The Leak Investigation

All the Old Knives

The effort to identify who compromised Ahmed’s position shifts from an internal station inquiry to Henry’s belated attempt to conceal his own guilt.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Suspect Emerges A Suspect Emerges from "All the Old Knives". A Suspect Emerges Irregular Evidence Celia compares Ahmed’s messages and notices that the final one differs in tone and grammar.

A Suspect Emerges from "All the Old Knives". A Suspect Emerges Irregular Evidence Celia compares Ahmed’s messages and notices that the final one differs in tone and grammar.

A Suspect Emerges Irregular Evidence Celia compares Ahmed’s messages and notices that the final one differs in tone and grammar. She suspects that the courier has been discovered or that someone else has taken over his phone. A Narrow Circle Because Ahmed’s identity is closely held, suspicion falls on people inside the Vienna station. Celia understands that the leak may be closer than anyone wants to admit.

The Phone Records The Phone Records from "All the Old Knives". The Phone Records Search Celia requests the station’s telephone records and finds a short call from William Compton’s office line to Amman.

The Phone Records from "All the Old Knives". The Phone Records Search Celia requests the station’s telephone records and finds a short call from William Compton’s office line to Amman.

The Phone Records Search Celia requests the station’s telephone records and finds a short call from William Compton’s office line to Amman. At first, the call appears to offer a concrete lead. Concealment She does not report the finding. Her silence is not initially proof of guilt; she is trying to understand whether the call implicates a colleague or someone she loves.

A Call Is Reframed A Call Is Reframed from "All the Old Knives". A Call Is Reframed Accusation Henry tells Celia that the records show a call from William’s line and treats her failure to report it as suspicious.

A Call Is Reframed from "All the Old Knives". A Call Is Reframed Accusation Henry tells Celia that the records show a call from William’s line and treats her failure to report it as suspicious.

A Call Is Reframed Accusation Henry tells Celia that the records show a call from William’s line and treats her failure to report it as suspicious. He wants her to explain why she kept the discovery private. Reversal Celia identifies the call as Henry’s own use of the phone, made to frame or protect himself. The investigation shifts from her concealment to his original act.

The Old Cover Story The Old Cover Story from "All the Old Knives". The Old Cover Story Pressure Henry has already questioned William Compton in London and used the recorded call to frighten him.

The Old Cover Story from "All the Old Knives". The Old Cover Story Pressure Henry has already questioned William Compton in London and used the recorded call to frighten him.

The Old Cover Story Pressure Henry has already questioned William Compton in London and used the recorded call to frighten him. He hopes William’s fear will help direct attention away from himself. Failure Celia’s account undermines that maneuver. The evidence Henry used to corner others also gives her a path to reconstruct his actions.

An Unfinished Report An Unfinished Report from "All the Old Knives". An Unfinished Report Choice Henry realizes that Celia’s account will not simply confirm his theory.

An Unfinished Report from "All the Old Knives". An Unfinished Report Choice Henry realizes that Celia’s account will not simply confirm his theory.

An Unfinished Report Choice Henry realizes that Celia’s account will not simply confirm his theory. He considers suppressing the recording and avoiding a report that could expose his own role. Consequence The investigation has ceased to be an impartial search for facts. It has become a contest over who will survive the truth and who will control the official story.

December 2006, after Ahmed’s final message

Late on the first night of the hijacking

October 16, 2012, during dinner

October 16, 2012, late evening

The closing moments of the novel