Page 55 of Unnatural Death

Her airway closed, her cause of death asphyxiation. Not an easy way to go, but far more humane than what she’d done to others. We were informed that her body was spirited away by the federal government and examined at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. I never saw the reports, and that’s the way it was supposed to be. It made perfect sense that Carrie’s autopsy would be handled by the military.

I wasn’t told what became of her remains or if she might be buried somewhere. I didn’t make any attempt to learn the details. After decades of her violence and destructiveness, she was out of our lives finally and forever. In retrospect it’s making sense that Benton had a different reaction. He didn’t relax or seem relieved, reminding me we should never let our guard down. If not Carrie, there will be another enemy, he said.

I remember his words struck me as oddly prophetic. About this same time Lucy began working with New Scotland Yard and Interpol. She rented the flat in London, and her partner Janet and their son Desi moved in. When COVID started, their lives were forever upended. Now I’m left to question the truth about everything.

“Carrie Grethen was traded for two high-value Americans held prisoner in a Russian penal colony,” says Gus with the CIA. “They were in very poor health due to harsh conditions that included torture. There was nothing in the news about it, their identities protected out of necessity.”

He explains that Carrie was flown by private jet from Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts to the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates where the exchange was made. From there she went to Moscow. This happened the night before her faked death was made public.

“I’m not believing this crap! That’s like turning over bin Laden,” Marino complains loudly, accusingly.

“Close enough, and gives a sense of Carrie Grethen’s high value,” Benton replies. “She’d spent a lot of time in Russia by the time she was locked up in Boston. The Kremlin was willing to do a lot to get her released to them, and our government had an opportunity that was hard to resist. I didn’t think it was a good idea. But I wasn’t in charge.”

CHAPTER 21

IAPPRECIATE KNOWING THE TRUTH,” I say to everyone on the video screens. “Bad news that it is. Maybe the worst in a long time. But I’m just going to keep asking. How is it okay to be discussing a top secret investigation, a secret prisoner swap, with us? I have a security clearance. But Marino doesn’t.”

“That’s already been taken care of,” answers Gus with the CIA. “I thought you knew that when you were briefed,” he adds, and I don’t believe him.

“What are you talking about?” Marino looks baffled.

“The minute you stepped foot inside the REMOTE we granted you an OTRI,” Gus replies. “I assumed Lucy discussed this with you as you were getting ready.”

What he says is another misdirect. More bluntly put, a lie. If they’re monitoring us, then they know the subject of classified information didn’t come up. That’s how they wanted it, and now we’ve been exposed. We can’t unknow what we’ve been told. And if either of us don’t play by the rules, our careers will be over. We could suffer consequences far worse than that. I’m used to this, but Marino isn’t.

“What the hell is an OTRI?” he asks with growing aggravation.

“A one-time read-in granting you a temporary top secret clearance,” Gus tells him.

“No thanks.”

“It’s not an option.”

“I don’t want anything to do with all your spooky stuff.”

“You’re already here and the information has been shared. You’ve been exposed to our spooky stuff,” Gus says. “And now you’re held to a higher standard. This is out of necessity.”

“Yeah, and the higher standard you’re talking about could land me in jail.”

“Up to ten years if you share top secret information with someone unauthorized,” Gus says. “Of course, if you get charged with treason, that’s a different matter.”

“How long have you known that Carrie Grethen is on the loose?” Marino is doing his best to hold his temper. “Seems like it would be a good thing to pass along to those of us she’s tried to kill more than once.”

I screw a ten-gauge needle into a syringe that’s big enough for a horse as everyone continues the discussion. We’re reassured that Carrie is in Russia. That’s where she was when she filmed the video two days ago with her associate Yana Popova, a mercenary sniper.

“As far as we know, Carrie hasn’t been back in this country since she was transported to Moscow seven years ago in the dead of night,” Gus says. “Russia’s shadow army is notorious for scooping people out of prison and forcing them into military service. Only Carrie didn’t need coercing. And she’s too valuable to send to the front.”

“As far as you knowshe’s not been back here since you gave her a private jet ride to freedom?” Marino echoes. “I sure as hell don’t like the sound of that. How could you not track her?” “Once someone is in Russia and protected by the Kremlin, it’s not so easy. Especially if the person is shrewd enough to stay off the radar.” It’s Bart Clancy, the head of counterterrorism, who answers. “She dropped out of sight until yesterday. We have no reason to think she’s been in the U.S. It would be far too risky.”

“But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t traveled across the border, moving freely throughout Europe.” Gus from the CIA again. “She has the means to get around.”

“You’re telling me you’ve had no idea what she’s been doing all this time?” Marino doesn’t believe it.

“We’ve suspected she’s involved with the Kremlin’s mercenary army. We believe she’s thePrizrak, the Ghost mentioned in chatter on the Dark Web. But she hasn’t shown herself until now,” Bart repeats.

“Are we one hundred percent sure she isn’t in the United States? Maybe here in Virginia? Are we positive she didn’t take out the Mansons herself with her fancy yellow-tipped bullets?” Marino is getting more bent out of shape, confronting our hosts on the video displays. “Because nobody’s safe when she’s in the area. I can’t believe we’re hearing all this now … !”

“She didn’t personally take out the Mansons, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t behind it. I believe she is,” Benton says. “And I agree with you, Pete. Her not being in the country doesn’t mean we’re safe …”

---