Page 146 of Tom Clancy Line of Sight

Jack nodded at Aida’s phone. “Judging by that phone, we figured your outfit must have been practicing some serious OPSEC. We’re guessing your people were using and tossing these things just about every day.

“But the problem with OPSEC is that there are a lot of moving parts. Your people did a good job destroying their burner phones. But we decided to dig a little deeper. And you know what we found out? Brkic must have destroyed all of his burner phones, but he kept using the same Iridium GO! satellite hotspot for all of his calls. Can you believe it? He must have been a cheap bastard.”

“You’ve lost me, Jack.”

“My guy—his name is Gavin, by the way, and he’sreallygood—did a search. He found a connection between you and Brkic.”

“A connection? How?”

“Do you have any idea how many times Brkic used that hotspot to connect calls to a cell tower right next to your embassy and residence?”

Topal smiled, setting Aida’s phone back on the table. “None whatsoever.”

“Almost as many times as his hotspot connected to cell towers near Aida.”

“All coincidences, I’m sure. There are few cell towers in the area. And as you know, Aida and I had a close relationship, thanks to the Peace and Friendship Center. And I also believe she hired Brkic occasionally as an auto mechanic.”

“So why would they speak on burner phones?”

“I have no idea.”

“Let’s not play games. You and Aida were closely connected, and Aida and Brkic were connected. With these cell-tower records, we know you and Brkic were connected, too.”

“You’re talking about statistical probabilities, not actual phone calls.” Topal glanced at Aida’s phone. “You can’t prove anything.”

“Not in a court of law. At least, not yet.”

Jack reached into his pocket, pulled out a spring-loaded Benchmade Infidel knife, and flicked it open.

“But I have enough evidence to satisfy my own conscience. So, Ambassador, tell me why you were part of this plot to murder thousands of people or else I’m going to spill your intestines all over that velvet couch you’re sitting on.”

Topal sat back, swallowing hard. “I have diplomatic immunity.”

“Like I give a shit.” Jack flashed the blade. “Last chance.”

“Truthfully? Yes, I was using Aida and Brkic, but only to disrupt the upcoming Unity Referendum.”

“How were you using them?”

“I supplied resources to them. Cash, mostly. Especially to Brkic, so he could foment civil strife.”

“You mean civil war.”

“Yes. I suppose that was the goal in Brkic’s mind, now that I think about it,” Topal said, extending the lie. “But my government would have intervened before things got out of hand.”

“He was behind those terrorist attacks over the last few weeks? The rape of those girls? The wedding massacre?”

“All him. I told him to just agitate. Not kill.”

Topal hoped his lies were convincing. His orders to Brkic had been explicit, but how could Jack know that?

“And the rocket attack on the Orthodox service? What was your role in that?”

Topal bolted upright. “Nothing whatsoever. That could have caused another world war—the very thing my government is trying to prevent. We’re looking to create stability in the region, not crisis. Besides, as you know, I was at the Renewal service. Why would I want to kill myself?”

“So the rocket attack was all his idea?”

“Completely. I had no idea that he was planning it. I thought I was using him, but it turns out he was using me.”