Page 35 of Spymaster

“Yes,” said Nyström. “If it is not too much trouble.”

“Of course,” replied Harvath. “Give me a couple of minutes to inform my colleagues inside the plane about what has happened.”

“Absolutely. Take your time.”

•••

“What’s the story, boss?” Haney asked, as Harvath came back aboard the aircraft.

The team had all assembled up front as they watched the conversation unfolding on the tarmac.

“Allegedly,” said Harvath, “the man in the hat was involved in a car accident tonight. According to the police, he died of injuries sustained in the crash.”

A silence fell over the plane.

“They have asked me to go to the hospital with them and identify the body.”

“Bad idea,” stated Staelin.

“Agreed,” replied Chase. “On the way to meet us, the man in the hat dies in a car crash? Now three strangers show up and want you to drive off someplace with them? How do we even know they’re real cops?”

“I don’t like it,” added Sloane.

“I don’t like it either,” Harvath responded. “But I want to confirm the body is Lund’s. If this is legit, we might need the local police.”

“And if it’s not legit?” Jasinski asked.

“Then make sure Nicholas gets all my vinyl.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Relax,” he continued. “Everything is going to be fine. But in case it isn’t, I’d like to have my Sig with me.”

“Good call,” she said, handing his pistol back to him.

“Let’s find room for this, too,” said Haney, holding up a small GPS tracking device and tossing it to him. Harvath tucked it in his pocket.

“The man in the hat was supposed to hook us up with vehicles. How are we going to follow you?” Sloane asked.

“If worse comes to worst, Gotland has Uber. We’re only a few kilometers from the city center, so there should be plenty,” replied Harvath. “For now, though, I want you to send Ryan an update on our situation and have her reach out to Carl Pedersen. He has some good contacts in MUST and knows what’s at stake. He’ll help put a lid on this.

“Chase, I want you deplane and see if you can secure a courtesy car from the FBO. Barton, we’re going to need at least two permanent vehicles while we’re here, so check what the airport rental agencies have and try to nail something down. Haney, no one touches our gear but you. It stays onboard this plane until you’re sure the police are gone. In the meantime, Staelin, I want you to figure out where we’re going to bunk.”

“How long do you think we’re going to be here?” he asked.

“As long as it takes,” Harvath stated. “Okay, that’s it. Everybody get to work. Let’s go.”

While the team jumped up to do as he had directed, Jasinski stopped him. “Sloane explained to me that Lund was close to Pedersen and your boss. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. He was one of the good guys. Took a lot of risks over the years. Those risks made a difference.”

“Does MUST really know we’re here, or was Lars Lund the only one who knew?”

Harvath wasn’t sure how he wanted to answer her question, but decided to tell her the truth. “Lars was the only one who knew we were coming. I doubt he shared it with anyone else.”

“That makes what we’re doing, whatyou’redoing, even more dangerous.” Placing her hand gently on his shoulder, she warned, “Be careful.”

CHAPTER 22