Commitment (37 page)

“Yeah?”

“You should call him Mackenzie,” Dylan said. Cassidy titled her head in confusion. “My brother,” he said a bit exasperated by her lack of understanding. “If he’s Mackenzie he can be part of all of us.”

Cassidy kissed Dylan’s forehead. “That’s an interesting idea, Dylan. We have a while to think about that,” she reminded him.

Dylan walked ahead of his mother to the car and gave her his usual shrug. “I would,” he said.

Cassidy buckled Dylan in and closed the car door. “Well, Alex,” she muttered. “I wonder what you would think of a Scottish Greek,” she giggled. “He certainly has a point.”

Thursday, January 22
^nd

“You sure this is the place?” Alex asked doubtfully. Alex was curious about the surroundings. The last communication that Krause had received indicated that Eleana had found refuge with some friends in Tver. She and Krause were to pose as professors. It made sense as they came upon the campus. “I guess we’re too old to pass for students, huh?” she asked her friend.

Jonathan Krause agreed. “You’re younger than me,” he observed.

“Yeah, by what, like ten months?” Alex laughed. “How’s your Russian, professor?” she asked.

“Sprosite Ijana, ya dumaju chto moj Russkij bolee krasnorechivij chem moj Anglijskij
(I think if you were to ask Ian, my Russian
is far more eloquent than my English),” Krause attempted to keep the mood light.

“Vozmozno on prav. Ya noniatija ne imeu o chem ti govorish v bolshinstve sluchayev
(He might have a point. I don’t know what you are talking about half the time),” Alex cracked back.

“Funny, professor,” Krause said as he pulled the car along a row of buildings. “This is the easy part.”

“Let’s hope so,” Alex said.

Krause led Alex along the cement walkway toward a building that housed computer labs. Alex was cautious of everyone, particularly someone she had never met. She made certain that her partner knew she intended to keep her eyes and ears open with Eleana Baros. Krause had spent hours on their drive reassuring her that Eleana could be trusted. Alex’s constant reply was, “I hope so.”

Krause looked up to the writing on the front of one of the brick buildings. “This is it. Look for room 402. All this Cyrillic is making me dizzy,” he said.

The pair traversed a narrow hallway, displaying identification they hoped would pass muster. Krause, Alex had learned, had honed some unusual skills over the years. She was impressed with the credentials he had been able to create with modest resources. The real test would be their ability to act and speak with ease. That was a reality she understood, and the first test appeared to be about three feet in front of them.

“
Mogu li ya vam pomoch’?
(Can I help you)?” the security guard asked casually.

“
Dobroye utro. Da, u nas yest’ vstrecha s doktorom Sokol
(Good morning. Yes, we have an appointment with Dr. Sokol),” Krause offered he guard a glimpse of his identification.

To both agents’ great relief the man smiled and directed them to pass. Both Alex and Krause offered a nod of thanks and proceeded down the hallway. “Why do I not think it will be that easy at ASA?” Alex chuckled.

“One can hope,” Krause whispered as he opened the door to a small office. Eleana was sitting behind a large maple desk studying a computer screen and did not hear them immediately. “Eleana?” Krause called to her.

Eleana snapped to attention at the sound of Krause’s voice. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she stood to greet him. “Jonathan,” she accepted his embrace.

Krause felt the tension in her body and pulled her closer. Eleana had been in the field for several years, but he was certain that nothing she encountered could have prepared her for the carnage she witnessed a few days before. Krause had no misgivings about Eleana’s abilities or loyalty. He feared that the harsh and violent realities she had been thrust into might break her spirit. “Eleana,” he whispered in comfort.

Alex looked on in fascination. She could just barely distinguish the unsteadiness in the younger woman’s stance. It was perceptible, however. Alex was aware that the young agent was mentally working to disguise her fatigue and fear. She was equally intrigued by her partner. Over the last few months, Alex had come to understand that Jonathan Krause was a complicated man whose professional demeanor suggested his emotions barely skimmed the surface. Alex had slowly determined that Jonathan Krause embodied the meaning of the phrase ‘still waters run deep’. For a long while she had considered him an enigma. Watching him as he consoled the young woman in his embrace, Alex reflected that she had come to understand him.

“Eleana,” he said as he pulled back slightly. “This is Alex,” he made the introduction.

Alex stepped forward and offered the young woman her hand and a smile. “Agent Baros, how are you holding up?” she asked.

Eleana accepted the proffered hand gladly. “I’m all right, Agent Toles. It’s a pleasure to meet the legend. I wish the circumstances were different.”

“I realize I’m older, but I am hardly Arthurian,” Alex winked. “So, not to cut this reunion short, but what are we looking at?” Alex cut to the chase.

