VANGUARD(68)

He extended the pack to Michael, who took one and attempted to light it off Will’s. Michael’s hands shook so badly that he dropped both in the dirt.

“Rats.” Will cranked the engine, which started with a protesting groan in the cold. “Oh well, better for both of us, I guess. Anjali hates it when I smoke. Are you good to drive, or do you want to come with me? The SUV might survive the night out here. I mean, stranger things have happened.”

“No, I can drive,” Michael said. “But I will follow you as I am less familiar with the road in the dark.” He climbed into the SUV, gunned the engine, and drove out behind the Jeep.





-





He had created an intricate house of cards, built on illusion, promises, and favors – the currency of Eastern Europe and a building block of the society in which he had grown up.

Almost everything Michael had told the Commandant was true, information provided to him by Maxwell during his conversation that morning. All he’d done was reveal it to Jaros in such a way as to make him look reliably informed. Get one reporter to ask a question that suggested Sophie Swenda’s testimony could carry significant weight when it came to the Commandant’s case. Then tell Jaros a few ways by which he might keep Sophie’s favor.

Almost everything was true. Except that the Soviet Republic would never give up one of its own to the UN Security Council or the International Criminal Court. Maxwell had said as much that morning. Someone had already made the error of making such a suggestion to the Soviet ambassador to the UN. The ambassador had reportedly struck that unfortunate individual in the face.

The Commandant would learn at some point in the future that he wasn’t going be handed over to the International Criminal Court. But for now, the uncertainty of it would keep Jaros in line until the UN could get here. He’d planted the seeds of doubt at exactly the right moment.

As the Commandant had pointed out, the UN would never invade the Soviet Republic to retrieve one man. In the end, Jaros would probably never face justice, although the superpower would no doubt be forced to account on the world stage for the evils he’d committed. The Soviet Republic would conveniently claim ignorance, make token reparations, and the world would continue to turn.

Sophie and the mission were safe. There would be no more mutilations in Parnaas. The Soviet Republic might even make good on those harmed by the Commandant. And ironically, Michael had his life back by faking his own death. The only question was whether his life would be worth living after he faced Sophie that night.





Chapter 15





They were waiting for him when he pulled into the base behind Will.

Michael got out of the SUV and walked toward them. He’d never been afraid of a woman in his life (with the possible exceptions of Sophie and his mother), so it seemed ridiculous that he’d feel fear at the sight of a small female who barely reached his breastbone. However, this was no ordinary circumstance, and Anjali Shah was no ordinary woman.

Will hurried to his wife’s side, murmuring into her ear. She nodded but didn’t take her eyes off Michael as he walked toward her. Will looked at him, then back at Anjali, then found something interesting on the ground to look at. Anjali didn’t say a word as he walked up. The Rev, standing beside her, looked at him nervously as if expecting bad news.

“Let’s go in,” the Rev said. “You need to bring us up to speed.”

They stepped inside, and Michael started moving to the right toward the infirmary. He wanted to see Sophie first.

“She’s asleep.” Anjali’s grabbed his arm with alarming strength. “You stay away from her until I say otherwise. Got it?”

The Rev took them to a small meeting room and closed the door. The four sat down around the table.

“I will tell you everything you want to know,” Michael said. “But first, I want to know Sophie’s condition. Nothing until I hear that.”

“She’s fine.” Anjali spoke through clenched teeth in a low, dangerous voice. “Temp normal, blood pressure good, hydration vastly improved. She’s still considered contagious for another sixteen hours, and is under quarantine in the infirmary. I’ve pushed a couple of liters of fluid through her, just for safety’s sake. She should be fine by tomorrow.” Her voice dropped a little. “She’s still sleeping off the effect of the tranquilizer you administered, Doctor.”

Michael winced. He saw Will’s hand slide beneath the table to take Anjali’s. “Thank you. When can I see her?”