"I get that, and I have no issues with it. I still appreciate your coming to our rescue, not them," Ben replied.

David nodded then frowned once more. "It's another group that's causing us grief and these guys have long memories. They've reported that several long-term operations have been terminated and your visit is being cited as the cause. They're out for blood."

Ben looked at him nervously. "Who are they?"

"The CIA," David said with a grim tone.

"Shit."

"They indicated that Yuri Gruzinsky had gone radio silent since you visited him. He's avoiding the contacts they spent years building. Worse, Colonel Vasiliev, who works with Yuri and whose...