“So, they want to make an exchange. Why not do it? Orlovsky isn’t getting us anything.”
“That’s not why we’re holding on to him,” Wood said. “The president wants to use him as Exhibit A that his administration is doing a stellar job at keeping terrorists out of this country and putting them where they belong. It’s his backup plan if you can’t capture Evana Bahar.”
“Come on, Randy. See if you can talk to him. He won’t listen to me on this issue since he knows I’m biased.”
“I’ve already broached the subject with the president, and he was very clear about what he wanted. There’s a ton of risk involved here for him. And after the attack on the White House, I don’t think he’s willing to go there again.”
“Any other suggestions?”
“At this point, your best bet is probably an extraction team.”
Blunt huffed through his nose. “You think I have the resources for that? Are you going to help me?”
“My hands are tied. Your people knew the consequences for getting caught.”
“They didn’t get caught,” Blunt said. “Something happened to their plane.”
“If they’re in Russian custody, they got caught. Now, I wish there was more I could help you with, but I’m afraid there isn’t. I’ll be in touch.”
Blunt grunted and ended the call. Wood had always been an advocate for Blunt when he couldn’t speak up for himself. But Wood’s chilly response to Blunt’s suggestion regarding the prisoner exchange made him wonder if his long-time ally had been compromised in some manner as well. Not that Blunt could hold any moral superiority over Wood, much less blame him.
A few minutes later, Blunt’s phone buzzed with a call from the president’s office.
“Senator Blunt?” a woman asked.
“Yes.”
“Please hold for the President of the United States.”
If Blunt wasn’t awake yet, he was now, bracing for the full brunt of Young’s wrath.
“J.D., I wish we were speaking under different terms,” Young began.
“Believe me, Mr. President, so do I,” Blunt said.
Young sighed. “Look, is there any explanation you can give me for why two of your agents were over Russia last night? I could’ve sworn I told you to go get Evana Bahar.”
“That’s what the plan was, but something happened. I’m as shocked as you are. I’m still trying to get to the bottom of it.”
“What do you know so far?” Young asked.
“Probably the same amount of information as you do since I just got a call from the CIA about it.”
“I’m leaving later this afternoon as part of a top-secret envoy overseas,” Young said. “And when I return in four days, I want Bahar in U.S. custody or I’m shutting your little operation down so I can find someone who can get me the necessary results.”
“But, sir, I’ve got two agents being held by the Russians now. How can you expect me to do that on such a short notice?”
“You’ve got other agents, don’t you?”
“Yes, but—”
“Well, use them,” Young said.
“I need all my agents to pull off an operation of that magnitude. And to do that, I’m going to need to make a prisoner exchange with Andrei Orlovsky.”
“Out of the question. I need some scalps to wave before the American people. Have you seen the polls lately? Everybody is running around in fear for their lives here. And I can’t let our citizens exist in this state for long. You’re the so-called expert on this issue, so do your job and fix this.”
Young hung up, and Blunt exhaled slowly. He rubbed his face and contemplated his next move.
“Screw this coffee,” Blunt said as he slid his mug aside. He fished a bottle of whisky and a glass out of his drawer. Shaking his head at what he’d just heard out of the president’s mouth, Blunt poured a drink and then leaned back in his chair. He knew what he needed to do, but he wasn’t sure he could pull it off.
Blunt dialed Randy Wood’s number and waited for the CIA’s deputy director to answer.
“What’s wrong now, J.D.?” Wood asked.
“Where’s Orlovsky?” Blunt asked.
“He’s in our Vir—” Wood cut himself off before blurting out the entire name of the secret site. “Did you talk to the president about this?”
“I did,” Blunt said.
“And what did he say?”
“He told me that I’ve got four days to capture Evana Bahar or he’s going to shut down The Phoenix Foundation.”
Wood sucked a breath through his teeth. “That’s rough. He can’t be serious.”
“Young is dead serious, trust me,” Blunt said. “I’ve heard him give lip service about certain things, but judging from his tone, he wasn’t joking. He’s feeling the pressure, just like we all are.”
“Well, you can’t get Alex and Hawk out of there that quickly, especially without Orlovsky.”
“I’m well aware of that. It’s why I asked where he was.”
“Look, I’m sorry you’re in this situation, but there’s nothing I can do for you. Orlovsky is staying put under the president’s orders. And I can’t lend you any of my guys as part of an extraction or op in either Russia or Afghanistan per treaty rules.”
“Forget those rules,” Blunt bellowed. “We’ve got people’s lives on the line, not to mention plenty of people’s livelihoods.”
“I wish I could help you, J.D. I really do. But the truth is I can’t lend you much support right now other than anything stateside. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but we’re all feeling the squeeze as we keep our ear to the ground about forthcoming threats both at home and abroad.”
“I understand, but if you’re willing to bend the rules a little to help me, you know where to find me,” Blunt said.
“Of course. I will, J.D. We all need you to succeed.”
Blunt ended the call and pocketed his phone. He got what he needed. All he had to do was put his plan into motion and hope for the best.
CHAPTER 15
Undisclosed location in Russia
HAWK WANTED TO see Alex. He needed to see her, but he could
