Page 14 of Spymaster

Setting his glass down, he accepted the package and peeled away the brown paper.

It was a framed set of handwritten notes from one of the most dangerous operations Reed Carlton and Artur Kopec had ever undertaken together.

In the run-up to the first Gulf War, six American intelligence operatives sent to spy on Iraqi troop movements became trapped in Kuwait and Baghdad, and the U.S. had put out the call for help.

The United States asked for assistance from multiple countries, including Great Britain, France, and even the Soviet Union. Only Poland had stepped up and agreed to help get the Americans out.

The operation was dubbed Operation Simoom. And Carlton and Kopec were sent in to coordinate everything that would take place on the ground.

Because of Poland’s extensive construction and engineering contracts in the region, it was uniquely positioned to help smuggle the Americans out.

All six were issued Polish passports and then integrated into various construction camps and work groups. Somehow, though, Iraq Intelligence had caught wind that something was going on with the Poles and the Americans.

There were many dramatic twists and turns. The operation almost collapsed multiple times. Even as they attempted to sneak the Americans over the border, they encountered an Iraqi checkpoint where one of the officers, who had spent time in Poland and spoke Polish, wanted to interrogate the Americans.

It seemed that no matter what the Old Man and Kopec did, the deck was stacked against them. Yet they never gave up.

Not only did they get the six intelligence operatives out safely, but the Americans brought with them secret maps and detailed notes critical to the planning of Operation Desert Storm.

One of those critical pieces of intelligence was what Kopec now held, framed, in his hands. A small, engraved plaque centered in the bottom of the frame gave the date and location of that final border crossing.

It was representative of the kinds of gifts that often passed between teammates and allies.

As soon as Kopec realized what he was looking at, he smiled.

“I thought you would appreciate it,” said Ryan. “And I know he would have wanted you to have it.”

“Thank you. Where did you find it?”

“Since he was moved to hospice, I’ve been going through all his personal papers.”

“It was lovely of you to frame this for me,” said Kopec, as he waved the waitress over. “But something tells me this isn’t why you wanted to see me.”

Ryan hesitated for a moment, visibly struggling to find the right words. Finally, she said, “I don’t know how else to put this. We have a problem. I need your help.”

CHAPTER 12

“Bywe, do you mean you and Reed?” asked Kopec after the waitress had left their table with their order.

Ryan shook her head. “I’m talking about the United States.”

“Whatever you need, consider it done.”

“It’s not a small problem.”

Once more, the Pole smiled. “In our line of work, it never is.”

“Artur, on behalf of the United States, we need your help, but we can’t involve the Polish government.”

“Now things are getting interesting. Why don’t you tell me what it is we’re talking about.”

“As part of our NATO partnership, the United States has been prepositioning certain military equipment in Central Europe.”

“Tanks, Humvees, and other items. We know this. What’s the problem?”

Ryan took a deep breath. “There are some things we’ve been storing that youdon’tknow about.”

“Such as?”