‘It’s an awards ceremony,’ Chloe pointed out.
‘Yeah,’ Beth agreed. ‘We looked up the venue. It’s the IICC. IRIB International Conference Center. Owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. The country’s largest radio and TV station owner. Supposed to be independent of government, but its head is appointed by the Supreme Leader. The conference space is hired out for various events. Mostofi will be giving out medals to military veterans.’
‘It starts at seven pm and according to this schedule, ten pm is when he speaks.’
‘We can take him out then,’ Meghan scrolled through the calendar quickly. ‘That’s the only opportunity in fact. He’s not making any other public appearances.’
They gathered around the twins who brought up the conference center on a map application. The operatives threw up ideas, discussed them and shot down most of them. Beth took a breather, hitched her chair back and then she noticed Zeb.
‘What’s with you?’ she asked puzzled and followed his eyes to the screen where Mostofi was making yet another speech, threatening the US.
‘We can’t take him out,’ he replied.
They swung round towards him, shock on their faces.
‘What’s it you know that we don’t?’ Broker asked after a long silence, his eyes flicking between the TV, Meghan’s screen and Zeb.
‘These speeches. The last time he was threatening us, he sent terrorists to New York.’
‘This is Mostofi,’ Bear huffed. ‘That’s the way he talks.’
‘No, Zeb is right.’ Meghan interjected. ‘He’s planning something. But he’s always working on some attack or the other. Why shouldn’t we take him out?’
‘I am not saying we shouldn’t,’ Zeb explained. ‘But not until we know more.’
‘What difference does it make?’
‘Mostofi, the Supreme Leader, these are people who are big on symbolism.’
‘Yeah, we know that,’ she said in irritation.
‘Fourth of July is one of the most important dates to us. I bet any attack he’s planned will happen on that day. Killing him without knowing what it is…’
‘It may not even be directed at us,’ Roger said dubiously.
‘Doesn’t matter. America and Israel are his biggest enemies,’ Meghan grimaced. ‘On such a significant day, the attack will be directed only at us. There’s no other reason why he’s making a speech that day.’
She’s angry at herself at not connecting the dots.
He watched as she turned to her screen quickly, typed several commands, skimmed through webpages and turned back to them. ‘That event is a new one. It’s not an annual, recurring thing. First time it’s being held. Get this. There’s talk on the internet that the IRGC suggested it a few months back. The event organizers have said there will be a surprise guest speaker at the ceremony.’
That’s when he would have come up with the idea, found it to be viable. Mostofi’s name wouldn’t be disclosed until the last minute for security reasons.
‘Karim Golzar,’ Zeb said quietly. ‘This visit to MUT, his speeches and this event. There’s a connection. Let’s find out what it is.’