The Ajax Protocol

CHAPTER 63

Two days had passed since Westlake's death. Everyone except Lamont was in Elizabeth's office to mark the end of the mission. Lamont was in the ICU at Bethesda, with visitors restricted. His absence hung over them. Stephanie opened a bottle of champagne and filled the glasses.

"This has been a hard one," Selena said.

"They're all hard," Ronnie said. He had a soda in his hand instead of instead of alcohol.

Nick picked up the champagne and refilled his glass. "Westlake said his colleagues were unhappy. Someone sent that sniper after him."

"Westlake had backing from some powerful people," Elizabeth said. "We don't know who all of them are. If Westlake hadn't died, we would have interrogated him. Someone didn't want anyone else to know who was behind this. I think whoever it was wanted Westlake out of the way."

"It would explain why the sniper was there," Nick said.

"Lousy shot, though," Ronnie said.

"He rushed it. We were on the porch, he didn't know what was going on. Maybe he thought we were there to help Westlake. So he took the shot."

"The question is, who are they?" Nick said.

"The FBI is making a lot of arrests," Elizabeth said. "We may find out. What's interesting is that the plotters are from all over the political spectrum. There's no common political ideology."

"If people like that have an ideology, it's one of power and greed. Everything else is a smokescreen," Nick said. "Politics is just a tool to help them advance their agenda."

There was one of those pauses that comes when no one has anything to say. Nick broke the silence.

"I want to propose a toast," he said. They all looked at him. "Arkady Korov." Nick held his glass up. "An enemy who became a friend. He'll be missed."

"Arkady Korov," the others echoed. They drank.

Selena looked at Nick. He nodded.

"We have something to tell you," Selena said. She took a deep breath. "Nick and I are getting married."

No one said anything for several heartbeats. Ronnie's face was unreadable. Stephanie's mouth dropped open.

Then Elizabeth stood. "Selena, that's wonderful. Congratulations, both of you." She went to Selena and hugged her.

"When's the wedding?" Stephanie said.

"We haven't set a date," Selena said. "Sometime soon if nothing comes up."

Elizabeth thought something always comes up.

But she didn't say it.