Gus took Deke’s leash, watching Nick put his hand on the handle of his .45 caliber Colt automatic. “I’ll back your play, Nick. I’m packin’.”
Nick nodded without turning, watching the black Mercury Murano approach. He considered putting a few rounds through the driver’s smiling face as he slowed, but resisted the temptation. The Murano halted next to him. The sandy haired driver with a grin leaned over the console.
“Hi Nick.”
“You don’t know me, Dexter. If you did, you would have stayed the hell away. That you didn’t means Carol has a message for me. Spit it out while I’m still in a good mood.”
The fact Nick knew Carol Allison sent him, startled the driver. “I…I’m Ty Body. I knew you made me already. I told Carol, and she said I should make an approach rather than pretend. Carol told me if I didn’t, I’d end up dead. We’re on the same side, Nick. I’m not some fresh-faced newbie either. Will you hear me out?”
“Sure, but let me give you some advice. Don’t assume facts not in evidence. I nearly drilled you without an afterthought as you drove up. I don’t play well with others. What is it Carol put you on me for, and where the hell is she?”
“She saw the news, had me delve into it, and follow you. Carol thinks you’re onto something with the Kader connection. Carol noticed the hit on Gutierrez’s financial records using our assets this morning. She wants to know where you are in this, because the Saudi bigwig that is behind the front group funding for news filtering is a man of interest to us. Carol’s in Washington now, but she’s flying into Sacramento this evening.”
Nick’s interest increased at the mention of a Saudi name possibly responsible for the extra complications from his having to kill Saif Kader. “Naseer Kader is dead. Jamal Kader, and his partner, Aban Kassis are both dead too. The news people’s speculation is a bail jump. Tell Carol they’re dead. I’m playing my part through, embracing the version they’ve jumped bail, along with the police and everyone else.”
“We figured as much. Carol would like to know if you’d be willing to take out the Saudi name we have. She says it would be a big favor, and there would be payoffs, such as unadulterated access to satellite data, along with all that you are hacking into now.”
“Tell her I’d consider it, but the number of people knowing what’s happening better be Carol, you, and me. If this has been on a projects list at the Company for some time, mistakes might be made, such as hanging me out to dry. When they fail, I live by the feud. Carol knows that, and you should know it too.”
“It is as you say – only the three of us at this moment. Carol’s trying to attain a more comfortable position with the Company, and has promised to bring me along with her. It’s a good gamble I agreed to. If she pulls off an operation like this on the sly with no complications, Carol believes she will have a seat at the big table. I understand she recruited you.”
“Yeah, she did a long time ago. I have a feeling this guy must be visiting the USA or you would have had someone else take him out overseas. Too bad they didn’t put Carol in charge of that NSA rogue outfit I dismantled, instead of getting rid of it. We had a good thing going. Some bad people and operations ceased to exist because of what we did there.”
“A lot of good men died because of what Frank did. We don’t want anything like that happening again. I heard we had a similar dumbass incident with Gil Montrose.”
“Yep. Same shit, different day. Wrap it up, Ty. This guy better not be a Saudi diplomat, or you need to wait and take him out overseas.”
“No, he’s a businessman and a big time Wahabi backer. He’s funded numerous schools here, teaching the Wahabi form of Islam, complete with Sharia Law. Fahid Al Mady has been implicated in honor killings all over the Kingdom.”
“Boo hoo. I’m impressed with the Company’s new stance against honor killings. Now, tell me what this is really about. Do it fast, because you’re beginning to bore the hell out of me, Ty.”
“He had Shane Corso killed last month in Dubai. Corso was tortured to death. We’re still assessing the damage. Shane served with you in Delta, didn’t he?”
“You already know that, asshole. Send me everything you have, including the proof he had anything to do with Shane’s death. Play me at your own risk.”
“Will do. One other thing. Carol told me to let you know Al Mady will be cruising from San Francisco to Los Angeles on a private yacht: The Shalimar. I’ll send you the details. She figured you’d be interested in the at sea approach.”
Nick stepped away from the car. “Send it all, and the proof better be air tight.”
“Nice meeting you, Nick.” Brody drove away.