The Lion's Prey

by Camden Mays

  Just inside the glass doors, he shook off as much of the rain as he could before heading to the Turkish coffee shop. There she sat, not far from the same table where they had met before. The store gave off the distinctive Turkish coffee aroma. Her white button-down shirt was worn in a chic way and low enough to be revealing. He looked around for any suspicious patrons with cameras before pulling out his chair.

  “Cole, I’m glad you’re OK,” Katrina said, reaching her hand across to touch his. Cole pulled his hands back.

  “Before we discuss anything else, let me just tell you, you’re lucky I came after the stunt with the photos.”

  “It was not my idea, I assure you. I had no choice. The Bear insisted on driving a wedge in your relationship with the FBI girl so that you would be more open to me. I told him it was useless. Besides, he is not aware of this meeting.” Katrina crossed her legs, letting the slit in her navy skirt reveal her slender thighs.

  “OK, I’m assuming you knew where I was, so what was so urgent that you pulled me away from Capitol Hill?”

  “First, what about Mogadishu?” Katrina tilted her head as if looking for a sign of gratitude from Cole.

  “Yes, it was helpful. Thank you,” Cole managed to force out the last two words.

  “So does that mean we can trust each other?”

  “It means we’re off on the right foot, but a long way from your defection and getting protection here in the US.”

  “I thought so,” Katrina said, taking a sip from the Turkish teacup. “I have important information for you personally and another set of information for your government. But I want assurance that you and McCune will help me.”

  “If the information proves credible and significant enough, I believe McCune will pull the right strings.”

  “What about you, Cole? Are there strings you would like to pull?”

  “Really? We’re doing this again?”

  “Force of habit, my love.” Katrina lifted her purse and handed a thumb drive to Cole. “It has communication from the congressman specifically about you and his design to ruin you. Also, I included a couple of video clips of my meetings with him at the hotel. It’ll give you a chance to preview my talents in case your feelings for me change.”

  Cole held the thumb drive. Katrina continued, “Just remember—if that is what I can do for someone I despise, imagine what I will do for someone I admire and am drawn to.”

  “Uh-huh,” Cole said.

  “Don’t worry, there are no angles in the clips that reveal my face. But I think this should be enough to get him to close down his investigation.”

  “Thank you,” Cole said. “What about the other information?”

  “I know the Bear has traveled to Bandar Abbas, Iran to meet with Zurvan Shirazi, the Deputy Minister of VAJA and an emissary for the leader of the AIJB.”

  “An emissary?”

  “Yes. The leader, the one they call the Lion of Aden, only works through an emissary. It annoys Medvedm, especially after the AIJB lost the shipment of arms. But there is something they are planning for the US.”

  “What do you mean? What are they planning?”

  “I am not sure, but I’ve heard the Bear speak of a ‘dark winter’ for the US, and I have never seen him this emboldened before.”

  Cole immediately recalled the words of the former AIJB leader Hasni. He had asked Cole if he was ready for a “long, dark winter.”

  “This is not enough information. It doesn’t help. There’s nothing actionable.” Cole shook his head.

  “Please. I need to get away from that monster.” Cole studied Katrina’s eyes.

  “I’ll take it to McCune, but we’ll need more.”

  “Do you know how much risk I am taking now? Do you think this information is easy to come by?”

  “Sorry, Daphne, I know they’ll want more.” He saw the disappointment in her face. “Hey, McCune is fair. You find out what you can. Get us more details, and she’ll work with you.” He paused.

  “Why Daphne?” he asked as he stood.

  “Greek mythology.”

  “Refresh my memory.”

  “The river nymph that was chased by Apollon until she was exhausted and cried out to Gaia to rescue her.”

  “Yeah, how did her story end?”

  “She was transformed into a tree.”

  Cole took her chin in his hand and lifted her head. He bore a hole into her eyes with his stare.

  “You’re a ravishing woman, Katrina, but a new name—a new life—won’t change who you are on the inside.” He gently removed his hand and turned away.

  ✽✽✽

  Washington, DC – Capitol Hill

  Cole returned to Capitol Hill and grabbed McCune as the hearing took a recess for lunch. He gave her the data stick, explained what Katrina had on Shepherd, and left it in her hands to deal with. He didn’t want in the political game and was willing to go ahead and appear before the committee. He also shared the information regarding the Iranian and AIJB connection with Gavriil Medvedm.

  “That’s not enough,” McCune said, just as Cole had expected.

  “She’s in a tight spot. I don’t know how much longer she can hold up,” Cole attempted to relay his concerns.

  “She’s a trained veteran SVR agent, capable of seducing the most honorable men, and there’s no telling how many she has killed,” McCune whispered.

  “How many have I killed? What’s the difference?” Cole wanted it all in perspective.

  “It makes a big damn difference to me.” McCune gritted.

  “Yeah, you’re right. I told her we need more details. But for what it’s worth, I think she truly is looking to defect and not just playing us.”

  “Cole, that’s what they all think right before they get fucked over.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “OK, I’m going back in there and making up some excuse to buy us a day. We’ll get this piece of shit off our asses so you can get back to the job at hand.” McCune tapped on her cell phone.

