Chapter 29
When Briggs woke up on Sunday morning, he wasn't surprised to see that Molly had already left the room. And when he went down to the kitchen after a good shower, he found her seated at the table as planned, voraciously digging into a jar of peanut butter and looking in heaven. Sighing lightly he came next to her, kissed her then caressed her swollen womb which looked more and more like a football.
_ Hello, honey! he told her, kissing her again. You're hungry, then?
_ Hello, darling! Yes, I'm starving! And it's my last jar!
_ No, honey. I've bought a lot of them yesterday, I'll bring you two jars.
_ Really? she rejoiced, making him smile in spite of his jaded feeling. Brilliant!
He rose and went to the basement, where he had stored ten jars the day before, and took two as promised. She greeted his return with a huge sigh of relief and hastily took a jar, opening it in a swift movement and enthusiastically digging her spoon into the thick paste.
He was still amazed by her enormous appetite, even if he had already seen her like that while waiting for Rachel, and couldn't keep a straight face in front of her delighted expression. So he soon laughed while preparing a coffee, and she smiled apologetically at him. But she started a little and said hurriedly:
_ Isaac! The baby is kicking! Come!
He ran to her and let her grab his hand, putting it at the top of her womb. And soon he felt the little foot of his baby, kicking through the thick layers of Molly's organs and skin, and happiness and love filled him. He chuckled and kissed Molly as he felt another strong kick, and she said:
_ Maybe baby will be a soccer player, kicking like that.
_ Please no! he said, straightening and sitting next to her. I've had enough of soccer!
_ Maybe Kestrel will play soccer with the kids at Sam's today.
_ It's Mishka, Molly dear, he corrected her softly. And I hope he'll be able to play.
She didn't respond but shot him a concerned look, sharing his disarray. He knew his best friend wasn't in great shape and would need time, but finding a house for him and his family seemed to have put him on the right tracks.
Soon Rachel climbed down the stairs and happily kissed her parents, and Briggs' heart leapt with joy at the sight of his family around him. He was very relieved and happy not to work for Fourth Echelon anymore, even if the end had been bitter and harsh, and difficult to accept. And speaking of the end...
_ Molly dear, he said, getting up and kissing her and Rachel, I'll be in my office. I have to phone John.
_ Your CIA friend?
_ Yes.
_ Isaac, she shook her head while giving Rachel her buttered toast. You're not working anymore. Can't you drop it?
_ No, honey. I have to know how all this is going to end. And I just can't forget what these... these despicable people have done to us. To Mishka.
She pursed her lips, unable to say anything to this, so he went to his small room, where Rachel was strictly forbidden to go as it was where he kept his guns in a bolted locker. Once seated in front of his desk he took out his smartphone and called his old colleague from the CIA.
_ Sanchez.
_ Hi, John! It's Briggs.
_ Hiya, ol' fellow! So, your kid born or what?
_ Not yet. In December, if all goes as planned.
_ Never goes as planned, the gruff agent said dejectedly. Wasn't supposed to have more than two kids myself, ended up with five!
Briggs sniggered, having heard that story often enough, and his friend grudgingly laughed. He asked more seriously:
_ Do you have news?
_ Yes, John answered, sobered up at once. The usual, Briggs. You and I don't know anything about it.
_ Of course, John. Tell me.
_ The work is done. The Devgru killed all remaining men, including their silent partners. And quite a job it has been to find them. And you won't like it. Some men following Jacques Coudray's orders.
_ Meggido again, he sighed unhappily. What about Coudray?
_ The NSA has had formal evidence that he has ordered the attack on the RFK stadium. He won't escape his fate, this time. And the Congress will oppose the district locals on the death penalty matter. They consider it a federal crime, so Coudray will be sued again, and very probably sent to Terre Haute in Indiana, where he'll receive a lethal injection in about fifteen years.
_ That's good news. One less criminal to take care of.
_ Indeed.
