The Project 05 - The Tesla Secret

construction."
    Mexico, again. The ripples of his failure kept spreading.
    Adam continued. "My best intelligence says it will be completed soon."
    "We're not welcome in Russia."
    "General Vysotsky will smooth the way."
    "Vysotsky? But he's SVR. He'd as soon lock us up or shoot us if we set foot on Russian territory."
    "Vysotsky is a nationalist. Director Harker briefed him. He knows that Ogorov is not acting in the interest of the Federation. He has worked with you before. He respects Harker. He will help you."
    "You sound sure."
    "I am sure. Ogorov has gained control of the FSB through General Kaminsky. He wants to reestablish the old KGB with Kaminsky as Director. SVR would be reduced in importance. If Vysotsky reveals Ogorov and Kaminsky as traitors, it could gain him the Director's slot at SVR."
    "You want to throw us into the middle of an internal power struggle between Russia's security agencies? Christ, Adam."
    "Vysotsky only controls Department S. SVR is riddled with informers and political enemies. He can't use his own people except for a few like Major Korov. He needs you and your team."
    "Even if we succeed in finding this weapon and stopping AEON, what's to prevent Vysotsky from taking control of it himself?"
    "Well, Nick. I rely on you to solve that problem. You must destroy the installation."
    "What about Foxworth?"
    Distorted laughter came from the other side of the partition.
    "You ruined his vacation, Nick. He was quite upset about it. Foxworth will not be a problem much longer. It's Ogorov we have to watch."
    "Why won't he be a problem?"
    "Foxworth has an inoperable brain tumor, but he doesn't know it. He refused to have the tests that could have saved his life and now it's too late. His judgement is becoming erratic and he's making mistakes. He'll be dead in a year. Sooner, if the rest of AEON discovers the truth."
    Nick wondered how Adam knew these things. It didn't matter, if he was right. He'd been right before.
    Adam continued. "His instability makes him extremely dangerous. Foxworth is unable to see consequences that don't fit with rewarding his ego. If he uses this weapon against us it will mean war with Russia. Some of the others in AEON's leadership group are getting nervous. They may eliminate him, but not before he does something stupid."
    The Cadillac came to a quiet stop. A silver tray bearing a slim, manila envelope came through the slot in the partition.
    "Everything is in the envelope," Adam said.
    Nick picked up the envelope. The tray slid back into the partition.
    The lock on the rear door clicked open.
    "Goodbye, Nick."
    Nick got out and closed the door. He was back in front of his apartment building. He watched the car pull away and merge smoothly into the Washington traffic.
    He wondered who Adam was. He looked at the envelope in his hand and opened it and began to read.
    He went inside to call Harker.

CHAPTER FIFTY -ONE

    The first two weeks of rehab had been difficult. The next two were hell. Arlene knew Selena needed to push herself. She let her do it without passing the limit of what her body could endure while it healed. The two women had become friends.
    Her spine was healing. The bruising was less serious than feared, but her feet still didn't feel right. Her legs were weak. It would be months before the damage was fully repaired. If it could be. It was too soon to tell.
    Once, Arlene had asked how she'd been shot. Selena had made up a story about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She knew Arlene didn't believe her, but the nurse didn't bring it up again. Nick, though, was a different subject.
    "He's good looking, in a kind of scary way," Arlene said. Selena was walking on a narrow moving strip, holding on to two long parallel bars.
    "I suppose so," Selena said. She didn't want to talk about Nick.
    The walkway slowed and stopped. Sweat beaded her forehead. Her legs trembled. She stumbled as she stepped off the walkway. Arlene reached out and steadied her.
    "Goddamn it." There were tears of frustration in her eyes.
    "You're doing good. You're way ahead of where you should be. The doctors are all talking about it. Don't let it get to you."
    She walked Selena over to the hot tub and helped her in. The warm, bubbling water was soothing. The jets felt good on her sore back.
    Arlene leaned over and began massaging Selena's shoulders. Her touch was strong, nurturing. Suddenly Selena began crying. Arlene continued kneading and working the knots of muscle under the