Page 27 of Tom Clancy Line of Sight

“But her attorney claims that while her client is so traumatized that she would prefer not to press charges, she will do so if forced by circumstances.”

“Unbelievable.” Jack drummed his fingers on the table. “So, is there a chance I’m actually going to be arrested?”

“It’s according to my discretion at this point.”

“And how are you leaning?”

Oblak frowned. “Frankly, there are too many holes in her story that don’t add up, including the most obvious one thatyou’ve pointed out. Why call the police if you intended to commit a crime?”

“So I’m free to go?”

“Of course, but please be advised that the state prosecutor may decide she has a case against you, and you might be subject to arrest in the future.”

“How can that be?”

Oblak shrugged. “We have politicians just like you do in the States. If the prosecutor thinks the trial makes good publicity for her office, she might be tempted to do it, even if the case lacks merit.”

Jack shook his head. “When will that happen?”

“Who knows? Could be tomorrow. Perhaps never.”

“Humor me. If I were to be arrested and charged tomorrow, how long would it take to go to trial?”

“It will take several weeks to gather and process all of the forensic evidence and begin to put the case together. If the prosecutor decides to move forward, depending on the court calendar and witness availability, it could be two to four months before an actual trial is held. Perhaps longer.”

“I can’t hang around for four months for a trial. My employer won’t allow it.”

“Your employer must be a very important man. Your government has promised to my interior minister that you will make yourself available for any court proceedings should the need arise.”

“So long as I can have a week’s notice to make travel arrangements, I’ll show up.” Jack hoped that they didn’t make that call in the middle of a Campus mission. But Murphy’s law being what it was, that was the likely outcome. Did that meanGerry might put him on hold status from The Campus until the case was resolved?

“If you don’t appear, a warrant will be issued for your arrest, and our two countries are signatories to an extradition treaty. Failure to appear for a summons carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence.”

“You make it sound like it would make sense for me to drop the case.”

“You might consider it. But it’s up to you.”

Jack started fidgeting. He now wished he hadn’t had that third cup of coffee. His nerves were on edge and his bladder boiled. He couldn’t tell if Oblak was trying to help him out or if he was just a bureaucrat trying to protect his pension.

“But if you are innocent,” Oblak said, “that means she is the guilty party and I need to build a case against her for attempted murder. What I can’t understand is her motive for trying to kill you. Any ideas?”

“None.”

“Perhaps she is a serial killer of some sort?”

“I’m betting you’ve already run her passport and found out she’s an upstanding citizen with no warrants, priors, or Interpol notices.”

Oblak offered his first, small smile. “Very good. You are exactly correct.”

“Maybe I reminded her of an old boyfriend or something. She never did tell me her name.”

“Elena Iliescu. Romanian by birth, but she carries an Italian passport. Does the name sound familiar?”

“Not at all.”

“And you think the attack was spontaneous?”

“I sure didn’t see it coming.”