Page 59 of Tom Clancy Line of Sight

“More ‘financial analysis’?”

“As you already know, I work for an American firm, Hendley Associates. We were hired to do some work for a company in Ljubljana.”

“Yes, I’ve confirmed both. And yet you found yourself in the remote mountains near Kozjak Falls.”

Jack stiffened. “Where I was attacked.”

“And yet the woman you say attacked you is the one who winds up in hospital.”

“Self-defense.”

“Self-defense? And yet you’re not the one in hospital. You’re really quite the violent man, aren’t you?”

“I don’t go looking for trouble, if that’s what you mean.”

“And yet it comes seeking after you wherever you go. A pity.”

“Are we done here?”

“Just a few more questions, if you don’t mind.”

“You have until I finish my coffee. Unless you plan to arrest me.”

“No. Nor do I plan to have you deported, nor charged with espionage, nor tossed into a rendition facility far from the prying eyes of your government, all of which is in my power to do.”

“In that case, what do you want to know?”

“What is your interest in Aida Curic?”

The question caught Jack by surprise. He hoped it didn’t show on his face. How could the man know about that? Well, obviously, they’d been following him. But why?

“I’m not sure that’s any of your concern,” Jack said.

“Aida Curic is a citizen of my country, and it is my sworn duty to protect the people and constitution of Bosnia. And when a violent foreign national enters my country to hunt down one of my fellow citizens? Well, that’s very much my concern.”

So much for keeping a low profile,Jack thought.

“Well, when you put it that way, I kinda see your point.”

“So I’ll repeat the question, Mr. Ryan. What is your interest in Aida Curic?”

The best lie, Jack knew, was one that contained the most truth. But any lie at this point might put him in harm’s way, and sitting here, he couldn’t quite figure out what advantage there was in lying to Kolak at all.

“Technically, I’m here on an errand for my mother.”

“Your mother? What kind of mission are you running for her?”

“Mission? No, it’s more like an errand. I’m making a delivery. A letter.”

“What kind of letter?”

“Just a letter from my mother to Aida. She knew I was going to be in Slovenia, and she asked me to come down here to find Aida so that I could give her a letter she wrote to her.”

Kolak leaned forward, his elbows on the table.

“And how does your mother know Aida Curic?”

“When Aida was a little girl during the war, she received a bad eye injury. My mother performed surgery on her. She lost contact with Aida over the years, and asked me if I could find her. She wanted to know how Aida was doing after all this time, and to let Aida know that she was still thinking about her.”