Page 124 of The Cellist

Gabriel handed over the document.

Saunders switched on his phone’s flashlight. “Do you know whether the plot is active?”

“No,” admitted Gabriel. “In fact, for all we know, ArkadyAkimov dropped that document in his shredder five minutes after it landed on his desk. But if I were in your position, I would assume that he showed it to his friend in the Grand Kremlin Palace, and that his friend gave it the green light.”

“There’s no way the Russian president would approve something so reckless,” said Saunders.

“Viktor Orlov might disagree.”

The future national security adviser looked down at the document. “Where’s the man who wrote this?”

“He had an unfortunate accident in the French Alps on New Year’s Eve.”

“What kind of accident?”

“He was shot twice at close range.” Gabriel frowned. “And I’d feel better if you threw that phone of yours in the lake.”

“The lake is frozen, and the phone is secure.”

“Not as secure as you think.” Gabriel turned to the president-elect. “Is there any chance you might reconsider—”

“None,” the president-elect interjected. “It is essential that I take my oath on the West Front of the Capitol, especially in light of what happened there on January sixth. Besides, the security next Wednesday will be unprecedented. There’s no way anything is going to happen.”

“Will you at least make sure the Secret Service is told about what we discovered?”

“Jordan will see to it.”

Gabriel rose. “In that case, I won’t take up any more of your time.”

The president-elect pointed toward Gabriel’s chair. “Sit down.”

He did as he was told.

“Who shot Felix Belov?”

“A young woman who penetrated Arkady Akimov’s operation.”

“Israeli?”

“German, actually.”

“A professional?”

“She plays the cello.”

“Any good?”

“Not bad,” said Gabriel.

The president-elect smiled. “What are you doing on Wednesday?”

“I was planning to watch your inauguration with my wife and children.”

“Would you like to attend the ceremony as my guest?”

“I would be honored, Mr. President-elect.”

“Excellent.” He nodded toward his national security adviser. “Jordan will make the arrangements.”