Time of the Assassins

'You'll have it.'

'The investigation team will want to question you personally after you've submitted your report to make sure your account tallies with those forwarded by Michael and C.W.' He opened the folder, removed several sheets of paper which were stapled together in the top left-hand corner and held them out towards her. 'This is a photocopy of Michael's report. Make sure your account tallies with his. It's your one chance of getting out of this with your job and your credibility intact.'

She took the report hesitantly from him. 'Why are you doing this, Sergei? If anyone finds out you've given this to me you'd be in a lot of trouble.'

'Michael told me you'd try and cover for him. I can believe that. At least if you stick to the same story you'll minimalize the damage not only for yourself, but for Michael as well. I've already spoken to C.W. and he suggested the two of you work together on your reports tonight. I think it's a good idea.' He pointed to the copy of Graham's report in her hand. 'You and C.W. will have to share that one. And make sure you shred it when you've finished using it. As you said, I'd be in a lot of trouble if that were to fall into the wrong hands.'

'Does the Colonel know about this?' she asked, holding up the report..

'No, and let's keep it that way.'

'Thanks, Sergei,' she said with a smile.

'This doesn't mean I'm any less angry at the way in which the three of you conducted this whole operation, especially you and C.W. I'm very disappointed in both of you.'

'There wasn't any other way, Sergei.'

'So Michael kept saying. It's not a very convincing excuse, is it?'

'I guess not,' she replied glumly.

'We'll discuss it at length once all your reports are on my desk.'

She got to her feet. 'Where are Mike and C.W. now?'

'C.W.'s with the President at his hotel. I don't know where Michael is. He said he wanted some time on his own, which is understandable under the circumstances.'

'What about Bailey, Bernard and Rogers? Anything from them yet?'

'Still nothing. It's obvious that Bailey and Rogers won't say a thing until they've been fully briefed on their rights by top Agency lawyers. Bernard's already been charged with the double murder of the two policemen in Murray Hill but he's taken his lawyer's advice and hasn't said a word since being taken into custody. C.W.'s out of his mind with worry about Rosie. I presume he's told you about her?'

She nodded. 'Isn't there anything we can do to find her?'

'We've checked all the known CIA safe houses in and around the New York area. She isn't at any of them. I spoke to the CIA Director earlier and he's promised to fax us the list he has at Langley. We'll check them out as well but we could still come up with a blank. All senior Agency officials have a number of safe houses that only they know about. If Rosie is being held at one of Bailey's safe houses then we won't be able to find her without his cooperation.'

'Which could mean some kind of deal?' Sabrina said bitterly.

Kolchinsky shrugged. 'I don't know. The Colonel's on his way to Washington now to meet with the CIA Director.'

'I didn't know the Colonel was back at work,' she said in surprise.

'He left hospital last night. He was supposed to be resting at home but with all this going on he's decided to come back to work.'

'What did his doctor say?'

'I don't think his doctor knows. Well, not yet. But you know the Colonel, once he decides to do something, nothing will stop him.'

'Until he has another heart attack.'

'It's his choice, Sabrina.'

'I guess so,' she said tight-lipped. 'Is there anything else?'

'Not for the moment,' Kolchinsky replied. 'Meet me in the foyer of the Plaza at seven. President Mobuto asked if he could see you and Michael before he flies out later tonight. Michael's already asked to be excused. That's why it's important that you make an appearance.'

Til be there,' she said then paused at the door and looked round at Kolchinsky. 'By the way, what was this about Dave Forsythe? C.W. said something about his working for Bailey?'

'That's right. He obviously bugged the office so that Bailey could keep Bernard informed on the latest developments in Zimbala.'

'What will happen to him?'

'He's already been dismissed.'

'Will he be prosecuted?'

'And cause us further embarrassment? No, but he's finished anyway. None of the top intelligence agencies will take him on after what happened here. He can't be trusted. He'll end up running an electrical store in some backwater. That will be punishment enough.'

'I guess so,' she said thoughtfully then left the room.

Kolchinsky closed the door behind her then lit another cigarette and returned to his paperwork.

A light drizzle had set in over the city by the time Sabrina reached the hotel. She parked her champagne-coloured Mercedes Benz 500 SEC close to the hotel and as she strode briskly towards the entrance, her stiletto heels clicking noisily on the sidewalk, she knew she was attracting the appreciative glances of the men on both sides of the street. Not that she gave them the satisfaction of looking back. That would only encourage them. It would also be a sign of vanity, and she despised vanity in any form.

She was relieved finally to reach the hotel and as she entered the foyer she looked around slowly, hoping to see Kolchinsky. He was sitting with Whitlock close to the lift. Whitlock immediately got to his feet and waved to catch her attention. She smiled back at him then crossed to where he was standing and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Kolchinsky nodded to her in greeting then looked at his watch. She was fifteen minutes early. He knew that was for his benefit. Good. Keep her on her toes. He took another sip of coffee.

'You look lovely,' Whitlock said, appraising her dark beige suit and eye-catching jungle-print blouse. 'Thanks,' she said. 'How's the arm?' 'Still a bit sensitive, but it's on the mend.' 'Have you heard anything from Mike?' she asked, looking from Whitlock to Kolchinsky.

Kolchinsky shook his head. 'He said he'd call me in the morning, but he wanted to be alone tonight. I can understand that. Coming face to face with Bernard as he did this afternoon must have brought all the memories of Carrie and Mikey flooding back again.'

'He'll be OK,' Whitlock said with a reassuring smile when he noticed the look of uncertainty on her face.

'I know,' she replied softly.

Kolchinsky finished his coffee then got to his feet. 'I'll ring the President's room and find out if he's ready to see us yet.'

Sabrina watched Kolchinsky cross to the reception desk then turned back to Whitlock. 'Any news of Rosie?'

'No,' Whitlock said grimly. 'Bernard and Bailey are still refusing to co-operate with the authorities, and they're the only ones who know where Rosie's being held.'

'I'm sorry, C.W. I only wish there were something I could do to help. I know how much Rosie means to you.'

'She's the daughter I never had,' Whitlock said with a sad smile. 'Well, that's what Carmen says. Rosie and I have always been close. Eddie's never been much of a father to her. That's why she turns to me if she needs to talk to someone. Not that she bares her soul very often. She's like Mike — the maverick.'

Kolchinsky returned and pressed the button for the lift. 'The President's waiting for us.'

They rode the lift to the thirtieth floor. Masala was waiting in the corridor for them. He ushered them into the lounge where Mobuto was seated, an open folder on the coffee table in front of him. Mobuto looked up and dismissed Masala with a flick of his hand.

'Good evening,' Mobuto said, getting to his feet. 'Is Mike Graham not with you?'

'Mike couldn't make it, I'm afraid,' Sabrina replied. 'He sends his apologies.'

'You must be Sabrina Carver. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you at the Trade Center this afternoon.' Mobuto's eyes never left her face as he shook her hand. 'David Tambese was right. You are beautiful.'