Chapter 14
When Kestrel heard the bedroom door opening, he exchanged a meaningful look with Briggs and took Elena's hand, forcing down his worry. He only hoped Sam and Grim had talked and made peace, even if they hadn't stayed long in the bedroom. But when the couple entered the dining room, they were smiling timidly. But they both looked shaken, and Kestrel could understand well enough. The news from both of them would be very hard to swallow indeed. Briggs asked them calmly:
_ Sam, Grim, want a panna cotta?
_ No thanks, sonny, Sam said, sitting on Kestrel's chair who had risen to his feet. But I won't say no to a shot of bourbon.
Briggs went to fetch a glass and the bottle, and poured his boss a large glass while Grim sat next to him on Rachel's empty chair.
_ For my part, she said calmly, a panna cotta will be good.
Molly handed her one with a spoon, and she ate it while Sam was sipping his alcohol, lost in his thoughts. Then Kestrel said, gently stroking Elena's shoulders:
_ Well, I must leave to be on time for the match. James? He called out his nephew. We must go, племянник (nephew).
_ We'll watch the match from here, mate, Briggs told him with a wicked grin. So when you come back, if our good ol' American team has flattened yours, I'll have you do push-ups.
_ Okay, мой друг (my friend), Kestrel nodded, grinning widely. But if the Zenit wins, which I don't doubt any second, it's you who'll do push-ups.
Briggs' smile faded a little, and Kestrel rejoiced inwardly. He knew he would have fun very soon. As James was coming, he asked him:
_ Ready, племянник?
_ Yes, James shouted happily, wearing his jersey too.
_ James, Grim told him. Can I have a hug?
The boy ran to his grandmother and hugged her, while Kestrel kissed Elena who had got to his feet. He hugged her and whispered in her ear:
_ Please take care of Sam, my love. He's very shaken.
_ I'll do, she nodded calmly. And you, enjoy your match.
_ Oh! I will, he grinned, and she beamed at him.
The other children came running into the room, and Aliosha asked him in Russian:
_ Mishka? Where are you going?
_ I'll go and see a soccer match, ребёнок (child), he explained, kneeling in front of the puzzled boy. But I'll come back right afterwards, don't worry. You'll stay here with Mama and play with Rachel and Mary, okay?
Aliosha nodded and abruptly ran into his arms, hugging him. Kestrel rose, gently hugging the little boy and kissing him on his forehead, joy and love filling his heart, and saw around him the moved looks on the adults' faces. Elena was especially happy and moved, a hand on her chest, and Grim was clearly on the verge of tears. She hugged James tighter, and soon Mary and Rachel asked her for a hug too. James hugged Sam and Sarah, then came at Kestrel's feet. He asked him, a little jealous:
_ Are we going, uncle Mishka?
_ Yes, племянник.
Kestrel gently gave Aliosha to his mother and told them with a smile and a last kiss:
_ See you later.
Then he took James' hand, and the two of them exited the house and climbed aboard the blue pickup. He asked the blond boy in the back seat:
_ So, James? Ready to support the Zenit?
_ Yes! he shouted happily. Will we see the players very close, uncle Mishka?
_ I hope so. We'll see them if we can, племянник.
_ Uncle Mishka?
Kestrel shot him a surprised look. James had a very serious tone and face, and was looking intently at him in the rearview mirror. He said:
_ I'm listening.
_ Will Aliosha be around all the time now?
_ Yes, племянник.
He could see that James was a little jealous of Elena's son and feared that his uncle would neglect him, but he explained calmly to him:
_ But you have nothing to worry about, племянник. Aliosha will live with Elena and me from now on, but you are my nephew. And I'll still come to see you and play soccer with you. It won't change anything. And you'll have another boy to play with. That's good, isn't it?
_ But he's too small!
_ For now, maybe. But soon he'll be as tall as you, and you'll play soccer with him.
_ Really? James asked, suddenly interested.
_ Really, племянник. I'll teach him soccer, so the three of us will play. And I'm sure Grandpa Sam will play with us next time.
_ Grandpa Sam is hurt?
_ Yes, but he'll soon be okay. Don't worry.
_ Grandma is sad, James said calmly, looking out the window. She's crying a lot.
_ I know, Kestrel said, his heart squeezing in dismay. But it'll be okay. She's with Grandpa Sam now, she'll be better.
_ Will you buy me a hotdog? the boy asked, jumping from one subject to another.
_ Yes, I will. But only if you're a good boy and sing the Zenit's song.
_ I know it!
_ Good, he smiled, thinking that his parents had probably gone crazy listening to the CD he had given him and he singing it.
They chatted calmly during the trip, and soon Kestrel parked right near the RFK Memorial Stadium. Then they made their way to the entrance, Kestrel holding firmly James' hand in the dense crowd, and holding the puzzled or hostile gazes of the American supporters.
They entered the stadium, Kestrel wondering why they hadn't been frisked more thoroughly, and soon found their seats. Kestrel had been careful to choose the visitors' side, so they sat among the Zenit's supporters, wearing blue jerseys and weaving flags, already chanting. James was opening his eyes widely, hardly taking in all he saw, looking in awe. Kestrel checked his OPSAT: it was 4.20 pm. They had time.
