No Remorse Part 36

"Am I a threat?"

"Are you?"

"If I was, do you think I'd arrange a meet?"

"If you were, you'd dodge the question."

"I'm a sniper, Derek. That answers the question."

"You carrying?"

"Of course. Aren't you?"

"Please." Wisebaum gestured at the security guys. One took Mac's two pistols while the other waved a metal detector over him.

"Clean. No wire," the guy with the wand said impa.s.sively.

"Wire? Why would I be wearing a wire?"

"Two pistols?"

Mac shrugged. "SOP " Standard operating procedure.

They walked. The other two men followed a few paces back. Close enough.

Wisebaum rubbed his goatee beard with the back of his hand. "You wanted to tell me about Khalid."

"First, I'd like to know why Tally had to die."

Wisebaum frowned at that. "Not sure what you mean, Mac. Obviously, we've all been deeply distressed by what's happened. Tally was like a daughter to me. Where's Khalid?"

"The Israelis."

The shock showed on Wisebaum's face. "Bulls.h.i.t. We'd know."

"Who do you think attacked his boat? It wasn't pirates. They raided his resort and rescued me. But it was too late for the others. I reckon he's singing like a proverbial in Tel Aviv. He hates waterboarding, I believe."

Wisebaum wiped his hand over his shaved dome and began to fidget with his tie. "What are you getting at, Mac?"

Mac picked up a handful of pebbles and tossed one into the water. It skipped once, then ploughed in. "Khalid told me he was expecting us. Unfortunately for him, we had arrived earlier than antic.i.p.ated. Even so, Scotty was killed. They cut his liver out while he was conscious." Mac wound up and threw another pebble. This one skipped five times on the smooth water of the lake.

Wisebaum grimaced. "Oh, that's G.o.d-f.u.c.king awful. Tally or Rosco must have told him you were coming."

"Maybe. Khalid knew my real name. That I was Special Ops. He knew that I was hunting Sophia's kidnappers. He knew a lot more about me than he should have." He locked eyes with Wisebaum and for an instant thought he could detect a hint of a smile.

"Christ... They must have tortured it out of them."

"Oh, they did that, all right. They cut off Rosco's fingers and put out his eyes. You don't want to know about Tally. We were all sacrificed so you could let Khalid set his bombs. There was never going to be any raid, was there?"

"What bombs? What raid? What the f.u.c.k are you talking about, Mac? Are you insane?" Wisebaum must have given a surrept.i.tious signal because the bodyguards moved closer and drew their weapons.

"Of course, I doubt there's any real proof. Guys like you know how to cover their trail. But Tally and Rosco didn't know which hospital Mai was in. You see, they were taken before we rescued her. Apart from Scotty and me, only you knew which hospital Mai was taken to."

"I'm sure Khalid could easily have found that out."

"Oh sure, but you called him just before Tally and Rosco were taken in Paris, didn't you? How else would they have known what room they were in?"

Wisebaum shrugged. "How the f.u.c.k should I know? You think we're the only ones with computer experts? Khalid has some very sophisticated websites."

"But you and Khalid go back a long way, don't you? Waterboarding in the UAE, back in the day?"

"Qatar, actually."

"There are no bombs, Derek. The uranium's in Israeli hands."

"Oh, Christ." He let out an audible sigh. "You've f.u.c.ked up everything, Mac. I told you just to observe. Just to f.u.c.king observe! If you'd done what you were told, the others would be alive today. This thing is way bigger than you or me. Or ASTA. Way bigger. We're both bit players in a big man's game."

"But you're doing all right, Derek. With your Italian suits and fancy cars. It's not just the college fees, is it? Maybe if you'd explained things to me I could have stayed out of the way. There's plenty of money to pay me off, isn't there?"

"Oh, sure! With your f.u.c.king att.i.tude towards authority. I knew you were trouble from the start. I'd hoped Tally would be able to control you... Apparently not."

"Khalid told me the oil companies were holding out for a share of the oilfields once the Saudis were replaced with his people. Is that what this is about, Derek? Oil?"

Wisebaum shook his head and laughed so much he had a coughing fit. He took his gla.s.ses off and wiped his eyes "Oh, G.o.d. You're so naive. No, Mac, oil is only part of it. This is about the future of civilization as we know it."

"What? What are you talking about?"

Wisebaum turned serious. "How long do you think this war on terror is going to last? Twenty, thirty years?"

"Yeah, I guess. Maybe less now that we got Bin Laden."

"One hundred and forty years. One hundred and forty years! Some influential men funded research through the Denton Inst.i.tute. The best experts in the nation concluded that the Middle East will get more volatile, more Islamist, as the strong men in places like Egypt, Libya, Syria, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are replaced over the next few years by unworkable democracies. Like Iran. And it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. A lot worse. There'll be major disruptions in the oil supply. Prolonged financial recession. Another global Depression. Several big cities in the US and Europe will be destroyed. Millions of innocent people are going to die."

