Setting his phone aside, Jonathan looked down at his sleeping son. The day's events had changed everything. The careful separation he'd maintained between his work and family life had been shattered, and now a ghost from his past threatened them both. One thing was certain, tomorrow would bring a reckoning. Dawn broke over the Carter household with the quiet efficiency of a military operation.
"Jonathan, who had barely slept, was already in his home office when his secure phone rang at 5:30 a.m." "Carter," he answered. "We have confirmation," Ramirez's voice came through. Anton Vul is in the country. Facial recognition picked him up at a gas station in Maryland yesterday.
How the hell did he get into the country? Jonathan demanded, keeping his voice low to avoid waking Malik. Diplomatic cover. He entered as part of a trade delegation from Ukraine 3 weeks ago, then dropped off the grid. Jonathan absorbed this information, the pieces falling into place.
And the school operation looks like it was dual purpose, Ramirez replied. The intelligence gathering was real, but according to O'Reilly, they had specific instructions regarding your son. Abduction? Yes. They were supposed to take him during the confusion of the evacuation.
Folk wants to use him as leverage. Leverage for what? There was a pause before Ramirez answered. For you to turn over something called Blackfish files. Mean anything to you?
Jonathan closed his eyes briefly. The Blackfish operation had been one of the most classified missions he'd ever led. A successful infiltration of a Russian intelligence network that had yielded unprecedented insights into their operations. Folk had been part of that network. I know what he wants, Jonathan confirmed.
Where's Vulk now? We don't know. The Marilyn sighting was 18 hours ago. He could be anywhere. He's not anywhere, Jonathan said with certainty.
He's nearby. He wouldn't delegate this operation. Not when it's personal. We've increased surveillance around your neighborhood and at Jefferson Academy. All targeted families have protection.
Details not good enough. Jonathan argued. Vulk is a ghost. He won't try conventional approaches now that his initial operation has been compromised. What do you suggest?
Jonathan considered their options. We need to draw him out. Use me as bait. That's risky. Ramirez cautioned.
So is waiting for him to make the next move. Jonathan countered. I'll come in and we'll work out the details. After ending the call, Jonathan went to check on Malik, who was still sleeping peacefully. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him more heavily than ever.