_ Thanks a lot, John. So it's okay for me and my team, then?
_ It's okay, yes. You and your team should be safe.
_ Thanks again, my friend.
_ Wait, Briggs! You know Andriy Kobin, don't you?
_ Yeah. Wish I could tell you no, but...
_ Understandable enough. Can't stand this sort of scum, but unfortunately we often need that sort of scum in our job.
_ True. So what about Kobin?
_ He's back in the US.
_ What?
Briggs was bewildered. Fourth Echelon's agreement with Kobin seven years ago had been very clear: he could go back to his arms dealing business, on the condition that he never set foot in the USA again. Apparently the asshole had thought he could do whatever he wanted after a few years. He sighed in anger and asked:
_ And what is he doing in the US?
_ He's in Philadelphia and is helping some Russian Mafiya criminal finding someone.
_ Do you have specifics?
_ Why? You're interested?
_ No. I just know the guy, he wouldn't do something like that without a good reason, and I don't like it at all.
_ Hmph! Yeah, I see what you mean. According to one of my contacts who's more or less keeping an eye on him, he's after a woman called Rykova.
_ I see, Briggs only said, dread filling his guts. Well, keep me posted, John, will you?
_ Sure.
_ Do you know the name of the Mafiya guy?
_ No, but I can ask my contact.
_ Thanks a lot. That would be great if you could phone me as soon as you know, John.
_ Uh oh. I know that tone, Briggs. Do you know what this is about?
_ Maybe, but I'm not sure. I'll make inquiries of my own.
_ Okay, we'll talk about it later. I'll phone you ASAP.
_ Thanks again.
Briggs hung up, rage filling his chest. He remembered well enough his first encounter with Elena in the lobby of Johns Hopkins and that she was called Rykova. It was too big a coincidence. But when Kestrel would learn about it...
Shaking himself he went back to the kitchen and put his worry in the back of his mind, storing it for later investigation. Molly and Rachel were finishing eating, and soon left to wash. He cleaned the table and set his mind: he would tell his team. They had to know, and Kestrel especially.
An hour later he climbed behind the wheel of his Chevrolet and drove his family to Sam's place, hiding his worry as best he could. But visibly some of it surfaced on his face because Molly asked him:
_ What's wrong, Isaac? You look troubled.
_ Indeed, I am, he admitted calmly. But it's not about us, my love, don't worry.
_ I'm quite worried, darling, she countered him softly as Rachel had fallen asleep in her car seat. If it's not about us, then it's about the team. I thought Fourth Echelon had been dissolved! And that I wouldn't have to worry about you all anymore!
_ You don't have to, honey, he told her very calmly. Maybe it's nothing, we'll just talk about something. Nothing bothersome.
_ Don't you dare think I can't see you're lying, Isaac Briggs! she said a little more heatedly. You've been doing a very dangerous job for years and years, and it's not because you've suddenly stopped that your old enemies will leave you alone!
_ Please, Molly, he said with a soothing voice, taking her hand. Let me handle this. I have to talk to my team, and we'll see what we can do about all this. Trust me, please.
She sighed heavily, visibly very worried, but at long last she exhaled:
_ Okay, Isaac. Just promise me you won't do anything rash and will watch over yourself.
_ I promise, honey.
He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, telling himself firmly that Kobin and his schemes wouldn't spoil his and his team's happiness. And as he parked in front of Sam's house, behind Kestrel's pickup, he hugged Molly tightly, kissing her with all his love. Then he took Rachel in his arms and gently woke her up, and soon she was running fast towards the front door.
As Sam opened the front door and greeted them, he tried to mask his uneasiness. But as soon as the Splinter Cell laid eyes on him, he frowned slightly. Cursing himself inwardly, he dimly thought that he should ask Kestrel to teach him how to have a poker face. They shook hands, then followed Sam to the huge table in the dining room.
