“That is acceptable. How long will you be staying at the Atlantis?”
“Only until after my business with you is completed. I must travel to Abu Dhabi tomorrow. Do you require me to stay any longer?”
“No. I had hoped to suggest you leave here as soon as possible. Your Arabic is excellent. I can understand why you move so easily in the Middle East. I will see you shortly.” Al-Saud disconnected.
Nick took a shower, shaved, and dressed in black slacks and short sleeved black pullover shirt. He prepared himself for anything, knowing he would be with armed enemies, and no way of knowing their intentions. Nick slipped the flash-drive he had made for Al-Saud in his pocket.
*
A burly bearded guard in kafi head covering and white robes met Nick at the door with a metal detector wand. Nick lifted his arms, allowing the man to check him for metal, glad now he did not have his Colt. Another guard, similar in stature and appearance to the first stood inside the suite with a smiling Al-Saud near the room’s elaborate bar. Nick motioned the guard with him to walk in front of him. The guard looked toward Al-Saud who nodded. The moment they reached the bar, the guard leading him spun with handgun in hand. Nick took it off him before it could be pointed as if the guard was a child. Nick slammed him into the other guard while wrapping an arm around the throat of a very startled Al-Saud with the guard’s weapon pointed up under Al-Saud’s chin.
“That was not very nice, Rabiah,” Nick said. “Do you have a death wish?”
Al-Saud waved off his men in a halting gesture. “You…you are every bit as impressive as I had hoped. Please do not kill me. I will add another hundred thousand dollars to your account for this inconvenience.”
“Tell your men to sit on the floor with their backs to the wall and their hands interlocked on their laps. Once they do that, I will shoot you and them in the head if they move. Do you understand, Rabiah?”
“Do as he says! Quickly!”
The guards did as ordered. Nick guided Al-Saud onto a bar stool between him and the bodyguards. “I see you have a laptop on the bar, so you must have thought to check the information I brought you.”
Al-Saud shrugged. “I had hoped to speak with you in a more in control position. I know you are now thought of as the most dangerous assassin in the world, especially after killing Al-Kadi. Has his compound truly been taken over by the authorities?”
“It appeared that way from what I heard.” Nick retrieved the flash-drive from his pocket, placing it in front of Al-Saud. “Check the drive. Let me know if it is more of what you wanted like the sample I already gave you.”
Al-Saud booted the laptop with shaking hands. He inserted the flash-drive. Ten minutes later as he examined the contents, he relaxed, smiling at the screen. “This is excellent, worth every dollar. How shall I make good on your payment?”
“I will contact you when I return to the states. You realize how imperative it is that you make good on the payment if we are to do any future business.”
“Yes! Of course. I would never betray a valued professional like yourself. I may have much work for you in the future, Nick. May I call you Nick?”
“Sure. I believe that concludes our business. I will be keeping your guard’s weapon. Please walk me to the door, Rabiah.”
“It…it is my pleasure and yes… keep the weapon.” Al-Saud walked Nick to the door and opened it for him.
Nick stepped around Al-Saud and outside the suite. He put what he recognized as a Caracal 9mm handgun inside his belt under his shirt. “I need not tell you to stay away from me and keep your men away too, do I?”
“No, Nick. We will stay away from you completely. Good day to you. May Allah bless you.”
“Good day.” Nick closed the door. He smiled and walked quickly back to his room. It was time to rest for his task ahead.
*
Nick greeted his old friend with a hug. “It is good to see you once again, brother.”
Khalil beamed, his features an open book as to how he felt about Nick. “My sons will see you after the chore. Let us drive toward our destination while you explain everything you have in mind for this ambush.”
The two men entered Khalil’s taxi. As Khalil drove away from the Atlantis, he glanced over curiously at Nick. “How did your meeting with Al-Saud proceed? I feared for you.”
Nick quickly explained what happened with Khalil enjoying the interlude immensely. “Al-Saud I am sure needed to change his pants after your meeting, Nick. Is it true you killed Felix Moreau?”
“Yes. It led to a complication I had to take care of too.”
“Moreau was a bad one. How is it you wish to do this?”