Nick took out his iPad from the small bag he brought with him. “Park at the roadside when it is convenient.”
Khalil did so and Nick showed him the map of Sharjah. “I like this spot. It is barren of anything at the roadsides. I want you, Asim, and Ghazi a hundred yards before it. When I stop Al-Saud’s vehicle, you will need to move quickly. I have learned it may not be necessary or even prudent to take Al-Saud prisoner. If you get to his vehicle and he is still alive, leave him so, and drive to me with both your vehicle and his. I will be off the roof in short order. We will then drive to the safe-house. Is Vinny waiting for our call at the airport?”
“Yes. He awaits our arrival no matter how long it takes. Al-Saud’s vehicle will be bullet proof, my friend.”
Nick grinned. “Nothing is bullet proof. The loads for the M107 I sent you are high velocity, depleted uranium .50 caliber hollow point slugs. His vehicle will be stopped.”
“This will be a very long shot,” Khalil pointed out.
“It can’t be helped. All will be well. Did you bring the grappling gear I asked for?”
“Yes. It is old school though. You will have to leave it behind.”
“Understood.”
*
Nick checked his field of fire after positioning the M107 tripod stand solidly overlooking the Maliha Rd. His night vision scope, set to the coordinates he determined from his range finders, focused on the small stretch of road he had in mind. He then checked where Khalil and his sons were parked at the roadside.
“You are perfect there. Mark it, and you three can leave until it is time for Al-Saud to do his final drive.”
“We will stay, my friend,” Khalil said. “This is our last adventure before our move to be Swiss citizens. All is set in place. I do not want the unexpected to ruin everything.”
“Understood. We wait then, my friends – predators in the dark.”
Khalil chuckled. “You cannot resist the turn of phrase even when not writing.”
“I guess so,” Nick admitted. I’m becoming a caricature of myself – what a rube.
*
At nearly 9 am in the morning, the Malihu Rd. was still clear. Nick heard Khalil in his ear.
“He has rounded the bend onto Malihu just now, Nick!”
“On it. Rest easy and be ready.”
Nick settled in behind the M107, the air around him beginning to heat but with no wind or even a breeze. Al-Saud’s limousine grew in the cross hairs of his scope. The moment the vehicle reached Nick’s chosen spot, a straightaway section of barren road, the first pad of Nick’s index finger tightened on the trigger. He fired a three round burst through the driver’s seated form and a three round burst into the man next to him. The limousine slowed, drifting to a small crevice at the roadside.
“Clear, Khalil! One person in the back. Both men are dead in the front. I will watch but arm yourselves.”
“Understood.”
Nick watched Khalil’s taxi streak to a halt next to the limousine. Khalil and his sons approached the vehicle with weapons drawn. Nick grinned as Al-Saud stumbled out of the backseat, blubbering and begging, with his hands bowing into the dirt. They restrained him and threw Al-Saud into the backseat once again with Asim next to him. Khalil and Ghazi rearranged the front seat. A blanket was thrown over the bloody seat. Khalil drove the limousine while Ghazi followed in the taxi. Denny’s going to be pleased with this.
At the safe-house, Nick cleaned the limousine while a terrified Al-Saud was watched by Khalil and sons. When Nick was satisfied, he went inside to shower and shave. He joined his companions where they sat at the kitchen table. “That went very well, my friends. Did you contact Vinny?”
“Yes,” Khalil said. “He filed the flight plan as requested for Doha in Qatar. Are you sure we can get out of there, Nick?”
“Absolutely. My boss is so happy, he’s deploying the fifth fleet near enough to send a plane for us. It’s time for your family to immigrate to Switzerland. Your family, due to being Christians and well off, along with the USA’s recommendation, will be accepted.”
Khalil hugged Nick. “God bless you!”
“You have my number if there’s any problems. I look forward to visiting one day, my friend.”
“You will be most welcome!”
*
Denny met Nick as he exited his plane ride aboard the USS Truman aircraft carrier with a restrained Al-Saud. The two men shook hands while walking toward the island structure.