Prague

On Tuesday, Orlov checked into the luxurious Intercontinental Hotel in Prague, along the river. With the money he had received from Zhou, he could live well without spending his own money.

Then he made two calls. The first was to Kuznov, asking the Russian president to arrange to have Vladimir Drozny fly to Prague tomorrow and check into the Intercontinental.

“But you are Vladimir Drozny,” Kuznov said.

“No. No. The real Vladimir Drozny.”

“You want to tell me what you’re planning to do?”

“Not over the phone. And I don’t have time to fly to Moscow.”

“Okay, I’ll do it, but this better not come back to bite me in
the ass.”

Orlov powered off the phone before saying, “Let’s hope not.”

Orlov’s second call was to Franz Beran, a former Major in the Czech military intelligence when Russia ruled the country. Franz and Orlov had collaborated on a project to gather information and crush dissidents. After the Russians pulled out, Orlov made a trip to Prague to see what it was like. He and Franz had gotten plastered on Slivovitz in the old town. As they staggered out of the tavern, fireworks were exploding over the river. Franz said to Orlov, “If you ever need anything in this country, call me first.”

Orlov was now ready to take Franz up on his offer. They agreed to meet in the same tavern at nine that evening.

On the way to his meeting with Franz, walking along the
cobblestone streets in the old town, crowded with tourists speaking a multitude of languages, Orlov thought about how precarious his situation had gotten since Zhou had told him the FBI had surveillance on the members of the Epsilon Unit including Jill. They might have focused on her bank account. He probably screwed up there. He should have opened a new account for her in Switzerland instead of transferring to her Washington account the million, then the two million.
That was a mistake. Perhaps the FBI didn’t move that fast. He was hopeful given the lack of speed with which they moved up on Angie in Los Angeles. Another red flag might be raised by Jill making this trip to Prague after she had been to Monte Carlo.

Orlov brushed aside these concerns. If all went with Franz as Orlov hoped, it wouldn’t matter if the Americans sent CIA agents or anyone else to follow Jill to Prague. All Orlov had to do was get Jill to the Czech Republic. Orlov would not only have the home field advantage, he’d control the entire field. Those CIA agents, or whoever the Americans sent, would be at Orlov’s mercy.

Orlov arrived at the tavern first, sat down in a dark corner and ordered a Slivovitz. Waiting for Franz, he went over the operation in his mind one more time.

Originally, Orlov had thought of meeting Jill at the airport, taking her to his hotel, and making the exchange there. But now that he anticipated American CIA agents, Orlov decided to change the plans. He had to separate Jill from those agents before making the exchange.

Orlov had a good plan for doing that, but he needed Franz to supply the remote location and a group of former army officers who, like Franz, preferred the old days and would be thrilled to see action one more time. Orlov was confident that after an evening with Franz and plenty of Slivovitz to lubricate the brain, and to pump up the testosterone, he’d have a willing ally. Success would be assured.

Wednesday, Craig arrived in Prague and checked into the Four Seasons hotel. Giuseppe was waiting for him.

They sat down to lunch in an isolated corner of the hotel’s dining room overlooking the river. How are you enjoying the job,” Craig asked.

“Ever day’s a challenge, but you left me a good organization.”

After they ordered lunch, Craig said, “Elizabeth arrives Friday at noon at Prague airport on AF 964 from Paris. That gives us two days to get ready.”

“What’s your likely scenario?”

“Orlov said he’d meet her at the airport. My guess is he’ll take her somewhere outside of the city to make the exchange.”

“We could pick him up at the airport.”

“I don’t want to do that because I’m hoping Orlov will have high-ranking Chinese and Russian officials at the exchange. Having Elizabeth see them will enhance our case. Also, I want the exchange to take place. We’ve installed micro electronic tracking devices on the CDs Elizabeth is turning over.”

Giuseppe was smiling. “Same old Craig Page. I’m glad you’re on my side.” Thoughtfully he added, “So that means following Orlov and Elizabeth to the rendezvous point. Not losing them.”

“Exactly.”

“I assume she’ll be wearing a wire or tracking device.”

“She refused. I argued with her, but couldn’t persuade her.”

Giuseppe was shaking his head. “Elizabeth is one strong-willed woman. I admire that about her.”

“I do, too… most of the time.”

“Sexist.”

Lunch came. Seafood salad for Giuseppe. “I’m trying to watch my weight.”

Steak for Craig. And a bottle of Brunello from Antonori. They paused to eat and drink. Then Giuseppe said, “I’m worried. This could be a very difficult assignment for us.”

“What resources has the Czech government put at your disposal?”

“That’s part of the problem. Not much, I’m afraid. Four soldiers and an unarmed helicopter that I can call upon. For anything else, I’ll have to go back to the Defense Minister. To get even that much, I had to twist arms.”

“What’s their problem?”

“When Dalton was president, he made lots of enemies in Europe.”

“Well, he’s not president any longer.”

“Attitudes are slow to change in the old world.”

“Okay. I’ve got it. I’ll have a helicopter on alert at the nearest American base in Germany and some combat Marines ready to climb into that chopper if I need them.”

“My guess is you will. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“You worry too much. Didn’t we save the Pope?”

“Saving Elizabeth may be more difficult.”