Foreign Agent: A Thriller

by Brad Thor

  Harvath had flown home from Amman alone. Once Yusuf and company had made it safely across the border into Jordan, Williams had taken over.

  He had gotten the families into a safe house and had handled everything for them at the Embassy. In the midst of that, he spent several hours talking with the Hadid brothers.

  They weren’t his assets to run, but it was obvious that they were being underutilized in Syria. With some additional training, they could be doing much more.

  After some back-and-forth with Langley, Bob McGee and Lydia Ryan put their seal of approval on the idea. Williams was given the green light to create a new covert operations element in Syria. The Hadids would be the tip of that spear.

  Back on Malta, Vella continued to extract valuable information from Baseyev, Rafael, and Sergun. The extent of what Russia and ISIS had been up to was chilling. As reports were fed back to President Porter, his anger, as well as his resolve, increased exponentially.

  In the days after Harvath returned to the United States, the word proportional was discussed a lot. It was discussed at the White House, at the State Department, at the CIA, and at the Pentagon.

  The other word, spoken only within the President’s closest circle, was vengeance. It certainly lacked sophistication. It also lacked diplomatic polish. But it was accurate. The United States wanted revenge. And it would have it.

  Within forty-eight hours of returning home, Harvath was summoned to the White House. He had no idea why, until he was led downstairs to the Situation Room.

  Taking a seat near the President, he watched as Operation Full Justice was launched.

  Bombs and missiles rained down on the Russian naval installation at the Syrian port of Tartus, as well as the Khmeimim air base just to the north. The Russian air defense systems proved utterly useless against the high-tech weapons the United States threw at them.

  Ship after ship was destroyed at Tartus, as was almost every Russian aircraft at Khmeimim. It was the biggest military loss one nation has suffered since World War II.

  Within a half hour, President Porter had gone on television to address the nation and explain the actions the United States had taken. He warned that any attempt by Russia to respond would be met with even more withering destruction.

  After detailing the Russian’s attempt to draw America into war with ISIS in Syria, he laid out a series of non-negotiable demands.

  The first was that Russia withdraw from the region immediately. The second was that the nations of the Middle East must convene an immediate conference to discuss defeating terrorism by reforming Islam.

  In absence of any demonstrable reformation, the United States would cease to recognize the Sykes-Picot agreement. The only nation thereunder which the United States would continue to recognize was the State of Israel.

  It was the region’s only democracy and an example for Muslim nations to follow. In evidence of its commitment to the security of Israel, the United States would be stepping up its weapons transfers to the Jewish state, including some of its most highly advanced and sophisticated programs.

  Calling for unity in the days and weeks ahead, the President assured America, and the world, that by banding together against evil, they would ensure peace for themselves and their children.

  He then ended his address by quoting Edmund Burke: “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”

  It was one of Porter’s best speeches—and it came on the heels of several others that no president would ever want to give. The video of the horrors in Anbar, the assassination of Secretary Devon, the suicide bomber at the White House, and now a massive strike by the United States upon the Russians. All of these heaped upon the losses that had been suffered by so many already.

  The President prayed they were not headed to war with the Russians. He had already spoken with allies around the world and the condemnation of Moscow had been universal. They were considered a pariah. Should they try to retaliate, it would be the end of their nation.

  Harvath had driven home from the White House with many of the same thoughts and concerns as the President. Fortunately, Russia did not respond. In fact, they were too involved with multiple Islamist uprisings at home.

  Nicholas had doctored the footage of the strikes on the ISIS meeting, and had overlaid it with the voices of Russian pilots and combat controllers. It was a beautiful deception and had worked perfectly.

  • • •

  And while the CIA tried to decide what to do with Malevsky and Eichel, McGee was also working with the Department of Justice to decide how to handle Rebecca Ritter, her Russian handler, and Joe Edwards—all of whom were cooling their heels in a high-security detention facility.

  Ritter was cooperating. She admitted to having done a deal with the devil. The Russians had not only paid her a fortune to spy for them, but they had also offered her the thing she wanted more than anything else.

  They had convinced her that they could get Senator Wells into the White House and that from there, she could have any position she wanted. For money and promised power, she had willingly sold out her country.

  And though McGee had his hands full with her and everything else, Harvath had suggested to him that he strike while the iron was hot and attempt to recruit Anna Strobl. He continued to feel she had all the right ingredients.

