Free Alexandria Link by Steve Berry Page A

Hall had generated its usual frustration so he ignored his computer, which signaled that there were unread e-mails, and sat at the kitchen table.
    For five years he’d stayed dead. To know, but not to know. To understand, but at the same time to be confused.
    He shook his head.
    What a dilemma.
    He glanced around. The soothing, cleansing magic of the apartment was no more. Clearly it was time. Others must know. He owed that revelation to every soul destroyed in the nakba, whose land was stolen, whose property was seized. And he owed it to the Jews.
    Everyone had a right to the truth.
    The first time months ago had not seemed to work. That was why yesterday, he’d again reached for the phone.
    Now, for the third time, he dialed an international call.
    MALONE WATCHED THE ROAD AHEAD AS PAM SPED DOWN THE coastal highway, south, toward Copenhagen. The Volvo was half a mile ahead. He’d allowed several cars to pass, which provided a buffer, but cautioned her more than once not to fall too far back.
    “I’m not an agent,” Pam said, her eyes glued out the windshield. “Never done this before.”
    “They didn’t teach you this in law school?”
    “No, Cotton. They taught you this in spy school.”
    “I wish they’d had a spy school. Unfortunately I had to learn on the job.”
    The Volvo quickened its pace and he wondered if they’d been spotted. But then he saw that the car was simply passing another. He noticed Pam starting to keep pace. “Don’t. If he’s watching, that’s a trick to find out if he has company. I can see him, so stay where you are.”
    “I knew that Justice Department education would pay off.”
    Levity. Rare for her. But he appreciated the effort. He hoped this lead paid off. Gary had to be nearby, and all he’d need was one chance to get the boy out.
    They found the outskirts of the capital. Traffic slowed to a crawl. They were four cars back as the Volvo maneuvered through Charlottenlund Slotspark, entered north Copenhagen, and motored south into the city. Just before the royal palace, the Volvo turned west and wound a path deep into a residential neighborhood.
    “Careful,” he said. “Easy to be spotted here. Stay back.”
    Pam allowed more room. Malone was familiar with this part of town. The Rosenborg Slot, where the Danish crown jewels were displayed, stood a few blocks away, the botanical gardens nearby.
    “He’s headed somewhere specific,” he said. “These houses all look alike, so you have to know where you’re going.”
    Two more turns and the Volvo cruised down a tree-lined lane. He told her to stop at the corner and watched as their quarry wheeled into a driveway.
    “Pull over to the curb,” he said, motioning.
    As she parked the car, he found his Beretta and opened the door. “Stay here. And I mean it. This could get rough, and I can’t find Gary and look after you, too.”
    “You think he’s there?”
    “Good chance.”
    He hoped she wasn’t going to be difficult.
    “Okay. I’ll wait here.”
    He started to climb out. She grabbed his arm. Her grip was firm but not hostile. A jolt of emotion surged through him.
    He faced her, the fear plain in her eyes.
    “If he’s there, bring him back.”

Malone 2 - Alexandria Link

FIFTEEN
    WASHINGTON, DC
    7:20 AM
    STEPHANIE WAS GLAD LARRY DALEY HAD LEFT. SHE LIKED THE man less each time they were around each other.
    “What do you think?” Green asked.
    “One thing is clear. Daley has no idea what the Alexandria Link is. He just knows about George Haddad, and he’s hoping that the man knows something.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “If he knew, he wouldn’t be wasting time with us.”
    “He needs Malone to find Haddad.”
    “But who says he needs Haddad to connect anything? If the classified files were complete, he wouldn’t waste time with Haddad. He’d just hire a few brains, figure out whatever it is, and go from there.” She shook her head. “Daley is a bullshit artist, and we were just bullshitted. He needs