Epilogue
December 22
ECS Europe Headquarters
Vienna, Austria
Flavio’s small office desk was meticulously clean, with only a couple of manila folders stacked neatly next to his laptop and phone. His corner office was about ten by ten and no bigger than the others in the headquarters building, a nineteenth-century gray-brick one on Landstrasse, a short walk from Vienna’s diplomatic quarter. The building had been renovated and upgraded to the necessary safety and security standards of an intelligence agency. But the original blueprint had been kept, along with most of the building’s baroque façade, gabled roof, and arched windows.
Justin, who was sitting across from the desk, glanced at Carrie in the next seat, then moved his eyes to Flavio, who was browsing through a white folder. It contained Justin’s and Carrie’s report on the Geneva operation and its aftermath. This was the official version to be sent to the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, which oversaw the ECS operations. Thus, it had to be redacted to the level where it contained no classified intelligence or any information damaging to ECS or its partners, if the report ever became public or was requested by the media.
Flavio nodded, then tapped the report. “I have a question about the Portuguese involvement. How much did they see or hear?”
“I talked to three of their guards, including one who was wounded. They didn’t hear my exchange with al-Nueimi or the conversations with Arkady.”
“Good. I’d hate to see a leak from that side. And what about the ambassador’s wife and daughter?”
“They were present so they witnessed everything. I’m not sure how much the daughter understood, but it’s safe to conclude that her mother will make sure word doesn’t get out.”
“And the other neighbors?”
“They know what they saw and heard, but other details are sketchy. No one was within earshot, so our conversations with al-Nueimi and Arkady are safe.”
Flavio closed the folder and placed it on the right side of the laptop. He swiveled on his chair and placed both elbows on the desk. “Yes, Arkady, that Russian snake. I’m glad you left out his involvement with our agent.”
Justin nodded. Claudia had confessed to having an affair with Arkady, before she knew he was an SVR operative. Once she learned about it, Arkady had forced and blackmailed her into giving him classified intelligence related to the Austrian asset and other ECS operations. Arkady learned about Justin’s meeting place with the CIA agent, Bianchi, through Claudia, so the couple at the café were definitely Russian spies. She had promised herself that it was going to be the last piece of intelligence she was handing over to Arkady. And after Justin had saved her life during the Geneva operation, Claudia had decided to come clean, even if it meant a dishonorable end to her ECS career.
Flavio shook his head. “Very sad. She . . . she had such great potential. But it underlines the fact that we’re all vulnerable. We can all make mistakes and give in to our desires.”
“That’s true, sir,” Carrie said.
Flavio said, “I’ve talked to Smirnov about his agency’s interference with our operation. He denies the couple at the Rome coffeehouse were SVR, although we all know he’s lying.”
Justin asked, “Do we know where they’re taking al-Nueimi?”
“No. I’m assuming they’ll take him to Moscow. Or perhaps ship him back to Syria. The SVR will make him available for questioning.”
“In person?” Carrie asked.
“Yes, but I don’t want you or anyone else involved with him right now. We did thwart the terrorist plot, and there’s no more follow-up on that operation.”
Justin shifted in his seat. “I’d like to ask al-Nueimi why the Russians—”
Flavio cut him off with a dismissive hand gesture. “We’ve already gone over this, Justin. The Minister has decided to let it go. It’s a favor we’re doing for the Russians, so they’ll owe us one. You should let it go too.”
“But what if—”
Flavio frowned. “I don’t think you’re hearing me. Let. It. Go. Whatever reasons the Russians had for wanting al-Nueimi, they have him now. This operation is over, as far as we’re concerned. Whatever questions you may have, they’ll have to wait until you’re authorized to meet with him.”
Justin nodded. “I’ve got it, sir.”
“Good.
“Now, how’s the plan to return the little boy home coming along?”
“I’ve started the paperwork and contacted al-Nueimi’s family. Of course, they’re overjoyed to have him. They thought he was dead.”
“You’ll accompany him back to Iraq?”
“If it works with our ops.”
“Well, yes, about future ops . . .” Flavio reached for one of the manila folders on his desk. “This is the intel that has been gathered so far on Ms. Egorov, the former FSB operative.” He opened the folder and glanced at the first page. “Yes, one of her assets was seen in Brussels, and Egorov’s phone was tracked there as well.”
“What are they doing in Belgium?” Carrie asked.
