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The men nodded.
“Let us proceed.”
65
Boryspil International Airport, near Kiev, Ukraine
Da
Impossible at most U.S. airports, even at this early hour. But the security at Kiev was extremely efficient—or incredibly lax, depending on your point of view. There were six different stations to handle the very light traffic, and the guards barely glanced at the X-ray screen as he tossed his bag on the conveyer belt. He stepped through the detector quickly, grabbed the bag, and trotted toward the gate where his plane to Prague was boarding.
He reached it just as the attendant was extending the rope. She smiled when she saw him, pulling it back as he held up his pass and ticket. She grabbed the printout, ripped it in half, and waved him through.
There were plenty of empty seats on the plane. Da
He also wanted to talk to Zen, though he’d undoubtedly still be sleeping.
Nuri first.
Da
“Update on Nuri Lupo,” he asked the system.
“Lupo’s current status is undetermined.”
“Co
A few seconds passed.
“This is Nuri,” answered the CIA officer in a raspy voice. “Da
“Are you OK?”
“Just barely. Two guys tried to bury me alive. They got away with a box. I’m pretty sure it belonged to the doctor. I don’t know what’s in it. I’m sorry—I’ll figure out where they went.”
“Get yourself checked out.”
“I’m fine.”
“Get some sleep at least.”
“I’m fine. Where are you going?”
“I’m playing a hunch in Prague.” Da
“All right.”
Da
“I gotta go,” he told Nuri.
“I’m sorry, sir, but cell phones must be turned off,” said the attendant. His English was thick with an accent that sounded Russian to Da
Da
ON WAY 2 PRAGUE. BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL. POS GRAVE DNGR. WILL EXPLAIN WHN ABLE.
—DNY
“Sir?”
“Just making sure it’s turned off,” said Da
The attendant scowled, then pointed to his headset.
“Your iPod, too.”
“Up, everything’s off,” said Da
“Thank you for permission,” said the man sarcastically, going back up the aisle.
66
Over Austria
“We’re about an hour from touchdown, ma’am,” the C–20 steward told Brea
“Thank you.”
“Would you like some coffee?”
“That’d be great.”
Brea
Should she call them?
She’d love to talk to Teri.
Given all the travel, Teri would probably still be sleeping. Zen, though—he’d be on the prowl for coffee and the latest news.
No, she decided. Let it be a real surprise.
67
Old State Castle, Czech Republic
Zen never slept well when he was traveling. It wasn’t so much the time differences or jet lag as the fact that Brea
He pushed upright in bed and reached for the light, getting his bearings. Teri was sleeping with Caroline in the adjoining room. His wheelchair was just to his left. He leaned over and grabbed it, pulling it into position so he could ease into it. He rolled to the bathroom, shifting his weight subtly to cross the piece of marble at the threshold.
It was fu
When he’d first lost the use of his legs, a
There was a small coffeemaker on the counter. He set it up, started the water through, then ran the water to shave.
The coffee was coffee in only the most theoretical sense—it was black and liquid. He took two sips and decided he would do without the benefits of caffeine until he could get downstairs to the café.
He dressed casually, pulling on his favorite gray sweatshirt—a Nike shirt with a pancaked microfiber fabric that was thin yet very warm. The sleeves were a little frayed, and one of the elbows showed signs that his arm would soon poke through, but it was the most comfortable thing he owned.
Brea
There was an attendant at the elevator, an older man dressed in an army uniform. He stood at full attention as Zen approached, stepping to the side though there was ample room for Zen to get in.