Open Season by Cameron Curtis (early reader books TXT) 📗

according to plan. Grissom began by negotiating for Robyn’s release. Zarek turned her release into a rider appended to a broader peace deal. Grissom, well aware of the difficulties that bedeviled the Shahzad deal, was eager to learn what Zarek had to offer.

Grissom was a colonel in the United States Army. However, it became clear that for the purposes of the negotiation, he had been seconded to the State Department and was taking direction from State and the CIA.

Grissom’s chain of command is crucial. “He told you that?”

“Yes,” Robyn says. “Well, he told Zarek. The Army was aware of the negotiations, but they were only given broad strokes. They were not involved in the details.”

That was why General Anthony’s briefing had been light on details of the peace deal. All he knew was that the US was agreeing to withdraw its remaining forces from the country. Nor did Stein tell me everything during our breakfast at Clark.

Anthony knew little, Stein knew everything. The question now, is how much did Stein keep from me?

I turn to Robyn. “But—Grissom had to find out at some point.”

“Yes.” Robyn smiles. “That was when our secret became useful.”

The question was one of trust. It always would be. Assurances would be given, documents signed. History had proven documents were not worth the paper they were printed on unless the hearts of the men giving the assurances were true.

How could the Americans trust the word of Zarek, and how could Zarek trust the word of the Americans?

Zarek and Robyn conferred.

Robyn went to Grissom and told him she did not want to return to America. The colonel was shocked. He wanted to know why. She told him she was Zarek’s wife. That she wanted to remain in Afghanistan and raise a family with him.

The colonel was beside himself. Robyn was still a serving non-commissioned officer in the United States Army. Her marriage to an enemy combatant was illegal. She would be court-martialed upon her return. At best, she would be dishonorably discharged. At worst she would spend time in Leavenworth prison.

He wished she hadn’t told him. He had a duty to reflect the situation to his masters at State and the CIA.

Stein’s a crafty witch. All this time, she knew Zarek and Robyn were married. Now, the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. “Did he tell the army?”

“No,” Robyn says. “Grissom’s background was intelligence. He was used to working with State and the CIA. That’s why he was selected. I also think he was a good man. He saw me as misguided, wanted to help.”

“Naturally, you and Zarek gave him an opportunity to do that.”

“Yes. The conversations became fascinating. Zarek and Grissom negotiated in English. I was present to translate difficult concepts that neither man could express in the other’s language. I was present as an interpreter, but also a stakeholder with a personal interest.”

“I can guess how you resolved it.” I shake my head. “I want to hear it from you.”

“The issue was always one of trust. In other words, a warranty.” Robyn stoops and gathers a handful of stones. Pitches them one by one into the river.

“Trust.”

“Yes. I became the warranty.” Robyn looks back at the campfires to make sure no one has approached behind us. “The deal was a risk for both Zarek and the United States. Zarek would permit me to return with Grissom. To convey the proposal to the highest authority. In return, the United States would sign the deal, and discharge me honorably from the army. If I was not so honorably discharged, the deal would be dead and the US would be left with damaged goods. The army would be forced to court-martial me. The result would be a terrible scandal. Zarek would lose his second wife, and the United States would have its machinations blow up in its face.”

“Therefore, it was in everyone’s interest to discharge you honorably and send you back.”

“Exactly. Zarek would sign the deal and we would all live happily ever after.”

“Zarek was willing to risk you.”

Robyn shakes her head. “No, it was my idea.”

Of course it was.

A story worthy of Kipling.

29

The Secret

North Arwal Valley

Thursday, 2350

Robyn and I are silent for a long time.

I work hard to process her story. Tug at the various strands. Test them.

“On the mountain,” I say, “Grissom knew the caravan in the valley was Zarek’s.”

“Yes, he must have. Zarek cuts a distinctive figure when he rides. Dressed in black, with the crimson waistcoat. I saw him, without the help of your binoculars.”

“Why did you lie to me?”

Robyn squirms. “It looked like…”

“Like what?”

“Like Lopez pushed Grissom.”

“At the time, it was clear that was what you thought. Ballard saw the whole thing, and he didn’t think so.”

“Look, Breed.” Robyn stiffens. “Grissom told me and Zarek there were people in the administration and elsewhere that did not want to see a peace deal. Not with Shahzad, not with Zarek. No deal, period. There are people who want us to commit more forces to Afghanistan.”

“That’s a given,” I tell her. “But—it’s not worth killing for.”

“I can’t perform that calculation. All I know is… it looked like Lopez pushed Colonel Grissom. That meant Ballard, Takigawa and Koenig could be in on it, too.”

“Didn’t you suspect me?”

“I did, for a while. But it’s clear you and Captain Koenig don’t get along. When I learned you were brought in at the last minute, I felt a lot better about you.”

“Thanks,” I say. “That’s not a great vote of confidence.”

Robyn looks miserable. “I believe in you, Breed. One hundred percent, and so does Zarek. You have to understand. Colonel Grissom and I grew close in the short time we knew each other. This deal—Zarek, Grissom and I put it together. After Grissom died, I felt lost and alone. I could push the fear and loneliness away while we were climbing to that old fort. Made brave faces and smart-assed my way through things. The minute I sat alone in that old bunker, I fell apart. I couldn’t hold it together.”

I remember