priority right now is whitesmoke.”
“It should take precedence. I see you are still on the job even after the agency burned you. Please be aware that we didn’t order your termination. That was the mole who tampered with the order.”
“That’s a relief. But yes. The assassination attempt on the pope has to be my first priority.”
“I understand and commend you on your resilience and dedication to duty. I’m going to make sure that is noted.”
“Thank you. But you will get the ball rolling for the attacks in the States?”
“Yes, as soon as I hang up, I’ll contact someone I can trust in the FBI. We really have no idea if we’ve been compromised more than one bad apple.”
“Do you have any suspicions?”
“Yes, we do, and we’re working that hard.”
“Kelly Sparks?”
“Yes, sadly. She slipped through the cracks and that’s on us.”
“So she burned the op on Richard Allen Miller and got him killed. She killed my handler, Jonathan Macy?”
“That’s what we believe, and she framed you.”
“Does the team know? Is Max all right?”
“They’ve been through the wringer due to some terrible leaks. Harry Grant and his family were murdered.” She went on to explain what had happened at the warehouse in Prague, and Anna’s blood froze at the news of the station chief’s murder, the fact that Darko’s henchmen cared nothing for human life, and that the mole had gotten to Harry. How much did this traitor know?
“Kelly’s working with Darko. Oh, that is bad, bad news.” Her mind whirled. “It’s his thugs and Muhammad Angar Said who are exchanging those terrorism-soaked emails.” She thought for a moment. “There may be a clue. It seems as if someone named Zasha is the mastermind. Maybe you guys can dig on that one.”
“We’ll do that.” There was a pause as she covered the phone and Anna could hear muffled voices. “Do you need assistance in Rome?”
“I wouldn’t say no to an assist.”
“I’ll send some guys your way.”
“I do have a question. Who would you trust more, the Vatican police or Italian intelligence?”
“The Vatican police, but there is an agent who I completely trust in the AISI, Agent Chiara Giordano.” Agenzia Informazioni e Sicurezza Interna or AISI was the equivalent of the FBI for America and MI-5 for the UK. “Tricky because we have a warrant out for you, but I’ll spin it as you’re a fugitive as an undercover ploy. Contact her in an hour. I’m wrapping something up here.”
“That works.” Anna’s throat got tight and she closed her eyes against another wash of tears, then raised her chin with a deep breath. “I will turn myself in, but I prefer it’s to you. Are you in San Diego?”
“No, actually, I’m in Prague with Max’s team.”
“That works. I’ll see you after this is over. And Kat, be especially careful.”
“You, too, Anna. Say hi to Dodger for me.”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that Oliver ‘Artful Dodger’ Graham is in any way involved with me or been a part of my actions.”
Kat chuckled. “Spoken like a true operative. Good luck, Anna. I will see you soon.”
She ended the call and left the room.
“How did it go?”
“As well as could be expected. She’s going to handle the Fort Bragg and New York Stock Exchange threats. She gave us the green light for the pope and is sending us help. We’re to contact an intelligence officer, and Kat texted me her number. Her name is Chiara Giordano. Also, she’s going to contact the Vatican inspector general.”
He stared at her a minute, the pulse in his neck throbbing. “And you’re turning yourself in?”
“I arranged it to be with Kat. I trust her. She’s in Prague working with the team.” She explained what Kat had said, confirming their suspicion it was Kelly who was the mole.
Without any communication, they rushed into each other’s arms and his mouth was against hers, soft and hungry. Anna’s heart was breaking, but she was convinced this was the only option she could live with.
Two and a half hours later there was a knock at the apartment door. Mouse opened it to Max and 2-Stroke.
“Max,” Anna said and rushed into his open arms. He hugged her close. “How are you?”
“How am I?” he said incredulously. “Anna, we need to talk—”
“Don’t start going all big brother on me. I know what I’m doing. There’s no time for that now. If you’re here as my brother, you need to go. If you’re here as back up, you can stay,” Anna said as she motioned for