The Sentinel (Jack Reacher #25)(79)

‘What?’

‘Klostermann offered me ten grand for the server. I’m going to accept.’

‘Absolutely not. I can’t authorize—’

‘I’m not asking permission, Wallwork. I’m giving you a heads-up. As a courtesy. There’s something off about Klostermann. I could feel it when I met him. The Russians have some kind of permanent presence here. I’m going to find out if it’s him.’

‘No.’

‘This is happening. Embrace it. There’s no danger. There’s no downside. If I’m wrong, an old geezer gets to see some files that used to be public anyway. If I’m right the Russians will think their mission is accomplished. They’ll think their agent inside Oak Ridge is safe, so they’ll leave him in place, giving you time to figure out his identity. They’ll pull Fisher’s team out of the field, taking her out of the firing line. And Rutherford will be in the clear too.’

‘It’s out of the question.’

‘Listen. You wouldn’t know about the server without me. You wouldn’t have a copy of the server without me. You’d still be chasing your tails wondering what you’re looking for. So you can damn well cut me some slack.’

Wallwork didn’t respond.

‘If you have any sense you’ll watch how this plays out. And if it works, take the credit. No one will hear any different from me.’

Wallwork was silent for another minute. Then he squeezed around Reacher, to the door. ‘I have to get this thing to Nashville. People are waiting. And I have to tell you. Officially I cannot condone what you’re proposing.’

‘And unofficially?’

‘Call me when it’s done. But this stays between you and me.’





TWENTY-FOUR





Reacher woke himself the next morning at half past seven. He showered and dressed, and fetched coffee and cinnamon rolls from the office while Sands got herself ready. Rutherford was in room nineteen, still hunched over his laptop, too focused on his work for conversation, so Reacher left him his breakfast and went back through the connecting door. He took a bed. Sands took the armchair. He sprawled. She perched. They ate, and Reacher filled her in on his meeting with Wallwork.

‘So this could all be over by tonight?’ she said, when he finished. ‘If you’re right about Klostermann. If he’s working for the Russians and gets the server back for them, they won’t need to come after Rusty for it.’

‘If I’m right about Klostermann,’ Reacher said.

Sands frowned. ‘I think you’re missing something. If you’re right about Klostermann, he must have killed the journalist. Or had her killed. What if he sees you and Rusty as loose ends, after getting the server? And decides to kill you both, too?’

‘The journalist’s situation was different. She wasn’t a loose end. She knew something. From her work at the archive. She found out whatever it is that can identify the Russian agent. That’s why she was killed. To keep her quiet. We, on the other hand, are just greedy fools as far as Klostermann is concerned. He thinks we bought the bullshit about researching his family history. He’ll take the fact that we’re happy to sell him the server as proof we don’t realize what’s on it. Meaning killing us would be unnecessary. And more than that. It would be dangerous. Because it would risk attracting unwanted attention. And if there’s one thing the Russians don’t take, it’s unnecessary risks.’

‘What about leaving Rusty with a copy of the server? So he could stumble across their secret at any moment, just like the journalist did? Wouldn’t Klostermann call that an unnecessary risk?’

‘He might. If he knew Rusty had a copy.’

‘He won’t suspect you’re lying if you tell him otherwise?’

‘I won’t lie. I’ll let him reach that conclusion on his own.’

‘How?’

‘Can you get his number for me?’

Sands picked up her phone and clicked and swiped for a few moments.

‘Here it is,’ she said. ‘Want me to dial it for you?’

‘No thanks,’ Reacher said. He took out the phone Rutherford had bought him. ‘Read it out to me.’

‘Why not use mine? It’s already up on the screen.’

‘Then Klostermann would know your number. Phones can be tracked.’

‘If he’s not a danger to you or Rusty, how can he be a threat to me?’

‘He probably isn’t. But the Russians aren’t the only ones who don’t take unnecessary risks.’

Klostermann’s icy housekeeper answered on the first ring. She claimed her boss was unavailable, but Reacher dangled a hint about a valuable item, recently recovered, and two minutes later Klostermann was on the line.

‘This is excellent news,’ Klostermann said. ‘You worked fast. When did you find it?’

‘About five minutes ago,’ Reacher said. ‘We started looking the moment we left your house. Followed the trail all night.’

‘Where was it?’

‘In a storage unit. Waiting to be sold.’

‘Is it in one piece?’

‘It seems to be. I’m no expert, but Mr Rutherford is and he’s confident it’s in full working order.’