"But how can helping Khalid be the answer?"

"The Denton Inst.i.tute concluded that peace will only come when all Muslims turn against Al Qaeda and renounce violence. And what would it take to do that, you ask? The answer is, if Al Qaeda destroyed the holiest place for Muslims. Mecca! Khalid is on the public record as saying the Wahhabi mullahs should be removed from Mecca. And with him in possession of the uranium canisters, and Al Qaeda being blamed for exploding dirty bombs in Saudi Arabia, we had the perfect scenario in place. Only you f.u.c.ked things up by chasing after some teenage girl. Now we'll have to find another way."

"Jesus, Derek! Sophia's my friend's daughter. And my buddy Scotty had his liver ripped out! And you expect me to apologise? You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You f.u.c.king, heartless b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" Mac stepped toward him, unable to contain his rage any longer.

Wisebaum stepped back, and laughed. "Oh no, Mac. I'm the patriot here. Tally and Rosco knew just enough to tell me when Khalid had the bombs. All he needed was a little pressure applied at the right time. That's why we had his father killed. You weren't supposed to stop him, you fool. Now, make it easy on yourself. These guys here are just going to take you for a short drive."

Mac put on his sungla.s.ses and tossed the rest of his handful of pebbles in the water. It was the signal. The two security men's weapons flew out of their hands and they collapsed to the ground groaning and holding their wounded arms. Belatedly, the sound of two shots echoed across the lake from a boat half a mile offsh.o.r.e.

"No, Derek. Look behind you. You're the one going for a little drive. There's some people waiting to have a chat." He waved his hand and Freckle and Termite appeared from among the trees. They'd wanted to be part of the show, for Scotty's sake.

Wisebaum's face was cast in horror. "You mad fool! What have you done?"

Mac smiled, although he felt no pleasure inside. "I'm sure you'll tell us everything you know. The names of the others involved..."

There was no sound of the gunshot to warn of the second sniper. Wisebaum's scalp peeled back like it had been sawed down the centre. Then a second shot blew off the lower part of his face, showering Mac with blood and bone.

No! That wasn't part of the plan!

Instinctively Mac dived to the ground. So did his Delta teammates, who began firing towards a rocky outcrop at the end of the beach. A minute later a boat ploughed up onto the pebbles and Tally and Anastia jumped out. Carrying a long rifle, Anastia followed Termite and Freckle, who had taken off through the trees after the sniper.

A few minutes later they returned. "Looks like the shooter had a driver waiting," Freckle said. "You okay, Mac?"

"I will be," he said, smiling at Tally.

105.

The lavender fragrance wafted on the warm July breeze into Mac's nostrils, clashing with the aromas of brewed coffee and freshly baked chocolate croissants. Mac and Tally were relaxing on the back patio of Jog Khoury's farmhouse beside the pool, where Jog was throwing a Frisbee with Sophia's brother Wade and sister Maddie. Sophia was content to just sit on the day bed with Monique, Jog and Claudette's chatty three-year-old, showing her how to play Angry Birds on the iPad. Mac, too, was enjoying some extra-special TLC with his legs on an ottoman and his head on Tally's lap. She was stroking his head.

"You know, I think it was your hands that first attracted me to you," Mac said, chuckling. "The way your fingers moved across that keyboard of yours."

"Oh? And I thought it was that night in Paris, when I dropped my-"

"Coffee and croissants, mes amis!" Claudette announced as she put the tray down on the gla.s.s tabletop nearby, then winked and strolled away.

"Mmm..." Tally ran her fingernails through his hair. "For me... let me see... I think for me it was your eyes. Dark and penetrating. Sharp, yet sensitive." She kissed him gently on the nose and removed his sungla.s.ses.

"Hey..." He covered his eyes from the sun. "Watch the nose. It's still a little tender."

"And kinda cute, too. Gives you that rugged, has been places look.'"' Tally stood up and took the plate around to offer everyone croissants.

"Are you saying I'm a has been?" Mac said, sitting up as Claudette pa.s.sed him a cafe au lait. "Thanks, Claudette."

Claudette smiled. "I must agree about the nose, Mac," she said. "Definitely shows character."

Wade called out from the pool, where he was wrestling Maddie for the Frisbee. "Hey, Sophie, come on... jump in!"

"I'm fine!" Sophia called in reply, pa.s.sing Elena the iPad as she stood up and stretched. "Can I take Monique for a walk down to the lavender patch?"

"But of course, cherie," Claudette said.

They all watched as Sophia took Monique's tiny hand and they strolled down together to where neat rows of lavender grew at the back of the house.

"How's she coping, do you think?" Mac asked.

"She'll be fine," Elena said. "It won't be easy, but she's strong. We have a counsellor lined up from next week. We thought about changing schools, but Sophia doesn't want that."

Bob put down his croissant and spoke as he watched Sophia and the toddler playing chases across the clumps of lavender. "She seems a little reluctant to engage with Maddie and Wade, don't you think?"

