshutbehindhim.Gentlyhesatonthebed.Aminatjerkedawakeandrolledover,hereyeswildwithpanic.Jackclampedhishandoverhermouthand,beforeshecouldstartstruggling,raisedthered-and-

yellowthimblebeforeAminat’seyes.

“Yourfathersentme,”hewhispered.“Canyouwalk?Justnodorshakeyourhead.”

Aminatnodded.“Areyouhurt?”Sheshookherhead.Jackpulledapenknife

fromhisfrontpocketandslicedthetapeaway,firstfromherwrists,thenfromherankles,allofwhichwere

wrappedinthickfleece;someonehadshownatleastsomeconcernforthegirl’scomfort.Jackhelpedhertoherfeet.Shelostherbalance.Jackcaughtherbeforeshebumpedintothenightstandandheldheruntilshenoddedthatshewasokay.

Hewhisperedinherear,“Howmanyarethere?”

Sheheldupfourfingers.Thatmeanthehadtwo

lefttodealwith—ornot,providingheandAminatcouldgetoutquietly.

“Whenwe’reinthehall,followme.MoveonlyasIdo.IfIstop,youstop.You’regoingtobefine,Aminat.You’regoinghome.”

Shenodded.“Atthebottomofthe

stairs,we’llturnleft,thenoutthekitchendoor.Don’tlookaround.IfIsayrun,yourun

anddon’tlookback.Headdownthedriveway,crosstheroadtoapavedtrail.Turnrightontothatandrunasfastasyoucanuntilyouseelights.Flagdownacarorstartpoundingdoorsuntilyoufindsomeone.Haveyougotallthat?”

ShemouthedYes.Jacktookouthissat

phoneandtexted:HAVEGIRL.LEAVINGHOUSE.

ROGER.JackhandedAminathis

secondphone.“Onceyou’resafe,hitspeed-dialfour.It’samannamedJohn.Tellhimwhoyouare.He’llhelp.”

Hesteppedaroundherandopenedthedooracoupleofinches.Thehallwasempty.Heturnedbacktoher,puthisfingertohislips,thensteppedoutandheadedforthestairswithAminatonhis

heels.Jackheardathumpand

thetwangofvibratingwood.Aminatcriedout.Helookedoverhisshoulderandsawherleaningover,holdingherbarebigtoe.Herfacewasagrimace.

Attheendofthehallthedoorswungopenandapetitefigureemerged.Helen.Sheshouted,“Hey!”

Simultaneously,Jack

grabbedAminat’swrist,jerkedherbehindhim,andraisedtheWaltherandfiredtwoshotsoverthebalustrade.Onebulletwentwide,splinteringthedoorbesideHelen’shead,butthesecondhithome.Helenstumbledbackwardintothebedroom.

Takingstepstwoatatime,hishandstillclampedonAminat’swrist,Jackrusheddownthestairs.

Aminatshouted,“Wait,Ican’t—”

Herfeetslippedoutfromunderher.Shelandedonherbackandsliddownthesteps,sideswipingJack’slegsasshewent.Hefelthimselftippingsideways.Heslammedhislefthandagainstthewallforbalance,thenvaultedthelastthreesteps,landingastrideAminat,whowastryingtogettoherfeet.

“Stop!”Helenshoutedfromthetopofthestairs.

Jackdidn’tlookback,butinsteadshovedAminatintothekitchen.Jackfeltsomethingslamintohislefthip.Theimpactshovedhimsidewaysintotheentrywayjamb.Hehadn’theardtheshot;Helenhadasuppressoraswell.Asecondbulletsmackedintothewoodabovehishead.Hepushedoffand

stumbledintothekitchen.Aminatwasstandingintheopendoor,lookingbackathim.

“Go!”Shesprintedoutand

turnedright.Jackranafterher.

Heheardpoundingonthestepsbehindhim.

Heturned,sawHeleninthedoorway.Hefired,missed,firedagain,then

dashedoutside.Aminathadreachedtheendofthedriveway.Goodgirl,hethought.Keepgoing,fastasyoucan—

Helenshouted,“Stop,damnit—”

Jackspunonhisheelandsawhershufflingacrossthekitchenfloor,gunpointingathim.Thesideofherblousewassoakedwithblood.Shefired.Jackduckedleft,

reachedout,andslammedthedoorinherface.Thedoorbuckledoutward.

Halflimping,halfrunning,Jackheadeddownthedriveway.Aminatwaswellaheadofhim,almostlostinthedarkness,savethewhiteofherT-shirt.JackcrossedAbden.Ahead,hesawPettycurRoad.Heglancedleftandrightandsawnoheadlights.Justneed

anothersixtyseconds,hethoughtdully.

Heheardthesnapbesidehisear.Tooclose.Ifyoucouldhearthesnap,theroundwascloseenoughtotouch.Heignoreditandkeptgoing.Hislefthipwasgrowingnumb.Witheachstephecouldhearthesquelchofbloodinhisshoe.

Despitehimself,heglancedoverhisshoulder.

Helenwasthirtyfeetbehind,gunextendedbeforeherandweavingasthoughdrunk.Herfacewasdeathlywhite.Themuzzleofhergunflashedorange.Jackfeltthebulletpluckathissleeve.Fuckin’goodshot,thisone.

HecrossedPettycurRoad.Attheshoulderhisfootcaughtthedirtbermandhefellforwardandstartedbarrel-rollingdowntheslope.

Hecrashedtoastopagainstthehedges.Outofthecornerofhiseye,hesawHelenappearatthetopoftheslope.Shestopped,lookedforhim.Shespottedhimandraisedhergun.

Jackrolledsideways,raisedtheWalther,andfiredtwice.Thistimehisaimwastrue.ThefirstroundslammedintoHelen’sthigh,thesecondintoherbelly.Shefolded

forward,thenpitchedheadfirstontothegrassandrolledontoherside.

Jackheardbarefeetslappingonthepavedpath,thenAminatwascrouchingbesidehim.“Youarehurt.”

“Itoldyoutorun,”hesaid.

“Idid.AndthenIstoppedandcameback.ShouldIchecktoseeifthatwomanis—”

“No,stayawayfromher.Helpmeup.”

Leaningonher,JackgottohisfeetandlimpeduptheslopetowhereHelenlay.Shewasn’tmoving.Guntrainedonherhead,heproddedhershoulderwithhisfoot.

Sheletoutagroan.“ThankGod,”he

murmured.“Aminat,lookoverthebermandtellmewhatyousee.”

Aminatdidasheasked.“Idon’tseeanything.”

“Pickuphergunandhelpmewithher.”

TogethertheydraggedHelendowntheslopebyhershoulders;herbodyleftaslickofbloodonthegrass.WithAminat’shelp,JackmanhandledHelenoverhisshoulder,thenhefoundagapinthehedgesandpushedthrough.Anotherfiftyfeet

broughtthemtoajumbleofbouldersatthewaterlinethatJackhopedwouldscreenthemfromtheroad.HelaidHelenonthesand.Hesatdownwithhisbackagainstoneoftheboulders.

HegotouthisphoneandtextedClark:OUTSAFE.

CONTACTWHENCLEAROFAREA.

Jackstuffedthephonebackintohispocket.

Aminatsaid,“Yourpantlegisallbloody.”

“Yeah,Ineedsomethingtostopit.”

AminatraisedthehemofherT-shirttohermouth,bitaholeinit,thenrippedfreeastripofthecotton.“Whereisit?”

“Youbetterletmedoit.”“Tellmewhere.”“Lefthip.”Aminatunbuttonedhis

pantsandpulledthemdownuntilthewoundwasexposed.Unceremoniously,shestuckthetipofherindexfingerintothehole.Jackwinced,triedtojerkaway.“Holdstill,”Aminatsaid.“It’ssmallandnotverydeep.Icanfeelthebulletbeneaththeskin.IneedtoshovesomeofmyT-shirtinside.It’sgoingtohurt.”

Jackgrittedhisteethasshejammedthematerialinto

thewound.Ascreamroseintohisthroat.Heswallowedit,breathedthroughit,andslowlythepainsubsidedtoasharpthrobbing.

Aminatsaid,“Thatwilldofornow,butitshouldbeseento.”

“Exactlyhowoldareyou?”Jackasked.

“Twenty-one.Youknowwhomyfatheris,yes?YouknowwhereIcomefrom?

Notsuchaniceplacesometimes.Wegrewupfast,mybrothersandI.”

Helenletoutagroan.Hereyesflutteredopen.Sheturnedherhead,sawAminat,thenlookedatJack.

“Ididn’thither,didI?”Jackwastakenaback.

“No,she’sfine.”“Pleasedon’ttakeher,”

Helenpleaded.“Shedoesn’tdeservethis.”

“Deservewhat?”“Doyouhaveanyidea

whathehasplannedforher?”Jackfeltapitinhis

stomach.“Who’reyoutalkingabout?”

“FaridRasulov.ButI’msureitwasn’treal.”

OlegPechkin,Jackthought.“Aminat’sfathersentme,notRasulov.”

Aminatsaid,“He’stellingthetruth.Whois

Rasulov?Whatwashegoingtodotome?”

“I’llexplainlater,”repliedJack.

Helensaid,“Funny,I’veneverhadonegetawaybefore.Thisisthefirsttime,andit’sturnedouttobeagoodthing.”

Jack’smindwasblank.Thiswasn’twhatheexpectedtohearfromahardenedkidnapperwho’dthreatened

todiceupatwenty-one-year-oldgirl.Norwasherappearanceamatch:Helenwaspetite,barelytallerthanfivefeet,withablackpixiehaircut.Atoughwoman,Jackthought,tosucceedinsuchacutthroatbusiness.

Allhecouldthinktoaskwas,“Howmanyofthesehaveyoudone?”

Helentookaraggedbreathandabubbleofblood

appearedatthecornerofhermouth.Shewasbleedinginside,Jackknew.Therewasnothinghecoulddoforher.

“Thirty-eight.Allofthemreturnedsafe.Iamasaint,aren’tI?Rasulov...Ihadabadfeelingabouthimfromthestart.Themoneywasverygood,butwhatheaskedmetodo—Icouldn’t.”

“Whowerethetwomeninthebasement?”askedJack.

“Romakilledtheboy...stabbedhim.SoIkilledhim.Hewasananimal.Hewouldhavekilledyoutoo,Amy.Youwerenevergoingbackhome.”

“Thenwhynotjustletmegowhentheothersweren’tlooking?”

“Iwas,butIhadtothinkitthrough.RasulovwouldhavekilledYegorandOlikwhentheygothome.They

aredead,aren’tthey?”sheaskedJack.

“Onlyoneofthem.Theoneinthekitchenisokay.”

“Yegor;he’sagoodman,”Helensaidwithawansmile.“Makesurethepolicegethim.”

“Why?”Aminatsaid.“You’renotmakingsense.”

“Itoldyou:Hecannevergohomeagain.”

JackdecidedHelen

deservedtoknowthetruth;soonitwouldmakenodifferenceanyway.“Rasulov’srealnameisOlegPechkin.He’sSVR.”

“Bastard.”Shecoughedandherfacetwistedinpain.“Ishouldhavelistenedtomylittlevoice.Hetoldusitwasastraightransomjob.Itwasn’t,wasit?”

“No,”Jackreplied.“Helen,Ineedyoutodomea

favor.Ineedyoutosayallofthisoncamera.Aminat’sfatherhastoknowwhotookher.”

Helennodded.“You’dbetterhurry.”

•••

AFTERSHEWASGONE,Jacksearchedherandfoundonlyacellphone.Thentheycoveredherbodyinsandandsomeseaweedthathad

washeduponshore.Aminatsatstaringatthemound.“Idon’tunderstandanyofthis...Bytheway,whatisyourname?”

“Jack.Yourfatherwillexplainitall.Weneedtogo.”

Asifoncue,inthedistanceheheardthewarbleofsirens.

•••

“JUSTSITTIGHT,”

JohnClarksaidoverthephonesixhourslater.“He’llgettoyoubytonight.”

Jacksathunchedoverontheedgeofthetub,elbowsonhisknees,phonepressedtohisear.Hewasexhaustedandhishiphadinthelasthourgonefromnumbtopulsingwithpain.Thelongwalkhadn’thelpedmatters.

Stickingtotheshoreline,they’dheadednorthaway

fromKinghornwhilethepolicesirensconvergedonAbdenPlace.Astheywalked,Jackfield-strippedHelen’sweapon,heavingthepiecesintotheoceanatirregularintervals.TwomilesandasmanyhourslatertheyfoundthemselvesinLinktown,whereAminat,armedwithJack’screditcard,gotthemamotelroom.

“Tellhimtobringafirst-

aidkit,”Jackmuttered.“Alreadydone,”replied

Clark.GerryHendleysaid,

“How’sthegirl?”“Sleepinglikethedead.”

Throughthehalf-opendoorhecouldhearAminatsnoringsoftly.“Asforthelongterm,she’sprobablygoingtoneedsomehelp.”

BackattheshorelineJackhadrealizedAminathad

eithermissedhearingorhadn’tunderstoodHelen’scommentaboutRomamurderingStevenBagley.Itwasaconversationhewasn’tlookingforwardto.Asifbeingkidnappedwasn’tenough,nowshe’dhavetograpplewiththefactthatherfriendhaddiedtryingtosaveher.

“You’vealreadysentthevideo?”Jacksaid.

“Yes,toYsabel,”saidGavin.

Knowinghewasn’tgoingtobeabletophysicallyreuniteRebazMedzhidandhisdaughterbeforethedeadlineexpired,JackhadtackedontoHelen’svideoconfessionapersonalmessagefromAminat.

“Whataboutthesecondone?”heasked.

Ofherownvolition

Helenhadmadeasecondvideo,thisoneaddressedtoher“broker,”amannamedDobromir,whohadforthelastdecadenegotiatedandcoordinatedherjobs.Hewould,ifshownthevideo,helpJacktrackdownPechkin.

“I’mnotsureIbuyit,”saidGerry.

“Dyingdeclaration,”Jackreplied.Heactually

understoodHelen’smotivation:TheSVRmannotonlyhadhiredherunderfalsepretenses,butalsohadaskedhertodosomethingthatwentagainstherownsenseof—warpedthoughitwas—professionalism.

Clarksaid,“I’mwithJack.Sheoffedoneofherownmen,forChrist’ssake.Besides,PechkincouldbesodeepintoSeth’splanthatit’s

alreadyscuttled.Bettertoknowthatnow.”

“Allright,”Gerrysaid.“Gavin,digintothisDobromir.Youdidgood,Jack.Yougotthegirloutsafe.Andyourself.”

“Igotshotintheass,Gerry.”

Clarksaid,“Betterthatthaninthehead.”

“True.Anythingonthenewsaboutthecottage?”

“Fortwentyminutesafteryouleft,thepolicebandsweregoingnuts,thentheywentsilent.”

“Atriplemurderinasleepyseasideresorttendstohavethateffect,”Clarkobserved.“Jack,didyougetoutclean?”

“Ifanyonesawusrunning,itwasourbacks,notourfaces.Aslongaswe’renotaroundwhenthepolice

expandtheircanvassuphere,we’llbeokay.”

“Getsomesleep.Cavalry’scoming.”

•••

THOUGHTHEMANwasn’toneforsmalltalk,whenhedidspeak,heseemedfriendlyenough.HisaccentwasBritish,somewhereintheMidlands.

Hetossedabagofspare

clothesonthedresserandthen,withAminatwatchingfromthechairinthecorner,hadJacklieonthebed,belly-down.Heexaminedthebulletwound,proclaimedit“adoddle,”thenjabbedaneedlefulloflidocaineintotheareaaroundit.

“We’llgivethatafewminutestosetin,”themansaid.

“Thisisawkward,”Jack

said.“Couldbeworse.

Could’vegonestraightupyourarse.”

Aminatletoutablurtoflaughter,thenwhispered,“Sorry.”

Jacksaidtohim,“DoIhaveyoutothankfortheWalther?”

“YouhaveMr.Clarktothank.Workedokayforyou,didit?Goodweapon,the

Walther.”Itwasanoddquestion.

Ononehand,he’dusedittokilltwopeoplewhoweretryingtokillthem;ontheother,he’dkilledtwopeoplewithit.Thiswassomethinghedoubtedhe’devergetusedto.

“Everything’srelative,”Jackreplied.

“Atruerwordneverspoken.It’dprobablybebest

ifItakeitwithme,yeah?Unlessyou’vegotplansforit,thatis.”

“Takeit.”“Yourcar,too.Sawiton

thewayin.Thecopshaven’tgottentoit,buttheywill.Right,then:Youshouldbeniceandnumbnow.Heyyou,girl—”

“Amy.”“There’sabottleof

Keflexinthatbag.Makesure

hetakesthem,yeah,orhecouldbeoozingpusdownhislegbymorning.”

“Eww...gross.”Hereturnedhisattention

toJack’swound.“Okay,goaheadandcrylikeabitchifthishurts.”

“Getonwithit.”Themanputaflashlight

betweenhisteethandaimeditatJack’ship.“Firstwecleanit,thenforcepsandred-

hotscrewdriver.Kidding,mate,justkidding.”

EBaku

VENTWOHUNDREDMILESfromhisowncapitalinaforeign

country,RebazMedzhidhadhorsepower.Clearly,Jackthought,reportsofDagestan

andAzerbaijan’slukewarmrelationshipweremistaken.GerryHendleyhadhandledthefirstlegofJackandAminat’sflight,fromGlasgowtoHeathrowandthentoIstanbul,whereMedzhid’sprivateplane,anagingLearjet,tookthemtherestofthewaytoBaku.

TheyweremetbySeth,Spellman,andoneofMedzhid’sbodyguardsonthe

tarmacoutsidethefencedcharterterminal.AsoneofthebodyguardsusheredAminatintothecar,Jackasked,“Where’sYsabel?”

“Backatourmotel.Shewantstoseeyou,”saidSeth.“Hey,Jack,youdog,what’sgoingonwithyoutwo,anyway?”

Jackignoredhim.

•••

TWENTYMINUTESLATERtheyreachedMedzhid’shotel,theFourSeasonsatthebaseofBakuBay.Theministerwaswaitingwhentheelevatordoorspartedonthepenthouselevel.

“Mygirl!”Medzhidcried,runningtowardher.Hewrappedherinabearhugandtheyremainedlikethat,Aminatcryinginhisarms,

forafullminute.WhentheypartedJack

couldseeMedzhid’seyeswerewet.Thiswasawhollydifferentmanfromtheonewho’dslappedSethbackattheforestrycamp.

“Whereishe?”Medzhidsaid,lookingaround.

“Hemeansyou,Jack,”saidSpellman,steppingaside.

Jacklimpedforward.Withthebulletout,thepain

inhishiphadlessenedenoughthatthecodeinecutthepaintoalmostnothing.Clark’sHerefordfriendhadrecommendedacaneforaweekorso.Jacksaidno.

MedzhidextendedhishandandJacktookit.

“Thankyou,Jack,thankyouforbringingmygirlhome.YouareamanIcantrust,Iseethatnow.”Heturnedandnoddedinturnat

SethandSpellman.“Andyouaswell.”

AminatcameforwardandhuggedJack,herheadpressedhardagainsthischest.“Thankyouforcomingforme,Jack.”

“Mypleasure,”hereplied.“I’msorryaboutSteven.”

“WhenIgetbacktoEdinburgh,Iwillcallhisfamily.Don’tforgettotake

yourantibioticsandtochangeyourdressing.”

“Aminat,”saidMedzhid,“gocallyourmotherandtellheryouaresafe.”

Aminatpulledawayandwentthroughthepenthouse’sdoor.

“Comein,gentlemen.Wehavealottodiscuss.”

•••

WHILETHEIRBOSS

settledAminatintooneofthebackbedrooms,thebodyguardsservedJackandothersteafromasilversamovar.Oncedone,theysteppedleft,totakeuptheirposts,Jackassumed.Medzhid’ssuitewasexpansiveandbrightwhite,fromthecarpettothedraperies.

“Wow,Ishould’vebroughtmysunglasses,”Seth

remarked.Jacksaidnothing.“Comeon,Jack,that’s

funny.Whatthehell’swrongwithyou?”

BeforeJackcouldrespond,Medzhidemergedfromthehallwayandjoinedthemintheseatingarea.Hepouredhimselfacupoftea,thenleanedbackinthecouch.

“Isawthevideo.That

womanisdead,yes?Ishouldhavehadyoubringhertomealive.”Hedrewhisthumbacrosshisthroat.“Herhead...off.”

Jacksaidnothing.Thoughhe’dprobablyfeelthesamehatredifhisowndaughterwaskidnapped,beheadingwasavengeancetoofarforJack.Thenagain,itwasgoingtotakeastrongandbrutalmantowresthis

countryfreeofValeriVolodin,andMedzhidseemedtofitthebill.

Still,Jackwasn’tsurewhetherhetrustedMedzhid.Forstarters,hedoubtedtheman’sLearjetwasgovernment-issue.Howdoessomeonewhomakestheequivalentof$30,000affordthat?

Jackwasn’tabouttofurtherimplicatehimselfor

Ysabelinwhathadhappenedatthecottage.ItwasthekindofleverageMedzhidmightusetohisadvantage.

“Didshegiveyouanyinformationonwhohiredher?”Medzhidasked.

“No,”Jacklied.Fornowhe’dkeeptohimselftheirleadonDobromirthebroker.

“Andwhathappenedtotheotherones?”theministerasked.“Theyarealsodead?”

“Don’tworryaboutthem.WorryaboutStevenBagley’sfamily.”

“Who?”“He’safriendofyour

daughter’s.Hetriedtostopthemfromtakingher.He’sdead.”

“Thatisverysad.ButAminatwillgetoverit.Tobusiness:IhadplannedtobebackinMakhachkalabythisevening,butthat’snow

impossible.”“Why?”askedSpellman.“Fourofmydistrict

commandersarebeing...fussy.TheycontroltheRutulsky,Akhtynsky,Tlyaratinsky,andSuleyman–StalskyareasalongourborderwithAzerbaijan.”

“Whatdoyoumean,‘fussy’?”

“Theywantmoreprestigiouspositionsinthe

newgovernment.Believeitornot,theyareactuallygood,loyalmen.”

“Clearly,wehavedifferentdefinitionsofthoseterms,”Jackobserved.

“It’sthewayofthingsinmycountry:IfIaccedetotheirdemands,Iappearweakandtheymaynotfollowmewhenthetimecomes.IfItrytocrossineitheroftheirdistricts,therewillbea

confrontation.Iwillwin,ofcourse,buttheywillhavelostfaceand,again,theymaynotfollowmewhenthetimecomes.Bettertoavoidthewholebusiness.Everyoneinvolvedwillpretendlikeitneverhappened.OnceIambackinMakhachkalaIwillassurethemtheirloyaltywillberewarded.Thatwillsuffice.”

“What’stosaythey

won’tuptheantewhenthingsgetrolling?”

“BecauseIwillhavemyownpeopleinplacedownthere,”Medzhidsaidwithagrimsmile.

“Thisisjustfuckinggreat,”Sethgrowled.

“Havefaith,Mr.Gregory.”

“Forgetthem.Wedon’tneed’em.”

“Wedo.Whenthecoup

beginstherewillbechaosandourAzerbaijanifriendswillgetnervousaboutspillover.Havingtheborderdistrictsfirmlyunderourcontrolwillreassurethem.TheywillstandwithusagainstVolodin,atleastpolitically.”

“Whydon’twejustusetheParsabad–Artezian?Theymightnothaverailroadscovered,especiallythatone.”

“Theywill,trustme.”

“ThengetaboardyourdamnedjetandjustflytoMakhachkala.”

Medzhidsnorted.“Aplane.Themanwantsmetogetaplane.”

“Sowhat?”Spellmananswered.

“Seth,thinkitthrough:YousaidyourselfWellesleyandPechkinareaheadofus.Whoknowshowfar,orwhatresourcesthey’vegot.Forall

weknowthey’vegotoperatorsontheground.Wecan’tputthelinchpinofourplanonaplaneandsendhimintoDagestaniairspace.”

“Shit,you’reright.”Medzhidsaid,“Forgetit,

myfriend.Youjustneedsomesleep.”Heneedsmorethanthat,Jackthought.

“Okay,”hesaid.“We’veonlygotoneoptionifwe’regoingtogetbackintothe

country:gothroughGeorgia.”

•••

LEAVINGSETHANDSPELLMANwithMedzhid,JacktookataxitotheMirabatHotel,whichhefoundoverlookingatirefactoryandwhatlookedlikeanabandonedwater-slidepark.

He’drappedonlyonceon

Ysabel’sdoorwhenitjerkedopen.Shestoodonthethresholdforamoment,thensmiledandrushedhim.Theyhuggedforabit,thenshepulledaway,tookhishand,andledhimintotheroom.

“I’msogladyou’reback,”shesaid.

“Me,too.”“Matttoldmeyouwere

shot.Inthebutt.”“Hip,actually,”Jack

replied.“Doesithurt?”“Notasmuchanymore.”“You’dbetterletmetake

alookatit,”shesaid.“It’sfine,Ysabel.It’sall

stitchedupand—”“Jack,you’renotvery

goodathints,areyou?”“What?”“Hints.”“Oh,”hesaid.

•••

AFTERWARD,theylaytogether,Jackdozinginandout,Ysabel’sheadrestingonhischest.

“Ifeelabitshameless,”shewhispered.

Jackchuckled.“Youaredirect,nodoubtaboutit.”

“Youdon’tlikethat?”“Ilikeit.Aslongasthis

isn’tacaseofcombat

bonding.”“Idon’tknowwhatthat

is,”shereplied.“Whensoldiersshare

hardshipsforawhile,theyformstrongties.Nothinglikehavingbadguystryingtokillyoutosolidifyfriendship.”

Ysabelsatuponherelbowandlookedhimintheeye.“Doyoureallythinkthat’sallthisis?”

“No,Idon’t.Ishouldn’t

havesaidit.”“You’reright,you

shouldn’thave.Jack,whatarewegoingtodoaboutSeth?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”“He’sunstable.Idon’t

particularlylikewhathe’sbecome,butIstillcareabouthim,andIknowyoudo,too.He’salmost...”

“Self-destructive.Thethoughthascrossedmymind.

There’snotmuchwecandoexceptwatchhim,trytokeephimfromslippinganydeeper.”

Sheswitchedgearsbacktoherbuoyantself.“I’mhungry.Doyouthinktheyhaveroomservice?”

•••

THEYDIDN’T,andgivenYsabel’sreportof

cockroaches,Jackwasgladforit.TheywereheadingoutthedoortofindarestaurantwhenSethtexted:WE’REBACK.ROOM204.

TheywalkeddownthehallwayandknockedonSeth’sdoor.Spellmanopeneditandusheredtheminside.Sethwassittingatatablebeneaththewindow,writingonalegalpad.

“You’vereallyputusin

it,Jack.YouhaveanyideawhatamessGeorgiais?”

“Some.Youhaveabetterplan?”

Spellmananswered,“No.We’vegotbiggerproblemsanyway.Wellesley’sinthewind.Hiscellphone’sdisconnectedandtheZafaraniyehapartmenthasbeencleanedout.WehavetoassumeheandPechkinareonthemovetogether.”

“ToMakhachkala,”Jacksaid,thinking.

Sethwavedhishanddismissively.“Doesn’tmatter.DagestanskaiaPravdabrokeastorythismorning—itclaimsMedzhidwasinvolvedintheDagestanmassacre.”

Jackknewofthis,andhadseenthevideos,somethingheregretted.

In1999aChechenforce

offiftyrebelscrossedintoDagestanandattackedasmallvillage,whichwasguardedbytwenty-twoRussianconscripts;ofthese,allbutnineranaway.Allofthosewhostayedwerebeheadedbytherebels.

“Involvedhow?”askedJack.

“Medzhidwasthearea’sdistrictdeputycommanderthen.Hechaseddownsome

oftherebels—aboutfifteen—beforetheygotbackacrosstheborder.Medzhid’steamcorneredtheminanoldmosqueinAlmak.Therewasagunfight,andafirebrokeout.Alloftherebelswerekilled.”

“Theproblemis,”Spellmanwenton,“amanfromMedzhid’steamjustcameforwardclaimingitwasn’trebelsinsidethe

mosque,butcivilianstakingshelterfromthebattle.HesaysMedzhidfirebombedthemosqueandthatwhenhediscoveredtheciviliansinside,hecovereditup.”

Jackaskedtheobviousquestion:“Isittrue?”

“Ofcoursenot.Infact,accordingtoMedzhid,noonefromhisteamisstillalive;mostofthemdiedinthefightingaroundKaramakhi.”

Convenient,Jackthought.WhetherforMedzhidortheoppositionhedidn’tknow.

“ThisisPechkinandWellesley,”saidSeth.“Yes,therewasagunfight,andafire,butitwasonlyrebelsinside.”

“WeneedtogetMedzhidbacktothecapitalsohecangetinfrontofthestory,”saidSpellman.“Ifit’snotalreadytoolate.”

WTbilisi

HATEVERTHETRUTHaboutMedzhid’s

involvementintheAlmakincident,themanhadclearlyparlayedhiscurrentposition

intoafriendshipwithDagestan’sneighbortothesouthwest,Georgia—oratleastwiththegovernmentinTbilisi.OnthatcountSethhadbeenright.

LedbyMedzhid,JackandtheotherssteppeddowntheLearjetstepstothetarmacbelow,whereatrioofolive-drabpickuptruckswithblackpushbumpersandblackrollcagesoverthebedswere

waiting.Eachtruck’sbedheldsixarmedsoldiersincamouflageandgrayberets.NoneofthemgaveJack’sgroupasecondglance,insteadfacingawayandscanningtheairport’sperimeter.SpecialForces,Jackguessed.

AmaninanavybluesuitwalkeduptoMedzhid.“MinisterMedzhid,welcometoTbilisi.GeneralZumadze

iswaitingforyou.Ifyou’llfollowme...”

ThemanledthemtoaSoviet-eraZiLlimousineandsoontheywereheadingtowardahangarontheothersideofthetarmac.TheZiLpulledthroughthehangar’sdoorsandbrakedtoastopbesideaglassed-inoffice.

ThroughtheZiL’srearwindowJacksawtheSpecialForcesBrigadetruckstakeup

stationoutside.Besidehim,Ysabelwhispered,“Areweguestsorprisoners?”

“We’reabouttofindout,”Jackreplied.

TheygotoutandfollowedMedzhidintotheoffice,whereastockymaninacharcoalmilitaryuniformwaswaiting.“GeneralZumadze,”Medzhidsaid,“thankyouforyourhospitality.”

Thetwomenembracedandexchangeddoublecheekkisses.

Medzhiddidn’tintroduceJackandtheothers,andGeneralZumadzepaidthemnonotice.

“Ourpleasure,”saidZumadze.“Mydeputyhassharedwithmeyourproblem.Terriblewhenyoucannottrustyourowncomrades.”

Medzhidchuckled.“I

trustthem.Justnotrightnow;we’llcometoanarrangement.Canyougetusacrosstheborder?”

“Quicklyorsafely?”“Theformer.Andithas

tobeawayfrommyborderdistricts.”

“Icangetyouclosetotheborder,butwearehavingproblemswithanewOssetianseparatistgroup—theOssetianFreedomBrigade—

inthatparticulararea.Here,letmeshowyou.”

MedzhidandZumadzewalkedtoagraysteeldeskandleanedoveramap;Zumadzetappedaspotonit.“Omalo.It’savillageintheTushetiNationalPark.TheOFBhasbeenattackingconvoysandstationsonGMREastbetweenthereandtheborder.”

Spellmanwhisperedto

Jack,“GeorgianMilitaryRoad.”

“I’vehadthirtydeadandtwohelicoptersshotdowninthelastmonth,”saidZumadze.“IamspreadthinandIfearmilitaryvehicleswillonlyattracttheOFB’sattention.Itisrisky,butIthinkyourbestchanceforgettingthroughistodosoincognito.OnceyoureachtheYuzhnobordercheckpoint,

youwillbesafe.”Jacksaidfromhisplace

againstthewall,“Omalototheborderishowfar,sixteenkilometers?”

ZumadzesuddenlyseemedtonoticeheandMedzhidweren’talone.HenarrowedhiseyesatJackandsaid,“YouareAmerican.Whoareyou?”

“Justaguyaskingaquestion.Howfaristhe

border?”“Nineteenkilometers.

Buttheterrainismountainous.”

Zumadze’sanswertoldJacksomething.TheGeorgianmilitaryhadcompletelylostcontrolofatwelve-milestretchofamajortransportationartery,oneofitsonlyintoDagestan.Worsestill,Zumadze’srefusaltoprovideescortwaslikely

bornofsurvivalinstinct:IfDagestan’sMinisteroftheInteriorweretodiewhileunderhisprotection,he’dlikelylosehisjob.ItappearedMedzhid’spartnershipwithGeorgiawasn’tassolidasSethhadsuggested.

“Itisaveryhardareatopatrol,”Zumadzesaid.

“Soundslikeit,”Jackreplied.

“Whatdoesthatmean?”

“Nothing.General,canyougiveusweapons?”

Zumadzeslappedhishandonthedesk,thenjabbedastubbyfingeratJack.“Whoareyoutodemand—”

“Forgethim,myfriend,”Medzhidsaid,flickinghisfingersinJack’sdirection.“Canyouprovideuswithweapons?”

ZumadzetorehisgazefromJack,thennodded.

“GunsIcangiveyou.”

•••

TWOHOURSLATERtheywereontheirway,movinginconvoyformationwithoneofthepickuptrucksonpoint,anothertakingtherear,andJack’sgroupinsideacanvas-coveredGAZ4x4truck.Medzhid’stwobodyguards,AntonandVasim,satatthetailgate,

occasionallypeekingthroughthecanvasflaps.

Witheachpassingmiletheairgrewcolder.JackcouldfeelhisearspoppingastheymovedhigherintothePirikitiMountains.TheGAZ’sdieselenginegroanedwiththestrain.

Forthetenthtimeinhalfasmanyminutesthetruck’stiresplungedintoapotholeandbouncedthemoffthe

woodenbenchseats.Jackputmostofhisweightonhisgoodbuttcheek,butitdidn’thelpmuch.

“I’mgoingtohavebruises,”YsabelwhisperedtoJack.“They’llneedseeingtolater.”

“I’mhappytohelpinanywayIcan.”

FromtheoppositebenchMedzhidcalledovertheenginenoise,“Iamsorry

aboutthat,Jack.ZumadzeisnotfondoftheWest,especiallyAmerica.”

“Clearly.”“Havingitappearyouare

undermythumbmakeseverythingeasier.”

“Mr.Minister—”“Rebaz,please.”“Rebaz.Howwelldoyou

knowGeneralZumadze?”“Verywell.HeandI

haveworkedtogetherclosely

onanumberofantiterrorismoperations—alongwithourcounterpartinGrozny.”

“DoesZumadzeknowaboutthecoup?”

“No.”“Whyareyouasking,

Jack?”saidSpellman.“BackinTbilisi,Rebaz

toldhimhe’sbeingblockedfromenteringhisowncountryandhedidn’tbataneye.”

“Baksheesh,”Sethreplied.“Institutionalextortion.Zumadzehastodealwithithimself,I’msure.”

“Indeed,”repliedMedzhid.“Itisadifferentworldhere,Jack.”

Noshit,hethought.

•••

LATEINTHEAFTERNOONtheypulledinto

Omalo.TheGAZ’sengineshutdown.GeneralZumadzeswungbackthecanvasflaps.“Youwillstayheretonight.Itistoodangeroustodriveatnight.”

Jackandtheothersjumpedoutandbeganstretchingtheirlegs.BundledinaGeorgianArmyparkatwosizestoobigforher,Ysabelwrappedherarmsaroundhertorso.“It’s

beautifulhere,”shesaidthroughashiver.“Niceplacetovisit.”

“Butnotlive.”Thevillage,whichsatin

ashallowvalleysurroundedbyrollingfoothills,waslittlemorethanascatteringoframshacklesaltbox-stylehomeswithtinroofs.Acrossthedirtroadwasafencedpasturefullofhorsesgrazingatthespringgrass.Tothe

weststoodalineofsnowcappedpeaksbehindwhichthesunwasdropping.JacksawlongshadowscreepingdownthehillstowardOmalo.DuringthewinterOmaloprobablyhadlittleornocontactwiththeoutsideworld.

AtagesturefromZumadze,twooftheSpecialForcessoldiersjumpeddownfromthenearesttruckand

trottedtowardthehouseadjacenttothepasture.Theybangedonthedoor;whenitswungopen,theydisappearedinside.

JackledYsabeloutofearshotfromthegroup.“Whenwegetacrosstheborderwe’repartingcompanywithSethandtheothers.”

“Why?”“Thewomanwhowas

holdingAminat—”“Helen.”“Shegavemethename

ofherbroker,aguycalledDobromir.HetookthecontractforAminat’skidnapping.Pechkinsetitup.DobromirlivesinKhasavyurt.”

“Whatmakesyouthinkhe’llcooperatewithus?”

“Beforeshedied,Helenmadehimavideo,sortofa

lastwillandtestament.IfhehasanythingonPechkin,he’llgiveittous.”

“Jack,whyamIjusthearingaboutthis?”Whenhedidn’tanswer,shesaid,“Youweregoingtoleavemebehind,weren’tyou?”

“Ichangedmymind.Youdon’tbreakuptheteaminmid-game.”

“Verywiseofyou.”Zumadzecalled,“MayI

haveeveryone’sattention!”JackandYsabelreturned

towheretherestofthegroupwasstanding.“AfewhoursagotheOFBattackedanoutpost—inShenako,twomilestotheeast.”

“Howmanydead?”askedMedzhid.

“None,thankfully.Twowounded.Theywillbeevacuatedinthemorning.Imustreturntothecapital

tonight,butIwillleaveMajorAsatianiwithyou.Inthemorning,he’llseeyouonyourway.”

“Whataboutourweapons?”Jackasked.

Zumadzeofferedhimamockingsmile.“Areyoufrightened?Donotworryyourself.Youwillbefine.”

“Notwiththattruck.It’sgottargetwrittenalloverit.”

“That’sbeingtakencare

of.”Fromtheranchhouse,

oneofZumadze’ssoldierscalledtohim.Aman,awoman,andtwochildrenslippedpastthesoldierandheadeddowntheroadtowardthevillagecenter.

Ysabelasked,“Wherearetheygoing?Wecan’tputthemoutoftheirownhome.”

“Itisjustforthenight,”Zumadzereplied.“Follow

me.Wewillgetyousettledin.”

•••

SHORTLYAFTERNIGHTFALL,Zumadzeleftinoneofthepickuptrucks.

MajorAsatianispentafewminutespatrollingtheareasurroundingthehouse,thenassignedtwomentothefrontdoorandtwotoinsidethehorsebarn,leaving

himselfandonemore,aprivatenoolderthantwenty,insidethehomewithJackandtheothers.

Astheprivatestartedcookingtheeveningmeal,Asatianisatdownatasmalltablebesidethedoorandbeganstrippingandcleaninghissidearm.

Medzhidturnedinearly,leavinghisbodyguardsplayingcardsoutsidehis

door.Jackandtheothersgatheredaroundthetrestle-stylediningtableonthefarsideoftheroom.

“Friendlyguy,themajor,”Ysabelsaid.

“Mostofhiskindare,”repliedSpellman.“Goodinafight,though.”

Jacksaid,“Seth,yesterdayyoutalkedaboutVolodinrollingtanksuptoDagestan’sborderandsitting

therewaitingforthecouptostart.Whatifhedoesjustthat?”

“Hewon’t.Buttoansweryourquestion,ifhecomesitwon’tbethroughChechnyaunlesshewantstogetboggeddown,whichleaveshimStavropoltothewestandKalmykiatothenorth.BetweenthemthereareonlytwomajorhighwaysintoDagestan—theP215andthe

P285.”Sethgrinned.“They’rebothtwo-lane,andtheybothgooverseveralrivercrossings.”

SethandSpellmanhadaplaninplacetosabotagethecrossings,Jackrealized.Thiscoupwouldn’tbedrivensolelybyanArabSpring–likepopulargroundswell,butalsobyon-the-groundinsurgencywarfare.Theproblemwas,ifVolodincommittedhimselfto

invasion,suchtacticswouldonlydelaytheinevitable.

IfMakhachkaladidn’tgoasplanned,awholelotofinnocentciviliansweregoingtodie.

AGeorgianMilitaryRoadEast

FTERRECEIVINGtheirweapons,AK-47swiththreespare

magazineseach,fromMajorAsatiani,theysetoutinthepredawndarknesswiththe

GAZ,nowemblazonedwiththered-on-whiteflagoftheRedCrescentSociety,theIslamo-centriccousinoftheRedCross.WhetherthisgarnishmentwouldmeanadamntotheOFBwasanyone’sguess.

WithJackatthewheel,Ysabelbesidehim,andSpellmaninthepassengerseat,theymadedecentprogressforthefirsthourand

thenthewindingmountainroadnarrowed,itssurfaceruttedwithiceandhalf-buriedboulders.Jackeaseduponthegaspedalbutstillhadtofightthesteeringwheeltokeepthetruckfromslidingontotheshoulder.

SpellmansatwiththebarrelofhisAKrestingonthedashboard,hiseyesscanningtheroadahead.Jack’sandYsabel’srifles

wereproppedbetweenherknees,muzzlesdown.

“Jack,whatwasthatbusinessabouthowwellMedzhidknowsGeneralZumadze?”askedSpellman.

“Probablynothing.ButifIhadafriendlikeZumadze,I’dberethinkingtherelationship.”

“What,youthinkinghe’sfeedingustotheOFB?”

“I’mnotsayingthat.”

“Thenspititout.”“Yourplanispartially

countingonGeorgiabackingthecoup,andZumadzewon’tevengiveMedzhidsafepassageoutofhisowncountry.”

“Yeah,Iseeyourpoint.ButZumadze’sassavvyasMedzhid;ifthecoupgoesourway,Tbilisiwillwanttobackthewinner.”

•••

BYNOON,havingcoveredhalfthedistancetotheborder,theyreachedChero,avillageperchedonaslopeoverlookingarivergorge.JacksteeredtheGAZthroughthevillage,thendownaswitchbackroadtothebottomofthegorge,wheretheroadleveledandbeganfollowingthecourseof

theriver.ThroughSpellman’shalf-openwindowJackcouldheartherushofwaterspillingoverboulders.Thoughdirectlyoverhead,thesun’sraysdidn’tfullypenetratethegorge,leavingtheroadinpartialtwilight.

TheVelcroflapbehindtheseattoreopenandSeth’sheadappearedinthesquareopening.“Webetterpickupthepaceorwewon’tmake

Yuzhnobynightfall.”“Anyfasterandwe’llgo

intotheriver,”Spellmananswered.“Jack’sdoingfine.”

“Wewon’tbeifwegetstuckouthere.Pickupthepace,Jack.”

Sethdisappearedandtheflapclosed.

•••

“WHOA,”Spellmancalled,asJackroundedacorner.“Slowitdown,Jack.”

“Iseeit.”Jackslowedtoastop,the

truck’sbrakesechoingoffthegorge’swalls.

AheadapairofUAZjeepscoveredinwhatlookedlikeimprovisedspray-paintcamouflagesatastridetheroad.Theywerestaggered,oneaheadoftheother,to

lessenthechanceofavehicle’srammingitswaythroughtheroadblock.Jackcountedsixmen,allbearded,fourstandingbeforethevehiclesandonebehindeachone’swheel.TheywereallarmedwithAKs.

“TheOFB?”Ysabelmuttered.

“He’dbetterassumeso,”Jackreplied.

Heglancedinhisside

mirror,studyingtheroadbehindthem.Thoughthey’dpassednoturnoffssinceenteringthegorge,abracketambushwasthesmartmove.Theroadwasempty.HowfasthecoulddrivetheGAZinreversewhilebeingpursuedhedidn’tknow.

Seth’sheadpokedthroughthecanvasopening.“Whyarewestopping—Ah,shit.”

“Sittightandkeepquiet,”Jacktoldhim.

“I’lltalktothem,”Spellmansaid,andreachedforthedoorhandle.

“Badidea,Matt.”“Bettertostartout

friendly.”Ysabelasked,“Doyou

speak—”“Ossete?No,butI’vegot

Farsi,andthey’reclose.AndIlookthepart.”

“Barely,”Ysabelremarked.

“Canyoutwocoverme?”“Staywithinsprinting

distance,”saidJack.LeavinghisAKonthe

truck’sfloorboard,Spellmanclimbedout.Jackdidthesame,butproppedhisweaponmuzzle-firstontherunningboard.

“Showthemyourhands.Anddon’tsmile.”

Jackraisedhishandsandtookastepawayfromthedoor.

InFarsi,SpellmancalledtothegroupandthenstrodeforwardafewpacesandintoJack’ssightline.

That’sfarenough,Matt.Themendidn’trespond.

Spellmancalledoutagain.Themanstandingatthe

frontofthegroupanswered,histoneaggressive.

“Hesaystheroadisclosed.Itoldhimwe’reRedCrescent.Hedoesn’tgiveashit.”

“Tellhimwe’recarryingmedicineforthekidsinIbtsokhi.”

Spellmandidso,butgotthesamebitingreply.

“Hedoesn’tgiveashitaboutthat,either.”

SuddenlythemanpointedhisAKskywardand

letoffashortburst.HeshoutedatSpellman,gesturingwildly.

Spellmanbeganbackingtowardthetruck.Jackwaiteduntilhewasinthepassengerseat,thenclimbedin.ThroughthewindshieldhecouldseetheOFBleaderglaringatthem.

“Whatnow?”askedYsabel.

“Wefindanotherway.”

ThroughthecanvasdividerMedzhidsaid,“Outofthequestion.Theonlyotherroutewillcostusafullday.IfI’mnotbackinMakhachkalabymorning,theAlmakstorywillbeoutofmycontrol.Look,thereareonlysixofthemandsevenofus.”

Jackturnedtohim.“Andwe’reontheirhometurf,stuckonanarrowroadwithnowheretogo.”

“Ramthem.”“We’dnevermakeit—”Spellmanshouted,

“They’removing!”Jackturnedbackaround

andsawtheOFBmenpilingintothejeeps.Theleadonestartedspeedingtowardthem,theotheroneclosebehind.

Jackjammedtheshifterintoreverseandhitthegaspedal.TheGAZlurched,thenbeganbackingdowntheroad.

Inthedustkickedupbythereartireshecouldseelittlemorethantherockwallflashingbyonhisleft.

“You’reontheshoulder,”Spellmanshouted.

Heturnedthewheelright.Thetruckswervedtowardtherocksandheadjustedagain.

“They’recatchingup,”Ysabelcalled.

“Matt,whenweget

aroundthenextcorner,youandIaregettingout.Ysabel,you’redriving.Justkeepbackingitupandkeepyourheaddown.”

WhentheGAZswungaroundthebend,Jackslammedonthebrakes,shifteditintopark.HeandSpellmanjumpedoutwiththeirAKs.Jack’sbadlegbuckledslightlyandhestumbled,thenregainedhis

balance.“Go,Ysabel!”he

shouted.Thegearscrunchedand

thentheGAZstartedreversing.

Theleadjeepcamearoundthecurve.JackandSpellmanopenedup,stitchingthevehicleacrossthehoodandwindshield.Thejeepfishtailedsideways,overcorrected,thenvaulted

overtheshoulderbermandslammedintoaboulderjuttingfromtheriver.Thewindshieldshatteredoutwardandapairofmensliddownthehoodandintothewater.Themaninthebackseatwasn’tmoving.

Jack,whohadbeentrackingthejeepwithhismuzzleandpouringfireintothedoor,stoppedandturnedback.Thesecondjeep

skiddedaroundthecorner.Itspedup,bearingdownonSpellman,whostoodinthemiddleoftheroad,firing.JackraisedhisAK,readytofire,butthejeepveeredleft,puttingitselfbetweenhimandSpellman.ThesidemirrorcaughtSpellmaninthesideandhestumbledback,bouncedoffthegorgewall,thenslidtotheground.

Thejeepturnedthenext

corneranddisappeared.“Spellman?”Jackcalled.“I’mgood.Go!”Jackstartedrunningas

fastashisbadlegwouldallow.AsheapproachedthebendheheardthechatterofAKfire,thenthewrenchingofsteelonsteel.Heroundedthecorner.FiftyfeetawaythejeepandGAZwerealmostbumpertobumper,thetruckstillbackingup.Its

windshieldwaspockedwithbulletstrikes,soJackcouldn’tseeYsabel.OneoftheOFBfightersleanedoutthejeep’ssidewindowandstartedfiringintothetruck’sgrille.Steambillowedfromthehood.

Jackdroppedtooneknee,switchedtheAKtosemi-auto,thentookaimontheleaningmanandfiredtwice.Themanwentlimp

andfoldedsidewaysatthewaist,hisheadbumpingovertheground.Jackadjustedaimandputthreeroundsintothejeep’srearwindow.Chunksoftheglassdisintegrated.Ariflebarrelpokedthroughoneofthegaps.Jacksawasilhouettedhead.Hefiredtwiceandtheheaddisappearedinahazeofbloodspray.

TheGAZslewed

sideways.Itsbackendvaultedovertheshoulder.Thereartireplungedintotheriverandstartedspinning,sendingupaplumeofwater.

Jackstood,startedrunningagain,theAKtuckedintohisshoulder,firingasheclosedthegap.Thedriver’sdoorswungopenandamanclimbedout,strugglingtoclearthemuzzleandbringittobearonJack.Jackstopped,

shothiminthechest,thenasecondtimeashewentdown.

TheGAZ’senginesputteredtoastop,leavingonlythehigh-pitchedhumofthejeep’smotor.

Behindhim,heheardSpellmanjogup.

“Let’sclearit,”Jacksaid.Theystalkedforward,

AKsraised.Whentheyweretenfeetfromthejeep’srearbumperSethwalkeddown

thesideoftheGAZ.Hestrodeuptothejeep,stuckthebarrelofhisAKthroughthewindow,andfiredashortburst,followedbytwomore.Heejectedthemagazine,slammedanotherintothereceiver,thenleaneddownandpeeredinside.

“They’redone,”heannounced.“Comeon,let’sgetmoving.”

“Fuckin’hell,”Spellman

murmured.

•••

ITWASSHORTLYafterteno’clockwhentheypulleduptothespotlightedYuzhnobordercheckpoint.Jackbrakedthetrucktoastop,putitinpark,butlefttheenginerunning.Hewasworrieditwouldn’tstartagain.