Rachel spotted Aliosha and ran away with him, soon giggling loudly with him, and he said hello to Grim who smiled at him and Elena who rose to greet Molly and him. But he saw with concern that Kestrel stayed seated on his chair, poker face on but eyes betraying his pain, and went to shake hands with him. He asked him:
_ How are you, mate?
_ That's the million dollar question, мой друг (my friend). Can I answer you in a week?
He locked eyes with his best friend, reading the answer in his eyes. Kestrel looked mentally okay and better, but his leg was very clearly hurting him. However his face was glowing with an unusual heat, a happiness so powerful he seemed to have accepted his physical state. Wondering what was happening, Briggs forced down his turmoil, not wanting to show his worry to his best friend. But like Sam, Kestrel shot him a puzzled look, and asked:
_ What's the matter, мой друг?
_ Later, mate, he simply said as Sam was leading Charlie and his timid-looking girlfriend Andrea into the room.
His heart squeezing in dismay he firmly put the bad news in the back of his mind as he shook hands with Charlie and welcomed the blond scientist. And soon they settled around the table. Sam had cooked the meal, and it was great. And Briggs learned with delight from Kestrel's mouth that he and Elena would get married, have a baby together and that Aliosha would become Kestrel's son. He broke into applause like everyone else around the table, and cheered when Sam said that he and Grim would also get married soon.
The news were so good and heart-warming that he hated to have to dampen their spirit, but he knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut. The situation was too serious. And sure enough, after the coffee was served Sam asked him with a light frown:
_ You look preoccupied, sonny. What's happening?
Briggs shot an uneasy glance around him, and Molly unexpectedly backed him up. She rose and said:
_ Fourth Echelon needs an urgent meeting. Anna, can we use your kitchen?
_ Of course, Molly, Grim said, rising to her feet.
Elena and Andrea followed them with the kids, and soon Grim came back, looking concerned. When she was seated next to Sam again, Charlie asked:
_ So, Briggs? What do you have to tell us?
_ I'm sorry, but I have good and bad news.
_ What bad news? Kestrel asked, eyebrows furrowed. PanAfrica?
_ No, he shook his head, taking a deep breath. These are the good news. The Devgru have finished the job, they've neutralized every threat. And guess who's got caught red-handed for having ordered the attack on the stadium?
_ Kill the suspense, sonny, Sam rumbled.
_ Jacques Coudray. He'll be sued for federal crimes and probably sent to Terre Haute to wait for his execution.
_ I hope it'll be the real end of the Meggido threat, Grim stated calmly.
_ Let's hope so, Sam nodded. But what about the bad news?
Briggs shot a worried look towards Kestrel who seemed to understand at once. His best friend's face set into an expressionless mask, but he saw a ruthless fire appearing in his irises. And he said hesitantly:
_ Kobin is in Philadelphia.
_ What? Sam roared. Why? What is he doing here? How dare he set foot in our country? I'll gut him for real, this time!
_ Elena, Kestrel said tonelessly, locking eyes with Briggs who nodded reluctantly.
_ I fear so. He's helping some Russian Mafiya guy finding a woman called Rykova.
Every pair of eyes set on Kestrel who looked ready to explode, hands shaking badly, obviously trying to force down his fury. But this time, his best friend didn't succeed in mastering his nerves. He stood up abruptly, the pain in his leg visibly vanishing, maybe under the rush of adrenalin, and ran into the garden.
Briggs hastily followed him and watched his teammate, shaking with uncontrolled anger, violently destroying the garden furniture. He knew Sam wouldn't mind about it, and Kestrel would only give a check to his boss to make it up for the carnage. But he also knew Kestrel needed to smash things to let the steam off.
As Sam, Grim and Charlie caught up with him, they watched the ops, utterly mad, smashing the wooden table to teeny-tiny bits, howling in fury. Then it was the chairs' turn, and they soon transformed into a pile of splintered sticks. At last Kestrel seemed to calm down a little, but he swayed on his feet. Briggs ran back into the living room and grabbed his cane, then ran out again.
