A broad, flat terrace extended away from the front of the building. A flight of steps led from the terrace to a landscaped garden area, where a large, circular fountain shot jets of water into the air. The water made a constant, soothing murmur in the background.
Elizabeth walked out of the entrance to the hotel and scanned the area. She wore a long black coat and carried two manila folders in her left hand. Vysotsky sat in the sun at a table on the far side of the terrace, reading a newspaper and sipping espresso. He wore a medium length outdoor jacket, open to the fading summer warmth. He looked exactly like a tourist.
Alexei Vysotsky was handsome in a European way. No one would ever mistake him for an American. He was not a big man, nor was he small. His eyes were black and penetrating as he watched her approach. He wore steel-rimmed tinted glasses that reminded her of movies about WWII. He was hatless. His hair was black, showing streaks of white. High cheekbones and the shape of his face hinted at an ancestor from the Mongolian steppes. He stood to greet her.
"Director. You are even better looking than your picture."
Elizabeth found herself smiling. A charmer. "As are you, General."
Vysotsky held a chair for her. She sat down and laid the folders on the table, away from Vysotsky. He looked amused. A waiter appeared and took Elizabeth's order. Cappuccino, pastry. Vysotsky ordered another espresso.
They waited in almost comfortable silence and watched the fountain bubble until the order came and the waiter left. Vysotsky took a sip.
"I remember in the old days, in Berlin, how our two sides would sometimes have a quiet meeting to ensure there were no, ah, misunderstandings. There hasn't been much of that since then."
"It's a tradition you and I might revive," Elizabeth said. "Things are more dangerous now than ever. Conversation is always preferable to the alternatives. It's refreshing to bypass the usual obstacles."
"Let us be candid, Director. You would not have called me if you didn't need my cooperation. I admit, my curiosity is aroused. You mentioned Ogorov. What is it about him that requires this meeting?"
"You are aware Ogorov is part of AEON's leadership."
"I have only your word for that."
"I have no reason to mislead you. If you are unwilling to take my word, coming here was a mistake."
"You are talking about one of my government's leaders."
"I'm talking about a man who is part of an organization that respects no government. Not yours. Not mine. Ogorov has been creating problems for you with the FSB. If you didn't think something was suspicious you would not have come."
I surprised him with that. Good. Let him wonder how I know.
"You are well informed. Is this what you wish to talk about? Something in those folders, perhaps?"
"I believe AEON is doing something on Russian soil that may threaten both our nations. If they are, Ogorov is involved."
She slid the first folder across to him. He opened it and looked at the satellite picture on top. The resolution of their satellites is better than ours. He filed the thought away for future consideration.
"Your infrared spy satellites have been busy."
"Always, General. As are yours."
Vysotsky looked at the notation on the photograph.
"Irtysh? There's nothing there but an old air base."
"There is now. Look at the next sequence."
He turned the page. After a few seconds he frowned. Elizabeth watched him. Did he already know about Irtysh? Vysotsky turned to the next picture and the next. His face set into hard lines. He looked up.
"This is obviously an official project. Why do you believe AEON is involved?"
"Because someone is building a pyramid."
"A pyramid?"
"Look near the river. You can see a canal has been cut from the river to a square shape picked up by the infrared. That is the base of a pyramid. It's well camouflaged and hidden from direct view."
"Certainly there is something there. Why do you say it is a pyramid?"
"I've included pictures of several pyramids buried in the sands of Egypt. Notice the shape. The Irtysh image is identical, don't you think?"
He shuffled through the pictures. "How does this involve Ogorov?"
She gave him the second folder. "It will save time if you read this. It will take a few minutes."
The folder contained a copy of Selena's research on the Codex and a detailed action report about Mafra. Harker was taking a huge gamble. If Vysotsky was in some way involved, she had just handed her enemies everything they needed.
She was unable to do anything about such a large and secret project located in the heart of Russia. But Vysotsky could. She needed him, just as he had needed her to operate in America not long before. The game was on his turf.
Vysotsky read the brief. When he looked up, his face was expressionless.
"Director. This assessment of the Mexican pyramid strains belief."
She nodded. "Yes. However, the scientific principles are well understood. If someone could harness and amplify the Telluric energies, it would provide a source of inexhaustible power. Power that could be put to many uses. I believe that is what Ogorov is doing."
"Your accusation of Ogorov is based on identification of him as a member of AEON's leadership. That information was provided by an anonymous source."
"That's true. Do I need to point out that the source was accurate regarding the Demeter and Black Harvest plan to attack the Federation?"
"Minister Ogorov is a strong voice for our place in the world."
"Minister Ogorov is a man who has a higher priority than the welfare of Russia."
"So you say." Vysotsky emptied his coffee. He signaled the waiter over. "Vodka. Bring the bottle, your best quality."
He looked at Harker. "Two glasses."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Selena had learned a lot since she'd joined the Project. She wasn't a rookie any more. But walking in the Yucatan jungle with three former Special Forces veterans was a new experience. It showed her how little she knew. It made her feel like she was starting all over again.
For one thing, they were silent. More than once, she stepped on something that made noise, only to get a look of disapproval from Lamont or Nick. Ronnie was on the point. He didn't bother looking back.
She tried to imitate the way the others walked. They moved in single file, slowly, lifting each foot into the air and carefully setting it down again. They were aware of every twig, every stone, every leaf, every possible thing that could trip them or make noise as they passed. Their bodies were loose, yet tense. Their eyes never stopped moving. They scanned the canopy above, the jungle to the sides of the trail, the trail itself.
After a bit she got better at it. Her legs ached from the unnatural effort. She was soaked in sweat. Swarms of mosquitoes had found them. Nick looked back and smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up.
It's like he's on a stroll, she thought, a nature hike with weapons. He's enjoying this. The thought was like ice water on her body. He's enjoying this. It's what he lives for, the danger, the edge. He'll never change.
With the thought, a wave of sadness rushed over her. He'll never change. It's what he knows how to do, what he wants to do. But is it what I want to do?
No one talked. Ahead, Ronnie held up his hand. He pointed down at the side of the trail, moved to the side and forward again. She saw a brightly colored coral snake curled in a spot where sunlight filtered through the canopy. It ignored her.