Flavio shrugged, closed the folder, and pushed it across his desk toward Carrie. “That’s for you to find out. The Belgian police made a few arrests after intercepting a truck full of explosives, but they didn’t catch her associate.”
Carrie picked up the folder and began to browse through it.
“Where did they find the truck?” Justin asked.
“Northern Brussels. It’s all in the file.”
Justin glanced at Carrie, then at Flavio. “What does Brussels suspect?”
“The associate is an Iraqi on the list of suspected supporters of terrorism. He’s also a low-level banker and was an asset of Ms. Egorov. That’s before she disappeared, of course.”
Carrie looked up from the folder. “It seems their target may have been the Brussels airport.”
Justin nodded. A March 2016 attack killed thirty-two people at the Zavantem Airport and a metro station in Belgium’s capital. Most of Europe was on high alert against terrorist threats, especially when it came to sensitive and soft targets, like airport terminals and metro stations. “Okay, we have a starting point. When do we head out to Brussels?”
Flavio gestured toward Carrie. “She’ll get the ball rolling on this one, but don’t worry, you’ll join her soon enough.” Flavio tapped the other folder on his desk. “For the time being, I’d like you to take care of another pressing matter.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“It’s . . . uh, it’s training a new recruit. A new addition to our station. Surveillance officer.”
Justin pursed his lips. “Training rookies? That’s not something I do, sir.”
“Well, this is a special case. You’ll see, and you’ll like it.”
Justin leaned forward. The look of doubt remained on his face. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Lucky gal. Her last name is . . .” Flavio opened the folder. “Yes, her last name is Bayer, Karolin Bayer.”
Justin shook his head, then glanced at Carrie. “You . . . did you know about this?”
Carrie gave Justin a small smile, then looked away.
Flavio said, “She did, but it was my decision, Justin. You’ve been so immersed in this job, in these operations that you’ve neglected your private life.”
“I don’t believe that’s an accurate assessment—”
“But it is. And it’s showing on your performance. You lack focus at times. I want you to be at the top of your game, for your own sake and the sake of your team. Being closer to your girlfriend will give you that life-work balance we all need.”
Justin shrugged. “I . . . I’m not sure how well this is going to work.”
“Bayer is very qualified. She’s a great doctor, speaks German, English, and Italian, and is quite good with weapons, as your last operation in Germany proved. Bayer is a good team player. She already has most of the necessary skills, and you’ll help her develop the others she needs.”
“I meant it will not work for Karolin and me to work together.”
Flavio cocked his head. “Why don’t you give it a try? Help her with some initial training, and then she’ll be paired up with Dolina, and start working as a surveillant. Karolin will not be reporting to you, if you’re worried about that. This arrangement is temporary, for a few days, since it’s almost Christmas anyway.”
Justin nodded.
Flavio continued, “Oh, and on the topic of Christmas, both of you are taking some ‘forced holidays.’” He looked at Justin. “Take Karolin to a warm place. The Caribbean or South Pacific is always a great choice.” Then he turned his head toward the window and looked at the gray sliver of sky and the heavy snowfall. “It’s supposed to be miserable for the next week or so.”
Carrie said, “You going anywhere, sir?”
“Yes, back to Italy, to visit family.”
“I have no plans. Maybe I’ll go see my mom in Toronto.”
“She’ll love it.”
Flavio returned his eyes to Justin, who shrugged again. “That’s all, Justin. The recruit is waiting for you in the Vickers Boardroom.”
Justin stood up. The confused and uncertain look remained on his face. “All right, sir. We’ll . . .”
“It’s going to be fine, Justin,” Flavio said. “Take good care of her and yourself now, will you?”
“I will, sir.”
“And I’m expecting daily progress reports.”
“You’ll have them.”
Carrie gave him a reassuring smile and a small nod.
Justin stood up and moved his chair closer to the desk. Then he turned around and walked out of Flavio’s office.
He drew in a shallow breath when he was out in the hall. How did this happen? His mind went back to the times when he was working with Anna, his former fiancée. That went horribly wrong. His heart began to race fast. I . . . that can’t happen again. He shook his head, then thought of Carrie. She’s probably behind this. But maybe she’s right. Maybe working with Karolin and living in the same city will bring us closer, make our relationship better and stronger.
He nodded. Yes, Karolin and I will make this work.
Justin smiled and picked up his pace toward the Vickers Boardroom, where Karolin was waiting for him.
Author’s Note
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