Chapter 10

The first stage of the operations was the easy part. She ordered a taxi to drive her to Fort Meade, where she got in with her official badge and a scan of her thumb fingerprint. She was then escorted to the NSA headquarters by a silent agent wearing a black suit and sunglasses (Really? she thought dejectedly) and left her in the lobby. She checked her surroundings, carefully noting the doors, corridors, lifts and stairs. She worked on the building plans so hard with Alpha that she knew exactly where to go to access O'Brian's office.

_ I'm in, she whispered.

_ Good, the voice of Sam replied in her ear. You know where to go?

_ Yes. Where is he?

This time, she heard Alpha's voice. She and Kestrel were in an official car in the outskirts of Fort Meade. They would be waiting for her signal after she found the list, then would pick her up as officers sent by the president of the United States for Grim's appointment. A brilliant plan. Nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?

_ Currently doing his jogging in the park with the director, General White. I monitor him with a NASA satellite. If he approaches, I'll alert you.

_ Copy.

Grim inhaled deeply, then made her way towards the office. Fortunately, she met no one she knew, or her presence would have been awkward to explain, even if Alpha and she had prepared a good cover-up story.

_ Still nervous? asked Sam, making her jump a little.

_ Yes... no... I don't know, she muttered angrily, trying to stay focused. I just want this done.

_ So do I. Keep calm, everything's all right.

_ So you say.

She couldn't help but think something would happen, things turn bad. But if she was in danger, Alpha and Kestrel, as Navy officers, would be able to enter Fort Meade. Alpha had created real/fake badges and ghost entries for their fingerprints, only accessible if needed. But if she was honest with herself, she wanted Sam to come to her aid, not Alpha or Kestrel. Stop being stupid, she told herself firmly. Just do it.

She reached the door of the office. On it, a bronze plaque engraved with the words: Deputy Director. She knew there was a supposedly impregnable lock, but as soon as she put her hand on the doorknob, the lock clicked open.

_ Great job, Charlie said loudly. That USB key is a real jewel.

_ Good, Sam added. Okay, Grim, you're there. Find the list, so we can extract you.

_ O'Brian is in the men's showers, said Alpha. But he's half a kilometer away from you. Go on, Grim, you're doing great.

Do I? she wondered, entering the office and closing the door behind her. The room was large, with white walls decorated with paintings of various landscapes. A huge mahogany desk stood in front of her, with files and a laptop on it. Further from the door, some armchairs around a coffee table. On the floor, a Persian rug.

_ Hurry, Grim, said Alpha, jolting her back to the mission. O'Brian is leaving the changing room. On his appointments diary, he meets the CIA director in the conference room in fifteen minutes, but ...

_ Okay, okay.

She opened the laptop and inserted the USB key. Even if the computer was shut out, the hacking program Charlie made was able to scan the files and copy whatever was interesting.

_ Okay, Charlie chimed in, I see the files. What have we got here? Oh, some nasty things about Meggido, Alpha and Kestrel were right. And what's this? Some encoded list. Hang on, I activate the decryption program Alpha created...

_ Hurry, Charlie! Grim said nervously.

_ O'Brian in the lobby, Alpha announced.

_ Come on, Charlie, Grim urged him, sweating hard now.

_ Okay, got it! It's the list! Oh my God... Those names...

_ Later, Sam cut. Grim, extraction point. Go for Alpha and Kestrel.

_ Copy, said Alpha.

_ I'm on the way, muttered Grim.

She closed the laptop, took the USB key and hurriedly left the office. She took a lift to go to the parking level, then marched towards the gates.

_ O'Brian at level -2, he's near you, Grim, said Alpha. We'll be there in one minute. Act normal.

Easy to say, she thought. Indeed, she saw the deputy director, accompanied by an agent, walking in her direction. Do not panic, she advised herself. Breathe deeply. Act normal.

_ Director Grimsdottir! O'Brian exclaimed. What a surprise!

_ It's deputy director, actually, corrected Grim with a forced smile.

_ Oh, come on, he said, extending his hand. We both know that Fisher is much too hot-headed and out of control to be the real director of Fourth Echelon.

She shook his hand, trying not to show her disgust. She smiled politely.

_ What I'm saying is that you should be in charge, he told her with a wink.

_ You flatter me, she said, risking a glance at the gates.

_ So, why are you here? he asked pleasantly enough, but suspicion in his eyes. I thought you obeyed only the president?

_ True, said Grim. In fact, I have an appointment with her. I'm waiting for the car she sent.

_ Lovely, but you didn't answer my question.

His tone was still light, but she noticed the hardened eyes peering out at her face, and the bodyguard behind O'Brian taking a step towards her.

_ I had something to take, she said. The rulebook of Third Echelon. I had left it in my old office, and I wanted to check some rules that can apply to Fourth Echelon.

_ Did you now? he asked, the sarcasm barely concealed. And why do you have to check some rules? Has Mr Fisher flouted those rules again?

_ No, no, it's …

Grim was saved by the arrival of the van. Kestrel, behind the wheel, parked next to her, forcing the bodyguard to take a few steps back. Alpha got out of the car, saluted them and, with a surprisingly good American accent, addressed Grim.

_ Ms Grimsdottir? Lieutenant Brook. The president sent us to drive you to the White House.

_ Right, she said, trying to hide her relief. Off we go, then. See you, Director.

_ We'll see each other soon, I expect, said O'Brian suddenly. Have a safe trip.

Without a word, Grim seated herself in the back of the van. Alpha, who had opened her door, closed it and saluted O'Brian again before getting in the car. He watched the van disappearing then said to his bodyguard:

_ Find me the security cameras recordings. I want to know what she was really doing here.

In the car, Grim was gripping the door handle so tightly that her knuckles were white. She was so pale that Kestrel had to ask:

_ Are you all right?

She didn't answer, even if she did want to throw up. How could Sam do this every day? she wondered. As if on cue, his voice resonated in her ear.

_ Good job, Grim, he said softly. You were excellent, and we have the list.

She picked up the earpiece and removed it from her ear. Only Kestrel saw, in the rearview mirror, the silent tears flooding down her cheeks.