Beforethecheckpoint’s

drop-gatestoodfourmeninDagestanipolitsiyauniforms.Ontheothersideofthegateanarmoredpersonnelcarrierblockedtheroad.Its14.5-millimetercannonwaspointingintheGAZ’sdirection.

“That’snotveryfriendly,”Ysabelmurmured.

Afterthefirefight,ithadtakenthebetterpartoftwohoursbeforetheywereback

ontheroad,thefirsttenminutesofwhichinvolvedJackandSpellmanjumpingdownonthejeep’shooduntilitsbumpertorefreeoftheGAZ’s.Oncedone,theymanhandledthetruck’sreartirebackontotheshoulder,thenJack,Seth,Ysabel,andSpellmanstoodguardasMedzhid’sbodyguardswentaboutfixingtheGAZ’sengine.Whilethetruck’s

combat-constructedgrillehadabsorbedmostoftheAKrounds,theradiatorhoseswerenickedinadozenplaces.Afterexpendinganentirerollofducttapeandaspoolofbalingwire,theyweremovingagain.

“Iwillhandlethis,”Medzhidsaidthroughthecanvasdivider.

Hehoppeddownfromthetailgate,thenstrodetothe

checkpoint.Themensaluted

Medzhid,thenMedzhidtookoneofthemasideandstartedtalking.AfterafewminutestheyshookhandsandMedzhidwalkedtotheGAZ’spassengerwindowandsteppedontotherunningboard.

“ThesergeanthasheardnothingmoreabouttheAlmakstory.Hewilltellno

onewecrossed.Withluck,wewillbeinMakhachkalabeforemorning.”

•••

WHENTHEYREACHEDBUYNAKSK,thirtymilessoutheastofthecapital,Jackpulledoffthehighwayandintoavacantlotacrossfromagasstation;itsfluorescentlightshummedinthedarkness.

Jackshutofftheengine,jumpeddownfromthecab,andwalkedaroundtothetailgate.

“What’sgoingon?”Sethasked.

“Thisiswherewepartways.”

“What’reyoutalkingabout?Who’s‘we’?”

JacksaidtoMedzhid,“Doyouthinkyoucanarrangeacarforus?”

“Thatisnoproblem,Jack,butfirstanswerSeth’squestion.”

“WehavealeadonPechkin,amannamedDobromirinKhasavyurt.Ifitpansout,wemightbeabletogetPechkinoffthefield.Withhimoutoftheway,youroddsimprove.”

“Whatlead?”askedSpellman.“Whendidyougetit?”

“Don’tworryaboutit,”Jackreplied,withwhathehopedwasareassuringsmile.“Thisshouldn’ttakeusmorethanaday,twoatthemost.We’llfindyouwhenwe’redone.”

“Letmesendsomemenwithyou,”Medzhidsaid.

“Youneedthemmorethanwedo.”

“Notnecessarilyuntrue,I’mafraid.TheKhasavyurt

districtisn’tfullyundermycontrol.Thecommanderthere,MajorUmarov,isChechen.Isuspecthe’snotquiteconvincedI’maspoliticallytolerantasIclaim.”

Jackreadbetweenthelines:IfheandYsabelgotintotroubleinKhasavyurttheycouldexpectneitherhelpnoracknowledgmentfromMedzhid.ForDagestan’s

chiefofpolitsiyatobeassociatedwithajailedAmericanandanIraniancitizenontheeveofthecoupwouldbedisastrous.AndaccordingtoGavin,socorruptwasthegovernmentofKhasavyurtthatitslastmayorhadbeenoustedforaidingterrorism.

Ofcourse,thiswasonlypartoftheirproblem.InthepastthreeyearsKhasavyurt

hadseensevenbombingsandtwocross-borderraidsfromChechenterrorists.Inall,ninety-twoKhasavyurtcitizenshaddied.

Spellmanasked,“Isthisworththetrip,Jack?”

“Ithinkitis.”“Okay,”saidSeth,“go

runyourerrand,thengetyourasstoMakhachkala.Wemayhavetopullthetriggersoonerthanwe’dplanned.”

CKhasavyurt

ROSS-COUNTRY,thedistancefromBuynakskto

Khasavyurtwasonlysixty-fivekilometers,butDagestan’shighwaysystem

beingwhatitwas,JackandYsabelfoundthemselvesfollowingtheGAZeasttowardthecapitalbeforetheycouldturnnorthfortheremainingeightykilometersofthejourney.

Itwaseighta.m.beforetheyreachedthecityandwereimmediatelygreetedbysignsofthemostrecentbombingattack,asix-acrepatchbesidethehighwaythat

waspiledhighwiththeremainsofanapartmentblock.

“That’swhatfourhundredpoundsofexplosivescando,”Jackremarked.

“Howmanydied?”askedYsabel.

“Justworkers,fortyofthem.Theapartmenthadn’topenedyet.”

“Thankgoodnessforthat.”

•••

DESPITEITSBLOODYrecenthistory,theyfoundthecityquietandseeminglynormal.Peoplestartingtheirdaystoodonsidewalks,chattingandlaughingastheywaitedforbuses.Alongthemainroad,Shamilya,shopsandmarketswereopeningfortheday,ownershosingdownand

sweepingthepavementandsettingoutdisplays.

Jackstoppedatagasstation.Ashetoppedoffthecar’stank,Ysabelwentinsideandboughtatwo-pagetouristbrochureandmapofthecity;reliableonlineversionswerenonexistent.

OncetheywerebackontheroadYsabelgaveJackdirections,whichtookthemacrosstheYaryksuRiver,

whichinsidethecitywasfunneledintoaconcrete-sidedcanal.Overthebridgerailingthewaterwasbrownandsluggishwithspringsilt.

“Cotton,fruitcanning,andwrestlers,”Ysabelsaid,readingfromthebrochure.“ThoseareKhasavyurt’sclaimstofame.”

“Wrestlers?”“SixOlympians.Don’t

pickanyfights,Jack.”

“Noted.”Acrosstheriverthey

turnedleft,thenleftagainontoafrontageroadoverlookingthecanal.Ontheirrightwasablockoftall,narrowhouseswithredtileroofs;fromeachonesproutedasatelliteTVdish.EachhomewasseparatedbyanalleynowiderthanJack’sshoulders.

“Itshouldbeuphere,in

themiddleoftheblock.Number4215.”

Jackdrovepastthehouse,thenpulledtothecurb.

“Howdoyouwanttodothis?”askedYsabel.

ThisquestionhadbeenonJack’smind.Theydidn’thavethetimeitwouldtaketotailDobromirandlearnhiscomingsandgoings.Jackhaddecidedonthedirectapproach.

“We’llletHelendothetalking,”hesaid,thenopenedhisdoor.

TheywalkedbackdowntheblocktoDobromir’shouse.Jackpushedthebuzzer.Inside,adogstartedbarking;itsoundedbig.Thedooropened,revealingabaldmanwithabroadface.Besidethemanwasadogwiththick,shaggyfurandabluntsnout.Itgrowled.The

manmadeaclickingsoundwithhistongueandthedogturnedandtrottedaway.

Jacksaid,“Vygavaritepaangliyski?”

“Yes,IspeakEnglish.”“Helensentus.”“Idonotknowany

Helen.”Jackpressedplayonhis

phoneandhelditbeforetheman’sface.

Helen’svoicecameover

thespeaker.“Dobo,mylove,I’mafraidthejobdidnotgoasplanned.Thisman’snameisJack.Itoldhimyouwouldhelphim—”

Jackshutoffthevideo.Dobromirasked,“She

lookedill.Whatdidyoudotoher?”

“It’salongstory.Maywecomein?”

Dobromirhesitatedforamoment,thensteppedaside

andletthemthroughintoacrampedfoyercoveredinpeelingredstick-ontile.Dobromirclickedshutthedoor’sdeadbolt,thendidthesametoasecondandthirdoneatthetopandbottom.Thedoorwassteel.

“Come,”hesaid,thenheadeddownthehallway.

YsabelwhisperedtoJack,“Didyouknowtheywereinvolved?”

Jacknodded.“What’swiththedoor?”“Costofdoingbusiness,I

guess.”TheyfollowedDobromir

toaroomlinedwithoverflowingbookshelves.Fromwalltowallthespacewasnomorethantwelvefeet;fromfronttoback,thirtyfeet.AsemicircleofthreeLCDcomputermonitorssatonadeskagainstthewall.

Dobromirgesturedforthemtositonthecouch.

“Letmeseethevideo,”hesaid.

Jackcueditupagain,thenhandedhimthephone.Holdingitclosetohisface,Dobromirhitplay.

“Dobo,mylove...”AsHelencontinued

speaking,JackkepthiseyesonDobromir’sface.Ifthiswasgoingtogobad,itwould

happeninthenextthirtyseconds.

WhenHelennearedtheendofthemessage,Dobromir’seyebrowsnarrowed.“Themanthatisshowingyouthis,Jack,shotme.ButIdonotblamehimandneithershouldyou.Hecametorescuethegirlandhewasdefendingher.ThemannamedRasulovhadorderedmetodoterriblethingsto

her.Romakilledtheboyandhewouldhavedonethesametoher.Iwouldnothavelethim,butJackdidnotknowthis.Iwantyoutohelphim.Dobo,youwillalwaysbemyoneandonly—”

Dobromirshutoffthevideo.HehandedthephonebacktoJack.Hisfacewashard,hiseyescold.

“Iwantacopyofthat.”“Sure.You’retakingthis

verywell.”“Shedidnotblameyou,

soIdonotblameyou.Shewasalwaystheboss,mylittleHelen.Andmysmarterhalf.”

“We’resorryforyourloss,”Ysabelsaid,hereyesbrimmingwithtears.

“Itcomeswiththejob.Weknewthat.Ihadnotheardfromherinacoupleofdays.Iwasafraidsomethinghadgonewrong.Tellmethis

much:Didshesuffer?Thetruth.”

“Shewasinshock,sonotverymuch.”

“Whereisherbody?”“Weburiedherbythe

ocean.”“Good.”Ysabelasked,“Wereyou

twomarried?”“No,Helendidnot

believeinit.Paperisn’tlove,shealwayssaid.So,Jack:I

assumeyouwanttofindFaridRasulov?”

“HisrealnameisOlegPechkin.He’swithRussianintelligence.”

“Motherlesswhores,”Dobromirmuttered.“Tellmewhathelookslike.”JackgavehimthedescriptionSethhadprovided.Dobromirshookhishead.“ThatisnotthemanImet.True,hewasHelen’spointofcontact,butI

nevermethim.Ishouldhave.”

“Youusuallymeetpeoplethathireyou?”Ysabelsaidwithsurprise.

“Iftheyareunwillingtomeetface-to-face,theyarenotforus.AndIonlytakeacontractafterIhavedonemyhomework.IneversentHelenonajobblind.”

“Whoapproachedyouwiththecontract?”

“HesaidhisnamewasAshworth,”Dobromirreplied.“HewasBritish.”

“Describehim.”“Short,withbrownhair,

goingbald.”RaymondWellesley,Jack

thought.ApparentlytheSISmanwasn’tabovegettinghishandsabitdirty.ThoughbothheandPechkinwerebehindAminat’skidnapping,they’dcompartmentalized

theirinvolvement,oneofthemarrangingthecontract,theotherinterfacingwithHelen.

“Thiswasneveraransomjob,wasit?”Dobromirsaid.

“Itwasaboutleverage.Theyweretryingtogetthegirl’sfathertocooperatewithsomethinghedidn’twanttodo.”

DobromiracceptedJack’svagueexplanationwith

anod.“Badbusiness.Ofcourse,IknowAshworthisnottheman’srealname,butIcouldfindnothingelseabouthim.Icangiveyouboththeirnumbers,though,andanaddressinMakhachkala.It’sanapartmentbuildingIfollowedAshworthto.Hedidmakeiteasy.Icouldnotseewhichroomhewentinto.”

“Wheredidyoutwomeet?”

“AtarestaurantonNabetskyStreet.”

“Howfarawayfromtheaddressyou’vegot?”

“Fourblocks.”Thiscouldbesomething,

Jackknew.ThoughWellesleywasanoldespionagehand,itwashumannaturetoeatandshopclosetohome,regardlessofwhetherthestayisfortheshortorlongterm.PerhapsWellesleywassmug

enoughtohavesetupapermanentbaseofoperationsinMakhachkala.WheretheyfoundWellesleytheywouldprobablyfindPechkin.

Dobromirwalkedtohisdesk,toreasheetfromanotepad,jotteddowntheinformation,andhandedittoJack.Heglancedatthetwophonenumbers:BothhadMakhachkalalandlineprefixes.Hecommittedthem

tomemory.“IsthereanythingelseI

candotohelp?”Dobromirasked.

Jackwantedtosay,“Quittheabductionracket,”butdidn’t.Toosoon.PerhapsHelen’sdeathwouldbeenoughforDobromirtoconsiderretirement.ThoughheandHelenhadneverharmedahostage,itwasstillanuglybusiness.

“Maybe,”Jackreplied.“IfIask,willyoumakecontactwithPechkin?”

“Andsaywhat?”“Idon’tknowyet.Ihave

tothinkaboutit.”“Iwilldoyouthatfavor

ifyoudooneforme:BringeitherPechkinorAshworthtome.Bothwouldbepreferable,butIwillsettleforone.”

“Ican’tpromisethat.”

AbuzzersoundedfromoneofDobromir’scomputers.“Perimeteralarm,”hesaid,thenleanedoverthemiddlemonitor.“Someone’shere,atthebackdoor.Wereyoufollowed?”

“No.”Dobromirtappedonhis

keyboardandavideofeedappearedonthemonitor’sscreen.Jackcouldseeapairofuniformedmenstanding

beforethedoor,theirfacesdistortedbythefisheyelens.

“Politsiya,”Dobromirsaid.“Thiscannotbeacoincidence.”

“Wedidn’tbringthem,”Jackreplied.

“Ibelieveyou.Perhapstheywillgoaway.”

Oneoftheofficersturnedandgesturedtosomeoneoffcamera.Amomentlateramancameintoviewcarrying

ahandheldbatteringram.Theothertwosteppedawayandthemanswungtherambackward.

Fromthebackdoorcameamuffledthumpofsteelonsteel.

Dobromirturnedandsaidtothemwithagrimsmile,“Itseemstheyarenotgoingaway.Youtwoneedtogo.Thisway.”

Heledthemthroughan

archedopeningbetweentwobookcases,thenleftdownanothershorthallway.Atitsend,thebackdoorbuckledinward.Thedoorjambsplinteredandchunksofplasterdroppedtothefloor.Withoutpausing,Dobromirkeptgoing,thenturnedleftagainontoawindingstaircase.Atthetopwasasmallbedroomcontainingatrundlebed,anightstand,and

asmallwritingdesk.Fixedtothenearestwallwasashortladder.

Downstairs,therampoundedintothedooragain.

“Gothroughthehatch,”Dobromirsaid.“Itwillleadyoutotheroof.Gonow!”

“Whataboutyou?”askedYsabel.

“Theywillsearch,findnothing,thentakemetothestationandaskquestions.I

willbehomebysuppertime.Donotgobacktoyourcar.Takemine.”HedugintohispocketandhandedJackakeyring.“It’sablueVolgatwoblockswestofhere.”

“Thanks,”Jacksaid.“I’llbeexpectingyour

call.”Dobromirheadedback

downthestairs.Theblowsfromtheramwerecomingfasternow,oneeverytwo

seconds.“Uptheladder,”Jacktold

Ysabel.Sheclimbedtothetop,

slidfreethelockingbolt,thenopenedthehatch.Sunlightstreamedthrough.

Jackheardacrash,thenabangasthesteeldoorslammedopenagainstthewall.Helookeddownthestairs.

Inrapid-fireRussianthe

policestartedbarkingorders.Overthetumult,JackcouldhearDobromirtryingtoanswer,hisvoicesoothing,cooperative.

Ysabelrasped,“Jack,comeon!”

Dobromirappearedonthesteps,backingup,hishandsraised.Themuzzleofapistolwasalmosttouchinghisnose.Thecopholdingitcamearoundthecorner,

lookedup,sawJack,andshouted,“Stoj!”

Dobromirwrappedthemaninabearhugandtheybeganbouncingagainstthewalls.“Go!”heshouted.

Jackputhishandontheladderrung.

Theroarofagunshotfilledthestairwell.JacklookedbackandsawDobromirlyingonthestairswithabulletholeinhis

sternum.ThecopraisedhisgunandtookaimonJack.“Stoj...stoj!”

Jackdodgedleft,grabbedthelegofthenightstand,andswungitaroundthecorneranddownthestairs.Heheardthesmackofwoodagainstflesh,followedbythesoundofthecoptumblingdownthestairs.

Hescrambleduptheladderandoutthehatch,then

leanedbackinandgrabbedthelockingbolt.YsabelslammedthehatchshutandJackslidtheboltintothelatch.Whiletheboltwasasthickashisthumb,thehatchwasmadeofsheetmetal.Itwouldn’tholdforverylong.

W HICHWAY?”Ysabelasked,gaspingfor

breath.Jackturnedinacircle,

tryingtoorienthimself.Tohislefthesawtheconcretewallofthecanal.Thatwas

east.HeturnedandranfortheotheredgeoftheroofwithYsabelclosebehind.

HeskiddedtoastopandpeekedovertheeavesanddownintothealleywaythatseparatedDobromir’shousefromhisneighbors’.Clotheslinescrisscrossedthegapsothicklythattheylookedlikeafishingnet.Thebottomofthealleywaslostinshadow.

Jackbackedupafewsteps,thenleapttothenextroof.Ysabeldidthesameandtheykeptrunning,dodgingchimneyvents,low-hangingwires,andsatellite-dishrisersuntiltheyreachedthelastroofontheblock.

Tothewest,Jackheardsirensapproaching,growinglouderastheyconvergedonDobromir’shouse.

Ysabelsaid,“Here,

Jack.”Shewaskneelingbeside

thecurvedrailingofthefire-escapeladder.Hewalkedover.DirectlybelowthemwasablueVolga—Dobromir’s,Jackassumed.They’dsoonknow.

Apolicecar,itslightsandsirenoff,roundedthecornerattheotherendoftheblockandheadedtowardthecanal.JackandYsabelpulled

awayfromtheedgeuntiltheyheardtheenginefadeintothedistance.

“There’snopointinwaiting,”Ysabelsaid,thenstarteddowntheladder.

Atthebottomtheystoodinthealleyafewfeetbehindtheentrance.

JackwalkedovertotheVolgaandtriedthekeyinthelock.Itworked.“We’regood,comeon.”

Theygotin.Jackstartedthecarandtheypulledaway.

•••

THEYHADLEFTtheirmapintheirowncar,soJackhadonlyhisvaguerecollectionofKhasavyurt’slayouttogoon.Heheadeddirectlywest,drivingjustunderthespeedlimit,slowlybutsteadilyputtingdistancebetweenthemand

Dobromir’shouse.Ysabelsatcrouchedonthepassenger-sidefloorboard.

“They’relookingforamanandawoman,”sheexplained.“Doyouthinktheyknowaboutthiscar?”

“JudgingbyDobromir’ssecurityprecautionsatthehouse,I’dsayno.We’llfindout.”

“Thatpoorman,”Ysabelwhispered.

•••

WITHEACHMILEtheycovered,Jackbreathedalittleeasier,untilfinallytheyclearedthecitylimitsandheadedintofarmcountry.Bothsidesoftheroadwerelinedwithmilesofapplegroves.HereandthereJacksawfarmworkerssprayingthetrees,manyofwhichwerealreadyshowingtinywhite

blooms.“Youcansitupnow,”

Jacksaid.Ysabeldidsoand

buckledherseatbelt.Theypassedawhite-on-

bluesignwithCyrilliclettering.Besidethelabelwasanarrowpointingstraightahead.Besidethearrowwasagreen,white,andredflag.

“That’stheChechenflag,Jack,”saidYsabel.“We

reallydon’twanttogothere.”Jackchuckled.

“Understatementoftheyear.”Anothermilebrought

themtoanintersection.Heturnedleftandtheydroveforanothertenmilesbeforereachingthenexttown.TheVolga’sgasgaugeneedlewasonE.Jackfoundagasstation.Ysabelwentinside,thenemergedwithamap.Jackfinishedfillingup,then

climbedbehindthewheel.“Look,Englishcaptions,”

Ysabelsaid,themapopenagainstthedashboard.“Accordingtothis,we’reinLeninaul.”

“HowfartoMakhachkala?”

“Abouttwohundredkilometers.So,ahundredtwentymiles.Ican’ttellhowgoodtheseroadsare,though.”

“Ysabel,there’ssomethingweneedtotalk—”

Outhiswindow,Jacksawapolicecardrivepastthegasstation.

“Company,”Jacksaid.Thecarstoppedinthe

middleoftheroad,swungrightontotheshoulder,didaU-turn,thenheadedbackintheirdirection.

“Shouldwerun?”askedYsabel.

“Wewouldn’tgetfar.Stayhereanddowhattheytellyou.YournameisJulieSmith.Givemeyourwallet.”

ShehandeditoverandJackgotoutofthecar.

“You’renotleavingme,are—”

“I’llberightback.”Jackwalkedintothe

station.Heaskedthefemaleclerkbehindthecounter,“Gdenaxoditsatualet?”

Shepointeddownashorthall.Attheendofitontherightwasthebathroom;nexttothiswasthestation’sbackdoor.Jackopenedit,steppedoutside,thenlookedaround.Therewasnothing:nogarbage,nodebris.Hepulledouthispassportandwallet,tossedthemontotheroof,thenwentintothebathroomandshutthedoor.Heturnedonthewaterandwaited.

HeheardavoiceshoutinginRussian,thentheclerk’sagitatedreply.

Jackopenedthebathroomdoorandsteppedout.Acopwasstalkingtowardhim,gundrawnandshouting,“Rukivverh!...Rukivverh!”Handsup!...Handsup!

Jackraisedthem.

•••

OUTSIDE,thelonepolicecarhadbeenjoinedbytwomore,allofthemarrayedinacrescentfacingthestation’sfrontdoor.OneoftheofficershadYsabelshovedagainstthesideoftheVolga,herhandscuffedbehindher.Asecondonewasleaningclosetoher,whispering.

“Areyouokay?”Jackaskedher.

“Yes.”Thesecondcopwalked

uptoJackandinRussiandemandedhisname.Jackshrugged,feigningignorance.

“Name,”themanbarked.“JohnSmith.”“Yourwife,there,yes?”“Yes.”“Comewithus.”

•••

THIRTYMINUTES

LATERtheywerebackinKhasavyurt.JackandYsabelwereledintoatwo-storygraycinder-blockbuildingfrontedbyglasswindowscoveredinwhatlookedlikeanticrimeposters.Oncethroughthedoors,theywereherdedpastthefrontcounter,anareacontainingfourwoodendesks,thenleftdownahallwaywhoserightsidewaslinedwithwindowlessjail

cellswithmint-greenwalls.Theywereusheredinsideandthedoorbangedshut.

“Thiscan’tbegoodforus,”saidYsabel,sittingdownonthebench.“Wheredidyouputourwallets?”

“Thefirstplacethey’llprobablylookafterthetoilet.Weshouldprobablytalkaboutsomething.”

“Youmeanasidefromusbeinginjail?”

“Backathishouse,Dobromirsaidthepoliceshowingupcouldn’tbeacoincidence.He’sright.”

“Well,weknowweweren’tfollowed.”

Jacksaid,“Onlyfivepeopleknewwhereweweregoingandwhowewereseeing.AndtheywereallinthebackoftheGAZ.”

T WOHOURSPASSED.Jackheardtheclickingoffootsteps

comingdownthehall.Alankymanwithatidyblackmustacheappeared,carryingawoodenchair.Verycarefully,heplacedthechair

beforetheirdoorandthensatdown.Inhisrighthandweretheirphones.

“MynameisMajorUmarov,”hesaidindecentEnglish.“IamthepolicecommanderfortheKhasavyurtdistrict.”

Medzhid’suncooperativeunderling,thoughtJack.

HalfexpectingUmarov’snextwordstobe“Wefoundyourwalletsontheroof,”

Jackwasrelievedwhenhesaid,“Tellmeyournames.”

“JohnandJulieSmith,”saidJack.

“Canyouprovethis?”“No.”“Tellmethepasscodeto

yourphones.”WhenJackdidn’trespond,Umarovsaid,“YouarebothAmerican,yes?”

“Yes.”“Doyouknowaman

namedDobromirStavin?”Jackhadexpectedthis

question.“Wejustlefthishouse.Hetoldustorun,soweran.Wedidn’tknowitwasthepolice.”

“Accordingtomycaptain,theyidentifiedthemselvesaspolice.”

“Wedon’tspeakRussian,”saidYsabel.“Weheardbangingonthedoor,thensawtheguns.Wewere

frightened.”Umarovgavethissome

thought,thenshrugged.“Anunderstandablereaction,Isuppose.”

Jackcouldn’ttellwhetherUmarov’ssemi-amiabledispositionwasgenuineorapreludetosomethingalotlesspleasant.NorcouldhebesureUmarovwastheonewho’dbeentippedofftotheirarrivalhere.Whoeverhad

burnedhimandYsabelcouldhavecalledanynumberofsourcesintheKhasavyurtpolitsiya.Onethingwascertain:IfUmarovdislikedMedzhid,theirbeinglinkedtohimwouldworsentheirsituation—perhapsdangerouslyso.

AgainJackchastisedhimselfforsharingwithSethandtheothersDobromir’snameandlocation.

Umarovasked,“Whydothetwoofyouhavenoidentification?”

“Wewererobbedonthewayhere,inGadari.”

“Iamsorrytohearthat.Iwillhavemysergeanttakeareport.Bytheway,IdonotbelieveyourstoryaboutwhathappenedatStavin’shome.”

“Isee,”saidJack.“CaptainOsinclaimsyou

shotMr.Stavinmoments

aftertheygainedentrytothehouse.”

“Wedidn’tdothat,”saidYsabel.

“Hehassworntoit.Hesawyoufiretheweapon,”Umarovreplied,pointingatJack.“Andthegunyouusedwasfoundatthescene.”

“He’slying.”“Thenyouwouldsubmit

toatest,yes?”“Whatkindoftest?”

askedJack.Heknewtheanswer,butwantedtohearitfromUmarov.

“Alead-bariumanalysis.Itwilldeterminewhetheryouhavefiredaweaponrecently.”

Tohiscredit,UmarovatleasthadthescienceofGSRtestingright.Jackshouldn’thavebeensurprised.Crime-scenetelevisionmadethetestlookcomplicatedand

dramatic.Itwasn’t.“Wecanatleastsolve

thatpartofthemystery,”Umarovsaid.“Ifyouareinnocent,there’snodangerintakingthetest.”

Jacksuspectedtheirpermissionwasirrelevant.Damnedifwedo,damnedifwedon’t.“Whowillbedoingthetest?”

“Iwill.”“Goahead,then.”

OnceUmarovwasoutofearshot,Ysabelwhispered,“Jack,whatareyoudoing?ThisisthemanMedzhidtalkedabout.Ifhe—”

“They’llgiveusthetesteitherway.Passorfail,we’llknowwhetherUmarov’shonestornot.Ifheis,thenhiscaptainliedandhe’llknowit.”

“Thatdoesn’tmeanhe’llletusgo.”

“True,”Jackadmitted.“Butatleastwewon’tbechargedwithmurder.”

•••

UMAROVRETURNEDafewminuteslater.Inturnheaskedeachofthemtosticktheirhandsthroughthebars.Umarovswabbedtheirfingers,palms,wrists,andforearms,thenplacedeachswabinitsown

plasticvialhalf-filledwithclearfluid.Withoneineachhand,Umarovshookthevials.Thefluidremainedclear.

“Isthatgoodorbad?”Ysabelasked.

“Foryou,good.ForCaptainOsin...verybad.Pleaseexcusemeforamoment.”

Umarovwalkedout.Fifteenminuteslaterhe

returnedwithtwoofficers,whowerefrog-marchingbetweenthemamaninawhiteT-shirtandboxershorts.Theywalkedhimtotheendofthecorridor,shovedhimintoacell,andshutthedoor.UmarovwalkedbacktoJackandYsabel.

“Isthatyourcaptain?”sheasked.

“Notanylonger.Heis

bad.Dishonest.”“Andamurderer.”“That,too.Itissadit

cametothat.Ishouldhavebeenmorediligent.”HesawYsabel’spuzzledexpression,thensmiled.“Letmeguess:Hereyouareinaremotepolitsiyadistrictwithacommanderanswerabletonooneandsubordinateswhoarecorruptandincompetent.”

“Ididn’tsaythat.”

“Youdidnothaveto.”“You’regoingtoletus

gonow?”“Letyougo?No.Atthe

veryleast,youarewitnesses.Theremaybeatrial,youmayhavetotestify.”

“Thatcouldbeaproblemforus,”Jacksaid.

“Notmyconcern.Evenso,youareforeignerswithnoidentification,founddrivingastolencarafterfleeingthe

sceneofacrime.”Ysabelsaid,“Dobromir

gaveuspermissionto—”“Perhapsso.Butyou

mightfurtherhelpyourcaseifyoutellmeyournames.Iwillgiveyousometimetothink.”

Umarovleft.

•••

JACKAWOKEtothe

soundofshoutingandgrunting.HepushedhimselfuprightandsawCaptainOsinbeingdraggeddownthecorridorbytwopolitsiyaofficers.Theydisappearedaroundthecorner.AdoorslammedandOsin’sshoutswentsilent.

“Whataretheygoingtodowithhim?”

“Tohim,”Jackcorrectedher.“Somethingbad.”

•••

FOURTIMESthroughoutthenightOsinwasdraggedfromhiscell,onlytobereturnedthirtyorfortyminuteslater.EachtimeJacksawnomarksonhisfaceorbody,buttheexhaustionwasetchedintohisface,hiseyeshollowandredandvacant.Thisprocedurecontinued

throughoutthemorning,thenintotheafternoonandevening,untilfinallyOsindidn’treturn.

•••

WITHAGUARDINTOW,MajorUmarovappearedwiththeireveningmeals.Theguardopenedtheircell.Umarovsteppedinside,handedthemtheirtrays,thennoddedforthe

guardtoleave.Umarovsatdownonthe

bench.“Ifyourun—”“Wewon’trun,”Jack

replied,takingabiteofbread.“Doyouhaveanything

youwouldliketosharewithme?”

JackglancedatYsabel,whonodded.Earlierthey’ddiscussedandagreedonthecourseJackwasabouttotake.Thebestlieistheone

closesttothetruth.WhetherJackwouldbediggingthemdeeperintotroubleoroutofit,onlytimewouldtell.

“Ourwalletsareontheroofofthegasstation,”hesaid.

“Thankyoufortellingme.”Umarovchuckled.“Clearlymyofficersneedsomeremedialtraining.”

“MynameisJackRyanandthisisYsabelKashani.

I’mAmericanandshe’sIranian.”

“Interesting.WhywereyouvisitingMr.Stavin,Jack?MayIcallyouJack?”

“Sure.HowwelldoyouknowDobromir?”

“Notverywell.Hehasanumberofparkingtickets,butnothingmore.”

“Doyouknowhisgirlfriend?”

“Helen.I’veheardher

name,butnotmether.Shetravelsforwork,somekindofsales.”

“Shediedafewdaysago,”Jackreplied.“WecametogiveDobromirthenews.”

Umarov’seyesnarrowed.“Isthisthetruth?”

“IthappenedinScotland.Shewasshot.”

Umarovsighed.“That’sverysad.AndforMr.Stavintoknow...”Hiswords

trailedoff.“Howdoyouknowallthis,Jack?”

“HelenandIworkedtogether.”

“YoucouldhavesimplycalledMr.Stavinwiththenews.”

“Sheaskedustocome,”saidYsabel.

“Whydidyoulieaboutyourwalletsbeingstolen?”

“Itoldyou,”shereplied.“Wewereafraid.Wesawa

mankilledinfrontofus.”Umarovnodded

thoughtfully,thenwalkedoutandshutthecelldoorbehindhim.“I’llhavemysergeantgotothegasstation.”

•••

“YOUAPPEARtobetellingthetruth,”Umarovsaidanhourlater.

“Whatnow?”askedJack.

“Well,there’sstillthematterofassaultonapoliceofficer.CaptainOsinclaimsyouthrewachairathim.”

“Itwasanightstand,”Jackreplied.

“AndthenthereisMr.Stavin’scar.You—”

Ysabelsaid,“Itoldyou.We—”

“—didhavehiskeysandthecarwasn’tbrokeninto,sothisisamatterformy

judgment,Isuppose,asistheassault.However,youalsomisrepresentedyourselftoalawenforcementofficer,whichisnosmallmatter.”

Jackasked,“WhatdidOsintellyou?”

“HeadmittedtoshootingMr.Stavin.Hesaiditwasanaccident.”

“Doyoubelievehim?”“I’mnotsureyet.”“What’syourguttell

you?”Umarovthoughtfora

moment.“Basedonhowyoudescribedthescene,IsuspectheshotStavinonpurpose.”

“Asordered,”addedJack.“Didhesaywhyhewenttothehouse?”

“Youaskalotofquestions.”

“Tenminutesafterweshowuptotellthemanhiswifehasbeenkilled,you

guysshowupand—”“Notus.CaptainOsin.”“Right,sorry.Osinshows

upandDobromir’sdead.Answermyquestion,please.”

“Stillnoneofyourbusiness.”

Jackwasdowntohislastcard.EvenifUmarovreleasedthem,theywouldbereturningtoMakhachkalanotknowingwhichofthefivehadbetrayedthem.Hemight

beabletokilltwobirdswithonestone.Hesaid,“CallMinisterRebazMedzhidandgivehimournames.”

“Pardonme?”“Talktohimandnoone

else.Tellhimwhywe’reunderarrest.”

“Somanydemands,Jack.Youdoknowyouareinjail,don’tyou?”

“Please,Major,”Ysabelsaidsweetly.

•••

UMAROVRETURNEDtenminuteslater.“Theministerhasconfirmedheknowsyou,butrefusedtosayhow.Thattroublesme.”

“Becauseyoudon’tlikehispolitics,”saidYsabel.

“Politics?”Umarovrepliedwithsurprise.“Whotoldyouthat?”

“Hedid.”

“Thentheministerdoesnotknowmeatall.Icarenothingforpolitics,orpoliticians,forthatmatter—orethnicity,ifthatiswhatheisimplying.Ofcourse,that’sirrelevant.Heismysuperior.Thereisnothingelse.HedidnotseemhappywhenItoldhimyournames.”

“I’llbet,”saidJack.“Hetoldmetogiveyou

myfullcooperation.First,

however,youwillanswersomeofmyquestions.DidMinisterMedzhidsendyouhere?”

“No.”“Isheillegallyconnected

inanywaywithDobromirStavin?”

“No.”“Didthepurposeofyour

triphereinvolveanyillegalactivity?”

Jackfeltasthough

Umarovwasgoingthroughachecklistlabeled“Arrest/Don’tArrest.”Hedecideditwouldbebestifherespondedinkind.

“No,”hereplied.“Finally,areyouon

Dagestanisoilasagentsrepresentingaforeigngovernment?”

“No.”Umarovpaused,

scratchedhishead.“Ibelieve

you.So,whatareyourquestions?”

“Thesameoneasbefore:WhydidOsingotoDobromir’shouse?”

“HesaysthatsixhoursbeforetheraidhegotacallfromananonymoussourceclaimingtherewasacacheofexplosivesinMr.Stavin’shome.Heputtheaddressundersurveillance,andwhenyouarrived,hemovedin.”

“Goon.”“Thecallcamefroma

telephonenumberinMakhachkala.”

“Whatkind,cellorlandline?”

“Landline.”UmarovreciteditforJack.

ItwasthesameasHelen’sdirectlinetoPechkin.

Umarovcontinued,“Hewastoldtoapprehendand

holdanyonehefoundinthehouseandthencalltheMakhachkalanumberback.”

“Holdusforwhom?”askedYsabel.“Didhegiveyouaname?”

“No.Hemightstill,butthenagainhemightnotevenhaveone.”

“Didhemakethatcall?”“Notaccordingtohis

phone’shistory,”repliedUmarov,“andhewouldn’tbe

stupidenoughtouseapolitsiyaphone.”

“Didhesaywhyhedidallthis?WhyhekilledDobromir?”askedYsabel.

“Myguessismoney.Osin’scarandapartmentaretooniceforacaptain’ssalary.”

“Washeworkingwithanyofyourotherpolitsiya?”

“No—andthatmuchIamconfidentof.”

“So,”Jacksaid,“wheredoesthisleaveus?”

“ItleavesmefacingdozensofhoursofpaperworkandaninternalinvestigationthatI’llhavetosubmittoMinisterMedzhid.Asforyoutwo,youarefreetogo.”

UBuynaksk

NSURPRISINGLY,Umarovhadrefusedtorelease

Dobromir’sVolgatothem,buthewaskindenoughtogivethemarideto

Khasavyurt’sonlyrental-caragency,wheretheyrenteda1992Opel,whichgotthembacktoBuynakskshortlyaftermidnight.JackdrovearounduntilhefoundamotelwithwirelessInternet,thengotthemaroom.Hewasn’tyetreadytogointoMakhachkala,notuntiltheycouldsortfriendfromfoe—oratleasthadaplantodothat.

WhileYsabelwenttoshower,hecalledHendleyandgotGerryandJohnClarkontheline.HerecountedtheirvisitwithDobromir,thepoliceraid,andtheirbriefimprisonment.

“Well,thetip-offsureashelldidn’tcomefromourend,”saidJohnClark.“SounlessthisDobromirguyburnedyou—”

“Hedidn’t.”

“OrhedidanditbackfiredandthenOsinkilledhimbyaccident.”

“Idon’tthinkso.”“Then,yeah,it’sgottabe

Medzhid,Seth,orSpellman.”“OroneofMedzhid’s

bodyguards,”saidGerry.“Doyouhavetheirnames?”

“JustVasimandAnton,nosurnames.Actually,IthinkwecancrossMedzhidoffourlist.Hecouldhave

orderedUmarovtoholdus,orworse.Hedidn’t.”

“Youmightberight,butthat’snotproofpositive,”saidClark.“MedzhidmaywantyouinMakhachkala.”

“John,he’sgotmoretolosethananyoneelse.”

“Yougottastopthinkinglogicallyaboutthis,”saidGerry.“AmanlikeMedzhiddoesn’tgettowhereheisbybeingtransparent.Hiskind

alwayshaveagendaswithinagendas.”

AthoughtsuddenlyoccurredtoJack:MedzhidhadleftAminatintheFourSeasonsBakuundertheprotectionoftwobodyguards.

“I’llcallyourightback,”hesaid.

Hedisconnected,lookedupthehotel’snumber,thendialedit.Whentheoperatoranswered,heaskedforthe

penthousesuite.Afterthetenthringtheoperatorcamebackontheline.“Myapologies,sir.Iactuallyshowthoseguestsascheckedout.”

“When?”“Latelastnight.”Jackhungupandcalled

Hendleyback.“Aminat’sgone.”

“Don’thitthepanicbutton,Jack,”Clarksaid.“Medzhidmighthavemoved

her.”“Man,Ihatethisshit,”

Jacksaid.“IcanseewhySeth’sdadlostit.”

Gavinsaid,“IheardbythetimehediedKimPhilbywaseatinghisownhairanddressingupasNapoleon.”

“Urbanlegend,”Gerrysaid.“Jack,youdon’thavetolikeit,youjusthavetodoit.”

Clarkreplied,“HijackingaNavySEALaphorism,

boss?I’msurprisedatyou.”Jacksaid,“Focus,guys.

Gavin,I’vegotacoupletelephonenumbersIwantyoutorundown:thecontactnumberDobromirhadforPechkinandtheoneCaptainOsinwassupposedtocallaftertheraid.”

“Willdo.”Clarksaid,“Jack,first

thingsfirst:Forthetimebeing,youhavetoforget

aboutAminat.”“Easiersaidthandone.”“Eveniftheytookher

again,she’sjustasymptom.Youneedtofindthedisease.”

Findoutwho’snotwhattheyclaimtobe,Jackthought.

•••

THEYLEFTBUYNAKSKthenextmorningforthehour-longdriveinto

Makhachkala.Tenmilesoutsidethe

capital,Jacksawthroughthewindshieldathincolumnofsmokerisingfromthecitycenter.

“Oh,no,”Ysabelsaid.“Hasitstartedalready?”

JackpulledontotheshoulderandtextedGavin:FIRESINMAKHACHKALA.NEWS?

Hisphonerangaminutelater.ItwasClark.“Wewere

justgoingtocallyou.BBCisreportingmobsinthestreet.Hundredsofthem,maybemore.”

“Seth’spulledthetriggerearly.”

“No,Jack.Theseareanti-Medzhidprotesters.They’vesetupcampoutsidetheMOIheadquarters.”

•••

THEYDETOURED

SLIGHTLYSOUTH,thenwesttoTurali,asuburbaboutthreemilesdownthecoastfromMakhachkalaproper.Jackfoundapublicparkinglotabovethebeach,parked,thentextedSeth:INTURALI.WHEREYOU?

Theresponsecameimmediately.DOWNTOWN,TWOBLOCKSFROMMINISTRY.

BAD?VERYBAD,Sethreplied.

FINDANYTHINGIN

KHASAVYURT?Jackhesitatedand

glancedatYsabel,whoshookherhead.DRYWELL,hereplied.

THERE’SARESERVOIRAMILENORTHOFYOU.ONEBLOCKEASTTHERE’SATRAINDEPOT.MEETYOUTHERE.

•••

WHENTHEYREACHEDthedepot,Sethwavedtothemfromtheopen

driver’swindowofablackChevySuburban.Jackassumeditwasup-armored.

“Nicecar,”YsabelwhisperedtoJack.“DotheyimportSuburbanshere?”

“No.Atleastnottothegeneralpublic.”

“Aprivatejet,aSuburban...MustbenicetobeMinisterMedzhid.”

Sherolleddownherwindow.Thestenchof

burningrubberfilledtheOpel’sinterior.

Sethsaid,“You’dbetterleavethathere.”

“We’llkeepitfornow,”repliedJack.“We’llfollowyou.”

“Suityourself.Whenwegetdowntown,whateveryoudo,don’tgetoutofyourcar.Anddriveslowly.Ifyouhitsomeone,themobwillturtlethatthing.”

•••

SETHLEDTHEMupthecoastroadforfifteenminutesbeforeturningwesttowardMakhachkala’scenter.TheplumeofsmokeJackhadspottedearliergrewlargerthroughthewindshield.Throughtheirhalf-openwindowstheybegantohearchantinginRussian.Sethturnedleft,thenbrakedhard,

asdidJack.Theblockwasfilledwithprotestersmillingabout,someholdingsignswritteninCyrillic,otherspumpingtheirfistsintimewiththechanting.

“Windowsup,”Jacksaid.“Lockyourdoor.”

Seth’sSuburbancreptintothecrowdandwasimmediatelyswallowedbythethrong.Momentslater,sowastheOpel.Fistsbegan

poundingontheroofandhood,palmsslappingatthewindows.Aman’sfacepressedagainstYsabel’swindow,shouting,spittleflyingfromhislips.

“Oh,that’snice,”Ysabelmurmured.

Jackcouldn’thelpbutsmile.“Lookstraightahead.”

TheOpelstartedrockingfromsidetoside,theenginerevvingasthedrivewheels

cameofftheground.JackhonkedthehornandtheOpel’stiresthumpedbackontothepavement.

Jack’sphonetrilled.“Yeah,Seth.”

“Ifyougetstopped,stayinyourcar.We’llcomegetyou.”

Withhisfootbarelytouchingthegaspedal,JackkepttheOpelmovingforward.

•••

AFTERWHATFELTlikeanhourbutwasonlytenminutes,theyemergedfromthemassofprotestersandfoundthemselvesonastreetborderedbyimposinggraybuildingsfrontedbytallcolumns.Totherightthesidewalkwaslinedwithpeoplesittingquietly,holdinghand-paintedsignsaloft.

Headsturned,sulleneyestrackingtheOpel,butnooneshoutedorevengestured.

Sethtexted,MINISTRYOFTHEINTERIORONTHERIGHT.

YsabelaskedJack,“Whythedifference?Oneblockischaos,thenextpeaceful.Andnopoliceanywhere.”

“Ihavenoidea.”Afteranothertwoblocks

andthreemoreturnsSethpulledtheSuburbanuptoa

gatedparkinggarageentrance.Herolleddownhiswindow,saidsomethingtothemaninthetollbooth,thengesturedtotheOpel.Thegateliftedandtheypulledthrough.

Onthesixthlevel,theywentthroughanothergate,thenparkedinapairofspots.Asignaboveeachoneboretheyellowdoubleeagle-heademblemoftheMinistryofthe

Interior.Theygotoutand

followedSethtoabankofelevators,whereheswipedakeycardthroughaslotonthewall.

“Whatisthisplace?”askedYsabel.

“TortoretoTowers.Medzhid’sprivateapartment,”Sethsaid,astheelevatordoorsparted.

•••

WHENTHEDOORSOPENED,Jackfoundhimselfinafoyerwithmirroredwallsandabrowntiledfloor.VasimandAnton,Medzhid’sprimarybodyguards,noddedatSethbutpaidJackandYsabelnoattention.Antonopenedtheapartmentdoor.

Theinteriorwasn’tmuchdifferentfromMedzhid’s

suiteattheFourSeasonsBaku,thoughlargerandwithwindowsthatspannedthelengthofthespace,throughwhichJackcouldseethebluewatersoftheCaspianSea.Atthefarend,twowomeninlightbluepantsuitssatatalongconferencetable,phonespressedtotheirears.Mountedonthewallabovethemwerethreeforty-two-inchLCDtelevisions.

“Jack...Ysabel,”Medzhidcalledfromasectionalcouchinthecenteroftheroom.Hewasseatedonastoolwithanyloncapedrapedaroundhistorso.Awomanholdingapairofscissorsstoodbehindhim.

Medzhidstoodup,shruggedoffthecape,andwalkedovertothem,handextended.“Sogladyouarebacksafe.DidMajorUmarov

mistreatyou?”“Notatall,”Jackreplied.“Whatwasthisbusiness

abouttheshooting?”“Someonelaidatrapfor

us.Theydidn’twantustalkingtoDobromir.”

Jackstudiedtheminister’sfaceforareaction,buthemerelynoddedandsaid,“That’sunfortunate.Haveyoufoundoutwhodidit?”

“Notyet.”“Keepmeinformed.Seth

willshowyoutoyourrooms.”

“Justonemorething—inprivate.Ineedtotalktoyouinprivate.”

“Ofcourse.Seth,doyoumind...”

“Uh,sure.”Sethwalkedaway.

JackwhisperedtoMedzhid,“Where’sAminat?”

“Whydoyouask?”“Shecheckedoutofthe

FourSeasonsBakuthenightafterweleftforTbilisi.”

“Iknow.Imovedhertoanotherlocation.Sheissafe,Jack.”

“Who’sshewith?Doyoutrustthem?”

“Withmylife.”“VasimandAnton?”“Allofthem.They’ve

beenwithmeformany

years.”Meaningless,Jack

thought.He’dknownSethfor

decadesandSpellmanwasafellowAmerican,oneofthegoodguys,andyettheyweretwoofthefivepeoplewhomighthavesetuphimandYsabel.

Medzhidsmiledandclappedhimonthearm.“Itiskindofyoutoworryafter

her,Jack,butalliswell.”“Gladtohearit.Ineeda

favor:CanyougetMajorUmarovtositontheshootingstoryforafewdays?”

“IdoubtI’llhavetoask.Untilhecompleteshisinternalinvestigation,he’llsaynothing.Besides,Khasavyurthasnonewspapersortelevisionstations.Now,havesomethingtoeatanddrink.

Wewilltalklater.”Medzhidturnedtowardtheconferenceareaandcalled,“Albina,haveyoureachedCaptainSalkoyet?”

“No,Mr.Minister.”“TellhisdeputyIwant

themanonthephoneinfiveminutesorI’mcomingdowntherepersonally.”

JackandYsabelfollowedSethdownahallwaytoamini-suitewithakitchenette,

asofa,andachair.Ablond-hairedwomaninaredminiskirtandawhiteblousesatonthesofa,flippingthroughamagazine.Shehadimpossiblylargebreasts.

Sethsaid,“Giveusaminute,willyou?”

Thewomanglaredathim,thenstoodup,tossedthemagazineaside,andsashayedaway.

“Anotherassistant?”

askedYsabel.“Notexactly,”Seth

replied.“Mrs.Medzhid,then.”“Don’tgetcute,Ysabel.

Wedidn’tpickthemanbecausehe’sasaint.Rebazandhiswifehaveanunderstanding:shehasherlifeandhehashis.Itworksforthem.”

Spellmanwalkeddownthehallintothesuite.“Hey,

guys,howwasKhasavyurt?Getanythinguseful?”

SethansweredforJack:“Adrywell.Right,Jack?”

“Yep.What’sgoingonoutsidetheministry?Whyisitsopeaceful?”

“They’reobeyingthelaw,believeitornot,”Spellmanreplied.“Aslongastheydon’tdamagepropertyorassaultanyone,theycanactivelyprotestanywherebut

onblocksthathousegovernmentbuildings.Theretheyhavetomindtheirmanners.”

“Ahalf-unrulymob.Strangeplace,Dagestan.”

Sethgesturedtoapairofdoorsontheothersideofthesuite.“Yourbedrooms.GetsettledandthenI’llbringyouuptospeed.Feelfreeto...consolidate,ifyouwant.I’mcoolwithit.”

JacksawYsabel’sexpressionchange,andhecouldguesswhatitmeant:Ysabeldidn’tgiveadamnwhetherSethwasokaywith“it.”Tohercredit,shesimplyreplied,“Thanks.”

OnceSethandSpellmanweregone,Jacksaid,“Everyoneseemswaytoochipper.”

“Andwhywouldn’ttheybe,Jack?Partplayboy

mansion,partsalon.What’snottolove?”

Andallwhilemobsareatthegates,hethought.

AMakhachkala

SHEHADBEENDOINGforthepasttenminutes,Jack

watchedSethandSpellmantalktoandovereachotheracrosstheconferencetable,

gettingnowhereintheprocess.Attheendofthetable,Medzhidwatchedpatiently,sayingnothing.