He bought two hotdogs and some popcorn from a street vendor, and two cans of coke from another. James ate his hotdog as if he were starving, then dug enthusiastically into the popcorn. Kestrel ate his own without real hunger but enjoyed the soda. And soon the ads ended, and the players came onto the field. James rose on his seat, cheering like all the Russian supporters around him, and Kestrel rejoiced at seeing the boy so happy.
As it was a friendly match between clubs, there was no official anthem, but on their side of the stadium the supporters sang the Zenit's song, and Kestrel noticed that James hadn't been lying. He really knew all the lyrics by heart, and in good Russian he sang, under the proud look of the ops who sang next to him. Kestrel tried to fight the emotion rising at remembering him and Ivan Kossiak, his dead Russian best friend, in Saint Petersburg for every match they could attend between the Voron missions. But he focused on the present moment as James took his hand, shouting:
_ It's starting, uncle Mishka!
And the match started. Kestrel watched it with pleasure and took his time to explain the moves and techniques to his delighted nephew, and soon the Zenit scored. They rose, yelling loudly in happiness, as around them their side of the stadium celebrated the goal and the Russian players. They burst singing and chanting as the players went to their side of the field, applauding their supporters.
As the match went on, Kestrel focused back on it, but felt also a growing uneasiness creeping up his dorsal spine. He remembered Sam's lesson five years ago in Boise about the "bad vibes" hostile people were emitting, and looked carefully around him. James was concentrated on the game, and around them the Russians were roaming and whooping, but he carefully scanned the crowd. And his heart stopped in fear.
Ten meters away from them, a man was standing next to an access corridor, wearing a thick bulging vest with some large wired belt underneath, eyeing the crowd with a heinous expression on his face. A suicide bomber, Kestrel thought dimly. In a flash, he grabbed James and started to run down the aisle of seats, oblivious to the boy's puzzled questions and the outraged protests of the supporters he was shoving aside. He knew he couldn't do anything about the man, it was much too late. The only thing he could do was trying to save James.
As he reached the access corridor and jumped downstairs, the bomb exploded. A powerful blast knocked him down, propelling him forward, and he shielded James in his arms while they violently landed a few meters away. He knew he would have to run fast, the stadium was old and would probably collapse. As he got to his feet, cement chunks raining around him, he heard James' panicky voice, but he was only focused on protecting him. The questions would have to wait until they were safe.
He ran again down the access corridor, hearing the rumbling sound of a heavy structure breaking and coming down, and terrified screams from the stands. The exit was only five meters away when the ceiling above him abruptly cracked, and large concrete rocks came down. He dove to the right, next to the wall where he knew they had the best chances to survive, and shielded James again as the whole stadium collapsed above them, burying them underneath mounds of deadly debris. The small boy tightly pressed against his chest, he felt a huge rock falling on his head and lost consciousness.
In Towson, the family and friends were clustered in the lounge, lazily watching the match and the children playing with Playmobil figurines. Sam and Briggs had sworn loudly when the Zenit had scored, and been told off by the mothers. Sam, his knee feeling better since Elena had manipulated it again, was casually caressing Grim's back, seated right next to him and her head on his shoulder. Briggs was saying:
_ I hope the Americans will score, or I'll have the humiliation of my life. Kestrel will make me do push-ups until I collapse.
_ Never bet against Kestrel, Sam said calmly. You know it, sonny. Why did you do it?
_ I like a good challenge, his ops said with a grimace. But now I'm starting to regret it.
Sam smiled wickedly, but at that moment the image went off, and he only saw a black screen. Puzzled, he shot a questioning look at Briggs who grabbed the remote control and zapped, but the TV was okay. Only their channel was malfunctioning. Then loud alarms started to blare from his and his ops' OPSAT and Grim's smartphone. He checked it and saw with dread that Kestrel's vitals were plummeting, making all the system's alarms go off.
_ Holy shit! Briggs swore. It's Kestrel!
_ What's happening? Molly asked in alarm as her husband and Grim jumped on their feet, imitated more slowly by a cursing Sam.
Briggs zapped on CNN, and a few seconds later, as Sam was on his foot and crutches at last, news of an explosion in Washington were arriving.
_ Kestrel's in danger, Sam said with a pale voice.
_ What? Elena asked, abruptly rising too in worry. Why? He not okay?
_ His vitals are low, Sam told her, his mind numb in shock. And James...
_ We must go there, Briggs told him. We'll find them with his OPSAT.
_ If he is danger, Elena said firmly, then I go. I am doctor. I help.
She turned towards Molly and asked her:
_ Can you keep Aliosha, please?
_ Of course, the nurse said, rising and gathering the worried children.
_ Then off we go, Briggs said.
_ My love? Sam asked Grim who looked on the verge of fainting.
_ I... I'll stay here, she stammered, collapsing on the sofa.
Elena ran to her and checked on her, and pursed her lips. She told her calmly:
_ Anna, you take deep breath and relax, okay?
She said to Molly:
_ I need wet towel and alcohol.
