Chapter 2: Walking the Line

The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
--Robert Frost, "Mending Wall"

Monday, December 4, 1989
8:20 A.M.
Washington, DC
Agency Headquarters

"Come in!" Billy's voice responded to Lee's knock.

Lee turned the knob and ushered Amanda in before him. "You wanted to see us?" he asked as they took their seats. A Monday morning summons from their section chief wasn't unusual, but to have a note waiting on their desks when they arrived meant it was

particularly urgent. The two Q Bureau occupants had only taken the time to hang up their coats, not even grabbing a cup of coffee before making the trek down to their boss's office.

Billy was fussing with a pile of papers that was somewhat larger than what Lee was accustomed to seeing on his desk. "Yes, that's right. It's -- " He broke off as he turned from the pile to a second, smaller one. "Aha! It's a new assignment, something that just came up yesterday." He lifted two folders from the pile and held them out.

Lee nodded at the piles on the desk as he reached forward to take the files. "Looks like a lot of things have just come up."

Billy gave him a warning look. "Remember our conversation last month about how everything was going to get more complicated after the fall of the Wall?" When Lee nodded, he shook his head. "I had no idea."

"And this assignment is part of that, right?" Amanda had started paging through the folder. "I mean, I assume that's why we're going to Berlin."

"What!" Lee flipped open his folder and looked at the plane tickets on top of the pile. Dulles to Tegel, leaving December 5th. "Billy -- " he started, not sure which objection to voice first.

His boss was holding up his hand. "Hear me out. As you know, we've been monitoring the situation in Berlin closely for the past month. Things have been quiet since the Wall came down, for the most part. As it turns out, Helmut Kohl and Hans Modrow are scheduled to meet in a few weeks to discuss reunification of the two Germanys."

"Isn't that awfully sudden?" Amanda asked.

"Apparently you're not the only one who thinks so. We've received information from a reliable source that the old guard Communists are not necessarily willing to step down in East Germany. Not only that, they think the best way to get what they want is to disrupt the Kohl-Modrow meeting by whatever means necessary. Our source has information to put a stop to this plot, information that has to be passed in person. Unfortunately, they can't just walk across the border like everyone else, because they don't know how large

a conspiracy there is and if they might be stopped. That's where you come in."

"You keep saying 'the source,' sir. Does that mean we're going to have to find out who they are before we can help them?"

Lee had been watching Billy closely, and he thought his boss looked a little nervous. After Amanda's last question, he was sure of it. A little knot started to form in his stomach.

"The details are in the materials you've received," was Billy's reply. "Now, because you'll be leaving tomorrow, you'll need to read up on that information as soon as possible." He rose to his feet, the usual signal for them to leave his office.

Lee wasn't budging, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amanda hadn't moved, either. Turning his head towards her, he found her regarding Billy with a curious expression. "Sir, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, if you make it quick. I've got a lot to do, as you can see." His hand swept forward to indicate his desk.

"Well, it's just, I don't even know if you know you do this, but you have this habit of only addressing one of us when you're telling us something you think the other won't like to hear, and you've hardly talked to Lee since we walked in and now you're trying to get rid of us, so I was just wondering what's going on."

Billy hesitated, then gave what looked like a reluctant smile. "I can't put anything over on you, can I, Amanda?"

"Sir, I didn't say you were trying to put one over on us, I just thought it was a little strange."

"What she means is," Lee interjected, "she doesn't appreciate being the one who'll have to deal with me when I get up to the Q Bureau in a few minutes and see this." He held out a piece of paper with a photograph clipped to it. "Nice try, Billy. Now will you explain to us what the hell Yannah Alberts' picture is doing in here."

Their boss sat down heavily. "Her picture's in there because she's the source you're going to meet."

Lee clapped the folder shut. "Absolutely not."

He felt rather than saw Amanda turn toward him in puzzlement, but his eyes were focused on Billy's. The older man gave a slow nod. "I thought you'd say that. But this is not eight years ago. This is a different situation, a different city, really. And she asked for you specifically. She's done a lot for us over the years, despite what happened to you."

"You know what happened the last time I went to Berlin at her request." Lee threw himself from the chair and started to pace. "How can you even think this is legit? The situation might be different, but how do we know she's changed?"

Billy steepled his fingers under his chin. "She sent us a message yesterday using one of the old ciphers. Said you owe her your life."

"What? That's ridiculous! Look, she's the one who sold me out, me and Travnik and Sikorski. If she's stupid enough to think I'm going to go waltzing back over there and let her do it again, that's her problem."

"Maybe you weren't paying attention a few minutes ago." Billy leaned forward and rested his forearms on his desk. "There is the potential for some serious violence here. We don't know how big the operation is or where they might strike. What we do know is the Kohl - Modrow meeting has been targeted. Everything that's been accomplished in the past month with the fall of the Wall is going to be for nothing if that happens. She has more information, but she can't help us from East Germany. You're the only one she trusts to get her out."

