Vengeance

20 LANGLEY, VIRGINIA

“We got a hit.”

It was almost quitting time when Tracey McFarland, the CIA’s deputy director for analysis, stopped by Christine O’Connor’s seventh-floor office, delivering the news.

“Someone did an internet search for Jake Edward Harrison this afternoon.”

“From where?” Christine asked, looking up from her desk.

“A small town in southern Arkansas. Medina Falls.”

“Who did the search?”

Tracey pulled a sheet from a folder in her hand, providing it to Christine as she explained.

“Someone at the residence of George Greenwood. The options are George, his wife Irina, or daughter Sarah. All three work at a restaurant in Medina Falls called Irina’s Diner. Looks like Jake stopped by for a bite to eat and left enough of an impression to spark someone’s curiosity.”

Christine’s eyes narrowed. “Something’s not right. There’s no way Jake would provide his full name to someone after dropping off the grid, and he certainly isn’t stupid enough to let someone see a credit card or ID with his name on it.” After pondering the issue, she asked, “Do you have anything else on these Greenwoods and Medina Falls?”

Tracey smiled as she handed the folder to Christine. “The top sheet has photos of the Greenwoods. The rest is pretty dry stuff about their backgrounds and the town.”

As Christine perused the information, Tracey provided the highlights.

“The Greenwoods own a family diner. Dad’s the cook and the mom and daughter serve the customers. The town’s population is nine hundred twelve. Russian ethnicity thirty-two percent, with first generation immigrants comprising fifteen percent.”

Christine looked up as Tracey added, “I thought you’d find the town statistics interesting, given that you and Jake are from a small town in Iowa about the same size as Medina Falls, also with a sizeable ethnic Russian population.”

“He’s not passing through the town,” Christine concluded. “He’s hiding out there. Feels like home.”

Tracey agreed. “That’s my assessment as well. Should I send someone to present our employment offer?”

After considering the suggestion, Christine decided otherwise. “I’ll go. There are a few things that Jake and I need to iron out before he’ll agree to return to the agency. Can you have Support make travel arrangements? I’ll clear my calendar and depart tomorrow morning.”

Tracey grinned. “I’ve already got Becky working on it. When it comes to Jake, you’re far too predictable.”

Christine leaned back in her chair, assessing Tracey’s observation.

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”