“We have no information on this officer,” said Sun. “He apparently has never operated against the People’s Republic, but I kindly request SVR traces in the event you have a file on him. Beijing would like to review his biography, operational history, and, most important, whether he speaks Russian.”
“Of course, General,” said Dominika. “Please send me this American’s name and I will personally run full traces on him for your review.”
“Thank you, Colonel,” said the general.
“And what will be your course of action?” said Dominika.
“Our priority, of course, is to identify the traitor. If the American CIA officer has indeed recruited an agent, he knows the name. Beijing has directed an asset to develop a relationship with the American, to attempt to elicit the name of the turncoat.”
“It will not be easy,” said Dominika. “In my experience, the Americans are disciplined and cautious.”
“Our operatives are very effective,” he said. “I have heard about your service and its methods, so I know you will understand. You are not the only ones who employ what I believe you call Sparrows.”
“Sparrows,” said Dominika, swallowing hard. “They were effective in their day. Sexual attraction can be a powerful tool, but times have changed, and methods have evolved over the years.”
“Most interesting. But our Sparrows—we call them
“
“What are you saying?” said Dominika.
“Whether our operative is successful in eliciting the name of the mole from the CIA officer or not, his complicity is clear,” said the general. “She will be ordered to assassinate the American. She is highly trained in the requisite skills.”
“You know your procedures best, General,” said Dominika, casually, feeling her heartbeat behind her eyes. She was gently trying to talk this down, with no effect. “I might mention that we have long observed an unspoken rule that we do not offer violence against opposition officers. We view it as counterproductive and costly.”
“I understand. Sadly, the result of this policy of restraint did not, as we know, stave off the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a somber historical lesson noted by our own politburo,” said the general, displaying uncharacteristic candor. “We believe that it is salutary occasionally to send a dramatic message to the enemy to deter future offensive action, especially inside China.”
“I am not convinced it is a wise course of action,” said Dominika.
The general shrugged. “Beijing insists,” he sniffed. “But I would like to propose something a little out of the ordinary.”
“You have all my attention,” said Dominika.
“Would you consider coming to China—Hong Kong—to advise us on the counterintelligence phase—the entrapment—of the operation against the American? Your service has many years of experience operating against America and Americans, especially CIA. We would look forward to your guidance and, of course, to exchanging methods and techniques. You would be the esteemed guest of the minister.”
What was this? An intricate CI trap? Some way to link Nate and her, some triple move by Gorelikov to incriminate her?
“This indeed is an extraordinary request,” she said. “It would be fascinating to share observations and techniques, with the caveat that I do not wish to be party to any lethal operation.”
“We can accommodate you with great pleasure,” said the general, glowing yellow. It was unclear whether he meant MSS would shelve plans to assassinate Nate or that she would be ushered out of the room before Miss Poison Pussy was let off her leash. Could she convince them to forego assassination?
