Chapter 9 Nightingale #2
She paused, her expression darkening. “As you all know, at the end of December, I was abducted from the Ashcroft library by Fallon Wallace and taken into the tunnels beneath the estate. During that abduction, I learned that Fallon Wallace and Eric Weber were the same person—a woman operating under a male alias.” Sullivan stopped and looked over at Ash, and her cheeks flushed. “She was killed during my rescue.”
She sat down, and all eyes returned to me.
“The day after Sullivan’s rescue, I sent an encrypted file from Damascus.
” I pulled up the relevant documents. “A coup had occurred in Syria—the president fled to Russia, rebel forces took control, and I found myself in significant danger. The file I sent contained intelligence I’d found buried in encrypted communications.
It confirmed what Sullivan just said—that Eric Weber was an alias used by Fallon Wallace.
I also learned her code name was Chimera.
More critically, it revealed that Tower-Meridian intended to sell autonomous integrated weapon systems—or AIWS—to Russia, China, and potentially other nations. ”
I let that information settle before continuing.
“But there was something else in those encrypted files. Evidence suggesting that someone within MI6 was connected to Project Labyrinth. Coded communications that, once we broke them down, showed someone on the inside of SIS had been feeding information to the Labyrinth network.”
I paused, glancing between Typhon and Viper.
“We spent nearly two weeks analyzing the Damascus intelligence,” I continued. “Cross-referencing communications, tracking information flows, building profiles. We narrowed it down to a handful of possibilities, then zeroed in on one name: Malcolm Bennett.”
I glanced at Lex and Con. “Viper made the decision to send Bennett to work with your team investigating Orlov. The theory was that if he was the mole, he might make a move. Lex, would you update everyone on what happened at the facility?”
She stood, her expression somber. “Con and I had been tracking Viktor Orlov—whom everyone believed dead—first to Aberdeenshire, then to a facility near Inverness. Bennett joined our team mid-January.”
Surveillance images appeared on the display.
“The investigation became complicated when we discovered Evelyn McLaren had been involved with Orlov’s neural interface research for at least two decades.
What we eventually pieced together was that Bennett and McLaren were working together to sabotage Orlov’s system from within after learning he intended to weaponize it for mass devastation. ”
She glanced down at Con, who reached up to squeeze her hand.
“During our final assault on the facility, McLaren and Bennett’s countermeasure caused the neural interface to overload.
The resulting explosion destroyed the facility and the AIWS prototype.
Bennett was killed in the crossfire, and while Orlov survived, he has apparent severe cognitive damage—he’s either unable or unwilling to communicate beyond basic responses.
McLaren’s body was never recovered from the explosion. ”
Lex sat down, and I pulled up the next set of files.
“After the explosion, I continued analyzing the intelligence I’d gathered in Syria.
” I shared the evidence I’d already presented to Tag—the four categories suggesting McLaren wasn’t dead—communications using her unique terminology, financial transfers through Cyprus and Malta, reactivated cells with her tradecraft, and technical signatures matching her neural interface work.
“What I found suggests that Dr. McLaren survived.”
Typhon’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing.
“The communications reference someone called ‘the Architect,’” I continued.
“Based on everything I’ve found, I believe that’s McLaren.
However, she’s not operating independently.
There are references to her communicating with someone about moving into phase two, strongly suggesting that she is not Janus. ”
I paused. “Which brings us to what Tag and I discovered at Dunravin Castle. Extensive, functional tunnel networks—far more sophisticated than anyone suspected. Multiple passages, some leading toward the North Sea, others connecting inland.
“Combined with what we know exists beneath Ashcroft, Blackmoor, and Glenshadow—estates Fallon showed particular interest in—and the well-documented passages in Edinburgh, a clear picture emerges. The stone construction blocks standard electronic surveillance. Historical estate privileges prevent government inspection. Whoever is behind Project Labyrinth may be exploiting these tunnel systems for covert movement of AIWS components.”
I looked around the room. “Tower-Meridian has all but collapsed since Fallon Wallace’s death, but Project Labyrinth continues.
We need to identify Janus, to locate McLaren if she’s alive, and we need to determine where components are being manufactured and how they’re being distributed before the next phase of Labyrinth is deployed. ”
The room was silent for several seconds, everyone processing.
