We have Abu Zohdi in our hands now? Jass knew that name too and was beginning to worry about where the generals explanation was heading.
Momentarily. In the meantime we are continuing to interrogate the Kocak woman, trying to learn what kind of arms will be for sale in Rio.
Yes, the more information she had before going in, the better prepared she would be to disrupt the sale. Excuse me, General Wainwright, but what result do you anticipate from our mission? Is it more important to capture this other Russian or to take control of whatever weapons are for sale?
The general raised one eyebrow and she almost giggled at the silly picture he made. I trust you will not hesitate to confiscate anything as potentially dangerous as a nuclear bomb if its placed right in front of you, Officer OReilly. Not this time.
Her smile faded in that instant. She felt her cheeks warming and was glad for her golden skin tones. Fairer women had a more difficult time disguising their embarrassment.
Yes uh no, sir.
Your job on this sting is to get your partner inside that auction to meet all the bidders. Gather information. Intel is your ultimate assignment with the Task Force, remember. The general narrowed his eyes at her. Your handler will give you further instructions once we get a clearer picture of whats going on inside.
My partner? Jasss whole body tensed.
Kadir here will be going in undercover as your client, Abu Zohdi. For months hes been trying to convince the DOD that the Taj Zabbar have become terrorists worthy of our attention. He spoke in a low, measured tone. If they do show up at this meeting ready to buy, my boss will have to accept that theyre powerful enough to pose a threat to the world.
Jasss mind raced with good reasons why she couldnt take Tarik Kadir along with her on a mission. The number-one reason being that he was no longer employed by the United States government. Hed quit.
Tarik stirred in his seat beside her. They shot a glance at each other. He didnt seem all that thrilled about working with her either.
But sir, I respectfully ask you to reconsider, she pleaded. I can handle this mission better alone. If you want to know the identities of the people at the auction, leave it to me. Ill get names, pictures and backgrounds on everyone involved with no trouble. Its my job.
Besides, she continued, desperately trying to come up with a good argument in her favor. Doesnt the Messenger always work alone? On behalf of a client, for sure, but havent her past clients always remained unnamed?
Not recently. Your intelligence on the Messenger is at least a year behind. Youd better study her files carefully on your way to Rio.
But
The general tilted his head toward her as if to say he was done with her questions. But then he made one more chilling remark to top off his side of the argument and leave no doubt why this sting would go down exactly his way.
Over the last year, Celile Kocak and Abu Zohdi have become lovers. According to her, they seldom leave each others sides. In fact, thats how ICE got their hands on
her. She made a mistake in her haste through the States to the Bahamas trying to reach her lover and bail him out of jail.
Lovers? Oh, Lord.
She felt Tarik go rigid in his seat beside her as he asked, Lovers, sir? Exactly how close to that definition do you want us to stay?
Close enough for it to appear you cant keep your hands off each other, Mr. Kadir. This joint mission was originally your idea. And you agreed to accept one of our Task Force agents as your partner.
The general glared at both agents.
Now stick to the plan weve drawn up. You two are going in as lovers or the whole deal is off.
Chapter 3
She couldnt imagine having to work with the irritating sheik. Now, while sitting alone across from Ed having coffee, she had the feeling shed stepped onto a boat that was taking on water.
I dont like it any better than you do, Jass. Hes a loose cannon and Im not sure we can trust him.
Ed Langdon, her longtime friend as well as her handler, ran a hand across tired-looking eyes. The poor guy hadnt had any more sleep than she had last night.
But we dont have a choice. He sighed and stared into his coffee. You have to at least go through the motions of this sting with Kadir or else Wainwright may bust us both out of the Task Force.
Oh, Ed. No. Whatever I screwed up had nothing to do with you.
He dug his fingers through his thinning hair and then went back to drinking coffee with both hands wrapped around the mug. Youre my responsibility. When an assignment goes bad, its my fault.
Ed was the closest thing to a father figure shed had since her own father died on a CIA covert mission nearly ten years ago. At that time she had recently graduated college and was interviewing with the Agency for her first job. Her father had wanted her to go to law school. Hed wanted something safer and saner for his daughter than hed had for himself.
But shed always seen her father as the sun, the moon and the brightest star in the sky. Everything revolved around him and had since her mother died when she was a girl. What her father did for a living was exciting. Stimulating. The very idea of undercover work had thrilled her down to her bones.