They exchanged uncertain glances.
Tevin broke the silence. “You think Cap was right?” he asked. “You think someone is coming for us?”
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” Mueller answered. “I’m sure the military is going to do all they can, but when we dropped in on this one, we went dark. They don’t have a lot to go on. Even if they can pinpoint our location, as soon as Toli smells an attack, he’ll have us killed.”
Alberto spit out another glop of blood onto the floor. He stared at the floor with his one good eye. When he spoke, his voice was full of resolve. “They’ll send someone. And when they get here, it’s best that we all be ready.”
4
“Senator, this is Omar Khalif.”
The senator’s assistant made the introduction and then stepped aside so the two could shake hands.
Sen. Harold Thorpe put his hand out and took the other, grasping it firmly. No cameras flashed. No press begged to ask a question. The meeting was held in secret — an arrangement between one of Pakistan’s wealthiest men and a powerful United States senator.
“I know who the man is, Gary.” Thorpe blew off his assistant’s introduction.
Khalif was an imposing figure, well over six feet tall with dark hair, matching eyebrows, and a goatee that capped his shallow chin. He wore an expensive suit that likely cost more than a week’s wages for the young legislative aide.
The American leader dressed slightly more conservative for the meeting, wearing his standard red tie on top of a white shirt and black jacket/pants combination.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Khalif.”
The Pakistani returned the greeting with a pleasant smile and bowed his head. “And it is a great pleasure to meet you, in person.”
The two eased into a couple of club chairs tilted in at an angle toward each other. A butler stepped into the room and set a cup of coffee down next to each man.
Khalif picked up his cup and let the aroma spiral upward into his nostrils. He cast a curious glance at the senator. “No cream or sugar?”
The senator snorted. “I make it a habit to know people, Mr. Khalif. I am well aware you don’t use sugar or creamer in your coffee. You prefer it black.”
Khalif nodded, impressed. “I can see your CIA does its job well.”
“The CIA didn’t tell me that. Let’s just say I pay attention.”
Khalif took a sip of the coffee and savored it for a moment before setting the cup down on the end table. “Well, good coffee doesn’t need to be tainted. And this, my friend, is definitely good.”
The senator grinned, satisfied his guest approved. “Thank you. I had it brought in from a small farm in Guatemala. They only produce two hundred pounds of this variety every year. Very difficult to come by.”
“I’m impressed. But you didn’t bring me here to talk about coffee, Senator. You brought me here to talk about something else.”
Senator Thorpe motioned for his assistant to leave. The younger man nodded and disappeared through a side door. When the door closed, Thorpe turned back to his guest.
“Omar, you and I go back a long way, before either of us were leaders in our countries.”
“That’s how I know you want something from me, Harold. A United States senator doesn’t call on someone like me just to chat about coffee. How can I help you?”
The senator took a cautious look around before speaking again. “We have word that the number two terrorist on our hit list is hiding out somewhere in Pakistan. His name is Abdullah Qafar. The problem is that we can’t go after him without it making everything look messy for our tenuous friendship with your fellow countrymen.”
Khalif claimed residence in Pakistan but had homes all over the world.
“So you need my permission to come find this man and kill him? I have to say, Harold, it wouldn’t look good if a bunch of your soldiers were traipsing through my streets.” The American politician noted the way Khalif used the possessive form with his words, as if he owned the country. It wasn’t far from the truth.
The senator waved a dismissive hand and shook his head. “No, nothing like that. The last thing we need is for the media to know we’re conducting military missions in your backyard. The rest of the world wouldn’t stand for it, and obviously you would need deniability for something like that.”
Khalif raised a puzzled eyebrow. “If not that, then what?”
“We need you to take him out. Think of it as a way of solidifying our alliance.”
Khalif’s mouth opened wide, and he whispered, “Ah. I see.”
He stood up and put his hands behind his back, then paced over to the far wall. “What you ask is very difficult, my old friend. Many of my people treat some of these terrorists like heroes. They love them and stand behind them. You say this man is in my country; how do you know? Are you certain?”
“You’re right to ask that question. Let’s just say we used a lot of resources to track him down. Yes, we are sure of Qafar’s whereabouts. We just need you to take him out. I know you have the resources to pull off an operation like that. And your relationship with the Pakistani leaders is good enough that they’ll let you do whatever you want.” The senator leaned forward and picked up a red folder that was lying on a coffee table. He extended it to his guest.
“Everything your special ops units might need is in that folder. You take him down, and let the world see you do it.”
Khalif took the folder and stared at the sticker on the cover. The word Classified stared back at him. “Now I see why you had your assistant leave. It would not do to have too many people know what you just asked me to do, and that you gave me this.” He motioned with the file.
“Omar, the American people have questions. They want to know why we haven’t stepped in with the growing tension between Pakistan and India. They’re afraid that you are the enemy because you’re a Muslim nation. I know better, but the people need proof. You take this guy down; it will go a long way with the American public. You’ll be a hero instantly, and so will your leaders.”
Khalif liked the idea. The senator could see it in his eyes. Everyone liked to have their ego stroked every now and then, and the American leader was using that to his advantage.
“It is a good plan,” Khalif said after a moment of thought. “But I will need additional compensation.”
The senator shrugged. “Of course. I wouldn’t do this sort of deal otherwise. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll take care of it.”
Khalif pivoted around and took four steps in the other direction, as if contemplating what he would ask. He spun again and faced the senator, now with his hands folded in front of his chest.
“Double.”
The senator was taken aback by the request. He crossed one leg over a knee and leaned back in his chair. “Done. But I have to ask. You’re not planning on starting a war, are you?”
Khalif shook his head. “No, my old friend. You know as well as I do that the Indians have a nuclear arsenal while we are left with nothing. We must be able to defend ourselves with equal force.”
“I’m not giving you nuclear weapons, Omar. You know I can’t do that.”
“And I wouldn’t ask you to. I don’t need nuclear weapons, Harold. In addition to the shipment, I will also need your word that if it comes to war, America will not interfere.”
“So long as you don’t do anything stupid, like try to invade India, we prefer to remain neutral.”
Khalif unfolded his hands and splayed them out wide. “It is only for self-defense. If they should attack, we would like to be able to defend ourselves or respond in kind.”
The senator thought about it for nearly a minute. He scratched his chin as he tried to figure out the most prudent course of action.