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I took a slow breath and another sip.
“Farkas visits the Danube site at 10:15. The place is public-facing, but not too busy. According to Lark, he walks the perimeter alone. Manakin arranged for a guided tour with the facility manager. Will, you will find an excuse to split off from the group, while Egret and I continue with the manager. I have a dozen questions prepared that should take his mind off an errant bureaucrat who can’t find his way around a circle. There should be no guards inside the fence.”
“And we believe her? Lark, I mean?” Egret asked, eyes narrowed.
“We believe she hasn’t lied to us yet,” I said. “But no guards doesn’t mean no Soviets. They could have agents embedded within the staff or lurking about to keep an eye on their man. We need to stay sharp and assume they are watching and listening.”
“And Will’s still the one making contact?” Sparrow asked.
I nodded.
Will gave a shrug. “I’ve rehearsed my bumbling American routine. I’ll carry a clipboard and act like I’m lost in translation, trip over a few Hungarian phrases, ask about old telecom installations, pretend I’ve been sent to photograph restoration points.”
“And if he doesn’t bite?” Egret asked.
“Then I make a polite exit and leave behind a brochure with a message tucked inside,” Will replied, voice calm but focused. “No fuss. No risk.”
“And if he’s under surveillance?” Sparrow’s voice was tight.
“Then he disengages immediately,” I said. “No improv. No delays.”
“But you’re staying close?” Will asked, voice low now.
I met his eyes. “Sparrow will be on the tram platform across the road. If it goes wrong—”
“I run like my ass is on fire.” Will said it lightly, like it was just another Tuesday errand, but I saw the tension behind his smile—and I hated it. I hated sending him in alone, hated how used to it we both were.
“You won’t be alone for long,” I said.
“You know,” Will murmured, reaching for the bread, “for a science delegation, we sure do spend a lot of time practicing sprinting.”
Sparrow almost smiled. Egret didn’t. I scowled.
“If Farkas is under surveillance, we should know pretty quickly,” Egret said. “They won’t let a foreigner within six feet of him without raising a flag. If that happens—”
“Then we scrap the approach and wait for another opportunity,” I said firmly. “We don’t risk exposure. Not until we’re sure he wants out.”
The table went quiet.
“What’s the signal to abort the approach?” Sparrow asked.
I thought a moment, then said, “I will feign an upset stomach and act like I might vomit.”
“Subtle,” Egret drawled.
Outside the fog had lifted, revealing a cold, brittle sun above the gray skyline. The only other diner in the restaurant rose and exited, causing the tiny bell above the door to sing its merry song. There was so little merry about the place, it sounded strange, like it didn’t belong.
“Anything else?” I asked, eyes scanning each of them.
Sparrow shook her head.
Egret lit a cigarette and said nothing.
Will met my gaze and said, “I’ve got this.”
14
Will