All the Old Knives

In early 2020, CIA agent Henry Pelham is called in by his superior, Vick Wallinger, who informs him that the investigation into Turkish Alliance 127 has been reopened. This 2012 terrorist hijacking has long haunted the agency, and they suspect a leak has occurred from their Vienna station.

The investigation gains momentum when one of the hijackers, Ilyas Shushani, is captured in Afghanistan. His arrest provides the CIA with crucial leads that may help unravel the mystery behind the hijacking and the potential breach in security.

Henry travels to London to inform his colleague Bill Compton about his mission to investigate the leak related to Flight 127. This meeting sets off a chain reaction, as Bill immediately informs Celia about Henry’s investigation, further complicating the situation.

In a nearly deserted upscale restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, Henry meets with Celia Harrison. Their reunion quickly turns serious as Celia reveals troubling information about an Austrian intelligence operative who is interested in her colleagues.

Celia tells Henry that Karl Stein, an Austrian operative, has approached her, suspicious of Bill’s loyalties. She feels conflicted about her role in the investigation and the potential consequences for her colleagues, particularly Bill.

The narrative flashes back to 2012 when Flight 127 is hijacked by four terrorists while on the runway. Vick, Bill, and other agents at the Vienna station scramble to manage the crisis and identify the key players, including Ilyas, who is notably absent from the plane.

The hijackers set a strict 24-hour deadline, threatening to kill passengers unless their imprisoned comrades are released. The situation escalates as the Vienna station races against time to resolve the crisis and save lives.

Celia tries to reach out to a source in Vienna for information about the hijacking but soon realizes that her own contacts may have turned against her. This dangerous game throws her into a web of deceit and distrust that threatens her safety.

As demands are unmet, the terrorists resort to a horrific attack by releasing Sarin gas aboard Flight 127. This tragic outcome leads to massive loss of life and irrevocably alters Celia and Henry’s lives, intensifying the emotional toll of the event.

The day following the devastating attack, Celia makes the heart-wrenching decision to sever her relationship with Henry. She reveals she saw a call from a number linked to Iran on his phone, leading to turmoil in their personal lives.

In present-day discussions, Celia reveals the painful truth about their breakup stemming from Henry's secret dealings. Henry struggles with the revelation that he was the source of the leak, which complicates his feelings of betrayal and guilt.

As the circumstances of betrayal unfold, Henry attempts to explain his past actions, revealing he had been manipulated into revealing crucial information. The weight of his past choices becomes a heavy burden as he confronts the truth.

As the plot thickens, it becomes evident that Celia’s meeting with Henry was orchestrated by Karl Stein, indicating a larger conspiracy at play. Both Henry and Celia are caught in a dangerous game that they cannot control.

Faced with the devastation of their relationship and the impending danger, Celia chooses to return to her family. This decision signifies the culmination of their tragic and complicated history, leaving Henry to confront his fate alone.

As poison courses through Henry's veins, he realizes the gravity of his situation and the manipulation he endured. This concluding moment marks both the end of his investigation and the tragic conclusion to his personal saga with Celia.