By
one o’clock the next day the whole team sat around a table as Jan finished
filling them in on the meeting she had with Streak. Throughout the meeting each person had taken
notes at different points and each person had had their fair share of
questions. The only one that had stayed quiet
the entire time had been Ward. She had
noticed he had changed. His skin was
darker as well as his hair. He looked
more East Indian than American. As far
as anyone else in the room was concerned, they were just two agents and their
handlers. They had no clue that Ward and
Jan had been communicating continually since before she had arrived, or that
they were involved. Even Rob didn’t
really know how involved they were. As
Jan paused she heard Ward’s cell phone ring.
Everyone turned to him and waited.
“Yes,”
Ward’s Farsi was perfect, “I have made plans and I have the money ready for
transfer.” There was quiet for a moment,
“It wasn’t my people,” his voice deepened.
Jan was listening in on both sides of the conversation. Usman was trying to blame Ward and his people
for blowing the cover on their meet today but Ward wasn’t going to bite on that
one. After all, Ward knew that the cover
hadn’t been blown at all. “If it were my
people then I would have already killed them.
Maybe you should be checking your men,” he paused and listened again.
“If
you don’t want to deal just tell me and I’ll take my business elsewhere, but
don’t mess with me,” and his voice got deadly, “I will kill you.” It was a while before he spoke again. Usman was assuring him that he didn’t have to
go to another supplier and that in two days he would call them again with a
place to meet. “I will meet those
conditions,” and he paused momentarily, “Just remember, be there with the
package. No delays this time,” and he
disconnected the phone by closing it.
“Right
on time,” and Ward’s voice was completely normal again.
“I’m
having a little trouble and not to be sexist, but,” Jan knew what was coming
next, “we are in a Muslim country and women aren’t really an asset on something
like this.”
“I’m
sure you didn’t mean anything by your last comment, but I think I might find it
easier to hide the sniper rifle under my burka,” she smiled, “I am as well
trained as all of you and have spot on accuracy when using a rifle, knife, or
hand to hand. Let me know if you have a
better idea.”
“We’ve
all familiarized ourselves with each other’s files and we know that you are an
excellent sniper,” the coordinator was trying to facilitate the discussion
without letting it get out of hand, “you can take the wings off a fly at
hundred yards, but he has a point.”
“I
was just thinking,” the same man added, and before he could finish the thought
Ward interrupted.
“I
want her covering me,” and that was the end of the conversation. The team looked over at him and he gave no
other indication that there was any other reason for his statement than the
fact that he truly believed in her skills.
“She
is very capable,” was Gregg’s response.
Gregg was Ward’s handler and he would be the only person that would have
had a real fit if he knew how Ward and Jan spent their off hours.
“Right,”
dismissing all other arguments the coordinator, Abe Sanchez, called up a new
detailed map on the PowerPoint to look at the area they would be covering when
Ward, Gregg and Vince went in to make the deal.
They identified three sniper positions and two other logistical
positions of interest. The plan was to
meet in the nearby town market, midday, to increase the number of people
around. This allowed Usman the best
tactical advantage. If it was a set up,
then the collateral damage would be astronomical considering the material they
were dealing in. The purchase was for C4
and weapon’s grade plutonium. The two
SEAL’s on the team were experts in both and had been chosen just for that
reason. It was almost a guarantee that
he would have the shipment rigged to blow if he felt that anything was
wrong. As for the citizens around them,
they wouldn’t be any help. They might
even side with Usman and his men. They
would have to be careful not to be noticed by any of them either. People had been sold out for less. This was where readers came in handy. They would be able to get a head’s up on
anyone ready to inform just before it happened.
That’s why you called me in, Jan spoke directly to Ward.
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