  The ultimate get for them, of course, would be Alexandra Ivanova. Yet again, she had been forced to see how reckless and corrupt her government was. She might be very ripe for recruitment now.

  McGee had told him he would take all of it under advisement and keep him up to speed on any developments.

  When Harvath pulled up to his home along the Potomac, it felt alien to him. It was as if it were from another time in his life—a place out of the past. In a sense, it was. He was cutting his ties with D.C.

  He had already sat down with Reed Carlton and explained his position. He had tendered his resignation, but the Old Man had refused to take it. “Go to Boston,” he told him. “Let’s see what happens.”

  And that was that.

  He packed up the house—or at least those things he thought he’d need to get started. Everything else could stay behind for the time being.

  Stuffing his Tahoe and pulling a trailer, he made the trip to Massachusetts—grinning like an idiot almost the entire way there. For once in his life, he was happy—truly happy.

  He was pleased not only about where he was going and who he was with, but about what lay in front of him. He had the three ingredients to happiness right in the palm of his hand and he knew it—something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.

  No matter what happened, he would never look back on his life and ask what might have been if he had only made the move to Boston.

  “What’s this?” Lara asked, stepping out onto the patio and interrupting his thoughts.

  She was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. And, even so casually dressed, she was unbelievably gorgeous. He immediately thought about extending his break from twenty minutes to at least forty-five. He wondered if any of the neighbors could see his patio from their windows.

  Lara had been helping him unpack and in her hand was a pistol suppressor.

  “That?” Harvath replied. “It’s a shot glass.”

  Lara rolled her eyes. “And this one?” she replied, holding up another.

  “Bud vase. I was going to pick a flower and put it in there to surprise you.”

  “You know these are illegal in Boston, right?”

  “Good thing I know a cop,” he replied, motioning for her to come sit with him.

  Setting the suppressors down, she walked over and leaned up against the edge of the railing.

  “You have beautiful legs for a cop,” he said. “You know that?”

  “All the better to ch
ase you with.”

  “No way. I’m done running. You caught me,” he replied, pulling her into his lap.

  She brought her lips to his and kissed him—long, slow, and unbelievably sexy—just like that last kiss they had shared in Budapest, but better. That kiss told him everything he needed to know.

  There was no question. They were a great couple—smart, passionate, and electric. They were perfect for each other and they had figured out a way to make it work.

  Slipping his hand beneath her T-shirt, he moved softly along her back until he found the clasp of her bra and popped it open.

  “Good timing,” she whispered in his ear. “I just put sheets on the bed.”

  “Let’s christen the patio first.”

  Lara laughed and kissed him again. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “So am I,” he replied. “So am I.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  It has been an amazing year and I want to thank all of my fantastic readers. Thank you for your support, all of the great chats on social media, and for how many people you have introduced to my books.

  I also want to thank all of the wonderful booksellers around the world who carry my novels and continue to introduce new readers to them everyday. I appreciate you more than I can ever put into words.

  Once again, my very good friends Sean F., James Ryan, and Rodney Cox proved invaluable during the writing of this novel. They are three of the most talented, courageous, and patriotic men I know. I am better at everything I do because I strive to meet the high standards they set for themselves.

  J’ro, Pete Scobell, Jeff Boss, Peter Osyff, and Jon Sanchez have served the United States with incredible honor and distinction. I am honored to also call them my friends and to have access to their hard-won pool of knowledge. Thank you for all that you have done for me, and more important, our nation.

  On the international stage, Chad Norberg and Robert O’Brien assisted with background on some key elements in the novel. These are two more good men whose friendship and service to our nation I am deeply grateful for. Thank you.

  To those who quietly contributed to this novel but have requested not to have their names listed here, I thank you.

  The characters Lilliana Grace, Helen Cartland, and Alan Gottlieb were named by generous contributors who helped support two very worthwhile causes I have been involved with. Thank you for your generosity, and I hope you enjoy the characters.

  I owe so much of my success to the amazing people I work with. From the awesome Carolyn Reidy and the incomparable Louise Burke to the fantastic Judith Curr, I couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for everything you and everyone else at Simon & Schuster have done for me.

  You cannot create adventure after adventure each year without a phenomenal editor and publisher. Emily Bestler is, hands down, the absolute best. Thank you, Emily, for your keen eye, your great ideas, and above all your enduring friendship. You mean the world to me.

