Private Moscow (Private 15)

“Try and hold the fort,” I advised Justine. “If we start losing more clients, I’ll have to step down.”

“You can’t do that, Jack,” Justine protested. “You are Private.”

“Just until this blows over,” I replied. “I’ve got to do whatever it takes to protect the business.”

“I wish I was there to help you through this,” Justine said.

“I’m glad you’re not,” I responded instinctively, and I immediately sensed her hurt. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant I need you safe and holding things together.”

“I know,” she replied. “I appreciate it.”

It was 3 p.m. in Moscow, and I was in the secure embassy meeting room on the third floor, surrounded by the detritus of a sandwich lunch. Dinara and I had been working on our plan to access Salko’s computer since morning, and she was somewhere else in the building with Erin Sebold, who was being very supportive for someone who’d officially disavowed the operation. If nothing else, the CIA was opportunist, and Dinara and I had presented Erin with a plan that offered little downside, but could deliver a motherlode of intelligence.

“Mo-bot’s here,” Justine said. “I’m putting you on speaker.”

I’d been coordinating the technical requirements with Private New York, and had been on the line with Justine while Maureen performed her final checks.

“Jack,” Mo-bot said. “Sorry to hear about Leonid. Sounds like you’ve been through hell.”

“I appreciate it,” I replied.

“I’ve modified a cracking program,” Mo-bot said. “It’s designed to overcome Russian encryption technology, and I can oversee the program in real time. The only downside is you need to access the target machine and install the program via a USB drive. SVR firewalls are too sophisticated for remote penetration.”

“We’ve been working on that assumption,” I told her. “Our preparations are well in hand.”

“What’s the plan?” Justine asked.

“Dinara and I are going in,” I replied.

“No. It’s too dangerous,” Justine objected.

“What other option do we have?”

“You should let the Agency take care of this.”

“The Agency can’t back us on this. It could start a war.”

My remarks were met with silence.

“I know the risks, Justine, but if I don’t do this, I stay a wanted man, and I’ll never be able to clear my name. If I want my life back, I need to find the real killer and bring him in.”

“We can find another way, Jack,” Justine said.

“No, we can’t,” I replied. “Mo, send over the program.”

“I’ll email it to Dinara,” Mo-bot said. “Along with installation instructions. When you get inside, call me so I can monitor what’s happening.”

“Will do,” I replied. “Thanks. I’ll contact you the moment we’re in,” I assured her before hanging up.

I paced the room anxiously. Justine was right. What we were about to do was incredibly dangerous. If we were caught, we’d be turned over to Veles and tortured and killed.

The door opened, and Dinara and Erin entered.

“We’ve got SVR identification, courtesy of Ms. Sebold,” Dinara said.

“Acting in an unofficial capacity,” Erin remarked. “If you’re ready, we’ll give you a ride. Also in an unofficial capacity, of course.”

“How do we get out of the embassy without being arrested?” Dinara asked.