"Why would you think there is?" Nazir asked.
"Because there was not a single Black Cat Commando at the scene," Friday told him. "Why else would you be shut out of the investigation except for security issues?"
"Humiliation," Nazir suggested. "You have conflicts between your intelligence services. They go to great lengths to undermine one another even though you work toward the same goal."
There was no disputing that, Friday thought. He had killed a CIA agent not long ago.
"The truth is, the SFF has been extremely quiet about their activities of late and we have been quiet about our operations, including this one," Nazir went on. "Both groups have their allies in New Delhi and, eventually, all the intelligence we gather gets shuffled into the system and used."
"Like a slaughterhouse," Friday observed.
"A slaughterhouse," Nazir said. He nodded appreciatively. "I like that. I like it very much."
"I'm glad," Friday replied. "Now tell me something I'm going to like. For example, why we should put ourselves into the hands of an intelligence agency that may be risking our lives to boost their own standing in New Delhi?"
"Is that what you think?" Nazir asked.
"I don't know," Friday replied. "Convince me otherwise."
"Do you know anything about Hinduism?" Nazir asked Friday.
"I'm familiar with the basics," Friday replied. He had no idea what that had to do with anything.
"Do you know that Hinduism is not the name we use for our faith. It's something the West invented."
"I didn't know that," Friday admitted.
"We are countless sects and castes, all of which have their own names and very different views of the Veda, the holy text," Nazir said. "The greatest problem we have as a nation is that we carry our factionalism into government. Everyone defends his own unit or department or consulate as if it were his personal faith. We do this without considering how our actions affect the whole. I am guilty of that too. My 'god,' if you will, is the one who can help me get things done. Not necessarily the one who can do the best job for India." He drew on his cigarette. "The tragedy is that the whole is now threatened with destruction and we are still not pulling together. We need more intelligence on Pakistan's nuclear threat. We cannot go and get that information ourselves for fear of triggering the very thing we are trying to avoid — a nuclear exchange. You and your group are the only ones who can help us." Nazir regarded Friday through the twisting smoke of his cigarette. "If you are still willing to undertake this mission I will be the point man for you. I will go as far into the field as I can with maps, clearances, and geographical reconnaissance. The minister and I will make certain that no one interferes with your activities. He does not know the men who are coming from Washington but he has enormous respect for you. He considers you a member of 'his' sect. That is more than simply an honor. It means that in future undertakings of your own you will be able to call on him. To him the members of his team come before anything. But we must secure the intelligence we need to ensure that the team continues. The American force is going in anyway. I am here to make sure that you are still willing to go with them. I hope to be able to report that back to the minister."
Friday did not believe any man who claimed to put the good of the team before his own good. A minister who was running a secret operation with the Black Cats was looking to strengthen his ties to the intelligence community and build his power base. If he could spy on Pakistan today he might spy on the SFF or the prime minister tomorrow.
The fact that a politician might have personal ambition did not bother Friday. He had heard what Captain Nazir was really saying. Minister Shankar wanted Friday to go with Striker to make sure that the Americans were working for India and not just for Washington. And if Friday did undertake this mission he would have a highly placed ally in the Indian government.
The men reached the brick wall at the end of the street and Nazir lit another cigarette. Then they turned around and started walking back to the inn. Nazir was looking down. He had obviously said what he had come to say. Now it was up to Friday.
"You still haven't convinced me that there isn't a leak in your organization," Friday said. "How do I know we won't go out there and find ourselves ass-deep in Pakistanis?"
"You may," Nazir granted. "That is why we cannot go ourselves. As for leaks, I know everyone in the Black Cats. We have not been betrayed in the past. Beyond that, I cannot give the assurances you ask for." Nazir smiled for the first time. "It is even possible that someone in Washington has leaked this to the Pakistanis. There is always danger in our profession. The only question is whether the rewards are worth the risks. We believe they are, for us — and for you."
That sounded very much like an introductory lecture from a guru at an ashram. But then, Friday should have expected that.
"All right," Friday said. "I'm in — with one condition."
"And that is?"
"I want to know more about today's attack," Friday said. "Something about it is not sitting right."
"Can you tell me exactly what is bothering you?" Nazir asked.
"The fact that the attacker detonated two separate charges to bring down the police station and the temple," Friday said. "There was no reason for that. One large explosion would have accomplished the same thing. And it would have been easier to set."
Nazir nodded. "I've been wondering about that myself. All right. I'll see what I can find out and I will let you know when we are together again — which will be tomorrow around noon. We can meet here and then go to lunch. I will bring the materials I'll be turning over to your team."
"Fair enough," Friday said.
The men reached the inn. Friday regarded the captain.
"One more question," Friday said.
"Of course."
"Why didn't you offer me a cigarette?" Friday asked.
"Because you don't smoke," Nazir replied.
"Did the minister tell you that?"
"No," Nazir told him.
"You checked up on me, then," Friday said. "Asked people I've worked with about my habits and potential weaknesses."
"That's right," Nazir told him.
"So you didn't entirely trust the minister's judgment about bringing me onboard," Friday pointed out.
Nazir smiled again. "I said I knew everyone in the Black Cats. The minister is not one of my commandoes."
"I see," Friday replied. "That was still sloppy. You told me something about yourself, your methods, who you trust. That's something a professional shouldn't do."
"You're right," Nazir replied evenly. "But how do you know I wasn't testing you to see if you'd notice what I did?" The captain offered his hand. "Good night."
"Good night," Friday said. He felt the flush of embarrassment and a trace of doubt as he shook Nazir's hand.
The Black Cat Commando turned then and walked into the night, trailing a thick cloud of smoke behind him.
EIGHTEEN
Mike Rodgers was looking at files Bob Herbert had e-mailed from Op-Center when the giant C-130 touched down at the Royal Air Force station in Alconbury. Though the slow takeoff had seemed like a strain for the aircraft, the landing was barely noticeable. Maybe that was because the plane shook so much during the trans-Atlantic flight that Rodgers did not realize it had finally touched down. He was very much aware when the engines shut down, however. The plane stopped vibrating but he did not. After over six hours he felt as if there were a small electric current running through his body from sole to scalp. He knew from experience that it would take about thirty to forty minutes for that sensation to stop. Then, of course, Striker would be airbound again and it would start once more. Somewhere in that process was a microcosm of the ups and downs and sensations of life but he was too distracted to look for it right now.