Black Rose

CHAPTER 54

Alexei Vysotsky's new position as deputy director of SVR put him under close scrutiny by the Kremlin. That was nothing unusual. He hadn't survived this long without understanding how the game was played. What the Kremlin wanted was results, and Alexei intended to give them what they wanted. So far, things had gone well. Along with Kamarov, two of AEON's leaders had been eliminated. The others would be more difficult. If for Vysotsky, difficulties were only obstacles to be overcome.

He took a pad of paper and wrote down the names of the remaining four men who ran AEON.

The logistics of these things could become complicated, but Vysotsky believed in keeping it simple. The best way was to get close to the target, one on one. It was an effective tactic and required only careful planning by the agent. A prick with the tip of a poisoned umbrella as the target walked by. A tasteless drug slipped into a cocktail. A quick, silenced bullet to the back of the head. A slim stiletto between the ribs. The garrotte. Alexei had personal experience with all of them.

He thought about Valentina. She'd done well in France, first by compromising Gutenberg's computer and then eliminating the French Foreign Minister. He decided she would be the best choice to go after the American senator. Senator Mitchell had a reputation as a philanderer, though his adoring constituents knew nothing of his liaisons. It should be easy for Valentina to catch his eye. The rest would follow as night followed day.

He wrote her name next to Mitchell's.

With Mitchell disposed of in his thinking, Vysotsky turned his attention to Halifax, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer. After the Prime Minister, Halifax was the most important government official in England. He had strong security around him at all times. He would not be a simple target, but Vysotsky knew that a determined assassin could not be stopped.

Halifax was a public man and his death would create a storm of suspicion. The deaths of several prominent billionaires within days of one another meant there was a risk someone could make a connection between them. The deaths formed a pattern. Patterns meant vulnerability.

Alexei made a note to wait on Halifax.

That left Gutenberg and the Indian, Dass. The two men lived in virtual fortresses but both commuted, Gutenberg to his bank in Geneva and Dass to his factories in Mumbai. It would be possible for a team to get them as they traveled to work.

Mumbai was one of the most crowded cities in the world, filled with impossible traffic, confusion and countless opportunities for an ambush. Geneva was a city with excellent police, surveillance everywhere and little in the way of significant cover.

It wasn't a difficult choice. Vysotsky decided to delay going after Gutenberg.

Dass would be the next target. An operation out on the open road required a different kind of approach, using a team with a skilled driver and at least one shooter. There were several in Zaslon who were ruthless and efficient enough to organize and lead the operation.

Alexei picked up his phone.