Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)(51)

—Would it surprise you to know that you have accrued 22.5 days of leave since your reassignment at Fort Carson?

—I forgot who I was talking to. I suppose in a minute you’ll tell me that I’ve already put in for some leave.

—You have. But I want you to feel perfectly comfortable, should you wish to reconsider.

—I’m free to reconsider taking the leave of absence I never asked for…Typical…I should have known you didn’t come here just to see how I was doing.

—I did. I came here specifically to see how you were doing, and to ask for your help if you appeared capable.

—What is it you want me to do?

—I want you to locate someone for me.

—Can’t you get any of your Special Forces friends to do it?

—The military are not involved in this operation. In fact, it is critical that no one working for the US government be involved in any way.

—Except for me…

—Except for you.

—So, where am I taking this much-needed vacation?

—Sarajevo.

—Really? This better be good.

—You will absolutely love Sarajevo. It is one of my favorite places in the world. By the time you leave, you will wish you did not have to.

—And what am I doing in lovely Bosnia?

—You should try and visit Mostar if time permits. But, aside from ancient cities and the usual tourist attractions, you are attending the Sarajevo Film Festival.

—Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

—You will catch the premiere of Oprosti mi, Mina. It is a very small film by a young Serb cineaste named Goran Lukic′. He is someone I know and trust. He will be your guide in Bosnia.

—What does Oprosti Mina mean?

—Oprosti mi, Mina. Mina is a name. Oprosti mi means “forgive me.”

—Sounds like a nice guy…

—Goran is actually one of the kindest, most selfless people I have ever met.

—Coming from you, I’m not really sure what that means. When will he be expecting me?

—He will not be expecting anyone. He will, however, host a small party at Zlatna Ribica after the premiere. You will make an appearance and congratulate him on his movie. When no one else is around, you will remind him that he never paid for the plumber in Belgrade.

—What’s that? Some sort of code?

—No, not a code. More like a subtle metaphor.

—Why don’t you just contact him yourself? You seem to like him. He might enjoy talking to you again.

—I assure you he would not.

—How do you know him?

—I assisted in his interrogation during the war.

—You mean you helped torture him.

—It is, as most things are, a matter of personal and historical perspective. In CIA parlance, we were given an “alternative set of procedures.” Suffice it to say that, however unpleasant the experience might have been, he is indebted to me.

You will procure some inconspicuous clothing and ask him to take you to Srebrenica. It is a small mountain town at the east end of Bosnia.

—Why does that ring a bell?

—Thousands of Bosnian Muslims were rounded up and slaughtered there in the mid-nineties. Once you reach Srebrenica, you will try and find a woman called Fata.

—Fata who?

—I do not know her last name. Nor do I know where she lives. I can tell you that she had three sons and one daughter. Her oldest son worked in the salt mines of Srebrenica with her husband. They might have come into town for work every day from one of the surrounding villages.

—Really? That’s all you have? Do you know which village she might have come from?

—I do not have that information. Unfortunately, the Serbs also destroyed hundreds of villages during the war. Hers may no longer exist. She would be in her early fifties by now. I know she was well liked by everyone, and that she might have served as some sort of informal nurse.

—How will I know I found the right person? Unless I’m mistaken, Fata’s short for Fatima. I’m gonna take a wild guess and say that’s probably not the most unique name for a Muslim woman. Sounds a lot like: “Hey! Go find John in New York.”

—You will know when you find her. Talk about the war. She will have stories to tell.

—How long do I have?

—You requested two weeks of vacation.

—When?

—The premiere is on the fifth. You leave Saturday.

—And let’s assume I find this Fata of yours. What do I need her to do?

—Nothing. She needs to do nothing. I only need to know where to find her. I may need her in the future.

—For what?

—Nothing you should concern yourself with. Hopefully, it will never come to that, and you will have a worthwhile experience visiting the remote corners of Bosnia. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to be on a plane in one hour.

—Sir?

—What is it?

—Thank you.





FILE NO. 230


INTERVIEW WITH UNKNOWN SUBJECT

Location: New Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, Dupont Circle, Washington, DC

—Begin recording. It is almost noon. I am waiting for the man who contacted me this morning on a classified number. I am sitting by the window. There is a sniper across the street with a clear view of my table.