A door opened, and he heard a pleasant voice. “Captain Stevens?”
He turned, seeing Claudia Stockwell, one of the President’s office assistants. She was in her mid-thirties, about 5’5”, hazel eyes, chin-length brown hair, and what could only be described as picture-perfect features.
She held the door open. “The President will see you now.”
He paused briefly in front of her. The light fragrance of her perfume drifted into his senses. “See you on my way out, okay?”
“All right,” she smiled, looking up into his handsome face and warm brown eyes.
She closed the door and gave a brief sigh as she walked to her desk. It wasn’t the first time they’d seen one another in the White House, and there were always pleasantries spoken between them. But this time was somewhat different. “See you on my way out,” she repeated quietly, as she sat behind her desk with a smile on her face.
“Mr. President,” Grant said walking toward Carr.
Carr dropped a pen on his desk then came around it with an outstretched arm. “Grant! Good to see you!” He held onto Grant’s hand with a firm grip.
“And you, sir.”
“Come on! Have a seat!” Carr lead the way toward the middle of the room. “Sit,” he said pointing to one of two beige-striped couches. An oval silver tray, on a glass-top coffee table, held glasses, a silver ice bucket, and several cans of Coke.
“Before we begin, Grant, mind if I tell you that you look good in that civilian suit?”
“Uh… thank you, sir.”
“How’d you like a job on my staff?” Carr had a huge smile on his face.
Grant cleared his throat. “That’s one heck of an offer, Mr. President, and I’m flattered. But… ”
“I know. I know,” Carr responded, waving a hand. “It wouldn’t compare to your active lifestyle. Right?”
Grant laughed, with his head bobbing up and down. “Something like that.”
“When did you get back?”
“Plane landed at Andrews around 0300. Flight was longer than expected.”
“Guess none of you have had much sleep these past few days,” Carr commented, noticing dark circles under Grant’s eyes.
“Not much.”
Carr handed Grant a can of Coke, then immediately asked, “How’s your man, the one who was injured?”
“Frank’s doing okay. A couple of the men were going to stop by and see him at his apartment.”
“Glad to hear it. Will he be ready when Alpha Tango is needed again?”
“Affirmative, sir.” Grant’s eyebrow raised. “Do you have another job for us?”
“Not as of this moment.”
Carr got up and went to his desk, then returned with a piece of paper, handing it to Grant. “This came in earlier.”
Grant read the report, then handed it back to Carr. “I saw it on the news this morning. That’s gotta be the plane ‘our’ Russians were aboard. They took off just before us. The timeframe looks about right.”
“Straight up, Grant. Did you or any of your Team place any type of device in, under, or on top of that aircraft?”
“Negative, sir! We had nothing to do with that plane going down. I’ll take an oath on that. So will my men.”
Carr folded the paper and laid it on the coffee table, then he popped the top on the can and took a drink. “All right, Grant. You’re on.”
Grant started from the first time Kalinin was spotted at the embassy, to Grant’s meeting with Vikulin, to the op aboard the cargo ship, and finally Shannon Airport.
Carr had very few questions during the entire two and a half hours Grant spoke, managing to down three full cans of Coke.
Grant moved toward the front of the cushion. “Mr. President, I’m sorry we haven’t uncovered our traitor. As I said before, Nick… ”
“Whoa, Grant! Nick?”
Grant laughed. “Yes, sir. That’s what I called him on the trip home, when he wasn’t being too talkative.”
“Well, why not,” Carr responded with a slight shake of his head.
“He didn’t offer up any intel to us.”
“Understandable.”
“I have a feeling that whoever’s questioning him will find he’s got fingerprints on file, along with his American name.”
“I’ve thought along those same lines, Grant, especially after remembering your mission aboard the Bronson.”
Grant nodded, then said, “Mr. President, the Team’s ready to offer its services in finding ‘Primex’ if you need additional assistance. We sure would like to know who the… uh, who he is.”
“We all would, Grant. I appreciate your offer, but I think it’s time to turn the investigation over to the FBI.”
“Will NIS still be involved?”
“They’re moving forward with the chopper incident, trying to determine who those men were, etc.” Carr put the Coke can on the table, then leaned back. “Now, tell me what you think about the Russian.”
Grant had to be careful with his response, and not give away his true thoughts on Kalinin, as in the word ‘friends.’ “Well, he’s intelligent, personable, quick to respond, and even has a sense of humor. Although our conversation was pretty much one-sided, mostly my side, I felt there was a ‘connection’ between us. You know what I mean, sir?”
“Yes, I do, Grant. I’ve had those same feelings during many of my one-on-one meetings with dignitaries and world leaders.”
“I don’t know how long it took him to plan his mission, but there was a helluva lot of work and thought put into it.”
“A helluva lot of work you and your Team tore apart, Grant.”
“Yes, sir. We did.”
“You know, Grant, I’d like to convince him to ‘come over’ to our side.”
“If you don’t mind my saying so, Mr. President, I’m not sure the odds would be in our favor.”
“Well, look what happened with Colonel Moshenko.”
“That’s true. But Grigori’s older, and he spent his whole life in Russia. He had to face some really harsh times, went through a lot of horrendous conflicts. His final decision was based on what was best for him and Alexandra at this time in their life.
“But Nick grew up here. I guess what he learned about Russia was what his folks told him, being brainwashed with negative remarks about us, and overly positive statements about the ‘Motherland.’ And by the time he learned about his heritage, he was probably at a very impressionable age. That’s not to say he didn’t like living in the States, and didn’t form his own opinions. But I can’t imagine what it’d be like learning that your whole life was preplanned, dictating that you’d be working for a foreign government, and working against the only country you’d ever known.” Grant shook his head slowly. “Hard to imagine.” He went quiet, then said, “Sorry, Mr. President. Hope I didn’t get too carried away.”
“Not at all.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try and convince him, though.”
Carr started to respond when the intercom buzzed. “Excuse me a minute.” Carr went to the desk. “Yes, Theresa?”
“Mr. President, Secretary Williams is here for his appointment.”
“I’ll be with him shortly.”
Grant stood and re-buttoned his suit jacket, as Carr walked toward him. “Well, Grant. It’s been a very interesting meeting.” He extended a hand.
Grant reached for it with a firm grip. “Yes, sir. If we can do anything to help with the remaining investigation, let us know. We’d be more than happy to.”
Continuing to shake Grant’s hand, Carr said, “The Team did a remarkable job on the mission, Grant. I thank you all.”