‘If you went in through the doors, you’d probably lose the first wave of your troops to the explosive charges, and then the terrorists would fight back. They seem pretty professional, so you’d lose even more men in the fire-fight that would follow. And remember, they’ve got nothing left to lose. They know that if they’re captured, they’re sure to be executed, so there’s no reason why they wouldn’t detonate the bomb. That’s the worst option, by far. The second is to wait until they’ve actually left the hotel. The downside is that by then the weapon will have been armed. You’ve been told that they’ll set the timer for a period of four hours?’
‘Yes,’ Ghul nodded. ‘They said that would allow them time to get well clear of the area before transmitting the abort code.’
‘Well, my guess is that they’ll set it for a much shorter time than that. All they need do is get airborne because once they’re off the runway, the sooner the bomb goes off the better for them. In the subsequent chaos and confusion, the last thing anyone will be thinking about is keeping track of their aircraft. I reckon they’ll set the fuse for two hours, tops.’
‘So, what’s your recommendation?’
‘Make the payment, then let the terrorists get away from the hotel, but take them out somewhere between there and the airport.’
Ghul paused for a few moments before he spoke. ‘I’ll convey your recommendation to my superiors, though I can’t guarantee their agreement. There only seems one other matter to consider — how do we defuse the weapon if we don’t have the abort code?’
Richter leant forward. ‘I may be able to help with that.’
They were waiting only for the financial instruments — the bearer bonds and so on — to arrive, and then they could leave. A negotiator had confirmed, through Hussein, that delivery of these might occur later than they’d hoped, but still within the timescale specified.
As far as O’Hagan could see, they would be on their way out of the hotel no later than noon.
A little before eleven, Hafez Ghul returned to the interview room and sat down heavily. He didn’t look happy.
‘I’m sorry to say that my government doesn’t believe the terrorists intend to detonate the bomb. The minister thinks they’re only interested in the ransom and, as long as it’s paid, that will be the end of the matter.’
‘They’re wrong,’ Richter said flatly.
‘I agree,’ Ghul replied. ‘What you’ve said makes too much sense to be ignored.’
‘Is there anything you can do to change their mind?’
‘No.’ Ghul shook his head. ‘You have to understand our Arab mentality. The decision has been made, and that decision will now stand, no matter what further evidence anyone can produce.’
‘But what about the abort code?’ Richter demanded in frustration. ‘You told them that the terrorists couldn’t possibly know it?’
‘Of course, but one of the government intelligence advisers believes you’re wrong, and that they do have the code. He’s certain that the number you were given is just a piece of disinformation. He’s obtained further details about the theft of the weapon. Apparently an administrator was involved who had access to some of the documentation and so could have supplied the abort code to the Americans.’
‘Yes, but how—?’
‘I’m sorry, Mr Richter. That was what the government wanted to hear, and that’s what they did hear, whether it was the plain unvarnished truth or a complete fiction. They’ve also instructed me to tell you that under no circumstances are you to take any further part in this operation.’
‘Message received. So what can we do now?’
‘Apart from putting as much distance as we can between ourselves and Jumeirah Beach in the next ninety minutes, obviously?’ Carole-Anne Jackson interjected.
‘Exactly.’ Ghul favoured her with a smile, but he was clearly uncomfortable about having a woman in the room, especially one Richter appeared to regard as an equal. ‘Despite my instructions, I still believe you’re right. But what can we do?’
Richter thought for a few seconds. ‘So the Dubai government’s going to follow the terrorists’ demands to the letter? They’re not going to try to delay them on the way?’
‘No,’ Ghul said, ‘but they’re also not clearing the roads for them.’
‘Good,’ Richter said. ‘Once you know they’ve left, could you arrange a convenient accident somewhere? Something to delay them slightly?’
‘That should be easy. We have enough accidents here as it is.’
‘And can you get me a helicopter — an armed helicopter?’
‘Possibly.’ Ghul paused to think. ‘There’s a Jet Ranger at the International Airport, and a Bell 212 down at Minhad Air Force Base, just a few kilometres southwest of here. They’re not normally armed, but the 212 could be. We’ve a couple of miniguns stored at Minhad.’
‘Excellent,’ Richter said. ‘Have a minigun mounted in the Bell 212, and get it here as quickly as possible. If that’s going to be difficult, just organize the Jet Ranger, and I’ll have to forget about the weapon.’
‘You have a plan?’ Jackson asked, as the police officer left the room.
‘Of a sort, I suppose. The chopper can take me to the landing pad at the top of the Burj. From there, I can get into the suite and disarm the nuke once the bad guys have left. Then I’ll fly the Bell over to the airport and stop the Gulfstream.’
‘Jesus. I always thought a man with a plan was a dangerous thing. Just a few grey areas there, don’t you think? Like how are you going to get into the suite? And that’s just for starters.’
‘I’ve got a few ideas,’ Richter said, ‘but you’re right — it’s not going to be easy.’
Ghul returned moments later. ‘We’re in luck,’ he announced. ‘One of the miniguns was already mounted in the Bell, and the ammunition drum is being fitted right now. They’ll call me as soon as it’s ready for takeoff.’
‘Excellent. Two other things. Can you arrange for the helicopter to bring some plastic explosive and short-fuse detonators and a complete climbing kit? I’d prefer a Mitchell Climbing System or a Double Bungie Rope Walker but if they can’t find either of those, an ordinary abseiling kit will do.’
‘You’re going to get inside from the helicopter pad? Do you have any idea how high that is?’
‘About two hundred and fifty metres, I reckon,’ Richter replied.
‘Heights don’t bother you?’ Ghul asked.
‘No. Falling scares the shit out of me, but heights don’t bother me at all.’
Just after eleven-thirty a grey Mercedes drove onto the hardstanding and stopped beside the Gulfstream. In most respects, the aircraft was ready for take-off, after a final refuelling carried out first thing that morning to replenish the fuel used by the APU. The only thing left was the balance of the ransom, and Sutter guessed that was in the Mercedes.
Twenty minutes later, Haig had examined enough of the bearer bonds and letters of credit to satisfy himself that they were genuine. Sutter called O’Hagan’s number on his mobile.
‘That’s everything,’ he said. ‘Over to you.’