Mac recalled how his relationship with Nick had gone south after Cynthia had been abducted. Was Sophia feeling survivor guilt? Post-traumatic stress? Maybe guilty at how much worse Danni had been abused?

"It's early days." Mac said. "At least it seems like she's beginning to relax."

Maddie screamed. Wade tossed her in the air and she splashed back down into the pool, laughing.

"Careful now, you two!" Elena called out.

"Have you spoken with Danni's parents?" Tally asked.

"I spoke to Marvin briefly," Bob said. "It's been tougher on them, I think. Thank G.o.d the US government pulled in some big favours with the Bangladesh government to get Danni released and home quickly. The a.r.s.ehole who had her wasn't even punished, you know."

Mac nodded. "Not yet. The State Department is concerned at the implications for the other kids still being held. They might be killed. As things stand, they're using quiet diplomatic channels to try and locate all of the surviving kids from Khalid's auctions and get them released safely, before the media gets onto it. At least they know the names of these Hunnafites now. Something's going to happen eventually, I expect."

Two sparrows began fighting over crumbs on the ground from the croissants. Elena put her cup of coffee down. "I had a chat with Sh.e.l.ley just as they were leaving on the cruise. She and Marvin have decided not to try and discuss what happened, at least until Danni's started the therapy they've got lined up. But Danni's incredibly stoic-she's been texting and Skyping Sophia from the cruise. She's told her some of it, I think, but Sophe wouldn't tell me exactly. I don't think Danni wanted to go on a ship after being on Khalid's, but Sophia said she's loving the scenery along the Alaskan coast. So maybe it was a good thing to do that after all."

"We still hope the girls can spend some time together, before the new school year starts," Bob added. "Thanks, Claudette, by the way. We very much appreciate your wonderful hospitality."

"But, of course, you're welcome to stay as long as you want," Claudette said, glancing towards the house. "Ah, I think I hear the baby. Excusez-moi." She stood up and hurried into the house.

Jog climbed out of the pool and came over, towelling off. The two German Shepherds started licking his wet legs.

"I wonder if there's any more news?" Tally said, picking up Sophia's iPad.

Mac spoke with a last mouthful of croissant. "I can't believe how some of the media are eulogizing Khalid as a hero for women's rights in Saudi Arabia."

"Well, at least they seem to be convinced he was killed in a pirate attack on Princess Aliya. Good riddance." Jog said, throwing a rubber ball. The dogs tore off down the yard past the cherry trees towards where Sophia and Monique were playing. He picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip. "Has anything happened back home, with Wisebaum's puppet-masters?"

Mac shook his head. "The Denton Inst.i.tute is legit, according to the investigation team. Every employee in AST A from the Director down is being vetted again. But even if the CIA or FBI somehow uncover these mysterious 'players' Wisebaum talked about, it's unlikely they'll be prosecuted. Perhaps they'll be watched and put on some official blacklist or hit list. But we'll never hear about it. The guys in Washington don't think there's any further danger. To Saudi Arabia, or to us."

"Thank G.o.d," Tally said.

As she spoke, there came the sound of car tires crunching stones on the driveway. The dogs started barking furiously, then raced around to the front of the house.

Mac turned to Jog. "You expecting visitors?"

Jog shook his head and hurried over to check the security monitor. "Mon Dieu!" He turned to the others. "Four cars! Coming up fast!" He threw down the coffee cup and ran to where he'd hidden his pistol, then sprinted into the house after Claudette and the baby.

Mac grabbed his pistol and jumped to his feet. "Everyone to the barn! Positions as rehea.r.s.ed!"

"Sophia! Monique!" Elena yelled, her hands cupping her mouth like a megaphone, as she and Bob ran with Maddie and Wade towards the bam, where they had placed rifles and ammunition in screened positions.

"I'll get them!" Mac shouted, rocketing down towards the rows of lavender. Tally raced after him with a Glock in her hand.

A few moments later, Mac and Tally lay behind a clump of lavender with Sophia and Monique, watching silently as about a dozen casually dressed men jumped out of the vehicles and stood waiting, hands inside their jackets. Jog's two German Shepherds snarled a challenge to the men, barking ferociously. But despite their bravery, the dogs had no chance against twelve armed men. What were they waiting for?

"All or nothing, eh?" Tally said, aiming the pistol through the lavender.

Mac glanced at her and nodded, taking a deep breath. These guys looked like pros. He had a strange feeling about this. "Sure. All or nothing." It was how he was used to living. And if Tally could accept him under those crazy conditions, he would consider every minute they had together as immensely satisfying.

Two of the men walked slowly and tentatively to the front door, flanked by the two growling dogs, and rang the bell.

Two minutes later, Jog appeared on the patio waving his arms and called out to the others. "It's okay, people! It's only the Director of the CIA. He's come to present something to Mac and Tally. At the request of your President."