The Ajax Protocol

CHAPTER 14

Alexei Vysotsky saw that Elizabeth Harker was calling on his secured line. Circumstances had forced them into an unlikely alliance in the past. At first he'd been suspicious of her. After all, she was American, in the same business as he was. Russia had benefited from the alliance, but he had to be careful. The Cold War was back, if not as frigid as it had been in the days of Stalin and Khrushchev.

She had earned his respect. He hoped he never had to take her on as an enemy. In Alexei's inner world, that thought constituted high praise.

His curiosity was aroused. He'd met her face to face once in Denmark, and he liked her. It was too bad she was on the opposite side. He picked up his phone and allowed his considerable charm to color his voice.

"Director. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Good morning, Alexei. Or I should say afternoon, where you are. You sound well. Something's come up we need to discuss."

"Oh?"

"It concerns Novosibirsk."

"That is an internal affair, Director. We'll find the terrorists responsible."

Harker knew that the best way to work with Vysotsky was to be truthful, at least when it wasn't in conflict with security concerns.

"It's gone beyond that, General. I believe that whoever is responsible is planning something here in America as well. They are a threat to both of us."

"Go on."

"We think a satellite weapon has been developed that uses targeted radio frequencies to disrupt mental behavior and that someone used it on Novosibirsk."

"You are certain?"

"Almost certain."

Vysotsky debated with himself. Should he pretend to be surprised, or respond with the truth? He decided on truth.

"We have arrived at a similar conclusion. We couldn't believe terrorists would have such technology available. Frankly, we thought it might be a hostile move on the part of your government. Or Beijing. There are several in the Kremlin who believe this."

"Our government did not do this," Harker said. "If the situation were reversed, I am sure I would have thought Moscow or Beijing was behind it." A thought occurred to her. "Have you discovered anyone who was involved?"

How did she know that? he thought.

She seemed to read his mind. "I can hear you thinking, General. I'm right, aren't I?"

He sighed. "We have someone in custody. We are, ah, questioning him. What you would call a person of interest, yes?"

"Have you been watching American television again, Alexei?"

He laughed. "You have so many crime shows. America must be a very dangerous place, with all those persons of interest wandering around."

"Don't believe everything you see on television," she said. She paused.

Vysotsky waited. Now we're getting to it, he thought.

"We worked well together in the past, " she said. "I propose that we cooperate again. You and I both want to prevent another incident."

"What do you have in mind?"

"You have full access to whatever your people discover and I do not."

"You wish to share information?"

"If we work together, we'll be more effective than if we work alone."

"What have you discovered?"

"Nothing concrete, yet. A suspicion, only. It may lead to something or not. If it proves accurate, I'll tell you."

More than a suspicion, Vysotsky thought. "Are you thinking of sending your team here?"

"I have no plans to do so, but it could be necessary in the future. That is one reason I'm calling. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings if it becomes necessary."

Vysotsky ran through the options in his mind. The riots had shaken the Kremlin. Whoever discovered the cause would be rewarded. He had nothing to lose by cooperating with her. Harker was offering an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I also would like to avoid misunderstandings. If you keep me informed, I think we have an agreement. Who else knows about your suspicions? Your FBI? Langley?"

"For the time being, no one else. You know we have serious security leaks."

Not long before, there had been a rash of publicity about a high profile American defector who had ended up in Russia.

Vysotsky smiled to himself. "Yes, you do. How do you want to proceed?"

"I'll pursue this on my end. If I discover something, I'll pass it on to you. I would like you to do the same." Harker paused. "Do you have any leads yet from your person of interest?"

"Not yet. But I don't think it will be very long until I do."

Thousands of miles away on the other side of the world, Elizabeth could hear a ruthless certainty in his voice. She was glad she wasn't the one Vysotsky was questioning.