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Two days after the raid on Ali's apartment, Thorne was back in Washington. He briefed Jenna and Carlson in Carlson's office. When he told them what Ali had said about the big crates, Carlson looked skeptical.
"Missiles? The satellite would have picked that up."
"Not necessarily," Jenna said. "They could have timed the transfer between passes, when the bird wasn't overhead."
"They could be SS 400s," Thorne said. "Ali's description of the crates matches their size."
"How reliable do you think his information is?" Carlson asked. "He could have been making it up. Looking for a bonus."
"I don't think so. The men who kicked in the door were from the Political Security Directorate. They only get involved with matters of state security. Ali was nervous. He told me someone had been asking questions about him."
"That doesn't prove he didn't make it up."
"He's dead, Lewis. I'd say that lends authenticity to his story."
"SS 400s are the best antiaircraft missiles the Federation has. Installing those would be a major escalation over what they've deployed so far."
"It backs up the idea that the Russians are getting ready to move on the oilfields," Thorne said.
"Why would they need them? The Kurds don't have any aircraft."
"No, but we do."
"You think the Russians brought them in to keep us from getting involved?"
"I think it's a signal they mean business. Right now, we get to say what happens to the oil under Kurdish control. If they drive the Kurds out, all that changes. Once those missiles are in position, it sends a clear message to stay away. Can you see Campbell risking all out war with Russia? Because that's what could happen if we try to stop them."
"You're a real bundle of joy," Carlson said.
"I'm a realist. If the Russians want to take those fields there's not much we can do about it. Not without things getting out of hand."
"He's right, Lewis," Jenna said. "Kramer needs to know about this."
"All right, all right. I'll take it to her. She can have the pleasure of telling the president what he doesn't want to hear."
"There's something else," Thorne said.
"There usually is with you. What is it now?"
"Why did al-Khali's Gestapo happen to show up when I was at Ali's? The same thing happened in Turkey. Turkish intelligence was waiting for me at the meet with that colonel in Istanbul. Both times, the opposition knew I was coming. Which brings up a question. How did they know?"
Carlson frowned. "I don't like where you're going with this."
"You don't like it? How do you think I feel?"
"You're saying somebody tipped them off about you?" Jenna said.
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"The only people who knew you would be in Turkey and Syria are in this building."
"That's right."
"You think we have a mole."
"It's the only logical explanation. Something happens once, it might be the breaks of the game. Twice means it isn't. It's too big a coincidence. You know I don't believe in coincidences."
"First missiles, and now a mole. You really know how to make someone's day, don't you?" Carlson said.
"I don't like it anymore than you do."
Carlson sighed. It was something he did a lot when Thorne was around.
"Jenna, who else knew about these missions?"
"I'll find out. There are always people here who know things they aren't supposed to."
"Let me ask you something," Thorne said. "Have other ops been going wrong lately?"
Carlson and Jenna exchanged a look.
Thorne nodded. "You just answered my question. How many?"
"You don't need to know," Carlson said.
"That bad, huh? Better call out the mole catchers," Thorne said.