The Present.

“His name is Nikolai Ivanov. You will have little trouble finding him. He is very frank, very indiscrete. The antithesis of a spy,” Serghei said. His confidence in his information was clear.

His gaze returned to the sensual, but malevolent Gale. “Even has the gall to wear his most sensitive intel on his person as a pen-drive on a bolo-tie. But the authorities never find the intel on the drive when they question him.”

Gale was very interested in that information. People with valuable information often used a mule. Someone who traveled abroad. Someone who was always on the move. Their travel allowed them to evade the grasp of the authorities. Allowed them to hide in plain sight.

"Is that so? Hmm." Gale pondered aloud, nibbling on her gloved finger. "Ivanov wouldn't have male friends, one always on hand, who travel abroad often, would he?" Gale asked, turning her emerald gaze toward Serghei.

"Why, da, yes! Ivanov does." Serghei confirmed. His experience in espionage allowed him to reach the same conclusion as Gale. "Abdul-Qadeer Almaerifuh. He is a club owner in Sweden. Someone who always takes cruises…"

"Eh," Gale parried, unimpressed.

"And William Barnett is a serviceman, as I recall," Serghei said, saving his best information for last. "He is married. Often stationed overseas. And at the moment, missing." Serghei finished, with a raised an eyebrow towards Gale. He knew she would find that coincidence rather useful.

“Sergy!” She found Serghei’s quick thinking and impressive knowledge amazing. Gale summoned a small white portal that led to her hidden stash of valuable foreign currencies. She reached into this mystic portal with her hand. And retrieved a neat bundle of euros. Gale then tossed it down to the waiting Serghei in the pit. “A pleasure, as always.”

Serghei, who always viewed himself as the cunning and intelligent protagonist, caught the stack of euros in his hand. With a bit of appreciation, yet also tiredness, he asked, "So, it is done? I am free to leave?"

"Of course!" Gale pivoted her emerald eyes to King and with a flutter of her eyelashes, commanded him. “Cover it.”