Typhon cleared his throat. “Before we discuss the next steps, I have a related update. Clive Edwards, the former executive editor of investigations for the Crown Herald News Agency, was arrested three days ago on charges relating to his association with Fallon Wallace. They include conspiracy, treason, and accessory to attempted murder. He’s cooperating fully in exchange for a reduced sentence. ”
I looked at Sullivan. Clive was her uncle—one who’d betrayed his own family when she got too close to the truth. Her expression remained steeled, but I saw Ash’s hand find hers under the table.
“Anything else to add?” I asked her quietly.
“We can move on,” she responded.
Typhon stood, commanding the room’s attention. “There’s another matter I want to address. We’re bringing two new operatives into this investigation. Both are MI6 assets with specialized capabilities.”
As he spoke, I felt the mobile in my pocket buzz with a specific alert, indicating I’d received a message from Kestrel. I silenced it while Typhon continued.
“The first is Oliver Morse, code name Vanguard. MI6 operative with extensive experience in the Middle East. He speaks Arabic and French fluently, and has contacts throughout Syrian military and intelligence circles.”
Typhon’s eyes found mine. “If I’m not mistaken, Nightingale, you and Vanguard worked together previously.”
“Yes, sir,” I responded.
“The second is Ophelia Okonkwo, code name Prima,” Typhon continued.
“Her father is Sir Anthony Okonkwo, British-Nigerian career diplomat. She was raised in embassies across three continents, speaks eight languages, and is trained in psychological operations. She has extensive contacts throughout Eastern Europe and, coincidentally, met Viktor Orlov at a Moscow embassy function two years ago. Her FSB asset recently resurfaced, claiming to have Labyrinth intelligence, though that hasn’t been confirmed yet. ”
“I can personally vouch for both Prima and Vanguard,” Viper added. “They are exemplary and highly professional operatives.”
The way she looked at me when she said it made my paranoia flare. Was that a pointed comment?
From the corner of my eye, I saw Con quietly check his phone, then slip it back into his pocket. His expression didn’t change, but something shifted in his posture, making me think he’d also heard from Kestrel.
“Prima just landed in Glasgow,” Typhon said, glancing at his mobile. “She and Vanguard should arrive within the hour.”
I stood. “This would be a good time for a break, then. We can regroup once they’re here and discuss investigation strategies.”
Typhon nodded. “Agreed. Reconvene in one hour.”
As those in the room began to disperse, Tag moved toward me, but I was already gathering my laptop and heading for the door.
I needed to see what Kestrel had sent. And I needed to see it before anyone—especially Tag—could ask questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
I found Con in the corridor just outside the study, staring at his mobile.
“You got it too?” I whispered.
He looked up. “Let’s take this outside.”
After we’d walked several paces from the castle’s entrance, I pulled up the encrypted message.
It was brief—exactly Kestrel’s style.
PRIORITY INTEL:
Edinburgh: Gallery district financial transactions (Cyprus/Malta accounts)
Teesport: Shipping anomalies, container diversions
Northern Highlands: Thermal activity detected Inverness region
Mediterranean financial networks active.
Recommend immediate investigation.
Con stared at the screen, his expression shifting to recognition before he looked up at me.
“Lex and I had eyes on a specific gallery in Edinburgh when we were tracking Orlov—the Imperial. We couldn’t prove anything then, but we suspected money laundering.
The clientele didn’t match legitimate art collectors. ”
“Kestrel’s intel confirms current activity,” I said, studying the details.
“There was a private members’ club by the same name involved.
We were able to listen into one conversation before almost being discovered.
We overheard things about a consortium, a developer, and integration timelines.
We suspected they were discussing Orlov, but like the money laundering, we couldn’t confirm it then.
” Con tapped the screen. “If Kestrel’s pointing us back to Edinburgh’s gallery district, my guess is that these locations are active again. ”
“Which means the network didn’t collapse after Inverness.”
“No. It reorganized.”
I checked my watch. “We have approximately forty-five minutes to sift through this and craft a plan to address it.”
“Right. Library?”
I was about to follow him inside when Tag approached.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hi.”
“Got a minute?” He motioned to the bench.
“Actually, I do not.”
“Please.”
I folded my arms. “What do you want, Tag?”