He handed the cane to his teammate who took his time to take it, obviously restraining himself from hitting his best friend or breaking his cane. Finally he took a deep breath and acepted the cane, and leaned heavily on it. He shot a look at his wreckage and told Sam and Grim:
_ I apologize. I'll have a check ready for you.
_ Don't worry, sonny, Sam said at last. We were thinking about buying another garden furniture set, so it's for the best.
_ I'll pay nevertheless, Kestrel said with a tone that made it clear he wouldn't take no for an answer.
_ As you wish, Mishka, Grim said simply. But we should sit back in the living room. I'm exhausted, personally.
Briggs wasn't fooled, he knew she had said this for Sam and most of all for Kestrel, and like him the team wasn't fooled either. But they all followed her to the table, and he saw that his best friend collapsed on his chair, clearly in pain. But he had such a ferocious stare that nobody asked him anything about his leg.
Finally Sam cleared his throat and asked softly:
_ Tell us, sonny. Why would a Mafiya guy be after Elena?
_ Piotr Kovalevskiy.
Kestrel let out the name with hatred etched on his face, and Briggs shuddered. He had rarely seen that expression on his best friend's face, but each time it had been very bad and serious. Kestrel rubbed his face, his sign that he was trying to calm down enough to talk, then spoke with a voice still constricted with fury:
_ The Mafiya guy must be Piotr Kovalevskiy. Aliosha's father.
He raised his head and caught Briggs' stare, and went on:
_ Elena told me she hadn't been long with him, having discovered he was a bad guy, but enough to get pregnant. When he learned about her pregnancy, he ran away, letting her down.
Briggs was appalled, and around him he could see revolted faces. What an ordeal it must've been for her and the boy, he thought sadly.
_ So she had Aliosha and raised him on her own in Krasnodar. But three months ago, Kovalevskiy went to see her and the boy, and told her he wanted to take Aliosha with him and raise him within the Mafiya. He left her no choice. So before he could come back, she fled Russia and came to the USA. And that's when we've met.
He shot an imperious look around him and said, very calmly but fierceness resonating in every syllabe:
_ Elena will soon be my wife, and Aliosha my son. It's absolutely out of the question that I'm letting her down and leaving a field day for Kovalevskiy to find her and Aliosha. And Kobin will be very sorry indeed to have crossed me again.
Briggs nodded grimly, and Sam said in the name of the whole team:
_ Then it seems that Fourth Echelon has a last mission to do. We'll track down Kobin and Kovalevskiy, and kick them out of the States. And if they die, I couldn't care less.
_ Okay, Sam, Briggs said immediately.
_ I'm in, Charlie nodded seriously.
_ And me, Grim said darkly.
_ Thank you, Kestrel said at last. Sadly I won't be able to go far with my leg, but I still have Alpha's sniper rifle.
He looked carefully at his team and vowed very seriously:
_ If Kobin or Kovalevskiy or both come within sight of my binocular, I won't aim for their arm, you know it. And they won't harm my family in any way.
Sam nodded, then turned towards Briggs:
_ I assume the CIA gave you this intel.
_ One of my friends, yes, Briggs confirmed.
_ Can you ask for a little help? Can he obtain us Kovalevskiy's file?
_ I think so. I'll call him.
_ Good. Charlie? Can you find Kobin?
_ I have his number, the tech nodded. And my laptop's in the trunk of my car. I'll find him, Sam.
_ Grim?
_ I'll call the FBI. As soon as we have their location, I'll set an operation with them, and above all tell them to let us do our thing. And I'll face the President if needed, but we shall deal personally with them.
_ Good, Sam said. We'll find Kobin as soon as possible, and in the meantime we'll organize to watch over Elena and Aliosha.
Briggs nodded at Sam, then stared at Kestrel again. The ops, clearly torn between anger, worry and relief nodded and said simply:
_ Thank you all. Now, shall we get started?
