There was a window that looked out over a big, open-plan office. People were busy at screens that showed world maps, fingerprints, and photos. Some of them had headsets on, talking to field agents thousands of miles away. It was the real thing.
Roberta and I sat. Adam folded his hands behind his back and stood staring out over his empire, either unaware or uncaring that Roberta was glaring at him.
“Roberta speaks very highly of you, Arianna.” he told me without turning around. “Hard worker, excellent Russian skills and outstanding retention.”
“Thank you, sir,” I said. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. “I’ve got a photographic memory. It’s easy for me.”#p#分页标题#e#
He turned around at that. “Really?” He sounded genuinely interested and enthusiastic. I was starting to like him. “Close your eyes,” he said.
I closed my eyes.
“What’s on my desk?” he asked.
I wondered if it was a trick question, because that was easy. “There’s a half-full glass of water, a sandwich that looks like pastrami on rye, your computer, your phone, a memo with a yellow post-it note stuck to it and a classified report on the French Prime Minister. The report has a coffee stain in the bottom-left corner. It starts off, “We believe that he and his secretary—”
“That’s enough!” Adam said quickly.
I opened my eyes. Adam strode across the room, grabbed the report and shoved it into a desk drawer. Roberta was smirking.
Adam gave me a look that was halfway between irritated and impressed. “Roberta also tells me you’re eager to get out of support and into some field work.”
I glanced at Roberta. She gave me a look that very clearly said no.
I looked through the window at the busy people doing real intelligence work. I thought of another four hours of transcription that afternoon.
I nodded.
“Good,” said Adam. “I think you’re wasted in support.” And he gave me a smile that made my whole heart lift. I mean, not in that way. He was old enough to be my dad, if my dad had still been alive. But it felt as if he really believed in me. “I want you to help us on a little op. You can play the violin, right?”
I blinked. It had come so completely out of left field that it took me a few seconds to answer. “Yes,” I said hesitantly. “I mean, I haven’t for a while….”
“You’ll have a few days to practice,” he said. “You’re twenty-two, correct?”
I nodded.
“I want to go on record as not liking this,” said Roberta. “Arianna’s not a field agent.”
“She went through basic training,” Adam told her.
“There’s a reason they call it basic.”
“Ultimately, it’s up to Arianna,” said Adam. He grinned at me. “Would you like to try? If it goes well, we can look at gradually moving you over to field work.”
It sounded too good to be true. It was exactly what I’d wanted. I glanced at Roberta and got the no look again. I looked at Adam and he was a hundred and ten percent yes.
I nodded. “I want to try,” I said firmly. “What would I have to do?”
Adam’s smile grew even wider. “Let’s get you some coffee while we talk.” Then he glanced at Roberta. “You can go.”
I didn’t dare look at Roberta as she walked out. I felt...disloyal? But that was crazy. This was good for my career. She’d want me to progress, right?
“So,” said Adam. “Luka Malakov.”
Oh shit.
My face must have betrayed something because Adam frowned. “You look like you know him.”
I shook my head, then nodded. “I just remember the name from transcribing his calls,” I said weakly. You know, like that one I listened to fifty-seven times.
Adam nodded sagely. “Do you know anything about him?”
I shook my head and braced myself. I’d been curious all this time but, suddenly, I didn’t want to know. I expected it to be bad.
It was worse.
“He’s an arms dealer,” said Adam. “Started out in the Russian mob, just like his dad, Vasiliy. Together, they’ve made millions—maybe billions—selling guns. Vasiliy’s getting old, so he mostly stays cooped up in a fortified mansion while Luka handles all the day-to-day running of things.” Adam looked right at me. “Luka keeps everyone in line. And very, very afraid.”#p#分页标题#e#
My stomach flipped over. I’d been fantasizing about this guy.
“We believe Luka is setting up a big deal to bring guns into the US. We need to find out who the buyer is.”