part0024

“Yes, Justin, we’re certain Malick is at the compound,” Scot said with some frustration in his voice. “It wasn’t just the wounded man’s words. We checked the intel we got from him. It’s accurate.”

Justin nodded as he walked closer to the door of the small private terminal near the northern end of the airport. He glanced at the Cessna Denali—the eight-passenger airplane—taxiing toward the runway. Duncan and Emodi had cleared customs and immigration and were heading toward Accra, Ghana. Two trusted local assets were aboard the aircraft to ensure there were no altercations between the Nigerian and the diplomat. A team of CIS operatives was already waiting at the Kotota International Airport. “Okay,” Justin said in a low voice. “So, how are we going to do this?”

“I’ve been running a few scenarios, but I don’t have a firm plan. We’re outnumbered by maybe three or four to one. The Teacher has between thirty and forty men with him at all times. I can come up with perhaps seven, eight at the most.”

Justin smiled. Scot sounded upbeat, without a hint of disappointment or desperation in his strong voice. “Make that ten.”

“Great. When can you arrive?”

“We’ll take the next available flight. Later today, unless everything is booked.”

“I can send a small Cessna if that’s the case.”

“I’ll let you know if that’s necessary.”

“All right. We’ll go over the details when you and Carrie arrive. I’m glad you retrieved your diplomat.”

“So am I. Talk to you soon, Scot.”

“See you, Justin.”

He ended the call and walked to Carrie, who was sitting on one of the leather couches of the small lounge and working on her tablet. She put it away in her rucksack and gave Justin a bright smile. “How is our American friend?”

Justin sat next to her. “He believes they have Malick’s location.”

“With absolute certainty?” Her eyes burned with excitement.

“He thinks so,” Justin said in a confident voice.

“What’s the plan?”

“Scot’s still working on it. They only have ten people, including us. Malick has at least thirty.”

Carrie grinned. “We’ve faced worse odds…”

“True, but perhaps the trick here isn’t just brute force.”

“Whatever it is, we’ll get it done.”

“Call Moretti and get us the authorization.”

“I’m on it.” Carrie pulled out her phone. “What will you do?”

“I’ll call Karolin and then get us booked on the next flight.”

“Getting better. That’s what she told me last time we talked.”

“A shattered femur is the worst. It happened to a friend of mine in the army.” Carrie shook her head.

Justin held her worried gaze. “Did she recover?”

“Fully, but it took over a year. Once in a while, her leg hurts like the dickens for no reason.”

Justin nodded slowly, a look of concern spreading across his face. “It can take as long as needed, as long as Karolin can get back on her feet. If she can’t go back to being a surveillant…” His voice trailed off.

She patted Justin’s arm. “Karolin will be fine, Justin. She’s a strong woman. She’ll get through this, and things will go back to normal.”

“Normal?” Justin groaned. “How is this normal?” He spread his arms around. “I’m here worried sick about her, but I can’t see her, be with her…”

She said nothing at first, then offered him a reassuring gaze. “You can do something about it, you know?”

“Something like what? Quit?”

“Not necessarily.” Carrie shrugged. “You can do something so you can be closer to her.”

“The job Karolin took with the agency was supposed to do that.”

Carrie shook her head. “I don’t know what the right solution is for you, but Nathan and I have often talked about change. Not sure in what shape or form, but change is coming.”

“Same here, Carrie,” Justin said in a low voice, unsure if he was ready to let her know about his thoughts. “I feel like I’m at a crossroads. A part of me wants to keep doing what I know, what I’ve done for all these years… what I love. The other part tells me to leave everything behind and run away with Karolin…” His voice rose, turning loud and passionate.

She glanced around the lounge. The nearest people were a young couple about ten meters away. The woman looked curiously toward Justin and Carrie, then returned her eyes to her laptop.

Carrie shifted her body, turning closer toward Justin, but also to face him better. “Isn’t there a middle ground, so you can have the best of both worlds?””

He let out a deep sigh. “I wish that was possible.” He shrugged. “This is very, very preliminary. I haven’t even talked to Karolin.”

Carrie smiled. “That’s a good place to start. Once she’s told you what she wants, it’s easy. You just do what she says…” She laughed.

“Oh, thanks, that’s good advice,” he said in feigned appreciation and gave her a sideways glance.

“It’s the best, and it’s free.”

Justin gave her a sincere smile. “Thanks, Carrie. I mean it.”

“Anytime you need to talk, Justin. I’m here for you.”

He stood up. “I’ll call Karolin; see how she’s doing.”

“Tell her that I say hi.”

He walked a few steps until he was out of earshot of Carrie and the young couple and dialed Karolin’s number. She didn’t answer right away, so he started to feel bad. Maybe she’s sleeping. He thought about calling later, but he wanted to hear her voice.

After the sixth ring, his call was redirected to her voicemail. After the beep, Justin said, “Babe, it’s me. Just checking to see how you’re doing. Hope you’re better. Call me when you can. Oh, and sorry if I woke you up. Love you. Bye.”

He shrugged and looked at Carrie, who was walking at a hurried pace toward him. “Justin, this way.” She nodded toward the door. “Boss wants to talk to you.”

“Something wrong?”

“He’ll tell you.”

Justin studied her worried face. “What’s going on?” he said into the phone.

“Justin, how’s everything?” Moretti’s voice was warm and had a fatherly tone to it.

“Things are well, sir.”

“I’ve approved the Abuja operation. Give the CIA all the assistance they need.”

“We’ll do that.”

“Now, I’ve heard from the hospital.”

“Karolin? Is she not well?”

“She’s undergoing a new surgery—”

“Why? What happened?”

“I was about to tell you. There were complications. A DVT.”

Justin looked at the screen. What’s that?

Moretti continued, “DVT stands for deep vein thrombosis. One of the veins in her leg is damaged.”

“Did the surgeon screw up?”

“No, no, no. Look, this is what the doctors told me. Karolin apparently has a genetic disorder that makes her blood clot too much. It’s called a hypercoagulable state or thrombophilia.”

Justin shook his head. “I’ve never heard of that.”

“Neither have I, but why would we? In any case, Karolin has what’s called factor V Leiden thrombophilia, which makes her prone to DVTs, like the one she had.”

“How’s the surgery going?”

“They’re still in. I’ll call you as soon as it’s done.”

“Okay, sir. I appreciate it.”

“Justin, with everything that’s happening, are you sure you don’t want to return to Vienna?”

He hesitated for a moment and looked at Carrie. She had turned her back and was looking at her tablet. If I go back, Carrie will have to continue this op alone. The odds aren’t good, so let’s not make them worse.

“Justin?” Moretti asked.

“Yes, sir, still here. I appreciate the offer, but we’re not finished in Nigeria.”

“Are you sure, Justin?”

“All right. So head out to Abuja as soon as you can. Finish this op and come home.”

“That’s our plan, sir.”

“Good. Good luck, Justin. Now, can I talk to Carrie?”

He walked over and handed her the phone. He remained standing there, thinking about Karolin and his choice to continue the operation. Maybe… Maybe I should just take the next flight to Vienna…

Carrie talked to their boss for a couple of moments, then ended the call. “I’m sorry to hear about Karolin.” She offered him an embrace.

Justin leaned in and held her tight. “I’m… I don’t know what to do, Carrie.”

“Doing the right thing is hard, Justin.”

“The right thing,” Justin whispered. “What is that?”

Carrie didn’t answer immediately. “You know what it is when you do it,” she said slowly in a warm voice.

He held her a moment longer, then broke the embrace. “Let’s get on that flight to Abuja before I change my mind…”