Chapter 37

Gregor Kondor put down the phone and thought about what his informant at Langley had just told him. He was angry, but it would do no good to indulge his anger. At least two of the bombs were still in play. Two would be enough, if they reached their destinations. He had no doubt the Chechens would keep their end of the bargain and detonate the weapons, once they were in place. It was the one thing he was sure about. Their ridiculous code of honor demanded it. It was so easy to manipulate people who believed in abstract values like honor and courage.

Once again, the Project had gotten in the way. Now they were responsible for the fiasco in Hungary. It was time to put an end to their interference. He should have done something earlier, but he hadn't thought they'd find the weapons in time to stop what he'd planned.

He touched a button on his intercom.

"Yes, Herr Kondor."

"Find Crowther. Send him to me."

"At once, Herr Kondor."

Kondor got up and walked to a window, looking out at the stunning scenery. Far below, the twin lakes of the town of Interlaken lay like shimmering emeralds in the clear mountain air. It was a beautiful afternoon, but Kondor sensed that the weather was about to change. An itch began under a large gold ring set with diamonds on the middle finger of his left hand. He pulled the ring off to scratch and glanced at the swastika etched on the back of the block of gold. The ring had once belonged to Hermann Goering, and was one of Kondor's prized possessions. Goering had died a long time ago, but Kondor liked to think they would've gotten along quite well if they had been contemporaries .

He slipped the ring back on his finger as Crowther's knock came at the door.

"Enter."

"You sent for me, sir?"

"Your team is prepared for the assignment I gave you?"

"Only waiting for your permission to proceed, Herr Kondor."

"You have permission. Make sure you do not fail."

"We won't fail, sir."

"Your targets are in America. You have all the information you need. Be sure nothing leads back here."

"Of course not, sir. You don't have to worry. We'll leave tonight."

"If possible, make it painful for them."

Crowther smiled.

"I'll do my best, sir." Crowther paused. "The leader and his wife. I was wondering about their children."

"What about them?"

"Do you want them eliminated as well? They're not very old."

"They are the spawn of my enemies. Is that clear enough?"

"Quite clear, sir."

"Then you'd better get going," Kondor said.