“The United States.”
Her short, cold answers were an attempt to discourage further questions. Unfortunately, she saw a flash of attraction in the man’s eyes, which meant getting rid of him might not be easy. Alcohol and attraction were going to be a hard combination to overcome.
“That’s strange,” the man said. “I detect an accent, but it’s definitely not American. Are you sure you aren’t European?”
“Yes, I’m quite sure of where I come from.” That was only half true. She did live in the United States, but she had been born in Italy.
“It’s just that your accent is so thick I—”
“You obviously haven’t traveled much in the US, have you? There are many accents there. Visit sometime and hear for yourself.”
The man muttered a word that started with a b and turned back to the other man.
A minute later, the bartender returned with her drink. Carmen took a long sip and let the cold mixture slide down her throat. It tasted good, but she knew she would have to limit herself to one. She wanted to fit in at the bar, but she also had a big night ahead.
As she set the glass down, she felt eyes on her. It was a sense she had possessed from a very early age. Not another flirt. This time, she turned to her right in time to find a blond woman across the bar giving her a hard stare. As their eyes met, the blonde averted her gaze back to the phone she held in her left hand.
Carmen studied her for a few more seconds. Something about the stare seemed odd. It wasn’t just a casual look of curiosity — it was the kind of stare used to examine someone’s features in detail. Although the woman’s hair was blond, Carmen could tell it wasn’t her natural color. Interestingly, the woman’s features were exotic — Mediterranean, Asian, or perhaps even Hispanic.
Carmen wondered why the woman had been watching her. Is she one of the people I’m supposed to meet? She didn’t think so. The information they had obtained from the manifest indicated the group was all male. That being said, it was always possible someone from the group had obtained their ticket separately.
After taking another sip of her drink, Carmen swept her gaze around the room. Young couples and families sat at the tables, sipping drinks and talking loudly. Carmen examined each person carefully, noting their features. She didn’t see anyone who looked like her targets. Then, a minute later, her eyes fell on a large group of men on the far end of the space. They were sitting in plush chairs that encircled a low-lying table. They were Caucasian in appearance, but based on their style and attire, Carmen guessed they were Eastern European. They were drinking beer and talking among themselves, but Carmen also noticed their eyes were regularly scanning the room.
She wondered if they were the men she was supposed to meet with. They certainly could be. It was an all-male group, and they were the kind of people who seemed aware of their surroundings. It was almost certainly the group she had come to meet.
Carmen needed to photograph their faces, but there were no open tables near the men. That meant she would have to do the best she could. Reaching into her pocket, she removed the large compact she had brought with her. She flipped it open and acted as though she was checking her lipstick. She puckered her lips several times in an exaggerated manner then used her thumb to press a small button on the side of the case. Moments later, the mirror transitioned to a viewfinder, and the faux compact was in camera mode. Sliding a finger over a ridge on the side of the case, she maneuvered it counterclockwise. Soon the view enlarged, zooming in on the men across the room. Careful not to make obvious movements, she took several pictures of each face.
Satisfied she had enough detail for Delphi’s facial recognition software, she lowered the compact into her lap. Once it was there, she depressed the side button again, transitioning the device to a phone. She used a miniature keypad to type a quick message: Possible targets. Please process ID.
Once the message was sent, she closed the compact and slid it into her pocket. While the photographs were helpful, she hoped to get more information later that night. Her plan was a dangerous one, but it was also one that could pay substantial dividends.
Carmen took another sip of her drink and sat back in her seat.
It was about to get interesting.
CHAPTER SIX
CARMEN ROLLED OVER in bed and checked the time on her phone—1:27 a.m. It was almost time to get started. Sitting up, she retrieved the compact from a nearby table. She turned it on and toggled over to the train’s blueprints. The plans were courtesy of Delphi computer whiz Brett Foster, who had hacked into the national railway’s database. The blueprints showed not only the precise layout of all the rooms on the train but also the location of many other architectural features: air vents, ductwork, and plumbing, as well as a diagram of all security features.
Having specialists like Brett Foster was one of the many perks of working for the Delphi Group, a private intelligence organization whose primary client was the United States government. Delphi’s mission was to assist intelligence agencies by conducting investigations the government couldn’t or wouldn’t associate itself with. These were typically operations that would never see the light of public scrutiny, nor would they be subject to congressional inquiry. Delphi’s work often involved obtaining vital information or taking action on foreign soil. More often than not, the investigations involved the dark corners of intelligence: bizarre events and technology, things that seemed straight out of science fiction films.
The Delphi organization was led by Dr. Alexander Ross, its founder and CEO. Sometimes called the Oracle because of his vast knowledge of the clandestine world, Ross was a former director of national intelligence and CIA case officer. Ross was one of the most decorated figures in the history of United States intelligence, a man who had a mind like a steel trap and an uncanny ability to assess situations on the fly. He was an American treasure, a man who gave his country a strategic edge in all matters of national security. But he wasn’t just known for his work: he was also recognized as a connoisseur of fine cigars and cognac.
Because Delphi was closely linked to the United States government, its world headquarters was situated on the top floor of a sleek modern office tower in Alexandria, Virginia. The location gave its field office and staff members quick access to the CIA, the FBI, and other select government agencies.
Delphi’s investigative work was carried out by a team of field operatives who were ready to deploy around the world at a moment’s notice. While working around the globe, Delphi’s operatives utilized a massive network of safe houses, small offices, and low-level support staff. The most crucial operations were led by senior operative Zane Watson, the organization’s second-in-command behind Ross, as well as Carmen Petrosino, who was considered the third-ranking employee. Ross had sometimes called them 2A and 2B, with the only difference being their time on the job.
Brett Foster was Delphi’s chief technology specialist, hacker extraordinaire, and resident computer geek. While not technically an operative, he often worked in the field, providing assistance in logistics and electronic surveillance.
After retrieving the blueprints, Carmen zoomed in on Suite 406. Like the other luxury suites, 406 was divided into two sections. One section was a sleeping compartment that contained five beds: four small single beds set into the wall and a larger bed situated on the floor. The other section was a living area that contained several seats, a wet bar, an assortment of closets, and a full bathroom. Carmen’s plan was to enter the living area while the men slept. She would get in and out in as little time as possible.