“I know I was lucky to be born on the right side of the dividing line. But we’re getting off-topic. What kind of—?”
Dorn interrupted. “I was in Beijing once. Impressive in some ways, but… dead, spiritually.”
Kim looked annoyed. “Beijing is inChina, Doctor, as I am sure you know.”
Dorn smiled. “Yes.”
Brodie couldn’t read whether Reinhard Dorn was screwing with Agent Kim, or was just an out-of-touch old fart who didn’t fully grasp the racist implications of what he was saying.
Brodie tried to refocus the conversation: “We believe that the American officer whom Mr. Vance was seeking had paid a visit to the Storkow research facility in 1988. It would have been at the same time as a visiting delegation of Iraqi Ba’athist military officials. Do you have any knowledge of this American’s visit?”
Dorn looked at him. “Yes.”
Brodie and Taylor shared a look. Brodie followed up: “Do you know the identity of this individual?”
“Yes. United States Army Colonel Charles Granger. Code name Odin. A highly effective asset, a brilliant strategic thinker, and a man who, like myself, dreams of a better world.”
Brodie stood, as did Taylor and Kim.
Brodie said, “Dr. Dorn, we are taking you into custody. Stand up.”
Reinhard Dorn looked at the three Americans and did not react. He thought a moment, then said, “For what it’s worth, I did not advocate killing Mr. Vance. I thought it would bring unneeded attention, and that the man’s chances of actually finding Charles were slim. But the colonel did not want to take any risks.” He looked at his visitors. “It appears I was correct.”
Brodie was trying to process all this. Why was this guy giving himself up? He said to Taylor, “Call the embassy. Get the legat on the line and tell her where we are, and that Reinhard Dorn has just confessed to being an accessory to the murder of Harry Vance.”
“And Anna Albrecht,” offered Dorn.
Brodie pulled his pistol and pointed it at the doctor’s head. “You piece of shit.”
Kim said, “Brodie.Stop.”
Brodie gripped the gun as he stared into Dorn’s eyes. He said to Kim, “I’ll note your objections in the after-action report.”
Taylor said, “Scott. Calm down.” Then to Dorn: “Stand! Hands on your head.”
Dorn remained seated, gazing down the barrel of the pistol. “You must understand, Mr. Brodie. We couldn’t have Ms. Albrecht go seduce yet another American hero to avenge her fucking traitor of a father.”
Brodie stared at the man, and suddenly saw him differently. His face without expression, his blank gray eyes like an ocean choked of light, the ridiculous glasses, severe and heavy, dragged from another era. Another world. This guy was a veteran of a lost war, but he hadn’t surrendered. He’d just joined another army. NordFaust. Just like Colonel Charles Granger. The only open question was, what were these bastards up to now? Dorn was baiting him, and he was doing it because he’d rather make Brodie blow his brains out than answer that question.
Brodie lowered the pistol and asked Taylor, “Where are we with that phone call?”
“I can’t get reception.”
Reinhard Dorn kept his eyes locked on Brodie. “That’s a problem in this building. When we want it to be.”
Brodie looked at Dorn and an uneasy feeling came over him. “Stand up.Now.”
Dorn stood and calmly folded his hands in front of him. “What do you think is going to happen now?”
“We are going to perp-walk your ass out of this building.”
Kim went to the office doors and opened them. “Let’s go, Doctor.”
Taylor took a step toward Dorn to pat him down, then stumbled and caught herself on the armchair.
Dorn checked his watch, then glanced at Taylor. “You weigh the least. So you’re already feeling it.”
Brodie looked at Taylor, who struggled to stay upright. “You okay?”
