Old Executive Office Building
Washington, D.C.
It wasn’t Mario’s first late-night meeting with someone at the National Security Council (NSC), but it was his first time doing it alone. Kim had always taken the lead on the political side of operations. She was the scalpel, while he was the bludgeon. Mario didn’t necessarily mind crossing the Potomac, but as a former SEAL and a current paramilitary officer with the CIA, he preferred an enemy who wasn’t glad-handing one minute and kneecapping him the next.
Over the years he’d found that the backstabbers on Capitol Hill were as cutthroat as any he’d faced on the battlefield. His NSC counterpart, however, Conner Murray, had proved to be a partner he could trust. As the president’s go-to for all things off-the-books, Murray typically fell into the category of risk-averse. But when push came to shove, he’d put it all on the line.
And the job of covert action, more specifically paramilitary operations, was an interesting one. In fact, it was Mario’s stock in trade. And it had been Garrett’s as well, until he forsook them all by settling down and becoming a real human again. Although he wished his friend was still on the hunt, Mario didn’t begrudge the DEA gunslinger a normal life, especially on nights like this. No matter how many times he’d done it, bad news never got any easier to deliver.
After a long, lonely march down the dark hallway, Mario passed the empty receptionist’s desk, stopped outside the open office door, and gave it a soft knock.
Murray looked up from the overhead imagery spread across his desk and pointed to a leather chair. “Hey there, Mario, have a seat.” He offered up one of those close-lipped sympathy smiles that you see at funerals and then rubbed his bloodshot eyes. “Can I get you some coffee?”
Mario declined the offer, sat as instructed, and focused on Murray. It was rare to see the Beltway veteran rattled, but the news of Kim missing her check-in calls was taking its toll. For once, he didn’t look like he was hiding an ace up his sleeve.
Murray winced before asking, “Any new news from our girl yet?”
Mario looked down at his watch. “She’s missed three check-ins and we’re about to hit number four.” He looked back up and shook his head. “That’s not like her. At all.”
“But it’s Afghanistan.” Murray looked hopeful. “Comms issues aren’t out of the norm.”
Since Kim had been declared to the Taliban before entering the country, she had taken a few items your average operations officer trying to fly under the radar wouldn’t have considered—a satellite phone, for one. “Can be a problem over there, for sure. But I think something’s off.”
Murray narrowed his eyes. “What makes you say that?”
“Well, they’re in the city right now, for one. Her phone might be down, but Zadran isn’t responding either. And neither is any of his lieutenants. I should be able to contact someone in the convoy, even if those phones are offline.”
“Maybe it’s a satellite issue?”
“Maybe.” Mario shrugged. “But she’d get on a landline to call. Hit me up on a pay phone or go to an internet café. That was our deal. Three missed check-ins and I sound the alarm.”
Murray rubbed his chin. “And Zadran’s usually pretty reliable, right?”
“Typical warlord.” Mario gave a nod. “Very reliable when money is involved.”
Any look of hope on Murray’s face vanished. “So, what do we do now?”
This time it was Mario who winced. “Maybe it’s time we reach out.”
To reach out meant that the White House would have to make official contact with the Afghan government, which would entail admitting to the Taliban that the U.S. needed their help. Although Kim’s prisoner swap was authorized, Kabul would only assist in finding her to gain leverage, trading their help for financial assistance or lifted sanctions. And there was also the chance that they might not help at all. If Kim was still alive and they found her, it was possible that they might execute her for retribution against the CIA and just blame someone else.
Murray stared blankly at the wall for several seconds. “What are our other options?”
Mario didn’t want to suggest it just yet, but it was possible to put together his own team. The Agency still had friends over in Afghanistan. Of course, activating them wouldn’t be easy. And it would certainly be dangerous for everyone involved. That said, working in coordination with the Taliban butchers was nearly unfathomable. And Kim, no doubt, would feel the same.
Mario let out a breath. “Want me to head over there and see what I can find out?”
Murray looked a little surprised. “You don’t want to wait? See if she calls?”
“There’s no time. If Kim has been taken, she’ll have hours, not days.” Mario was pissed at himself for trusting Zadran. “Probably should’ve been with her in the first place.”
Murray looked squeamish. “Then who would go after you?”
The obvious answer was Garrett, but Kim had insisted that he know nothing about the risky mission until it was all over. She’d even made Mario swear on his mother’s life that he would not reveal the status of Faraz Saleem or Reza Bayat until they had safely arrived on U.S. soil.
“I’ll head over to Tajikistan and cross the border. Still got some friends over there.” Mario looked down at his phone again to make sure he hadn’t missed a call or text. “If Kim checks in, that’s great. I’ll turn around and come home. If not, then we’ll know we did all we could.”
Those somber words did all we could seemed to hit home with Murray. “It’s that dire?”
Seeing the dread in Murray’s eyes, Mario answered gently. “Kim’s brilliant. And a survivor. If I had to bet on anybody in the entire world to get out of a bind, my money would be on her.”
“Can’t disagree with you on that one.” Murray wore a look of sad confusion. “It’s just that Afghanistan is beyond my understanding now. It’s completely lost.”
More commando than consoler, words of reassurance weren’t Mario’s strong suit. But he did his best to inspire confidence. “You know what they called me over there, Conner?”
“What’s that?” Murray asked.
Mario chuckled, remembering all the fun Garrett had with his nickname. “The Puerto Rican ambassador to Afghanistan.”
Murray laughed too. “A master negotiator, huh?”
“Well, let’s just put it this way. I know how to get things done in that country. Understand the people. Always did. And I’ve still got a good network, particularly in the north. People who love us. Guys who will jump at the chance to help.” Mario hesitated before making the vow he knew he couldn’t keep. “Don’t worry. I promise, I’ll find Kim, and bring her home safe.”
He rose from his chair and walked out of the office before having to tell another lie. The harsh reality was that most of the people he knew over in Afghanistan had either been airlifted out or were already dead. And those left behind probably hated him with a fiery passion.
Mario racked his brain searching for someone—anyone he could think of over there who wouldn’t shoot him on sight.