“What did Typhon mean about you and Vanguard?”
My eyes scrunched. “What are you talking about?”
“His reference.”
“Do you mean him saying we worked together previously?”
“I got the impression there was more to it than that.”
“I can’t do this.” When I spun around, he caught my arm.
“Just tell me,” he demanded in a tone that set me off.
“You want to know what happened? We had a mad, passionate love affair in Syria that we both insisted end the moment we set foot out of the country,” I spat at him.
“I obviously know you didn’t.”
“Then maybe you should mind your own bloody business,” I seethed.
“I can’t. I care about you and—”
I laughed. Heartily. Then turned away. “Not another word, Obsidian. We’re done here. Actually, we were finished the moment we set foot out of Dunravin.”
I stalked through the front door, down the corridor, and joined Con in the library.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Fine,” I snapped, pulling out a chair. He took the seat beside me.
“I had Kestrel clarify a few things while I was waiting,” he began. “The most important is that this intel requires immediate investigation. Multiple active sites, coordinated activity. We cannot afford to delay.”
I forced myself to focus, to compartmentalize. Tag didn’t matter right now. The mission did. “Then, we need to figure out what we’re dealing with.”
“Three distinct areas,” Con said, pulling up his phone. “Edinburgh art market—high-value transactions in the past seventy-two hours, Cyprus accounts active. That connects to the financial transactions Gus identified previously—art galleries as potential money laundering fronts for Labyrinth.”
“The second is Teesport,” I continued, my voice steadier now. “Shipping anomalies, containers being rerouted. Weight discrepancies that match the Tower-Meridian patterns.” I waited for questions, and when there weren’t any, I moved on to the next area Kestrel mentioned.
“Finally, the Northern Highlands—the Inverness region. Thermal activity detected, recent movement.” I paused, lowering my voice. “Dunravin is in that region. Tag and I found extensive tunnel systems there.”
Con’s expression shifted. “You think the thermal signatures could be coming from there?”
“It’s possible.” I glanced in the direction of the door and lowered my voice. “Dunravin is Renegade’s family estate. We can’t bring this up in the briefing without evidence. It would put him in an impossible position.”
Con nodded. “Agreed. We keep it general during the presentation—just the Inverness region. But whoever investigates the Northern Highlands needs to know where to start looking.” He studied his phone again.
“And the financial trail—Malta and Cyprus networks active. Art sales funding operations through multiple dealers.”
“We need teams at each location,” I said.
Con nodded. “Edinburgh makes sense for Lex and me since we already know the lay of the land.”
“Sullivan and Ash for Teesport. Sullivan’s investigation started there.”
“Archon, Vanguard, and Prima for the Northern Highlands,” I suggested. “I can brief them separately after the meeting concludes.”
“And Gus with Renegade for the financial networks.”
“That leaves Tag and me,” I reminded him.
“Right. Here’s what I propose. When the meeting reconvenes, we present this together. It may be that it’ll become obvious where the two of you are needed the most.”
There was something about his statement that didn’t sit right with me. However, given we were short on time, I’d wait to see how it played out once the team was gathered.
“Typhon and Viper will likely want to make the final deployment decisions,” he added.
“Sure. Makes sense. Also, Vanguard and Prima will need an overview when they arrive. I’ll handle that as quickly as possible.”
“I have a question for you. You can decline to answer if you wish.”
Oh, God, something about Tag? I would definitely turn him down. “Go ahead.”
“Kestrel.”
My eyes widened. “In regard to?”
“How did you, I mean…”
“How did Kestrel become my asset?”
“Basically, yes.”
“Idris.” The truth wasn’t that simple. Kestrel had contacted me shortly after I joined Unit 23, with intel regarding Labyrinth.
The references were vague initially, but most of what I’d been able to piece together in my brother’s encrypted files was with the asset’s help.
Eventually, I’d accepted that Kestrel was just another person Idris had tasked with looking out for me. It was a curse as much as a blessing.
Con stood, then paused. “One more thing before we join the others. I just want to say—Tag is struggling. I won’t pretend he’s not. But he’s worth the fight. Worth taking the risk.”
“I know he is.” My voice was steadier than I expected it to be. “But he’s not willing to fight his past. And I can’t do it for him.”
Con held my gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “Let’s go brief the team.”