“No,no,no,”Sethsaid.“Heneedstodomorethangiveonedamnedspeech.”

“FromtheMinistry,Seth.Directlytothepeople.”

“That’sastart,butweneedhimineverynewspaperandoneveryradioandtelevisionstation.”

“Butwhat’sthemessage?”askedSpellman.“HowdoyouspinsomethinglikeAlmakwhenyou’rebeingpepperedbyquestionsonliveTV?”

“Firstheflatlydeniestheallegations,thenheremindsthemofwhatstartedit.Showthepicturesofthebeheadedsoldiersandtheircryingfamilies.Hammerthatuntilit’stheonlythingpeoplesee

intheirheads.”AgainJackwasstunned

listeningtothisversionofSethGregory.HisPRsuggestionwastousegoreanddespairtotakeattentionawayfromtheallegation.Sure,itwouldbeeffective,butitwasice-coldopportunismJackhadneverseenintheirtwenty-plus-yearfriendship.Wasthisnature,nurture,orobsession?Or,

Jackthought,amIjustbeingnaive?AsSethhadsaid,thestakeshereweremassive.

Sethwenton:“Thenheturnsthefocustohisbraveteam,nowalldead,havingsacrificedthemselvestoprotectthehomeland,andhewillnotstandbywhiletheirmemoriesaresulliedbyalie.”

Medzhidsaid,“Whichisthetruth.”

“Allthebetter.That’sthemessage.Westayonitandneverletup.”

“Fine,butwe’vestillgotthePravdastory,”repliedSpellman.“RightnowpeoplebelievesomeonewasatAlmakandhesawthewholething—civiliansburningtodeathinamosque.That’satoughimagetoerase.”

“Notifourimageryisstrongerandourmessageis

consistent.”Jackspokeup:“Who’s

theirsource?”“Thatdoesn’tmatter—”Medzhidhelduphishand

forsilenceandthensaid,“Whatwasthat,Jack?”

“Pravdagotthestoryfromsomeone.Who?”

“Itoldyou:Theydon’thaveone,”repliedSeth.“OrtheygotitfromoneofMedzhid’steambeforehe

died.”“Andthey’vebeensitting

onitallthistime?Almakhappenedsixteenyearsago.Rebaz,wereyouevenonanyone’spoliticalradarbackthen?”

“No.Ihadnointerestinpolitics.Iwasn’tknownoutsidemydistrict.”

“SosomeoneatPravdagetsthestory,decidesthemassacreofciviliansina

placeofworshipisn’tnewsworthy,andsetsitaside.”

“Yeah,Jack,weunderstandthetimingofit,”saidSeth.“It’sWellesleyandPechkin’sopeningsalvo.Butthisisanopportunityforus.They’vemovedtooquickly.Oncewediscreditthisstory,wepushahead.”

Ysabelsaid,“Seth,you’remissingJack’spoint.

NexttoPresidentNabiyev,MedzhidisDagestan’smostpowerfulpolitician—probablymoresoifyou’retalkingaboutpopularity.DoesPravdareallythinkMedzhid’snotgoingtocomebackhardatthem?Thathe’snotgoingtodemandtheyrevealtheirsource?”

“Bylaw,theydon’thavetodothat,”saidSpellman.

“Actually,thereissucha

law,”Medzhidreplied.“Iftheallegationinvolvesagovernmentofficialthemediamustnamethesource,inprivate,toacabinet-levelpanelandtheofficialhastherighttoquestionthewitness.Jack’sright.Unlesstheywanttobetarnished,Pravdamustproduceitswitness.Ifthepersonisfalse,wecanproveit;iftheyaregenuine,Icanprovetheyarelying.”

“Couldtherebeawitness?”askedJack.

“Iwastoldallmyteamdiedinthewar.Ihadnoreasontodoubtit,butIsupposeit’spossible.”

“Orthereisnoone,”Spellmansaid,“andWellesleyfoundastand-in.”

•••

WHILEMEDZHIDrecalledhisteamofassistants

totheconferenceareaandgavethemtheirmarchingorders,JackandYsabellefttheapartment.Sethcaughtuptothemattheelevators.

“Where’reyougoing?”“Errands,”Ysabel

replied.“Areyoucrazy?It’snuts

outthere.”“We’llavoiddowntown,”

saidJack.Heturnedtopressthe

callbutton.Sethgrabbedhisarm.“Jack,what’reyouholdingback?DidyoufindsomethinginKhasavyurt?”

“Goodquestion,”saidSpellman,fromtheapartment’sdoorway.

“Wemayhavesomething,butI’dratherrunitdownfirst.”

“I’mstartingtothinkyoudon’ttrustus,”askedSeth.“Whythesecrecy?”

“Compartmentalization,”Jackreplied.

ThedoorsopenedandheandYsabelsteppedinside.AfterthedoorsclosedsheaskedJack,“Dowetrustthem?Anyofthem?”

“HellifIknow.”“You’resmiling.What

for?”“Nothing.Sleep

deprivation.Ijusthadtheirrationalimpulsetotiethem

alltochairsuntiloneofthemstartstalking.”

•••

THEYTOOKtheOpelnorthawayfromtheparkinggarage,listeningthroughtheiropenwindowsastheprotesters’shoutsslowlyfadedbehindthem.

OutJack’swindowatree-coveredescarpment

toppedbyaserratedridgeloomedoverthecity.Thiswas,Sethhadtoldthemwithastraightface,theeasternfaceoftheTarki-Taurange.

Sincehearingthename,Ysabelhadbeenoccasionallyrepeatingittoherself,sottovoce,asthoughsimplyenjoyingthesoundofit.

Jackcouldn’thelpsmiling.Suchaninterestingwoman.

“IfIevergetadog,that’swhatI’llnamehim—Tarki-Tau.”

“NotifIbeatyoutoit.”“Don’tyoudare.”Theslopesfromwhich

theescarpmentroseformedafive-mile-longtadpole-shapedknoll,withtheheadfacingnorthandthelongtaperedtailcurvingsouthandthenwest,whereitmergedwiththenextchainofhills.

Jackfoundacaféandpulledtothecurb.Onbothsidesofthestreetspedestriansstrolledthesidewalks,laughingandchatting.Thetrafficwasheavybutorderly,withnohonkingofhorns.Itwasasthoughthecitywasgoingaboutitsnormalbusiness,savethefewblockssurroundingtheMinistryoftheInterior.

“Notexactlygroundswell,isit?”Ysabelobserved.

“Iagree.IfthisisthebestWellesleyandPechkincando,thecoupshouldgooffwithoutahitch.”

HepulledhisphonefromtheFaradaybaganddialedGavin,wholoopedGerryandJohnClarkintothecall.Jackbroughtthemuptospeed.

“Withanyluck,wehave

sometimebeforeWellesleyandPechkinknowtheambushinKhasavyurtwentwrong.Gavin,what’dyoufindoutaboutthosephonenumbers?”

“Botharelandlines,buttheaddressesareunlisted—Imeanreallyunlisted,asinburied.Youcan’tpulloffsomethinglikethatwithouthorsepower.”

Presidentialhorsepower.

“Jack,we’vedecidedit’stimeyougotsomebackup,”saidClark.“We’resendingDom.”

“Idon’tneed—”“He’salreadyonthe

plane.Tomorrowmorning,UytashAirport,Aeroflotflight278.”

Evenashe’dsaidthewords“don’tneed,”Jackknewitwasn’ttrue.HavingDominicCarusoherewould

bearelief;partiallybecausehewasfamily—cousins—andpartiallybecauseDomwasasolidoperator.

Gerryasked,“What’syournextmove,Jack?”

“I’mgoingtoaskRaymondWellesleytolunch.”

•••

THEYDROVEPASTtheaddressDobromirhad

giventhemandfoundtheapartmentbuilding,twostories,surroundedbytreesandasix-footred-brickwall.Theonlyentrance,aprivatedriveonChirpoyRoad,wasblockedbyarollinggate.Besidethiswasapole-mountedkey-cardbox.

“Thatdoesn’tlooklikesomethingbuiltfortheaverageMakhachkalanrenter,”Ysabelsaid.“Where

didDobromirsayheandWellesleyhadlunch?”

“OnNabetskyStreet.”“Well,that’saboutfour

blocksfromhere.We’vedefinitelygottherightplace.”

“Yes,butisthiswhereWellesleyandPechkinhadsetupshop?”

•••

THEYRETURNEDto

theTortoretoapartmenttofinditbustlingwithactivity.Attheconferencetablethenumberofassistantshaddoubledtofour,allofthembusyworkingthephones.Medzhidstoodbythewindows,talkingtoauniformedmanwithblackhairandlongsideburns.

SethandSpellmanwalkedup.“We’vegottrouble,”Sethsaidsimply.

“Medzhid’s—”“Who’sthatguy?”Jack

asked,noddingatMedzhid’sguest.

“CaptainSalko.HeheadsMedzhid’sERF,theEmergencyResponseForce—essentially,thecreamofthepolitsiyacrop.”

“Hassomethinghappened?”askedYsabel.

“Justplayingthewhat-ifgameincaseNabiyevmakes

aboldmove.”“Whatwereyousaying

aboutMedzhid?”Jacksaid.“He’sbeensummonedby

PresidentNabiyev.HewantstohearMedzhid’ssideoftheAlmakstory.We’retalkingaboutpossibleresponses.”

“Well,hecan’trefuse,”Ysabelsaid.“UnlessyouandMatthaveeverythingreadytogo,thatis.”

“Wedon’t,”Spellman

replied.Jackthoughtfora

moment.“TheonlymoveMedzhidhasistodemandahearingsohecanconfrontPravda’switness.Thatmightbuysometime.Doeshehaveenoughcabinet-levelalliestomakeitwork?”

“Maybe,”Sethreplied.“WellesleyandPechkinarebehindthis.”

“Probably,butit’salso

whatthepublicwouldexpectNabiyevtodo.”

Toomanymovingparts,Jackthought.“Therearethreepossibilities:NabiyevignorestheobjectionsofthecabinetanddeniesMedzhid’spetition;heeithersuspendsMedzhidorleaveshiminplaceuntilthepanelreachesadecision;orhesimplyfiresMedzhidandthrowshiminjail.”

“Ifhedoesthat,we’rescrewed,”saidSpellman.“It’lltakeusatleastaweektofinishcoordinatingourownprotests.Andeventhen,withMedzhidoffthefield,wecan’tbesurethepolitsiyadistrictcommanderswillbackalosinghorse.”

Sethsaid,“WeneedtohuntdownPravda’switnessbeforehecantestify.”

Ysabel’seyesnarrowed.

“Anddowhattohim?”“Jesus,Ysabel.Notwhat

you’rethinking.TheAlmakmassacrestoryisbullshit.Medzhid’sinnocent.Eitherthewitnessisbogusandhewasn’tthereorhewasthereandhe’sbeencoercedintolying.Eitherway,we’vegottogettohimfirst.”

JMakhachkala

ACKPULLEDtheOpeltothecurboutsideUytashAirport’s

arrivalsandsatwaitingforfiveminutes,noddingandsmilingatthecivilian

securityguardtryingtowavethemon,untilDominicCarusocameouttheslidingdoors,carryingablackduffelbag.JackandYsabelclimbedoutandmethimattherearhatch.Jackmadetheintroductions.

“Soyou’reYsabel,”Domsaid.“Heardalotaboutyou.”

YsabelglancedatJack.“Whathaveyou—”

“He’skidding.Comeon,

let’sgetmovingbeforethisguycallstheairportSWATteamonus.”

•••

ASTHEYEXITEDtheairport’sterminalroad,Jackcheckedhiswatch.“He’sprobablycomingon,”hesaid.YsabelturnedontheradioandRebazMedzhid’svoicecameoverthecar’sspeakers.

“...allegationsarefalse,andIamoutragedthatthebraveryandpatriotismofthemenundermycommandisbeingtarnishedbysuchaccusations.MydirectorofpersonnelhasdiscoveredthenameofPravda’sallegedwitness,asergeantnamedPavelKoikov,oneofthefinestI’vehadthepleasuretoservewithandoneofthemostdecoratedmembersof

thepolitsiyainthehistoryofDagestan.IfearthatSergeantKoikovisbeingcoercedandmaybeindanger.IfIfindthateitheroftheseistrue,thefullweightoftheMinistryoftheInteriorwillfalluponthoseresponsible.”

Ysabelturneddowntheradio.“Well,hefollowedthescripttotheletter.”

Fromthebackseat,Domasked,“ThisKoikovisthe

onefromtheAlmakmassacre?”

“Yes.”“Smartmoveon

Medzhid’spart.He’suppedtheante.”

Andputtheoppositiononnotice,Jackthought.NowWellesleyandPechkincouldneitherkillKoikovnorallowhimtoappearbeforethepanel,lestthePravdastoryfallapart.They’dpainted

themselvesintoacorner.“Nowwejustneedto

findhim,”Jackreplied.

•••

JACKDROVEDOMtohismotel,athree-staraboutthreeblocksfromMedzhid’sprivateapartment.Bymutualagreement,they’ddecidedtokeepDom’spresenceinthecapitalfromSethandtheothersforthe

timebeing.Thiswasprobablyoverkill,butJackhaddecidedtobecarefulwithwhatinformationhesharedwithwhom,andwhen.

ThethreeofthemgotoutandwalkedtoDom’sroom.

“I’mshowering,”heannounced.“I’vegotAeroflotgrimealloverme.Hey,Jack,we’regonnaneedhardware.”

“I’mworkingonit.”“Andyou’regoingto

needtobringmeuptospeed.”

JackpulledhisphonefromtheFaradaybagandsatdownonthebed.

“Areyousurethisisagoodidea,Jack?”askedYsabel.

“Notentirely,butMedzhid’sjustincreasedthepressure.It’stimetoturnitupanothernotchandseeifwegetareaction.”

JackdialedRaymondWellesley’scellphone.TheSISmanpickeduponthesecondring.“JackRyan,howgoodtohearfromyou.Areyouwell?”

“Very.Andyourself?”“Well,frankly,I’mabit

worriedaboutyou.”“Let’sgettogetherand

talkaboutit,”Jackreplied.Hewasabouttofindout—maybe—ifWellesleyknew

wherehewas.“Good,”Wellesleysaid.

“Howaboutyourhotel,thatsamecoffeeshopwemet—”

“HowaboutZolotoyonPetraPervogoStreet?”

“Idon’tknowtheplace.”“Ithinkyoudo,

Raymond.I’llseeyouattwoo’clock.”

Jackdisconnected.Ysabelsaid,“Theregoes

thegauntlet.”

•••

HEANDYSABELRETURNEDtotheTortoreto.Seth,Spellman,andMedzhidwerestandingintheconferencearea,staringatthebankoftelevisions.

Sethspottedthemandwalkedover.“It’sworking.Themedia’sbangingthedrum,askingwherePavelKoikovisandwhetherheis

safe.Medzhid’susedittodelayhismeetingwithNabiyevuntilthedayaftertomorrow.”

“HowdidyoufindKoikov?”

“HewasreportedasMIA,presumeddead.WhenheturnedupaliveafewdayslateroutsideKaramakhi,someoneforgottoamendthereport.Accordingtohispersonnelfilehe’sinhismid-

fiftiesandhaslivertrouble.Medzhid’sgotacouplemensittingonhishouse.Hehasn’thadanyvisitors.”

“OnthewayherewepassedtheMinistry,”saidYsabel.“Thecrowdslooksmaller.”

“Yeah,it’llbeallbrokenupbytheendoftheday,I’msure.WhetheritwasallorganicorsomethingarrangedbyWellesleyand

Pechkin,Idon’tknow.”“I’vebeenthinkingabout

that,”saidJack.“WhatifitwasatrialballoontogaugeMedzhid’sreaction?Toseewhatitwilltaketoderailhim?”

Sethwasnodding.“Orthecoupitself.Verysmart,Jack.Eitherway,we’vegotourtimelineback.Wefinishgettingtherestofthepiecesinplaceandit’sago.”

“Andwhileyou’redoingthat,soareWellesleyandPechkin.Haveyouthoughtaboutthat?”saidYsabel.

“Ofcourse.”“What’syourdad’s

manualsay?”ThesarcasmwasplaininYsabel’svoice.

“I’vemadesometweakstoit.It’snotyourworry,anyway.”

“I’minvolved.It’smyworry.”

Jackknewpushingtheissuewouldgetthemnowhere.Heintervened,saying,“Doyouhaveafewminutestotalk?”

ThethreeofthemwalkeddownthehalltoJackandYsabel’smini-suiteandsatdown.Jacksaid,“Weneedsomeweapons.Andasecondcar.”

“Why?”“Thecity’sgoingtoboil

overwhenthingsgetrolling.Idon’twantusouttherenaked.”

“Youdon’tneedtobeonthestreets.We’llsititouthere.”

“YousaidyourselfweneedtofindKoikov,”saidJack.“Wellesleymightnotkillhim,buthe’llprobablyhidehimaway.OnceKoikov’ssafe,hecantestifythathewascoerced—andby

whom.Besides,youdon’thavethebodiestospare.Getussomeweaponsandwe’llfindhim.”

Seththoughtforamoment,thensaid,“Listen,Itrustyouguys,butsomethingtellsmeit’snotmutual.Talktome,Jack.”

Jackdecidedtheyhadnothingtolosebytellinghimthetruth,oratleastpartofit.“Wewereambushedin

Khasavyurt.Themanwemetwaskilledbyapolitsiyacaptainwhoadmittedhewastippedoffbysomeonehere.”

“Andtheonlypeoplewhoknewyouweregoinguptherewereme,Matt,andMedzhid.Andhisbodyguards.Okay,Igetit.Butitwasn’tme.Pleasebelieveme.WhatIdidtoyouguys,usingyouasbaitinTehran,waswrongandI’m

sorry.Iwouldn’tdoitagain.Tellmeyoubelieveme.”

TheexpressiononSeth’sfacewasoneJackhadn’tseensincetheirlunchatChaibar.ThiswastheoldSeth.“Ibelieveyou.”

“Ysabel?”Shesighed.“Ibelieve

you,too.”Jacksaid,“Somebodyin

yourcampisplayingfortheotherside,Seth,anduntilwe

figureoutwho,weneedroomtomaneuver.”

“Yeah,okay,I’llgetyouweapons.Justdon’tgetyourselfkilled.IlDuceandMrs.IlDucewouldstringmeup.”

•••

AFTERPICKINGUPDOMtheydrovetoZolotoyrestaurant,arrivingfortyminutesearlyforJack’slunch

datewithWellesley.JackandYsabelparkedtheOpelinalotafewblocksaway,whileDom,behindthewheeloftheLadacompactcarSethhadarrangedforthem,startedhisscoutofthearea.

FromaduffelbaginthebackseatJackpulledouttheirweapons,apairofRugernine-millimeterpistolsinhipholsters.DomhadhisownRuger;thetrioofBeretta

ARXnoise-suppressedassaultriflesSethhadsuppliedweretuckedunderablanketintheLada’strunk,alongwiththreehundredroundsofammunition.Sethhadn’tskimped.

“Ilikemyrevolverbetter,”Ysabelsaid,turningtheRugerinherhand.

“We’rebeggars,”Jackreplied.

Hecheckedhiswatch,

thentextedGavin:SET?SET.FIRSTCALLATTWO-

TEN,SECONDATTWO-TWELVE.

•••

ATONEFORTY-FIVEtheygotoutofthecar.YsabelkissedJackandtheypartedcompany,herwalkingdowntheblock,Jacktowardtherestaurant.

ZolotoywaspartItalianbistro,partRussiansteak

house.Jacksteppedthroughthedoorsbeneathagreenawningandwasmetbyahostess.

“Vygavaritepaangliyski?”Jackasked.

“Some,English,yes,”saidthehostess.

Jackaskedforatablefortwo,andsheledhimtoasmallboothbesidethewindows.Domwasalreadyinplace,seatedatacorner

tablereadingDagestanskaiaPravda.AbsentlyJackwonderedifhisfriendevenreadCyrillic.Ifnot,hewasputtingonadecentshowofit.

Thewaiterappearedwithglassesoficewaterandastainless-steelpitcherbeadedwithcondensation.Jackplacedhisphoneonthetable.Ashe’dhoped,therestaurant’slunchhourhad

passedandtherewereonlysixotherpatrons,onlytwoofthemcloseby.

Jack’sphonevibrated.INPLACE,Ysabeltexted.ICANSEEYOU.WAVE,HANDSOME.

Hesuppressedasmileandtouchedhisear.

Attwoexactly,RaymondWellesleywalkedinandspokebrieflytothehostess,whoshowedhimtothetable.“Hello,Jack.”

“Raymond.”Apairofmeninblack

leathercoatssteppedthroughtherestaurantdoor.Ignoringthehostess,theytookatabletenfeetbehindWellesley’schair.

Subtle,Jackthought.“Haveyouordered?”

Wellesleyasked.“IthoughtI’dwaitfor

you.”Theystaredateachother

acrossthetable,theSISwithahalf-smileonhisface,untilthewaiterhadreturnedandtakentheirorders.

“Cardsonthetable,”Jacksaid.

“Agreed.Jack,whatareyoudoinghere?Youhavenoideawhatyou’vegotyourselfinvolvedin.”

“Ihavesomeidea.”“IassumeSethandMatt

arehereaswell?”

“Nothere,butaround.Raymond,whyareyoutryingtoderailallthis?Theoutcomewillbegoodforeveryone.”

“NotifourMoscowfrienddoeswhatweexpecthe’lldo.”

“Hewon’t.”Ihope,Jackthoughtbutdidn’tsay.

Wellesleyshookhisheadsadlyandchuckled.“Americanhubris.Younever

considerthepotentialblowback.Ithoughtyourfatherwassmarterthanthis.”

“Ican’tspeakforhim,butyou’rewrong.We’vecalculatedtheoddsjustasyouguyshave.It’sagambleworthtaking.Andthisissomethingthepeopleherewant.”

“Want?”Wellesleyrepeated.“Desirecanbemanufactured.Thesepeople

don’tknowwhattheywantuntilthey’retold.”

“Youtakeadimviewof‘thesepeople.’Wedon’t.”

“That’sirrelevant.Itwillfail,whatyouhaveplanned.”

“Iguesswe’regoingtofindout.”

Theirfoodarrived.OncethewaiterfinishedarrangingthedishesandwasgoneJacksaid,“ThatwassomecoldbusinessbackinTehran.

Luckilyforhim,ScottHilbyneverknewwhathithim.Whatwasit,youwereafraidhemighttalktome?”

Wellesleysaid,“Jack,areyoutryingtoplayJamesBondagain?You’rehopingtogetarecordedconfessionforsomethingIwasn’tinvolvedin?”

JackpushedhisphoneacrossthetabletoWellesley.Thephone’sscreenread2:09.

“Checkforyourself.”Wellesleywavedhis

handdismissively.“You’resmarterthanthat.Bytheway,doesyourfatherknowyou’renota...Remindmeofyourtitleagain.Arbitragespecialist?”

Jackglancedathiswatch:2:10.Nocall.Comeon,Gavin,givemesomething.

Jackdidn’trespondto

Wellesley’squestion,butinsteadaskedhisown:“Youhaven’theardfromDavidWeaver,haveyou?”

HesawaflickerofdoubtinWellesley’seyes.“Idon’tknowwhothatis.”

“Heknowswhoyouare.Apparently,heandHilbywereclose.YouorderinghimtoblowoffthetopofHilby’sheadiseatinghimupinside.”

Jackglancedathis

watch:2:12.Wellesleysaid,“You’re

lying.OtherwiseIwouldhavealreadybeencalledhome.”

“Notifwhatyou’redoingisn’tsanctioned.Ithinkyou’reoutheretryingtosetnationalpolicy.”

Wellesley’scellphonechimed.Hefinishedchewingthepieceofchickeninhismouth,said,“Excuseme,

please,”thenpulledthephonefromhisinnersuitpocket.Hestudiedthescreenforafewmoments,typedareply,andthenreturnedthephonetohispocket.

“Jack,sinceNine-Elevenbothourgovernmentshavesharedaunifiedpolicywhenitcomestoterrorism,wouldn’tyouagree?”

“Iwould.”“Likehimornot,Valeri

Volodinknowshowtohandleterrorism—hecrushesitwherehefindsit.IfyoubelievetheCaucasusistroublesomenow,imaginetheregionwithsomeoneotherthanVolodinatthehelm.Thatiswhatkeepsmeupatnight,Jack,asitshouldourleaders.Sadly,itdoesnot.”

RaymondWellesleyhadinessencejustadmittedhe

hadindeedgonerogue.Evenso,theconfessionwouldn’tbeenoughtoindicthimintheeyesofhisgovernment.WhileWellesleywasobjectivelyrightaboutVolodin’sstanceonterrorism,theman’slargernationalpolicies,dominatedbybluntaggression,wouldeventuallyspillbeyondthebordersoftheRussianFederation.Ifthathappened,

terrorismwouldbetheleastofeveryone’sworries.

“So,todirectlyansweryourearlierquestion:DoyoureallyimaginesomeoneofmystandingwouldbetrayHerMajesty’sgovernment?”

“YousuggestedPaulGregoryhaddonejustthat,andhehadmoreyearsofservicethanyoudo.Andhewasabettermanthanyou.”

“YoumeanPaul

Gregory,akaBoghosGrigorian?Iamnothinglikehim.Tellme,Jack,howisSethfaring?Stable,rational?”

“Absolutely.”“Ofcourseheis.Didhe

tellyouwherehegothisfather’scoupmanual?No,onsecondthought,heprobablydidn’t.”

Jackfeltlikehe’dbeenpunchedinthestomach.IthadbeenWellesley.ViaOleg

Pechkin,theSIShadgivenSeththemanual.He’ddonehisresearchonSeth,hadfoundhisweakspot,thenplantedtheseedandnurtureditintoanobsession.Bastard.

TherewasnotellinghowmuchofSeth’splanninghadbeenguidedbyWellesley’sdefthand—orhowmanyoftheirowncountermovesheandPechkinhadprepared.Wellesleywasplayinga

chessgamehemighthavealreadywon.

Jacksaid,“Yougiveyourselftoomuchcredit,Raymond.”

“Asyousaid,Iguesswe’regoingtofindout.Jack,noneofthisneedstohappen.Youabort,we’lldothesame,andweallgohome,noharmdone.”

JackwassurprisedWellesleythoughthe’dbuy

suchablatantlie.“That’sacallwayabove

mypaygrade.I’mherefortheduration.”

Wellesleyputdownhisforkandcarefullyfoldedhisnapkin.“Jack,Ithinkit’stimeyoucomewithme.”

“That’snotgoingtohappen.”

“Yes,itis.Standup,Jack.”

“What’syourplan,

Raymond,agunfightrighthere?”

“No,we’lljustwalkyououttothecaranddriveaway.”Wellesleyturnedandnoddedathisbodyguards.Theystoodandwalkedtothetable.

“Timetogo,Jack.”Asifbymagic,Dominic

Carusoappearedandtookupstationtotheirleft,hissightlinetoboththemand

Wellesleyclear.Domsaidcheerily,“Hi,guys.”

Inunisonthebodyguardsslidtheirhandsintotheirjackets.

“Don’t,”Domsaid.Jackglancedsideways

andsawDomhadhisRugertuckedbehindhisleftleg,themuzzlejustvisible.

JacktoldWellesley,“Sethwasrightaboutyou:You’retoocockyforyour

owngood.”Scowling,Wellesley

stoodup.“We’llseeeachotherlater,Jack.”

JackgavetheSISmanapartingshothehopedwouldshaketheman’scalm:“Comefindus.”

•••

BACKATTHEOPEL,JackfirstrecountedthemeetingforYsabel,then

calledGavin,whoasked,“Diditgothrough?”

Goingintothelunchdate,Jackhadoneprimarygoal:todefinitivelysortoutthetwolandlinetelephonenumbersthey’dcollectedfromtheirKhasavyurttrip,Dobromir’scontactforWellesleyandHelen’slinetoPechkin,whichwasthesameoneOsinwastocallaftertheraid.

“Yes,”Jackanswered.“Wellesleyansweredthetwo-twelvecall.”

“Okay,good.That’sthenumberDobromirhadforhim.Cockybastardhasn’tevenbotheredtochangeit.”

“Whatdidyoutext?”“Whatyoutoldmeto:

‘I’mDobromir,I’mpissed,Helen’sinaScottishjail,andIwantanswers.’Idon’tseewhatgoodthisisgoingtodo

us,though.”“It’llrattleWellesley’s

confidence.BynowtheyprobablyknowAminat’shomesafe,butasfarasthey’reconcernedHelencouldbealiveandtalkingtoScotlandYard.Thisisjustonemorethingforthemtoworryabout.”

“Andwastetimeon.Gotit.Okay,theothernumber:WhenitrangthroughIgot

thatgenericfemalevoiceaskingforatextmessage.Iputin,‘Khasavyurtraidnegative.Umarovsuspicious.Instructions?’Ihaven’theardbackyet.”

JacknowknewsomethingabouthowWellesleyandPechkinwereoperatinginMakhachkala.Wellesley’scell,andprobablyPechkin’saswell,dependingonwhetherGavin

gotaresponse,werebeingroutedthroughlandlines,perhapsfrominsideWellesley’sChirpoyRoadapartment.Ifso,Jackmighthaveidentifiedtheirwarroom.

Heasked,“WhatdidWellesleytextback?”

“HetoldDobromirtosittightandhewouldfindoutwhatwasgoingon.”

“Letmeknowwhenyou

hearbackfromPechkin.”

•••

JACKANDYSABELreturnedtotheTortoretoapartment.Whentheysteppedofftheelevator,VasimandAntonwereattheirusualposts.

“Hi,guys,”Jacksaid.Antonnoddedathim.“Idon’tthinkIgota

chancetosaythis,butyou

didgoodworkbackinGeorgia.Iwasgladtohaveyoualong.”

Thisseemedtobreaktheice.Vasimgavehimthebaresttraceofasmileandsaid,“Thankyou.”

“Wheredidyoutwoservebeforejoiningtheminister’sdetail?”

“Novolakskydistrict,neartheChechenborder.”

“Bothofyou?”

“Yes,”saidAnton.“Prettytougharea,”said

Jack.“Yousureashellearnedthisposting,didn’tyou?”

NowAntonopenedupabit:“Wehavemanyyearsofservice.”

Jackgotouthisphone.“IjustrealizedIdon’thaveyourmobiles.Itwouldprobablybeagoodidea.”

“AskMinisterMedzhid.”

“Noproblem,Iunderstand,”saidJack.“Anyway,thanksagain.”

HeandYsabelwentthroughthedoor;asitclosedbehindthemshesaid,“Whatwasthatallabout?”

“Justmakingfriends.”HetextedDom:STATUS?ATCHIRPOYROAD,came

thereply.NOACTIVITY.THANKSFORTHEASSIST

EARLIER.NOPROB.FUNTIMES.

I’LLRELIEVEYOUATSEVEN.

Theywalkedtotheconferencetable,whereSethandSpellmanweresitting.

“Where’veyoubeen?”askedSpellman.

“HavinglunchwithRaymondWellesley.”

Seth’sheadsnappedaround.“What?Whythehelldidyoudothat?”

“Toplantafewseeds,”

saidJack.“AndIlearnedsomething:We’vegotthemmorenervousthanwethought.Hetriedtosnatchmefromtherestaurant.”

“Ballsyfucker.WasPechkinwithhim?”

“No,justacoupleleatherjackets.”

OneofMedzhid’spantsuitedassistantscamedownthehallway.“Mr.Gregory,theministerwould

liketoseeyou.”SethtoldJack,“We’re

doingradioandTVcall-ins.They’vestartedtossinghimsoftballsnow,soIthinkwe’veturnedthecorner.”

SethgotupandfollowedtheassistantbacktowardMedzhid’smini-suite.Oncehewasoutofsight,Jacksaid,“We’vegotaproblem,Matt.Wellesley’stheonewhogaveSeththecoupmanual.He’s

beenplayingSethfromthestart.”

“Ah,holycrap,”Spellmansaid,andgroaned.“NotthatIdoubtedit,butman,Wellesley’sgood.I’dhatetoplaychesswiththeguy.”

Ysabelreplied,“Ithinkwealreadyare.”

LookingattheCIAman’sface,Jackdecidedthefrustratedexpressionhewore

wasgenuine.UnderthefrequenthammeringofJohnClark’s“Trustyourgut”mantra,Jackhaddeveloped,hethought,solidinstincts.HiswerenowtellinghimSpellmanwasoneofthegoodguys.Thiswasarelief;theyneededsomeonetrustworthyinMedzhid’strueinnercircle.

WhileWellesley’sadmissionthathe’dbeen

jerkingSeth’semotionalstringsremovedanydoubtforJackabouthisfriend’sallegiance,hewasmoreworriedthaneveraboutSeth’sstability.

“DoesthismeanWellesleyhasthewholeplan?”askedYsabel.

“Yesandno,”repliedSpellman.“Yeah,PaulGregory’splanwasaheadofitstime,butitcouldn’thave

takenintoaccountthingslikesocialmedia,theInternet,howfarpropagandamethodshavecome,andsoon.I’msureWellesleyknowsourplanwillrelyheavilyonthatstuff,buthedoesn’tknowthenitty-gritty.”

“Suchas?”Jackasked.“We’vegotthecity

riggedwithsatelliteInternetandgeneratorsatcoordinationpointsincase

NabiyevshutsdowntheISPsandtheelectricalgrid,whichI’msurehewill.Foryearswe’vebeenassemblingmailinglistsinthecapital—aboutsixtythousandpeople,mostofthemtwentysomethingswhowantbigchange,who’llgetane-mailblastwhenoursocialmediagoeslive.We’vegotplentyofbandwidthandserverspreppedforthe

traffic.Anhouraftertheblast,picturesandvidsoftheprotestwillbefloodingTwitter,Instagram,Facebook,andTumblr.IfNabiyevordersintroopsfromthegarrisonanditgetsugly,thewholeworldwillbewatchingit.”

Coulditreallybethateasy?Jackwondered.Thesimpleanswerwasno,ofcoursenot,buttheworldhad

alreadyseenthepoweroftheInternetinplaceslikeTunisia,Iran,Egypt,andUkraine,wherethegovernmentshadinitiallydiscountedsocialmediaonlytofindthemselvesplayingcatch-upashundredsofthousandsofcitizensmarchedthroughthestreets.

Inandofitselfthiswasn’tanewphenomenon,butleaderswhomight

otherwiseignore,arrest,orbrutalizepeacefulprotesterssuddenlyfindtheiractionsandwordsscrutinizedbythewholeworld.Clubaten-year-oldgirlinCairoandsevenminuteslateramillionpeopleareseeingitonYouTube,aBoycottEgyptianPistachiosblogisupandrunningwithtwentythousandsubscribers,andWhiteHathackershaveturnedtheofficial

governmentwebsiteintoaflashingorangemessofpop-upadsformortgagerefinancingandmiraclefacecream.

AndSethandSpellmanweretakingitevenfurther.NotonlywouldMakhachkala’sstreetsbethrongedwithpro-democracyprotesters,buttheywouldhaveacamera-readychampionwaitingjust

offstage.Theirplanwassolid,Jackthought,butnoneofitwouldbehappeninginavacuum.WellesleyandPechkinwerenodoubtpreparingtheirowncounter-measures,muchofthembasedontheSISman’sknowledgeofSeth’splaybook.

JackaskedSpellman,“Areyourunningthewholethingfromhere?”

“Nah,we’vegotanotherplace,asecurecommandcenterintheMOIbuilding,”Spellmanreplied.“Say,let’snotpushSethonthisWellesleybusiness.He’salreadyfigureditout.He’skickinghimselfbetterthanweevercould.”

“Yes,butishedealingwithit?”askedYsabel.“Sethcangetalittle...obsessive.”

“Really?Ihadn’tnoticed.

Theanswerisyeah,he’sokay.He’salsoatadpassive-aggressiveand—”

“Really?Ihadn’tnoticed,”Ysabelshotbackwithasmile.

“—andWellesley’smindgamesaretellinghim,‘Youcan’tpullitoff.’Seth’sresponseis,‘Fuckyou,watchme.’”

“That’stheSethIknow.Matt,there’ssomethingelse

weneedtotalktoyouabout.”“Shoot.”Jackgavehimthewhole

storyaboutKhasavyurt,fromtheirmeetingwithDobromirtotheirbeingreleasedbyMajorUmarov.HefinishedwiththetelephonetrapheandGavinhadsetforWellesleyandPechkin.“WeknowWellesleywasDobromir’scontact,andassoonasGavinhearsbackfromthenumber

Osinhad,wecouldhavePechkin,too.”

Spellmanstaredatthetable,shakinghishead.Jackguessedwhathewasfeeling:Anoplikethiswasajugglingactwritlarge,withballsthatwereofteninvisible,andjustasoftenonfire.Andcoveredinthumbtacks.

“Hey,here’sanidea,”Spellmansaid.“Howaboutthethreeofusgetonaplane,

headtoTahiti,andstartasurfshop?”

JackandYsabellaughed.“Seriously,though,

you’resureitwasjustusinthetruckthatknewaboutyourtrip?”

Jacknodded.“We’vedecideditwasn’tyou—”

“Finallyalittleloveforgoodol’Matt.”

“—anditwasn’tSeth.AsforMedzhid,Ican’timagine

it’shim,butwhoknowshowmanyagendashe’sgot.”

“SothatleavesAntonandVasim.”

“AndMedzhid’sfiercelyloyaltothem,”Ysabelsaid.“We’llneedsolidproofbeforehe’lldoubtthem.”

“Yougotthatright.Justthinkaboutthis:TwoguyswithgunswhoarenevermorethantenfeetfromMedzhidontheeveofa

coup...Weneedtofigurethisoutsoonerratherthanlater.”

LMakhachkala

EAVINGYSABELtokeepaneyeonthingsattheTortoreto,Jack

tookoffatsix-thirty,swungpastthenowemptystreetoutsidetheMinistrybuilding,

thendrovethethreemilestowhereDomwasstakingouttheChirpoyRoadapartment.

AsJackpulledtothecurb,thesunwasbeginningtodropbehindtheTarki-Tauhillswestofthecity.Alreadyhecouldfeeltheaircooling.

“Gogetsomefoodandsleep,”Jacksaid,walkinguptoDom’swindow.OverthetopofhiscarandthroughsometreesJackcouldseethe

apartment’sgatedentrance.“SleepIcanuse,”Dom

replied.“Asforfood,unlessthey’vegotaJimmyJohn’sstashedawayaroundhere,I’llpassfornow.Bytheway,Ysabel’sverypretty.Areyouguys—”

“Shutup,Dom,”Jackrepliedwithasmile.“How’sitlook?”

“Eighteenrooms,eachwitharearbarredwindow

andkey-cardlocksonthedoors.Whetherthey’reopenedbythegatekeycard,Idon’tknow.Second-flooraccessisthroughapartiallycoveredstairwellonthenorthend.

“AroundthewallI’vecountedtensurveillancecamerashiddeninthetrees,oneabouteverytwelvefeet,butwecanassumethewholethingisringed.Oneofthe

ground-floorapartments,number102atthefarend,isoccupiedbysomeserious-lookingdudeswearingjacketsthathanglikethey’recarryingbazookasintheirarmpits.”

“AnyofthemlookfamiliarfrommylunchwithWellesley?”

“No.”“IaskedMedzhidabout

thisplace.Hedoesn’tknow

anythingaboutit,sotheguardsaren’tMOIpolitsiya.Maybethey’refromthecity’spublicsafetyoffice.”

“Maybe,butIdoubtit,”repliedDom.“Ihadacopcardrivebyaboutanhourago.Iduckeddownandhekeptgoing.Proactivityisn’tonthepoliceacademycurriculumhere.

“I’veonlyseentwocarsgoinoroutofthegate,but

neitherofthemwereWellesleyorPechkin.Thegatemusttripsomekindofalarm,becauseeverytimeacarenters,thegoonapartmentdooropensandoneofthempokeshisheadout.Thedriversflashsomekindofpermitandtheguardwaves,thengoesbackinside.Whateverthatplaceis,Jack,it’ssureashellnotmakingmoneyasacommercial

property.”“I’vegotGavinlooking

intoit.”“Okay,seeyouinfour

hours,”Domsaid,andpulledawayfromthecurb.

Jackgotbackinhiscarandstartedhisshift.

•••

WHENNIGHTFELL,rowsofamberspotlightsatthebaseoftheapartment’s

wallcameon,castingconesoflightupthebrickface.

Ateight-fifteenacarpulledintothedriveway.Anarmemergedfromthedriver’swindowandswipedakeycard,andthegaterose.Thecarpulledthrough,thenintooneoftheparkingspots.Awomangotout,enteredoneoftheground-levelapartments,thenemergedafewminuteslater.Asshe

exitedthegate,Jackzoomedinonthelicenseplateandmemorizedit.

Shortlybeforenine,hisphonerang.

“Jack,whereareyou?”Spellmanasked.

“Sittingonanapartment.Why?”

“ThemenMedzhidhassittingonKoikov’shousearen’tanswering.Canyougetthere?”

“Where?”Spellmangavehimthe

address,thensaid,“I’llsteeryou,justgivemeyourcrossstreets.”

“Waitone.”JackputSpellmanonmute,switchedapps,thentextedDom:GOTTARUN.TAKEOVERHERE.

Domansweredimmediately:ENROUTE.

JackstartedtheOpel’sengineandpulledawayfrom

thecurb,thendrovetwoblocksuntilhecametoacrossstreet.HeswitchedbacktoSpellman.“I’mcominguponVaygachandTuva.Headedeast.”

“Okay,holdon.You’rethreemilesaway.HeadrightonVaygach.”

Forthenexttenminutes,withJackcallingoutstreetsorlandmarksandSpellmanrespondingwithturns,he

headednorthwardtoMakhachkala’scitylimits.

“Okay,you’recominguponKirovskiydistrict.Turnrightatthenextintersection.”

Jackdidsoandfoundhimselfonarun-downresidentialstreet.Attheendofithetookaleftontoadirtroadborderedononesidebyabarbedwire–enclosedpasture.

“Idon’tseeanysigns,”

Jacksaid.“There’samilemarker,though,withatwelveonit.”

“Takethenextright.Itshouldbeadriveway.”

“Okay,I’monit.Iseeahousedirectlyaheadofme.”

“Koikov’scabinisjustwestofit,maybeaquarter-mile.Youshouldbecominguponanotherroad,asmallone,barelyonthemap.”

“Iseeit.”

Jackslowed,dousedtheOpel’sheadlights,thenmadetheturn.Tohisleftacrossthepasturehesawyellowlightsfilteringthroughathicketofscrubtrees.

AnotherhundredyardsbroughthimtoaTintersection.HeturnedlefttowardKoikov’scabinandslowlythetreesthinnedoutuntilhecouldseeaU-shapedclearingahead.Heletupon

theacceleratorandslowedtheOpeltoawalkingpace.Herolleddownthepassengerwindowandlistened.Savethebuzzingofinsects,allwasquiet.

“Jack,youthere?”askedSpellman.

“CalloneofMedzhid’smen.”

Jackbrakedtoastopandshutofftheengine.

Momentslaterheheard

theringingofacellphone.Afterfiverings,itwentsilent.Jacksaid,“Matt,hangon.”HedialedDom,loopedhimintothecall,andthenmadequickintroductions.“Ineedbackup,”hetoldDom.“Matt’sgotmylocation.”

•••

EYESFIXEDonthelightedwindowsofthecabin,

hecreptdowntheroaduntilthefencetohisrightformedacorner,whichhefollowed,usingthethickettoscreenhisapproachtothecabin,nowtohisleftfront.Hestopped,listened,thenkeptgoinguntilhewaswithintenpacesofthefrontdoor,wherehecrouched.Tohisleftinthedrivewaywasadark-coloredSUV,thankfullynotaSuburban,hesaw.Hehad

enoughcomplicationstodealwith.

HeheardamuffledmalevoicesaysomethinginRussianfrominsidethecabin,followedbyaresponse.Thetonesoundedcasual,buttheexchangewastooclipped,Jackthought,tobeafriendlyone.Asilhouettemovedpastthecurtainedwindow,thenoutofview.Thedooropenedanda

manemerged.Hewalkedafewstepstohisright,thenlitacigarette.

JackdrewtheRugerfromitsholsterandaffixedthenoisesuppressor.

Jack’sphonevibrated.HecuppedhishandaroundthescreenandreadthetextfromDom.TENMINUTESOUT.

AvoiceinthedarknesscalledoutinRussian.Jackcaughtontwowords:“car”

and“there.”They’dspottedhiscar.

Themanwho’dspokenwalkedupandjoinedhissmokingpartner,andtheystartedtalkingquietly.

Suddenlyfrominsidethecabincameabang,thenashoutandtheslapoffleshagainstflesh.Ashadowedfigurecrashedintothecurtains,thenwasjerkedaway.

Thesmokingmansaidsomethingandhispartnerlaughed.

Gottadosomething,Jack.Can’tjustsithere.

Herosefromhiscrouchandstartedforward,placingeachfootflatonthegroundandgettingitsettledbeforetakingthenextstep.Thementohisrightkeptchatting.AftertenpacesandtwominutesJackdrewevenwith

thecabin’sfrontdoor.Heslippedleftthroughthethicket,thenfollowedthesidewallaroundtotheback,thendowntheoppositesideuntilhereachedthecabin’sfrontcorner.Hepokedhisheadout.

Thetwomenweresixfeetaway.

WiththeRugerraisedbeforehim,hesteppedout.

“Rukivverh,”he

whispered.Neitherdidasordered.

Thesmokingmanspunleft,hishandalreadyreachinginsidehiscoat,whilehispartnersprintedforthecabindoor.Jackshotthefirstmantwiceinthechest,thenshiftedtheRugerandfiredatthefleeingman.Hemissed.Beforehecouldgetoffanothershotthemanwasthroughthecabindoor,

shoutingashewent.Jackretreatedtothe

corner,thenadjustedaimandputaroundintoeachoftheSUV’spassenger-sidetires.Therewasnopop,noexplosiverushofair.Self-sealingtires.Thatsaidsomething.

ThebarrelofanassaultriflepokedthroughthecabindoorandswungtowardJack.Hepulledback.Therifle

beganchattering,bulletstearingchunksfromthewoodandpunchingthroughthewall.Hebackpedaled,tryingtogetaheadofthepiercingroundsastheykeptpacewithhim.Heturnedleft,shovedhimselfthroughsomewaist-highscrub,andthenkeptgoing,tryingtoputsomedistancebetweenhimselfandthecabin.

Aftertwentyfeethe

reachedawoodpile.Heduckedaroundit,peekedoverthetop.TheSUV’sfrontandreardoorswereswingingshut.

TheengineroaredtolifeandtheSUVacceleratedoutofthedrivewayandspeddowntheroad.

JackgotouthisphoneandcalledDom.“Whereareyou?”

“Passingmilemarker

twelve.”“Stopthereandfinda

placetohide.InaboutsixtysecondsablackSUV’sgoingtoberoundingthecorner.Followit.”

•••

“SORRY,GUYS,ILOST’EM.”Domsatdownonhismotelroom’sbedandtossedthekeysontothenightstand.Herubbedhis

handsthroughhishair.“Shit.”

“We’llfindthem,”saidSpellman.

Jackmadetheintroductions.Theyshookhands.

“Oh,yeah,theguyonthephone,”Domsaid.“You’reCIA?”

“Forhoweverlongthat’lllast,”Spellmansaid,smiling.“BythetimethisisoverI’ll

probablybeworkingthetoolcounteratHomeDepot.Didyougetalicenseplatenumber?”

“Therewerenone.”Ysabelwentintothe

bathroom,filledaglasswithwater,thencamebackandhandedittoDom,whodownedit.“Thanks.”

“So,”Jacksaid.“Tellus.”

“Ifollowedthemfor

almosttwohours,northupthecoast,thenlosttheminthislittlevillage...Bakh-something?”

“Bakhtemir?”saidSpellman.

“That’sit.Justaspeckofaplace,butthestreetswereamessandtheyseemedtoknowwheretheyweregoing.Anyway,Ibacktrackedsouthandsatontheroadforabit.Theydidn’tcomebackmy

way.”“Theydidn’tseeyou?”

askedSpellman.“Nochance.”“Matt,what’supthat

way?”askedJack.“Awholelotofnothing.

Mostlylowlandsandalotofopenspace.It’sbeendroughtconditionsupthereforacoupleyears,soit’sprobablydesertlikebynow.Bakhtemir’sprobablythe

largestsettlementupthereandit’sonlygotafewhundredpeopleinit.”

“WhytakeKoikovupthere?”askedYsabel.“Iftheywantedtokillhim,whynotinhiscabin?Andtheycan’tkeephimhiddenforever.He’sgoingtohavetoappearbeforethepanel.”

“Theyhadtohaveareason,”saidSpellman.“IfthisisWellesley—”

“Itis,”Jackreplied.“Thenhe’sgotaplan.He

doesn’tdoanythingspur-of-the-moment.”

Noonespokeforawhile.Jackmurmured,“What’sgoodforthegooseisgoodforthegander.”

“What’sthatmean?”askedSpellman.

“WeneedtotalktoMedzhid.”

•••

WHENTHEYGOTtotheTortoretoapartment,SpellmanwokeupSeth,whointurnwokeupMedzhid,whowalkedintothedimlylitconferenceareaafewminuteslater.Hiseyeswerered-rimmed.“What’sthisabout?You’vefoundSergeantKoikov?”

“No,”Jackreplied.He

recountedtheshoot-outatthecabin.

“Puncture-prooftires,”Medzhidrepeated.“Thathastobesomekindofofficialgovernmentvehicle.I’lllookintoit.”

“IthinkIhaveahunchaboutwhattheyhaveplannedforKoikov.”

“Doesitevenmatter?”Sethsaid.“Imean,Ifeelfortheguy,buthe’slyingabout

Almakandifhecomesbeforethepanelit’llcomeout.Andifhedoesn’tshowup,that’salsoproofhe’slying.Win-win.”

“Unlesstheykillhim,”saidYsabel.“That’salose-loseforhim.”