  When it comes to publicists, David Brown is the capo di tutti capi. Not only is he magnificent at what he does, but also in who he is. Thank you, David, for every single thing you do for me every single day of the year.

  I also want to thank the outstanding Cindi Berger and the entire stellar team at PMK-BNC for the new heights they take me to each and every year. First-rate doesn’t even begin to describe what you do and how well you do it.

  I have an incredible family at Simon & Schuster and I want to express my thanks to everyone at Emily Bestler Books and Pocket Books, including my good friends Michael Selleck, Gary Urda, and John Hardy, as well as the terrific Colin Shields, Paula Amendolara, Janice Fryer, Seth Russo, Lisa Keim, Irene Lipsky, Lara Jones, Megan Reid, Emily Bamford, Ariele Fredman, the entire Emily Bestler Books/Pocket Books sales team, Albert Tang and the Emily Bestler Books/Pocket Books Art Departments, Al Madocs and the Atria/Emily Bestler Books Production Department, Chris Lynch, Tom Spain, Sarah Lieberman, Desiree Vecchio, Armand Schultz, and the entire Simon & Schuster audio division.

  When I dreamed of becoming an author, I envisioned what it would be like to have an agent. I had seen them on TV and in movies. A good agent is not only a partner in the writing process but your greatest advocate and, if you are lucky, an even greater friend. My brilliant agent, Heide Lange of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, is all of these and more. Heide, thank you for making everything possible.

  Helping Heide make everything possible are the talented Stephanie Delman and Samantha Isman. Thank you, ladies, for everything you and everyone else at SJGA does for me. My appreciation for all of you knows no bounds.

  If I said thank you a million times, it would still not be enough to let Yvonne Ralsky know how much she means to me. Just when I think things can’t get any better, she takes them to an entirely new level. It has been an absolute joy working with you, YBR, and I look forward to many, many more years to come! Thank you for all that you have done.

  This novel is dedicated to one of the dearest people in the world to me, Scott Schwimer. Scottie has been with me since day one. He began as my entertainment attorney and grew into one of my best friends. You could not hope to ever meet a more decent, talented, intelligent, or devoted human being. God broke the mold with this man and I am grateful every day for him. Thank you, Scottie.

  I have saved the absolute best for last—my wonderful family. As I write this, they are all downstairs hoping I’m about to put this book to bed, so we can celebrate. Day after day, through late nights and weekends, my wife, Trish, and our children have kept the world at bay so I can write. They have brought meals to my desk, have written notes in the snow outside my window, and have reminded me with each thing they do how much they love me. Thank you hardly seems enough. I love you all very much, and guess what? It’s time to celebrate!

  If you haven’t been to BradThor.com, please stop by—and make sure to sign up for my fast, fun, free newsletter. I am constantly creating new content throughout the year and giving away some very cool prizes. It is another way I like to say thank you for all of your support.

  Now we’ve reached the end of Foreign Agent. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much I enjoyed writing it. There’s now a special connection we share, and as the years go on, I look forward to bringing you many more great books.

  Thank you, once more, for making the greatest career in the world possible.

  —Brad Thor

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Brad Thor is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Code of Conduct, Act of War, Hidden Order, Black List, Full Black (one of Suspense Magazine’s best political thrillers of 2011), The Athena Project, Foreign Influence (one of Suspense Magazine’s best political thrillers of 2010), The Apostle, The Last Patriot (nominated best thriller of the year by the International Thriller Writers Association), The First Commandment, Takedown, Blowback (recognized as one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” by NPR), State of the Union, Path of the Assassin, and The Lions of Lucerne. Visit his website at BradThor.com.

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  ALSO BY BRAD THOR

  The Lions of Lucerne

  Path of the Assassin

  State of the Union

  Blowback

  Takedown

  The First Commandment

  The Last Patriot

  The Apostle

  Foreign Influence

  The Athena Project

  Full Black

  Black List

  Hidden Order

  Act of War

  Code of Conduct

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  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2016 by Brad Thor

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Atria Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

  First Emily Bestler Books/Atria Books hardcover edition June 2016

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  Author photograph by John Reilly

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  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

  ISBN 978-1-4767-8935-4

  ISBN 978-1-4767-8937-8 (ebook)