Page 15 of Risky Match
But those aren’t my only concerns. What will I do if he wants to pick things up where we left off? I can’t sleep with a criminal suspect I’m surveilling.
What a mess!
My mind is jumping from topic to topic. This is not like me. I’m usually organized, methodical, and rational. It’s time to snap into mission mode.
Arriving backat my palace apartment, I lock the door and retrieve my encrypted laptop from its secure hiding place. I log in using three-factor authentication and click the link for my briefing.
An avatar fills the screen, obscuring the identity of the real person on this video chat.
Following the next step in the verification protocol, I say, “The sky is gray, but the sun may shine soon.”
“Unless the stars appear first.”
“That will never happen.”
As I wait for the authentication process to complete, I think back to when I first became part of the Covert Royals. We’re a unique group of highly trained members of European royalty who act as intelligence agents for our home countries and our allies. Our royal parents formed the group over a decade ago to provide an option for their children who would not be ascending to the throne. They wanted us spares to have the opportunity to play a significant role in assisting our countries rather than feel left out as some have in the past.
We were all given the choice to opt-out, but most of us were pleased to have a path of service that involves more than ribbon cuttings, building dedications, and charity events. Until now, my roles for the Covert Royals have been rather tame, but I’ve made it known that I’d like to do more. This may be my chance.
Finally, a series of beeps sound, confirming my identity, and the avatar fades to an image of Walter with his familiar bald head and gray mustache. Walter has been my primary contact with the Covert Royals since I finished my initial training.
He says, “Agent Brianna, welcome to Operation Denarius. You have been selected to play a key role in tracking down smugglers of ancient antiquities. Specifically, rare gold and silver coins have been disappearing from European museums and private collections. Some have reappeared months later in museums around the world. We suspect others have been acquired by private collectors who do not wish to risk detection.”
“When you find the coins, are they returned to their rightful owners?” I ask.
“Not necessarily. That process can take years and return of the coins is not always possible due to differences in international laws.”
“I see.”
“Most recently, a superb collection of ancient Roman gold coins was stolen. They’re known as the 12 Caesars. Each coin features the portrait of one of the Roman rulers on one side. The opposite side depicts a symbol, mythological character, or person relevant to the time period.”
“I gather the coins are extremely valuable.”
“They are. These coins are small. Each one has a diameter of about 20 mm and weighs about 8 grams. But they are each worth hundreds of thousands of British pounds.”
“Wow. These crimes sound like common art thefts. Why are the Covert Royals involved?”
“Yes, theft of ancient coins is a form of art theft. There are also laws prohibiting the export of ancient coins and antiquities from certain European countries without permission. These crimes alone would not necessarily call for the involvement of intelligence agencies. These incidents rose to our level when we learned that the stolen coins are being used to purchase weapons for certain terrorist organizations.”
“That definitely elevates the crime. How is Wimbledon and tennis involved?”
“We have reason to believe that certain pro tennis players or members of their teams receive the coins at tournaments in the countries where the coins are stolen. Those people then pass the coins on to couriers at the next tennis tournament in another country. Using this procedure, the players are smuggling the coins from one country to another.”
“I see. Do you suspect any particular players or team members?”
“Yes. Based on our investigation so far, we suspect two teams are orchestrating the movement of the ancient coins across the borders as they move from one tournament to the next. At this point, we’re not sure if it’s the players or people on their team who are handling the coins.”
“Am I to understand that Blake Knight’s team is under suspicion?”
“To be clear, Blake and his team are suspects. That’s why we’ve arranged for you to play as Blake’s tennis partner. That will give you the opportunity to plant surveillance devices, question Blake, and hopefully, retrieve the coins that recently disappeared.”
“How do I obtain the electronic surveillance devices?”
“Upon arrival in the UK for Wimbledon, you’ll be contacted. At that point you’ll be provided another briefing along with the devices for the mission. We have also sent encrypted images of the missing coins to your phone. Please review them, commit them to memory, and then permanently delete the images.”
“I will. That’s standard protocol. Is there anything else I should know.”
“One more thing. We’ve lost two agents assigned to expose the people involved in the arms purchases. Our current intel suggests their deaths were unrelated to the theft of the coins. However, we cannot be certain at this time.”