“Theywon’t.”“Ithinkthat’sexactly

whatthey’regoingtodo,”Jackreplied.“Thinkaboutit:You’veboxedyourselfintoa

cornerjustlikeWellesleydidtohimself.Iftheydon’tproduceKoikovtheylose,andiftheydoproducehimtheylose.Thesameappliestoyou:Medzhid’sdemandedproofthatKoikovissafeandisn’tbeingcoerced,andyou’vegotthemediaandthepublicscreamingthesamething.Ifyousuddenlyletthatgo,everyone’sgoingtowonderwhy.Whathaveyou

gottohide?”“Nothing,”saidMedzhid.“Thequestionwillstillbe

asked.WellesleyneedsawaytokeepKoikovawayfromthepanelandmakeitlooklikeyou’reguiltyofAlmak.”

“How?”“Wellesleytakeshimtoa

remoteplace,somewhereconnectedtoyou,putsabulletinhisskull,thenNabiyevswoopsinwith

Armytroops.AfterafirefightKoikovisfounddead,silencedbysomeofyourloyalpolitsiyaofficers,whoarethemselveskilledbyNabiyev’smen.”Jackpaused.“Rebaz,inthespaceofanhouryou’llbebrandedamurderer,notonlyofciviliansinAlmak,butofyourownsergeant.”

“Damn,”Sethmurmured.“He’sright.Hell,they’ll

probablyfindKoikovinashallowgrave.Wellesleydoesn’tdoanythinghalf-assed.”

“Itwouldn’twork,”Medzhidsaid.Herappedhisfistonthetable.“Iwouldeventuallybevindicated.”

“Maybe,butyousureashellwon’tbekeepingyourjob.”

“Andthecoupisoverbeforeitstarts,”Spellman

finished.

T HEYHADonlyoneadvantage,Jackknew,anditwas

Wellesley’sownmeticulousnature.

WhiletheSISmanwouldwantKoikov’splaceofexecutiontobetraceableto

Medzhid,ifpressedfortimeoralertedtheywereontohim,WellesleymightbypassthiselementandsimplykillKoikovandletthepresenceofdeadpro-Medzhidofficersserveasproofenough.

ThesurrealityofthesituationsuddenlyhitJack:ThepossiblesuccessorfailureofDagestan’sattempttobreakfreeofValeriVolodinandtheRussian

Federationnowrestedonthefateofasickly,retiredpolitsiyasergeantwhowasuntilafewdaysagothoughttobedead.Koikovprobablyhadnoideathathe’dbecomethemostimportantmaninthewholecountry.

•••

ASSUMINGKOIKOV’SKIDNAPPERShadcontinuednorthafterDom

hadlosttheminBakhtemir,SethandSpellmanbeganhuntingforalocationinDagestan’snorthernlowlandsthatcouldbeconnecteddirectlytoMedzhidoratleasttotheMOI.

Therewerefourpossibilities,SpellmantoldJackafewhourslater:acurrentlyunmannedtrainingbaseforpolitsiyaarmoredvehicleunitsoutside

Bakhtemir;thedecommissionedRybozavadNavalBaseforCaspianflotillapatrolboatsnowundertheguardianshipoftheMinistry;atwo-hundred-acrestretchoftidalmarshesoutsideSuyutkinothatMedzhid’spredecessorhadappropriatedasaprivateduck-huntingpreserve;andanabandonedprisoncalledBamlagWest,nicknamed

afteraninfamousSiberiangulag.This,too,Medzhidsaid,wasathrowbacktoDagestan’sSovietera,whenhundredsofenemiesofthestatehadeitherservedfordecadesordiedfromforcedlabor.

•••

ATFIRSTLIGHTMedzhidhadaspotterplaneintheairandheadednorth

fromMakhachkala.Jackandtheotherssat

downattheconferencetableandwaited.

“Jack,howlongdoyouthinkKoikov’sgot?”Ysabelwhispered.

“I’vebeenthinkingaboutthat.UnlessI’mmissingsomething,Wellesley’sgotnoreasontowait.Itmightalreadybedone.”

•••

ONEOFMEDZHID’Sassistantsappeared.SheleaneddownandwhisperedinSeth’sear.Hepickeduptheremotecontrolonthetableandaimeditatthebankoftelevisions.

Medzhid,standingonthefrontstepsoftheParliamentBuilding,wasspeaking.“...Ithascometomyattention

thatanothermemberofmyteamthatwaspresentattheBattleofAlmakisstillliving.UponhearingthatSergeantKoikov’sdemisehadbeenmisreported,IorderedmystafftobeginscouringMinistryoftheInteriorpersonnelrecords,bothelectronicandhardcopy,forsimilarerrors.

“Wedidindeedfindthenameofanotherbrave

officer,aprivatenamedShimko,whohasbeenlivinginthetownofKulaforthepasttenyears.Rightnow,thismanisbeingescortedhereandispreparedtogivesworntestimonyregardingthe1999eventsinAlmak.”

Sethmutedthetelevision.“I’llbedamned.”

“Didyouknowaboutthis,Seth?”askedSpellman.“Isittrue?”

“Noandno.Medzhiddidhavehispeoplereviewtherecords,butKoikovistheonlysurvivingmemberfromAlmak.”

Clever,Jackthought.WithanotherpossiblewitnesscomingforwardatMedzhid’sbehest,havingPavelKoikovturnupdeadwoulddoWellesleyandPechkinnogood.

Medzhidhadjustbought

themsometime.“Butwhathappenswhen

thisPrivateShimkodoesn’tshowuporsomeonefindsproofMedzhidislyingabouthim?”askedYsabel.

“ThenKoikov’sdead,”Spellmanreplied.

•••

ATONE-FIFTEENcamethefirstreportfromMedzhid’sspotterplane:No

activityattheBakhtemirtrainingbase.

Thenextreportcametwohourslater.

“Nothingatthehuntingpreserve,”Sethsaid.“Twomoretogo:RybozavadNavalBaseandBamlagWest.”

“Howfaraway?”askedJack.

“Rybozavad,ahundredkilometersorsofromtheplane’scurrentposition.It

shouldbeoverheadwithinthehour.Bamlag’sinlandfromthere.”

Thehourcameandwentwithnoreport.

Medzhidreturned.Heshruggedoffhiscoat,tosseditontothecouch,thenloosenedhistieandstrodetotheconferencearea.

“Thatwasbrilliant,Rebaz,”Spellmansaid.

“No,Iamafool.I

shouldn’thaveusedShimko’sname.OneofmyassistantsgotacallfromtheeditoratPravdaaskingfordetails—Shimko’sdatesofservice,commendations,locationandnamesoffamilymembers...Bymorning,allofMakhachkalawillknowIwaslyingaboutShimko.”

Thephonerangagain.Sethsaid,“NegativeonRybozavadNavalBase.”

HaveIgotthiswrong?Jackwondered.HadWellesleysimplykilledKoikovanddumpedhiminaditchsomewhere?

•••

ATSIX-TWENTYtheconferencetablephonerangagain.Medzhidgrabbedthereceiver,listenedforafewmoments,thensaid,“No.Nopictures.Tellthemtoget

outofthereandreturntobase.”Medzhidhungupandsaid,“TheyspottedlightsinoneofthebuildingsatBamlag.Thereshouldbenoonethere.”

“Thathastobeit,”Jackreplied.

Wellesley’schoiceoflocationwasbothintentionalandsymbolic:thelonewitnesswhocouldbringdownMedzhidexecutedand

buriedinwhatNabiyevwouldduban“MOIGulag.”

Sethsaid,“Rebaz,howsooncanyourERFpeoplegetupthere?”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Ican’tsendthem.”

“Why?”Jackanswered.“Having

theERFdescendonBamlagcouldproducetheresultNabiyevwants:SergeantKoikovdeadandMedzhid’s

peopleonthescene.”“Wehavetodoit,”

Spellmansaid.

•••

WITHSETHatthewheeloftheSuburban,Jack,Spellman,andYsabelheadedupthecoastroad,thenturnedontoagraveltrackleadingtoawharf.Aheadwasawheeledfencegate

emblazonedKEEPOUTinCyrillic.

“We’vepickedupatail,”Sethannounced.

“Describeit,”Jacksaidfromthebackseat.

“Compactfour-door,white.”

“He’swithme.Havetheguardwavehimthrough.”

“Whateveryousay,”Sethmuttered.“Youandyourdamnedsecrets,Jack...”

Sethgavetheguardhisnameandthegaterolledopen.Theypulledthroughandfollowedthecurvingroadtoapavedareabetweentwowarehouseslitbyacagedbulbaffixedtoeachoftheirwalls.

Astheyclimbedout,Domwalkedupcarryinghisblackduffel.

Jacksaid,“Seth,thisisDom;Dom,Seth.”

“Anotherarbitragebuddy?”

“Somethinglikethat,”saidDom.

SpellmanaskedDom,“Thatyourgear?”

“Yeah.”“I’vegotaspare

rucksack.Comeon,I’llhelpyousortitout.”

Togethertheysortedanddividedtheirloadout—threeARXassaultriflesandRuger

pistols,commsheadsetsandportableradios,andbinoculars.

“Godbless,”Domsaid.“Somebody’smodifiedtheseARXs.Singleshot,three-roundburst,andfullauto.”

“You’rewelcome,”Spellmansaid.“Ready?”

“Yep.”Theysecuredtherucks

andfollowedSethtowardthewharf.

“Letmeguess,”Ysabelsaid.“Youwantmetostaybehind.”

“Yes,butnotwhyyouthink.Ineedyouto—”

“KeepaneyeonthingsattheTortoreto.I’mfinewithit.Thetruthis,thisstuffisn’texactlymyspecialty.I’mbettingthatwhoever’sholdingKoikovisabovemyskillset.”

“You’vedoneokay,

Ysabel.Hell,yousavedmeatleastonce.”

“Atleasttwice.”“When’syourbirthday?”

askedJack.“What?Um...June

twenty-first.”“I’llbuyyouanassault

rifle.”“That’ssosweet,Jack.

Youknowjustwhatagirlwants.”

Shehuggedhimand

whisperedinhisear,“Comebacksafe.”

•••

ASTHETERRAINaroundBamlagwaseithertooswampyortooruggedforafixed-wingplanetoland,andhecouldn’tsparewhatfewhelicoptershehad,MedzhidhadarrangedfortheirtransportanAviatik-Allianceseaplane,whichwouldland

nearBamlagonanunnamedlake.

Thedual-engineparasol-wingedcraftwaspaintedamottledgrayandbrown;itstailandfuselageboretheMinistry’seagleembleminmatteblackpaint.

JackclimbeddowntheladderandwaitedhisturntopileintotheAviatik’sbelly.Oncetheywereseated,Sethleanedinthedoorandsaid,

“Goodhunting.BringKoikovhomeandwe’llstuffhimdownNabiyev’sthroat.”

Heslammedthedoorshut.

Thepilotclimbedintothecockpitandbegangoingthroughhispreflightchecklist.Outthewindowsthewateroftheharborwasflatandblack;beyondtheseawall,Jackcouldseethepulsingbeaconsofoffshore

oilplatforms.Theenginescoughed

once,thenturnedoverandstartedspoolingup.Jackcouldfeelthevibrationinhisfeet.

Seatedintherowbehindthecockpit,Spellmanleanedforward,askedthepilotaquestion,thenshoutedtheansweroverhisshouldertoJackandDom:“Ninetyminutes’flighttime.”

DomleanedovertoJackandsaid,“IsthisguySpellmananygood?”

“HesavedmyassinTehran.That’sgoodenoughforme.”

•••

SEVENTYMINUTESaftertheyliftedoff,thepilotturnedwestoverBakhtemirandheadedinlandforanothertwentykilometersbefore

puttingtheAviatikintoagentledescentandbleedingoffaltitudeuntiltheywereonlyafewhundredfeetofftheground.

Thepilotturnedinhisseat,gotSpellman’sattention,andpointedtothesetofwhiteheadphoneshangingfromthebulkhead.Spellmandonnedthem,listened,thensaidoverhisshouldertoJackandDom,“Ninemilesout.”

AtfourmilesthepilotthrottledbackandkeptdescendinguntilthroughthewindowJackcouldseetheplane’sbarelyperceptibleshadowskimmingovertherugged,boulder-strewnlandscape.

Thepilothelduptwofingers:twomiles.

Anotherminutepassed.Thepilotcuttheengines.ThesoundfadeduntilJackcould

hearonlythewindhissingthroughthedoor’sgasketseal.

“Touchingdown,”Spellmancalled.

TheAviatik’sbellykissedthesurfaceofthelake.Thecraftbouncedone,twice,thensettled,hissingoverthewater.Thepilotbroughtthenosearounduntilitwasaimedatacurveofwhitebeach,thenlettheplane’s

momentumcarryittowithinahundredyardsoftheshoals,wherehegoosedthethrottleuntilthekeelscrapedoverthesand.

Spellmantookoffhisheadphonesandreturnedthemtothehook.“We’reonfootfromhere.”

T HECLOUDCOVERwasslow-movingandpartial,leavingthe

moonahazydiskthatslidintoandoutofviewastheywalked.Jackwouldhavepreferredfulldarkbutopslikethisonewererarely

servedupperfectlytothoseinvolved.

Aquarter-mileouttheystoppedandsettledbehindaclusterofchest-highboulders.DomhandedJackoneoftheARXs.Togethertheyranaweaponscheck,thenattachedthemultipointslingsanddrapedtheARXsacrosstheirchests.Spellmanwasdoingthesamewithhissniperrifle.

“FuckingVietnam-eraDragunov,”hemuttered.“Isthisthebesttheycando?Atleastthesuppressorlooksdecent.Shit,Idon’tevenknowifit’ssightedin.”

“You’llhavetodoitonthefly,”saidDom.“Howlongwillourpilotwait?”

“Aslongasittakes.Oruntilhegetsshotat,Iimagine.”

Domhandedoutthe

headsetsandtheyranacommstest,thenswitchedchannelsanddidthesamewiththeAviatik’spilot.

Jacksaid,“Let’schecktheground.”Hepokedhisheadoverthebouldersandraisedhisbinoculars.

ThougheightthousandmilesfromitsSiberiannamesake,BamlagWestPrisonlookedlikealltheothersatelliteimagesof

gulagsJackhadseen.Setonflatbarrenground,therectangular-shapedcompoundwasenclosedbytwelve-foot-highbarbed-wirefencing,muchofithalfcollapsed.

“Plentyofentrancepoints,”Jacktoldthem.

Inthecenterofthecampstoodawatchtower,whichdividedthecompoundintonorthandsouthsections,theformercontainingnine

windowless,barracks-styleprisonerhutsarrangedinathree-by-threesquare;thelatterfivewoodenstructuresJackassumedwereadministrativebuildings.Whilethesebuildingssatclosetotheperimeter,noneofthebarrackssatcloserthan150feetfromthefencing.Thiswouldbetheno-gozone,Jackguessed.Firstthewaywardprisonerwouldget

awarningshot;afterthat,onethroughthehead.

HerelayedtoSpellmanandDomwhathewasseeing,thenzoomedinontheadminbuildings.

“Nomovementandnolights,”hesaid.“AndnosignoftheSUVfromKoikov’scabin.”

Hepannedtothewatchtoweranddialedthebinocular’sfocuswheeluntil

thetower’shutbecameclear.Beneaththeeavesoftheslantedroofhesawabankofwindows,mostofthembroken.

“I’vegotmovementinthetower,”Jackreported.“Lookslikeoneman.”

“Armed?”askedDom.“Can’ttell;he’sjusta

silhouette.”“I’mnotsureIcanget

himfromhere,notwiththis,”

Spellmansaid.“Letmetakealook.”Hedroppedtohisbellyandscootedsidewaysuntilhecouldseearoundtheboulderpile.HepressedtheDragunovtohischeekandpeeredthroughthescope.

“Toorisky,”hesaidafterafewmoments.“IfImissthefirstshot,IdoubtI’llgetasecond.Plus,withthesesubsonicroundsI’llneedtobecloser.”

•••

THEAPPROACHwaspainstakinglyslow.Spacedattwenty-footintervalswithSpellmanonpoint,theybelly-crawledfrombouldertoboulder,mostofwhichwerebarelybiggerthantheirheads.SoonJack’selbowsachedandhecouldfeeltheslicknessofbloodbeneathhiscamouflage

jacket.OccasionallySpellman

wouldsignalahaltwithaclosedfistbesidehisthighandtheywouldstopandsurveythecompoundthroughtheDragunov’sscopebeforecontinuingforward.

AftertwentymoreminutesSpellmanstoppedagain.

ThroughhisheadsetJackheard,“Signsoflife.Side

doorofthebuildingonthefarright.CallitBuildingOne.”

SlowlyJackbroughtuphisbinocularsandzoomedinonthebuilding.Seepingfromtheedgesofthesidedoorwaslight.“Iseeit.Whataboutthetower?”

“Waitone.”Jackwatchedas

Spellmanside-scooteduntilhereachedabouldertenfeettohisright.“Clearshot,”he

whispered.“Onyourtime,”Jack

replied.Domcalled,“Hold.I’ve

gotmovement.BuildingOnesidedooropening.Onemancomingout.Doorisshutting.”

“I’monhim,”Spellmansaid.

ThroughhisbinocularsJackwatchedthemanstrideacrosstheirfrontfromright

toleft.Hisfigurewasbrokenupbythebarbed-wirefence.

“Shotdoubtful,”Spellmansaid.

Themanraisedahandtohispartnerinthetower,thenstoppedatabuildingwithatall,corrugatedgaragedoorsetintoitsfrontwall.Hesteppedthoughthepedestriandooranddisappearedinside.Theinteriorwasdark.

“CallingthatGarage,”

Domsaid.“Matt,how’stheangle?”

Jackasked.“IfIgethimcomingout

thedoortheguyinthetowerwon’tseehimgodown.”

“Doit,”Jacksaid.Nowwefindouthow

goodtheDragunov’ssuppressoris.

•••

FIVEMINUTES

PASSED.Then,fromSpellman,“Garagedoorisopening.”

“Taketheshot,”Jackordered.

Spellman’sDragunovbucked.Therifle’sreportwasnolouderthanarockcrackingagainstoneoftheboulders.

Atthegaragedoor,themanstumbledbackacrossthethreshold.AshefellJack

caughtaglimpseofwhatlookedlikeavehicle’sfrontquarter-panel.

“Heartshot,”Domcalled.“Niceshooting.”

“I’mswitchingtothetower,”Spellmanreplied.“He’slookingaround.Youguysseeanymovementontheground?”

“Negative.”“Negative.”“Firing.”

ThroughhisbinocularsJacksawthetowerguard’sheaddisappearinacloudofdarkspray.

“He’sdown,”Domreported,thenchuckledsoftly.“Verydown.”

•••

WITHTHEGROUNDAHEADclearoftargets,DomandJackleftSpellmanonoverwatchandsprinted

ahead,slippedthroughagapinthefence,thenmovedtothegarage.Dompostedonthefrontrightcorner,ARXpointedatBuildingOne.Jacknudgedthedeadman’slegsoffthethreshold,thenclosedthedoorandproceededtothebuilding’soppositecorner;hepeekedaroundit.

“Clearonthisside,”hecalled.“Matt,comeup.”

“Moving.”

“Hold!”Domcalled.Jacklookedleftandsaw

BuildingOne’sdooropen,castingarectangleoflightonthedirt.Themanstartedwalkingtowardthegarage.

Domsaid,“He’llhavemeintenseconds.”

Spellmancalled,“I’vegotmoremovement—pasttheguardtowernearthebarracks.Threemen,allcarryingSBRs,”hesaid,

referringtoshort-barreledrifles.“They’reheadedyourway.”

“I’mslinging,”Domsaid,simultaneouslybackingupandshiftinghisARXsoitwashiddenbehindhisbody.“Jack,canyou—”

“Yep.Juststayoutofmysightline.”

Themankeptcoming.Hestopped.Hisposture

stiffened.

Domtookasteptohisright.

“Alittlemore,”Jackwhispered.

Domtookanotherstep,thenraisedhishandingreeting.Themanwavedback.Hisshouldersrelaxedandhestartedforwardagain.JacklethimgettowithinsixfeetofDom,thenshothimintheforehead.Ashewentdown,DomaskedSpellman,

“Anyreactionfromyourthree?”

“No,butyou’dbettergetthatbodyclear.WaituntilItellyou...Okay,gonow.”

Hunchedover,Domwalkedtotheman’sbody,lifteditundertheshoulders,thendraggedittothegarage.Jackopenedthesidedoor,andDombackedthroughanddumpedthebodybesideSpellman’skill.Themanwas

indesertcamouflageidenticaltotheirown;Jacksawnoinsigniasorpatches.

“Matt,canyoumove?”heasked.

“Maybe.I’lllosesightofthem,though.”

Jackconsideredthis.“Weneedtoconsolidate.Moveupwhenyoucan.I’llcoveryou.”

Jackslidalongthewalltothecornerandlookedaround

it.Thethreemenwerefiftyyardsawayandpassingthroughthetower’sbuttresses.Overhisshoulderheheardthesoftscuffofabootinthedirt,thenSpellman’svoice:“Here.”

“Intothegarage.”Spellmanstepped

throughandJackfollowed,closingthedoorbehindhim.

“It’sclear,”Domsaid.“There’sanotherdooratthe

back,butit’slockedonourside.Hey,Jack,I’mprettysurethisistheSUVItailed.”

Jackkneltbesidethevehicle’sfronttireandclickedonhispenlight.InthesidewallwasthedepressionfromJack’sbulletatthecabin.“Yep.We’reintherightplace.”

“It’sbetterthanthat,”Spellmanrepliedwithasmile.“That,gentlemen,isa

VolvoXC90—standardissueforDagestanigovernmentofficials.Let’sseeifwecangetaVIN...”SpellmanopenedtheVolvo’sdoor.Thedomelightpoppedon.Heclimbedinandleanedoverthedash,looking.

Nearthebackofthegaragecametheslidingthunkofadeadbolt.

S PELLMANFROZE.JacksteppedtotheSUVandcrouched

besidethetire.Dom,whowasstandingbesidethereartire,showedJackaclosedfist,thenathumbs-up.WiththeARXtuckedintohis

shoulder,hepokedhisheadaroundtheVolvo’scornerpost,firedonce,thenmovedforward.

Jackheardthebackdoor’sdeadboltslidebackintoplace.Domreappeareddraggingabody.“We’vegotourselvesanotherARX,”hewhispered.

“LookslikeSethandtheseguyssharethesamearmorer,”Jackreplied.

“Doesn’tmeananything,”SpellmansaidfromtheVolvo’sdriver’sseat.“SomeofthecitygarrisontroopsaregettingthemfromMoscow.”

“DoesthatmeantheseareregularRussianArmy?”askedDom.

“Possibly.Ifso,VolodinmightbemorecommittedtokeepingNabiyevinpowerthanwethought.”

“Betterfindthatout,”saidJack.“Ifthegarrisondecidestomarchonyourprotestersitcouldbeabloodbath.”

HeandDomfriskedthebodiesbutfoundnothing.

Spellmanhoppeddown.“Goodnews,badnews.Thebadistherearenokeysintheignitionandthehoodlockisonremote.”

“Fuckin’tank,”Dom

muttered.“ThegoodnewsisI’ve

gotaVIN.Anybetsonwhoitbelongsto?”

“I’mgoingwithPresidentNabiyevhimself,”Jackrepliedwithasmile.

“Alwaystheoptimist,”Domsaid.

“Let’sgettheseguysinthebackoftheVolvoandkeepmoving.Somebody’sgoingtonoticethey’reshort

fourmen.”

•••

AFTERDOMJERRY-RIGGEDabarforthegarage’sbackdoor,theywentoutthefrontandcrossedtoBuildingOne,cleareditsouterwalls,thenstackedupoutsidethedoor.Dompressedhiseartoitforafewmoments,thenpulledback.Hemadeaquacking-duckgesturewith

hishand,thenhelduptwofingersandshrugged.

Atleasttwomeninside,Jackthought.

Domgesturedagain:Bypassandkeepmoving.

Jacknodded.Spellman,withhis

DragunovslungoverhisbackandhisRugerheldattheready-lowposition,tookpoint.JackwasinthemiddlewiththeirspareARXslung

overhisshoulder.Dombroughtuptherear,turningslowcirclesandscanningformovementashewalked.

Inturn,theyclearedtheremainingadminbuildings.Allwereemptyandappearedtohavebeenunoccupiedforyears.TherewasnosignofPavelKoikov.Theypausedinthelastbuildingtodownsomewater.

“He’seitherinthatfirst

buildingorinoneofthebarracks,”Jacksaid.

“Unlessthey’reemptyoffurniture,clearingthemisgoingtobeanightmare.”

Fromsomewhereoutsidetherecamethehissofradiostatic.

Itstopped.Domcrepttothe

tarnishedwindownexttothedoorandlookedout.

“Fourmoremencoming

fromthedirectionofthebarracks.AllhaveSBRs.Okay,lookslikethey’rebypassingthegarageandheadingforBuildingOne.Theylookrelaxed.”

“Thatwon’tlast,”saidSpellman.“Oncethey’reinside,somebody’lldoaheadcount.”

“Howmanybadguysdoesthatmake?”Jackasked.“Fourwe’vedownedplusat

leasttwoinBuildingOne,thenthesefour.”

“Soundsaboutright,”Domreplied.“Thatmakeseleven,includingKoikov.NowaytheyallfitinthatVolvo.”

“There’sanothervehiclesomewhere,”saidSpellman.

Andasmanyassixmoremen,Jackthought.

•••

WHILETHEYCOVEREDHIM,Spellmanclimbedthetower.

“Inplace,”heradioed.“I’vegotdecentsightlinesexceptforthealleysbetweenthebarracksandbehindthelastrow.”

“Roger,”saidDom.“Justforclarity’ssake,

whatsaywenamethem?Fromrighttoleft,BravoOne,Two,andsoon.Objections?”

“None,”Jackreplied.“Theguyupherehad

anotherARX.Youwantit?”“Keepit,”saidJack.“In

caseyougetrushed.”“There’sacheery

thought,”Spellmanreplied.“Okay,I’mset.Movewhenyouwant.”

Bymutualagreement,JackandDomhaddecidedtosimplyspreadapartandwalktheremaininghundredyards

tothebarracks—bodiesmovingatspeedwereeasiertospotinthedarkness.

TheyhadcrossedathirdofthedistancewhenSpellmancalled,“Hold.”

Inunison,DomandJackfroze,thenslowlycrouched.

“SidedooropeningonBravoOne.”

Themantrotteddownthebarracks’shortsteps,thenstartedwalkingtowardthe

tower.“Hold...”Spellman

whisperedtothem.“Iwanttoputsomedistancebetweenhimandthebarracks.”

“Hold...Firing.”Inmid-stridetheman

collapsedtohisknees,thenrolledontohisside,dead.

“You’reclear,”Spellmancalled.

“I’mgoingtocheckhim,”Domsaid.Hetrotted

overtotheman,friskedhim,thenreturnedtowhereJackwascrouching.

“HehadVolvokeys,”Domsaid.

“We’removingagain,Matt.”

“Roger.”Theyreachedthefirst

buildingandwentaroundtothesidesteps.DomsignaledforJacktowait,thenheadedtothebarracks’rearcorner.

Hereturnedamomentlaterandwhispered,“Nosignofasecondvehicle.It’sgottabebehindthelastrow.”

“How’syourRussian?”Jackwhispered.

“Nonexistent.”Jackopenedthedoora

fewinches.AsidefromthestripoflightJackhadjustcreated,theinteriorwasblack.Afewfeetawayhesawtheoutlineofatriple-

tieredbunkandthecornerofarottingmattress.Theairwassopungentitstunghiseyes.

Jackputaraspinhisvoiceandcalledsoftly,“Ey,drug!”Hey,friend.

Hegotnoresponse.“Matt,we’reentering

BravoThree.”“Roger.Nothingmoving

out.There’smusiccomingfromBuildingOne.Sounds

likethey’rehavingaparty.”“Withvodka,hopefully,”

Domadded.Guidedbytheir

penlights,theymoveddownthebarracks’centeraisle,checkingbunksastheywentuntiltheyreachedthenextdoor.

“Onourwayout,movingtoBravoTwo,”Jackradioed.

“Holdposition,”Spellmanreplied.

Therewasthirtysecondsofsilence.

“Okay,you’recleartomove.Iheardacardooropenandshut.SoundslikeitcamefrombehindBravoEight.”

Themiddlebarracksinthebackrow,Jackthought.“Moving.”

Insidethenextbuildingtheyfoundabattery-poweredlanternglowingbesidethelastbunk.Onthemattress

wasasleepingbag,stillslightlywarmfromwhereSpellman’slastkillhadbeensleeping.

“HeadingtoBravoFour,”Jackradioed.

•••

INTURN,theyclearedthenextthreebuildings.Theyhadjustwalkeduptothestepsoutside

BravoNinewhenJackheardaseriesofrapidclicksoverhisheadset.Itwastheirprearrangedwarningsignal.

Jackwhispered,“Movement?”

Spellmanrepliedwithasingleclick:Yes.

“Ourend?”Doubleclick:No.“Yours?”Therewasapauseand

thenSpellmansaid,hisvoice

barelyawhisper,“Cominguptheladder.”

•••

JACKHEARDthedoublepopofahandgun,followedbyonemore.

“Shit!”Domgrowled.“Goputeyesontheother

car,”Jackordered.Domhoppedoffthe

steps,sprintedtothecorner

ofthebuilding.Afteramomenthesaid,“Nothing.”

“Holdthereandkeepmeposted.”

Jackwentleftandcrossedtheentranceofthealleytothefrontbarracks,wherehecroucheddown.Heaimedhisbinocularsatthetowerandzoomedin.TherewasnosignofSpellman.

“Matt,”hecalled.Noresponse.

“Givemeaclick...somethingifyou’realive.”

Spellmancameontheline,breathingheavily.“I’malive.Igotanotherdeadoneupherewithme.Hadtobashthefucker’sheadin.Youguysokay?”

BeforeJackcouldanswer,Domreplied,“Nope.Igotmovementbackhere.ThreeguyscomingoutofBravoSixandheadingforan

SUV,lookslikeanotherVolvo.They’repushingafourthguyaheadofthem.Hishead’scoveredbyablanket.GottabeKoikov.”

“Doyouhaveashotontheothers?”Jackasked.

HeheardthemuffledcrackofDom’sARX.“Gotone,”hereplied.“Therestareinthevehicle.It’smovingaway,comingaroundtheothersideofthebuilding.”

JackradioedSpellman:“Matt,getreadytoputsomeroundsintheengineblock.”

“Roger.”“Dom,cometome.”“Roger.”Ontheothersideofthe

tower,Jacksawarectangleoflightslantacrosstheground.“Matt,someone’scomingoutofBuildingOne,”hecalled.

“Trytokeep’emoffme.”

JackraisedhisARX,lookingforatarget.HeheardtheroaroftheVolvo’sengine.Heglancedright.TheSUVcamearoundthecornerofthefirstbarracks,itstailendskidding,throwingupanimpenetrablecloudofdust.

“Igotnoshot!”Spellmanshouted.

Afewsecondslater,theVolvochargedfromthecloudandacceleratedtowardthe

tower.ThemuzzleofSpellman’sDragunovflashedonce,thenagain.ApairofholesappearedintheVolvo’shoodandthevehiclebeganslaloming.

“Adjusting,”saidSpellman.

DomcameupbehindJackandtogethertheysprintedaftertheVolvo.

TheDragunovflashedagain.“Hit.”

SteamgushedfromtheVolvo’sgrille,butitkeptgoing,rapidlyclosingthegaptothetowerandleavingJackandDombehind,envelopedinswirlingdust.

Spellmancalledagain,“Hit.”

JackheardoverlappinggunfireeruptsomewheretotheirfrontandknewthemenfromBuildingOnehadopenedup.

Spellmanshouted,“Shit,shit,I’mtakingfire!”

“Dropflat!”“Fuckthat!”Spellman’sARXstarted

chitteringfromthetower.Jackheardacrashof

steelagainstwood,thenagratingshriek.

Spellmanshoutedoverthegunfire,“Bastardsjustsideswipedmytower.Ithinktheyrammedthesideofthe

garage,too.”JackandDomkept

running.Thedustcloudthinned.LoomingbeforeJack’sfacewerethetower’scrisscrossedsupportbeams.Hedodgedleft.Hisshoulderslammedintoastanchion,knockinghimsideways.FromthecornerofhiseyehesawthreemuzzlesflashingnearBuildingOne.Theshotsweredirectedatthetower.

“I’mrunningoutofammo,”Spellmancalled.

DomappearedatJack’ssideandliftedhimtohisfeet.

“Comeon,Jack,let’slightthesefuckersup.”

Joggingabreastofeachother,theyopenedfireonthegroup.Jack’sARXrandry.Heejectedthemagazine,insertedanewone,andkeptfiringuntiltheyreachedthesafetyofthenextbuilding’s

wall.Amanlungedaroundthe

corner,hisriflecomingup.Jacksteppedforward,butt-strokedhimacrossthejaw.Ashefell,Jackshothiminthechest.

“Clear!”Domcalledfromsomewhereupahead.“Alldown.Yougood,Jack...Matt?”

Spellmanreplied,“TheVolvojustwentthroughthe

fence.It’slimping,slowingdown.”

JackandDomtookoffrunning.

•••

THEVOLVOHADCOVEREDacouplehundredyards,havingnearlyreachedtheboulderpilewhereJackandtheothershadscoutedthecompound.

“Matt,youhaveus

covered?”Jackasked.“Yeah,butjustwiththe

Dragunov.MyARXisdry.”Itstiresbumpingover

rocks,theVolvocoastedtoastop.Theenginerevved,thensputteredandwentsilent.

JackandDomkeptrunning,ARXstuckedintotheirshoulders.

“We’rewideopenouthere,Jack.Nocover.”

“Iknow.”

Simultaneously,theVolvo’sfrontdoorsburstopen.Amanhoppedoutofthepassengersideand,hunchedover,roundedthedoorandkneltbythetire.Heopenedfire.

“Shot,”Spellmancalled,andthetopoftheman’sheaddisintegrated.

Nowthedriveremerged,butinsteadoftakingcoverhechargeddownthesideofthe

Volvo,firingfromthehip.Ashepassedthereardooritopened.Twomenpiledout,oneincamouflage,thesecondincivilianclothes.

Koikov.Spellmanshottheman

chargingJackandDom.AttheVolvo,Koikov

stumbled,almostpitchedforwardtotheground,butthesecondmangrabbedhimbythecollarandjerkedhim

back.HewrappedhisarmaroundKoikov’sneckandjammedthebarrelofhispistolbehindKoikov’searlobe.

Shocked,JackrealizedherecognizedthemanholdingKoikov.Blackhair,longsideburns...ThiswasCaptainSalko,Medzhid’sERFcommander.

WithhisfacepressedtightagainstKoikov’s,Salko

beganbackingtowardthefrontoftheSUV.

Spellmancalledovertheheadset,“Jack,I’mlosinganyshotI’vegot...”

“Percentage?”“Fifty-fiftyanddropping

fast.”Salkosteppedleft,andhe

andKoikovdisappearedaroundtheVolvo’sbumper.

“Shot’sgone,Jack,”Spellmanradioed.

“Stayonhim.I’llseeifIcangetyouanangle.”

JackreleasedhisgripontheARXandletitdangleacrosshischest.Hecalled,“Salko!CaptainSalko,canyouhearme?”

“Icanhearyou.”Jackstartedwalking

forward.Domwarnedoverthe

headset,“Jack...”“Findaspot.IfMatt

doesn’thaveaclearline,takeyourbestshot.”

AwoundedPavelKoikovisbetterthannoKoikovatall,hethought.

“Salko,I’mcomingaroundtherightsideofthevehicle,”Jackcalled.“Myweapon’sdown.”

Jackdidn’twaitforaresponse,butkeptwalking.Handsraised,hepasseddowntheVolvo’srightside.When

SalkoandKoikovcameintoview,JackstoppedsothattheSUV’shoodwasbetweenhimselfandSalko.

PavelKoikov’sliptrembledandhiseyesdartedbackandforthfromSalko’sgunhandtoJack’sface.JackignoredhimandfocusedonSalko,whoseownfacewasbathedinsweat,themusclesofhisjawpulsing.

“Thisisgoingtobreak

Medzhid’sheart,”Jacksaidwithachucklehehopeddidn’tsoundasforcedasitfelt.“You’rethebestpolitsiyahehas.”

“Whathe’splanningistreason,”saidSalko.

Jackhadmyriadquestionshewantedtoasktheman,theforemostofwhichwas:Whoorderedyoutodothis?ButSalkowouldn’tanswer,andthe

longerthisstandoffwenton,thegreaterthechancethathe’dsimplykillKoikov.

“Maybeso,”Jackreplied,“butwhatyou’redoingwon’tmakeanydifference.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”BeforeJackcould

answer,Dom’swhisperedvoicecameoverJack’sheadset:“I’malmostinplace.Tenmoreseconds.”

Jacksaid,“Theydidn’t

tellyou?MedzhidfoundanotherwitnesstoAlmak,aprivatenamedShimko.He’sprobablyinthecapitalbynow.”

“TherewasnooneelseatAlmak.Justthisone.”

“No,theymissedShimko.He’salive.Themanyou’vegothereisuselessnow.Youmightaswelllethimgo.”

Inhisear,Jackheard

Domwhisper,“Saywhen.”Salkosaid,“Iwanttocall

—”“Go,”Jacksaid.Lyingonhisbelly

beneaththeVolvo’srearbumper,Domtooktheonlyshothehad.TheARX’sbulletslammedintoSalko’srightankle,propellingthelegbackwardasthoughithadbeenjerkedhardbyarope.AsSalkopitchedforwardhis

weightshiftedontoKoikov,whocrumpled,hisneckstillclenchedinthecrookofSalko’sforearm.

Salko’sfaceslammedintotheground.Jack,hisARXalreadyupandtuckedintohisshoulder,ranaroundtheVolvo’sbumper.Salkoliftedhishead,hiseyesglassy,andsawJackapproaching.Hetriedtoraisehispistol.Jackkickedit

away.Domjoggedup.He

stareddownatSalko,thensaid,“Well,whatdoyouknow?Wegotaliveone.”

•••

MEDZHIDWASWAITINGbytheTortoreto’sprivateelevatorswhenSethsteeredtheSuburbanintotheparkingspotandshutofftheengine.AsMattSpellman

climbedout,MedzhidwalkedupwithAntonafewpacesbehind.“Whereishe?”

Whichone?Jackthought.Hehadn’ttoldMedzhidaboutCaptainSalko.

JackreachedbackintotherearpassengerseatandhelpedPavelKoikovdown.WhenhesawMedzhid,theoldsergeantstiffenedasthoughtryingtocometoattention.“Mr.Minister.”

MedzhidcuppedKoikov’sfaceinhishands.“Stopwiththat,Pavel.”HewrappedKoikovinahug.“Iamsorrythishappenedtoyou.Areyouinjured?”

“No,justtired.Andhungry.”

“Icanremedyboththosethings.Here,gowithAntonandSeth.They’llgetyousettledupstairs.”Whentheelevatordoorsclosedbehind

thetrio,MedzhidturnedtoJackandSpellmanandshooktheirhands.“Welldone.”

“Youneedtoseesomething,”Jacksaid.

HeledMedzhidtothebackoftheSuburbanandopenedthegate.CaptainSalkolayonhissideintheSUV’scrampedcargowell,hiswristsandanklesboundandhismouthcoveredwithastripofsilverducttape.

WhenhesawMedzhidhestartedmumblingthroughthetape,hiseyesangry.

“Whatisthis?”Medzhidasked.“Whyishe—”

“HewasholdingKoikov—withaguntohishead.”

“Thatcannotbe.”“Itis,”Spellmanreplied.

“Hethinksyou’reatraitor.”MedzhidstaredatSalko

forafewseconds,thenleaneddownandspatinhis

face.“I’mdonelookingathim.”

Spellmanshutthetailgate.

“I’llsendVasimdowntotakehimaway,”saidMedzhid.

“We’vegotabetteridea,”Jacksaid.“Asidefromthefiveofus,nobodyknowswehavehim.Let’skeepitthatway.Fornow,stashhimsomeplacenobodywilllook.”

Iftheydidn’talready,theoppositionwouldsoonknowwhathadhappenedatBamlag.Theirleverwasgone,alongwiththeirmoleinsidetheERF,amanJackfearedmighthavebeenacancer.AccordingtoSeth,theERFfieldedfourplatoonsoftwenty-eightmeneach,alongwitharmoredpersonnelcarriersandheavyweapons.Itwastheclosestthingthe

MOIhadtoSpecialForces.Medzhidneededtoknowifhecouldcountonthem.

“I’dstarttakingahardlookatyourpeople,Rebaz.DidSalkoknowaboutthecoup?”

“Notfromme.”“Whoevertoldhimto

takeKoikovdoes,andweshouldassumeSalkotoldothersintheERF,”saidSpellman.

Jacksaid,“We’vegotsomepicturesforyoutolookatlater—theothermenatBamlag—andacoupleVINsforyoutocheck.”

Beforethey’dleftthecampthey’djotteddowntheVINofthesecondVolvo,thensearchedBuildingOneandtheremainingbarracks,butcameupwithnothingsavethecellphoneinSalko’spocketandacollectionof

BerettaARXs.“Let’shopeCaptain

Salkowasanaberration.Inthemeantime,Ihaveasafehousethatwillsuithim.”

“Callaheadandtellthemwe’recoming,”saidJack.“And,Rebaz,resisttheimpulsetopaySalkoapersonalvisit,okay?”

Medzhid’sexpressionturnedhard.“Jack,sincewedon’tknowoneanothervery

well,I’llforgiveyouthatcomment.Butonlyonce.Thelastfourmenwhoheldthisjobhadnoqualmsabouttorture.Iamnotthem.CaptainSalkowillbetried,andifheisfoundguiltyhewillbeimprisoned.Doweunderstandoneanother?”

“Wedo.”

FMakhachkala

ORTHEFIRSTTIMEinwhatfeltlikemonths,Jacksleptsoundly,for

afulleighthoursbeforeYsabelwokehim.Sheheldasteamingcupofcoffeeunder

hisnoseuntilhegroanedandopenedhiseyes.

“Whattimeisit?”“Twoo’clock,”she

replied.“Tuesday.Thecoupisover.”

Jacksatupandtookthemug.“Notfunny.HaveImissedanything?”

“Medzhid’scalledapressconferenceonthestepsoftheParliamentBuilding.HeandSergeantKoikovare

testifyingbeforeNabiyev’spanel.”

“How’sthecity?”heasked.

“Quiet.It’sliketheprotestsneverhappened.”

“Thecalmbeforethestorm.”

“Thenlet’smakethemostofit,”Ysabelrepliedwithaslysmile.

Shetookthecoffeemugfromhishandsandputiton

thenightstand.

•••

AFTERASHOWERandasecondcupofcoffee,JackphonedDomathishoteltocheckthatallwaswell,thenheandYsabelfoundSpellmansittingintheconferencearea.Medzhid’scadreofassistantswasnowheretobeseen,aswereMedzhid’sbodyguards.The

apartmentwasquiet,savethegurgleofthefloor-to-ceilingfountainsetintothewall.

“Where’sSeth?”Jackasked.

“HewenttovisitSalko.”Thestashingplace

Medzhidhadsentthemtohadbeenanunremarkabletwo-storyhouseinoneofMakhachkala’ssouthernneighborhoods.Amiddle-agedmanandwomanin

civilianclothesdirectedthemtopullintothegarage,wheretheyhelpedSalkooutoftheSuburban’scargoarea,thenescortedhimintothehouse’sbackdoor.Theentireexchangetooklessthanaminuteandnotawordwasspoken.

“Willhegetanythingoutofhim?”askedYsabel.

“Probablynot.IthinkSethjustwantedtolookhim

intheeye.Sethtoldmeheshould’vepersonallyvettedSalko.”

“Itwasn’thisjob,”Jackreplied.

“Bytheway,IthinkSalko’sphoneisprobablyadeadend,”Spellmansaid.“Itwenttoalandline—somecookingsupplyshopinLeninskydistrict.I’llcheckitout,butIsuspecttheypaidsomesapafewbuckstoplay

operator.Salko’sphoneshowsacallthereataboutthetimetheVolvosideswipedmytower.Ilikedthattower,too.”

“Let’scallGavinandseeifhe’sgotanythingforus,”Jacksaid.Hedialedthenumber,thenputthephoneonspeaker.

IttookfourringsbeforeGavinpickedup.Groggily,hesaid,“Yeah,sorry,Ifell

asleep.IhavesomethingontheChirpoyRoadapartment.ItbelongstotheOfficeoftheMayor.”

“Sobydefault,PresidentNabiyev.AccordingtoMedzhid,theyplayracquetballtwiceaweek.”

“TheyusetheplaceforvisitingforeignVIPs,bothpoliticalandbusinesstypes,andafewlocalofficialsaswell,”saidGavin,“soIguess

itmakessensethatWellesley’sholedupthere.”

“Why?”askedYsabel.“Wellesleywouldwant

someplacesecure,butPresidentNabiyevcan’tputthemupinastateorfederalgovernmentbuilding,”Jackreplied.“HeneedsthesamekindofdeniabilityVolodindoes,otherwisenobodywillbelievethecoupfailedbecauseDagestanislovegood

oldMotherRussiaandwanttostaypartoftheFederation.”

Spellmansaid,“Weneedtogetintothatapartment,Jack.”

“Dom’sgoingtopokearoundtheretonight.”

“Tellhimnottobother,”Gavinsaid.“Thetwoplateshegavemecamebacktogenericgovernmentleasecars,buttheoneyougotis

registeredtoaprivatecitizen—awomannamedZoyaVetochkinainthecity’sDepartmentofCulture.Shelooksontheup-and-up.Ifyou’relucky,maybesheleaveshercarunlockedandherkeycardinthevisor.Jack,yousaidyoudon’tknowwhetheronekeycardworksonboththegateandthedoors,right?”

“Right.Isthata

problem?”Gavinlaughed.“Hell,no.

ChancesarethelocksareQuanixbrand.Allyougottadoisscanthethirty-two-bitkey,feeditbacktothelock,andyou’rein.You’regoingtohavetodoalittleshopping,though.Matt,doesMakhachkalahaveanyDevpulseclubs?”

“I’vegotnoideawhatthatis.”

“Googleit.It’sanopen-sourcehobbyelectronicsthing.”

Spellmantypedthetermintohislaptop,thenscrolledandclickedafewtimes.“I’llbedamned.Yeah,therearefourofthem.”

“E-mailthewebmaster,tellhimyou’reworkingonaschoolprojectforyoursonthat’sduetomorrowandyouneedanATmega32u4—”

“Whoa,slowdown.Saythatagain.”

“Justtellhimyouneedatwenty-IOcontrollerandastandardbarreljack.He’llknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.Onceyou’vegotthestuff,I’llwalkyouthrougheverything.”

“Super.Whatexactlyarewebuilding?”

Jacksaid,“Don’tencouragehim,Matt.He’ll

talkyourearoff.Gavin,callDomwithZoyaVetochkina’sdetails.”

“Willdo.Okay,Isavedthebestnewsforlast:IgotatextbackfromthenumberwehaveforPechkin.Hedidn’tidentifyhimself,butheseemedtobuythatIwasCaptainOsin.Heaskedforameeting.”

Almostthere,Jackthought.Theynowknewthat

afterheandYsabelhadleftforKhasavyurt,eitherVasimorAntoncalledPechkin,whohadinturncalledOsin.

“We’vegotthesonofabitch,”saidSpellman.“That’sthelinkweneeded.”

“Notquite.WehavetofindPechkin’snumberononeoftheircellphones,orintheircallhistory.Withoutthat,Medzhidwon’tmakeamove.”

Ysabelsaid,“Gavin,youhijackedDobromir’sandOsin’snumbers.Couldn’tyoudothesamewithPechkin’s?WegetAntonandVasiminthesameroom,dialtheirnumbers,andseewhichonerings.Matt,youhavethem,don’tyou?”

“Sure.”“Dobromir’sandOsin’s

werestraightcellphones,”Gavinexplained.“Pechkin’s

isbeingroutedthroughalandlinecluster.”

“Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans,”saidYsabel.

“It’sjustanotherwaytoanonymizeyourself,hidingyourIP—Internetprotocol—addresswithaproxyserver,usingdisposablee-mailaddresses,settingupaVPN—virtualprivatenetwork.Therearelotsofways;landlineroutingisprettyold-

school,butitworks.Thepointis,withoutPechkin’scellphoneinhand,I’dneedtobeintheroomwithwhateverthey’reusingasforwarder.Oroneofyouwouldneedtobe.”

“Let’smakeithappen,”saidSpellman.“Idoubtallthey’reusingtheplaceforistoroutecalls,anyway.”

“Gavin,whendidyousetupthemeetingwith

Pechkin?”“Tomorrowmorningat

ten.SomeplacecalledAnzhiSady.”

“SadyisRussianfor‘gardens,’”saidSpellman.“Iknowtheplace.It’sactuallyachildren’splayground.Pechkin’snodummy,I’llgivehimthat.Schoolhasn’tstartedyet,sotheplacewillbepacked.”

“What’reyouthinking,

Jack?”Ysabelasked.“WellesleyandPechkin

seemprettyfondofkidnapping.Let’splayittheirway.”

•••

SETHBURSTTHROUGHtheapartmentdoorandstrodetowardthem.

“It’sstarting!Medzhid’son!”

Spellmangrabbedthe

remotecontrolandturnedonthetelevision.Medzhidwasalreadymakinghisstatement:“...byunanimousvotethepanelchairedbyourPresidentNabiyevhasdeterminedthestorythatappearedinDagestanskaiaPravdatwodaysagowasinfactfalse.AsIknewhewould,SergeantPavelKoikovsupportedtheofficialreportIfiledfollowingthe

Almakincident.Iwilltakequestionsnow.”

OffscreenvoicesclamoreduntilMedzhidpointedatoneoftheunseenreporters.“Mr.Minister,wererepresentativesofPravdapresentduringthehearing?”

“No,theywerenot.Butitismyunderstandingtheywereinvited.”

“Whatactionswillyoutakenow?”

“Personally,none.Ihave,however,orderedmydeputy,Mr.Alenin,toconveneanindependentpaneltoinvestigatethismatter.EithersomeoneatPravdamisquotedSergeantKoikov,orhewasneverinterviewedforthestory,orhewascoercedintogivingafalseaccountofwhathappenedatAlmak.Shouldthisbethecase,Ifullyexpectcriminal

chargeswillbefiledagainstthoseresponsible.”

