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something big was about to go down. Trouble seemed to follow him around like a mist on the glen.

6
    Central Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Langley, Virginia
    Kurt Jenkins slammed down the SAT phone for the tenth time in the past hour. He had tried to call Jake Adams for hours from his private office, but had not been able to get through. A communications specialist now stood at his side, a former Navy nuclear submariner who had retired from that service directly into the Agency a year ago.
    â€œTell me I’m not going crazy, Johnson,” Jenkins said.
    Johnson pushed his thick black glasses higher on his nose. “Sir, you’re not going crazy. There is SAT coverage on Spitsbergen, but for some reason the signals are being disrupted.”
    Jenkins thought for a second. “Is someone trying to jam our signal?”
    â€œNot a chance, Sir. There’s a ton of Boreal activity, though.”
    â€œEnglish, Johnson.”
    â€œBoreal, Sir. Referring to the Aurora Borealis.”
    The Agency director’s face distorted. “You’re telling me the Northern Lights are fucking up my SAT Comm?”
    â€œYes, Sir. A qualified maybe. The Sun flares and sends ionic. . .” He stopped short. “The Sun causes the Northern Lights and screws up our satellites.”
    â€œYou’re a quick learner. Thank you, Johnson. Now how long will it last?”
    Johnson’s eyes rolled up in thought. “On Svalbard? On and off until the Sun goes Supernova.”
    â€œSo SAT images are also a no go.”
    â€œSir, we have no assets in that region at this time. We could re-direct, but that would take a while. And then we’d still have the Sun problem.”
    â€œGreat. Thank you. That’ll be all.”
    The communications specialist left Jenkins in his office alone. Great. Great. Great. The charter helicopter was hours overdue. No communications. Now Jake Adams was stuck out in the middle of nowhere, probably freezing his ass off. At least he was there with a beautiful woman.

    Spitsbergen Island, Norway
    The Arctic sky streaked with swirling greens and orange of the Aurora Borealis. With the darkness came the cold of the northern wind whipping off the glaciers.
    The three of them had spent hours digging up the remains of five men; four Soviets and finally the body of the Oslo assistant CIA station chief, John Korkala. All of the bodies showed signs of animal predation—probably polar bears and Arctic foxes. Only one man remained missing. Jake’s old friend, Steve Olson. Also missing was the snowmobile the Americans had rented in Pyramiden.
    Jake stood now outside the helicopter, mesmerized by the Northern Lights, the hunting rifle over his right shoulder. He heard the side door open behind him and seconds later arms reached around him, followed by a kiss on the side of his neck.
    â€œKjersti, my girlfriend is right in the helo.”
    Anna slapped him on the butt and came to the front of Jake. “You’d like that.”
    â€œShe’s a very attractive woman.”
    She smiled and said, “I agree. You think she might be up for a three-way?”
    Jake knew that was a no-win question, but he played along. “Maybe. But it might go over better if you approach her. See what she thinks.”
    â€œI’ll bet you’re getting hard just thinking about that.” She looked around Jake toward the helo and then placed her hand on his groin.
    â€œIt’s so cold out here I’d be lucky to find it to piss.”
    She took her hand away. “You’re no fun.”
    â€œThat’s what I hear. Did Kjersti get through to anyone on the radio?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWe need to stay the night,” Jake said. “I’ve got to find Steve.”
    â€œI know. The two of us agreed.”
    â€œMight get a little cold and cozy in the helo tonight.”
    Anna smiled. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
    â€œIn the