*
Instead of the original plan, Nick called Paul as Gus drove away from the scene. “They have another leak, Paul. Sadun’s men ambushed them nearly in the place I had picked out. I’m sending pictures and fingerprints of all but one. I didn’t have time to gather info on the guy driving the backup vehicle.”
“Shit! They would have had to of been tipped off nearly the moment the transfer was approved. Does Sadun know who the leak is?”
Nick glanced at the cringing Sadun, curled into a fetal position on the rear seat. “Hey Uthie. What’s the name of the leak that received the info about your transfer as fast as the Marshals transferring you?”
Sadun remained silent, turning away from Nick.
“Sorry, Paul. We’re having a failure to communicate. Do you need to know before Gus and I get Uthie further along the road?”
“No. Get to your destination safely, without police intervention. Since the ambushers have gone bye/bye, I’ll scan everyone in on the transfer info up and down the line. They’ll get word about what happened, and then I’ll see where the rat scurries.”
“Don’t worry, if that avenue doesn’t pan out. Uthie needs a reeducation lesson about hiding things from El Muerto. I have to move fast to catch my buddy Collister before he does any more damage. Are you still planning on flying into town for me?”
“I’ll be there at 8 am your time. Does that work for you?”
“Yep. I’ll be at Monterey Regional from 7:30 on.”
“I’ll have a guy looking like James Bond meet you at Departures. He’ll have a bored expression, and an arrogant attitude. His name’s Clyde Bacall, and he looks like Will Smith. He’s the only one right now I trust around me. He’s been in combat with the Rangers. CB believes he knows everything about everything, but I like him, and you can trust him.”
“We’ll need a guy like that on this. The logistics on me being a courier have to be perfect, including the driver I arrive with. Make sure he spit shines his shoes, and presses off his Ranger duds. I’ll talk to you in a while after I introduce Uthie to my new propane torch.”
“Ouch. Until then, my friend.”
“You…you cannot simply torture me! I…I am a prisoner. Take me back to Atwater!”
Gus sighed. “Oh for God’s sake, dummy. Tell Muerto what he wants to know. He has time to double check anything you give him on our way. If he finds out you’ve been truthful, your journey into hell will be painless. You can’t be stupid enough to think we’ll allow you to walk away no matter how Muerto has to obtain the facts. Do yourself a favor, and start talking. Keep in mind Muerto is like a human lie detector.”
Silence.
“Okay. I tried, Muerto.”
“I am unimpressed with your good cop, bad cop act. Take me back to Atwater at once!”
“Remember, Muerto, this is one of Jerry’s favorite loaners: untraceable plates with no GPS tracking. He won’t like it if you redecorate the interior.”
“Paul’s working another angle. He’s cool with us taking Uthie to the Valley. I hate to ask this, Payaso, but can you empty out the meat locker while I’m gone? Have John put my girls in the safe-room when you’re ready to leave. With Uthie, we’re going to have standing room only. I kept meaning to do it, but it’s been one thing after another.”
“I know. Maybe this would be a good time to call in Geezer. He can help John and me with loading chores, and then watch the house while we go for a cruise. We’ll need to get out there a long ways this time, Muerto.”
“I’ll give him a call. I meant to check on him last night until the Rashidi brothers planted bombs on my house.” Nick took out his phone, but held the call when Sadun spoke.
“Habib and Akim Rashidi?” Sadun sat and leaned forward.
Nick chuckled appreciatively. “How many Rashidi brothers do you think we all know, Uthie? Want to tell me how you know them.”
Sadun dropped his head dejectedly. “Those jackals blew a simple plan to follow your every movement, draw you into the open, publicly discredit you, and reveal your true profession. Then Collister felt you would only have one way you could survive, by taking his offer of employment. When Formsby and his men disappeared while sent to recruit you, Collister contacted me. He explained Formsby had to go into hiding suddenly, but that he believed he had another way to force your cooperation. He wanted your CIA boss out of the picture, and he believed you to be the perfect tool to get it done. When I heard his plan involved the Rashidis, I had my lawyer Wargul get a message to Collister not to use those two dolts. I know them. They are hotheads, who believe we can browbeat anyone into compliance with silly tricks and outrage. I have used them before where a simple propaganda task was to be performed, never on an important mission. Now, all is changed.”