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steel door opened automatically, granting her access to a world most people only see in movies. The walls were covered with large screens, each depicting real-time footage of various places around the globe. Long tables lined the room adorned with endless, smaller flat screens. Claire Brackett was always surprised by the veritable silence in a room that was filled with constant activity. It both intrigued and unsettled her. She preferred her life working in the field. This was a coward’s version of the spy game, safely tucked away, peering into people’s everyday lives; most of whom Claire Brackett regarded at insignificant and uninteresting. She shuddered slightly in disgust.
    “Sparrow,” a man’s voice greeted her in the distance. “What brings you here?”
    “We may have a problem,” she answered.
    “We always have problems,” he laughed.
    Claire Brackett did not share in his humor. She was uncertain how much validity to place in the information her father had given her. One thing she did know; it was unwise to dismiss anything Admiral William Brackett said as unimportant. “I am glad you are amused. My father seems to think that certain assets we secured are…well…”
    The man before her reared his head in laughter. “He is a clever old coot.”
    Claire Brackett regarded the man before her cautiously. “Are you telling me that my father is setting me up again?” she asked.
    “I can’t say what the good admiral’s agenda is. Perhaps he was given false information,” he said simply, but Brackett could see his eyes twinkling in amusement. “Or, perhaps he just knew you would run here to me.”
    “You’re not concerned?” she asked
    “No. The package is at the border already. And, I think this would be a good time for you to visit our friend Dimitri.”
    “You want me to go to Moscow?”
    “No, I want you to see Dimitri,” he answered.
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Well, Claire….if your father is expecting you to provide a pathway…”
    Claire Brackett’s frustrated reply came swiftly. “You think he is using me?”
    The man shrugged. “You don’t?” He watched her expression harden. “You have used him, yet you expect him to do less?” He shook his head. “Dimitri will be in London Tuesday. Meet him there. Meet Agent Anderson at the coffee shop Monday at noon. You’ll get the details there.”
    “And then what?” she barked.
    He smiled as he turned to take his leave. “Just follow the directives, Sparrow.”
    The redheaded agent watched as the man walked across the large room and through a set of glass doors. “Follow,” she began to muse. “That’s not what I was raised to do,” she whispered to herself. “We’ll see who follows.”

    Jonathan Krause picked up his phone and lifted it to his ear. “Krause.”
    “It’s Blevins. I need a ride.”
    Krause inhaled deeply. “Flat tire?” he asked.
    “No, lost my keys,” the response came swiftly.
    “I’m not close. I’m afraid you are on your own. Perhaps you should call a cab,” Krause suggested.
    “All right,” the voice answered. “It would have been more convenient for you to pick me up.”
    “Yes. Sorry about that. Is the car secure or do you need a tow?” Krause asked.
    “It should be fine.”
    “Good. Sorry, I can’t help you,” Krause offered.
    “I know how to call a cab,” the man responded.
    Krause chuckled. “See you soon. Let me know if you find those keys.”
    “Will do,” the voice said as the call disconnected.
    Krause rubbed his hand over his head in frustration. The last thing he wanted to do was disturb Alex’s weekend. The call, however, was enough to convince him that a brief visit was necessary. Brian Fallon would not make such a call if he were not certain that they were compromised in some way. Fallon had been tailing Claire Brackett for months. Both Krause and Alex had been waiting for a break wherethe younger Brackett was concerned. As reckless as the young agent’s actions