Chapter 33

33

Pristina, Kosovo

The smallish, two-story building at the Film City base for the Kosovo Force was very modest by NATO standards. The camp’s odd name was a leftover from an aborted intent to establish a Yugoslavian version of Hollywood at the site. MacD eyed the unremarkable building and supposed its occupants tried to make up for its diminutive stature with the Trump Tower–styled gold letters announcement over the entrance: Headquarters Kosovo Force. A light rain filled the air with the musty, mineral smell of wet pavement.

After checking in at the security desk, Raven and MacD were directed to the second floor and the door marked Col. Mattia Piccinini. Training Officer.

The colonel was cast straight out of a Fellini film—a well-built, handsome Italian man with a cleft chin, wavy dark hair, and dark brown, mischievous eyes. He greeted Raven with a warm smile that melted into an even warmer hug.

“It’s been so long!” the colonel began. “I was so happy when I got your email.”

“How are Sofia and the kids?”

“My wife is more beautiful than ever and the twins are both in college now. Thank you for asking.”

While the two of them were reacquainting, MacD took in the colonel’s office. One wood-paneled wall featured a large topographical map of Kosovo as well as a geographical map of the region including the surrounding countries of Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

A second, “ego” wall was covered with framed photos of Piccinini saluting or shaking hands with flag officers and dignitaries from around the world. There were also unit and personal commendations along with his professional and weapons certifications.

An impressive career, MacD thought.

“Colonel Piccinini, this is my partner MacD.” Raven had already explained to him in an email she and MacD worked for a private contracting firm.

The two men recognized the warrior in each other and shook hands firmly.

“Piacere di conoscerti,” MacD said. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Piccinini was impressed with the formal address. He responded in kind. “Il piacere è mio.” The pleasure is mine.

He added, “Your Italian is excellent.”

“Uncle Google taught me everything I know, and that ain’t much.”

The colonel chuckled. “Has Raven told you of her service here in Kosovo?”

“No, as a matter of fact.”

“She was an excellent young officer. We were her first assignment as a military investigator. The Albanian mafia was running a drug-smuggling ring into NATO bases in Europe. She helped break it up. Unfortunately, she also broke the hearts of a few of my men.”

Raven fought back a blush.

Piccinini waved them both into chairs before he sat behind his desk. “Please, be seated. How may I be of service?”

“First of all, we read the brief about the attack on your men above Mitrovica,” Raven said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

The cheerful Italian’s mood darkened. “Thank you. It was a bad day, and a rushed operation. No one killed, thank God, though many were wounded and a young lieutenant blinded.”

“If I read the report correctly, the weapons cache wasn’t found and no arrests were made.”

“Unfortunately, that is correct. One bandit was confirmed killed.”

“What weapon did he carry?”

“A Chinese-made RPG launcher.”

“The report stated that some of your men thought that NATO-standard weapons were used. M4 carbines, especially.”

“Also correct. Why is that of interest to you?”

“It’s actually the reason why we’re here. We think we know who’s supplying those weapons to the Salafists.”

“Excellent. Who is it?”

“He goes by the name of ‘the Vendor.’ Have you heard of him?”

Piccinini shook his head. “No. What can you tell me about him?”

“Not much. We don’t know his identity, or his location, or really much of anything. That’s what we’ve come to find out. We want to go to the ambush site and look around. We’re hoping we can find a clue from the weapons cache stored up there. Any chance you can show us the way?”

Piccinini shook his head. “I would gladly take you there myself, but the brass is embarrassed and wants to pretend the ambush didn’t really happen. We don’t have the manpower to punish the offenders, let alone drive them off that mountain. So instead, the authorities have designated that area a no-go zone for all KFOR personnel.”

“Can you at least show us where it is on a map?”

“Only approximately.”

The colonel stepped over to the topographical map and traced a path on it with his finger as he spoke.

“The logging road ends here. From there you’ll have to proceed by foot up steep terrain with heavy trees. It’s located up high on the mountain, somewhere in this two-kilometer radius.”

“And where did the ambush take place?” MacD asked.

“Exactly here, farther down.” The colonel touched the map, then stepped away so the rugged Cajun could examine it more closely.

“They were scheduled to meet with your informant, right?” Raven asked.

“The team stopped at the meeting point, but found themselves in the middle of a firefight.”

“What happened to the informant?”

“I’ve tried to reach him. He’s not answering my texts.”

“I don’t mean to be obvious, but…isn’t it possible he betrayed your squad?”

Piccinini shrugged in the most Italian of ways. “Of course, anything is possible. But I doubt it. He turned his back on the radicals and now is mostly a hermit.”

“What do you mean, ‘turned his back’?” MacD asked.

“He fought with ISIS for several years overseas, but had a change of heart after he saw what animals they were. He returned home to live in peace. But when he saw the radicals coming back to the area, he reached out to me.”

“Is there really such a thing as a ‘former’ ISIS member?” Raven asked.

“If you met him, you’d understand. He’s quite cautious. He trusts almost no one except me and the people I recommend to him. His name is Nedim Ramadani.”

“If you think he hasn’t turned, and he’s not answering your texts…?” Raven didn’t want to finish the thought.

“I know. He’s likely dead.”

“Can you tell us where he lives up there?” MacD asked.

Piccinini pointed at another location. “The last time I met him, he was living here. But that was a year ago. If you can find him, he will be your best chance of finding the Salafists and their weapons cache.”

“And if we can’t?”

“Then you are on your own. And God help you up on that mountain. My hands are tied. I can’t back you up.”

Raven nodded. “We understand.”

“If you trust this Ramadani fella, that’s good enough for us,” MacD said. “We’ll go take a look-see.” He pulled out his cell phone and snapped close-up photos of the topo map.

“We could use a few supplies,” Raven said. “Any chance you could point us in the right direction?”

“As a KFOR officer I can’t officially help you.”

Piccinini reached into his pocket and handed Raven a set of keys. “But my personal vehicle is parked out back. I believe you’ll find everything you need in it.”

“Grazie mille, Mattia,” Raven said with a faultless accent.

“Prego.”