He paused. “Even then, I didn’t give up, but I realized I couldn’t alert the police until Cassie was safe. I knew my phones were tapped, so while dining with a customer that night, I excused myself to visit the loo and ducked into the restaurant office to use the phone. I called a contact at the security firm I use and set up a meeting in St. James Park the following day at two. Time was short, so I told the man I would provide details at the meeting.
“I assumed Braun couldn’t watch everyone, so I intended to send written details to the park via Daniel, with instructions for a bodyguard and safe house. I would string Braun along until the security people whisked Cassie to safety. I never got that far. Braun rang the next morning and said he’d ‘taken the liberty’ of canceling my appointment. He said he wouldn’t do anything to Cassie immediately to lessen her hostage value, but if I continued my efforts, Mrs. Farnsworth would have a fatal accident.”
“But… but how did he find out about the park?” Dugan asked.
“He either anticipated whom I might call and bugged them or bugged the phones of my usual restaurants; there aren’t many. I only know he blocked me everywhere. I was terrified.”
“Wasn’t the guy you contacted suspicious at the cancellation?”
Alex shook his head. “He rang to confirm an e-mail cancellation Braun sent in my name. I confirmed and apologized. He probed a bit, but had no reason to suspect duress.”
“So,” Alex continued, “I hired Braun and Farley. Braun forces me to watch the video weekly. ‘Motivational sessions’ he calls them. He stands over my shoulder as I watch, detailing additional things Cassie will face if I resist in any way. I had a session this afternoon.”
Dugan sat stunned. It was a wonder Alex wasn’t dead of a heart attack.
“What does he want, Alex?”
“Not money. I tried to buy him off. He needs the company for something.”
“What’s he done so far?” Dugan asked.
“I haven’t a clue,” Alex said. “He made me sign blank contracts and give him carte blanche on all accounts. For the most part it seems to be business as usual, but he’s doing things at the margins in my name, and perhaps yours. China Star is a case in point. When Ibrahim got curious, Braun told me that unless I kept him quiet, he would kill the man and his entire family. I had to threaten to sack poor Ibrahim and order him to refer inquiries to Braun.
“He’s dangerous, Thomas, and very, very good. Your investigator may already be dead and Braun listening to our every word.” He paused. “Initially I feared you’d endangered Cassie, but I realize now nothing’s changed. Braun still needs me, and she’s his guarantee. But if Braun is listening, you’ll be dead by morning. And if your efforts have somehow escaped his attention, you should go. Take my offer to visit the yards and keep going. You can’t help us, Thomas. I have to see it through and hope Braun spares Cassie. Save yourself and tell no one so Cassie isn’t endangered further.”
Dugan realized any promise to safeguard Cassie would seem unbelievable to Alex. If Alex Kairouz, with all his connections, had been unable to do so, what chance did Dugan have alone? And Alex thought Braun was listening, despite Dugan’s assurances. Suddenly Dugan realized Alex was playing to the bugs, assuring Braun of continued cooperation while, if there were no bugs, warning Dugan to escape. Alex might be cowed, but his brain was working.
The revelation was more disquieting than encouraging. Alex was stretched to the breaking point, and Dugan was concerned for his health, mental and physical. He had to let his friend know the situation wasn’t hopeless, and he would never have a better opportunity.
“Alex, I know Braun isn’t listening because the house was swept with much better equipment than is available commercially. I’m working with US and British intelligence.”
Alex listened as Dugan explained and assured him Cassie would be protected. They stood and Alex hugged Dugan with a ferocity born of relief. For the first time in months, Alex Kairouz did not feel he was alone, staring into a black abyss.
And Dugan wondered how to tell the others about the newest member of the team.
Chapter Twelve
Constrained by the driver’s presence, Anna was quiet during the cab ride as Dugan pondered a way to break the news. He hadn’t found one by the time they walked into the apartment.
“So, how’d it go?” Lou asked.
“Well, I think,” Anna said, turning to Dugan. “Tom, did you learn anything from Alex?”
He tried to ease into it. “We discussed China Star. He thinks—”
“Bloody hell, Dugan,” Lou said. “How did that come up? You weren’t supposed to—”
Anna waved Lou to silence and gestured for Dugan to continue. He took a deep breath and made a clean breast of it, finishing to dead silence.
“Bloody unbelievable,” Lou said. “You revealed an operation to a prime suspect.”
“He’s a victim,” Dugan said. “How much evidence do you need?”
“More than a bloody fairy tale,” Lou said.
“Bullshit. He made up a story complete with video, then waited weeks to present it? No way. We can use him, and I decided to enlist him.”
Anna exploded. “YOU decided! On whose bloody authority? I’m lead agent, not you. You might have at least discussed it before charging in on a white horse to save the bloody day.”
“Things were happening fast,” Dugan said. “I wasn’t sure I’d have another chance. Maybe I should have discussed it first, but what’s done is done.”
“Yes, Tom. Maybe you should have,” Anna said, ice in her voice.
“Actually,” Harry said, “we can verify Kairouz’s story. Phone records will confirm calls to Scotland Yard and from the security firm, and we can question the security firm under the Official Secrets Act. If that checks out, I doubt it’s a fairy tale. British Telcom has a night shift. We can confirm the calls straightaway.”
Dugan shot Harry a grateful look.
“Do it,” Anna said, and Harry dialed. Moments later, he hung up and nodded.
“Phone records corroborate Kairouz’s story,” Harry said.
“OK,” Anna said, “we’ll deal with the security firm tomorrow. Perhaps this can be salvaged. But we have to tell Ward.” She gave Dugan a withering look. “I believe that will be your job, Tom.”
Dugan gave a resigned nod, pushed a preset on his sat phone, and set it on the coffee table in speaker mode.
Five time zones away, Ward’s phone trilled as he worked late. He saw Dugan’s number on the display.
“Hold one, Tom,” he said into his own sat phone as he reached for the office phone.
Gardner wanted in on field agents’ calls, but in reality, disturbing him after hours incurred his wrath. Ward protected himself by leaving voice mail on Gardner’s office number to verify attempted contact. Gardner was seldom there after hours, so Ward preferred to talk with field agents then just to avoid his boss’s interference.
“Gardner,” came the answer. Shit, Ward thought.
“Yes, Larry,” Ward said, “I’ve got Dugan. You want in?”
“Damn. Yeah, OK. Come down here.” Gardner hung up without awaiting a reply.
Ward told Dugan he’d call him right back and went down the hall to Gardner’s office. Gardner was in a tux.
“Don’t you look spiffy,” Ward said.
“I’m due at the symphony with the Gunthers in twenty minutes. This better be good.”
Ward understood. Image enhancement. Senator Gunther chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Gardner would spin a tale of having to stop by the office to handle a problem. The indispensable man.