"Oh, that's rich. She trusts me?"

Billy shrugged. "That's what her note says."

"Excuse me, sir, Lee?" Amanda broke in. "I'm feeling a little left out here. Can you explain who this Alberts person is?"

Lee sighed. "I'm sorry." Sometimes he forgot she hadn't always been his partner and didn't know about all of his past cases. This one had always stuck in his throat, for more than one reason, and he never told her about what had happened in Berlin eight years ago. Now it looked like he had no choice. "Look, the short version is, I was helping this Russian defect through East Berlin with the help of an East German double agent, Yannah Alberts. She turned us in, and Travnik got killed along with a previous defector who was helping us. I got traded for another East German who was captured here in the U.S." He dropped back into the chair next to Amanda and addressed their boss. "Do we have information from any other sources to corroborate her story?"

Billy paused, then shook his head. "Not yet, but we're working on it." At Lee's exasperated sigh, he went on. "Come on, you know how hard it is to get reliable information out of there right now. Everyone's trying to be our new best friend in East Germany, and it's hard to sort out what's for real and what's not. Give it a few days."

Amanda spoke up. "Sir, aren't there agents in West Berlin who can do this?"

"No, I'm afraid she wants Lee, and she won't deal with anyone else. However, she's going to have to deal with you, too, Amanda, because I'm not sending Lee out there by himself."

"Thank God for small favors," Lee muttered not quite under his breath.

"Scarecrow, I'm not asking you to go, I'm telling you you're going." Billy's face had the expression Lee always thought of as his "don't mess with me" look. "What happened in the past is just that, in the past. This is a simple assignment, with plenty of assistance from the West Berlin station. You'll go, you'll help Yannah over, and you'll be back in plenty of time for Christmas."

"Yeah, I seem to recall somebody telling me that eight years ago."

"Lee." Billy's tone was surprisingly gentle. "Sometimes it's good to get a chance to lay our ghosts to rest."

He raised his head and gave his boss a long look. He knew Billy was right. He wasn't reluctant to take on this mission simply because of the danger it posed, though that was certainly worthy of consideration. There were the painful memories it dredged up, too. He sighed. "All right, we'll go." Not that he had any choice, but was easier to acquiesce than to be ordered.

"Good." Billy nodded briskly. "You'll have the rest of today to put your caseload in order for the next week and hand on whatever's urgent to Francine for reassignment. I'll send someone up with a full briefing folder later this afternoon."

"All right." Lee offered his hand to Amanda as she rose from her chair, then lightly touched her back as she led him out of the office. He knew he had some explaining to do, but he was hoping to put it off as long as possible. Maybe until after this mission was over, if he had anything to say about it.

Thursday, December 10, 1981

7:55 A.M.

West Berlin field office

After taking another sip of coffee, Lee yawned and shook his head to clear it. He hadn't done much more last night than go to his hotel, eat dinner, and go to bed. Jet lag ensured he slept long enough to almost miss his morning briefing, and the faint light of dawn outside wasn't helping him wake up. He tried to focus on the folder before him as he waited for the others to arrive in the conference room. He'd been hauled all the way over here because he was supposedly the best the Agency had to offer, and damned if he was going to appear as anything but that.

Mark walked into the room and gave Lee a friendly nod. Right behind him was the station chief for West Berlin, a man Lee had seen photos of but never met. "Mr. Andrews." Lee rose and reached out his hand.

The tall man grasped his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Please, call me Stan," he said in a soft Southern accent. "It's nice to meet you, Scarecrow. I'm sorry I was out of town when you were here in September. I understand you played an important role in Doneck's capture."

"Well, I think everyone who was there did a fine job," Lee replied. "I just wish his brother hadn't been caught in the crossfire."

"Yeah, that is a shame," Stan replied as he took his seat and gestured for Lee to do so as well. "Not only could he have shared some information with us, but it's made Doneck less cooperative." As Lee opened his mouth, the older man shook his head. "It's all water

under the bridge now." He lifted up the top folder from the pile in front of him. "I heard Lucas praise you a few weeks ago, and knew you were the right man for the job."

Two other men had entered and taken their seats next to Mark. "Good, we can begin," Stan started. "Lee, you've already met Mark Peterson. This is Erik Jaeger, one of our West German counterparts," he gestured to a blond man sitting across from Lee, "and Dmitri Sikorski, a man who's been in the same position our Mr. Travnik is in now." Lee leaned over to shake the hands of both men as Andrews went on. "Erik has experience using the, uh, transit routes between East and West Berlin, and he'll be advising us on the best way to go. Dmitri, as I said, is a former resident of the Soviet Union who helps his countrymen find their way to the West. Mark will be your contact here at the Agency."

Lee tapped a finger against the side of his folder, a question instantly springing to his lips. "Is this approach the norm when dealing with defectors in Berlin? I would think the West Germans would be able to handle it."