“WhereisSergeantKoikovnow?”

“HeisinprotectivecustodybutwillbemadeavailabletoDeputyAlenin’spanel—andtothepressafterallofthisisover,shouldhesodesire.Nextquestion?”

“Therehavebeenreportsthatthemanyoumentionedyesterday,PrivateShimko,is

notalive.Wouldyoucaretocomment?”

“Onlytosaythis:FromthemomentthisfallaciousstoryappearedinPravda,wehavehadreasontofearforSergeantKoikov’ssafety.BeyondthatIcansaynomore.ButrestassuredallwillbemadeclearwhenDeputyAlenin’sinvestigationiscompleteandmadepublic.”

“MinisterMedzhid,there

arealsoreportsthatamemberofthepolitsiya,CaptainSalko,ismissing—”

“Thankyou,nomorequestions...”

Spellmanmutedthetelevision.“Theysuredidn’twaitlongtoputSalkooutthere.”

“They’llforgetaboutitbytheendoftheday,”Sethreplied.“IsMedzhidslickorwhat?WellesleyandPechkin

justgotbitch-slappedonliveTV.”

ButnotNabiyev,Jackthought.Thoughitwould’vebeeneasyforMedzhidtothrowabarbortwoatthepresident,hehadinsteadmadethempartnersinprotectingthepublicgood.RebazMedzhidwasnodummy.

“Well,we’rebackonschedule,”Sethsaid.

“Anotherweekandwe’regoodtogo.”

Sevendays,Jackthought.Sevendaystoconfirm

thelocationofWellesleyandPechkin’swarroom,findouthowmanymovesaheadonthechess-boardtheywere,makesurethemultitudeofpartsandpiecesofSeth’splanweren’tunraveling,uncoverwhichofMedzhid’spersonalbodyguards—and

perhapsmembersoftheEmergencyResponseForce—wereplayingfortheotherteam,andfigureouthowfarValeriVolodinwaswillingtogotokeepholdofDagestan.

Notnearlyenoughtime.

•••

ATEIGHTP.M.helefttheTortoretotorelieveDomattheChirpoy

apartment.Ashewalkedtothe

Lada,Domrolleddownthewindow.Jackhandedhimawhitepaperbag.“It’snotJimmyJohn’s,buttheplaceIgotitfromlookedalotlikeaBlimpie.”

“Goodenough,thanks.NosignofPechkinorWellesley.Youknow,thesecurityinsidethatcompoundmightbedecent,butthey’ve

goneostrich—headsallthewayinthesand.I’vebeenherethreehoursandnobody’sevenlookedmyway.”

Thiswasoftenthecasewith“securecompounds,”Jackknew,especiallyonesthataren’ttestedfrequently.Underthoseconditionsitwaseasytofallintoacomplacentmind-set:We’resafeandsecurebehindthesewallsand

camerasandnoonebothersus,sowhat’stoworryabout?

Thiscouldworktotheiradvantagewhenthetimecame.

Jackasked,“DidGavingetaholdofyou?”

“AbouttheVetochkinawoman?Yeah,IfollowedherfromherofficetoahouseonElista;it’scoveredbyafumigationtent.Shetalkedtooneoftheworkers,thenwent

backtotheoffice.Shelockedthecar.I’mgoingtoswingbythereagainonthewaybacktothemotel.”

“HowgoesGavin’sgameofphonetagwithPechkinandWellesley?”

“Pechkin’smeetingfakeCaptainOsintomorrowataplaygroundafewmilesfromhere.Mattwillcallyouwiththedetails.AsforWellesley,Gavin—”

“ContinuinghisacclaimedroleofDobromirtheBroker.”

“Right.He’sbeenstringingWellesleyalong,demandingtoknowwhat’shappenedtoHelen.AsfarasGavincantell,Wellesleyhasn’tfiguredoutshe’snotinanEdinburghjail.We’regoingtokeeppokingathim.Hell,maybehe’llflyofftoScotlandandwecanhave

Clark’sHerefordfriendpayhimavisit.”

“Amancandream.Jack,myboy,you’readevioussonofagun.I’mouttahere.I’llcallyouifIcatchuptoZoya.Otherwise,I’llseeyouinthemorning.”

TMakhachkala

HEREMUSTBEhundredsofthem,Jack,”Domsaidover

thespeakerphone.“Atleast,”Ysabel

replied,thenhandedthe

binocularstoJack,whowatchedthethrongsofchildrenastheyscamperedoverjunglegymsanddownslides,chasedoneanotheracrosssandpits,andbouncedonvaststretchesofraisedtrampolines.

EitherithadslippedSpellman’smindorhehimselfdidn’tknow,butAnzhiGardenswasmassive,atleastahundredacresof

greengrass,flowerbeds,andwoodenbenchesthatformedaringaroundthecentralplayarea.

JackandYsabelwereparkedonthestreetalongtheeasternedgeofthepark,Domthenorthern.Spellmanwasinathirdcaratthepark’smainentrance,tothesouth.Sincearrivingninetyminutesearlytheyhadbeenswappingpositions,lestPechkinhad

arrivedbeforethemandwaswatchingfortheverytraptheyweretryingtolayforhim.

Astheyhadnostand-inforCaptainOsinthatPechkinwouldfallfor,Jackhaddecidedtoplayitbyear.IftheSVRmangavethemanopening,theywouldtakeitandhopeforthebest.

“Youseethesizeofthatballpit?”Domasked.“Where

thehellwasthatwhenIwasakid?”

“Apparently,inDagestanthiswholetime,”Spellmanreplied.

Jackcheckedhiswatch:10:09.“He’slate.”

“Didyouexpectanythingelse?”askedDom.

•••

“HEY,IthinkI’ve

gotsomething,”Spellmancalled.“Aguyinayellowcardiganjustgotoutofataxi.”

“And?”saidJack.“Hedidn’tpaythedriver.

Yeah,Ithinkit’sPechkin.He’sgotahatandsunglasseson,butI’mninetypercentcertain.Dom,thetaxiisturningnorthonMuromStreet.It’sred,withabumfrontheadlight.”

“Iseeit.I’monhim.”JackandYsabelwaited.“He’sjustpassedme,”

Domreported.“Stillheadednorth.I’mfollowing.We’returningwestontoaprivatedrive.Headinguphill.Iseesomekindofstatueahead,aguyonahorse—”

“ImamShamilmonument,”Spellmanreplied.“Jack,there’saclearsightlinefromtheredownto

thepark.DoyouhaveeyesonPechkin?”

ThroughtheOpel’ssidewindowJackaimedthebinocularsatPechkinandzoomedin.“I’vegothim.He’sonthemainpath,headedtotheplayground.He’stakinghistime.”

“Probablygivinghisbackuptimetogetset.Dom?”

“He’spullingintoa

parkingspot.He’sgotbinoculars.I’mgoingtocirclearound,seeifIcangetabetterlook.Jack,youandYsabelstayput.”

“We’renotgoinganywhere.”

Twominutespassed,thenDomsaidsimply,“Abort.”

•••

ASPLANNED,they

clearedtheareaonseparaterounds,thenrendezvousedbackatDom’shotel.“Theguywenttohistrunkandpulledoutalongboxwithapictureofatelescopeonit.Trustme,thatguyain’tnoastronomer.”

“Ruthlessmotherfucker,Pechkin,”Spellmansaid.“HewasgoingtogundownOsinrightinfrontofthekiddies.”

“Orwhoeverapproached

him,”Jackadded.“TimeforplanB.”

Jackopenedhislaptop,connectedittohisphone’sbuilt-inhotspot,thencalledGavinandexplainedwhathewantedhimtodo.

“Loopmeintotheexchange,”Jacksaid.

“Okay,youshouldbeup.”

Jackopenedhischatwindow.Intheupperright-

handcornerthewordsRemoteConnectionwereslowlypulsing.

“I’mtextinghimnow,”saidGavin.

Amomentlater,thefirstmessageappeared:

OSINIWASTHERE.YOUWEREN’TALONE.IAMNOTSTUPID.

Ittookalmostaminute

forPechkintorespond.PECHKINITWASJUSTAPRECAUTION.

OSINYOUWEREGOINGTOKILLME!

PECHKINTHATISNOTTRUE.WHEREAREYOU?IWILLCOMETHERE.ALONE.

OSIN

HOWDOIKNOWTHAT?

PECHKINYOUCANPICKTHELOCATION.

OSINIWANTMOREMONEYORITALKTOMYCOMMANDERANDTAKEMYCHANCES.

PECHKINTHATCANBEARRANGED.YOU

MUSTRELAX.TELLMEWHEREYOUARE.

Overthephone,Gavinsaid,“Jack,whatdoyouwantmetosay?”

“Tellhimyou’llgetbacktohim.”

JackdisconnectedandturnedtoDom,Ysabel,andSpellman.“Wecaneitherlethimgoortryagain.Votes?”

“Tryagain,”Domsaid.“Definitely,”saidYsabel.Spellmannoddedhis

agreement.“OuroddsofwinningimproveifwecantakeevenhalfthePechkin-Wellesleyduooutofthepicture.”

“Jack,Icanseethegearsturninginyourbrain,”Domsaid.“What’sup?”

“Howdoyouguysfeelaboutaroadtrip?”

•••

THOUGHJACKhadaskedthequestionwiththevaguekernelofaplaninhishead,healsorealizedhislastresponsetoPechkinhadputtheminatimecrunch.

AsGavinhadportrayedhim,theirversionofCaptainOsinwasapanickedandmoney-hungrymanontheedgeofconfessingeverything

tohisboss.Someoneinthatframeofmindwouldn’twaitdaystoreestablishcontactwithPechkin,whichmeanttheyhadtoleaveimmediatelyandfinalizetheplanenrouteandpraytheyscaredPechkinenoughthathewouldfollow.

•••

AFTERBRIEFINGSethontheplan,theyleftMakhachkala,Jackand

YsabelintheOpel,SpellmanandDomintheLada.Knowingonlythattheirplanhadtohappenwithintwenty-threemilesofKhasavyurt,therangeofMajorUmarov’sjurisdiction,JackdrovenorthwestupHighwayM29,whileYsabelstudiedthemap,lookingforanareathatfittheircriteria.

PassingthroughSkalsoye,Jackhadherdial

SpellmanintheLada.“Guys,Ithinkwe’vegotourspot,”hesaid.“Goahead,Ysabel.”

“There’salittletowncalledEndireyaboutfivemilesoutsideKhasavyurt.UnlesswegivePechkinenoughtimetotakeanotherroute,it’sgottheonlybridgeacrosstheYaryksutributary.”

“Sharpgirl,”Domsaidonspeakerphone.“Nooffense,Ysabel.”

“Nonetaken.”“Jack,whatmakesyou

thinkPechkinwillevencome?Thishastosmellfishytohim.”

“Maybeso,butwhatchoicedoeshehave?AsfarasPechkinknew,hewastalkingtoCaptainOsin.ThelastthingheneedsisoneofMedzhid’sdistrictcommandershuntingforhimforthemurderofa

Khasavyurtcitizen.”“True,”repliedSpellman,

“butwhosayshejustwon’tsendhistelescope-lovingfriend?”

“Wedon’t.WecanonlyhopePechkinwantstomakedamnsureitgetsdoneright.Let’sfindaplacetosetupforthenight.”

•••

INENDIREY,avillageofafewhundred,surroundedbyblackdirtfarmfieldsandcopsesofwillowtrees,theyfoundayouthhostelonthebanksoftheriverthatwasempty,savetheproprietorandamiddle-agedhippiecouplewhospokeGerman.ThewomanwhogavethemtheirkeysbarelylookedupfromwhatlookedtoJacklikeaRussianversion

ofPeoplemagazine.Oncetheyweresettledin

theirroom,atwelve-by-twelve-footsquarewithtwodoublebunkbeds,JackbriefedSpellmanandDomontheplan.

“Weneedtobesmartabouthowwesetthisup,butnotsosmartPechkinwon’tbelieveit’scomingfromOsin.”

“It’syourcall,”Spellman

said.“You’retheonlyguythat’smetOsin.Howsharpishe?”

“Iwouldn’tcallitameeting,butheisoneofUmarov’s,whoisprettysharphimself,soPechkinmightbuyhavingtojumpthroughsomehoops.”

Ysabelsaid,“Eitherway,thisisaninvitationPechkincan’tignore.HavingOsinasaloosecannoncouldbea

disasterforhimandWellesley.”

“She’sright,”saidJack.“Youguystaketheafternoonanddrivethearea.PutyourselvesinPechkin’shead.”

•••

THEYWEREBACKtwohourslater.Theywalkedintotheroom,andYsabelwenttothemini-fridge,a

clatteringavocado-coloredboxwithnohandle,andpulledoutacoupleofsandwichesJackhadscroungedatanearbycafé.

“Southofthehighwayisano-go,”Domsaid.Withthesandwichinonehand,helaidtheirmaponthefloor.“Toomanyhillsandtoofewdecentroads.It’dtakehimhourstoreachthenextrivercrossingandcircleuptoKhasavyurt.”

“Northofhereisalittledifferent,”saidSpellman.“BetweenusandBavtugaytotheeastthereareafewwayshecouldtakeintoKhasavyurtthat’donlyaddfortyorsominutestohistrip.”

“Thenwe’vegottopickaspotbetweenhereandBavtugay,”repliedJack.

“Andatatimethatforceshishand,”addedYsabel.

Doingbothwould,they

hoped,keepPechkinonthemainhighwayandstraightintotheircrosshairs.

“Jack,what’sthistwenty-three-miles-from-Khasavyurtstuff?”askedDom.“It’saprettyoddnumber.”

“I’massumingMajorUmarovisasticklerforjurisdictionalrange.We’regoingtohandPechkinovertohim.”

“Shit,he’llbeoutbefore

supper,”saidSpellman.“Idoubtit.Asfaras

Umarovisconcerned,Pechkin’saco-conspiratorinDobromirStavin’sdeath.Umarov’salaw-and-orderkindaguy,andithappenedinhiscity.UnlessMoscowiswillingtospringPechkinbyforce,theguywillbelockedupatleastuntilthecoupisover.”

Jackcheckedhiswatch.

“TimetowakeupGavin.”

REndirey

IGHTONSCHEDULE,afewminutespastsixthenextmorning,

Gavincalled.“Hesayshe’scoming.”

“How’dhesound?”

askedJack.Assoonasthewordslefthismouthherealizedhowsillytheywere.

“Itwasatext,Jack,sohesoundedlikehesounded.Iputthepressuretohim,toldhimIwasveryscaredandIneededmoneytoleaveDagestan.”

“Howmuchdidyouaskfor?”

“TheaverageMOIcopmakesaboutfourthousand

U.S.ayear.Idemandedhalfofthat.Pechkindidn’tbataneye.”

Ofcoursehedidn’t,Jackthought.Itwasmoneyheneverplannedtopay.

“Itoldhimelevena.m.inKhasavyurt’smainmarketsquare.I’llkeepyouposted.”

Jackdisconnected.“He’sonhisway,”hetoldtheothers.

•••

ASSUMINGPECHKINwouldhaveleftrightafterGavin’smessagetohimandknowingMakhachkalatoKhasavyurtwasatleastathree-hourdrive,Jackandtheotherswaiteduntileight-thirtyandthenmovedtotheirpositions.IfPechkinwastruetoformhewouldwanttoreachthe

marketinKhasavyurtasmuchbeforeelevenaspossible.

Outside,theyfoundtheairwascool,hoveringaroundfortydegrees,buttheskywascloudless,sothesunwasalreadyburningoffthefoghoveringoverthefields.Thetallgrassalongtheroadsshimmeredwithdew.

AtHighwayM29theypartedcompany,Jackand

YsabelheadingeasttoBavtugay,SpellmanandDomwestthroughEndireypropertowardtheYaryksuBridge.

WhenJackreachedBavtugay’smainintersection,heturnedleftandstarteddriving,killingtimeandpassingmileaftermileoffarmfieldsbeforetheyhitthebranchroadDomhadshownthemonhismap.Besidethestopsign,asignread

KHASAVYURTinCyrillic,followedbyaleft-pointingarrowand24KM.

JackmadeaU-turnandheadedbacktoBavtugay.AshereachedtheM29intersection,hepulledontotheshoulder.

“What’swrong?”askedYsabel.

“Idon’tlikeit.We’regivinghimtoomuchwiggleroom.Andthetraffic’s

heavierthanIthoughtit’dbe.Wedon’tknowwhatkindofcarhe’sdriving,andifwemissspottinghimwe’rescrewed.Letmeseethemap.”

ShehandeditoverandJacklaiditoverthesteeringwheel,hisfingertracingalongtheroadssurroundingKhasavyurt.Themapain’ttheterritory,Jackremindedhimself.Heshouldhave

drivenmoreofthearea.Seeingthevariousroads,turnarounds,andvillagesonapieceofpaperwasn’tthesameasputtingeyesonthosefeatures.HeneededawaytofurtherreducethechanceofPechkin’stakingthenorthernrouteintoKhasavyurt.

“There,rightthere,”hesaid,tappingthemap.HedialedGavinandsaid,“ContactPechkinandchange

themeetingspot.”“Towhere?”“Arkabash.It’savillage

aboutamilesouthoftheYaryksuBridge.TellPechkintotextyouwhenhegetsthere.”

“Andifheaskswhythechange?”

“Uhm...”Ysabelsaid,“Osin’sgot

adachadownthere.He’dfeelsafersomewhereheknows,

wouldn’the?”“Yeah,tellhimthat.”“Okay,holdon.”A

minutelaterGavincameback.“Hesaysthat’sfine.”

Jackdisconnected,calledSpellmanandDomandtoldthemaboutthechange.Heheardcrinklingoverthespeakerastheyopenedtheirownmap.“Okay,weseeit,”saidDom.“He’sgottabeprettyconfidentofhisbackup

toagreeonalocationlikethat.”

Withadecentsniper,home-turfadvantagecanbeeasilyturnedintonoadvantageatall.

“Jack,I’mnotfondofaudibleslikethis,”saidSpellman.

“Meneither,butthisguymakesmenervous.”

“Well,anymorechangesandhe’llgetnervousand

abort.”“Iknow.Getsetupon

theArkabashRoadandwe’lltakeyourspotatthebridge.Whereisit?”

“Asmallmaintenancedrivewayorsomething,rightside.”

“Onourway.”

•••

TENA.M.turned

intoeleven.JackcalledGavin.“Texthim.Tellhimhe’slateandaskwhy.Trytosoundnervous.Uselotsofcapsandexclamationmarks.”

Gavinreplied,“Okay...it’ssent.Waiting...”Jackheardthepingofanincomingtextmessage.“Okay,Pechkinsayshe’srunninglate.TherewasanaccidenteastofBavtugay.Heswearshe’scoming.Twentymore

minutesatmost.”“He’sbuyingtime,”

YsabelsaidwhenJackdisconnected.

Afewminuteslater,Ysabelwasprovenright.

ThroughthethinlineoftreestotheirleftJacksawasilverKiaSorentocrossthebridgeandstartslowing.TheSorento’sleft-handturnsignalcameon.

“Everything’sfine,

Oleg,”Jackmuttered.“Keepgoing.”

“Youthinkhecanseeus?”

“We’llknowinafewseconds.”

TheSorentoturnedontotheArkabashRoad,thendisappeareddownaslightrise.

JackcalledDom.“Let’sswitchtoheadsets.”Oncethethreeofthemwereonthe

portableradios,JacksaidtoYsabel,“Stayhere.”

Hegotoutandjoggedacrosstheroaduntilhecouldseejustovertherise.TheSorento’staillightswerebouncingastheSUVnegotiatedthemuddytrack.Totherightwastheriver,itssurgingwaterslappingatthebank;totheleft,ashortslopecoveredwiththickgrass.

TheSorento’sbrake

lightscameonanditcoastedtoastop.

JackreturnedtotheOpel.“Dom,yougotonecomingyourway.SilverSorento.”

“Roger.We’resetuparoundthesecondbendafewhundredyardsdown.Hewon’tseeusuntilhe’sonus.Anysignofhisoverwatch?”

“Notyet—”“Holdon,thismightbe

him,”Ysabelsaid,tapping

thewindowglass.Thesecondcar,ablack

Nissansedan,appearedonthebridge,thensloweddownandmadetheturnanddisappearedfromviewastheSorentohad.

OncemoreJackclimbedoutandjoggedacrosstheroad.TheNissanhadpulledtoastopbehindtheSorento;itsdrivergotout,reachedbackintothecar,andcame

outwithacanvasriflecase.Heslungitoverhisshoulderandtrudgedupthegrassslope.

JackreturnedtotheOpelandrelayedwhathe’dseentoDom.“Isthereanyhighgroundnearyou?”askedJack.

“Yeah,ahillofftoourright.”

“That’swherehe’llbecomingfrom.Gethimbefore

he’ssetup—bothofyou.”“Whatabout—”“Justblocktheroadwith

yourLada,thengo.Noshootingunlessyouhaveto.”

“Onourway.”JackturnedtoYsabel.

“Guns.”Shereachedfortheduffel

inthebackseatandplaceditonthefloorboardbetweenherfeet.ShehandedJackoneoftheRugers,whichhetucked

betweenhisseatandthecenterconsole.

HestartedtheOpel,putitintogear,thencrossedtheroad.

•••

WITHOUTKNOWINGhowlongitwouldtakePechkin’ssnipertoreachthehilloverlookingDomandSpellman’sLada,Jackhadnochoicebuttospringthetrap

prematurely.Pechkinwouldalmostcertainlybearmed,butifheandYsabelcouldshuthimdownquicklyenoughhewouldn’thavetimetowarnhissniper.

“Dom,we’removing.”“Roger.”Jackwaiteduntilthe

Opel’swheelsbumpedovertheshoulderandthenosetippeddowntheriseontheotherside,thenjammedthe

acceleratortothefloorboard.Hemistimedit.TheOpel’sfrontbumper

hittheslope,plowingintothesoftearthandsplatteringthewindshieldwithmud.Ysabel’sheadbumpedagainsttheroofandsheyelped.

“I’mokay,I’mokay!”TheOpel’stiresbitdown

againandthuddedintoarut,jerkingthehoodtowardthe

river.Jackletuponthegas,easedthesteeringwheelleft,andbroughtthecarbackontothecenteroftheroad.

Heflippedonthewipers.AsthewindshieldclearedhesawthebrakelightsofPechkin’sSorento,nowaquarter-mileaheadofthem,flashonce,andthenafanofmuderuptedfromthereartires.

TheSorentodisappeared

aroundthenextcorner.Jackacceleratedagain,

fightingthewheelastheOpellurchedfromsidetoside.Ysabelglancedoutherwindowattheroilingwater.“Looksdeep,Jack.”

“Iknow,”herepliedthroughgrittedteeth.“Dom,whereareyou?”

“Movingnorth.Wecan’tseehim.Wethinkhe’sinthehighgrassaheadofus.”

Jackprayedthesniperhadn’talreadyspottedthemandwassettingup.

“Justkeephimboxedin,ifthat’sthebestyoucando.”

Theyapproachedthecorner.Jackeasedupontheaccelerator,thenaimedthehoodattheslopeuntilthegrasswasscrapingdownhiswindow,thentappedthebrakes.TheOpel’stailslidtowardtheriverbank.Jack

spunthewheelleft,punchedtheaccelerator,andtheOpel’stailsnappedbackarounduntiltheywereonceagaininthemiddleoftheroad.

ThroughhisheadsetJackheardDomsay,“Matt,he’sonyourright,comingyourway.”

“Iseehim.Getaroundhim.I’llkeephimbusy.”

Ysabelshouted,“Watch

out!”Jackglimpsedaflashof

brakelights,sawtheSorento’srearbumperloomingthroughtheirwindshield.HejerkedthewheelandtheOpelscrapeddownthesideoftheSorento,whichswervedleft,shovingJackandYsabelintotheslope.Grassanddirtpepperedthewindshield.Jackfelthissidecantingupward

astheOpel’stireswereshovedsidewaysuptheslope.Crushedbetweenthetwovehicles,Ysabel’ssidemirrortoreaway.Thewindowbowedinward,thenspiderwebbed,peltingherfacewithchunksofglass.TheARXshe’dbeenholdingacrossherlapslidbetweenJack’slegsandontothefloorboard.Heglancedsidewaysandsawbloodon

Ysabel’sface.“Areyou—”“Idon’tknow!”she

cried.“Ican’tseeoutofmyrighteye!”

“Fuckthis,”hemuttered.Hereachedout,pulled

Ysabeldownoverhislap,thenliftedtheRugerandfiredfourroundsoutherwindowintotheSorento’sdoor.Heturnedthewheel,drivingtheOpel’shoodagainsttheSUV,

givingthemhalfafootofleeway,thenstompedonthebrake.TheSorentosurgedpastthem.TheOpeldroppedtotheground,onceagainlevel.JacksawtheSorento’sbrakelightsblink,thenthenoseveeredleftasPechkintriedtoagainbulldozethemagainsttheslope.

Jackstompedontheacceleratorandspunthewheelrightandrammedthe

Opel’snoseintotheSorento’srearquarter-panel,shovingitsidewaysacoupleoffeet.Themuddidtherest.TheSorentospun.Asitshoodcamearoundtofacethem,theOpelrakeddownitsside.

Jacksawwaterloomoutthesidewindow.TheOpeltippedsidewaysandthetiresslippedoffthebank.Thehoodplungedintotheriver.

WatercrashedoverthewindshieldandbegangushingthroughYsabel’sshatteredwindowandontoherlap.Shescreamed,hereyescakedwithblood,thenshestartedclimbingthroughthewindow.

“No!”Jackshouted.“Notthatway!”

Theriver’scurrentwouldcarryherawayinseconds.

Heclampedhishandon

herforearmandpulledheragainsthisbody.Herwindowtilteddownward,nowfullyimmersed.Ysabelslippedbackandslidbeneaththesurface.Helosthisgriponherarm.Herhandsreachedforhim.Hegrabbedherarm,pulledherbackintotheair,thenbroughtherhandtohisbeltandshouted,“Grabon.”

Jackfumbledbetweenhislegsuntilhishandtouched

theARX;helifteditandpointedthebarrelathiswindow.Heclosedhiseyesandturnedhisfaceaway,thenpulledthetrigger.Thewindowshatteredoutward.

“Justkeepaholdofmeandclimb!”heshouted.

“Ican’tsee!”“Climb!”Jack’swindowwasnow

pointingstraightup;throughithesawbluesky.Brown

watersurgedoverthedoorandintotheOpel’sinterior.WithhislefthandJackgrabbedthedoorframe,pressedhisrightfootagainstthedashboard,thenpushedandpulledatthesametime.Hisheadliftedclearofthewindow.StillgrippingtheARX,hestuckhiselbowout,braceditagainsttheframe,thenleveredhistorsofree.Ysabel’sfingersdugintothe

skinofhiswaist.OntheroadtheSorento

hadcometoastopdiagonallyacrosstheroad.Thedoorswungopen.Pechkinclimbedout,arevolverinhisrighthand.Hehalfstumbledinthemudandfelltohisside.Hisleftpantlegwasblackwithblood;oneoftheRuger’sbulletshadstruckhome.Pechkinpushedhimselftohisknees.HespottedJack.He

raisedtherevolver.InthatmomentJackwas

struckbytheabsurdityofthesituation:ItwasthefirsttimehewasseeingOlegPechkininthefleshandthemanwaspointingagunathishead.Worstintroductioninhistory,hethought.

WiththeARXstillactingasabraceonthewindowframe,JackswiveledthebarreltowardPechkinand

pulledthetrigger.Histhree-roundburstwentwide,pepperingtheSorento’squarter-panel.Pechkin’sgunbucked;theOpel’ssidemirrorexploded.Pechkinfiredagain;thebulletsmackedintotheOpel’sdoorframe.JackrotatedtheARXslightlyleft,thumbedtheselectorswitchtofullauto,andsqueezedthetrigger.Thebulletswalkedsideways

downtheSorento,shatteringwindowsandpunchingholesinthesidepanelsuntiltheroundsreachedPechkin,stitchinghimdiagonallyfromcollarbonetoribs.Alreadydead,hetippedoverbackwardintothemudwithhislegsbentbeneathhim.

Jackcalledintohisheadset,“Guysweneedhelp!Whereare—”

OvertheSorento’sroof,

JacksawDomandSpellmanskidtoahaltatthetopoftheslope.

•••

WHATEVERTHEOPELlackedinamenitiesoraestheticswasmadeupbythequalityofitstemperedglass.ThoughYsabel’sfacialcutswereplentiful,theywereallsuperficial,thesafetyglasshavingshatteredintochunks

nobiggerthanhalf-dollars.OnceJackhadrinsedawaythebloodcakedoverhercheeksandeyebrows,hesawhereyeswereundamaged.

Thoughshewasn’tcrying,shestaredvacantlyattheground.Jackknewthelook;he’dwornithimself.Heputanarmaroundhershoulders.

AsheandYsabellookedon,DomandSpellmanfirst

placedPechkin’scorpseinsidetheSorento,thenthatofthesniperthey’dkilledonthehillside.Theirgunswentinnext,andthentheyputtheSUVinneutralandrolleditintotheriver,whereitquicklydisappearedbeneaththeroilingsurface.

WhetherYsabel’sreactionwasfromrelief,adrenalineoverload,theshockofwhathadjust

happened,oramixofallthree,Jackdidn’tblameher.Hisheartwasstillpoundingandhewashavingtroublecatchinghisbreath.HetriedtoconvincehimselftheywouldhavegottenoutoftheOpelnomatterwhat,butheknewitwasn’ttrue.They’dalmostdied.IfPechkin’sbulletshadn’tdonethejob,theriverwouldhave.

Heshouldn’thave

hurriedthetrap,hethought.Orbetterstill,heshouldn’thavegoneafterPechkinatall.Whatgoodwouldhiscapturehavedonethem,really?HadheexpectedPechkinwouldbreakdownandgivethemsomesecretcodewordthatwouldmakeWellesleythrowhishandsup?Ifanything,losinghisRussianpartnerwouldonlymaketheSISmancagier.

He’dbeentoocleverbyhalfandithadalmostgottenYsabel,Dom,andSpellmankilled.Arrogance,Jack.HeshouldhavejustluredPechkintoaremotespotoutsideMakhachkalaanddouble-tappedhim.Seeingthisimageinhishead,Jackfeltachill.Itwouldhavebeensosimple—toosimpletodo,shouldtheneedariseagain.

Careful,Jack.Theworldinwhichheworkedwasagrayone,wherepeopleoftenmistooktheabilitytodoathingwiththerighteousnessofthethingitself.

DomandSpellmanwalkedup.

“Nothingintheguy’sNissan,”Spellmansaid.“It’sarental.Therearenoserialnumbersontheirweapons,either.”HehandedJackapair

ofcellphones.“Maybewecandosomethingwiththose.”

“Let’sgohome.”

IMakhachkala

SCREWEDUP,JOHN,”hesaidoverthephone.“Iforgotthefirstrule:Keepitsimple,stupid.”

“Ithappens,”Clarksaid.Aftermakingsurethey’d

policedthecrimesceneaswellaspossible,thefourofthemgotintoDom’sLadaanddrovebacktoMakhachkala.TheyfoundSethsittingaloneattheconferencetable.Medzhidandhisbodyguardsandassistantsweren’taround.“Nothingnew,”Sethhadcalled,asSpellmanjoinedhim,andYsabelandJackwalkedbacktotheirmini-

suite.YsabelwenttosleepandJackcalledhome.

“John,Ialmostgotthemallkilled—andI’mnottalkingaboutsomekindofnotional,‘Whew,thatwasclose’bullshit.It’sjustdumbluckYsabel’salive.WhatthehellwasIthinking?”

“That’sforyoutosortout.”

“HowdoIdothat?”“Learnthelesson.And

giveyourselfabreak.Youmadeachoice,thingswentbad,andyou’reaccountable.”

“Isn’tthatanicewayofsayingI’mtoblame?”

“Callitwhatyouwant,Idon’tcare,justdon’tplaysemanticswithyourself.Christ,Jack,didyouthinkyouweregoingtogetthroughyourcareerwithouthavingthiskindofclosecall?”

Jackconsideredthis.

“Yeah,IthinkIdid,actually.”

“Thenyouwerelyingtoyourself.Yougottastopdoingthat—andrightfuckingnow,beforethingsgetgoingthere.”

“I’mgoingtosendYsabelbacktoTehran.”

Clarkchuckled.“Goodluckwiththat.Fromwhatyou’vetoldme,you’dhavebetterluckpissinguparope.

Don’tinsulther,Jack.She’sanadult.Ifshewantstostay,don’ttrytotalkheroutofit.Plus,itsoundslikeshe’snotexactlyaliability.”

TheytalkedforafewmoreminutesandthenJackhadClarktransferhimtoGavin,whoasked,“How’ditgowithPechkin?”

“Notsowell.He’sdead.We’vegothiscellphone.”

Andnowweseewhichof

Medzhid’sbodyguardshasturned,hethought.Theideaofitgavehimpausethatheprobablywouldn’thavefelteighthoursago.EvencatchingAntonandVasimbysurprisewouldn’tbewithoutitsdangers.They’dhavetochoosethetimeandplacecarefully.

Jacksaidgood-byeandhungup.Quietlyheslippedintotheirbedroomandlay

downbesideYsabel;shestirredandedgedabitcloser,pressingherbodyagainsthis.

“Iwantyoutostop,Jack,”shewhispered.

“Stopwhat?”“You’replayingitin

yourhead,overandover.”“Itwastooclose.I’m

sorry,Ysabel.”Hearinghimselfsaythewordsmadethemseemevenmoreinadequate.

Ysabelreachedacrosshisbody,gentlygrabbedhishand,andbroughthisfingertipstoherface.“They’rejustscratches,Jack.They’llheal.”

“Itcouldbealotworse.”“That’sexactlymy

point.”“Igotcocky,”hereplied.

“WithguyslikePechkinandWellesley,youdon’tmakethingsupasyougo.”

“Thencallitalessonlearnedandforgiveyourself.”

“Funny,Ijustgotthesameadvicefromsomeoneelse.”

“Iheardyoutalkingonthephoneoutthere.Isthatwhoyoumean?”

Jacknodded.“John.”“Andwhatelsedidhetell

you?”sheasked.“ThatI’manidiotand

youshouldgobackto

Tehran.”Sheslappedhimlightly

onthechest.“Liar.”“HesaidifItriedtosend

youhomeyouwouldn’tgo,sodon’tbother.Ithinktherewassomethingaboutpissinguparopeinthere,too.”

“Averysmartman,thisJohn.Sorry,Jack,I’mherewithyouuntiltheend.”

•••

THEYSLEPTuntilJack’swatchwokehimatsix-thirty;thentheywalkedouttothemainroom.MedzhidhadreturnedandwassittingattheconferencetablewithSethandSpellman.Avarietyofsteamingdishesandbowlswerearrayedbeforethem.

“Jack,wewerejustgoingtowakeyou,”calledMedzhid.“Comejoinus.”

Theysatdown.Ysabel

filledaplateforJack,andthenforherself.

“Mygoodness,Ysabel,whathappenedtoyourface?”askedMedzhid.

“Justalittleaccident.”“I’llcallmy—”“I’mfine,really.Jack’s

notahalf-badnurse.”“Jack’sagoodman,”

Sethsaid.Hemeantit,Jack

decided.

“Youcoulddoalotworse,Ysabel.He’sakeeper.”

Ysabelsmiledathim.“Thankyouforsayingthat,Seth.”

Medzhidchuckled.“Jackinanurse’suniform...ThatissomethingIwouldliketosee.”

“Seconded,”Spellmanreplied.

“Nevergoingtohappen,

guys.Bytheway,whereareAntonandVasim?”

“Igavethemtheeveningoff.They’vehadnotimetothemselvesforseveralweeksnow.”

JackandSpellmanexchangedglances.TheCIAmannodded,thenasked,“Whenaretheybackonduty?”

“Tomorrowmorning.”Sethsaid,“Thisfeels

weird,enjoyingapleasantmealrightbeforeallhellisabouttobreakloose.”

“Enjoytheeyewhiletheeyewatchesyou,Seth.”

“Pardon?”“It’sanoldAvarproverb.

Yousee,rightnowwe’reintheeyeofthehurricane.Relishthistimebeforethetrailingedgearrives.We’vedefeatedourenemies,ifonlytemporarily,andanoldfriend

ofmineisaliveandsafe.Tonightisforcontentment.”

“Wellsaid,”Jackreplied.“Infact,doyoumindifIinviteafriend?”Itdidn’tseemrightthatDomwassittingaloneinhismotelroomeatingnot–JimmyJohn’s.

“Aslongasit’snotthekindoffriendyoubroughtmefromBamlag,thenbyallmeans.Iwillcalldowntothe

garageandtelltheguardtoexpecthim.”

•••

DOMARRIVEDthirtyminuteslater.Ashesteppedintothesuite,helookedaroundandletoutalowwhistle.“Well,Jack,seeingasyoublewmycoverforthis,I’llforgiveyou.”

Jackledhimtothetableandintroducedhimto

Medzhid,whostoodup,shookDom’shand,andgesturedtoaseat.“Joinus.Letmesee,now...YoulookItalian,perhapsGreek.So,DomenicoorDomenikos?”

“Rightthefirsttime.”“Andhowdoyouknow

—”Medzhidstoppedandhelduphishands,smiling.“Nevermind.Idon’tactuallyknowwhoJackis,sowhyspoilagoodthing?Where

hashebeenkeepingyou,Dom?”

“Inacrappymotelwithcockroachesthesizeofhamsters.”

“Nottrue,”Jacksaid.“Shameonyou.Dom,

youwillstayhere.JackandYsabelwilldoubleup,won’tyou?”Medzhidaskedwithahalf-smile.

“Ofcourse,”Ysabelreplied.

Unexpectedly,Jackfeltthetensiondrainingfromhisbody.Ittookafewmomentstorealizewhy.Asbizarreasitwas,thisgrouphadbecomenotquiteafamily,butsomethingsimilartothat,albeitadysfunctionalandtemporaryonethathadbeenbroughttogetherforadeadlyseriouspurpose.Atleastforrightnow,though,hecouldforgetaboutthat.Thecoup,

Wellesley,Pechkin,andeverythingelsewouldbetherethenextday.Enjoytheeyewhiletheeyewatchesyou,hethought.

Theytalkedandateandlaughed,andSethseemedalmostlikehisoldself,butstilltherewasasadnessjustbeneathhissmile.JackwonderedifSethwasevenawareofit.Hedidn’tblamehisfriend.PaulGregoryhad

beenbrandedatraitor,tossedoutlikegarbage,thenhoundedbytheverygovernmenthe’dservedsoloyallyuntilfinallyhe’dputaguntohishead.Andhe’dkeptitallhiddenfromhisonlyson.Allthingsconsidered,Sethwasbearingupprettywell,especiallygiventhedifficultyofwhatheandSpellmanweretryingtoaccomplishhere.

Jackonlyhopedhisfriendwasn’tsecretlyunraveling,ashisfatherhaddonebeforehim.

Medzhidsaidacrossthetable,“Jack,MatttellsmePechkinslippedoutofourgraspagain.”

SpellmancaughtJack’seyeandgaveaslightshakeofhishead.

“Somethinglikethat.Listen,Ihatetoruinthe

mood—”“Mymoodisunruinable,

Jack.Goahead.”“Wherearewewith

CaptainSalko?”“Nowhere.Heisnot

talking,butIexpectedthat.AsfortheERFitself...Ihaveconfinedthemtobarracks.TheyweretoldSalkowasarrestedforcorruptionandthathisdisgracehasunfortunately

casttheminabadlight.Ihavepeopleinterviewingeachandeveryoneofthem.”

“Idoubtthat’llproveanything,”saidSeth.

“Mypeopleareverygoodatwhattheydo.Theyknowthequestionstoask.IfSalkohadcohorts,wewillfindthem.Theoneswhoareshowntobeloyalwillreceiveapersonalvisitfrommeandmythanks.Stickfirst,then

carrot.Iknowmytroops.Bymorning,we’llhavethebadonesculled.”

TheyateandtalkedforanotherhourbeforeDomcheckedhiswatch,thenexcusedhimselfandgesturedJackandMattofftotheside.“I’mheadingdowntown.ZoyaVetochkinaispullinganall-nighter.TheDepartmentofCultureisputtingonsomenewexhibit

tomorrow.BereadytomoveifIcall.”

“Willdo,”saidJack.“Ysabel,too.Sheand

Zoyalookalotalike.”

•••

DOMCALLEDATTEN.“Ihadtouseacoathangeronhercardoor,butIgotthekeycardandpermit.I’mheadingovertoChirpoynow.”

“We’llmeetyouthere,”Jackreplied.

He,Ysabel,andSpellmantookSeth’sSuburbantoDom’sstakeoutspot.AstheypulledtothecurbhegotoutoftheLadaandclimbedintothebackseatnexttoSpellman.HehandedthekeycardandpermitovertheseattoYsabelinthedriver’sseat.

“WhatdoIdo?”sheasked.

“Justswipeandgothrough.There’snocameraorguardatthegate.”

“Doesitmatterthatwe’renotinZoya’scar?”

“Idon’tthinkso.We’llfindout.”

“Thatsoundseasyenough,”saidYsabel.“Headsdown,boys.”

JackcrouchedonthefloorboardasYsabelcircledtheblock,thenturnedintothe

driveway.Sherolleddownherwindow,swipedthecard,thenpulledthrough.

“There’sadooropeningatthefarend,”shesaid.

“Wavethatpermitathim,”Domsaid.“Ifhedoesn’twaveandgobackinside,orhecomesbackoutwitharocketlauncher,sayso.”

“What?”“He’skidding,”Jack

said.Ysabelstuckthepermit

outthewindow.“He’swaving.He’sgoingbackinside.Thedoor’sclosed.”

Jacksaid,“Zoya’sisthesixthstallontheright.”

Ysabelturnedintothespot,puttheSuburbaninpark,andshutofftheengine.“Nowwhat?”

“DowhatZoyawoulddo.Onceyouopenthedoor,

haveaquicklookaround.Ifit’sclear,we’llcomein.”

Ysabelopenedherdoorandclimbedout.

Fromacrosstheparkinglot,amalevoicecalled,“Privet,krasavitsa.”

Ysabelwhispered,“Jack,it’soneofthegoons.”

“He’ssayinghi.”“Iknowwhataregular

‘Hi’soundslike.He’shittingonme.He’scomingthis

way.”“Justsay,‘Spoki,mne

nadoidti,’thenpointtoyourphone,raiseittoyourear,andheadforyourdoor.”

Shedidso,andtheguardreplied,“Khorosho!”

“Okay,he’sgoingbackintotheapartment,”Ysabelwhispered.“You’reclear.Comeon.”

ThethreeofthemclimbedouttheSuburban’s

passengerside,thenenteredZoya’sapartment.Ysabellockedthedoorbehindthem.

“Creepyguy,”shesaid.“WhatdidIsaytohim?”

“Oh,youdon’twannaknow,”Domsaid.

“Hush.”Shewalkedintothekitchenandturnedontheoverheadlight.

ZoyaVetochkina’sapartmentwastiny,threehundredsquarefeetof

bedroom,bathroom,frontroom,andkitchenette,withwhitewallsandfurniturethatmighthaveactuallylookedbetterwithsomeduct-tapeadornment—notthedecorawomanfromtheDepartmentofCulturewouldchooseforherself,Jackthought.Shewasprobablycountingtheminutesuntilherhousewasfinishedbeingbug-bombed.

“Doweknowwhich

apartmentbelongstoWellesley?”askedYsabel.

“Let’sfindout,”Jacksaid,andpulledouthisphone.HepunchedinPechkin’snumberandhitsend.Hewasn’tevensuretheirploywouldwork;dependingonwhatkindofforwardingsystemWellesleywasusing,incomingcallsmightbesoundless.

“It’sringing.”

Heputhisfingerstohislipsandgesturedfortheotherstospreadout.

Postedintheroom’sfourcorners,thefourofthemlistened.

Jackhelduponefinger...twofingers...threefingers...

Domraisedhishandandpointedabovehishead.“Secondfloor.Old-timeyringtone.”

Jackendedthecall.“Let’sgotoheadsets.”

He,Dom,andSpellmandonnedtheirs.“Dom,youandYsabelstayhere.Ifoneofthegoonsshows,giveaholler.”

Jackpeekedoutthefrontdoor.Allwasclear.WithSpellmanonhisheels,hewalkeddownthesidewalktothestairwell,thentookittothesecondfloor.

“Dom,callitagain,”Jack

said.“Sendingitnow.”Jacktrotteddownthe

balcony,handrestingontherailuntilhereachedthehalfwaypoint,thenstoppedandturnedtofaceSpellman.Theylistened.

Faintly,Jackheardbrng-brng.Heturnedhishead,tryingtolocalizethesound.

Brng-brng...Spellmanstrodeforward,

handcuppedashepasseddoors.Hestoppedbesideapartment206,gaveJackathumbs-up,thenpressedhisearagainstthedoor.HegaveJackanotherthumbs-up.“Okay,let’sseeifthisthingofGavin’sworks.”

Jackkneltbythedoorandpulledfromhispocketathumb-sizedcircuitboardtapedtoanine-voltbattery;juttingfromtheedgeofthe

boardwasabrass-coloredplug.Jackranhisindexfingeralongthebottomofthelock,foundtheindentation,theninsertedtheplug.

Thelockstartedflashingred.AsGavinhadinstructed,Jackwaiteduntilthelightfirstturnedamber,thenstartedflashingfaster.Noalarmsystem.Heremovedtheplugandthenreinsertedit.Thelockflashedgreenand

thedeadboltclickedopen.Spellmanwhispered,“I

gottatellourDS-and-Tguysaboutthisthing.Probablysavethegovernmentmillions.”

Jackopenedthedoorandtheysteppedthrough.

“Dom,we’rein.”“Roger.All’squietdown

here.”Jackimmediatelyfelta

chillenvelophim.Abovethe

window,coolairwasgushingfromawall-mountedA/Cunit.WhiletheapartmentwasthesamesizeasZoya’s,thewallsherehadbeencrudelyrippeddown,leavingstudsbutnodrywall,savewhatchunkswerestillnailedtothetwo-by-fours.Takingupmostofthespacewasacirculartableinwhosecentersatapyramidofsixcomputertowerharddrives,eachof

whichwasattachedtoanLCDmonitorwhoseswirlingmulticoloredscreensaverscastshadowsontheapartment’swalls.Danglingfromtheceilingaboveallthiswasabundleofzip-tiedcables,fromcoaxialtostandardphoneandseveralJackdidn’trecognize.Helookedforcablesconnectinganyofthetowersbutsawnone.

“Surelookslikeanervecenter,doesn’tit?”Spellmanwhispered.

Jacknodded.“Starttakingpictures.”

Hesatdownbeforeoneofthemonitors,putonhisgloves,thentappedthekeyboardtowakethemonitor.Anadministratorlog-inpageappeared.

“Nosurprisethere.”JackdialedGavinandputhimon

speakerphone.Jackexplainedwhathewasseeing.

“Operatingsystem?”“WindowsVista.”“Fantastic.Don’tworry

aboutthepassword.Wewon’tbeabletobrute-forceitfromyoursideofthescreen.ArethereUSBports?”

Jackcheckedthetowerbehindhismonitor.“Yeah,butthey’vegotpluglocks.”

“Opticaldrive?”

“Yes,andit’sclear.”“Okay,let’sseeifthese

guysthinksmall.GetoutthatCDIdownloadedtoyou,theonecalled‘PoodleCrack,’thenpressandholdthecomputer’spowerbuttonuntilitshutsdown,andthenpoweritupagain.Whenyouhearthestart-upchime,inserttheCDandtellmewhatyousee.”

Jackdidallthisandthen

said,“Adminlog-inagain.”“Okay.Repeatthe

process,butholddowntheleftmousebuttontoejecttheCD,thenstickintheonelabeled‘WidgeonRescue,’thentellmewhatyousee.”

Whenthescreenreappearedthelog-inpagewasgone,replacedbyablackscreenwithwhiteblocklettering.

“I’minthecommandline

screen,”saidJack.“Ha!”Gavinblurted.

“You’dbesurprisedhowmanypeopledon’treboot-protecttheirsystems—evenguyslikeWellesleyandPechkin.Okay,nowtypeinthosecommandsIgaveyouandtellmeifyougetany‘Yes’answers.”

Jackdidso.“Nothing.”“Thatmeansthere’sno

key-loggerstuffonthere.Do

thatwitheverydrivebeforeyoustartdiggingintoanyfiles.”

Jackdisconnected.“Matt,yougetstartedonthenextone.”

Theyconcentratedonsortingfoldersbysize,thenfilesbyextensiontypeandwhetherornottheywereencrypted.Asidefromthestandardfoldersandapplicationsthesystemswere

shippedwith,theyfoundnothingofinterestonthefirstfourcomputers.Whethertheyhadmissedanything,Jackdidn’tknow,butshortofcloningeachharddriveanduploadingitforGavintodissect,theycouldonlykeepmoving.

Spellmansaid,“Jack,aboutAntonandVasim:Icanprobablygettheiraddresses.Wecanpaythemavisitand

usePechkin’sphonetonailwhicheveronehasturned.”

“It’stempting,butweneedMedzhidintheroomwhenithappens.Plus,whoknows,maybeboththeirphoneswouldring.”

Atthefifthcomputer,neitherthePoodleCracknortheWidgeonRescuegotJacktothecommandline.Jackrebooted,theninsertedthefinalCDthatGavinhadgiven

him,labeled“GongShowItAll.”Thisdidthetrick.

SpellmanstoodupfromhismonitorandleanedoverJack’sshoulder.“Yougotsomething?”

“Yeah,Ithinkso,”Jackreplied,hiseyesscanningthedirectorynames.

“There,trythatone,”Spellmansaid,tappingthescreen.

Jackclickedonthefilelabeled“Khibiny-Borisoglebsk”andthetextdocumentopened.Itwasonepagelongandcoveredinthirty-fourlinesofcharacters,inalmostidenticalformats:

Hepo5..38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

Zore6.38GTZ.703408.62mE4759419.87mN

Gaxy4..38GTZ.702170.47mE.4758546.44mN

Gefo9..38GZT.706544.22mE.4757843.69mN

Cuce4.38GZT.704959.76mE.4760436.66mN

Xole8..38GZT.702999.03mE.4760085.31mN

Juky6.38GZT.704430.97mE.4759664.05mN

Hevu9,,38GZT.704185.57mE.4760505.20mN

“Whatthehellisthat?”Spellmanwhispered,squintingatthescreen.