  Later, as the meeting resumed back, a staffer brought a message to Shepherd. He crumpled the paper in frustration. “It appears there is an urgent matter for the associate director and her staff to deal with at the CTC, so we will need to adjourn the meeting until tomorrow.”

  Chapter 17

  Washington, DC

  Allen Beecham sat on a bench near the Mary McLeod Bethune statue in Lincoln Park just a mile west of the Capitol building. The concrete was still wet and the urban air temporarily cleansed from the earlier rains. The sun began to set behind the monument to the African-American educator and activist as Scott Shepherd joined his old college roommate at the bench.

  “Congressman,” the brawny Beecham said as his former employer sat.

  “Allen. Thanks for meeting with me.” Both men looked straight ahead as they spoke to avoid the appearance of collusion.

  “I thought you couldn’t afford to be seen with me again.”

  “You know I have no choice.”

  “I also know that you and your chief of staff promised to help me land another job.”

  “That’s proving much more difficult than we expected. You kind of went overboard at the Gala.”

  “Bullshit. You told us to egg him on until we got a reaction, and that’s what we did.” Beecham turned on the bench and glared at Shepherd. “Have you seen my fucking nose? He broke it! We didn’t know that old man in the toilet was recording it.”

  “Allen, Allen, let’s not rehash this.” Shepherd tried to calm the man down. He slid a thick envelope of cash over to him. “There’s enough in there to tide you over for a while. Give things a chance to cool down.”

  “I don’t want your frigging charity!”

  “It’s not charity. I need a favor.”

  Beecham turned and looked at the congressman. “Of course. You need something dirty done, don’t you?”

  Shepherd turned to face him. “I need your help, Allen. Do you want the job or not?”

 
; “What do you need?”

  “I want you to give a message to that puny bitch reporter for the Post, Darcy Regis. Scare the shit out of her. Here’s a key to her place. The address is in the envelope with the money.”

  “I can do that. When do you want it done?”

  “By the end of the week.”

  ✽✽✽

  McLean, Virginia

  Cole entered through the mudroom of his home to the inviting aroma of Sockarooni Sauce and saw Hannah draining the penne pasta. She looked slightly panicked and nodded toward the oven. “Can you grab the garlic bread?”

  “Sure,” Cole said, putting his bag down and finding the pot holders to pull the pan out. “Smells great.”

  “No promises here. My mom is the cook in our family. I just remembered you like Newman’s Sockarooni Sauce and thought I would try to make it fresh. Found a recipe online.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed.”

  “You haven’t tried it yet.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be great.”

  “I think I’ll use the jar next time. When I got your text that you would be in late, I thought I would use some of the fresh stuff we bought yesterday.”

  “Love it.”

  “And I hope you don’t mind, but I went by my place at lunch and picked up some more clothes so that I could stay here. Your place is closer to my office, and I’m not sure how long you’ll be home. Just want to be with you as much as possible.” Hannah put the bowl of pasta down next to the salad bowl, and Cole walked over to give her a proper greeting.

  “Been tasting the sauce I see,” he said, licking his lips after their kiss.

  “That’s not all I tasted.” she nodded to the bottle of Cab at the table. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Starving.”

  They enjoyed the meal and wine as they sat at the table. Hannah asked about the hearing and Cole explained that Shepherd was into some deep crap and he thought McCune was working on a fix. Then Hannah shared about her day and an exciting phone call she received.

  “Well, you know since the LA takedowns, the attack, and the award I received, I’ve been fielding recruiting calls across the country.” Cole slowed his eating to listen carefully.

  “Today I got a call from the SAC at the Atlanta Field Office asking me to join the Joint Terrorism Task Force there. My experience at the NCTC and the work on the interagency team is really opening some doors.”

  Cole put his fork down. “You don’t want to stay in DC?”

  “No, I’m not saying that.” Hannah put her hand on his. “I just . . . I’m just not happy doing analytical work at the NCTC. I want to be in the field, or at least doing something that is more hands-on.”

  “I get it. I felt the same way before the AIJB task force. I was tired of pushing papers and writing reports. But what does that mean for us?”

  “Well, Cole, you’re gone on missions. I mean, what do you have? A few days before you head back out? How long will you be gone? We don’t know. I feel like my life is put on hold.”

  “Wait, are you breaking up with me?” His face registered the dreaded possibility.

  “No, no,” Hannah said, grabbing with both hands now. “I think we just need to talk about our future and how all of this is going to work and consider all possibilities.”

  Cole sat quietly, gauging Hannah’s forthrightness.

  “I love you, and I trust that you love me. I want to be with you, but if you’re gone ninety percent of the time, I’ll need to really enjoy my work. Right now, I don’t.”

  “Have there been any opportunities here in DC?”

  “I considered looking into an instructor’s role at Quantico. When I spoke there a couple of weeks ago, it really felt good, and the trainees responded well.”

  “So why not look into it?”

  Hannah moved the stray hair behind her ear and looked at Cole with guilty eyes.

  “Oh, Tom Anderson,” Cole said. They sat quietly for a moment. Cole was conflicted but sensed their relationship had survived a major test.