Then she turned towards Sam who was approaching them, deep worry twisting his guts:
_ Sam, I sorry, she said, her voice trembling. I stay here with Anna, and you find Mishka, please.
_ Okay, Sam said, torn between the urgency of Kestrel's state and Grim's fainting.
But she herself said, grimacing:
_ Go, Sam! Find James and Kestrel! They need you! Go!
_ Okay, my love, he said, hastily kissing her. Stay safe, everything's gonna be all right.
She fell on the cushions of the sofa, wincing in pain and clutching her womb, and he heard Briggs saying:
_ Sam! We must go now!
He left, anguish tearing his guts, and hobbled to Briggs' van. The ops helped him on the passenger seat then ran behind the wheel and floored the accelerator. Sam checked his OPSAT and saw with even more dread that Kestrel's vital signs were decreasing at alarming speed.
_ He's dying! he cried in worry. How much time?
_ One hour, Briggs said gloomily, looking sick. Phone Charlie, Sam. Call every available Fourth Echelon personnel.
Sam obliged, and phoned Charlie, Dr Collins, Ollie and Jun, Andrews the male nurse, and they all converged on the stadium. Charlie told Sam he would guide the rescuers with Kestrel's signal, and Sam felt better. He didn't know what had happened, but the priority was his ops and grandson's lives. Then he phoned Sarah and was reassured to hear her on the line, even if she sounded worried out of her mind:
_ Darling, it's me. How's Grim?
_ She's losing blood, Dad. Elena is taking care of her.
_ The baby? he asked in dismay.
_ Probably, she said with a quivering voice. Elena's next to her. She's trying to make her relaxing as not to miscarry.
_ But how's Grim reacting?
_ She doesn't want to miscarry, Dad. She's crying, but she fears you will be relieved if she loses the baby now.
_ Pass her the phone, please.
He heard shuffling sounds, then Grim's feeble voice:
_ Sam?
_ My love, he said, taking a deep breath. Just relax, everything's gonna be all right.
_ But what if I lose the baby, Sam? she sobbed. I... I want to have it, Sam! Now I know it.
_ Grim, he said calmly, you just relax. I want to have the baby with you too. We'll raise him or her with us, and I'll slow down as to enjoy as much time as possible with him or her. And we'll organize with Fourth Echelon. Don't worry, we'll manage.
_ You're sure that's what you want, Sam? she asked, her voice full of sobs.
_ Yes, he said firmly. That's what I want. We'll have that baby, my love. It's not too late for us, even if we're a little bit older than the average parents. And we'll have help from Sarah and the boys.
_ Okay, darling, she exhaled slowly. I'll try and relax, then. Any news of Kestrel and James?
_ Not yet, he said as calmly as he could, but I called all Fourth Echelon members. We'll rescue them, don't worry. Just focus on us and the baby, my love, and I'll take care of them. Okay?
_ Okay, she repeated.
_ I must leave, but I love you, he said tenderly. Take care of our baby.
_ I will, Sam, she sobbed again.
He hung up, feeling dizzy, and Briggs said, shaking his arm:
_ Hey, Sam! You still there?
_ Yes, sonny, he said. Just feeling overwhelmed with worry.
_ Have a look in the glove compartment. I have a small flask of bourbon. Take a sip.
Sam did, and soon felt the alcohol coursing through his veins, like a whiplash. He felt immediately more alert, but knew the sensation of being sick would stay until he had reassuring news from Grim, Kestrel and James.
His smartphone rang, and he picked up the call:
_ Fisher.
_ Sam, it's Charlie.
_ Charlie! What news? he asked, switching on the loudspeaker.
_ I'm on site, his tech answered hurriedly, obviously running. The stadium is blown up. According to some witnesses, it was a suicide bomber.
_ What about Kestrel and James?
_ Panic is everywhere, Sam, Charlie explained with concern. Dead people, injured ones, medics and investigators... It's a living nightmare. But we're almost to Kestrel's position. But...
_ What?
_ If he really is where the signal indicates, then he and James are buried under a ton of concrete chunks. We'll start pushing them, but we would need an army to reach them on time.
_ I'll call the president.
He hastily hung up then dialed the President of the United States' direct line. Even if his relations with Caldwell's successor were often tense, he knew he could rely on him. And soon he heard Bart McMurdoch's deep voice:
_ Mr Fisher. I'm rather in a hurry, I...
_ I know, Mr President, Sam cut him softly. I call for the same reasons. The attack in the Washington stadium. People are buried under the structure, and one of my ops in particular. They'll be crushed if we don't do anything. And we need personnel. A lot.
_ I already called the nearest SWAT teams, FBI agents and the National Guard is coming too.
_ Not enough, Mr President. I'm sorry to insist, but this stadium can host fifty thousand people.
He heard a few seconds of silence, then the president said:
_ I'll call the nearest armed forces. They'll come as quickly as possible.
_ Thank you, Mr President.
Sam hung up, and asked Briggs:
_ How far?
_ We'll be there in ten minutes.
Sam nodded, watching with apprehension his OPSAT, his only link to his other ops, emitting small alarms as Kestrel's vitals were slowly fading.