Chapter Twenty-Six
December 20
ECS Geneva Station
Switzerland
Justin drew in a deep breath as he glanced at the papers strewn about the large table. His team had been trying to piece together al-Nueimi’s operation to destroy the unofficial peace process taking place in Geneva.
The talks had been continuing on and off for the last three days, but no progress had been announced and none was expected. US and Russian mediators were happy to keep the momentum going, but they were all cautious about announcing any breakthroughs. Syrian rebel groups demanded a greater share of power and the removal of key government officials. The government was insistent that they were not going to negotiate based upon preconditions. Military operations were supposed to have been halted during the peace talks, but the media reported constant clashes across Syria.
While the location of the talks had been a well-guarded secret unknown to the media, it had not taken long for Justin’s team to discover its whereabouts. The unusual set-up involved a couple of houses in Grand-Saconnex, not too far from the US Mission headquarters. Considering the extreme hostilities between the two parties entangled in the brutal conflict and the unofficial nature of the talks, representatives of the governments and the rebels did not even stay in the same house. Mediators shuttled between the parties, carrying their messages back and forth and attempting to advance the parties’ positions toward a common acceptable solution.
Grand-Saconnex hosted the headquarters of many international organizations, and missions and consular offices of a number of powerful countries, including the US and Australia. It also bordered the Geneva International Airport, another area crawling with a large number of security officers. The entire district was perhaps the most secure in the city.
Justin scratched his head and glanced at Carrie, who was standing by the window, sipping from her teacup. “I just . . . I don’t get it.”
“What is it?” Carrie tipped her head toward him.
“How’s al-Nueimi going to get in?”
Arkady, sitting at the other end of the table, glanced up from his laptop. “I’m wondering the same thing. The security measures are impressive.”
“He has people working on the inside?” Carrie asked.
Justin shook his head. “We checked and double-checked. None of the guards in the security details are new. Nobody got sick in the last few days and was replaced at the last moment. We looked at the drivers, cleaning staff, pizza delivery boys, everyone. No suspects.”
Carrie shrugged. “Maybe he’ll fly bomb-dropping drones.”
Arkady grinned. “We’ve got that covered too. The entire neighborhood is a no-fly zone. There are snipers on most of the roofs. Plus, the Swiss Police have deployed their anti-drone flying squad of sea eagles.”
“So the negotiators are pretty safe then,” Carrie said.
“With al-Nueimi still on the loose . . . I don’t think so,” Justin said.
“Well, Justin, I don’t know what more we can do,” Arkady said.
Justin nodded. Arkady was right. The team had covered everything. But al-Nueimi was nowhere to be found. The ARD 10 had arrested a number of suspected supporters of terrorism, but they were all tight-lipped about the mastermind. If it was true that he was in Geneva, al-Nueimi was right under their noses.
Justin frowned and returned his eyes to his laptop. One of the folders on the desktop was named “EE,” for Ekaterina Egorov, the FSB agent who had vanished during an exchange of spies in Northern Iraq. Justin had not had sufficient time to pay full attention to this matter, although he had started to gather some intelligence.
Then his mind raced to the brief meeting with al-Nueimi he had had back in Stockholm. Justin replayed the short exchange, struggling to remember any detail that could help figure out what the terrorist’s plan was. Al-Nueimi said this was about his family. He’s avenging the death of his wife and his son . . . Well, he doesn’t know his son’s still alive. But he said Americans shouldn’t have touched his family. What if . . . The thought darkened his face.
“Justin, what’s going on?” Carrie said.
“What if al-Nueimi isn’t in Geneva for the peace talks?”
Arkady cocked his head toward Justin and shrugged. “Why would he come for, the sights?”
“No, he’s here to kill. But what if he’s going for the reps’ families?”
Carrie stepped closer to the table and placed her teacup by her laptop. “Are their families here?”
Arkady said, “Yes, some of them. Government reps and mediators take time off, sometimes to spend it with their families.”
“Let me check something.” Carrie slid into her seat and began to hammer her laptop keys.
Arkady also began to search on his laptop.
A few tense moments went by, then Carrie said, “The chief of the government party is here with his wife and two kids. They’re staying at the GR Hotel, with a large security detail.”
Justin nodded. “Hotels are easy targets, even the Grand Royal. Something to check. What about the Russian envoy?”
“I’m still looking,” Arkady answered. “He has a residence here, since he’s our UN ambassador.”
“What’s his security situation?” Carrie asked.
“Pretty good. After our ambassador in Egypt was assassinated, we’ve increased security around all our diplomats. Al-Nueimi wouldn’t go near our ambassador.”
Justin gave Arkady a sideways glance. “You sound pretty confident.”
“I am, but you’re not.”
“No, anyone’s fair game for al-Nueimi. And this is very personal for him.”
Arkady shrugged. “But it was CIA’s operatives who killed his family, not Russians.”
“True, but if it weren’t for Russia propping up Syria’s government—”
Arkady threw up his hands. “Why are Russians always the bad guys?”
“I’m not saying that, Arkady. I’m just pointing out that al-Nueimi has very good reasons to target your ambassador’s family.”
Arkady said, “Or the American envoy. Do we know if his family is here?”
“Yes,” Carrie said. “It is. He’s divorced, so only his fifteen-year-old son is accompanying him.”
“How’s his security?”
Carrie smiled. “He’s a top-level American diplomat. Need I say more?”
“No, you don’t.”
“So, who’s al-Nueimi’s target, if any?” Justin said.
“Any one, or all three of them,” Carrie said.
“If your theory is right,” Arkady said. “I think al-Nueimi will be going for the peace talks delegates, not their families.”
Justin said, “I’d love to be proven wrong, Arkady. Let’s take no chances.”
“So how do we pick?” Arkady asked.
Justin said, “We don’t. We cover all angles. Carrie, you and Vale will check on the Syrian chief’s family. Assess his security team, look for any leaks. Then take the boy and bring him to us.”
“I’m on it.” Carrie nodded.
“Arkady, you won’t like this, but I want you to cover the US—”
“No, no, no—”
“Listen, you can’t be objective with your ambassador.”
“Of course I can, I’m a pro, Justin.”
“No doubt about it, and that’s why I want you to look at the US envoy. A new look; a fresh pair of professional eyes. And take Dolina with you.”
Arkady shook his head but did not say anything.
“I’ll take the Russian ambassador. I know everyone has tight security, but maybe there’s a weak link somewhere. Maybe there’s something al-Nueimi can exploit. Claudia will go with me.”
“I don’t think this will get us anywhere,” Arkady said.
“It’s better than being stuck in here,” Justin said. “Let’s get the addresses and roll.”