“Ihavenoidea.”

JackdialedGavinbackandsaid,“Youneedtoseethis.”

“GointonetworksettingsandgivemeyourIPaddress.”Jackdidthis,thenwaitedasGavinsethimselfuparemoteaccessport.“Yeah,there’salotofstuffhere,butit’dtakedaystocloneitall.I’lljustgrabwhateverlooksjuicy.”

“Great,bye.”Dom’svoicecameover

Jack’sheadset.“Wemayhaveaproblemdownhere.Somebody’satthedoor—Ysabel’snewboyfriend,wethink.”

Inthebackground,Jackcouldhearthemanlightlytappingonthedoorwithhisfinger.“...vodka,krasavitsa.”Ihavevodka,beautiful.

Jackthoughtforamoment.HisgraspofRussian

wasbeingstretched.“Tellhertoslapthedoor,shout‘ukhodi’then‘otchet,’followedby‘mer.’”

DomdidthisandJackheardYsabelshouting.

“Izvinite,izvinite...”Domsaid,“He’sgoing

away.Shewantstoknowwhatshesaid.”

“Forhimtogoawayorshe’llreporthimtothemayor.”

“Youalsosuggestedtheyweremarried,”Spellmansaid.

“Oops.Dom,we’realmostdoneuphere.”

“We’llmeetyoubackattheSuburban.”

TMakhachkala

HENEXTMORNINGafterbreakfast,asMedzhidwasgetting

readytogointotheMinistry,Jack,Ysabel,Dom,Spellman,andSethsatdownatthe

conferencetable.Jackranthroughtheplanonemoretime.“Idon’texpectittogobad,butassumeitwill.”AdviceyoushouldhavetakenwithPechkin,heremindedhimself.“Eitherway,Medzhidwillwanttofindawaytodismissit.Wecan’tlethim.Thisclosetothecoup,heneedstogethisheadright.Questions?”

Sethsaid,“Ihopeyou’re

wrongaboutthis.”“I’mnot,butifIam

we’vegotmuchbiggerproblems.”

NowthatJackhadalreadydecidedthatSeth,Spellman,andMedzhidwereinnocentofburninghimandYsabelinKhasavyurt,onlytwosuspectsremained:AntonandVasmin.Butwhichone?

FollowedbyhispersonalassistantAlbina,Medzhid

strodedownthehallwayfromhissuite,adjustinghistieandcuffsashewalked.“Goodmorning,everyone.Iwillbe—”

“Rebaz,weneedtochat.”“Iamrunninglate,Jack.

Canwedoitlater?”“No.AntonandVasim

shouldhearthis,too.”Medzhidfrowned.“Jack,

Idon’tliketheexpressiononyourface.Whatisgoingon?”

“JustcallthemandI’llexplain.”

Medzhidsighed,thenwalkedtotheapartmentdoor.

DomgotupandwalkedtowardthewindowswhileSpellmanmovedintheoppositedirectionuntilhewasstandingagainstthewallafewfeetfromthedoor.Ysabelstayedatthetablewithinarm’sreachofAlbina.

Medzhidsteppedback

andAntonandVasimentered.

“Now,Jack,what’sthisabout?”

“It’saboutPechkin.”Oncue,Ysabel,holding

Pechkin’sphonebehindherback,hitthesendbutton.

“Whatabouthim?”askedMedzhid.

Aphonestartedringing.“Pardonme,Minister,”

Antonsaid,andreachedinto

hiscoat.MedzhidsaidtoJack,

“Haveyoufoundhim?”“No,butwejustfound

outwhohe’sbeenworkingwith.”

Ysabelheldupthecellphone.

“That’sOlegPechkincallingyou,Anton,”saidJack.

Antonglanceddownatthephone,thenshookhis

head.“Idon’tknowwhothisis.Idon’trecognizethenumber.”

“Showtheministeryourphone.”

AntonnarrowedhiseyesatJack.“Youaresettingmeup.Whyareyoudoingthis?”

“Showhimyourphone,”Jackrepeated.“Doit.”

“Anton,whatishetalkingabout?”

“Thisisn’tright,

Minister.Thismanislyingtoyou.Iamloyal.He’stryingtoturnyouagainstme,pleasebelieveme.”

Antonslippedthephonebackintohisjacket.

“Move,Rebaz!”Spellmanshouted.HelungedforMedzhid.Vasimbackpedaledoutofhisway,thenreachedoutandsnaggedSpellman’ssleeve;Spellmantriedtoshakeitoff,hisarms

extendedtowardMedzhid.Startled,Antonbacked

away.Hishandcameoutwithagun.

“Dropit,dropit!”Jackshouted.

OutofthecornerofhiseyehesawDommoving,hisRugeroutashesidesteppedandtriedtoclearMedzhidfromhissightline.

AntonpointedhisgunatSpellmanandfired.The

bulletslashedacrosshisneck.Hestumbledsideways.VasimwrappedhisarmaroundSpellman’sneckandtheyfellthroughthedoorwaytotheground.

JackheardYsabelshout,“Oh,God!”

HedrewhisRuger,leveledthemuzzlewithAnton’schest.“Don’t!”

Antonturnedtowardhim,guncomingaround.Jack

fired.Thebullethithiminthechest,shovinghimbackward,buthisgunwasstillup.Jackfiredagain,asdidDom,whoseroundstruckAntoninthethroatasplitsecondafterJack’spunchedintoAnton’sbelly.Hewentdown.

Jackrushedforwardandkickedhisgunaway.

Ontheothersideofthedoor,SpellmanandVasimwerewrestling,thelatter

tryingtocrawlfromundertheCIAagenttoreachhisfallenfriend.“Anton!Anton!”

“Stop,Vasim,youdon’t—”

“Getoffofme!”Medzhidyelled,“Quiet!

Allofyou,quiet!”Vasimstopped

struggling.Spellmanrolledoffhim,thenhelpedhimtohisfeet.Vasimshruggedoffhisarm.Hestareddownat

Anton’sbody.“Matt,you’rebleeding,”

saidJack.“Yourneck.”TheCIAmantouchedthe

spot.“Ah,shit.”“Jack,”Ysabelcalled,her

voicebarelyawhisper,“it’sAlbina.”

Heturned.ShewaskneelingbesideMedzhid’sassistant.Thewomanhadabulletholebelowherlefteye.

“OhmyGod,ohGod,

no...”Medzhidmuttered,almostchantingashebackedaway.Hislegsbumpedagainstthebackofthecouch.Heploppeddown.Hiseyeswerevacant.

“Whathaveyoudone?Whatjusthappened?Someonetellme!”

Jackstoopedover,reachedinsideAnton’scoat,andtossedittoMedzhid.“Checkhiscallhistory.The

lastnumberbelongstoPechkin.Ysabel,showhim.”

ShewalkedoverandhandedMedzhidthephone.Theministerstudiedeachscreeninturn.“Thisisn’t...Areyousure?”

“We’resure,”Domreplied.

MedzhidlookedatSeth,whonodded.“PechkindiedyesterdayoutsideKhasavyurt.That’shisphone.I’msorry,

Rebaz,Ireallyam.”“AntoncalledPechkin

afterYsabelandIleftyouinBuynaksk,”Jackadded.“PechkinthencalledCaptainOsinandtoldhimtoraidDobromir’shouseandkillhim.Hewouldhavedonethesametousifwe’dgivenhimthechance.”

“Why?”“WellesleyandPechkin

hiredDobromirtokidnap

Aminat.Theydidn’twanthimtalkingtous.”

“AntonandIhavebeentogetherforalmostnineyears.Ican’tbelievehewouldbeapartofthis.”

“HediditforthesamereasonSalkosnatchedKoikov.Hethinksyou’reatraitor.”

“I’mnotatraitor.”“Weallknowthat,but

theythoughtotherwise,and

theremightbeothersclosetoyouwhofeelthesameway.Youneedtowakeup,Rebaz.Thisisthesecondtimethebadguyshavetriedtostopwhatyou’redoing,firstwithAminat,andthenthis.What’sabouttohappeninMakhachkalaisgoingtobebloodyandpeoplearegoingtodie.Youneedtogetyourheadaroundthat.Eitherthatorwecallitoff.”

•••

“THATWASPRETTYHARSH,JACK,”Sethwhispered.“Hedidn’tdeservethat.”

Theyweresittingattheconferencetable.Medzhidhadretreatedtohissuite.Grim-facedandavoidingeyecontactwithJackandtheothers,VasimhadcalledintherestofMedzhid’sday-

shiftbodyguards,whoweregentlywrappingAnton’sandAlbina’sbodiesinblanketsforremoval.ThecarpetwhereAlbina’sheadhadlainwassaturatedwithblood.YsabelhadfoundthebulletfromAnton’sguninthewallbehindtheconferencetable.

“Maybeso,”Jackreplied,“butheneededtohearit.Ilearnedahardlessonyesterdayandhe’slearned

onetoday—actually,histhirdlesson,countingAminatandKoikov.Wellesley’sgoingtokeepcomingatus,probablyevenhardernowthatwe’veevenedtheoddsabit.”

“Well,we’renotcallingitoff,that’sfordamnedsure.That’snotyourdecisiontomake.”

“Iknowitisn’t.”Domsaid,“Jack’sright.

Themanneedstounderstand

—reallyunderstand—whathe’ssignedonfor.”

“Youreallydon’tthinkheknowsthat?”

“Youknowhimbetterthananyoneelse.Whatdoyouthink?”

“Ifhedidn’tgetitbefore,hedoesnow,”saidSpellman.

“I’mnotsosure,”Ysabelreplied.“Hashegivenanythoughtaboutwhatwillhappentohiswifeand

Aminatifthisfails?”“Ofcoursehehas,”said

Seth.“He’llbemovingthembothoutofthecapitalthedayaftertomorrow.TheMOIministerinAzerbaijanhasagreedtotakethemin.”

“ThankGodforthat.”Vasimwalkeduptothe

table.HehandedSpellmanahandkerchief.“Youwillneedsuturestoclosethat.Iwilltakeyoutotheminister’s

doctorlater.”“Thanks.”“Youweren’tlyingabout

Anton?Youdidnotsethimup?”

Jackshookhishead.“Andwedidn’twantittohappenthisway.”

“DidthisPechkinmansayanythingbeforehedied,anythingthatmightexplainwhyAntondidthis?Perhapshewasbeingforcedintoit.”

“It’spossible,”Ysabelreplied.“Idon’tthinkwe’lleverknow.We’reverysorry,Vasim.Weknowyouwerefriends.”

“Yes,andforalongtime,buthewasthetraitor,nottheminister.YousaidPechkin’spartnerisstilloutthere,yes?”

“RaymondWellesley.”“Ihopeyoufindhimand

killhim.”“We’lldoourbest.”

TMakhachkala

HENEXTAFTERNOONGavincalled,havingspent

thepreviousfourteenhourssortingthroughthebitsandpieceshe’dclonedfrom

Wellesley’scomputer.“JohnandGerryareontheline,too.”

“Areyoualone,Jack?”askedGerry.

“I’mwithYsabel,why?”“That’sfine.Youneedto

becarefulwhoyousharethiswith,”saidClark.“Gavin’sfoundsomething—probablyagamechanger,andnotinagoodway.”

“Well,hell,nowyou’ve

gotmeworried.What’sgoingon?”

Gavinsaid,“I’vegotalotmoreoftheharddrivetogothrough,butwhatwe’remostlyworriedaboutisthattextdocumentyoufound,theonewiththestringsofnumbers.Haveyougotitinfrontofyou?”

Jackcalledupthescreenshotofthedoche’dtakenwithhisphone.The

firstonereadHepo5..38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN“I’mlookingatit,”hesaid.

“Imustbealittlesleep-deprivedtohavenotseenitrightaway.Idon’tknowaboutthecharactersbeforethefirstdecimalpoint—maybealocationidentifier—butthenextsetofnumbersisUTM,”Gavinsaid,referringtotheUniversalTransverseMercatorcoordinatesystem.

JackknewUTMwell,thoughusingithadtakensomegettingusedto.UTMwasbothsimplerandmoreaccuratethanlatitudeandlongitude,somuchsothattheU.S.militaryusedacustomizedversionofit,theMilitaryGridReferenceSystem,orMGRS.

“Yeah,Iseewhatyou’retalkingaboutnow,”saidJack.“Don’tfeelbad,we

bothmissedit.Thewayit’sgroupedisodd.”

38GZTsignifiedtheUTMGridZone,whichdividestheearthintosixtyzoneseachmeasuringsixdegreesoflongitudeinwidth.Therestofthecharactersdenotedthe“eastingandnorthing”coordinatesspecifictothezone.

“Haveyoumappedthemyet?”

“Justthefirstsix,”repliedGavin.“They’restreetsinMakhachkala—anapartmentonPenza,ahouseonAyon,somekindofwarehousebytheharbor.OnlinemapsforMakhachkalaareeitheroutdatedorsoCyrillic-heavyit’sgoingtotakesometime.”

Ysabelsaid,“Weknow.We’veswitchedtopapermaps.They’retheonlyones

thataretrustworthy.”“Doanyofthesestreets

meananythingtoyou,Jack?”askedGerry.

“No.OratleastIhopenot.”

“What’sthatmean?”Clarkreplied.

“OneofthekeystoSeth’splanissocialmedia,whichmeansInternet,andthefirstthingVolodinandNabiyevaregoingtodois

shutdownalltheserviceprovidersinthewholecountry.Tocounterthis,Seth’ssetupsatelliteInternethubsacrossthecity.Idon’tknowwheretheyarebutiftheseUTMcoordinatesarethem,we’vegotaproblem.”

Afatalproblem,Jackthought.

“Ifthat’sthecase,whyhaven’ttheyjustraidedtheaddressesandshutdownthe

hubs?”askedGavin.“It’snotenoughforthe

couptofail.Theworldhastowatchitwitherbyitself,withoutVolodindroppingthehammer.”

“Makessense.”“Whatdidyoufindout

aboutthedocument’sfilename”—Jackcheckedhisphone—“Khibiny-Borisoglebsk?”

“Bothareplacenames,

bothinRussia,”repliedGavin.“KhibinyisamountainrangeontheKolaPeninsulaandBorisoglebskisbothatowninVoronezhoblastandanairbaseforSu-25FrogfootsandSu-24Fencers.”

“Thosearegroundattackbirdsandbombers,”saidClark.“VolodinusedbothoftheminUkraineandCrimea.”

“Whattheholyhellis

goingon?”saidGerry.“ThosetwoplacesarehowfarfromMakhachkala,thousandsofmiles—”

“Seventeenhundredmilesandeighthundredmiles,respectively,”saidGavin.“AndRussia’sgotairbasesawholelotclosertoDagestanthanBorisoglebsk.”

Jackasked,“DoanyoftheUTMcoordinatesmatchuptothatorKhibiny?”

“Notsofar,butI’vegottwentymoretogo.”

Clarkreplied,“WellesleycouldbesendingJackandtheothersonawild-goosechase.Whatchoicedotheyhavebuttorundowneachandeveryoneofthesecoordinates,thensitonthemuntilthecoup’sover?”

“Itwouldn’tbeaproblemifwehadafewdozenguysandafullweektoplanand

coordinateit,”saidJack.“We’vegotneither.”

“John,ifyou’rerightaboutthis,thenweneedtotreateverythingJackgatheredfromWellesley’sapartmentassuspect,”saidGavin.“Worsestill,ifit’sallaredherring,thatmeansWellesleyknewyouwerecoming,Jack.”

“Don’tsaythat.I’veplayedenoughchesswiththis

assholetolastmealifetime.IfWellesley’splayingus,thenwemaybebackwherewestarted:Somebodyelseonoursidehasturned.”

“WhoknewyouweregoingtoChirpoy?”askedClark.

“EveryonebutMedzhidandhispeople.”

“NowaytherecentlydepartedAntoncouldhaveknown?”Gerryasked.

“AmIahundredpercentonthat?No,butclosetoit.Listen,wecouldgoroundandroundwiththisuntilourearsarebleeding.Itdoesn’tmatter.Johnsaidit:We’vegottochasedownthesecoordinates.Gavin,howsoonwillyouhavethemallmapped?”

“Eighthours,giveortake.”

“Gerry,howlongsince

youhadlunchwithMaryPatFoley?”

“Jack...”“Buyherapieceof

cheesecakeandaskhertoretaskasatelliteortwo.”

“Isthatall?”“RightnowallI’vegotis

GoogleEarth,whichisfineforfindingacoffeeshopbutlousyforwhatwe’retalkingabout.Plus,Spellman’snotkeenoncallingLangleyand

pressingthepanicbutton—notthisclosetothestart.He’salreadystuckhisneckoutforSethandhe’sliabletogetitchoppedoff.”

“What’sthatmean?”“Spellman’sbossesdon’t

knowSeth’sworkingoffhisdad’smanual,andtheydon’tknowwherehegotitinthefirstplace.I,uh,forgottotellyouaboutthatlastpart.”

“Whichiswhat,

exactly?”saidGerry.“WellesleyfedSeththe

manual.Theguy’samastermanipulator.Hedidhishomework,sawawoundhecouldsalt,anddidjustthat.”

“Oh,shit,”Clarkmurmuredunderhisbreath.

GerryHendleysaidnothingforalongtenseconds.

“Jack,ifyoueverforgetanotherlittledetaillikethat

again,I’llhaveyouplantedinachairfasterthanyoucansay‘WTF.’Youhearme?”

“Ihearyou,boss.”“Wellesley’sinSeth’s

head,”saidClark.“Notanymore.I’llvouch

forhim.”“Youmightcometo

regretthat.”“Possibly.Bottomlineis,

ifLangleygetswindofallthis,thecoupisoff.”

“Doesn’tsoundlikeahalf-badidea,”saidGerry.“I’mnotevensureIwanttobecomplicitinthis.I’llgiveyousixtysecondstoconvincemeotherwise.”

“Theirplanissolid.Period.Youalwayssay,trusttheguyontheground.They’reontheground,andsoamI,andwethinkit’sdoable.WhetheritwillactuallysucceedIcan’tsay.”

“You’relosingme,Jack.”“Thenhowaboutthis:In

alllikelihoodWellesley’southeremakingpolicyagainstthewishesofhisowngovernment;ifwederailthisthingwe’llbedoingthesamethingwithU.S.policy.”

“He’sgotapoint,”Clarksaid.

“Toodamnedgood,”Gerrymuttered.

Jacksaid,“Likeitornot,

we’reneck-deepinit.”Gerrychuckled.“You

know,Jack,Imightbenchyouanywayjustfortheprincipleofit.Butnottoday.I’llgiveMaryPatacall.Whatdoyouneed?”

“Firstthingsfirst.WeneedeyesoverheadBorisoglebsk.WeneedtoknowifthoseFrogfootsandFencersarestillthere.”

IftheUTMcoordinates

they’dfoundonWellesley’scomputerwerenotonlylocationswithinMakhachkalabutalsothesitesofSethandSpellman’ssatelliteInternethubs,thentheymayhavealreadybeenmarkedasairstriketargets.

•••

“SAYTHENAMESAGAIN,JACK,”Sethsaidafewminuteslater.“Penza

Street...”Jackcheckedhisnotes

andrecitedthelocations.Spellmansaid,“Yeah,

thoseareallhubsites.”“Shit!”Sethboltedfromthe

conferencetable.Hischairbumpedagainstthewall.Hepaced,runninghisfingersthroughhishair.Jackwatchedhim,lookingfortheslightestcrack.Their

situationhadjustgonefromrainingtopouring.

Sethtookadeepbreathandletitout.Nodding,heturnedbacktothetable.“Okay,okay...Let’sputitintoperspective.Wedon’t‘know’anything,right?WewaituntilGavin’smappedallthecoordinates,thenwecheckthemagainstourlist.”

“We’redowntothreedays,Seth,”saidSpellman.

“If—”“Yeah,we’redownto

threedays,sowe’renotplayingthe‘if’game.Jack,whatelsewasonWellesley’scomputer?”

“Gavin’sworkingonit.”“Havehimworkfaster.

Whataboutthisairbase?Whenwillweknowiftheplanesarestillthereorifthey’vebeenmoved,andiftheyhave,wherearethey?”

“Slowdown.Takeabreath.You’regivingmeaheadache.”

“Yeah,sorry,”herepliedwithasheepishgrin.“AnybodygotanyXanax?”

Domreplied,“NoXanax,butI’dbehappytodartyou.”

“Iwaskidding,Dom.”“I’mnot.”Jacksaid,“Seth,we’ll

hearaboutBorisoglebskwhenwehearaboutit.It’s

outofourhands.”“Yeah,okay.Weshould

thinkaboutgettingbackintoWellesley’splace,too.Maybewemissedsomething.Inthemeantime,wehitthestreets.Wevisiteachofthosehubs,talktoourpeople,andseeifanyone’sbeenpokingaround.Ifso,weuproot’emandmove’em.”

•••

BYSUNDOWNallbutoneofthesiteshadbeenchecked.Noneofthe“HubCaptains,”asSethhaddubbedthem,hadreportedanystrangeactivity.Sethwasvisiblyrelieved.Jackwasgrowingmoreworried.TheimplicationsofwhatGavinhadfoundwerestartingtosinkin.

Surgicalorotherwise,ifairstrikeswerelaunched

againstthecapital’shubsites,Seth’splanwouldn’tsimplybegutted.Itwouldalsomeanthey’dgravelymisreadVolodin’sresolveandthatthemancaredonlyaboutseeingthecoupfail—organicallyormilitarily,itdidn’tmatter—andhedidn’tcareifthewholeworldwatchedithappen.UnarmedprotestersonMakhachkala’sstreetswouldbetargets,terrorists.

Anyoneinvolvedinorchestratingtheinsurrectionwouldbeputagainstthewall.

•••

DOMWALKEDintotheapartmentahalf-houraftereveryoneelseandsaid,“Iwalkedeveryfootofthosedocks.EithertheUTMcoordinateIhaveiswrongorit’ssittingatthebottomof

theharbor.”“Theotheroneswere

dead-on,”Spellmanreplied.“Itdoesn’tsoundlikeWellesleytomakethatkindofmistake.”

“We’llknowmorewhenGavingetsbacktous.He’lltriple-checkallthenumbers.Bytheway,where’sRebaz?”

“He’sstayingthenightinhisofficialresidence,withhiswife,Marta,andAminat.

They’releavingforBakuinthemorning.”

“Goodforhim,”Ysabelsaid.“AndMissBalloonBoobs,whereisshe?”

Spellmanlaughed,asdidDomandJack.Hesaid,“That’snotverynice.”

“You’reright,myapologies.MissBalloonBreasts.Isthatbetter?”

“Much.”Seth,shakinghishead,

replied,“Nikihas—”“Doesshedottheiwitha

heart?”“Asmileyface.Shehas

herownplaceinDerbent.I’llhaveyouknow,shewantstobeanactressora—”

“Popstar,”Ysabelguessed.

“Yep.”“Imaginethat.”“Rebazdoeslovehis

wife,Ysabel,andthey’vegot

agoodmarriage.It’sjustadifferentculturehere.”

“I’mIranian.Iknowaboutdifferentculture.I’mnotjudginghim,actually.It’sjustthatheseemstobesucharemarkableman;tohavehimbesobanalwithhislovelifeisdisappointing.”

“Holdon,letmegetadictionary.”

“Shush,”shereplied.“Nobody’sperfect.He’ll

beabetterleaderthanDagestan’sseeninthelasthundredyears.Listen,ifyoureallyfeelstronglyaboutit,I’lltalktohimaboutNiki.Maybehecanconvincehertostopusingthesmileyfaces.”

“Funnyman.”Sethreachedacrossand

gaveherforearmasqueeze.“I’vemissedyou,Ysabel.”

“Careful,there,buddy,”Jacksaidwithagrin.“Don’t

gethandsy.”“Sorry.”Ysabelsaid,“It’sgoodto

seeyoulaugh,Seth.”“Itfeelsgood.So,does

thismeanwe’refriendsagain?”

Ysabelpursedherlips,thinking.“Notyet,butintimemaybe.Inthemeantime,Ishouldprobablygetthatscorpionoutofyourbed.”

“Funnygirl.”Seth

paused,lookeddownathishands.“Listen,guys,thisain’teasyforme,butI’msorry.I’msorryforitall.Ishouldn’t—”

“It’sokay,Seth,”Jacksaid.HehadnodoubtSethmeantwhathesaid,buthefearedthatuntilthecoupwasfinishedhisfriendwouldbevulnerabletothewin-at-all-costsmind-setthathadbeendrivinghimforthreeyears.

“No,it’snot,notevenclose,”Sethreplied.“Ishouldn’thaveusedyoutoflushWellesley;Ialmostgotyoubothkilled—atPardisandatthefarmhouse.Truthis,IkindafeellikeI’velostmyway.I’vedonethingsinthepastyearIneverthoughtIcould.Afterthis,Ineedtodosomeseriousthinking.”Hechuckled.“Hell,maybeyouguyscanevensetupsome

kindofinterventionforme—a‘Hey,Seth,you’vebeenarealasshole’typeofthing?”

BothYsabelandJacklaughed.“Deal,”Jacksaid.

JMakhachkala

ACKAWOKEtothesoundofrainpatteringontheirbedroom

window.Hegotupandpeekedthroughthecurtain.Itwasstilldarkoutandthe

streetlightswerereflectedinthepuddles.Hestartedgettingdressed.

“Whereareyougoing?”Ysabelaskedgroggily.

“Togetcoffee.”“Fabulousidea.”Hewalkedouttothe

mainroom.SethandSpellmanweresittingattheconferencetablewithacarafeofcoffeebetweenthem.Newspaperswerespread

acrossthetablebeforethemandoneofthewalltelevisionswastunedtoamorningnewsshow,thevolumemuted.PresidentNabiyevwasdisplayedintheinsetboxbesidethepresenter’shead.

Spellmanlookedup,gavehimawave,thenreturnedtohispaper.

“Morning,Jack,”Sethsaid.

Jackpouredhimselfacupofcoffee.“What’sgoingon?”

“MattandIdecidedtobreakthestoryadayearly.”

“Whatstory?”“ItseemsPresident

Nabiyevhasbeensellingcitycontractstothehighestbidder,thenusingthekickbackmoneytobuyuplandoutsideSulak.”

“Isallthattrue?”

“Everywordofit,”Spellmanreplied.

“Andit’llgetworseasthedaygoeson,”saidSeth.“TurnsoutNabiyevdidn’tevenpayfortheland,butinsteadusedDagestan’sversionofeminentdomaintoousttheowners.ThekickbackmoneyishiddeninanaccountinLiechtenstein.Totopitoff,hewasplanningtosellthelandbacktothe

governmentattriplethegoingprice.”

“Sothisisyourcatalyst,”saidJack.“Thisiswhatputsthepeopleonthestreets.”

“Moreorless.Medzhidwillstepforward,sharethepeople’soutrageanddisappointment,promiseafullinvestigation,andtellthemtheydeservebetterfromtheirleadership.Fromtherethemessagewillturnto

freedom,nationalpride,therighttobeheard,andsoon.BythistimetomorrowthestorywillhavegonefromworthlessswamplandinSulaktothefutureofDagestan.”

SethsaidthesethingsinsuchablaséwaythatJackwonderedwhetherhisfriendtrulybelievedthemorwhethertheyweresimplyapropagandatool,redmeatfor

themasseshehimselfhadprimed.Hehopeditwastheformer.Andifitwasn’t,whatthen?Whilethe“meanstoanend”ideologywasonehe’dneverbeenentirelycomfortablewith,heknewalltoowellthattherealworldwasn’tallrosesandpuppies.Ifthestakeswerehighenough,wereanymethodsjustifiable?Whosetthosethresholds,andwasmorality

scalable?Questionslikethismade

Jackhappyhehadn’teventheslightesttraceofpoliticalambition.Thenagain,neitherhadhisdad,andlookwhatthatgothim.

Jack’sphonevibrated.ItwasatextfromGavin.HAVEINFO.

HetookYsabelacupofcoffeeandthenshejoinedthematthetable.Jackdialed

Gavinandputhimonspeakerphone.“We’reallhere.”

“Onthisendalso,”Gerrysaid.“TheBBC’stalkingaboutPresidentNabiyev.Isthatyourdoing,Seth?”

“Hisown,actually,”Spellmanreplied.“Thestorywasgoingtogetouteventually.Wejustmassagedthetimelineabit.It’shightimeforhimtogo.”

Jacksaid,“Whathaveyougotforus?”

“We’restillwaitingontheoverheadshots,”saidClark.“She’sworkingonit,buttheretaskingisabitmorecomplicatedthesedays.”

“Who’s‘she’?”askedSpellman.“Nevermind.Idon’twanttoknow.”

“AsfortheUTMcoordinates,”Gavinsaid,“I’vegotthemallmapped.

Allbutfiveofthemareinthecity.I’msendingyouallaDropboxlinkrightnow.”

SethandSpellmancrowdedtogetherbeforeSpellman’slaptopandstartedcomparingthecoordinateswiththeirhubsites.

“Jack,IthinkWellesley’sChirpoyapartmentwentdead.Iinstalledakey-loggerprogramonthemaincomputerafteryouleft.

AboutanhouragoIgotaflurryofactivity—burste-mailtraffic,theirlandlineforwarderpushingoutabacklogofcalls...thatkindofstuff,likesomebodyhadsentsomekindofcyber‘bug-out’signal.”

“Ora‘go’signal,”Ysabelreplied.

“Thatseemsmorelikely,”Clarkagreed.

“Anyway,afterthatall

sixcomputersjumpedontheapartment’sbroadbandforaboutfortyseconds,then,poof,lightsout.Imanagedtosnagsomeoftheresidualoutboundmessagesbeforethathappened,soI’llseeifIcanmakeanythingofit.”

“Wellesley’spulledupstakesandmoved,”Clarksaid.“HeknowstheNabiyevstorymeansyou’vestartedprepping.”

“Thequestionis,Where’shegone?”saidGerry.

Andwhatwillbehisfirstcountermove?Jackthought.

•••

“THEY’REALLTHERE,”Sethsaid.“Everydamnoneofourhubsnaileddowntoasquaremeter.Howthehelldidtheygetthis?”

“Howmanyarethere?”

askedJack.“Twenty-six.”JackopenedYsabel’s

MacBookandclickedontheDropboxlinkGavinhadsentthem.Themappoppedup,anoverheadfull-colorviewofMakhachkalacoveredinreddotslabeledwiththeircorrespondingUTMcoordinates.YsabelandDomwatchedoverJack’sshoulderashezoomedandpannedthe

map.“There’satotalofthirty-

twolocations,butonlytwenty-sixhubs,”saidYsabel.“Whataretheseothersix?Doyouguyshaveanythingthere?”

“No,”saidSpellman.“Didyouever?”Heshookhishead.“Four

ofthoseareintheTarki-Tauswestofthecity.There’snothinguptherebutsome

hikingtrailsandamaintenanceroad.Thefifthlocationistheoneyoucouldn’tfindattheharbor,Dom.”

“Yeah,Isawthat.It’sintheexactplaceIlookedthefirsttime.Whataboutthesixth?”

“It’sdowntownsomewhere,abuildingIdon’trecognize.”

“Thenthesesixare

mistakesorredherrings,”saidYsabel.Shestaredhardatthescreenforafewmoments,thensaid,“Jack,canyoushowmealistofthecoordinatesnexttothemap?”

“Sure.”Hebroughtupthelist,

thensplit-screeneditwiththemap.Shetracedherindexfingeroverthescreen,matchinguplocationsandnumbers.“Thisisinteresting.

Takealook.”Sheturnedthelaptopso

everyonecouldsee.“Thesixsparelocations

havedifferentcoordinates...”Shehighlightedtheonesinquestion:

Hepo5..38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

Gaxy4..38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

Gefo9..38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

Xole8..38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

Byma1.38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

Hevu9,,38GZT.703971mE.4759623mN

“Idon’tseeit,”saidSeth.“Differenthow?”

“LookatHepoFive.Seethedoubledecimalpointsafterit?Thefirstfourhavethatnotation,thenextone,BymaOne—yoursiteatthe

harbor,Dom—hasasingledecimal,andHevuNinehasdoublecommas.”

“Inputerrors.Typos,”Sethsaid.“Doesn’tmeananything.”

“I’mnotconvinced.”“Suityourself.Itstill

doesn’tanswertherealquestion,though.HowthehelldidWellesleyfindoutaboutthehubs?”

“Whoelseknowsabout

them?”askedJack.“Allofthem?Justusat

thistable.MattandIwererealcarefulaboutcompartmentalization.Imean,yeah,eachhubcaptainknowswhatheorsheisrunning,buttheydon’tknowthereareothers—oratleasthowmanymorethereareandtheirlocations.”

“Doyourundiagnostictestsonthem?”

“Aboutonceaweek,”Spellmanreplied,“butit’sjustablind-bursttransmissionthatlastsalloftwoseconds.”

Domsaid,“How’veyoubeenkeepingtrackofallthis?”

“Nothingonline,ifthat’swhatyou’reasking.It’sallhand-to-handbetweenmeandSeth,withpassword-protectedflashdrives.Ialwaysknowwheremineis.”

“Samehere,”saidSeth.“Whenwevisitthehubswedon’tusethesamescheduleorroute,andwemakedamnedsurewehaven’tpickedupanytails.I’mtellingyou,ouropsecissolid.”

“ThenIdon’tknowwhattotellyou,”Jackreplied.“Thetruthis,rightnowitdoesn’tmatterhowWellesleyknowsaboutthem,itmatters

whathe’sgotplannedforthem.”

“Weneedtoknowaboutthoseplanes,”Spellmansaid.

•••

THEYSPLITUP:SpellmanandDomwenttofindtheunidentifiedbuildingdowntownwhileJackandYsabeltookoneofMedzhid’sSuburbansintotheTarki-Taus.

BythetimetheyreachedtheoutskirtsofMakhachkala,therainwasfallinginsheetsandslashingatthewindshieldwhilethewipersstruggledtokeepup.Astheyleftthepavedroadforagravelone,JackswitchedtheSuburbanintofour-wheeldrive.Theroadnarrowedandsteepenedintoaseriesofswitchbacksthatwoundupthenorthernflankoftheescarpment

beforefinallyopeningontoamaintenanceroadthatrannorthalongaridgeoverlookingthecity.

Thetreesoneithersideofthemswayedinthewind.Branchesseemedtoreachout,theirtipsscrapingovertheSuburban’sroof.

ThroughthetreesJackcaughtglimpsesofthecity,stilllitupbystreetlightsinthegloom.Inthedistancethe

CaspianSealayshroudedinfog.

“Theseareclosertomountainsthantheyaretohills,”Ysabelsaid.

“Howfardoesthisroadgo?”

“We’reatthefarsouthernend,so...aboutsixmiles.”

“What’sourfirstspot?”“HepoFive.”They’ddecidedthe

UTM’salphanumericprefixeswereindeedrandomlygeneratedplacenames.ThebuildingDomandSpellmanwerecheckingoutwasHevu9.

“Itshouldbeahalf-mileinfrontofus.”

TheycoveredthedistanceatanearwalkingpaceasthegravelbeneaththeSuburban’stiresbecamemoreandmorewaterlogged.

“Justuphere,ontheright.”

Jackbrakedtoastop.Ysabelrolleddownherwindow.Theinteriorfilledwiththesoundofrain.Besidethem,justovertheedgeoftheroad,wasatreeless,flattenedrectangleofearthroughlythesizeofasemi-truck.Thefarendlookeddownoverthecity.

“Thosestumpslook

freshlycut,”Ysabelsaid.“Stayhere.”Jackpulledupthehood

ofhisponcho,climbedout,andwalkedintotheclearing.Thedirtwasruttedwithbulldozertrackshalffullofwater.Hewalkedtheperimeter,lookingforanythingthatmightexplaintheclearing’spurpose.Therewasnothing.

Hewentbacktothe

Suburban.“Well?”“It’sjustaflatpatchof

earth.”“It’smorethanthat,”

Ysabelreplied.“Wejusthavetofigureoutwhat.”

Theycontinuedontotheremainderofthesites—Gaxy4,Gefo9,andXole8—andfoundeachonethesameasthefirst:razedclearingsoverlookingMakhachkala.

Theywerespreaddowntheridgelineatone-mileintervals,giveortakeafewyards.

“Well,I’msureashellnotgoingtotrytokeeptrackofthecodenames,”Jacksaid.“Mybrainistoofullasitis.”

“Howabout‘RidgeSites’?”Ysabeloffered.

“Worksforme.”Jack’sphonerang.He

putitonspeaker.“Dom,

what’sup?”“Nothing.Wechecked

HevuNine—”“We’vedecidedwe’re

notusingthosenamesanymore,”saidYsabel.

“ThankGod.Anyway,it’satwo-storybrickbuildingonLenaRoad;itlookslikeanoldschoolhouse.There’sarealtor’ssignonthefront.Thedoorsarepadlockedandthewindowsareboardedup.

Wantustobreakin?”“No,let’scheckoutthe

realtorfirst.”“We’regoingtohead

backtoBymaOne—sorry,thedocks—tocheckitoutagain.Meetyoubackattheapartment.”

Frustrated,JackandYsabeldroveupanddownthemaintenanceroad,halfhopingtheymightspotsomeonenosingaroundthe

ridgesites.AfteranhourtheygaveupandheadedbackdownintoMakhachkala.

Despitetherain,thecityseemedbusier,thestreetsandsidewalksfullofcarsandpedestrians.Coffeeshopsandrestaurantswerepacked.Jacksensedanundercurrentofagitationingesturesandbodylanguage.Patronswereclusteredaroundtables,leaninginastheyspoketo

oneanother.Ysabelsaid,“Doyoufeel

it?”“Yes.”SethandSpellman’s

corruptionstoryaboutPresidentNabiyevwasgainingtraction.

•••

BACKATTHETORTORETOtheyfoundMedzhidseatedonthecouch,

talkingquietlywithoneofhisassistants,Yana,whomMedzhidhadpromotedafterAlbina’sdeath.Theministerlookedupandgavethemacurtnod.

“He’sgothisgamefaceon,”JackwhisperedtoYsabel.

“Idon’tblamehim.”Medzhidgesturedthem

over.“Thankyouforwhatyousaidyesterday,Jack.You

wereright:Iwasasleep.ButI’mawakenow.”

“Good.”Ysabelasked,“Martaand

Aminat?”“SafeinBaku.Whatever

happenshereinthecomingdays,theywillbesafe.Ionlyhopetheyhaveahometocomebackto.Bytheway,Aminattoldmetogiveyouamessage.”

“What?”

“AndIquote:‘YoubetterbetakingyourKeflex,mister.’”

Jacksmiled.“TellherIam.Nooozingpus.”

DomandSpellmanwalkedintotheapartment,andthefourofthemsettledaroundtheconferencetabletocomparenotes.

“Where’sSeth?”askedJack.

“Drivingaround,taking

thepulseofthecity,”Spellmanreplied.“Medzhid’sstartingourPRpushlaterthismorning.Wepullthetriggerinforty-eighthours.Howdidyouguysfare?”

Jackexplainedwhatthey’dfoundinthehills.

“Howfreshwerethesites?”askedDom.

“Nomorethanthreeweeks,I’dguess.”

“Thosearesomepretty

preciseintervals,”saidSpellman.“Can’tbeanaccident.I’lldosomediggingandseeifthereareanyconstructionprojectsplannedupthere.AsfortheLenaRoadbuilding,wecalledtherealtor.Accordingtoher,thebuilding’salreadybeenleased.Shejustforgottoputupthe‘Sold’sign.Thebuyer—shewouldn’tgiveusaname—isduetomoveinthis

week.”“Well,weknowwhoit

is.Wellesley,”saidYsabel.“Matt,callGavinwith

theparticulars.Hackingarealtor’scomputershouldbeanicechangeofpaceforhim.How’dyoudowiththedocks?”

“Thedocksarepissingmeoff,that’showwedid,”Domsaid.“TheUTMwehaveisdeadcenterinthe

water,aboutahundredfeetoffshore.Maybetheseassholeshaveamidgetsubmarine.”

Jackcouldn’thelpbutlaugh.HisfriendwashavingagrudgematchwithByma1.“Gogethim,bud.”

“Whatnow?”askedYsabel.

“Wewait.”Untiltheygoteyeson

Borisoglebsk,theywerein

limbo.

•••

THEDAYWOREON.

Asplanned,MedzhidwasmovingfrominterviewtointerviewoneveryradiostationandtelevisionchannelinMakhachkala.Hewasnevermorethantwentyminutesfrombeingseenorheardbyanincreasingly

attentivecitizenry.ContinuingthetonetheyhadsetafterthedebunkingoftheAlmakmassacrestory,hostslobbedhimsoftballquestions,whichhedeftlyturnedintomini-speechesthathammeredatSeth’sthemes—dignity,self-determination,trust,andprideofnation.

Betweenspots,MedzhidandSethconferredoverthephone,reshapingandrefining

theminister’smessageandslowlybutsteadilyturninguptherhetoric.

Atten-thirtythatevening,hegavehisfinaltelevisioninterviewoftheday:“MyfellowDagestanis,Ishareyourshockovertoday’snewsreportsregardingourpresidentNabiyev.Ofcourse,wemustlettheinvestigationintotheseallegationstakeitscourse,butMr.Nabiyev’s

refusaltoaddressthismatterdisappointsandsurprisesme,asI’msureitdoesyou.

“Asneverbeforeitiscriticalwerememberthatweareonepeople,whetherAvarorTsakhur;MuslimorOrthodox;richorpoor.WeareallDagestaniswithalongandproudheritage.

“Iamalsobothheartenedandsaddenedtoday.HeartenedbythehopeIsaw

inyourfacesasIwalkedourcity’sstreets.SaddenedbecauseIcan’thelpbutfeelIcouldhaveservedyoubetter.Corruption,whereveritisfound,isastainonournation.Youdeservebetter.

“Itellyouthisnow,withoutreservation:Iamreenergizedbyyourdevotion.Ishareyourhopeforabetterlifeforyourselves,foryourchildren,andforourfuture

generations.“Whileitisnotmyplace

todirectthepathyouchoose,Iamconfidentthecomingdaysandweekswillbeoneswewillallrememberwithpridefordecadestocome.Tonight,asyougotosleep,askyourselveswhatthefutureofDagestanshouldbe,andknowthatanythingispossibleifwestandtogether.

“Thankyouforyour

time.Iam,andalwayswillbe,aproudDagestani.Goodnight.”

Spellmanaimedtheremoteatthetelevisionandturneditoff.

Therewassilencearoundthetable.

Sethmurmured,“Ifthatdoesn’tdrivethemintothestreets,nothingwill.”

TMakhachkala

HENEXTMORNINGtherainfinallybroke.Thecloudsdrifted

westovertheTarki-Taus,leavingbehindthesunandwhitecotton-ballclouds.The

weatherhadcertainlytippedinSethandMedzhid’sfavorastheybegantheirfinalmediablitzbeforethecoup.Therewouldalwaysbeafractionofwould-beprotestersthathatedstandingintherain,nomatterhowworthythecause.

Ashewasthedaybefore,Medzhidwasoutthedooratfirstlight,movingthroughthecity,shakinghandswith

early-morningcommutersandshopownersonthesidewalks,listeningtopeople’sconcernsandassuagingtheirfears,andholdingimpromptupressconferencesatcarefullychosenspotsthroughoutthecity.Ateachvenuethesizeofthecrowdsgrewandtooklongertodisperseuntilintersectionsandentirestreetswereblocked.Politsiyafrom

theMinistryoftheInteriorreroutedtraffic.

Hand-paintedsignsappearedonthefaçadesofgovernmentbuildings.AsSethhadpredicted,thefirstmessagesweresimpleones,reflectionsofthethemesMedzhidhadbeenpushingforthepasttwenty-fourhours—hope,pride,unity.ProtestersstartedgatheringoutsidetheParliament

Building,thesignscallingforaction:CHOOSEFREEDOM,STANDTOGETHER,THEFUTUREISOURSTOMAKE.Seth’sunwittingagentswerethere,videotapingeverymoment,uploadingsnippetstoFacebookwithcaptionslike“PeacefulDagestanisaskingonlyforabetterlife,”andsound-biteinterviewswithsmilingtwentysomethingprotestersappearedon

Twitter.Thelocalnewspapersandradiostationspickedthemupandrantheminsteadofcommercialsbetweenscheduledprogramming.

BynoonreportersfromBBCandAl-JazeerawerelandingatMakhachkala’sairport,wheretheywereimmediatelygrantedtemporaryvisasbyMinistryoftheInteriorborder-control

officersandassignedapersonalguideandacar.

Surroundedbymicrophones,Medzhidgavewalkinginterviewswhilethrongsfollowedhim,jostlingoneanotherinhopesofgettingahandshakeortopatMedzhidontheback.

Themomentumwasbuilding.

•••

WHILEJACK,Dom,andYsabelwatchedfromthecouch,SethandSpellmanpacedtheconferencearea,talkingintoBluetoothheadsets,whilearetinueofMOIstaffsatshouldertoshoulderatthetable,workingthephonesandpassingmessagestoSethandSpellman.Onthewallabovethemallthreetelevisionswereon.

Sethtookoffhisheadsetandcalled,“It’son!ChannelFifteen.Everybodybequiet!”

Oneofthestaffmembersunmutedthetelevisioninthemiddle.Awomanwithblondhairandasternexpressionwassaying,“...onceagain,wehavereportsthatPresidentNabiyevhasleftthecapitalinthewakeoftheallegationsraisedbytheSulaklanddeal.AsourceclosetoNabiyev

claimsthetriptoanewlyopenedcanningfactoryinBuynakskhasbeenonhisscheduleforseveralweeks.ChannelFifteenproducershavetriedtocontactMr.Nabiyev’spresssecretaryforfurthercommentbuthavereceivednoresponse.WenowtakeyoutotheParliamentBuilding,wherecrowdsarerapidlygrowing...”

“That’senough,turnitdown.”

Theassistantmutedthetelevisionagain.

Sethwalkedovertothecouch.“Whatdoyouthink?Clockwork.Didyounoticethey’reusingthetermpresidentalotless?That’sabigdealhere,it’ssortoflikesaying‘thatguyNabiyev.’”

“Nicetouchwiththe‘inthewakeoftheallegations’

bit,”saidJack.“Thatwasn’tus.Channel

FifteenhasneverlikedNabiyev.”

“Isthattrueabouthistrip?”askedYsabel.

“Mostly.Hewenttothefactoryyesterday.Thelastpartaboutthepresssecretaryisslightlyexaggerated.It’llcomeoutlaterthetripwasactuallyunscheduled.I’msureNabiyevisalreadyonhis

wayback.Whenhereachesthecitylimitsthere’llbecrowdsandcameraswaitingforhim.Withanyluckhislimousinewillhitsomeone.Relax,I’mkidding.Imean,ifithappeneditwouldn’thurtourcause,butwe’renotgoingtoshovesomebodyunderNabiyev’swheels.”

“That’sniceofyou,”Ysabelsaidsarcastically.

“WhatcanIsay?I’ma

sharingcarer.”“Sowhathappensnext?”

askedDom.“Nabiyevwillgoon

radioandtelevisionanddenytheallegations,buthe’llbewhisperinginawindtunnel.Medzhid’sexposureratioisclimbingbythehour.Nabiyevwillnevercatchupandthequestionshe’llgetwillbebrutal.We’llbeleakingbitsandpiecesofthe

Sulakstoryallday,thendropthebombtonight.”

“Whatbomb?”“Thatsomepeoplein

Sulakwereforcefullyejectedfromtheirhomes.Oneofthemhadaheartattack.Andyes,beforeyouask,it’salltrue.We’vegotacoupleofthem—anelderlyfarmerandhiswife—linedupwithinterviewsbeforeMedzhidgoesononelasttime.We’re

firingonallcylinders,guys.Tomorrowwedumpthenitroin.Oh,andbepackedupandreadytogobyseven.We’removingtothecommandcenter.”

Sethheadedbacktowardtheconferencearea,thenstoppedandturnedback.“AnythingfromGavin?”

“Notyet.”“Jack,beforemorningwe

needtoknowifVolodin’s

sendingbombersourway.We’llhaveahundredthousandpeopleonthestreetsbynine.I’mnotgoingtowalkthemintoaslaughterhouse.”

Sethwalkedaway.JackdialedGavin,who

said,“Nothingyet.MaryPat’sgotaKeyholescheduledforretasking,butit’sprobablygoingtobeanothereighthoursbeforeit’s

overheadBorisoglebsk.”“Whatabouttheold

schoolhousedowntown?”“Igotintotherealtor’s

systemwithnotrouble.ThebuildingisbeingleasedbysomethingcalledPacificAllianceGroup.Itstinksofsomething,butIdon’tknowwhatyet.Hey,GerryandJohnwanttotalktoyou.I’lltransferyou.”

Afewsecondspassed,

andthenGerryHendley’svoicecameontheline.“Jack,CNNandMSNBChavepickeduptheDagestanstory—boththeprotestsandtheNabiyevscandal.They’rerunningthematthetopofeveryhourandthenewscrawler’srunningfull-time.They’veprobablygotreportersheadedyourway,too.LookslikeSethknowswhathe’sdoingafterall.”

“It’sredmeatforthepress,”Jackreplied.“Scandal,greed,andhope,withahintofchaosonthestreetsthatcouldturnuglyatanysecond.”

“Couldthathappen?”askedGerry.

“Anythingcanhappen,butMedzhid’swalkingthetightropeprettywell.Thestreetsarefull,buttherehaven’tbeenanyreportsof

violence.Itdoesn’thurtthatMedzhid’spolitsiyaarestandingback.Wehaven’theardanythinghereaboutVolodin.Hashemadeastatementyet?”

“No,butitprobablywon’tbelongnow,”repliedClark.“Histonewilltellusalot.”

Domsaid,“Likewhetherhe’sgoingwiththe‘organicfailure’approachortheboot-

on-the-throatapproach.”“Exactly.Whatwedon’t

knowisiftheRussiangarrisontroopsintheborderdistrictswillturnandheadforMakhachkala.IfthathappensMedzhid’sgoingtohaveatoughchoicetomake—tellthemassestogohomeorgamblethatthegarrisonwon’twadeinwithclubsswinging.DoesSethhaveanyearly-warningassetsin

place?”“Iexpectso,”Jack

replied.“I’llcheck.He’smoreworriedabouttheFrogfootsandFencers.We’recuttingitclosewiththesatelliteimagery.”

