Operations Center 3, CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia
“They double-crossed us, but I can confirm it’s only half the shipment.”
Leroux and his team sat at their stations in silence as the Delta operator filled them in on what had happened, Director Morrison taking the lead on the questioning.
“So the Russians have it?”
“Yes, sir.”
Morrison nodded. “Well, you’ll be interested to know that the Russians have reported that you were all killed during the assault by the terrorists and that they would be recovering your bodies after their air assault is complete.”
“They pounded the town pretty hard, sir. Something tells me they’ll use that as an excuse for why they couldn’t find our bodies.”
“Why do you think the Russian Major left you alive?”
“I got a sense he had some honor left in him.”
“Lucky for you.”
There was a chuckle. “Yes, sir, absolutely. Did you correct them?”
“Negative. The White House is pissed so I think they’re going to let the Kremlin hang themselves a little while longer.”
“Well, maybe they’ll learn you can’t trust them.”
Morrison smiled. “Eventually.”
“Sir, has there been any word from you know who?”
Leroux knew Kane had once served with these men, and they had been the ones who brought Kane in on his currrent mission. If he were them, he would be extremely concerned, perhaps even feeling responsible for his fate.
“Not yet. All we know is that based on the footage you transmitted before you were betrayed, the ISIL members that were there for the sale have links to the cell he is supposed to have infiltrated.”
“Christ, I hope he wasn’t killed in that bombing.”
“Let’s hope not.”
“Do we know where the Chechen leader is?”
“We tracked the second vehicle to Al-Mayadeen, but lost them there.”
“I think it’s safe to assume they had the other half of the Cesium.”
“Agreed.”
Leroux frowned. “Which means ISIL now has enough radioactive material to contaminate pretty much any city in the world.”