Page 23 of Spymaster

It took Jasinski a moment to process everything. Finally, she turned and asked, “How did you know about Norway?”

“The equipment we keep hidden in those caves needs to be serviced,” he replied. “As part of our agreement with Norway, we hire Norwegians to do it. Whoever works in the caves has to have a background check. And because of the importance of that equipment, we routinely review the personnel files, as do our counterparts in Norwegian intelligence.

“Two weeks ago, there was a red flag and an investigation was opened. That investigation uncovered a plot to bomb the caves and destroy the equipment. When we learned that the saboteurs were all going to be at the cabin, the decision was made to move in and capture them. Obviously, everyone wishes there had been more time for reconnaissance.”

“Obviously,” said Jasinski. “What’s also obvious is that you took Sergun’s rumor seriously.”

“Only when the attack in Lisbon happened, then our antennas went up. Then once the attack in Madrid took place, we had a high level of confidence that we knew what was happening.”

“A confidence that you never shared with NATO. In fact, you didn’t do anything until your equipment was targeted.”

“Wrong,” corrected Harvath. “We looped in the Supreme Allied Commander from the start.”

That was a piece of the puzzle she hadn’t been aware of. “Then why didn’t he do something?”

“Communiqués were sent to all NATO personnel after the first attack. Everyone was warned. You know that.”

“But the communiqués didn’t contain all of the information. I saw them. None of us knew what you knew.”

Harvath shook his head. “It wouldn’t have made a difference.”

“You don’t know that,” she pushed back.

Harvath could see the deaths weighing on her.

“Maybe the diplomats wouldn’t have been able to do anything with it,” she pressed, “but on the intelligence side, it could have helped the investigation. MaybeIcould have done something with it.”

“There’s nothing you could have done.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Maybe. But we couldn’t risk it.”

“Why not?”

“Because NATO is shot through with Russian spies,” said Harvath. “It has been since the beginning. That’s its greatest weakness. It’s like Swiss fucking cheese. For every Russian you uncover, there are two more hiding somewhere else. We couldn’t risk their learning what we know.”

Monika looked at him defiantly. “How do you know I’m not a spy?” she demanded.

“To be honest, I don’t.”

She glared at him. “Then why am I here?”

It was a fair question, but one that he wasn’t going to answer—at least not fully, and certainly not yet. “Because the powers that be want my team working with someone from SHAPE,” he said. “And that someone is you.”

“Whatpowers that be? The Defense Intelligence Agency? The Central Intelligence Agency? Who do you work for? And don’t tell me again that you were sent by SACT. You don’t work for NATO. And him,” she added, pointing at Nicholas. “He definitely doesn’t work for NATO.”

Though Harvath had no idea why, he glanced at his little friend. For his part, Nicholas simply shrugged as he set down three dessert plates, each with a piece ofMakowiec—a traditional Polish poppy seed pastry cake, normally served at the holidays. He knew well enough to stay out of this. Harvath was on his own.

“Our job is to represent the interests of the United States government,” Harvath stated.

“So which interests would those be?” she asked.

He thought for a moment. “Anything related to the North Atlantic Treaty.”

He was still lying. She could sense it and pressed further. “What’s your objective?”

This time, there wasn’t a pause. Harvath replied immediately. “Per the treaty, to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.”