“Well,” Eleana began, moving back to the computer. “ASA has incredible security. They have been the leading developer of weapons technology in Eastern Europe since World War II. They deal with everything from aircraft engines to nuclear technology. The SVR refer to ASA as
Krasnyy molot
,” she said.

“The red hammer,” Alex winced. “That’s comforting.”

Eleana pointed to the computer screen. “If you talk to the older generation, KGB, they will tell you that Andrei Ivanov was the left hand to Joseph Stalin’s right. Viktor Ivanov has carried on that legacy,” she said. “Here,” she pointed to a building schematic on her screen. “There are several possibilities for entrance. Codes will be easier to create in the lower level security areas; obviously. But, right here…..if we enter through their avionics wing we should be able to access Ivanov’s office through these two labs and then into this corridor.”

“You have a plan for that; I assume?” Krause asked.

Eleana’s eyes brightened. “I managed to hack into one of their servers and create pass cards that should work, at least to get us through,” she handed Krause one. “I was only able to create two, which means we cannot split up three ways. The other problem is the number of access points. Going back the same way….”

“Agreed,” Krause cut her off. “An alternative exit is best.”

“Yes, but the only other feasible exit is here,” she showed them. “That means once we get into Ivanov’s lair we will have to work quickly. The communications and security area is on the other side of his office. I’ll need to update and change the codes for our exit there. It requires a separate security authorization. I can’t access that here,” Eleana explained.

Alex looked at Krause and pursed her lips. This was not going to be easy. “How much time do you think we have; total?” Alex asked.

Eleana attempted a smile. “Thirty minutes in and out.”

“Shit,” Alex groaned.

“Eleana, are you up for this?” Krause asked.

“I’m fine,” Eleana assured him.

“I don’t mean just physically. There can’t be any second guessing. Thirty minutes will pass like…”

“I’m good,” Eleana interrupted him.

“All right. So, who are we then?” he asked.

“You,” Eleana began, “Are Dr. Gregory Weisz.”

“German?” he asked. Eleana just smiled.

“And you, are Dr. Anna Karpenko,” Eleana informed Alex. “Jonathan, do us all a favor and let Agent Toles and I speak the Russian,” Eleana suggested.

“My Russian is impeccable,” he defended himself.

“Your Russian is passable,” Eleana said seriously. “You speak too perfectly.”

Alex tried not to laugh. Eleana Baros was quickly proving to be at the very least an entertaining edition to their partnership. “How do you know my Russian is up to par?” Alex asked.

“Agent Toles, trust me, most of these men will not be worried about your Russian,” she explained.

“What?” Alex asked.

Krause snickered. “Don’t worry about it Alex. It’s a compliment,” he said. “You ready? We’ll stop tonight in Cherepovets. I have a contact there. I think some food and a good night’s rest is in order. Plus, it will give you two a little time to get acquainted before we move,” Krause said.

“Fine by me,” Alex agreed. She watched as Eleana retrieved a small bag. The younger agent’s gait was slow and tired. “Someone you need to see before we leave?” Alex asked her.

“No,” Eleana answered. “It’s best for him if we go.”

Eleana’s voice gave away a hint of sadness. Alex sensed the need to relieve the tension. “Well, then…let’s go so that Pip here can feed us and tuck us in,” she joked. Eleana regarded the interaction between her two saviors. There was a natural
ease in their communication that surprised her. She was aware of Alex’s marriage to Cassidy, but the familiarity between Alex and Krause made Eleana curious.

Krause opened the door for his companions. “Beauty before age,” he winked at Alex appreciatively. “Thanks,” he whispered to his partner.

“For what?” Alex asked.

“For giving her a chance,” Krause said.

Alex nodded. “My eyes are still open,” she said.

“I’d expect nothing less.”

Friday, January 23
^rd

ou ready?” Jonathan Krause asked his friends.

“As I’ll ever be, Dr. Weisz,” Alex answered.

“The entrance to the avionics center is about three hundred yards ahead on our right,” Eleana told them. “Jonathan, remember....Gregory Weisz has never been to a facility in Russia. He consults from his home in Hamburg. His name will be familiar, but not his face. You reviewed what I gave you both last night?” Eleana asked.

Krause and Alex nodded. “Electronic counter-counter measures is a mouthful. You’re lucky I have such an excellent memory,” Alex winked. “This ECCM language is…”

“Heady?” Eleana laughed.

“You could say that,” Alex answered. “Let’s just hope neither of us is approached for any major demonstrations or details or else I fear we may need to employ some counter measures of our own,” Alex winked.