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“Please alert the chopper company that our plans have reverted. Once we land, have backup on standby.”
“Roger that, sir,” he repeated.
I turned around and saw Schön behind me. Her eyes were wide, and she held up her mobile. On the screen was a photo of two men. One was the driver of the SUV who’d just been taken into custody.
“Who’s this one?” I asked, pointing to the other man.
“Ehren’s dead informant.”
18
SCHÖN
Iknew the two men who transported us from the airfield to the heliport. I’d worked ops with Elias Weber and Luca Huber, including the one where Ehren’s informant was killed.
“Hey, guys,” I said when I got into the back passenger seat of their SUV. “This is Magnet. These twoarewith Swiss intelligence.” I pointed to Elias. “That’s Fuchs.”
“And I’m Drachen,” said Luca.
I leaned into Magnet after they’d all said hello. “I canceled the hotel reservation.”
“Copy that.”
My hand was on the seat, and Magnet rested his on top of it.
“We’ve got a problem,” he muttered.
I nodded, undoubtedly less surprised than he was.
While I didn’t recognize the man who called himself Hans Gerber, my gut had told me to look through the images attached to the deceased asset’s case file. It hadn’t taken long before one with him popped up.
Removing Ehren from the coalition had been necessary. I accepted that. However, it made matters worse between her and me. Now, she’d not only want revenge for the death of her lover, but also for losing a prestigious position. I didn’t doubt she’d faced repercussions from Gebeiter Schmid, the Swiss intelligence director.
On the other hand, he could be in on it. There was no love lost between him and Baissier, especially after Uncle Henri had yanked me from the mission I was on and immediately had me assigned to be the handler on the Swiss task force’s op.
Frankly, I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn Gebeiter was angling for a coalition job himself.
I was one of the few who knew about Ehren’s relationship with her “asset,” and now, I regretted not reporting it. I’d learned a valuable lesson. By not sticking my nose into her business, I’d endangered everyone we worked with. It was something I intended to talk to Magnet about once he and I could have a private conversation. As my current commander, he deserved to know I’d withheld information I shouldn’t have.
While I should probably thank the guys and make small talk on our way to the heliport, I couldn’t muster the energy to do so. It could be attributed to the adrenal fatigue alone; however, the entire day had been draining. The drastic highs and lows had exhausted me. More than anything, I wanted to rest my head on Magnet’s shoulder and sleep.
The ride was quick, and Fuchs pulled up as close to the copter as possible. Drachen got out and escorted Magnet and me the few steps it took to get to the waiting blade.
“Internal affairs is already on Ehren,” he said. “If she isn’t taken into custody, the agents on her surveillance will let their presence be known. She won’t be able to make another move, Schön.”
I nodded and thanked him.
“She was supposed to return to Bern,” I heard Magnet say. I didn’t bother saying she could’ve set this up from there or anywhere.
Once in my seat, I fastened the harness and put on my headset. My cell phone vibrated, and I looked down at the message. It was from Magnet.
You’re staying with me.
I looked up at him and mouthed, “Okay.” I was glad he’d suggested it. I would’ve if he hadn’t. There was a good chance Ehren knew where my chalet was located. She’d obviously found out I was arriving in Zurich. She might’ve set something up in St. Moritz too.
I was sure Magnet had also realized we should stay somewhere other than where he had planned, and while I understood why he hadn’t wanted Rogue to deploy with us, now I thought it was a mistake. In fact, we should probably consider abandoning the op.
“The backup unitwill arrive before dawn,” Macht said once we were in the transport vehicle after he met us at the heliport.
