It was six A.M. Sentinel’s mind was now almost certainly broken. In two days the Ohio submarines would reach Russian waters.
Will was dressed, pouring coffee in the kitchen. As he brought the steaming mug to his mouth, he could smell Korina’s perfume on his hand.
When she came in, she was wearing a jacket, pants, and hiking boots; her hair was pinned up, and she had applied makeup. Wrapping one arm around his waist, she kissed him on the nape of his neck, grabbed a spare mug of coffee, and moved to the far side of the room. She turned on a small television, flicking through channels until she found a news program. Will looked at the screen and saw the Russian president giving a press conference. His tone was solemn. At the bottom of the screen, his words were shown in English, French, and Chinese subtitles. As Will read the English transcript his stomach wrenched.
Diplomatic relations with the United States of America have broken down. We are working hard to reverse this situation, and we pray that America is doing the same. It is certain that Russia has done nothing to create this political catastrophe. Whatever happens, I promise all Russians that I will continue to serve you with unwavering loyalty. God bless and protect the motherland.
Korina turned the television off. She raised her mug of coffee to her lips. Her hand shook. “Whatever happens, I can’t stay in Russia. Do you think MI6 would give me a home in the U.K.?”
Will nodded. “Of course. They won’t leave you to suffer imprisonment or-”
“Or execution.” Korina frowned. “I’ve never been to England. I wouldn’t know where to live.”
Will kept his eyes on her. “London’s as good a place as any.” He smiled. “I have an apartment overlooking the river Thames. You could stay there.”
Korina moved closer to him and held his hands. “That’s a generous offer.”
“My home’s in need of a feminine touch. It would help me out if you stayed there.”
Korina smiled but shook her head. “A feminine touch?”
Will laughed as a mental picture of Roger watching him right now entered his mind. He tried to think of something normal to say. “I’m away a lot. The place rarely gets used.”
Korina moved closer to him, smoothed a hand against his face, then unclasped her necklace. She held the chain and locket before him, a smile on her face. “You can open the locket when we’re in your apartment.”
Will took the necklace, nodded, and secreted it in an inner pocket.
She grabbed her coffee and stared at her cell phone on the kitchen table. “I’ve destroyed my regular phone because I know that GRU will be trying to track its signal. But this phone was given to me by Sentinel. Only he has the number.” She looked around. “My dad and I shared years around this table. What would he think of me now?”
Will briefly wondered how to respond. He decided to tell her what he really thought. “He’d be proud of you.”
Korina looked at him. “Yes, I’m sure that’s what he’d be thinking right now.” She smiled, though her expression was haunted. “His little girl…”
They were quiet for a while. Outside, snow was falling thick and fast, and garden trees swayed in a strong wind, but the noise of the weather did not penetrate the kitchen. The whole room was silent.
Then it was not.
An electronic beeping noise reverberated around the kitchen. A small flashing light accompanied the sound.
Korina’s phone was ringing.
W ill held his cell phone and stared at it for a moment. So much rested on the call he was about to make. And so much rested on the man answering. Doubts raced through his mind. Perhaps the man was right now on a flight, in a meeting, sleeping, vacationing, or doing anything else that meant he couldn’t answer.
His finger shook as he began pressing numbers.
When the last digit was depressed he raised the cell to his ear.
One ring.
Three rings.
Will’s heart pounded.
Six rings.
Seven rings.
Click.
The man answered.