“It all depends on how the training is proceeding under Lynn’s guidance. I would not underestimate Lynn’s persuasion ability. I saw those two once she did the initial introduction. They literally would have done anything she wanted already. She will have them trained for their scene. It will be my responsibility to use their introduction into Al-Kadi’s compound to explain my status. I’ll be able to find out if our cartoon Unholy Trio identities have been pierced. I admit I’ve been getting a little careless.”
“Didn’t you mention being offered a contract on one of those Saudi princes,” Gus remarked. “Maybe you could use the contract as a way into Al-Kadi’s confidence. You could ask him if he knew anything about the contract on the Dark Web and whether he would want you to go through with it or not.”
“Not bad, Gus. It might get me a meeting with him while John Harding’s crew establishes a perimeter. Get out the satellite laptop and check out if there is a mention of a Fatwa issued on my ass. See if you can find mention of it first. Then find out if I’m mentioned by name or reputation. Neil surprised me when he mentioned a Fatwa. I did a scan of the info along with you and I didn’t see any Fatwa mentioned. I asked Neil about it. He told me because of so many attempts on my life lately, Neil figured that I’d been marked for death. I’m hoping it was a misunderstanding.”
“No mention of a Fatwa for either your real name, or the Terminator, or the ‘Mr. Robinson’ name you went by in the Frank Richert days with the rogue NSA outfit. You could play this trouble with the Kaders and Nazaris as a courtesy to Al-Kadi, letting him know you weren’t doing hits on his people. None of them are surviving this purge anyway.”
“We have an extensive data mining program on the worst chatter spots. If they don’t have any mention of it, then it’s probably not out there. Good input, Johnny. I think we have to hope Sam and Janie can put the Nazaris and company into Lynn’s hands. I’ll call him just in case she does get the chance. I need to know if Al-Kadi wanted those Kader guys to kill me or if they were using Al-Kadi’s compound as a base for their private business.”
“Do you want me to check the Dark Web for any mention of the Saudi prince on there?”
“Yes. His name is Rabiah Al-Saud.”
A few moments later, Johnny glanced away from his screen with a grin. “Isis wants him dead because he funds Al-Qaeda, their rival on the Arabian Peninsula. Rabiah has a price on his head and is in hiding. I believe you have found a legitimate item of interest to discuss with Al-Kadi, Muerto.”
“Yeah, if I don’t get shot first.”
“Someone that can outdraw you, Muerto?”
“It’s hard to outdraw someone with an AK47 pointed at your head, Payaso,” Nick replied.
“True… don’t let that happen.”
*
Lynn watched the reality play acted out by her two new stars Fernando Carone and Senta Bulgar. I played the part of Al-Kadi, greeting the two, and asking why they brought an imaginary Nick along. The two rehearsed under pressure and strived to please in any nuance Lynn thought needed work. After their second day of training, the two could talk their way out of anything I tried to trick them with, using the information Jafar gathered on the operation at the Al-Kadi compound. They did so without hesitation or any sign of unease.
“Very impressive! I believe you two can fool anyone.”
“Thank you, Director Deville,” Senta replied instantly as taught with Carone echoing her a split second later. The couple stood with heads lowered and hands at their sides.
“I liked your rehearsal phone call to Al-Kadi, Fernando. You handled all the initial reservations he would have logically, by spelling out the danger. Your reasoning in moving the Tempest to avoid the Coast Guard was delivered with perfect inflection in your voice.”
Carone repeated his thanks, never raising his head.
“Quays,” Lynn gestured for her minion. “You and Sylvio escort our acting crew down to their cells. That’s a wrap for the day.”
“How did John do, Mistress?”
“None of your business, Quays,” I retorted before Lynn could answer.
“Cardboard cutout perfection,” Lynn answered to her minions’ amusement. “If he were any stiffer doing this we’d need an interpreter to figure out his monotone delivery.”
“Thanks, Lynn.” I made as if to snatch at Quays as he and Sylvio pushed their captives out of the room. The two darted out only slightly ahead of my halfhearted grab. “They did very well. If Nick’s going to have a chance on the inside of the compound, it will hinge on those two staying in character until Nick can get into a position to act. I couldn’t trip them up at all.”