42 |
42 |Briefing Room 221B, CIA Headquarters Langley, Virginia
Leroux paused outside the door to the briefing room, always hating arriving late to a meeting. It wasn’t his fault. He had been sent for by Director Morrison after it had already begun, but that didn’t lessen the fact he was about to be the center of attention until he found a seat.
And he hated being the center of attention.
He scanned his pass then knocked once, immediately opening the door.
One didn’t wait for an invitation to enter a meeting the Director had ordered you to attend.
Morrison was the one speaking as he entered. His boss beckoned him over, pointing at a chair next to him. Leroux took his seat, his eyes flitting around the room as he made note of the attendees while Morrison resumed briefing a man on the display at the front of the room, the metadata indicating he was in Stockholm.
His facial expression suggested he was annoyed.
“According to our agent, she seemed to imply contact had already been made, and indicated a pin that our footage suggests might be a listening device. We’ve picked up a stray signal from her property. That likely means they know someone’s involved, which is why we thought you should know what is going on.”
The man on the screen cleared his throat. “We appreciate that, Director, however valuable time has been lost because you didn’t share this information sooner.”
Morrison maintained a level tone. “I understand your frustration, sir, however our instructions from Professor Acton were to tell no one.”
The man leaned forward slightly at the mention of Acton. “And how is it that this particular man, a mere archaeology professor, appears to have a direct line to the CIA?”
Morrison, along with several others, chuckled. “It’s a long story, sir. Suffice it to say, he and his wife are of interest to us. I have been authorized to offer any assistance we can to not only return them safely to your country so this matter can be straightened out, but to retrieve your citizen as well, whom we believe is now in Dubai.”
“And you’re certain of this?”
Morrison shook his head. “No, but you’ve seen the footage. Professor Karlsson clearly enters the embassy and never exits. Minutes later, a small convoy leaves and a diplomatic flight departs for Dubai. While we haven’t been able to find any direct evidence he is in the country, we believe he is, as he hasn’t been seen since his arrival at the embassy.”
“But you said the student”—the man checked his notes—“Elsa Andersson, received a text message from him.”
“Yes, but that could have been sent by anyone. The number could have been spoofed. We haven’t been able to trace it yet, which means someone went to a lot of trouble to make us believe it was from him.”
The man pursed his lips. “I’ll take this to my superiors.” He jabbed a finger at the camera. “Do nothing until you hear back from me.”
“Of course.”
The screen went blank and Morrison turned to Leroux. “Who’s in the area?”
He cleared his throat. “Any number of assets, but I think they need a friendly face. Agent White is in Baghdad. We can send her in for the retrieval.”
Morrison nodded. “Good. Do it.”
“What about the Swedes?”
“We’ll wait to hear from them, but we better move some assets into the area. If the Actons are arrested at the airport, Karlsson’s probably dead within minutes.” Morrison addressed the room. “This is all going down tonight, people, and it’s going to be fast. Let’s just try to keep ahead of it.”