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"Nolan, we just got a partial print off your shop," Tim says as they approach the man.
"Linda's real name is Katerina Antonov. She's a Rusa citizen here on an NGO visa," Mirana says.
"Perfect cover for a Russian FSB agent," Tim states.
"We get any hits off VICAP that could lead us to her?" Nolan asks and Mirana shakes her head.
"But I did an internet photo search and found Lyle Marks' instagram page," Mirana says. "He's a Mayor de la Fuerza Aerea"
"A Mayor de la what?" Nolan asks.
"Air Force Major," Tim translates.
"Katerina has apparently been dating him for a few months," Mirana says.
"And by "dating," you mean she was using him to steal top-secret intelligence," Nolan says and Mirana nods.
"I don't think it's a coincidence," Mirana says.
"Look, Lyle worked at Drone Command. Didn't show up for work today," Tim says.
"Do we loop in Weston?" Nolan asks.
"No. If we're on to something, he'll find us,"
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Mirana keeps her gun raised as she walks next to Nolan, Tim a few paces in front as they approach Major Marks' house. Tim knocks on the door as loud heavy metal blasts from the house but as soon as Tim touches the door, it opens.
"Major Marks, police!" Tim shouts and the three officers enter the house, searching the rooms to ensure there are no other people in the house.
"I got a body!" Nolan says as Tim and Mirana enter the kitchen.
Mirana pulls on a glove before pressing her fingers to Marks' wrist.
"Based on his temperature, he's been dead for at least an hour," Mirana says before touching the corpse's face. "No rigor mortis in the face so he's not been dead for two hours"
Mirana crouches down, examining the blotches on the corpse's skin.
"Livor mortis has set in but it's still red confirming it's been less than two hours," Mirana says, peeling the gloves off.
"Best guess?" Nolan asks.
"There's no sign of purple descoloramiento so closer to the hour mark," Mirana says. "But these burns? These are quemaduras por acido. The blistering and severity of the welts, how the skin's inflamed and eroded? Only acid could have done this kind of damage"
"So, we have a Russian spy who was tortured and held captive by her own people. Now her boyfriend ends up tortured and killed," Tim says.
"Probably the same guys who tried to kill Katerina, thinking he knew where she was," Nolan says.
"Maybe he did. Maybe they're going after her right now," Tim says.
"What a treat. Twice in one day," Weston smiles at the three officers before spotting Marks' body. "I take that back"
"What the hell are we in the middle of?" Tim asks Weston. "And don't give me any of this "national security" BS"
"It's not BS. You of all people should know that," Weston says.
"A soldado asesinado means you can't hide whatever this is anymore," Mirana says.
"These people need to be caught before they hurt anyone else, and you need our help to do it," Nolan says.
"Okay," Weston concedes. "But we need a secure place to finish this conversation. Luckily, I bring one with me wherever I go"
They walk out of Marks' house, approaching a large van and Tim climbs in first, offering Mirana his hand to help her up.
"This is a giant Faraday cage?" Nolan asks as the officers sit down.
"Exactly. No electronic signals can get in or out," Weston confirms.
"So tell us about Katerina," Tim says.
"Our belief is that Ms. Antonov is an FSB case officer who was in this country to recruit intelligence assets and that she went rogue," Weston says.
"Which is why two guys grabbed her and took her to a safe house," Nolan states.
"Yep," Weston nods. "Oriel Stanislov and Vladik Ziven. FSB spec ops officers. They arrived in this country a week ago under assumed names"
"But why try and matarla once she escaped?" Mirana asks.
"So she wouldn't end up in the hands of the CIA," Weston replies.
"Did you know she was in a relationship with Major Marks?" Tim asks.
"Obviously not," Weston rolls his eyes. "Otherwise, we would have stepped in weeks ago"
"Maybe Katerina really enamorarse with Marks," Mirana says. "Then the FSB found out she was going to defect, they kill him and grabbed her"
"Espionage isn't a romance novel, Officer Cabrera,"
"I mean, how would you know?" Mirana retorts, tired of the man's condescension. "You didn't even know there was a Rusa safehouse in Los Angeles"
"Fair point," Weston says as Tim tries to hide his amused grin. "But I've read Katerina's file. She's no hopeless romantic"
"Do you at least know why she targeted Marks?" Nolan asks Weston.
"He was in charge of the Air Force's West Coast Drone Command. He had the keys to the entire program,"
"So if she wasn't stealing secrets from Russia and she wasn't in love with Marks and planning to defect, then what the hell was she doing?" Tim asks.
"I don't know," Weston shakes his head. "And that's what scares the hell out of me"
"So you're malo en tu trabajo?" Mirana asks with a roll of her eyes. "This is just great"
Weston's expression tightens at Mirana's remark, but he doesn't respond immediately. Instead, he takes a deep breath, clearly trying to maintain his composure.
"I assure you, Officer Cabrera, we're doing everything we can to piece together this puzzle," Weston finally says, his tone strained. "But sometimes, even with all the resources at our disposal, there are still gaps in our knowledge."
"Yeah, well, those gaps are getting people killed," Tim interjects, his frustration evident.
"I understand your frustration, Sergeant Bradford," Weston acknowledges. "But we're all working towards the same goal here—to stop these operatives and prevent any further harm."
