Page 23 of Risky Match
“My prior missions have never involved anyone at his level. I should have guessed though. The briefing suggested that this mission isn’t like any of my prior ones where I was a glorified messenger.”
“Your Royal Highness will be much more than a messenger this time,” Deputy Director Harrington says as his shoes click across the polished hardwood floor.
We turn and watch as the middle-aged gentleman in his finely tailored suit and tie approaches. He’s noticeably aged since I last saw him. I wonder if it’s stress that added the wrinkles to his face and the extra gray to his salt-and-pepper hair and mustache.
Reaching us, he stops and bows his head to each of us in turn, showing his respect for our titles.
Extending my hand, I say, “Deputy Director Harrington, please call me Bri.”
When we arrived for our first training, we were disappointed to learn that British Intelligence doesn’t use Double-O designations for its agents. Apparently, those designations only exist in movies. Instead, we go by our first names unless a mission requires aliases, which are usually common names that no one we encounter is likely to remember.
It’s not that we wanted a license to kill, but we liked the idea of being special agents with secret identities.
“Thank you, Bri. And please call me Matt tonight.”
“I’m anxious to hear about the mission. I gather it’s serious and potentially dangerous.”
“Before we discuss the details, let’s have dinner,” Matt says.
Adrian leads us to the table for four, and servers magically appear with heritage tomato and burrata salads accompanied by glasses of sauvignon blanc.
When the staff leaves, Adrian says, “Bri, I know you’re probably avoiding alcohol during the tournament, but it’s customary to toast the beginning of each mission for good luck. Will you join us?”
“Of course. One sip won’t hurt.”
“Then raise your glasses to completing this mission safely and, in doing so, protecting the history and integrity of our countries. Cheers.”
We each take a sip. My nerves are on edge with his mention of safety and protecting our countries. Just how much danger will there be? This is what I’ve wanted, but I thought the missions would ramp up slowly with each mission slightly more serious than the prior one. It sounds like I’m being thrown into the Arctic Ocean when I’ve only stepped into a shallow hot tub before.
“I’m ready to hear the details. I’m the one surveilling the suspect but seem to know less about the mission than everyone else here,” I say.
While I wait for Matt to begin, I take a bite of my salad. Yum. Without thinking, I reach for the wine and take a sip, letting its acidity cut through the creaminess of the cheese. Then I remember that I’d only planned to have a sip for the toast, so I set the glass back on the table. I need to stay sharp.
Matt says, “Many European countries prohibit the export of certain ancient coins even if privately owned. They are considered national treasures and must remain in their homelands.”
“Catalinius has such a law. Too many of our coins were lost before we enacted laws to protect them. In some instances, our national museum doesn’t even have an example to exhibit, or if they do, it’s an inferior one,” I say.
“A number of ancient coins started appearing for sale at various auctions around the world without proof of a legal origin. In other words, the sellers cannot show that the coins were legally exported from their home countries. In some instances, we’re certain the exportation was illegal because of the timing. We know they left their home countries within the last year.” Matt says.
“How did that happen?” I ask.
“Smugglers,” he replies flatly.
“What does that have to do with Blake?” I ask, wanting to hear Matt’s version of the story Walter told me in my video briefing.
“We have evidence that the coins are leaving the affected countries at the end of tennis tournaments and being passed to intermediaries for the buyers at other tennis tournaments. We don’t know how they’re hiding the coins to smuggle them between countries.”
“That’s terrible, but again, why am I watching Blake. What does he have to do with it?”
“There were only two pro players who were at all the tournaments. Blake was one of them.”
“It can’t be Blake. He doesn’t need the money. He’s one of the top players. It must be the other player or someone who travels with one of them. It would more likely be one of them, wouldn’t it?”
“We have someone watching the other player and his team. As for Blake, we believe he lost a significant amount of money in a bad investment. He may be in need of money, so we’re taking a deeper look into his finances now.”
“I’ve spent time with Blake in the past. It’s hard to believe he might be a criminal. Do you have any other evidence that points to his involvement?”
“He’s been seen having dinner and meeting with people we suspect are receiving the coins.”
