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John Evans was working at his desk in the American Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia when Jack Hoskins knocked on his office door and entered.
“Are your accommodations okay, Mr. Hoskins?”
“Yes, we couldn’t ask for more, and we greatly appreciate the personal attention you’ve given us. I’ll be sure to tell my director to express our gratitude to your superiors in the State Department.”
“That’s not really necessary, but thank you.”
“I just wanted to tell you that Mr. Prescott and I are going to try and get some sleep, our flight is scheduled for 5:00 P.M.”
“Well deserved, I’m sure, I’ll have a car and driver ready for you at four. Ambassador Ganley is scheduled to be back here before 11:00, I know that he’d like to meet you, but if you prefer that I don’t disturb you, I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“I’ll tell you what, we’ll be getting up around 3:00, if he’s still here, we’ll spend some time with him before we go to the airport, and like yourself, he’s more than welcome to drive to the airport with us.”
“I’m sure that will be satisfactory,” Evans said.
Shortly after Hoskins left the room, Evans’ phone rang.
“Hello, John,” Ganley said, “We’re leaving the airport now.”
“Very good, Sir, I was hoping to review a few items with you before noon.”
“I’ll try to make it back before then, but something’s come up, I received a call from Ambassador Saginov, and he asked me to meet with him out at some farm outside of town.”
“The farm wouldn’t happen to belong to Vladimir Shengelia, would it?”
“I didn’t write the name down, but I believe that may have been it, did Saginov brief you on this already?”
“Oh no, I was just putting two and two together, I overheard the CIA talking about Shengelia’s farm with the Chief of Police earlier today, and it turns out that the CIA came to Georgia specifically to find hazardous materials that came from Shengelia’s farm.”
“That would explain it,” Ganley said, “Saginov is probably going to ask for diplomatic immunity for the farmer."
“Has the CIA contacted anyone else beside the local police?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Make sure they’re still there when I get back, I owe Saginov a favor, and if I’m going to make this mess disappear for the farmer, I’ll need the CIA’s cooperation.”
“They seem like reasonable men, I didn’t get the impression that hanging the farmer was a top priority of theirs.”
“Well, if it was, it won’t be for long.”
“They’ll be here when you get back, sir.”
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