Matthew Dunn - Spycatcher

“You’re sure that I won’t be killed today?” The spy rubbed a hand against his smooth face and looked down at the wet Central Park grass beneath him. It was very early in the morning, and beyond the park the sounds of New York life were distant and mellow. He frowned and shook his head slightly. A fine, windless rain fell. “This whole thing seems odd.”

Will Cochrane observed the man for a while before speaking. “Soroush, it is odd. That’s why you’ll have three expert men close by to protect you.”

Soroush’s frown deepened. He looked up at Will’s tall and powerful frame. “Only three? That’s all your masters in British Intelligence could give you?”

Will pushed fingers through his cropped dark hair and then reached out to touch the Iranian’s arm. “Perfectly adequate for what we need to happen.”

The spy chuckled a little. “I thought I was your most valuable asset.”

“You are.”

Soroush swiveled so that he was fully facing Will. “But good things always come to an end?”

Will removed his hand and quickly glanced left and right. There were few other people in their vicinity, and certainly none close to them. The British Intelligence officer looked back to his companion. “No, it’s not like that. The Iranians called the meeting, not us. If we don’t do this, then we’ll never know what they want.”

Soroush jammed his hands into his coat pockets. He lowered his head again.

Will felt a surge of doubt and fear for his agent, but he checked these emotions and spoke calmly. “I found you all those years ago, when you were still working for the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security. I persuaded you to keep working in MOIS and at the same time spy for the British. I got you out of Iran when it looked as if your cover could be compromised. And when it turned out that such a concern was unfounded, I taught you how to continue to spy on your country from the safety of Europe.” He forced a smile. “Throughout all our time together, I have always protected you, and I will continue to do so today.”

The Iranian said nothing for a moment. He then cleared his throat and shook his head vigorously. “In my eight years in the U.K., I’ve provided you with intelligence that only a very few current or former members of MOIS would have access to. And I know you have taken action on much of my intelligence, meaning that the Iranians should know they have a breach. A studious officer within the security department of MOIS would be able to narrow down that breach. And then out of the blue a message is passed to me. A message from MOIS saying they want to meet me.” He looked intently at Will. “Even if you think I was not compromised in the old days, you have to concede there is a strong possibility that I’m now being set up.”

Will did not return his gaze. He had already concluded that the two Iranian intelligence officers who wanted to meet his secret agent today probably had nefarious intentions toward the man. He had also concluded that if this were the case, his agent’s cover was blown and Soroush would therefore be of no future use to him. But Will needed the meeting to take place in order to be sure. And regardless, his man was going to be protected.

“Why do you think they chose New York for the meeting?” Soroush’s words were hushed and quick.

Will looked around and then back at his agent. The correct answer to this question, he suspected, was that the Iranians knew that Soroush was a Western spy and would not agree to meet in a non-Western city. “You’re now an entrepreneur who does a lot of business in the States. They’re trying to minimize inconvenience to you.”

Soroush’s expression seemed to harden. “I’m not so sure.”

Will checked his watch and smiled. “Are you prepared to go through with this or not?”

Soroush looked blankly at him for a while but then shrugged. “You know me too well.”

“I do.”

The two men became silent. The rain hit their faces with increased intensity.

Will drew a deep breath and spoke quietly. “When you’re on Gapstow Bridge at the north end of the pond, you won’t be able to see me because I’ll be hidden. But if you look directly south across the pond, you’ll be looking at my approximate location. I will be one hundred and eighty meters from you and will be monitoring you and your meeting through binoculars.”

Soroush turned back toward Will. He angled his head. “And your friends?”

“You may see some of them, but they won’t look out of place. And if anything happens, they will react with absolute speed, aggression, and precision.”

“British Special Forces?”

“Yes, but men who’ve been given further specific covert-operations training by my Service.”

The spy nodded. “And straight back to your hotel after the meeting?”

Will also nodded. “Exactly as we discussed. I’ll meet you there for your debriefing.”

Soroush looked pensive. “But if they want me to go with them?”

“Under no circumstances. You have your meeting and then part company with them.” Above all else, Will could not allow his man to fall under the control of the Iranians. He had far too many secrets in his head, secrets which, if exposed, could severely damage the West’s ability to counter hostile Iranian activity.

“All right.” Soroush seemed happy with Will’s response. Soroush then suddenly took one of Will’s hands between two of his own. “We’ve been through so much together.”

Will looked down at his hand with surprise. He felt a deep pang of uncertainty but did not show the emotion. Instead he said, “Indeed we have, my friend.”

Soroush smiled, and for a moment Will suspected that the man could read his thoughts. Soroush gripped his hand, exhaled, and released his hold. His smile faded. “If anything happens, you’ll take care of my wife and my kids, yes?”

“Nothing will happen.” Will sighed. “But if the need ever arose, of course I’d make sure your family was supported.” This above all else was true.

Soroush smiled and nodded. He pointed a finger at Will and then gently touched its tip against Will’s chest. “I remember the first time I met you. I remember thinking that I’d never met a man as scary and ruthless as you. But over the years I’ve come to realize that there is a very different side to you, a side you often try to hide, one that is full of depth and compassion.” A look of sadness replaced the smile. “But I also know that you tread a very solitary path.”

Will frowned. “Perhaps you know me too well.”

Soroush shook his head. “I would have to live to a very old age to fully understand you. And I’m not convinced that I’ll ever reach such an age.” Soroush waved slightly, then turned abruptly and walked off in the direction of Central Park’s Gapstow Bridge.

Will watched him for a moment, pondering the other man’s words. Then he sighed and pushed aside all thoughts besides those he needed to focus on the meeting. He reached into his overcoat pocket and pulled out a cell phone and a Bluetooth earpiece, which he fixed into position. He pressed one number on the phone handset and spoke. “Soroush is on his way. He should be at the location in ten minutes.”

Then he took off at a run. He darted into a cluster of trees and brought himself to an abrupt stop before swiveling around and dropping down to a crouch. He brought his binoculars up to his eyes and then reached for his phone again.

“Okay, I’ve got the bridge. What do you see?”

A second passed before three voices came back at him in rapid sequence.

“Alpha. Nothing.”