Mark spoke up. "You're right, Lee, it is pretty unusual. But this guy's a little different. He's KGB, and like I told you, word is he's going to pick up some sort of information for the U.S. in East Berlin before he crosses over. Because of that, he's particularly valuable, and so we need Erik's expertise on getting past the Wall. Erik's also the one who knows how to contact Yannah Alberts."

"And I am here to make Travnik feel better," Dmitri said, a smile creasing his ruddy face. He went on in a slight Russian accent, "And to make you feel better if he does something that seems out of place. He is understandably nervous, and we need to make sure he does not change his mind. Someone who has been in his position may be able to advise him better than you."

Lee nodded. "Makes sense. So what's the plan?"

The station chief tossed him another folder. "Read that." Lee inwardly groaned. The folder was at least two inches thick, and much of it was written in German. Though he could speak it fluently, he hadn't had to read anything longer than a customs form for a while. Still, he wasn't about to ask for help if he didn't have to.

Stan continued as he passed out similar folders to the other three men. "You'll get a couple of days to walk around West Berlin, play the tourist, and make sure you're familiar with this side of the Wall. Then you'll cross over and meet with Alberts. She'll make arrangements for you while Jaeger's other contacts handle Travnik, and then you'll make the crossing."

"That's it?"

Stan saw his expression and smiled. "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake."

"Yeah," Lee scoffed. "That's why I flew all the way over here instead of you guys doing the work." Stan's smile faded away. "Why am I over here, anyway? Does it have something to do with the nature of the information Travnik's gathering?"

Stan shook his head. "We don't know what that information is. We were told," he nodded at Erik, "our contact wanted the best available American agent for this case. Now, she's never had qualms about working with just us before, so we don't know what's going on now. All I have to say is, watch yourself. This could be a trap. I understand Washington just got its hands on a top East German spy, and they'd love to get him back."

Lee nodded. He'd heard of this happening before, an agent being suckered into a mission essentially for the purpose of getting kidnapped and traded. And Lucas had given him a similar warning before he left the States. "How trustworthy is this Alberts?"

"Completely," Erik replied. "At least, as completely as any double agent can be. She is a native of Berlin, and she sees the Wall as an abomination in her city. She has some connection to whatever it is Travnik is coming to Berlin for, but whether she has the information as well, I don't know. She is not always available to help us, simply because of the nature of her situation. If there is any kind of trap here, Mr. Stetson, I am sure she is not involved."

"What about Travnik?" Lee turned to Dmitri. "Do we know for sure he's legit?"

The Russian shrugged. "I worked with him for a few years in Leningrad. He always appeared to be satisfied with his situation, but then I would hope I appeared that way, too, da? My sources tell me he has changed in recent months, become a little more nervous, and other behavior consistent with someone seeking to defect."

Lee sat back in his seat, trying to remember what it was about the briefing file that troubled him. Finally he gave up and raked his hand through his hair. Maybe something in the stack Stan gave him would jog his memory.

Stan looked at him and raised his eyebrows, as if to ask if he had any more questions. Lee shook his head, and Stan went on, "Well, it looks like you boys have enough to keep you busy for now," indicating their thick folders. "Lee, we've got a desk for you to work at today, and then tomorrow you should be out doing recon on this side of the Wall. If you have any questions, let Mark know. Otherwise, I'll see you in a little less than a week when you get back here with Mr. Travnik. Good luck!"

Lee flipped through the folder for a moment as the others cleared out of the room, pausing when he came to a photograph. 'Whoa, Mark wasn't kidding!' he thought, looking at Yannah Alberts' picture. The shot showed a woman walking down the street, her belted dress accenting what was obviously a shapely figure. Her blond hair hung nearly to her waist, much longer than Eva's, and she looked considerably taller than the Italian woman.

He abruptly shook his head. Damn it, why couldn't he get Eva out of his mind? Nearly three months had passed since she dashed into their favorite café in Venice and told him of Angelo's proposal. He'd called on all of his acting skills to wish her congratulations and the best of luck with her ESP researcher without letting her see how she had knocked the wind out of him. He remembered thinking it was a good thing he'd postponed buying the diamond ring he spotted in a jewelry shop. Closing his eyes briefly against the memory, he turned over the photograph in his hand and turned his attention back to the file. Venice was in his past; Berlin was the present.

The next photo was a close-up, and it was clear that Fraulein Alberts was, indeed, a "looker." Wide blue eyes were set evenly in a beautifully sculpted face, with high cheekbones and a long, narrow nose that stopped just short of being pointed. Whether intentionally or not, she was looking directly at the camera as the picture was taken, and he found himself captivated by her eyes. He paused to study the photograph more closely. Her expression was cool, with a hint of something that intrigued him. She looked like she was not only used to danger, but welcomed it, even thrived on it. Just like he did.

Lee felt the corner of his mouth turn up. Suddenly, he was very much looking forward to Saturday.