“Where will he be tomorrow?”
“In hiding would be my guess. Those three men you took out today were his go to guys. As you know, he can’t simply walk outside, and hail a few more down like calling a cab. He knows what happened to Frank Richert. We’re making all kinds of noise, shooting out queries from FBI to CIA to DOJ, getting to the bottom of who hired three outside mercenaries. Since he’s going way beyond what Frank ever did, Collister contracts mercenaries from overseas. Two of the three you dealt with were ex Egyptian Secret Police, Ammar Sobhi, and Mando Morsi. One was ex Iranian Ministry of Security, Adel Nassiri.”
“That’s smart in a way. If they had been successful and caught, nothing could fall on his head. If they had been successful, and slipped away, no one would have ever touched them.”
“Yeah, but he sent them after you,” Paul stated. “Now, they’re dead. We know who they are, and Lee Collister knows who killed them. You can bet he suspects you know his name because Formsby knew it. He’s sweatin’, Nick. After you take Sadun, would you want to hold off on Collister?”
Nick’s features spread in a grim smile of anticipation. “I don’t think so, Paul. Does he have family in DC he stays with, or does he move from the family homestead to DC when he has to?”
“He’s divorced, but he’s not dopey enough to have a mistress anyone knows about. Collister lives in the ‘Congressional Village’ apartments. That place has surveillance cams everywhere.”
“Does he have one specific driver for taking him around Capitol Hill, and does he employ bodyguards?”
“Yes to the first question. No to the second. He may scramble a couple of bodyguards fearing you’re on the loose,” Paul replied. “You’re killin’ me here, Nick. What do you have in mind that wouldn’t involve assassinating the sitting National Security Advisor?”
“I’ll need a flight in and out of a small airport we won’t attract attention at, like Monterey Regional. I’d like to do it tomorrow, so I can be with my buddy tomorrow night. I will also need some eyes only files to take to our pal Lee under the guise of a special messenger. Can you put together everything you have on Formsby, call Lee, and tell him he needs to see the information you’ve gathered on Formsby’s overseas holdings? Use the excuse you want to brief the President in person, and you want Lee read in on it. I’ll arrive at his place with a handcuffed briefcase. Don’t worry, I’ll look good in full military dress uniform. Also, can you make me an ID with everything needed in case he asks for it, along with a nametag?”
“I’ll fly in myself. We’ll go over everything together on the way to DC, Nick. You’re not going to just shoot him in the head, are you?”
Nick chuckled. “I thought you read all my novels.”
“Sorry. I know you not only write plots for assassins, but you also are one. The job you did on Frank Richert was incredibly good.”
“Yep, and I have some special juice left for Lee. I’ll call you after today’s activities.”
“By the way, how is your writing doing?”
“I’m down to only about fifteen hundred words a day since I’ve been having to clean up all your messes, Gilbrech.”
Paul was still laughing when Nick disconnected. He looked around at his wife and companions with a big grin. “Well, the good news is I know who has to die. The bad news is it’s going to be a busy couple of days. You know what to do, John. After Gus and I leave, batten down the hatches, and shut off all communication devices except for the burner phone I gave you for emergencies. Throw some things together for a road trip, Payaso. It’s a little over two hours to Atwater Penitentiary. I’ll call Tim and Grace. They already have their orders, but I need to spell out a couple things for them.”
“Okay, Nick. Do you have what you need here, or will we have to stop by your house?”
“I have what I need here. No more house visits until Sadun is taken care of. How’s Jean doing?”
“She’s out back throwing knives,” Rachel answered. “Deke’s with her. He loves this place. I think he’s marked the entire territory. Can I go on line to get Ms. Kader’s school assignments?”
“Sure. Don’t interact with anyone, though. Do you remember the safe-room code here?”
“Of course. You don’t believe we’ll need it though do you?”
“We take no chances. If John says get in the room, you grab Jean and Deke, and head into the room. El Kabong has enough firepower to hold off an army until we get back, but I’m certain that won’t be necessary. I have to handle the yucky part now. Excuse me.”
Nick called Grace’s phone.
“Hey, Tim, did you order a killer?”
“Ha, ha. I heard you have your orders.”