Private Moscow

Chapter 88

As an FSB agent Dinara could never have dreamed of getting inside the American embassy, and yet here she was as a private citizen, not only inside it, but on her way to the ambassador’s office. She knew she should have been impressed, but there was no lifting the shroud Leonid’s death had placed over the world. She was still numb and his passing was too recent for her to feel much beyond hollow grief.

Dinara followed Carrie Underwood and Jack Morgan through the building. The common areas were deserted, since the embassy was closed to the public on Sundays. When they reached the large, traditionally decorated room on the top floor, Ambassador Thomas Dussler was waiting with Master Gunnery Sergeant West. The Marine was in a somber mood, but the ambassador was genial and upbeat.

“Well, you sure know how to anger the bear, Mr. Morgan,” Dussler said. “Have a seat.” He gestured at a couch and some chairs.

“This is Dinara Orlova, the head of Private Moscow,” Jack said as they all took seats.

“Thomas Dussler. Pleased to meet you,” the ambassador replied.

“Thanks for getting us inside,” Jack said to West, who responded with a gracious nod.

“The Russians have lodged a formal complaint with State, saying we’re harboring a couple of murder suspects,” Dussler revealed. “They say you’re wanted in connection with the murders of Ernie Fisher and Leonid Boykov.”

“We had—” Jack began, but Dussler cut him off.

“West filled me in on what happened to Ernie, God rest his soul. And Carrie gave me an update on Mr. Boykov’s tragic death, so we know the Russians are trying to play us. What I’d like to know is why.”

“We believe they’re trying to protect an espionage operation codenamed Bright Star. They want to know what we know about it. A Russian operative known as Veles, the man who’s really behind the murders of Ernest Fisher, Leonid Boykov and others, has already tried to interrogate us.”

There was a knock at the door, and the CIA Head of Section, Erin Sebold, entered.

“You’ve brought us a tremendous gift, Mr. Morgan, Ms. Orlova,” she said. “The man we’d codenamed Bishop is downstairs, sir,” she told Dussler. “He’s agreeing terms with legal.” She pulled up a chair.

“That’s quite an achievement,” Dussler congratulated Dinara and Jack. “The Kremlin keeps all its top people on a tight leash. The question we have now is what we do with you both.”

“Ambassador Dussler,” Jack said. “Mr. Yenen — Bishop — told us the man running the Bright Star program is SVR Director Yevgeny Salko.”

“Salko?” Erin remarked. “He’s an old-school hardliner of the worst kind.”

“I’d like to see if we can access his files to discover the real name of the man codenamed Veles,” Jack said.

“We can also see if we can get intelligence on Bright Star,” Dinara added. “Find out who the deep-cover operatives are.”

“When you say ‘access’...” Dussler left the remark hanging.

“We know Salko’s calling the shots. We know where he’s based. We access his computer and see what we can find,” Jack replied.

“Access an SVR director’s computer?” Erin scoffed. “Like it’s a terminal in a public library?”

“I think my team can do it,” Jack replied earnestly.

“I can get us inside,” Dinara added.

“My tech can get round his security,” Jack said.

“Mr. Morgan,” Dussler replied. “If you’re seriously planning to hack the computer of a director of the SVR, I’m afraid I have to officially advise you against such a reckless and criminal course of action.”

“And there’s no way the CIA could condone an operation like that,” Erin chimed in somberly. “Of course, if you’re successful, we’d appreciate a look at whatever you find,” she said with a smile.

“And speaking off the record,” Dussler remarked, “if you ignore my official advice and go ahead with the reckless and criminal action, I wish you every ounce of good old-fashioned American luck.”

“You realize what happens if you’re caught?” Erin asked.

Dinara looked at Jack, and the two of them shared a moment of understanding.

“We’re aware of the risks,” she said. “But we owe it to Leonid. He saved my life.” Her voice started to tremble, but she took a breath and fought for composure. “I couldn’t save his, so the least I can do is make sure his killer faces justice.”