Page 60 of Brought By the Storm

Joseph continued. “The individual who escaped capture—we’ve been able to make his accomplices talk. Mr. President, the individual at large was a member of our intelligence agency. Boris Smirnoff. He has been spying for Russia.”

“What? How did they not vet him? They’re intelligence!”

“Mr. President, there was nothing about his background to suggest an issue. He’s been with intelligence for years and he was born in Yastarus. It seems he’s had financial difficulties, making him vulnerable to nefarious solicitation from Russian intelligence. A once loyal citizen was turned against our country, sir.”

“Joseph, since they know his identity, they can track him down,” I reasoned.

“Yes, Mr. President. The thing is, since he was working with our intelligence team, he might be aware of where you are, as well as the alias you’ve been using. We’ve been sharing your whereabouts, the identity of Mr. Eric Turner and your travel arrangements with intelligence, thinking it was keeping you safe.”

I groaned, feeling sweat over my upper lip. “Do they know if he’s still in Yastarus?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Mr. President, we don’t. What we know is that he wasn’t at his residence when law enforcement raided it. He’s vanished. Smirnoff could be traveling using an alias, and he could be anywhere, including the United States. He’s had a day to get away.”

I felt a surge of panic and it wasn’t for myself. My first thought was Eric, unguarded somewhere else on the property. “I must return home as soon as possible. I cannot put Mr. Turner in jeopardy, and I’m here with no security.”

“Except for Stefan,” Joseph stated. “He’s a good man and he knows how to do his job, but you should have more than one person protecting you. So yes, you should both come home. Whilst speaking with Stefan, he agreed and said he will look for flights. In the meantime, I don’t think I need to tell you that you should leave your current location. For his safety, Mr. Turner should go somewhere else until we can track and apprehend Smirnoff.”

I wiped a hand over my now sweating face. “Yes, yes. Of course. I’ll get to Eric—Mr. Turner—right now.”

We disconnected, and I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. It was then I heard a ruckus outside.