"I do."
"He would need support."
"He would. And I think I know where he's getting it from."
"Russia?"
"Go to the head of the class, Steph. It's the only logical possibility. He is their client, after all. It's Russian support that's kept him in power up to now."
"Didn't the leader of the group that kidnapped Nick tell him the Russians wanted to provoke war with Albania?"
Elizabeth nodded. "That's right. War is a good way to shift attention away from all the problems with Mitreski's corrupt rule. Just get people busy fighting the Albanians and they won't have time to worry about what he's doing. Moscow doesn't want a government in Macedonia that isn't friendly to them."
"So what is it that's bothering you?"
"At first glance starting the war as a distraction makes sense. But something feels off to me about this. Why would Moscow get involved in another adventure in the area? It will backfire if it comes out that the Russians are behind Mitreski's decision to invade. It would be a public relations disaster and Orlov doesn't need that right now. Not with what's happening in the Ukraine."
"Could it be something to do with Greece? The government there is leaning pretty hard toward the Kremlin."
"I don't see that at the moment. Unless the war spreads into Greece, I don't think it's an important factor in Moscow's thinking. Their motive could be as simple as wanting to keep Mitreski in power, but my intuition tells me that isn't it. I can't see what else Moscow gains from a war in the region. That's what's bothering me."
"Your intuition is usually right on," Steph said.
"Except when it isn't. Let's hope this is one of those times."
Stephanie went over to the coffee machine and refilled her cup.
"I'm heading downstairs. I'm almost done with that program I'm working on."
"The one to break into the Chinese satellites?"
"That's the one."
"Come back upstairs when you're ready for lunch," Elizabeth said.
Stephanie left for her computer room and Elizabeth leaned back in her chair with her coffee.
She looks better, or at least a little less stressed out. It must help to have Lucas.
Elizabeth sipped her coffee.
I wish I had someone like Lucas to share things with.
The thought slipped in from nowhere, like a thief in the night.
Once, years ago, Elizabeth had been in love with a man who had turned out to be a perfect example of the kind of narcissistic, ego-centered jerk found in every second rate movie she'd ever seen. It had taken more than a year to get over his betrayal. Any thoughts she'd had of love and affection for him had long ago disappeared.
Elizabeth had become resigned to a future of living by herself. Her job was enough to discourage any possible suitor. At least it would have been if she had found time away from it to look for a possible mate. She knew that she intimidated men. She supposed it was because of her refusal to put up with the nonsense many men expected women to accept. She had nothing against a strong male personality or a healthy testosterone driven ego, only the distortion that often seemed to accompany that combination.
From time to time she found herself thinking about Clarence Hood. She wasn't particularly attracted to him but he wasn't unattractive either. She felt comfortable in his presence and she knew he felt the same. In many ways he'd be the ideal male companion. But she didn't love him.
There was still hope of a genuine romance glowing faintly somewhere inside her. She was attractive and not really too old. But it would be difficult to give up her cherished privacy and the control of her life that went with being single if a real lover came along.
Her coffee was cold. Elizabeth got up to make herself another cup, the way she liked it.
CHAPTER 21
The Hotel Sacher was a legend in Vienna and in much of Europe, the most famous hotel in a city dotted with famous hotels. The Sacher was noted for luxury and old world charm. It had been founded in 1876 during the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by Prince Metternich's chef, inventor of the famous Sacher-Torte, considered by many the ultimate chocolate confection.
A half dozen flags hung out over the entrance of the hotel. A bellboy dressed in an immaculate red uniform with a round red cap on his head took their luggage and placed it on a gleaming brass cart. He looked as though he'd stepped out of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. Once in the lobby, the overwhelming impression was one of elegance, luxury and wealth. It was the kind of hotel that made old world aristocracy feel comfortable. Over the years the rulers of every European country had stayed there.
"You sure they're going to let us in?" Lamont asked.
Selena laughed. "It's all arranged, Lamont. I stayed here once with my uncle years ago. It's a wonderful hotel. The same family still manages it and they remembered me. Trust me, you'll like it here."
"How's the restaurant?"
"I don't think you'll have any problem finding something you like."
"You ever stop thinking about food?" Ronnie said.
"Hey, a man has to eat. I always wanted to try a real Vienna pastry, not that stuff they sell in the supermarket."
"Well, you're in the right place," Selena said. "Why don't we meet in an hour in the Blaue Bar after we get settled in. We could have a drink and then go to dinner."
"Blaue bar?"
"Blaue means blue. You'll see why when you go into the bar."
A few minutes later they were in their room.
Nick waited until the bellboy was gone and said, "I have to hand it to you, this is a hell of a hotel. I don't think I've ever seen a room as nice as this."
"The hotel is famous for a reason. The rooms are part of it."
Two large floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the Danube River and the city. There was a deck outside the room for warm summer days. At the moment it was covered with snow. The wallpaper was a floral design in a soft rose color that matched the thick carpet underfoot. A large mirrored closet was at one end of the room, an elaborate marble bath at the other. The bed was huge, with throw pillows that matched the wallpaper. Two comfortable armchairs and a coffee table filled out the room.
Nick looked at the bed.
"That bed looks pretty inviting."
"There'll be time to check it out later," she said.
"Check it out?"
"You know. Check out things that matter. Comfort. Bounce factor."
"Bounce factor? It's not a trampoline."
"A trampoline would be interesting."
"If you mean what I think you mean I don't believe you said that."
She smiled at him. "Sure you do."
Nick laughed.
"I'm going to take a shower before we go down to the bar," Selena said.
"Want some company?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea."
Later, as he watched her getting ready to go downstairs, Nick thought to himself how lucky he was to have her in his life. With the thought came a touch of unease. If something happened to her he didn't know how he would handle it or if he could.
"Ready?" she said.
He brushed away the shadow.
"Ready."
Hand in hand they walked to the elevator.
CHAPTER 22
The meeting took place in the Security Council Meeting Hall in the Kremlin Senate building. A special guard detail of hardened Spetsnaz veterans stood guard outside the doors.
The room was a relic from an empire that once stretched from the far Pacific to Europe, an 18th century room where decisions made within its walls had 21st-century consequences. In the center was a table with chairs lined up neatly along its length. Linear half columns of gray marble capped with gilded finials were placed at studied intervals around the room, stylistic accents against the polished wood of the walls. A graceful railing of wood circled a balcony and library on the second level.