“It’scoming,”Gerrypromised.

Jackhungup.Hestood,pacedabit,thensatbackdownandtwirledhisphoneinhishands.“Let’sgetoutof

here.”“Andgowhere?”asked

Ysabel.“BacktoChirpoyRoad.I

wanttoknowwhyWellesley’scomputersystemwentdark.”

Domsaid,“I’llgiveupJimmyJohn’sifthedickhead’sstandingtherewhenwewalkin.”

•••

WITHYSABELatthewheel,theypulledoutoftheTortoreto’sgarageandswungbytheMinistryoftheInteriorbuildingafewblocksaway.Thestreetwasquietsaveacoupledozenpeoplewalkingupanddownthesidewalk,eitherchanting“Medzhid...Medzhid”orholdingupsignsbearinghisofficialMOIphotograph.

“They’recampaigning

fortheguy,”Domsaidfromthebackseat.

“Nicesigns,”Ysabelrepliedwithasmile.“SurprisinglysophisticatedforanaverageMakhachkalan.Seth’scoveringalotofbases,isn’the?”

ShemadeaU-turn,thenheadednorthtowardWellesley’sapartment.Fourtimesinthemilebetweenthe

MOIbuildingandChirpoyRoad,politsiyadetouredthemaroundintersectionsthrongedwithprotesters.ThroughtheSuburban’shalf-openwindowsJackcouldhearbullhorn-amplifiedvoicesoverthecacophony.

YsabelturnedontotheroadJackandDomhadbeenusingasastakeoutspotandpulledtothecurb.SherolleddownherwindowsoJack

couldsurveythecomplexthroughbinoculars.

“Everythinglooksnormal.Idon’tseeZoya’scar.”

Aftertheirlastbreak-inhere,they’ddecidedtotakeariskandnotreturnthewoman’skeycardandpermit.Ifshe’dreportedthemmissingtheywouldsoonknow.

“Anysignofcreepy

vodkaguy?”Ysabelsaid.“No.”“He’sprobablygothis

eyepressedtothepeephole,piningforyourreturn,”saidDom.

“Stopit.”“Youbroketheguy’s

heart,Ysabel.”Jacksaid,“Enough,kids.

Let’sgoinandseewhathappens.”

•••

NOTHINGHAPPENED.Ysabelpulledthroughthegate,wavedthepermitatthegoon—notcreepyvodkaguy—thenparkedinZoya’sspot.Theywaiteduntilthemandisappearedbackintotheapartment,thentrottedtothestairwellanduptothesecondfloor.

JackkneltbythedoorandgotoutGavin’sDevpulselock-buster.DomdrewhisRugerandnodded.Jackdisengagedthelock,thenscootedasideasDomsteppedthrough.“Clear,”hewhispered.JackandYsabelfollowedhimin.

Asidefromabundleofcablesdanglingabovethetable,theapartmentwasstrippedbare.

“Jack,Ithinkthisisforyou,”Ysabelsaid,pointingatayellowPost-itnoteonthetable.

Jackpickeditup.

Betterlucknexttime,Jack.Bytheway,IenjoyedyourDobromirimpression.Sosadtolearnhis

sweetheartisnolongerwithus.Yourdoing,Iassume?—W.

“Sonofabitch.”Hepassedthenoteto

DomandYsabel.Shesaid,“Seth’sright:

Heisacockybastard.”“Andslippery,”said

Dom.

WhereisRaymondWellesley?Jackwondered.

TherewasnowaytheSISmanhadgonehome,whichmeanthe’dsetuphisnervecenterelsewhereinanticipationofthecoup.SurelyhewouldhaveseenMedzhid’smediablitzandtheNabiyev/Sulakstoryforwhattheywere—Seth’ssoftening-upbarrage.

ButhadtheSISmanleft

thisapartmentbecauseheknewithadbeenbrokenintoorbecausethemovehadbeenplannedfromthestart?ThePost-itnotesuggestedtheformer,butJackcouldn’tbecertain,notwithWellesley.

“What’sthismean?”askedYsabel.“WhatabouttheUTMcoordinates?Aretheyjustadistraction?”

“Can’tbe,”saidDom.“Weknowtheonesforthe

Internethubsitesareright,andthoseclearingsyoufoundontheridgearerealenough,andsoisthedodgyschoolhouse.”

Jacknodded.“You’reright.Theridgesitesareatleastthreeweeksold,whichmeanstheywerecreatedevenbeforeWellesleyknewIexisted.Theguy’ssmart,buthe’snotclairvoyant.”

“It’sgottabethe

schoolhouse;that’shisnewnervecenter.Where’sabetterspotthandowntownMakhachkalainthemiddleoftheaction?”

“Agreed.”WhenwillWellesley

makehisfirstmove?Jackwondered.

Andwhatwillitbe?

LMakhachkala

ATEAFTERNOON,asMedzhidwaswindingdownhis

interviewsandhisstaffwaspreparingforthemovetothecommandcenterin

anticipationofSeth’shusband-and-wife-farmerbombshell,GerryHendleycalled.

“WegottheKeyholeimagesback.AlltheFrogfootsandFencersarerightwheretheyshouldbeatBorisoglebsk.”

“ThanktheLord,”Sethreplied.

“Notquiteyet.John,youtellthem.”

“Okay,guys,it’sabitcomplicated,sobearwithme.KhibinyandBorisoglebskareplacesinRussia,weknowthat.Butthey’realsoassociatedwithsomethingelse—EW.”

Jackleanedbackandranhishandsthroughhishair.“Shit.”

“EW?”Ysabelsaid.“Electronicwarfare,”

Clarkreplied.“Usingdirected

energytodisruptequipment—communications,radar,televisionsignals...EssentiallyanythingthatusestheEMspectrum.Dependingonthepoweroftheweaponyoucanjamorfrywhateveryou’retargeting.”

“LikesatelliteInternet,”Spellmansaid.“Andcelltowers.”

“Right,thoseareeasy.Yourhubsareharder.That’s

whyWellesleyhasallofthemmapped.They’requeuedupforEWattacks.”

“Thiscan’tbehappening!”Sethbarked.“Hell,itcan’tbedone.Ahmadinejadtriedtodoitin’09anditdidn’twork.”

“Yeah,well,hedidn’thavewhatVolodinhas.DoyouguysremembertheUSSDonaldCook?”

“No,”saidDom.

“It’sanArleighBurke–classguidedmissiledestroyer.Top-of-the-linewarshipwithlatest-generationAegis,Tomahawks,RIMsurface-to-airmissiles.Inspringof’fourteenitsailedintotheBlackSeatogiveVolodinsomethingelsetoworryaboutotherthanUkraineandCrimea.

“TwodayslatertheCook

getsbuzzedbyaRussianSu-24Fencer.Theyneversawitcoming.TheCook’sAegisradar,firecontrolsystems,comms,anddatanetworkwentdead.Theboatwasessentiallyblindanddeafanddefenseless.TheFencerrepeatedtheprocesstwelvemoretimesandtherewasnothingtheCookcoulddo.”

Clarksaid,“TheFencerwascarryinganEWpod

nicknamedKhibiny.”“Oneplanedidthat?”

askedYsabel.“Yes.Inthespaceofa

fewseconds.KhibinyispartofalargersystemcalledBorisoglebsk-2,alongwithsomethingtheycallZhitel.Rumoris,it’sspecificallydesignedtotakedownsatelliteandGPSsystems.”

“So,oneplanefliesoverMakhachkalaandourwhole

hubnetworkgoesdown,”saidSeth.“Isthatwhatyou’retellingus?”

Jacksaid,“Relax,Seth.”“Relax?Howaboutyou

gofuck—”Sethtookabreath,letitout.“Sorry,Jack.”

Clarksaid,“Toansweryourquestion,no,oneplanewon’tdoit.TheFencerdisabledtheCookbecauseitwasasingletarget,nota

diffuseweblikeyou’vegotthere.”

“Explainthat,”saidYsabel.

Gavinsaid,“We’rejustguessinghere,butWellesleyprobablydoesn’tknowexactlyhowsophisticatedyourhubsare.Forallheknows,afterthefirstpassbyaFencer,you’llstartmovingyourhubs,cyclingthepower,mayberotatingfrequencies.

WhattheKhibinyandZhitelcan’tseetheycan’thit.”

“Whichmeans,”Jacksaid,“unlessVolodincommitsadozenplanesandrunsround-the-clocksorties,theattackswon’tcomefromtheair.They’llbeland-based.Groundvehicles.”

“Right.”“Thesitesontheridge,”

Spellmansaid.“Fromuptherethey’dhaveaclearline

ofsight.Theycouldcoverthecityfromoneendtotheother.”

“Yesandno,”Clarksaid.“Youguyshavetwenty-sixhubs.FromwhatweknowaboutBorisoglebskunits,they’regoodatdestroyingbutnotsogoodathunting.They’reusuallypairedwithtrackingplatforms.”

“Whatsizearewetalkingabout?”askedJack.

“Forthehunterunits,big.Ourbestguessisthey’llusewhat’scalledaKrasukha.They’reaboutthesizeofanarticulatedsemi-truck:squat,boxy,powerful-looking,withafoldableparabolicdishontheback.”

“Theysoundaboutthesamesizeastheclearings,”saidSpellman.“Jack,yousaidthesitesarespacedat,what,mileintervals?”

“Aboutthat.”Gavinsaid,“Well,

Makhachkala’saboutahundred-eightysquaremiles,sothat’dbeaboutright.”

“Great,”saidSeth.“Let’sfindthefuckersandkill’em.Tellushowtodoit.”

“It’snotsotoughtodisablethem,”Clarksaid.“Thetrickistofirstfindthem,thengettothem.Yougottaunderstand:These

thingsareeight-million-dollarvehiclesstuffedtothegillswithRussia’slatestandgreatestshit.Theydon’tgoanywherewithoutabuilt-insecurityteam.”

“Howbig?”“Figurealightplatoon

pervehicle—adozenguyswithheavyweapons.Fiftymenintotal.”

“Wehaven’tgotthefirepowertohandlethat,”

saidSpellman.Gerryasked,“Jack,when

wasthelasttimeyouwereuptotheridge?”

“Yesterday.There’snowayWellesleywouldrisksendingtheKrasukhasthroughthecity,notwiththestreetsascrowdedastheyare,andnotwithsomanycamerasrolling.Ifthey’renotalreadyontheridge,they’llbecomingfromsomewhere

else.”“Wellesleywouldn’twait

untilthelastminutetobringthemincountry,”saidSpellman.“Butmaybethey’dstashthemwithinquickdrivingdistance.Eitherway,weneedtogettothembeforetheyhaveachancetodigin.”

“Isn’tthatputtingalloureggsinonebasket?”askedYsabel.“John,yousaidtheseKrasukhasuseseparate

trackingplatforms.Whatwouldoneofthoselooklike?”

“Smaller,moremobile—andthey’donlyneedoneofthem.”

“Takeaguess,”saidJack.

“ProbablyaKvantSPN9.It’saconvertedradarjammerbuiltonaBTRarmoredpersonnelcarrierchassis.Youcouldhideoneinastandard-

sizedgarage.”Gavinadded,“Keepin

mind,though,it’dneedtobestationedawayfromtheKrasukhas.Thebetterthetriangulationdatatheyget,thetighterandmorepowerfulthedirectedenergy.Withtwenty-sixhubstokillthey’llwanttoavoidhunting-and-pecking.”

Dommurmured,“BymaOne.”

“Comeagain?”saidGerry.

“That’soneoftheUTMprefixcodeswegotfromWellesley’scomputer,”saidJack.“Dom’scheckedittwice.Thespot’slocatedintheharbor.John,couldtheystickaKvantonaship?”

“Easy.Itwouldn’tevenneedtobevisible.”

•••

ASNIGHTFELL,theysplitupagain,JackandYsabelheadingbacktotheridge,SpellmanandDomtotheharbor.Seth,Medzhid,andtheremainingstaffattheapartmentpiledintooneoftheSuburbansfortheshortdrivetotheMinistryoftheInteriorbuilding.

SocrowdedwerethestreetsthatittookJackandYsabeltwiceaslongasithad

onprevioustripstoreachthecitylimitsandstartuptheswitchbackroadtotheridge.Atthetop,Jackturnedontothemaintenanceroadanddousedhisheadlights,leavingontheyellowfoglightstoguidethemdownthegraveltrack.

Theystoppedatthefirstclearing,thengotoutandstartedpanningtheirflashlightsovertheground.

“I’vegottiretracks,”Jacksaid.

“Footprintsoverhere.”Hejoinedherand

togethertheyfollowedthetrackstotheedgeoftheclearing.Thefootprintsstoppedatatree;therewerefreshgougesinthebark.

“Climbingspurs,”Jacksaid.

Theyshinedtheirbeamsupthetrunkuntiltheysawa

chunkofmetaljuttingfromthetree.

“Whatisthat?”Ysabelmurmured.

“Ahook.Let’sspreadoutandlookforothers.”

Oncedonetheymetbackinthecenteroftheclearing.

“Eight,”Ysabelsaid.“Six.It’sjustahunch,

butI’dsaythey’reriggingforcamouflagenets.”

Theycheckedthe

remainingthreesitesandfoundthesamesetup—recenttiretracks,footprints,andhooksaffixedtotheperimetertrees.

JackmadeaK-turninthelastclearingandstartedbackthewaythey’dcome.

“Stop,”Ysabelsaid.“Iseesomething.”

Jackdidsoandtheybothclimbedout.

Hefollowedherintothe

underbrushtoatreetrunk.Standingbesideitwasasteelpostsetintoaconcreteringthreefeetindiameter.Sittingonthegroundwasapileofchain;thelinkswerethesizeofJack’sfist.

“Thiswasn’therebefore,”Ysabelsaid.

Jackwalkedacrosstheroadandfoundasecondpost.Someonewasbuildingabarrier.

“Sowetakethechainwithus.”

“It’sfivehundredpoundsatleast,Ysabel.Let’sgetoutofhere.”

Halfwaydownthehill,Ysabelpointedthroughthewindshield.“Didyouseethat?”

Jackpulledover.Belowthemthelightsof

Makhachkalawereblinkingoutincheckerboardsections

fromsouthtonorth.Jack’sphonerang.“Jack,

whereareyou?”askedSpellman.

“Ontheridgeroad.Weseeit.Thewholecity’sdark.”

“Atthedocks,too.Trytomakeyourway—”

Thelightsbegancomingbackon,marchingacrossthecityuntileverythingwasbacktonormal.

“Meetusatthedocks,we

mayhavesomething.”“Onourway.”Jackdisconnected.

Ysabelasked,“Whatjusthappened?”

“Ashotacrossourbow,”hereplied.

•••

THEYPULLEDintotheharborparkinglotanhourlater.Spellmanwavedto

themfromthesidewalkleadingtothedocks.Theywalkedover.

“Well,nowweknowNabiyevknowswheretheoffswitchis,”Spellmansaid.“Ifhethinksit’lldohimanygoodhe’sgotasurprisecoming.Didyoulistentotheinterview,thefarmersfromSulak?”

“No,”saidYsabel.“Theywereperfect.You

couldalmostseeNabiyev’speopleshovingthemouttheirowndoorwithnothingbuttheclothesontheirbacks.I’msureitdidn’thappenexactlylikethat,buttheimagerywillresonate.Alotofpeoplehereliveinthesamehomeforgenerations.Thethoughtofgettingpushedoutoftheplacewhereyourgreat-great-great-grandparentslivedandraised

childrenisseriousbusinesstothesepeople.Nabiyev’sforgottenthat.”

“Thenitseemshe’sdueforareminder,”Ysabelreplied.

“Wellsaid.Comeon,Dom’swaiting.”

Spellmanledthemdownthewindingwalkwaytothedocks,thenupanothersetofstairstotheharbormaster’soffice.Itwasclosedforthe

nightandlitonlybyasconcefixedaboveaplexiglass-coveredpegboard.Domwasleaningagainstthewall.

“Yousawtheun-lightshow?”heasked.

Ysabelnodded.“Arewesureitwasn’tahiccupinthegrid?”

“No,itwasdeliberate,”saidSpellman.“Weexpectedthis.Sometimetomorrowhe’llshutthegriddownagain

—thistimefortheduration—thenhe’llorderthecity’sISPsoffline.We’lllethimsavorthevictoryforacouplehours,thenbringourhubsonline.”

“What’veyougot,Dom?”askedJack.

Hisfriendwaswearingasmugsmile.

Domtappedtheplexiglass.“TheIgarka.She’saseventy-footfront-

ramphauleroutofAstrakhan.She’sduetoputintomorrowmorningatpierfour,mooringtwelve.I’llgiveyouoneguesswherethatis.”

Ysabelanswered.“OntopofBymaOne.”

“Yougotit.Infact,theIgarka’salreadyhere—atanchor.”Hepointedoutintotheharbor.Jackcouldseetheship’smastheadlightwinkinginthedarkness.

•••

THEYDROVEBACKDOWNTOWN.Thecity’sstreetswerequieter,butonlyslightlylesscrowdedasthehardierprotesterssettledinforthenightintentsandfoldingchairs.HereandthereJackcouldseetheglowofcharcoalgrillsandLEDlanterns.

Rightnowthiswasan

adventureforthem,hethought.HadMedzhidtoldthemthetruthduringhisspeechthenightbefore—thatsomeofthemmaydiealongtheway—wouldtheybeasenthusiasticaboutallthis?Idealslikefreedomandself-determinationwerepowerfulandworthygoalsbutrightnowthesethingsexistedonlyinthemindsoftheDagestanipeople.Asidefromhavingto

standintherainthey’dyettofeelthekindofsufferingthatusuallygoeshand-in-handwithgainingone’sindependence.EvenifthiscoupwasbloodlessandMedzhidprovedtobetheleadertheyhopedfor,breakingawayfromtheRussianFederationwouldmeanyearsofhardshipanduncertaintyandaneconomythatwasasfragileasasheet

ofricepaper.Hatedandfearedas

Stalinwas,fordecadesafterhisdeaththereweretensofthousandsofRussianswhowantedhimbackbecausehemadethetrainsrunontime.HowmanyDagestanismightfeelthesamewayaboutValeriVolodininafewyears’time?

•••

ASSETHHADINSTRUCTED,Jackpulleduptothewrought-irongateatthebackoftheMinistryoftheInteriorbuildingandgavetheguardtheirnames.JackpulledtheSuburbanthrough,followedbySpellmanandDom.Theyfoundapairofparkingspacesbesidetherearentrance,whereSethwaswaiting.

“Anyluck?”

“Some,”saidJack.Sethledthemdowna

tiledcorridortoanelevator,whichtookthemtothebuilding’stopfloor.Whenthedoorsopened,Jackheardthesoundsofoverlappingvoicesandtelephonesringing.TheyfollowedSethtowardapairoftalloakdoorsemblazonedwiththeMOI’syelloweagleemblem.AnoilportraitofMedzhidlooked

downatthemfromthewallabove.

ThroughthedoorswasanopenofficespacewithburgundycarpetanddarkpanelingcoveredinoilpaintingsofwhatJackassumedweremomentsfromRussianandDagestanihistory,mostofthemdepictingeitherbattlesorthefoundingofsettlements.

Sconcesspacedat

intervalsalongthewallscasttheroominasoftglow.Fourseatingareaswithcouches,clubchairs,andcoffeetablesoccupiedthecenterofthespace.ItfelttoJacklikeahotellobby.

Medzhidemergedfromoneofthesideoffices,walkingfastandstudyingafile,withYanaandVasimintow.AsMedzhidstrodepastthemheglancedupandsaid,

“Everyoneiswell?Good.Makeyourselvesathome.Sethwillshowyouaround,”thendisappearedintoanotherofficeandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

“Yana,gettheERFwatchofficeronthephone!”

YsabelwhisperedtoJack,“Seriousgameface.”

“It’salmostgametime.”Sethgavethema

stationarytour,pointingatthe

variousdoorswhiledescribingtheirfunction:communications,bedrooms,kitchen,conferenceroomsoneandtwo.

“GivemefiveminutesandI’llmeetyouinconferenceroomtwo.Thephonesaresecureinhere,sogoaheadandusethem.”

Sethwentbackthroughthemaindoors.Jackheardtheclickingofhisshoesfade

downthehallway.“Looksabitlikea

bunker,”Domsaid.“Matt,doyouguysknowsomethingwedon’tknow?”

Spellmanshookhishead.“Justaprecautionincasewe’vemisreadVolodin.”

“Ifwe’vemisreadVolodin,anirongateandsomeoakdoorswon’tdousadamnedbitofgood.”

“Itwon’tcometothat.”

Jacksaid,“Ineedtocallhome.”

Theywalkeddownthehallwayandfoundtheconferenceroom.JackdialedTheCampus.Astheyalwaysseemedtobewhenhecalledlately,Gerry,John,andGavinwerethere.Jackgavethemthelatest.

“TheIgarkaoutofAstrakhan,”Gavinrepeated.“Gotit.Shouldbeeasyto

checkherregistry.”“Unlessit’samicro-

micro-Kamsarmax,”Clarksaid,“anycargocarrierwouldhavenotroubleaccommodatingaKvant.Thefactthatthisone’saramploadershouldtellussomething.It’skindadiceytoswingafifteen-tonAPCaboardwithacrane.Onemorethingyoushouldkeepinmind:Justbecausethe

Igarka’sslatedforapierdoesn’tmeanshe’sgoingtoputin.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”askedDom.

“Inmostportsyouneedtohavepaidforamooringtogetananchorage.Somevesselsuseone,someboth.Itdependsonthereasonforthevisit.Howfaroutintotheharborwasshe?”

“Aquarter-mile,maybe

less,”saidJack.“That’splentyclose.If

there’saKvantaboard,itcandoitstrackingfromtheanchorage.Hell,ifIwasthereandabouttwentyyearsyoungerI’dtakeaswimandseewhat’swhat.Asitstands,youmighthavetodoityourselves.”

Gerryasked,“Jack,didyouaskSethabouttheoutlyinggarrisons?”

“Idid.Hedoesn’thaveanythinginplace.He’sworkingonsomething,buthisassetsarespreadthin.Medzhid,too.”

Spellmansaid,“It’sacalculatedriskwehadtotake,Gerry.”

“Wegetthat,butifVolodin’sgoingtoactivelyopposethisthing,thosegarrisonswillbethefirstonestomove.You’llonlyget

abouttenhours’noticebeforeyou’vegottwelvethousandtroopsonyourdoorstep.”

“Troopsthat’vebeenfightingChechenandGeorgianterroristsforthepasttwoyears,”JohnClarkadded.

“Weknowthenumbersandweknowtherisks.Ifpushcomestoshove,Medzhidwillbackdownbeforethere’sany

bloodshed.”“Hiscall,”Gerrysaid.

“Justbedamnedsureyouguyshaveanexitplaninplace.FourAmericansandoneIranianinMedzhid’sinnercircle...VolodinwouldprobablyreopenBamlagWestspeciallyforyou,thendropyouinahole.”

•••

JACKAWOKEtoabuzzingsensationagainsthischeek.Heforcedopenhiseyesandfumbledarounduntilhishandtouchedhisvibratingphone.Hereadthescreen:Ysabel.Helookedtohersideofthebed.Itwasempty.

“Whereareyou?”heasked.

“Inconferenceroomtwo.Wakeuptheothersandcome

inhere.”Jack,Seth,Dom,and

Spellmanshuffledinafewminuteslater.Ysabelgesturedtoacarafeonthetableandsaid,“Freshcoffee.”

“Arewegoingtobeawakelongenoughtoneedcoffee?”askedJack.Theclockonthewallread11:20.

“Thatdependsonwhetheryouwanttofind

Wellesley’sKrasukhas.”Thisgoteveryone’s

attention.TheysatdownandSpellmanpouredthecoffee.

“Icouldn’tsleep,”Ysabelsaid,“soIthoughtI’ddoalittlesnoopinginPechkin’sphone.Hewasprettygoodatkeepinghiscallhistorycleared,butheforgotone.AboutanhourbeforehegottoKhasavyurttheotherday,hecalledalocal

Makhachkalanumber.Ijustcalledit.Igotanansweringmachine.”

Ysabelstoppedandsmiledasthoughsavoringthemoment.

“Oh,comeon,”Domsaid.“Putusoutofourmisery.”

“ThenumberbelongstoabranchofHamrahEngineering.”

Sethsatforward.

“Where?”“Agachaul.”“Wherethehellisthat?”

askedDom.Spellmananswered:“It’s

aboutthreemilesfromhereontheothersideoftheTarki-Taus.”

“You’reshittingme.”Ysabelshookherhead.

“AccordingtoHamrah’smainwebsite,it’scalledtheAgachaulLogisticsCenter,

whateverthatis.”“It’safancynamefor

storagewarehouses,”Sethreplied.

Jackasked,“Youdidn’tknowaboutthisplace?”

“No.Iwastoobusyplayingsurveyorontherailway’smainlines.”

“Well,clearlyPechkinknewabouttheplace,”saidSpellman.“Ysabel,whatabouttheroutebetween

Agachaulandhere?Istherearoadthat—”

“Leadsuptotheridge?Yes.Rightupthenorthernslope,ontothemaintenanceroad,thenpasttheclearings.”

Jacksmiled.“Ysabel,Icouldkiss—”

“Youbetyouwill.Later.Whatarewegoingtodowiththis?”

Sethsaid,“Well,providedIhaven’tbeenfired

frommyoldjob,Icanprobablygetusinthere.”

AAgachaul

TDUSK,darkswollencloudshadbeguntorollover

thecity,andnow,asJackandtheotherspulledoutoftheInteriorMinistryparkinglot,

therainwasstartingtofall.FollowingYsabel’s

directionsJacktookthecoastroadsouth,thenfollowedtheYargog-M29highwayasitloopedoutofthecityandintoanarrowvalleytuckedagainstthereverseslopeoftheTarki-Tauhills.AftertworivercrossingstheypulledintoAgachaul.Saveafewlightedwindowsoffthemainroad,thevillagewasdark.

“Seemslikeanunlikelyplaceforalogisticscenter,”Ysabelsaid.

“AccordingtoSeth,theParsabad–Artezianprojectranonashoestringbudgetforawhile.I’msurelandwascheaperoutsideMakhachkala.”

Behindthem,theheadlightsofSeth’sSuburbanblinked.Jackpulledontotheshoulder,thenrolleddown

hiswindowasSethpulledalongside.

“I’lltakeusinfromhere,”Sethcalledthroughhiswindow.“Thewarehouseisonthenorthernedgeofthetownontheleftside.Let’sswitchtoheadsets.”

SethpulledawayandJackfellinbehindhim.

Afewminuteslatertheypassedthewarehouse.Therewasnomistakingit,two

aircrafthangar–sizedstructuresfrontedbyrollinggaragedoorsandseparatedbyasmaller,tin-roofedbreezeway.LikeAgachaulitself,thecomplexwasdark.

“Isthisplacestillinuse?”JackaskedYsabel.“Idon’tseeanyvehiclesintheparkinglot.”

“Thewebsitedidn’tsay.Itsuredoesn’tlookactive,doesit?”

Sethcalledovertheheadset,“We’regoingtopullin,Jack.Drivepastme,thenpulloverupaheadandwait.”

“Roger.”Sethslowedthe

Suburban,dousedtheheadlights,thenturnedofftheroadandpulleduptothegate.Heleanedfromhiswindowandpunchedthekeypadbox.Thegatestartedrollingopen.

“Stillgainfullyemployed,Iguess,”Sethcalled.“Sittight.We’lltakeaspinaroundthelotandseeifwedrawanyattention.”

JackandYsabelwatchedastheSuburbandisappearedaroundthesideofthesouthernmostwarehouse.Whenitemergedaroundtheoppositeend,Sethsaid,“We’regood,Jack.Nothing’smoving.Thekeypadcodeis

77426.”JackdidaU-turn,pulled

uptothegate,typedinthecode,thendrovetowhereSethwasparkedbeforethebreezewayentrance,adouble-dooredglassalcove.

JackandYsabelgotoutandjoinedtheothersatthebackofSeth’sSuburban.DomhandedouttheRugerpistols,thentheARXs.JackgaveYsabelaquickrun

throughtheassaultrifle’soperation.Hehopednoneofthemhadcausetousetheweapons.IftheKrasukhaswereinside,theirsecurityteamsprobablywouldn’tbefaraway.Fiftyagainstfivewasimpossibleodds.

“What’stheplan,Seth?”askedDom.

“Jack’scall,”repliedSeth.“TheonlythingIknowabouttheplaceistheentry

code.”Jackmentallyflippeda

coinanddecidedonthesimpleapproach.HewalkedtothefrontdoorandwaitedwhileSethpunchedhiscodeintothekeypad.Withasoftbuzzthelockdisengaged.WithJackandDominthelead,thegroupsteppedthroughandintoawideconcretecorridorlitonlybythelightcomingthroughthe

doorsandfromahummingsodamachinestandingbesideapottedfakepalm.

Fourofficedoors,twooneachside,linedthecorridor.Atthehalfwaypointapairofhallwaysbranchedoff,oneleadingtothesouthwarehouse,theothertothenorthwarehouse.

Jackpointedleft.Domledthemdownthehallwaytoasteeldoor.Hetriedthe

knob,thengavethemathumbs-up.Heopenedthedooracrack;throughitJacksawdarkness.JacknoddedandDomwentthrough,followedbytheotherswithJackbringinguptherear.

SittinginthemiddleofthehangarinastaggeredlineabreastwerefourKrasukhaspaintedinadarkgreenforestcamouflagepattern.Clarkhadn’tbeenkidding.These

werebeasts,impossibletomistakeforanythingbuthigh-techmilitaryvehicles.TheflankswerelinedwithsquareandrectangularpodsJackassumedwerepartoftheonboardEWsuite.Foldedsnuglyagainstthetopwasaten-foot-wideparabolicenergydirector.Atthebackofeachvehiclewaswhatlookedlikeadrawbridge-styleramp.Foldedlengthwise

alongthelengthofeachKrasukhawasaheavygreencanvastarpaulinwithfixedratchetstraps;whilethesewouldn’tdisguisetheKrasukhaunderclosescrutiny,inpassingtheymightbemistakenforstandardsemi-trailertrucks.

Spellmansaid,“Nicelydone,Ysabel.Youfoundtheneedleinthehaystack.”

“Thankyou.”

Jackgesturedtotheothersandmadeatwirlingmotionwithhisindexfinger.Theysplitup,madeacircuitoftheinterior,thenregrouped.“Allclear,”Domwhispered.

JackstaredattheKrasukhas.Partofhimhadn’texpectedtofindthemhere.Nowthattheyhad,hewasn’tsureoftheirnextmove.Theyhadnowayofdestroyingthe

Krasukhas,orevendisablingthem;theexteriorswerearmored,aswerethetiresandprobablyanyvitalsystem.Theywerebuiltforthebattlefield.

Jackfeltpowerless.“Whatnow?”Sethasked.

“Popthetires,putsugarinthegastanks,callDaddyVolodinandtellhimthekidsareoffjoyridingagain?”

Domlaughedsoftly.

“Fuckin’hell,Seth.”Jackwalkedtothe

nearestKrasukha,steppedontotherunningboard,andtriedthedoor.Itwasopen.Heleanedin,thenhoppedbackdown.“Nokeys.”

“Somethinglikethatyou’dexpecttoatleasthavepush-buttonignition,”mutteredSeth.

“You’reonfiretonight,man.Jack,what’reyou

thinking?”Behindthemcamethe

clickingofbootsonconcrete.Amalevoicestartedhumming.

“Cover,”Jackwhispered.Theymovedtothewall

andstackeduponthehingesideofthedoor.JackdrewhisRuger.Thefootstepsstopped.Theyheardthetinklingofcoinsfollowedbythethunkofasodacan

tumblingdownthemachine’schute.Afewsecondslateradoorbangedshut.

“Oneroad,”Ysabelwhispered.“There’sonlyonewayuptotheridge.”

“She’sright,”Spellmansaid.“Weshutthatdown,weshutthemdown.”

Nothingshortofcrateringtheroadwoulddothat,Jackknew,buteveryminutetheycoulddelaytheKrasukhas

wasanotherminuteSeth’shubscouldbebroadcasting.

“Let’sgetoutofhere,”Jacksaid.

HeledthembackthroughthemaincorridorandoutthemaindoorstotheSuburbans.Ahalf-miledownthehighway,hepulledover.HeandYsabelwalkedbacktotheotherSuburban.

“Seth,whendothingskickoff?”

Hecheckedhiswatch.“Sixhours.Ourfirste-mail/textblastgoesoutateight.Thefirstwaveofprotestersshouldbeattheirrallypointsbynine.”

IfSeth’spreviousestimateswerecorrectorevenclose,Makhachkala’sstreetswouldgofromcrowdedtostandingroomonly,especiallyoutsidethegovernmentbuildingsand

PresidentNabiyev’sprivateresidence.NabiyevwouldimmediatelyordertheISPsshutdown.Andinresponse,SethwouldordertheirsatelliteInternethubspoweredup.NoneofthiswouldcomeasasurprisetoWellesley;heandPechkinhadhadayearormoretohonetheircounter-coupplan.

TheseKrasukhaswouldneedtobeinplaceonthe

ridgeandoperationalbeforedawn.

“Dom,you’rewithme.Grabeverything.Seth:You,Matt,andYsabelgobacktothecity.ConvinceMedzhidtosendussomeofhisERFtroops—threatenhim,bribehim,whateverittakes.”

Ysabelsaid,“Jack,Ithoughtweagreedwewereneverhavingthisconversationagain.”

“It’snotaconversation,Ysabel.”

“Whyareyoudoingthis?”

He’dhalfhopedshewouldgoalongwithhisrequest.Hedidn’tknowhowtoanswerherquestion.Whywashedoingthis?Itcertainlywasn’tbecausehecouldn’tcountonher,orthatshehadn’tearnedherplaceontheirthrown-togetherteam.

Hecould,andshehad.Thatoneobviousreasonforhisdecision:Hedidn’twanthertogethurt;thethoughtleftahollowfeelinginhisbelly.Hedidn’twantDomtogethurt,either,orMatt,orSeth,butthatwasdifferent,wasn’tit?Heknewwhythatwas,ofcourse,buthedidn’twanttothinkaboutthatrightnow.Hecouldn’tthinkaboutthatrightnow.

“Matt,dragherifyouhaveto.”

“Yougotit.”“Jack,please,don’t—”Jackturnedaroundand

walkedbacktohisSuburban.

T IMEISN’Tonourside,Jack,”Domsaid.

“We’realmostthere.”AlthoughAgachaulwas

nofartherfromtheridgeroadthanMakhachkala,therearapproachuptheescarpment

hadtakenmorethananhourtotraverse,partiallybecausetheroadsweresteeperandthehairpinsmoreplentifulandpartiallybecauseofthequicklydeterioratingweather.Theinterveningdayofsunsincethepreviousrainstormhaddonelittletodrythegravelroads,andrainwaterstreamedovertheminrivulets.Andwhilethiswasenoughtooftenslowthe

Suburbantoawalkingpace,JackdoubtedtheKrasukhas’massiveoff-roadtiresandpowerfuldieselengineswouldhavetroublenegotiatingthegrade.

Finally,theyroundedthelastbendbeforetheentrancetothemaintenanceroad.Jack’sheadlightsflashedoversomethingdullandmetallic.HebrakedhardandtheSuburbanskiddedtoastop.

Thebarrierchainwasup,itsthicklinksdroopingbetweenthesteelpostsandcompletelyblockingtheroad.

Theygotout.Thewindwasstrongerup

there,drivingtherainsohardagainsttheirponchositwasasthoughhandfulsofsandwerebeinghurledatthem.Jackcouldfeelthechillseepinguphislegs.Hesuppressedashiver.

“Jack,overhere.”Domplayedhisflashlight

overthesteelpost.“Padlocked.Bigbastard,too.We’dneedafifty-caltobreakit.”

Theysteppedoverthechainandwalkedtothefirstclearing.Jackshinedhisflashlightupward.Thirtyfeetabovehimacamouflagenetdroopedbetweenthetrees.

“Thoroughbastards,”

Domsaid.Jack’sphonerang.He

stuckitunderhishoodandbentdoubletodampenthewind.“Yeah,Seth,what’shappening?”

“We’rebacksafe.Ysabel’sprettypissed,though.”

“She’llgetoverit.”“She’susingcursewords

I’veneverevenheardbefore.”

“TellmeaboutERF,”Jacksaid.“Wecouldusesomehelpuphere.”

“Medzhidsaidno.He’ssorry,buthecan’tspareanyone.”

“Goddamnit,Seth—”“Jack,Volodin’sordered

thebordergarrisonstomove.They’llbeherebyeveningatthelatest.”

Theynowhadtheanswertotheirbigquestion:Volodin

wasn’tgoingtoletDagestangowithoutafight.TheERFwouldn’tbenearlyenough,Jackknew.TwelvethousandhardenedRussiantroopsagainstafewhundredMedzhidpolitsiya.Withluck,theycouldfightadelayingactionlongenoughtogiveSethandMedzhidtimetoclearthestreetsofcivilians.

“Whataboutthecitygarrison?”

“They’restillsittinginsidetheirbarracks.Thecommanderisn’ttakingMedzhid’scalls.Atbest,they’regoingtosititout.Atworst,we’llhavesixteenthousandmarchingthroughthecityratherthantwelve.”

“Ifthathappens,documentitall,”Jackreplied.“Fireupyourhubs.”

“It’salreadystarted,Jack.Wesentoutthee-mailblast

aboutahalf-hourago.WeshouldstartseeingthenextwaveofprotestersjoiningthefirstwaveoutsidetheParliamentBuilding.WhetherwecanshowtheworlddependsonyouandDom.I’mnotgoingtoriskthehubsuntilIknowtheywon’tbefriedbytheKrasukhas.”

“We’lldoourbest.IfyoucanspareMatt,sendhimdowntothedocksandsee

whathecandoabouttheIgarka.”

“Icandothat.”“Seth,Iwantyoutoget

Ysabelout.Putheronaplaneoraboatorinataxi,whateveryou’vegot.”

“Shewon’tgo.”“Makehergo.”“I’lltry,Jack.”“Dobetterthanthat.”Jackdisconnected.He

lookedaroundandsawDom

standingbesidetheSuburban’sopenpassengerdoor,apairofbinocularsraisedtohiseyes.

“Dom?”“They’recomingup,

Jack,allfourofthem.We’vegotahalf-houratmost.”

•••

“EITHERWEHEADBACKtothecity,trytoshanghaisomeERFguysand

comeback,orwestandandfight,”Domsaid.

“There’snoERFtobehad,”Jackreplied,thentoldhimaboutSeth’sreport.“It’sunravelingdownthere.Ivotewestay.”

“Finebyme,bud.What’stheplan?”

“We’regoingtohavetopartwayswithourSuburban.”

Jackexplainedwhathe

hadinmind.

•••

MOVINGFAST,JackfirstshatteredtheSuburban’sdomelight,thenturnedthevehiclearoundsothenosewasfacingdownhill.Domfoundaheavystoneandplaceditinfrontofthereartire.

Theyremovedtheir

weaponsandammunitionfromtheSuburban,stackedallofitinthetreesontheothersideofthechain,anddidaninventory:fourARXs,twoRugers,andtwohundredtwentyroundsofammunition.

“Weneedsteelones,”Jacksaid.

DomcheckedoneoftheRugerclips,said,“Leadhollow-points,”then

examinedanARXmagazine.“Bingo.Fullmetaljackets.”

“Holdon,”Jacksaid.Hewalkedtheroad,

panninghisflashlightovertheground.Therainwascominghardernow,rakingatthetreesalongtheroad.LeavesswirledaroundJack’sfeet.Hestoopedover,pickedupaflatrock,andcarrieditbacktowhereDomwasstanding.

“Go.”DomliftedtheARXto

hisshoulderandpulledthetrigger.

Asparkleaptfromtherock’ssurface.

“We’vegotawinner,”Domsaid.

NexttheyturnedtheirattentiontotheSuburban.Usingthecombocarjack/crowbar,theyshreddedtheinterior,fromtheseat

coverstothecarpettotheroofliner.Finallytheytorefreeallofthematerialandpileditintothefrontseat.

“Lookslikeatigergottrappedinsideforacoupledays,”Domsaid.

“Perfect.Wherearethey?”

Domgrabbedthebinocularsfromthedashboardandaimedthemdowntheroad.“About

halfwayup.Thehairpinsareslowingthemdown.I’dsayanotherfifteenminutes.”

Jackcheckedhiswatch.Itwasthreeforty-five.Theyhadaboutanhourbeforesunrise.Good.Theycouldmakethedarknessworkintheirfavor.

Heleanedintothedriver’sseatandtuggedattheseatcoveruntilhehadanarmfulofcloth.Hestuffed

thisintothecargoarea,thenaddedsomeoftheroofliner.Finallyheplacedtheflatrockatthebaseofthepile.

“Whataretheoddsthis’llwork?”askedDom.

“Dependsonhowyoudefinework,”Jackrepliedwithagrin.“It’llgoup,nodoubtaboutit.Whetherit’lldousanygoodwe’regoingtofindout.We’llneedtorigthesteeringwheel.”

“I’llhandlethat.Youcheckonourfriends.”

JackgrabbedthebinocularsandtrackedthemdowntheroaduntilhesawtheleadKrasukha’sslittedheadlights.Thethreetrailingvehicleswerespreaddowntheroadatfifty-footintervals.This,too,mightworktotheiradvantage.

“Tenminutes,”Jackcalled.

•••

AFTERJACKADJUSTEDtheSuburban’stiressotheywerepointedstraightdowntheroad,DomtiedtheSuburban’ssteeringwheelwithalengthofwirehe’drippedfromunderthedashboard.

“Let’swalkit,”Jacksaid.Theyhoppedoverthe

chainbarrierandsplitup,

eachofthempushingthroughtheunderbrushforafewminutesbeforemeetingbackattheSuburban.

“I’vegotafewgoodtreesonmyside,butnotmuchroomtomaneuver,”saidDom.

“Samehere.Ifwecangetthemstoppedandoutoftheirvehicles,they’llhavetocomestraightupthemiddlewithnocover.”

“Andifwedon’tgetthemstopped,they’regoingtoplowrightoverus.Wehaven’ttalkedGTFO,”saidDom,referringtotheGettheFuckOutplan.

“Werunlikehell.”“Youknowwhattheysay

aboutabearchasingyou,right?”

“Huh-uh.”Domgrinned.“Youdon’t

havetobefasterthanthe

bear,youjusthavetobefasterthantheguyrunningbesideyou.”

“Fuckyou,Dom.”“Loveyoutoo,man.”Faintlyinthedistance

theyheardthegroanofdieselengines.

“Timeforthegas,”Jacksaid.

U SINGTHECROWBAR,Jackpunchedaholein

thegastank.Fuelstartedgushing,splashingonthegroundandmixingwiththerainwatersluicingdownthehill.ThestenchfilledJack’s

nostrils.Dombeganhandinghim

materialfrominsidetheSuburbanandthen,onceitwassaturated,threwitintothebackseatandfedJackanotherchunk.

“Headlightscomingaroundthebend,”Domsaid,grabbingandtossingmaterial.

Jackresistedtheurgetolook.Thesoundofthe

Krasukhas’dieselenginesgrewlouder.Jackcouldfeelthegroundtremblingbeneathhisfeet.

Theykeptuptheirdaisychainuntileveryshredofmaterialtheycouldlaytheirhandsonwasdrippingwithgasoline.Finally,Jackstuffedachunkoffoamintothetank’shole.

Downthehill,thefirstKrasukhawasahundred

yardsaway,itsthickknurledtireschurningupthewetgravel.Theheadlightswereclimbinguptheslope,slowlyedgingclosertothenoseoftheSuburban.

Jackopenedthedriver’s-sidedoor,startedtheignition,andshiftedthetransmissionintoneutral.TheSuburban’stiresrolledupthestonewheelblocks,thenrolleddownthem.Jackreturnedtothe

tailgate.DomhandedJackapairofARXsandoneoftheRugersinapaddleholster,whichJackclippedtohisbelt.HeslungoneoftheARXsacrosshischest,theotheroverhisback.

“Youlooklikeabandito,”Domsaid.

“Whatdoyoumakethedistance,abouttwohundredfeet?”

“Aboutthat,”Dom

replied.“Let’ssendit.”Domkneltandjerkedthe

stonefree.TheSuburbanstarted

rolling.Theyturned,hurdledthe

chain,andtookuptheirpositionsoneithersideoftheroad.

•••

ITHADN’T

COVEREDtenfeetwhenithitasoftspotinthegravel.Thenoseveeredlefttowardthedrop-off.ThetireshittheshoulderbermandtheSuburbanveeredbackintothemiddleoftheroadandstartedpickingupspeed.

“Doit,”Domsaid.JackraisedhisARXand

peeredthroughthescope;inthecompressedviewtheSuburbanwasajitteryblur.

Jackplacedthelightedgreenreticleonthepileofmaterialinthecargoareaandpulledthetrigger.

Miss.Hefiredagain.Anothermiss.Comeon,Jack,shoot

straight,damnit.“You’retwoincheshigh

right,”Domshouted.Ahundredfeetaway,the

leadKrasukhaskiddedtoa

stop,itsbrakesscreeching.Jackheardthegrindingofgearsandthevehiclestartedbackingup.Hornsstartedhonking.

Jackadjustedhisaimagain.Hethumbedtheselectortothree-roundburst,tookabreath,letitout,andsqueezedthetrigger.

Insidethetailgate,therocksparked.

Withanaudiblewhoosh

thematerialburstintoflame,immediatelyengulfingtherearandmiddleseats.Firestreamedfromthehalf-openwindows,bloomingastheSuburbanpickedupspeedandoxygenwasfunneledthroughtheinterior.

TheleadKrasukhawasstillreversing.Behindit,thesecondvehiclespedupandveeredtowardtheshoulder,tryingtoavoidthecollision.

Astheyslidpasteachother,theleft-handKrasukha’swheelsslippedofftheedgeandthevehiclebegantippingsidewayswiththesoundofgroaningsteel.

Fullyengulfednow,theSuburbanslammedintotheleadKrasukha,anditspushbumpercrushedtheSuburban’shoodbeneathit.FireshotfromtheSuburban’ssidewindowsandsplashed

acrosstheKrasukha’swindshield,overtheroof,thendownthesides.

Thesecondtruckrolledontoitsside,teeteredthereforamoment,thenbeganbarrel-rollingdowntheslope,itsenginerevvingandheadlightsspiraling.Jackheardshouting,barkedordersinRussian.Therewasn’tatraceofpanicinthevoices.

Mencamerunningupthe

sideofthefirstKrasukha,dodgingflamesandfiringfromthehip.Jackcountedfourofthem,thenfive,theneightchargingpasttheengulfedKrasukhaandupthehilltowardthem.

“Somuchfortheshockfactor,”Domshoutedfromhistreeacrosstheroad.

Jacktookaimontheleadsoldierandpulledthetrigger.Themanwentdown.Dom

openedup,firingintightthree-roundbursts,droppingtwomore.

Theothersspreadapart,makingthemselveshardertargets,thenwentproneandbeganreturningfire.

Jackheardasnapbesidehishead,thenasecond.Bulletsthuddedintohistreeandpepperedthesoilbesidehisfoot.

Fourmoresoldiersjoined

thefirstgroup,andtogethertheybeganleapfrogginguptheroad,twoproneandlayingdownsuppressingfirewhiletwoothersadvanced.Theywerethirtyyardsawayandrapidlyclosingthedistance.

Thesemenweredisciplinedandwelltrained,Jackrealized.Ithadtakenthemlessthanaminutetorecoverfromthesuddenness

oftheambush,thentoregroupandattack.ThishadneverbeenafightheandDomweregoingtowin;thebesttheycouldhopeforwastoholdthesesoldiersoffformorethananothercoupleofminutes,bywhichtimethey’dbewithinhand-to-handrange—iftheysurvivedthatlong.

Fromdowntheroadcametheroarofadiesel

engineathighrevolutions.Jacksawtheglareofheadlights,andthenthethirdKrasukhaemergedfromtheflames,scrapingdownthelengthofthefirstoneandshovingitsidewaysasitchuggeditswayuptheslope.Moremencamechargingaroundthesideofthevehicle,firingastheywent.

Domshouted,“Jack,timetoGTFO!”

“Yep.Let’sgettheirheadsdownfirst!”

Simultaneouslytheypeekedoutfrombehindtheirtrees,bracedtheARXsonthetrunks,andopenedfireonfullauto.Thesoldiersscattered.

JackandDomturnedandstartedrunning.

•••

TWELVEMINUTES

LATER,Jackturnedleftoffthetrail,thenoverarise,thenlosthisfootinginthemudandstartedsliding.Heclawedatthepassingbranchesandjerkedtoastop.Onlyafewfeetbehind,Domtriedtoleapoverhimbutfellshort.HelandedhardonhisbackandhisheadsmackedintoJack’ssternum.Domrolledoverandstartedcrawling.Jackfollowedhimuntilhefelt

pavementunderhispalms,thenstopped.Hisheartthundered.Hisearspulsedwithrushingblood.

Wherewerethey?Hesawwhitelinesonthe

asphalt.Aparkinglot.Itwasempty.Atthelot’sentrancewasagreen-and-whitesignwithapinetreeemblemonit.Anaturereserveorhikingarea,Jackdecided.

Domgasped,“Doyou

seethem?”“What?Ican’thearyou.”“Are...they...

following...us?”Jackpushedhimselfto

hiskneesandlookedaround,tryingtogethisbearings.Heglancedbackthewaythey’dcome.Itwasgettinglighteroutandthewindhaddiedaway,buttheskywasstillfullofleadenclouds.Inthedistance,barelyvisible

throughtherain,hecouldseetheridgeroadwindinguptheslope.Hesawnoheadlights.SomewhereuptherethetwoKrasukhasthey’dfailedtostopwereprobablyinplaceandspoolingup.

“No,we’refine,”Jacksaid.“I’mnotexactlysurewhereweare,though.”

“We’reoffthatdamnedridge,that’sgoodenoughforme.Howmanydidwetake

out?”“Badguysor

Krasukhas?”“Krasukhas.”“Two,theonethatwent

overthesideandthefirstone.Itmightbeoperational,butthere’snowaythey’regettingitupthathill.”

