When it opened, Grant and Adler entered. "Mr. Dotsenko," Grant said, walking toward the Russian with a hand extended.
"Please … tell me."
"She's on her way to the States, sir. We personally saw her get on the plane."
"Was she all right? Did they find out she …?"
"Sir, I'm sorry, but we didn't have time for questions once we found her. Our concern was getting her out safely."
"I understand."
"Can I get you something to drink, sir?" Adler asked, stepping closer.
"No."
Grant slid a chair next to Dotsenko. "I guess you've heard about the attacks on the Russian Embassy and the two other commands." Dotsenko looked at him, but merely nodded before Grant continued. "I don't have any word on how or when we're to get you outta here. I guess for now you'll just have to hang tight." The whole situation was making both Grant and Adler feel uneasy. Grant glanced at his watch. "Listen, her plane's been in the air for a little over two hours. Would it help if I requested someone contact us when it lands?"
"It might," the Russian replied, lowering his eyes.
Grant noticed Adler giving an almost imperceptible shake of his head. The two were on the same wave length. This was turning into Grant's "bullshit scenario." Grant leaned closer to Dotsenko, speaking with his voice low. "Is there anything you want to talk about? Or tell us? We're pretty good listeners."
Dotsenko fixed his eyes on Adler then Grant. How is it possible? These men, somehow, they seem to know! he worried. A sound of silence permeated the room, until Dotsenko finally said, "You have already done enough. There is no need for you to become involved."
Grant leaned back. Clamping his jaw tightly, he let the whole idea roll around in his brain. Somebody talked this man into going back to Russia. He abruptly stood, walked behind his chair, and grasped the top of it until his knuckles turned white. "Sir, we're already involved. I wish we could talk you out of it, but it sounds like your decision's been made."
Grant caught Adler's attention, and motioned toward the door. As the two men started to walk away, Grant stopped, then turned again to face Dotsenko. "I want you to think about this. When we found Miss Pankova, her one thought was whether you were safe. And I realize you were more than concerned about her, too. So, I ask you … how do you think she's gonna react if you don't return? She sacrificed a helluva lot for the U.S…. and for you, sir." Grant made a final comment. "You've most likely heard of the Witness Protection Program. That could be a safe option for you both."
Adler changed the subject. "Sir, you look as if you could use some food. We'll send someone to escort you." He and Grant left the room.
As they walked down the hallway, Adler grabbed Grant's arm, then spoke softly. "So, we aren't gonna do anything to stop him?!"
"What the fuck can we do, Joe?! Kidnap him again?! He's made up his mind."
"You're not planning on going all the way up shit creek, are you?"
Grant flashed his friend a shit-eatin' grin. "Only if you make the trip with me!"
"Be more than happy to! This is one time somebody needs to have his balls ripped out through his throat."
"I don't even wanna picture that!" Grant shuddered.
Two hours later, after inspecting the embassy grounds, then thoroughly cleaning all weapons, A.T. had a bite to eat. When finished, Grant stood, then strapped on his holster, and check his weapon. "Okay, guys, take up positions outside. Joe and I are gonna stop in and see Dotsenko, then we'll join you."
Just as they walked around the corner, they spotted two men talking with a security guard near the conference room.
Adler whispered, "'Cowboys.'"
"How about we do some hassling?" Grant headed toward the men. "Hey! What the hell are you guys doing here?! That room's secured."
The two men swung around, just as Grant and Adler reached them. Without responding, the men removed black leather badge wallets from inside their jackets, then flipped them open, revealing CIA Special Agent gold badges.
The taller agent spoke. "I'm Special Agent Abbott, and this is Special Agent Zwick.
Grant motioned his thumb to his left. "The individual in that room is our responsibility. So for now, he's off limits."
"Not any more," Abbott said, putting his wallet away.
"On whose authority?"
"Langley."
"We haven't received orders to turn the gentleman over to anyone. You don't mind if I make a call, do you?"
"Knock yourself out," Abbott smirked. He and Zwick had already made a visit with Dotsenko.
Grant turned. Looking at Adler, he gave a slight tilt of the head. Adler would stay near the conference room.
Inside the scrambler room, Grant waited for Mullins to answer. "Mullins."
"Hey, Scott. No time to chat, and I know I'm breaking protocol, but I've gotta speak with the President on the scrambler."
"Let me see what I can do!"
Grant's insides were churning. Was he doing the right thing? Whatever the outcome, the question on Dotsenko had to be answered.
"Grant?"
"Mr. President, I don't have much time, but we may have a problem." Grant proceeded to quickly brief Carr on his theory, and the private discussion with Dotsenko, before ending with, "The two agents are assuming control of him. I'd like your permission to put a 'tail' on them, sir."
Carr was finding it difficult to believe someone went over his head and made the decision to allow Dotsenko to return to Russia. Then he recalled the meeting when Grant questioned the reason Dotsenko was going back back to Germany. Carr's head began to throb. "Shit!" he mumbled softly.
"Beg pardon, sir?"
"Just talking to myself, Grant. Now, you do realize where your theory could lead, don't you?"
"Yes, sir. I sure do."
"Do you think Moscow is involved, and will be expecting Dotsenko?"
"Honestly, I don't know, but it's not likely they'd be staying quiet about it if they did. I take it from your question, sir, that no one has updated you with possible transmission intercepts."
"You assume correct. Grant, why bother with the 'tail'? If he ends up being a 'no show' here, we'll have our answer."
"That's very true, sir, but explanations could be contrived." Grant waited for Carr's decision.
"I realize you're 'going out on a limb' with this, so I'll give you some leeway for now. You follow the vehicle to obtain positive proof either way."
Grant couldn't disguise his relief, as he answered, "Very well, sir. What if Dotsenko indicates he'd prefer to return to the States?"
Carr expected the question. "How do you plan on approaching him?"
"Don't have a plan yet, sir. And right now, I don't think the agents will let us close to him."
"Well, if he's willing, you see that he gets here."
"Yes, sir. And as soon as the question is answered, I'll use our s.o.p. and call Agent Mullins."
"One last question, Grant."
"Sir?"
"Anything on Reznikov?"
Grant couldn't reveal his upcoming meeting with Kalinin, at least not yet. "No, sir. I guess the two CIA agents taking Dotsenko have been pulled off that investigation. We'll try to be back on it later today."
"Anything in the newspapers about the bombings?"
"All we've seen is a West Berlin paper, and that was sketchy. If we have a chance, we'll see if we can do a drive by."
Carr sighed. "All right, Grant. Get going." The conversation ended.
Grant took the elevator to the main floor, and ran to the front door, looking for any of the men. "Doc!" he pointed at Stalley.
Stalley jogged across the driveway. "Yeah, boss?"
"Doc, get one of the 'Beemers' ready to roll, the one we used for snatching Dotsenko. I don't have an exact exit time, just keep it out of sight, with the engine running. We'll be putting a 'tail' on a vehicle, probably that one," he said pointing to a black, four-door Audi. "Joe and I'll be riding with you. We'll need binoculars, camera, and our mikes. Pass the word, Doc, so the guys know what's happening." Not needing further instructions or explanations, Stalley took off, as Grant ran back into the embassy, then up the stairs. Adler was pacing in front of the two agents.