Anna, Justin’s fiancée, used to work for CIS Legal Services in Ottawa, Canada, but to avoid any conflicts of interest, she had moved to the private sector. She was now an in-house counsel for the Canadian Division of Vigorsoul Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of medicines, vaccines, and health products.
“I understand,” Carrie said slowly. She reached over with her hand, touched Justin’s arm, and rubbed his shoulder. “It’s all right to worry about her safety. But her situation is very different. She’s not involved in your day-to-day operations, and you’re not a criminal and an extremist. And don’t forget that Anna used to work for the Service. She knows how to take care of herself in any situation.”
Justin took a sip of his coffee. “I know all that, but the reach of our enemies stretches worldwide. Anna was almost killed during that car bomb explosion in New York.”
“All I’m saying is don’t panic and make an irrational decision.” Carrie brought her cup to her lips. “Hmmm, this is some good coffee, Justin. Much stronger than the first batch.”
Nice change of conversation, Justin thought, but smiled at Carrie. He could not protect Anna all the time. Even if it were possible, she would not have any of it. And death could come at any moment to her, for life was full of dangers. Traffic accidents and grave illnesses. Even a seasonal flu could turn fatal.
Justin sighed and sipped his coffee. It went against his instincts, but he had to trust that Anna was going to be safe and take care of herself, as she had done throughout all this time.
Chapter Six
Their long intercontinental flight with two layovers in Munich, Germany, and Montreal, Canada, finally came to an end for Justin and Carrie around 9:20 p.m. when they landed at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Dragan had gone back to his Southeast Europe Station in Zagreb, and Nathan had returned to Egypt, to the CIS Cairo Station responsible for operations throughout Northern Africa.
The CIS Cairo Station was technically the base of operations for Justin and Carrie. However, recently they had found themselves more often either in Ottawa, receiving orders for covert operations, or in remote parts of the world well beyond their geographical designation to execute those covert operations. They were spending fewer and fewer days in Cairo, which sat well with Justin. After almost eight years of navigating and surviving the complicated politics and occasionally chaotic movements of that region — especially after the Arab Spring, which did not bring exactly the winds of change expected by the Western world — he was glad his stationing was coming to an end. Secretly, he was looking forward to a change in scenery. A few positions were supposed to come up in Europe and Asia, and Justin had given some serious thought to submitting his application.
McClain had been kind enough to allow his operatives to take the evening off, scheduling a briefing at the CIS headquarters for the next day at 9:00 a.m. Justin and Carrie waited for their luggage while talking about what restaurant to pick for their late supper, since Anna was in Toronto and was flying back to Ottawa around midnight. Carrie wanted to try a new Italian pizzeria that had just opened on George Street. Justin was not exactly in a pizza mood, but he would not mind a plate of olive-oil-drizzled shrimp tortellini.
As the red light of the luggage carousel began to flash — indicating it was going to spew off their suitcases right away — a breaking news edition started on one of the television screens that hung from the ceiling. Justin told Carrie he was going to listen to the news. Carrie nodded and began to check her cellphone voicemail. Justin walked closer to the screen and listened to the blonde anchorwoman:
“…Russian officials who chose to remain unidentified confirmed a breakthrough in the investigation of Russia’s Minister of Defense assassination earlier last week. Three men were arrested outside Moscow, suspected of involvement in this terrorist act. Details are scarce, but they were found in possession of explosives and firearms. Sources close to the investigation report that the three have close ties to the Islamic Devotion Movement, the largest and the most active terrorist organization in Chechnya and the wider region, which has claimed responsibility for the assassination. For a deeper analysis, join us later on this evening at—”
His BlackBerry vibrated in his left side jacket pocket. Justin checked the ID on the screen. It was his boss, McClain.
“How are you doing, sir?” Justin said and moved away from the television screen and the crowd of people. He walked fast toward an empty counter of a small, local airline.
“Very well, thanks. How was your flight?” McClain said in his usual firm, yet calm, tone.
“Uneventful. Safe. How are things in the office?”
“Things are good. Is Carrie with you?”
Justin stood on his tiptoes but could not see Carrie because of the flow of people swarming around the carousel, dragging their luggage, or looking for it.
“We’re still at the airport, collecting our suitcases. She should be somewhere around here. Do you need to talk to her?”
“No, no. Just wanted to make sure she’s not within earshot. I must discuss with you an issue of a sensitive nature.”
Justin stepped closer to the wall and placed another three feet of distance between himself and the closest people wandering about twenty yards away from the airline counter. “I’m listening,” he said.
“I’ve been invited to a business lunch tomorrow. Raffaello’s on Clarence Street. A short walk from the US Embassy.”
Justin nodded. “Yes, I know the place. They make a wicked black truffle soup.”
“It’s delicious. But I’m not going there for the food. My business involves two senior NCS officials.”
“NCS as in the CIA’s National Clandestine Service?”
“Yeah, those guys.” McClain’s voice took on a cold, unpleasant tone.
“Why didn’t they pick their embassy or the CIA station for a meeting?”
“It has to be low-key.”
“What’s the purpose of this meeting?”
“They want a favor.”
Justin frowned. “What favor?”
McClain sighed. “They didn’t say. Just that it’s very important and very urgent.”
“Of course it is.” Justin felt the sarcasm was clear in his voice, and he did not need to say another word.
“At least this time they’re being upfront with what they want from us. I want you to join me at this meeting. I have a feeling their favor might have something to do with you.”
Yes, that’s what I’m afraid of as well, Justin thought.
“Even if it doesn’t,” McClain continued, “you’ll be in the loop about this favor. We’ll have to work closely with our NCS counterparts.”
Justin did not say anything but mulled over McClain’s words. Recently, the Prime Minister of Canada and the US President had met for a short visit in Ottawa. It was the President’s first international trip after her re-election. It underlined the importance of enhancing relations between the two countries and one of the top priorities for the US administration: improving the state of security in North America. The two leaders had directed all officials of their intelligence communities to increase their cooperation, to exchange information on a timely basis, and to intensify their efforts in protecting all citizens of both the United States of America and Canada. Slowly, but surely, such a directive was being reflected and implemented in the work of mid-level officers like McClain and operatives on the ground like Justin.
“Justin, what are you thinking about?”
Justin found his throat parched. He coughed before answering, “How much of this has to do with improving cooperation between our two agencies and how much with the scandal surrounding Adams?”