Before the end of the week he and Bojan would reach their final destination. It was the only place on earth that could provide permanent refuge. Malenkov’s last safe house. And there he would live out his days in obscurity and comfort.
48
DIA Headquarters
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
Washington, D.C.
0812 Local Time
Kyle was waiting when Katie arrived in the lobby of DIA headquarters. He allowed a brief hug, his arms going around her like she was made of porcelain. This was the standard between them. It was also more than he permitted anyone on earth aside from their mother.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
“You too, Sissie,” he replied, using the childhood nickname that only he could get away with. He presented her with a set of visitor’s credentials and led the way to the main security station. Katie surrendered her phone at a desk and stood in front of a camera for biometric admittance.
“How’s John Conza holding up?” he asked once they were through the scanner.
“JC is JC. He’s banged-up, but nothing that won’t heal. When I left his room at Walter Reed he was asking the nurse for a spit cup.”
“That’s a good sign. I’m glad you escorted him back.”
She eyed her brother closely as they waited at the elevator bay. “And why is that?”
“Uh…because that’s what a good commander would do.”
“I’m not his commander—we work together. And something tells me your relief is sourced elsewhere.”
Katie had always been able to read her brother. It had infuriated him when they were growing up, but these days he seemed more accepting of the fact. Maybe even relieved. Like having confessional with a trusted and telepathic priest.
The door opened and they entered an empty car. Kyle swiped his ID, typed in a code, and selected the third floor.
“Okay,” he admitted. “Since my recent adventure in Africa…yeah, I get a little worried when you go overseas. We can’t deny who we are, Katie.”
“You mean we can’t deny who our father is. Funny…John Clark gave me this same lecture at Incirlik.”
“Well, he was right.”
“Maybe. But now I’m back in the good ol’ U S of A. And for what it’s worth, it was also Mr. Clark’s idea that I should come here and work with you.”
“Huh. I got a message from DNI suggesting the same thing.”
She said, “There was a time in my career when I would have taken that as meddling. But in this case, I think they’ve got a point.”
“I agree. You were on the ground in Turkey investigating this crash. I was hoping you might be able to help tailor our search for Gunther Klaus. By the way, I cleared it with my boss—you’ve got full access.”
“Full access to what?”
“To the most advanced AI supercomputer on earth…at least, until somebody comes up with a better one.”
“Which will be when? Next week?”
“Probably,” he said in all seriousness, the humor sliding past him. “But that’s fine. Today is all I care about.”
Katie laughed out loud. “I’m going to put that on your tombstone.”
They reached the third floor and Kyle led them down a barren hall to the operations room.