  “Are you completely devoted to me like I think you are?”

  “Well, usually there’s some kind of ceremony for that, but yes, I am completely yours, Cole Cameron.”

  “Did you just drop a marriage hint? Let’s make sure we see your parents before we have that kind of talk.” Cole laughed.

  “Well, my parents’ anniversary is coming up at the end of September. Can we go?”

  “Yes, let’s do that.”

  “You promise?”

  “Yes. But as far as Tom Anderson goes, I’ll trust your judgment there. I’ll trust you wherever you need to be happy.”

  “How long do you think you’ll be going like you are now? What do you plan on doing after this mission? Just taking on the next group?”

  Those were all fair questions, but Cole didn’t have the answers at this point. “I just know I have to do this until I feel my family is safe. I wish I had answers, but I don’t.”

  Hannah dropped her head.

  “Sweetie, I think you should take a look at every opportunity that interests you and not rule anything out. I want you to be happy.”

  “OK, I’ll call the SAC in Atlanta back tomorrow and let him know. He’ll probably want me to fly down for an interview in the next week or so.”

  “Good. Do you what you need to do. The stuff I’m dealing with will be over soon enough, and we’ll figure it out from there.”

  Hannah got up from her chair and sat in Cole’s lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “You are an amazing man. My parents are going to love you.”

  ✽✽✽

  Counterterrorism Center – Langley

  McCune texted Cole on his drive into the Capitol building. The closed prelim hearing was canceled, and she ordered him to head to the CTC instead. He reasoned that somehow the leverage was applied to Shepherd to drop the investigation. He made it down to basement level three and headed into the den. It was great seeing his team members. He thanked them all for their support in the Mogadishu and Al Hudaydah operations. Amy Wiggins informed him that the field team was on their way back to the States for some time off and that McCune wanted to meet him at a quarter till ten in her office.

  The team of analysts gave him a rundown on the impact of the Al Hudaydah air strike and the recent posts from the Lion of Aden. Cole shared with the team that the Lion was working and negotiating through an emissary.

  “We need to find out who that is. We find the emissary, and he can lead us to the Lion. Start with checking travel from Yemen to Bandar Abbas. We’ve got a lead that the emissary was there a few days ago.” Cole saw that Amy had the team firing on all pistons.

  “You’re doing a great job here, Amy.”

  “Thanks, boss. But you’ve got to stop getting your ass in a ringer. It’s hard to watch those things play out on a screen.”

  “I’ll try, Amy.”

  “I’m sure Hannah was glad to see you.”

  “It’s good to be home.” He looked at his watch. “I’m going up to check in with McCune.”

  ✽✽✽

  Nancy McCune peered out of glass walls of her office and watched as Cole Cameron exited the elevator. His reputation at the CIA—and especially at the CTC—had grown to near legendary status. The list of stories grew: the Sayhut shoot-out, the takedown in LA, saving McCune, killing al-Himyari and Jawahir, and now the rumors of him and Capps taking on dozens of enemy combatants while waiting for the air strike. As he walked from the elevator to McCune’s office, his CIA colleagues seemed in awe. His accomplishments had brought recognition to the agency’s stepchild mission center.

  Most recruits wanted placement with operations or some other specialty. The CTC was seen as the path for less capable personnel. For counterterrorism, it was the FBI’s NCTC that was the top choice. Now Cole had elevated the CIA’s CTC into high esteem. Recruitment was up as well as morale.

  McCune waved the unassuming legend into her office. That was precisely
why he had become her favorite. He had delivered on missions and lifted her organization with him, all while dismissing the glory of it.

  “Were you and Capps trying to take on the entire AIJB by yourself?” she scolded.

  “Good morning to you, too, boss!” Cole chuckled.

  “Seriously, I don’t want to see another star on that wall from my team.”

  “Copy that, ma’am. I see you got us out of that hearing.”

  “Yes, I did, thanks to the drive you gave me. I’ll need you to do me a favor in return,” McCune said as she stood and leaned against her credenza.

  “What’s that?”

  “You’ll need to do an exclusive interview with a Post reporter, Darcy Regis. We’ll give you the framework for your responses so that you stay within the boundaries, but that was the price. Here’s the meeting information.” McCune gave him a piece of paper with the meeting details.

  “Ma’am, you know I’m hesitant to share too much detail out of concern for Jess’s safety.”

  “I understand. We’ll keep it tight.”

  Cole nodded in agreement.

  “Also, what did you think of Sasha Liski?”

  “Hmm, well, she is like coffee for me.”

  “Like coffee?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Cole, you don’t drink coffee.” McCune raised an eyebrow.

  “Surprised you noticed. Ma’am, I don’t like coffee, that’s why I don’t drink it.”

  “Well, you didn’t like me at first either. But you acquired the taste. So we’re going to try it out with Liski.”

  “Beg your pardon?”

  “We’re assigning Sasha Liski to your team, at least until we figure out Gavriil Medvedm’s connection to the AIJB. Liski has extensive experience with the SVR counterparts that we need.”

  “Ma’am, isn’t this the job for the Directorate of Operations? I mean, won’t we be bumping heads with the Operations folks?”