Alpha.”
Will knew that Spetsnaz Alpha was Russia’s most effective special forces unit, specializing in antiterrorist operations, intelligence gathering, close protection, deployments behind enemy lines, and sabotage, surveillance, and direct action. It was part of the FSB, and its elite members were shrouded in secrecy.
“Sentinel identified and recruited him three years ago to become an MI6 agent. He gave him the code name Razin and got him to spy on Russia.”
“How in God’s name did Sentinel do that?”
Patrick glanced at the papers in front of him. “He made Razin an irresistible offer.” The CIA officer slowly shook his head, lowering his voice. “Or at least, that’s what Sentinel thought.”
Will silently swore as a realization struck him: Razin had parachuted into Rybachiy with twenty-four of his Alpha soldiers, having told the base that they were hunting an intruder, and murdered Svelte. “Why is Razin killing the agents?”
“We don’t know. Perhaps he’s doing it under FSB orders.”
“One man sent to kill ten agents? It would be easier for the police just to arrest them and make them quietly disappear.” Will shook his head. “He’s acting alone.”
Nobody spoke for a moment.
“I need access to the files on Sentinel’s agents.”
“Of course.” Patrick collected the papers and arranged them into a pile. He was silent for a while, before saying, “Tomorrow, you’ve got to go to Ukraine to meet Sentinel and tell him that Razin is not only the killer but also wants to create a flash point to bring Russia and America to war.”
Will felt disbelief roll over him. “Whatever Razin does, Russia would be mad to go to war with the United States. It’s completely outgunned.”
“It is.” Patrick’s expression was somber. “Though it has one thing that we don’t: a willingness to sacrifice millions of its countrymen.”
Will was deep in thought. “He’s going to use Alpha to create that flash point.” He returned his attention to the coheads. “Though they’ll be loyal to him, I doubt Razin’s men know what he’s planning. He’ll use them in a way they won’t suspect-maybe a covert training exercise. Razin’s the key. If we can get rid of him, we’ll stop his operation.” He looked up. “Have you considered taking our information to the Russian premier?”
“We have, and my president has. But in order to do that we’d have to give him what little evidence we have. As a result, we’d risk compromising Sentinel, his agents, and maybe even our entire intelligence network in Russia. The consequences for us could be as devastating as Razin’s actions.”
Will knew that was true. He spoke fast. “I’ve got one chance to end this quickly: get Sentinel to set up a meeting with Razin, and I’ll be there to kill him.”
“Provided Razin attends the meeting.”
“That’s the problem.” Will’s mind raced. “Razin may attend if he believes that his treachery is still a secret. But I think I disturbed him at Svelte’s quarters-he hadn’t finished off Svelte. I think he heard me enter the building, might have thought I was a sailor, and got out quick before he was compromised. Later, Razin’s men opened fire on me. Razin now knows that there was a genuine intruder and will be worried that I got to Svelte and spoke to him.”
“Well, let’s hope he makes the meeting.”
Will shook his head. “There has to be a backup plan.” He looked at Alistair. “As you know, I’ll need some of my alias passports, but I’ll also need an unused passport with a multiple-entry visa for Russia.”
Alistair nodded. “We’ll have the passport ready for you when you get back from Ukraine.”
“When I get back?” Will shook his head. “I’ll come back when I’m ready. Arrange for the passport to be available in Europe.”
“What’s your backup plan?”
Will relaxed his hand. “I have in mind a plan to discredit Razin, get him suspended, maybe even dismissed- regardless, to take him out of the equation.” His words were measured, though privately he wondered if the plan would work. “Then, when he’s isolated and powerless, I’ll track him down and put a bullet in his head.”
Chapter Four
That evening, Will sat at a corner table in the discreetly lit wine bar at Washington, D.C.’s, five-star Willard InterContinental hotel. The place was half full, and around him earnest-looking, sharp-suited men and women sat in couples, hunched over drinks, leaning close to each other, and talking in low voices.
A tall man walked across the bar, carrying drinks in one hand, and sat opposite him. He was wearing a suit but no tie, looked sinewy and very strong, was three years older than Will, had straw-colored hair, and a face that was handsome but etched with the weight of experiences that few men ever had. Placing two glasses of Maker’s Mark whiskey on the table, the man looked at the people around him and smiled. “Lobbyists, senators, businessmen, political consultants. I know ’em all, but they don’t know me.” The man pushed one of the glasses across the table, looking at Will. “Have a drink.”
Will glanced at his glass before looking at the CIA Special Operations Group paramilitary officer. He smiled. “Hello, Roger.”
Roger Koenig lifted his glass and tapped it against Will’s. “It’s good to see you again.”
The last time Will had seen Roger, the officer had had bullet wounds and had been lying on a hospital floor in the small village of Saranac Lake, New York. He was Will’s only friend. “When did you get back on active duty?”
“Few months now.” The former DEVGRU SEAL took a swig of his drink. “How long are you in town?”
Will drank some whiskey. “I’m leaving in a few hours.”
“Shame. My wife wanted me to invite you over to our place for dinner.”
“I-”
“Yeah, yeah. Your work comes first.” He seemed to be studying Will. “Don’t worry. I know, you’d have hated it.” He grinned. “You can talk your way out of any situation, but you’re terrified of a family dinner and idle chat. You really do need to lighten up a bit.” His expression and tone of voice changed. “Patrick told me you just got back from Russia, that you were nearly killed.”
“Did he send you here to check up on me?” The moment he said the words, Will regretted them.
Anger flashed across Roger’s face. “You should know me better than that. I came here to have a drink with the man who saved my life.”
“Stupid question. I’m sorry.”
The anger on Roger’s face receded, but his expression remained stern. “Don’t try to push me away, Cochrane. I’m not like the others.”
Will nodded slowly. He wondered why Roger stuck by him. It was true that he’d saved the CIA officer’s life, but he’d saved many people’s lives and none of them had wanted to be in his presence for a second longer than they had to.
“Have you heard from your sister?”
Will shook his head. “She won’t return my calls or reply to my letters.”
“Give it time.”
Will had given it time. He’d seen Sarah only once by chance during the last nine years. His existence reminded her of the day that criminals had come to kill her and their mother when Will and his sister had been teenagers. Will had killed the men but had been too late to stop his mother from dying. “I bought some gifts for your children.” He handed Roger a duty-free carrier bag.
Roger looked inside. “Teddy bears? My twin sons are twelve and spend every free hour killing each other in Xbox games, and my daughter’s just turned fourteen and is starting to think about cuddling other things.” He smiled. “But thanks for the thought.”
Will felt foolish. “How’s Laith?”
Laith was a CIA SOG officer and ex-Delta Force operative who had worked with both men in their last mission. Like Roger, Will had last seen Laith in Saranac, though Laith’s stomach had been slashed open with a