“Fiftypercent.Notbad,”saidDom.

“Areyouhurt?”“Ihurteverywhere.How

fardoyouthinkthatwas?”“Twomiles,atleast.”“I’veneverrunthatfast

inmylife.”Jackgottohisfeet;his

legswererubber.HehelpedDomup,thenJackpattedhispocketsuntilhefoundhisphone.Hewasdowntofifteen-percentbatterylife.

HedialedYsabelandgotnoanswer,thentriedSethandSpellmanwiththesame

result.HedialedtheMinistryoftheInterior’smainswitchboardandgotabusysignal.Celltowersweredown,eithershutdownlocallyorfriedremotelybytheKrasukhas.

JackdialedTheCampusandexplainedtoJohnandGerrywhathadjusthappened.Gerrysaid,“Wedon’tknowaboutcellservice,butthewholeofDagestan’s

Internetwentdarkaboutanhourago.Nothing’sgettingout.”

“NabiyevandVolodinhaveshutdowntheISPs,andprobablythepowergrid,too.Sethwon’tbringhishubsonlinewiththeKrasukhasstilloperational.”

“Well,yousureashellcan’tgobackuptothatridge,Jack.YougottagoaftertheIgarka,”saidClark.

Jackdisconnected.HesaidtoDom,“Weneedtofindawayback.Weneedtofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”

“Whatever’shappening,thatcan’tbegood,”Domsaid,pointing.

Totheeast,Makhachkala’sskylinewascloakedinroilingblacksmoke.

TMakhachkala

HEYFOLLOWEDthecanyon’snarrowroadtoarural

neighborhood,thenturnedwestandstartedpickingtheirwayintoMakhachkala

proper.Soontheycaughtthestenchofburningrubber.Tires,Jackguessed.HewonderedifSeth’sprotestershadgonefrompeacefultoviolent.

Thefringeneighborhoodsappearednormal,ifalittlequiet,withnoprotestersinsight,buttheclosertothecitycentertheygot,themorecrowdstheysaw,firstinsmallclusters,theninthe

dozensonstreetcorners,andtheninthehundredsinintersections.Gonewasthechantingandsingingfromthedaybefore,replacedwithsomethingJackcouldn’tputhisfingeron.Discouragement?Worry?Facestrackedthemastheypassed.Hefelteyesonhisback.

“Jack,”Domwhispered.“Ourguns.”

TheytuckedtheirARXsbeneaththeirponchosandkeptwalking.

Finally,theyreachedAmetRoad,amajornorth-souththoroughfare.Thetrafficwasheavy,withalmostbumper-to-bumpertraffic,buteerily,Jackheardlittlehonking.Hesawtheblacksmokenow,hoveringoverthenorthernendofthecity.

“Allthecarsareheaded

south,”Domsaid.Jackwasn’tsureifthis

wasagoodsignorabadsign.Seth’splancalledforthebulkoftheproteststotakeplaceinthenorthernthirdofMakhachkala,wheremostofthegovernmentinstitutionswerelocated.Thissouthboundexodussuggestedthat’sexactlywhatwashappening;italsosuggestedthesecitizenswantedtobefar

fromtheaction.“Theyknowtheborder

garrisonsarecoming,”saidDom.

“Probablyso.”Peoplelikedtheideaof

freedom,butnottheprospectofbeingclubbedorshot.

JackgotouthisphoneandtriedYsabelandtheothersagain,andagaingotnoanswer.TheMOIswitchboardwasstillbusy.

“Wheredoyouwanttogo?”askedDom.

Jackassumed—hoped—hislackofcontactwiththeotherswassimplyacommunicationsglitchandthattheywerestillsafewithinMedzhid’swarroom.

“Thedocks,”hesaid.“MaybeMattwasabletogetthere.”

“Maybehe’salreadysunktheIgarka,”Dom

replied.Jackglancedsidewaysat

him.“What,Jack?Amancan

dream.”Theykeptwalkinguntil

theyhitGamidova,wheretheywereabletohailataxi.Thedriveragreedtotakethemtothedocks,butattriplethegoingrate.Theyagreed.

•••

UNSURPRISINGLY,thedockswerealsostrangelyquiet.Roughlytwo-thirdsofthevesselsthathadbeentiedupthelasttimeJackwashereweregone.

Theymadetheirwaytotheharbormaster’sshack.

MattSpellmanwassittingdown,hisbackagainstthewall,eyesclosed.Asthey

approachedhecrackedaneyelidandsaid,“Hi,guys.Whatchyabeenupto?”

JackandDomlaughed.“Alittleofthis,alittleof

that,”Domsaid.“WeonlygottwooftheKrasukhas.”

“Doesn’tmatter.”Spellmangottohisfeetandtheyshookhands.

“Youlooklikeshit,Matt,”Domsaid,noddingatSpellman’sface.

TheCIAman’slefteyewasalmostswollenshutandhisbottomlipwassplit.

“Igotambushedonthewayhere.Myphonegotsmashed.”

“I’vebeentryingtoreachtheMinistry,”Jacksaid.

“Yeah,whenIleft,Medzhidwassendingeveryoneintothebasement.Itwasabitcrazy.”

Jackfelthisheartlurch.

“Whythemove?”“Ysabel’sokay,Jack,

don’tworry.Rebazisjustplayingitsafe.Lastnightwestartedgettingreportsofgangsroamingthegovernmentdistrict,bashingheads,lootingstores,andsettingcarsonfire.”

“Andvideotapingitall,nodoubt,”Jacksaid.

VolodinandNabiyev’sopeningmoveshadbeento

shutdowntheInternetandthepowergrid;floodingthestreetswithprovocateurswasWellesley’s.

UntilSeth’shubsystemwasupandrunning,theonlyimagestheoutsideworldwouldseewouldn’tbeonesofapeaceful,grassrootsuprising,butratheronesofviolenceandchaos.Whyrallybehindacountrywhosecitizenshadnoqualmsabout

turningononeanother?Theworldwouldwatch,

ofcourse,andnewsoutletswouldplaytheimagesoverandoveruntilsomethingnastierandjuiciercamealong,andthenDagestanwouldbeforgotten.

“Medzhid’ssendinginhispolitsiyatofindthem,buthe’sgottoplayitright,”saidSpellman.“Videosofclub-wieldingcopsinriotmasks

willonlygiveWellesleyexactlywhathewants.”

Jacksaid,“Sethshouldhaveusedthehubs.Nowhe’splayingcatch-up.”

“Youdidn’thear?No,Iguessyouwouldn’thave,”repliedSpellman.“AfteryoutalkedtoSeth,Medzhidconvincedhimtochangehismind.Hesaidiftheworldwasn’tseeingthetruthofwhattheyweretryingtodo

here,Volodinwasgoingtorollrightoverthem.

“SoSethsentoutthefirste-mailblastandfiredupthehubs.Fiveminutesaftertheycameonline,theKrasukhasstartedfryingthem.Welosthalfofthembeforewefiguredoutwhatwashappening.NowayinhelldidwethinktheKrasukhaswouldbethatfast.

“MedzhidorderedSethto

pulltheplug.Jack,therewerefivethousandpeoplewithfivethousandcellphonesstandingoutsidetheParliamentBuildingwithnowaytogetthevideosandpicturesouttotheworld.It’sfallingapartevenbeforeitgotstarted.”

“We’vegothalfthehubsleft,”Jackreplied.“IstheIgarkastillatanchor?”

“Yep.Whenmostofthe

otherboatswererunningforthebreakwater,shestayedput.Shedidcircleonheranchorchain,though.Hersternispointedinlandnow—againstthetide.”

SotheKvanthasaclearviewofthecity,Jackknew.

“Showus,”Domsaid.TheyfollowedSpellman

downtothepier.ThefogthickenedaroundthemuntilJackfeltasthoughhewere

suspendedinmidair.Theyreachedtheendoftheplanking.Spellmanhandedhimapairofbinoculars.

“She’smovedabitclosersinceyoulastsawher.Lookatabouttwoo’clock.Ifthefogparts,youshouldbeabletojustmakeouthermastheadlight.”

“Iseeit,”Jacksaid.“Howlonguntilthebordergarrisonsgethere?”

“LastIheard,five.”Unlesstheyhadthe

Internethubsonlinebythen,VolodincouldcrushMakhachkalaandtherewouldn’tbeasingleliverecordingtocontradicthisversionofevents.

Jacksaid,“Weneedtofindaboatwecanborrow.”

•••

SURPRISINGLY,

theyhadlittletroublefindingaboatperfectfortheirneeds,ablunt-prowedtwenty-eight-footcrewboatwithnavigationradarandanenclosedforecastlecabinthatnotonlywasunlockedbutalsohadkeysjuttingfromtheignition.

WhileJackstarteduptheengines,DomandSpellmancastoffthelinesthenhoppedontotheafterdeckandjoined

himinthecabin.Jacksaid,“Justsoyou

know,Ihaven’tgotmuchofaplan,soletmeknowifyou’vegotsomething.”

“Let’shearyours,”Spellmansaid.

“PullalongsidetheIgarka,boardher,shootanyonewhopointsagunatus,thendrivetheKvantovertheside.”

“Worksforme.”

“Me,too,”saidDom.“Fireupthatradar,will

you?”

•••

HAVINGTAKENaroughbearingonwherethey’dlastseentheIgarka’smastheadlight,Jackpulledawayfromthedockandpointedthebowintotheharbor.Immediatelythefog

envelopedthecabinuntilthebowspritwasjustahazyverticallinefloatingaheadofthem.

“Sheshouldbejustupahead,”Spellmansaid.

Leaningoverthetinyradarscopesetintothehelmconsole,Domreplied,“I’vegotsomething,butit’smovingawayfromus.Twohundredyardsoffthestarboardbowandpickingup

speed.”“Isthereanythingelse

around?”“Asternofusinthe

harbor,butouthereit’sjustusandthisone.”

“Whywouldshebemoving?”Spellmanasked.

ThenithitJack:“Wellesley.TheKrasukhacrewswouldhavecalledintheambush.It’snotabigleapforhimtoguessitwasus—

andwhatwe’reupto.”Jackpushedthethrottle

toitsstopsandtheboatsurgedahead,butslowlyandsteadilytheIgarkabeganpullingawayfromthemuntilfinally,aftertenminutes,shedisappearedfromDom’sscope.

“LastbearingIhadonitwasaboutone-three-zerodegrees,headingsouthalongthecoast.”

Jackeasedthewheeloveruntilthebinnaclecompassread130.

“Shehastostopsometime,”Spellmansaid.“AnyfarthersouthandtheKvantwon’tbeabletotriangulatefortheKrasukhas.”

“Unlesstheyalreadyputthethingashoreandwemissedit.”

“Notonmywatch,”

Spellmansaid.“Sheneverleftheranchorage.”

Theykeptgoing.

•••

“IGOTABLIP,”Domcalledoutafewminuteslater.“Deadonournose,abouthalfamile.”

“Stillmoving?”“Yeah,butit’s...Jack,

she’sturningtostarboard,headingtowardshore.She’s

slowingdown.”Spellmanbeganrifling

throughthecabinetsabovetheirheads,thenthedrawersbeneaththeconsole.“Comeon,whereareyou?”Hepulledoutachart.“Dom,whereisshe?”

Domtappedthescopeface.Spellmanheldthechartnexttothescreen,rotatingituntilhefoundalandmarkonshoreherecognized.

“She’sheadingfortheAkgelInlet,”hesaid.

“Whichleadswhere?”askedJack.

“Areservoiraboutahundredyardsinland.It’sarecreationalboatarea.”

“Docks?Roadaccess?”“Uh...lemmethink.

Yeah.NasrudinovaStreet,itheadsnorthtowarddowntown.”

“Dom,Ican’tseeathing.

You’regoingtohavetosteerme.”

“Yougotit.”Domleanedclosertothescopeface.“Keepgoing...Okay,starteasingtostarboard.Keepcomingarounduntilyouhittwo-two-threedegrees,thenstraightahead.”

Jackdidso,hiseyesdartingbetweentherotatingcompassandthewindscreen.Thefogwasthinning.Offthe

bowhecouldmakeoutfuzzygeometricshapes;slowlytheybegantoresolveintobuildings.

Whenthecompasshit223,Jackletthewheelspinbacktocenter.

“Iseelightsahead,”hesaid.“Offtheportandstarboardbow.”

“Those’llbetheinletmarkers,”repliedSpellman.

Jackeasedbackonthe

throttleuntiltheyweremovingateightknots.

“Keepitsteady,Jack.Thisthinglooksrealnarrow.”

“Fortyfeet,I’dguess,”Spellmanadded.“TightfitfortheIgarka.”

Domsaid,“She’sdeadahead,maybeahundredyardsandstillslowing.”

OutbothwindowsJacksawgrayshadowsglidingdownthehullastheyentered

theinlet.“Almostthrough,”Dom

muttered.“Igarka’sstillslowing...”

Spellmansaid,“Don’tcrowdher,Jack.”

Heeasedbackonthethrottleagain.Sixknots.

“We’rethrough,”Domsaid.“Igarka’sfiftyyardsoff.”

Jackthrottledtheenginesbacktoidleandlet

momentumcarrythemforward.Throughthehazeapairofheadlightsflashedtwice,thentwicemore.Stillinvisibleinthefog,theIgarka’sdieselsrevvedup.

“Movingagain,”Domsaid.

TheIgarka’senginesfadedandtheyheardthescrapingofsteelonsand.

JacksaidtoDom,“GetMattoneoftheARXs.Same

thingasbefore,guys:Ifsomebody’sholdingagun,they’reatarget.Nogun,theybetterbeontheirbellies.Soundgood?”

BothDomandSpellmannodded.

“I’mgoingtogetusalongsideasquickaspossible,soholdontosomething.Oncewe’restopped,getaboardandstartclearingthedecks.Dom,

you’reuphigh,MattandIareheadingforwardalongthedeck.”

Jackshovedthethrottleforwardandtheboatplowedahead.

“Cometostarboardabit,”Domcalled.“Alittlemore.Good.Fiftyfeet...fortyfeet.Nowtoport...alittleless.Weshouldseeherany—”

Ablackshapeloomed

beforethewindscreen.Jackthought,Davit,thenshouted,“Getdown!”

SpellmanandDomdroppedtotheirbellies,Jackonlyasplitsecondbehindthem.TheIgarka’sboatdavitclotheslinedthecabin,shatteringthewindscreenandpeelingtheroofbacklikethetopofatincan.

Dompushedopenthecabindoorandcrawledout

withSpellmanandJackonhisheels.Jackstoodup,lookedright.ThesideoftheIgarkawasthere,afewfeetabovethem.Jackplacedhisfootonthegunwale,hoppedupandsnaggedtheIgarka’sgunwale,thenboostedhimselfup.HebroughttheARXtohisshoulderandaimeditdownthedeck.Nothingmoved.

DomandSpellman

climbedupandcrouchednexttohim.

“Dom,go.”Domjoggedtoaladder

affixedtotheaftsuperstructureandstartedclimbing.Thefogenvelopedhim.

“Ready?”Jacksaid.“Yep.”HeandSpellmanheaded

towardthebow,Jacktakingthestarboardside,Spellman

theport.AsJackpassedthefirst

hatch,itswungopen,shovinghimsidewaysintotherailing.Jackspun,hisARXcomingup.Amanwasstandinginthehatchway.Hewasunarmed.

“Backinside!”Jackshouted.Hekickedthehatchshutandkeptgoing.

Fromsomewhereabovecamethedullpop,pop,of

Dom’sARX,then,“Youtwo,down!Getdown!Jack,you’recleartothebow!”

Jacksprintedpastthefrontedgeofthesuperstructureandontotheforecastleuntilhereachedthebowrailing.Belowhesawthebroadoutlineofaflatbedtruckcab.

Heshoutedoverhisshoulder,“Dom,youandMattclearbelowdecks.”

“Gotit!”Jackliftedhislegsover

therailing,lethimselfhangfree,thendroppedtothesandbelow.ARXraised,hesprintedtowardthetruck,whichbeganbackingaway,itstiresspewingsand.Ontheothersideofthewindshield,alonefigurewasbehindthewheel.

JackpointedtheARXathim.“Shutofftheengine!”

Thedriverignoredhimandkeptbackingup,untilthetruck’scabdisappearedintothefog.Jacksprintedforwarduntilthecabreappeared;thenhefiredaroundintothepassenger-sidewindshield.Thetruckbrakedtoastop.

“Engineoff,handsoutthewindow!”

Themancomplied.Jackorderedhimdown

fromthecab,thenontohis

belly.Domranup.“Clearitforme,”Jack

said.Domwasbackinten

seconds.“Nobodyelse.”

•••

THEYFOUNDSPELLMANstandingonthesandbeforetheIgarka’sbow.“Threecrewintotal,”hereported.“Allscaredshitless,

butunhurt.I’vegotthemlockedinthechartroom.Idon’tthinktheyknowanythingabouttheKvant.”

Jackproddedthedriverofthetruckforward.“Addhimtothecollection.We’llsendsomeofMedzhid’sERFforthem.”

AsSpellmantookthemanaway,Domasked,“Nowwhat?”

Jackscratchedhishead.

“Doyouknowhowtosinkaship?”

JMakhachkala

ACK’SUNEASEGREWSTRONGEReachblocktheydrewclosertothe

MinistryoftheInteriorbuilding.Thestreetswereeerilyempty.Shopsand

restaurantswereclosed.Busesandcarssatemptyinthemiddleofintersections.Itwas,Jackthought,asthoughthewholeofthegovernmentdistricthadbeentransformedintoamassive,post-apocalypticmovieset.Theraincloudshadbeguntobreakup,lettingthroughintermittentpatchesofsunthatwarmedthestill-slickstreetsenoughthatthe

pavementwasshroudedinathinlayerofalmostimperceptiblefog.Anotherspecialeffect,Jackthought.

Theresidentsthathadn’tfledtothecity’ssouthernmostneighborhoodswerenowbehindlockedapartmentandhousedoorswithcurtainsdrawn,saveagapthroughwhichtheownerscouldwatchthestreets.

Volodin’sorderingofthebordergarrisontroopsintoMakhachkalahadn’tbeenannouncedontheradioorthetelevision,forthose,liketheInternetandthepowergrid,hadbeenshutdownshortlyafterdawn.Thenewshadinsteadtraveledbywordofmouth,ashadtheprotesters’heartbreakingrealizationthatnooneoutsideMakhachkalawasseeingorevenknewthat

Dagestanisweretryingtotaketheirfirststepstowardindependence.

•••

JACKPULLEDthetrucktothecurboutsidetheMOI’srearentranceandtheyclimbedout.TheguardletthemthroughthegateandtheytooktheelevatoruptoMedzhid’soffices.

JackfoundSethleaningforwardinoneoftheclubchairs,hisheadinhishands.

“Whythehellaren’tyouansweringyourphone?”Jacksaid.

Sethlookedup.“What?”“TheKvantissittingat

thebottomoftheAkgelReservoir.Withoutthat,thetwoKrasukhasshouldbeeasytokeepaheadof.”

“It’stoolate,Jack.

Medzhid’snotgoingtosendpeoplebackintothestreetswiththebordergarrisonsontheirway.It’sover.”

“It’snotover.Gethiminhere.”

“Okay.I’llberightback.”

Jacksaid,“Hey,where’sYsabel—”

Hesawheremergefromthenearbyadjoininghallway.Shestoppedandstaredat

him.Shecrossedherarms.Hereyeswerewet.

Jackwalkedovertoher.“I’msorry.”Hefoldedherinhisarms.“Ijustcouldn’tlet—”

“Iknow,it’sokay,”shewhispered.“Jack,youneedtolistentome,okay?”Thetoneinhervoicewasdeadlyserious.“Justkeephuggingme.”

“Okay...”hereplied.

“TherewassomethingaboutAnton’sfacewhenyouaccusedhimofbetrayingMedzhid.Heseemedgenuinelyshocked.Heartbroken.ThismorningIdecidedtogothroughhisphone.AsidefromPechkin’snumber,therewasonlyoneotherinhiscallhistory.Itwaslabeled“Mamochka”—mother.Icalledit.Thewomanwhoansweredsaid,

‘Vasim,wherehaveyoubeen?’”

Jackfeltlikehe’dbeenpunchedinthestomach.VasimhadcovertlyswappedphoneswithAnton.

“I’msureaboutthis,Jack.ItwasVasim.HewastheoneworkingwithPechkin,notAnton.”

Oh,God,Jackthought.He’dkilledthewrongman.Hereplayedthesceneinhis

headandrealizedAntonhadneveractuallypointedhisgunatMedzhid,butinsteadhaddrawnitoninstinctwhenSpellmanhadchargedhim.

Worstofall,AntonmayhavediedthinkingRebazMedzhidhatedhim.

“HowdidVasimknowwewereontooneofthem?”Jackasked.

“Idon’tknow,anditdoesn’tmatter.Youneedto

gettoRebazand—”“Jack!”Medzhidcalled.

“Dom...Matt!”Jackwhisperedto

Ysabel,“GettoDomorMattandtellthemwhat’shappening.I’lltrytogetMedzhidandVasimseparated.Watchthemuzzlesandstayoutofthelineoffire.”

“Becareful,Jack.”Heturnedtoface

Medzhid,whowasstridingacrossthecarpet.Vasimwastwopacesbehindandtohisleft.SethstoodtoMedzhid’sright.

Jackshooktheminister’sextendedhand.“Rebaz.”

OutofthecornerofhiseyeJacksawYsabelstandingbesideDom.Heglancedthatway.Domgavehimawink.

“Gladtohaveyouallbacksafe,”saidMedzhid.

“Sethsaidyouwanttotalktome.Ifit’saboutaskingpeopletogobackintothestreets—”

“No,it’snotthat.Let’sgoinyourofficeandI’llexplain.”

“Hereisfine,Jack.Ihavestaffinmyoffice.Andtobehonest,Icoulduseabreakfromcommotion.”

“Okay,then.Let’ssitdown.”Jackgesturedtothe

coucharea.“Dom,what’reyou

doing?”Sethblurted.Dom,whohadbeen

maneuveringhimselfbehindJackforaclearshotonVasim,stopped.“What?”

“Whydoyouhaveagun?”

Medzhidturnedaround.“Dom?”

JackkepthiseyesfixedonVasim.Ratherthan

movingtoputhimselfbetweentheprincipalandthethreat,VasimwasstaringatDom.HiseyesflickedtowardJack,thentoMedzhid.

Vasim’shandshotintohiscoat.

“Rebaz,down!”Jackshouted,andraisedhisRuger.

Vasimwasmovingsideways,usingMedzhid’sbodytoblockJack’sfiringangle.

Sethshouted,“Jack,whatthehellis—”

SuddenlyheseemedtonoticeVasim’sgunwasout.“Hey,whatareyou—”

“Outoftheway,Seth!”yelledDom.

TimeseemedtobothslowdownandspeedupinJack’smind,astop-motionblurhefeltstrangelydisconnectedfrom.

Heduckeddown,leaned

sideways,firedaroundpastMedzhid’sleg.Vasimtookthebulletinhisthigh.ToJack’sleft,Domwastryingtomaneuverforhisownshot,butSethwasalsoturning,hiseyeswide,asthoughtryingtomakesenseofwhatwashappening.

VasimraisedhisgunandtookaimonMedzhid.

“No!”Sethshouted.Helungedforward.

Vasimfired.Sethseemedtofreezeinmid-step.Hisbodyconvulsedandhedroppedtohisknees,thenrolledontohisside.Jack,alreadycharging,shovedMedzhidaside,raisedhisRuger,andputabulletinVasim’sthroat,thenanotherinhischestasheslumpedbackagainstthepaneledwall.

Somewhereawomanscreamed.

Jackwasfrozeninplace,

theRugerstillextendedbeforehim.Hiseyesightflutteredattheedges.Soundsseemedtofadeinandout.

Sethisdead.Sethisdead.Heknewit

inhisgut.“Jack.”Spellman’svoice.

“Jack,letmehavethat.Letitgo.”

HepriedtheRugerfromJack’sgrip.

Domstrodeforward,

kneltdowntocheckVasim’spulse.HeglancedovertoSpellmanandshookhishead,thenstartedtowardSeth’sbody,whichwascurledintoanalmostfetalposition.

“Leavehimalone,”Jackmurmured.

Domstopped,gaveaslightnod,movedofftotheside.

JacksteppedaroundMedzhid,whowastryingto

situp.Thesleeveofhiswhiteshirtwasbrightwithblood.

“Checkhim,”Jackordered,andkeptmovinguntilhereachedSeth.Hekneltdown.HeplacedhispalmonSeth’sside.Hisfriend’sbodyfeltsomehowflat,deflated,missingwhateveritwasthatmadeSethSeth.

Jackbentforwardatthewaist,pressedhisforehead

againstSeth’sshoulder,andsqueezedhiseyesshut.

A FTERAWHILEheopenedhiseyesagain.

Therewasactivityallaroundhim,voices,peoplerushing,phonesringing.

HeliftedSeth’sbodyofftheground.

“Jack,”Ysabelwhisperedathisside,herhandonhisbiceps.“Let’sputhiminourroom.Comeon,I’lltakeyou.”

Ysabelledhimdownthehallwayandopenedthedoortotheirbedroom.Sheshovedoneofthepillowsoutofthewayandsmoothedthecomforter.

“Here,puthimhere.”Jacklaidhimdown.

Seth’seyeswereopenandstaring.Thefrontofhisshirtwasamassofblood.Therewasaperfectlyroundholeacoupleofinchesbelowhischinandanexitholeatthenapeofhisneck.Vasim’sbullethadpunchedintothesofttissueofSeth’sthroatandblastedthroughhisspine,rightbelowhisbrainstem.TherewasprobablysomelifeleftinSeth,buttherewas

nothingtobedone.Hewasasgoodasdead.

HefeltYsabel’sarmsaroundhiswaist.Shepressedherheadagainsthisback.“I’msosorry,Jack.IwishtherewassomethingIcoulddoforyou.”

“IsRebazokay?”heasked.

“Thedoctor’swithhimnow,butitcouldbebad.Hewashitsomewhereinthe

chest.DomthinksthebulletwentthroughSeth.”

Henodded.“Idon’tknowwhattodo,

Ysabel.”“Iknow.”“Heaskedformyhelp,”

hesaid.“Youdidhelphim.”“No.”

•••

LATERHE

WANDEREDOUTtothemainroom.DomandSpellmanweresittingonthecouch,headstogetherastheytalked.Jacktookoneoftheclubchairsacrossfromthem.Neitherofthemtoldhim“Sorry”;theydidn’tneedto.

“Rebaz?”Jackasked.“Hetooktheroundinthe

rightlung.Suckingchestwound.Wegotapieceofcellophaneonitquick,buthis

lungwasalreadycollapsed,”Spellmansaid.“Weshouldknowmoreinthenexthour.Hewantstoseeyou.”

“Why?”“Hedidn’tsay,”Dom

replied.“It’sover,”saidJack.

“We’regoinghome.Medzhidcan’tbeabeaconofhopefromahospitalbed,notwithtroopsinhiscity.”

“That’shisdecisionto

make,”saidSpellman.Jackshrugged.“Ineedto

findRaymondWellesley.”“Well,Medzhidmust

haveyourmind,”saidDom.“YanatoldmethatwhilewewerechasingtheIgarka,MedzhidsentacoupleERFguystotheschoolhouseonLenaRoad.Theyfoundcomputers,monitors,cables...thesamesetupwefoundattheChirpoy

apartment.Therewasnothingleftbutameltedpileofjunk.Theyfoundtracesofwhitephosphorus.”

Spellmanadded,“WefiguredthatoncehesawthehubsweregettingfriedbytheKrasukhas,theprotestersweredispersing,andVolodinwassendinginthebordergarrisons,hedecidedhisjobwasdone.”

“Hewasright.”

“Jack,Icanseeitinyoureyes,”Domsaid.“Iknowwhatyou’replanning.”

“No,youdon’t.”“It’sarawwoundright

now—andashittytimetobemakingbigdecisions.”

“AsfarasI’mconcerned,it’saneasydecision.”

•••

MEDZHID’SDOCTORWALKEDIN.“Are

youJack?”“Yes.”“Theministerwouldlike

toseeyou.Followme.”HeledJackoutintothe

tiledhallway.Theytooktheelevatordowntothebasementandthenwentthroughawhitedoorwitharedmedicalcrossonit.MedzhidwaslyingonahospitalbedwithanIVinhisarm.Behindhimamonitor

chirpedsoftly.Hisfacewasverypaleandhiseyesweresunken.Asquaretransparentbandagewastapedtohischest;throughit,Jackcouldseearaggedhole.ThebandagebulgedslightlyeachtimeMedzhidtookalaboredbreath.

“Jack,”hesaid.“Thankyouforcoming.IamsorryaboutSeth.Ifeelresponsible.”

“I’mtheonewhogotitwrong.IkilledAntoninsteadofVasim.”

“It’saforgivablemistake.Sethlovedyoulikeabrother,youknow.EvenbeforewemetIfeltlikeIknewyou,hetalkedaboutyousomuch.Hewasagoodman.”

Jacksimplynodded.“How’reyoufeeling?”

“Lucky.Sethsavedme,

mydoctortellsme.Hadhenot...”

“Slowedthebulletdown?”

“Yes.Iwouldbedeadrightnow.Ineedsurgerytorepairthelung.Itoldhimhecandowhateverhelikeswithme,butnotimmediately.Jack,IknowyouwantWellesley.Icanhelpyoufindhim,butIneedyourhelpfirst.Don’tmisunderstand.

I’mnotbargainingwithyou.Iwillhelpyouregardlessofwhetheryouagreetohelpme.”

“Goahead,”Jacksaid.“SoonIamgoingtoget

outofthisbedandgomeetwiththeMakhachkalagarrisontroopcommander.Hehaspledgedhissupporttomebutthereisonemorethingwemustdo—”

“It’sover,Rebaz.If

you’relucky,you’llgetoutofthisalive.Ifyoudo,stepoutofthespotlight,waitafewyears,thentestthewindagain.”

“Inotherwords,livetofightanotherday.”

“OrtakeAminatandyourwifeandmovesomeplacewarm.”

“Therewon’tbeanotherday,Jack.SethandIspentthelastthreeyearsputting

thisplanintoplace.Thestrategyissound,asarethetactics.Thenetworksandinfrastructurearelargelyintact.Mostimportantly,Dagestanisarestilloutthereandthey’rehungryforfreedom.Theonlythingswe’velostaretheelementofsurpriseandsomeofoursatelliteInternethubs—”

“AndSeth.”“Yes,andSeth.Believe

me,I’mnottryingtodiminishhim,butMattknowstheplanaswellasSethdid.Hewouldwantustogo—”

“Don’t,”Jacksaid.“Don’tusehim.”

“Hewantedthistoworkandhestilldoes.Itrulybelievethat.”

Jacksatdownonthebedsidechair.Hepalmedhiseyesandranhishandsthroughhishair.Hewasso

tired.“Rebaz,Ican’tdecideif

you’reatrulygreatmanortrulyfullofshit.”

Medzhidsmiled.“Mostlytheformer,withadashofthelatter.Willyouhelpme?”

“Whydoyouneedme?YouhavetheentireMOIatyourdisposal.”

“Let’sexaminethesituation:Bothmyclosestbodyguardsaredead,oneof

thematraitorwhoframedtheotheronetobekilled;theleaderofmyERF,alsoatraitor;andSethisgone.Andthenthereisyou:amanwhoriskedhislifetosavemydaughter,acompletestrangertohim.Itrustyou,andItrustYsabel,andDom,andMatt.Theylooktoyouasaleader.IneedpeoplelikethefourofyoubymysideifIamtohaveanychanceof

succeeding.Plus,doyoureallywanttomisstheendgame,whatevertheoutcome?”

Jackthoughtaboutit.“You’llhelpmefindWellesley?Yourwordonit?”

Medzhidnodded.“Yes.Whetheryouhelpmeornot.”

“Okay.What’syourplan?”

“Tobuymycountrysometime.”

IVatan

TWOULDBEonlylaterthatJackwouldfullyrealizehowwellcrafted

Medzhid’sgambitwas.Asitwas,hewashavingtroublefocusingonanythingmore

thanputtingonefootinfrontoftheother.

Seth’sgone,Jackthought.Invariouscombinationsthephrasekeptpoppingintohisheadasthoughonsomekindofsubconscioustimer.Seth’sdead.

TheruggedserpentinevalleywestofVatanthatMedzhidhadchosentoconfronttheapproaching

bordergarrisonwasnotonlyidealgroundforasmallerforcetoholdoffalargerone.Itwasalso,MedzhidhadtoldJack,thesiteofoneofDagestan’smostfamousbattles,LemmesNok,wheresixhundredAvar,Kumyk,andTsakhurtribesmenhadbandedtogethertorepelTahmaspQoliinvaders.

•••

HAVINGSECUREDthelocalgarrisoncommander’scommitmentthatmorning,Medzhidhadtomakeonlyasinglecalltogetthefour-thousand-manforcemovingnortheastoutofthecitytowardVatan.

BythetimetheUraltruckinwhichMedzhid,Jack,Ysabel,Dom,andSpellmanwereridingreachedtheentranceofthecanyon,

thetroopswerealreadyinposition,standingatattentionandformedintoeightphalanxesoffivehundredmeneachthatblockedthemouthofthecanyon,fromrockfacetorockface.Noneofthemwasarmed.

Itwasanimpressivespectacle,Jackthought,butuselessonamodernbattlefield.Ofcourse,Medzhidknewthis,asdidthe

city’sgarrisoncommander,andprobablyeveryoneofthefourthousandmen.Ifwhatevermilitaryvehicleswereabouttocomedownthisroaddecidedtoopenfire,manyhundredswouldbedeadwithinminutes.

DressedinhisformalMinistryoftheInteriorpolitsiyauniform,Medzhidclimbeddownfromthetruckwithhisdoctor’shelp,then

madehiswayuptheroad,passingthroughthephalanxes’ranksashewent.Helookedstraightahead,hisgaitsteady.Jacksawnotraceofpainonhisface,nosmallfeat,givenwhathemustbefeeling.Hislungwasworkingathalfcapacityatbest,thedoctorhadtoldJackinthetruck.Andnotuntiltheygothimintosurgerywouldtheyknowwhethertherewasany

hemorrhaging.Jackandtheothers

followedbehindMedzhiduntilhereachedthefrontoftheformation.Hestoppedtoexchangesaluteswiththegarrisoncommander,thencontinuedonuntilhewastwentyfeetaheadofthefirstrankandstandinginthemiddleoftheroad.

Jackcheckedhiswatch:5:20.

AnearlierreconnaissancereportfromoneofMedzhid’sERFunitshadputtheleadunitsofthebordergarrisonthreemilesaway.

•••

JACKFELTTHEAPPROACHofthearmoredpersonnelcarriersatfirstasshiveringofthegroundbeneathhisfeet,thenasarumblingasthefirstvehicles

camearoundthebendthreehundredyardsuptheroad.

JacksaidtoYsabel,“Iftheystartshooting,Iwantyoutogo—”

“You’llneverlearn,willyou,Jack?”shesaid,andgavehishandasqueeze.

•••

UPONSEEINGMEDZHID’Sblockingforce,theleadingAPCeasedleft,

makingroomforthetrailingvehiclesuntilfourofthemweremovingdowntheroadinalineabreast.Onebyone,theAPCs’thirty-millimetercannonsswiveledaboutuntiltheywereaimedatMedzhid’sforce.Theyclosedtoahundredyardsandthengroundtoahalt.

AfteraminuteorsoaGAZTigr—theRussianArmy’sversionofthe

Humvee—rumbleddowntheshoulderpasttheAPCs,theneasedleftintothemiddleoftheroad.TheTigrkeptcoming,itsdieselengineechoingoffthecanyonwalls,untilitwasthirtyfeetaway.Itslowlycoastedtoastop,andamanincamouflagecoverallsandamaroonberetclimbedoutofthepassengerseatandwalkedforward.

“Goodmorning,Minister

Medzhid,”themansaid,saluting.

Medzhidreturnedthesalute.“ColonelLobanov.”

“MayIaskwhatthisisabout,Minister?Whyarethesemenblockingtheroadintothecity?”

“Thecityisquiet,Colonel.Thereisnoneedforyoutoenter.”

“Ihaveorderstothecontrary.”

“IhaveordersfromthepeopleofMakhachkala,”Medzhidreplied.“YouareanAvarMuslim,aren’tyou?”

“Pardonme?”MedzhidrepeatedthequestionandColonelLobanovnodded.“Iam.”

“I’malsoAvar,butRussianOrthodox.Thecity’sgarrisoncommanderisofmixedheritage,LakandChechen.Hiswifeis

Azerbaijani.”“Idon’tunderstand,sir.”“Therearethirteen

differentethnicitiesthatcallDagestanhome,Colonel.WeallspeakRussianandprobablyamixtureofotherdialects.Weknowoneanother’sfoodsanddrinks,ourvariousmarriageandfuneralcustoms,ourreligiousholidaysandfestivals.WeareRussians,butwearealso

Dagestanis—Avars,Laks,Chechens,Tsakhurs...

“Whatyouhavebeensentheretostopisn’taviolentuprisingofthreemillionthugs.Theonlydamagethat’sbeendonetoMakhachkalahasbeendonebycovertforcessentherebyPresidentVolodin.Thereportsofviolenceyou’vereceivedwerenotactscommittedbypeoplewho

callMakhachkalahome.“Earliertoday,Colonel,I

wasshotbymyowntrustedbodyguard,amanworkingforMoscow.Heisalsoresponsibleforthedeathsoftwodearfriends.Anotherman,asergeantnamedPavelKoikov,withwhomIservedduringmyearlydaysinthepolitsiya,waskidnappedfromhishome.This,too,wasdoneatthebehestof

Moscow.ThreedaysagoIwasaccusedofhavingkilledsixty-twofellowDagestanis,burningthemaliveinamosqueatAlmakin1999.”

Lobanovsaid,“IknowAlmak.Myfathertalkedaboutyou.Irememberreadingthenewsstories.Youkilledonlyterrorists.”

“TerroristswhohadbeheadednineRussiansoldiers,”Medzhidadded.

“AgentsfromMoscowtookandtriedtokillSergeantKoikovforfearhewouldtellthetruthaboutAlmak.

“Myowndaughterwaskidnapped,Colonel,takenfromtheuniversitywheresheisstudyingtobecomeadoctor.YourememberAminat.Youmetherfouryearsagoatmybirthdayparty.”

“Iremember.”

“Theythreatenedtosendherbacktomywifeandmeinpieces.”

“Minister,Iamtrulysorrythattheseterriblethingshavehappened,butIhavemyorders.”

“Ordersfromwhere?Moscow?Fromwhom?ThesamepeoplewhoordereddoneallthethingsIjusttoldabout?”

“Ihavenochoice—”

“Youhavediscretion!”Medzhidshotback.“You’reDagestan’smilitarygovernor.Youlivehere,Colonel,alongwithyourwifeandtwosons.You’vecalledDagestanhomeyourentirelife.Colonel,you’reRussian,you’reDagestani,you’reAvar,andyou’reMuslim,andyouliveandworkbesidepeoplewhoarethesameasyou,andyetdifferentfromyou.Theseare

thepeopleMoscowhastoldyouaremilitantsandthugs.That’sthestorytheywantyoutobelieve.Butwhatdoyouthink?”

“Minister,whatwouldyouhavemedo?”

“Turnaround,returntotheborderdistricts,andtellMoscowallisquietinMakhachkala.”MedzhidofferedLobanovasmile.“Iflateryouhearotherwise,call

meandyoucancomedownandseeforyourself.”

LobanovheldMedzhid’sgazeforalongtenseconds,thenshookhisheadandsmiled.“Goodday,MinisterMedzhid.”

“Andtoyou,Colonel.Safetravels.”

JEPILOGUEBaku,Azerbaijan

ACKWASN’TSUREitqualifiedforthestrictdefinitionofirony,but

intheendRaymondWellesley’sobsessionoverderailingthecoup,whichwasmatchedonlybySeth’s

obsessiontoseeitsucceed,wouldbetheSISman’sdownfall.

ThefactthatWellesleyhadchosentousetheFourSeasonsBakuashisbolt-holeafterleavingMakhachkalamadeJackwonderiftherewassomethingtoJung’stheoryofsynchronicityafterall.

“Iloveitwhenaplancomestogether,”Ysabelsaid,

takingasipfromhercoffeecup.

“I’mnotcelebratinguntilIseehimstepoffthatelevator,”Jackreplied.

Fromtheirpositioninoneofthelobby’sseatingareas,theyhadaperfectviewofwhereWellesleywastoemerge.

JackonlyhopedthatwhereverSethGregoryhadgone,hewaswatchingwhat

wasabouttounfold—especiallysinceitwasSethwho’dmadeitpossible.Hisseeminglytrivialactofmakingoffwiththecoup’soperationalfundshadbeenthefinalnailinWellesley’scoffin.

Havinginvestedsomuchtimeandeffortintryingtostopthecoup,Wellesleyhadchosentotapintohisownprivateoperationalwarchest,

fundsthatwerethemselvessuspect.GavinBieryandMattSpellman,workinginconjunctionwitharecoveringbutstillhospitalizedMedzhid,andMedzhid’scounterpartinAzerbaijan’sownMinistryoftheInterior,hadmanagedtopenetratePacificAllianceGroup,thefrontcompanyWellesleyhadusedtoleasehisnervecenterschoolhouseindowntown

Makhachkala.Fromthere,therestofthedominoeshadfalleninrapidsuccession—throughPacificAllianceGroup,WellesleyhadnotonlyhiredtheIgarkatotransporttheKvanttoMakhachkala,butalsopaid,inperson,theowneroftheflatbedtruckthatwastotaketheKvanttoyetanotherPAG-leasedbuildingfromwhichtheKvantwastotrack

Seth’shubsfortheKrasukhasontheridgeaboveMakhachkala.Finally,WellesleyhadusedfundsfromPacificAllianceGrouptorenttheonlyavailablepropertyoutsidethevillageofKeshar-eSofla,acabinattheendofthelonelydirtroadwhereYsabelhadambushedJack’skidnappers.

AtGerryHendley’srequest,MaryPatFoleyhad

presentedthisevidencetothechiefofBritain’sSecretIntelligenceService,who,asitturnedout,hadrecentlyinitiatedacovertprobeintoWellesley’sextracurricularfinancialactivities.

WhileGavinandtheothershadfoundnoproofthatWellesleyhadreceivedcompensationfromtheRussianSVR,Jacksuspectedthatevidencewould

eventuallybefound.InmenlikeRaymondWellesley,hubrisalwaystrumpedhypocrisy.

“Areyousurewecan’tshoothim?”Ysabelasked.“Evenjustalittlebit?”

Jacksmiled.“Temptingasitis,no.I’malreadyonthinicewithmyboss.”

“Thereheis,”Ysabelmurmured,noddingtowardthebankofelevators.

Dressedinkhakitrousersandablueoxfordshirtandcarryingaleathervalisedrapedoverhisshoulder,Wellesleylookedmorelikeavisitingbusinessmanthananintelligenceoperativewhomayormaynotbeontherun.ThoughGavinhadbeenabletopindownthefrontendofWellesley’stravelarrangements,hisdestinationwasamystery.However,

unlessthey’dmissedsomedetail,itappearedtheSISmanassumedhewasintheclear.

Wellesleystrodepastthem,pushedthroughtherevolvingdoors,andheadedtothewaitingblackZiLlimousine.Thedriveropenedthereardoor,shutitbehindWellesley,thenwalkedaroundtothedriver’sside.

Jack’sphonechimed

withatextmessage:READYWHENEVERYOUARE.

JackandYsabelstoodupandwalkedoutofthelobby.JackopenedtheZiL’sreardoorandleanedin.“Morning,Raymond.”

Wellesley’sfacewentpale.“Jack,whatareyou—”

“Doyoumindifwejoinyou?Ysabel,afteryou.”

Ysabelclimbedinandtooktheseatopposite

Wellesley.Jackdidthesameandshutthedoor.Heasked,“Areyoucarrying?”

Wellesleyseemedtohaveregainedhiscomposure.Hisshockedexpressionwasgone,replacedbythesmughalf-smileJackhadseenmanytimessincemeetingtheSISman.“No,Jack,I’mnotarmed.”

“That’sgood,becauseourdriveris.”

“Isee.What’syourplan,then?Takemeoutintothecountryside,shootme,thenburyme?”

“ItworkedforOlegPechkin.”Sortof.

“Who?”Ysabelsaid,“Youknow,

Mr.Wellesley,Sethwasrightaboutyou:You’retooarrogantforyourowngood.”

“Ah...HowisSeth,bytheway?”

“Dead,”Jackreplied.Butalreadyonhiswayhome,hethought.HeandYsabelwouldbebackinVirginiaintimeforthefuneral.

“Sorrytohearthat.IactuallylikedSeth.Heremindedmeofayounger,morecrass,lessintelligentversionofmyself.Cometothinkofit,hewasnothinglikeme.Butthemanhadvision,Iwillsaythat.”

Jackclenchedhisjaw,butwascarefultokeephisfaceimpassive.“Thingshaveawayofworkingout,Raymond,”hesaid,thencalledout,“Dom,we’reready.”

“Onourway,”Domreplied.

•••

THEYSATINSILENCE,Jack’seyesnever

leavingWellesley’s.BythetimetheyreachedHeydarAliyevInternationalAirport’scharterterminal,theSISmanwasshiftingnervouslyinhisseat.

Dompulledthroughtherollinggate,thenturnedrightthroughanopengaragedoorandintoadimlylithangar.ThroughthewindowJackcouldseeagleamingwhiteGulfstream650jetwithits

foldingstairsextended.Standingatthebottomofthestepswereapairoftrim,broad-shoulderedmeninnavybluesuits.

Wellesleyglancedoutthewindow.“Whatareyouplayingat,Jack?”

Ysabelreplied,“Thisisyourplane,isn’tit?”

“Itis.Thisisperhapstheworstkidnappinginhistory,youknowthat,don’tyou?”

Jackignoredhim.Hecheckedhiswatch:8:20a.m.

“Raymond,fiveminutesago,e-mailandtextmessageswentouttoforty-twothousandMakhachkalacitizens.Inanhour,they’regoingtobeonthestreets,surroundingeverygovernmentbuilding;inninetyminutes,PresidentNabiyevwillbeannouncinghisresignation.Intwohours,

RebazMedzhidwillbeoneveryradioandtelevisionnetworkinthecountry.Insixhours,everymajornetworkandsocialmediasiteintheworldwillbestreamingthecoup,liveandincolor.”

“GoodLord,Jack,you’renotaveryfastlearner,areyou?Volodinwillsimplyorderthebordergarrisonsbackin—”

“Hemayindeed.Itwon’t

matter.ThosegarrisonswillnevercomewithinfiftymilesofMakhachkala.Medzhidandthemilitarygovernorhavecometoanunderstanding.IfVolodinwantstoputbootsonthegroundinDagestan,he’llhavetoflythemin—anorderwhichhasgottenalittlestickier.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”“Overthelasttwenty-

fourhoursVolodin’sforeignministerhasbeenvisitedbyorhasheardfromambassadorsfromtheUnitedStates,theUnitedKingdom,France,Germany,andChina.I’mparaphrasing,butthemessagewassimple:You’vehadyourfuninCrimea,Ukraine,andEstonia.Don’tpushyourluck.”

“Thatwon’tscarehim.”“Probablynot,buthe’s

noidiot,either.He’sgoingtohavetomakeachoice:letDagestangoandhopefullymaintainacordialrelationship—somethingIthinkMedzhidwillbeopento—andeasyaccesstoCaspianoil,ormarchin,crushyetanotherrepublicthatsimplywantsfreedom,andtakehischanceswiththebacklashhe’llgetfromanewcropofDagestaniinsurgentgroups,

nottomentionthenastyonesalreadyinChechnyaandGeorgia—aswellasthenon-FederationCaspiangovernmentswho’llliketheideaofanotherfreecountrysittingbesidethebasin’sdeposits.MyguessisVolodinwillmakethesmartmoveandkeepthecrudeflowing.”

“That’sabiggamble,Jack.”

“TheDagestanipeople

arewillingtorollthedice.”Wellesleyshookhishead

sadly.“Youhavenoideawhatyou’vedone.You’veturnedthiswholeregionintoaterroristincubator.”

“Thatmaybe,”Jackreplied.“Ifso,we’llhuntthemwheretheyare—justlikewealwaysdo.You’vegotnofaith,Raymond.TheWestdoesn’tneedVolodin,anditneverwill.”

JackscootedforwardandopenedWellesley’sdoor.“Timetogohome,Raymond.”

Wellesleyclimbedout,followedbyJackandYsabel,whosaid,“Travelsafe,Mr.Wellesley.”

TheSISmangavethemapuzzledexpression,thenturnedtoheadtowardtheplane.Blockinghiswaywerethetwoblue-suitedmen.The

olderofthetwosaid,“Mr.RaymondWellesley,I’mplacingyouincustodyforsuspicionofviolatingtheOfficialSecretsAct.”

“Pardonme?”“Turnaround,sir,and

surrenderyourbag.”Theyoungermanplaced

hishandsonWellesley’sshouldersandjerkedhimaroundsohewasfacingJackandYsabel.AstheSISman

feltthehandcuffsratchetintoplace,hisfacewentblank.“Whatthebloodyhellisthis,Ryan?”

“Youwerecarelesswithyourmoney,”Jackreplied.“YouwroteonetoomanychecksonyourPacificAllianceGroupaccount.”

“Youbastard!”Withonehandoneachof

Wellesley’sbiceps,thetwoSISmenfrog-marchedhimto

theGulfstream,upthesteps,andthroughthedoor,whichclosedafewmomentslater.Asthegapclosed,JackheardWellesleycry,“...bloodyfools,don’tyou—”

Domcalled,“Anybodyforbreakfast?”

“Yes,absolutely,”Ysabelreplied.

Domclimbedbackintothedriver’sseat.

YsabelsaidtoJack,

“Haveyoudecidedwherewe’regoing?”

“I’mgoingtoleaveituptoyou.I’vegottwoweeks’vacationandI’mtakingeverysecondofit.”

Ysabelnodded,pursedherlipsasshethought.“Matt’ssuggestionofTahitiworksforme.”

Jacksmiled.“Me,too.”

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