Chapter Thirty-seven
February 20
Larnaca, Cyprus
“Your Highness, I . . . I appreciate your call,” Justin said in a warm, almost solemn tone.
A brief pause, then Prince Al-Taweel said, “Yes, yes—listen, Mr. Hall, my assistant told me about your request.”
Justin waited for the prince to continue and when he did not, Justin said, “Yes, would you like me to describe it—”
“No, no, it’s very clear. But I wanted to ask some pointed questions.”
“Okay.”
“Are you planning to kill Prince Al Khater?” The Saudi prince’s voice sounded more like a warning than a simple question.
Not if I can help it, Justin wanted to say. Instead, he drew in a deep breath, then said, “Of course not, Your Highness. I want to take this opportunity to find some missing intelligence—”
“About Prince Al Khater weapons deals?”
“Correct. Those deals that threaten, among others, the peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf area, including your kingdom.”
“So you’ll be rummaging the yacht, if my understanding of your plan is correct?”
Justin had not given the prince’s aide any details, but Prince Al-Taweel could easily figure out at least some of the aspects of Justin’s plan. “My intention is to be swift and discreet. If I could have a face-to-face meeting with Prince Al Khater, I could try to—”
“Do you realize what you are demanding, Mr. Hall?”
Justin did not answer right away. “I understand this is a great favor, Your Highness—”
“It’s a huge, gigantic favor, that doesn’t compare to anything I’ve done or plan to do for anyone else. And before you bring my nephew into the conversation, know that this favor you’re demanding exceeds what you’ve done for me.”
Justin shook his head and bit his lip. He stifled the first thought that crossed his mind, which was to tell the prince how his beloved nephew would have been tortured and beheaded, his horrific death recorded and broadcasted all over the Internet for the enjoyment and the encouragement of all jihadists. But Justin kept his mouth shut.
“Mr. Hall, you still there?”
“Yes, I’m listening, and you’re absolutely right. I would have not come to you if I had another way, any other way. But I know you’re the only one who can make this happen.”
Prince Al-Taweel gave out a loud laugh. “Mr. Hall, you know how to flatter.”
“Well, you know what they say about flattery . . .”
“I know, and it doesn’t work all the time. Frankly, I hate people who try to appeal to my wealth and my power. I’ve had it with them. You are different, Mr. Hall. I like your daring spirit, that you’re not afraid to overreach. My answer would have been ‘no,’ but I will make an exception in this case.”
Justin smiled and glanced at Carrie, who gave him a victory fist pump.
Vale’s head bobbed in satisfaction.
The prince continued, “But for this to take place, it will have to be under certain terms, my terms. And you will have to abide by those terms, Mr. Hall.”
Justin hesitated for a moment. “I . . . I will have to hear them first before I give you my final word.”
“Of course, of course, but these terms are not going to be troublesome. I need to have some measures in place, both for your own safety and for that of Prince Al Khater.”
Justin frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Let me explain, Mr. Hall. My greatest concern, as you can easily imagine, is with the prince finding out your true identity. That is, when you’re roaming around the yacht, someone may discover you, catch you, and then suspect all of my men. It’s my reputation at stake, you understand that?”
“I understand, yes.”
“I can’t have Prince Al Khater learn I set him up, sending a covert operative to spy on him, to sneak into his own home, and look for evidence to throw him in jail or worse. If you’re discovered, my reputation is at risk—”
“That’s not going to happ—”
“Don’t interrupt me,” Prince Al-Taweel boomed in a loud, angry voice. “I was saying, if you’re discovered, that will be your end, a terrible, painful end. But I will be in big trouble. I hate when people get me in trouble.”
Justin shook his head but said nothing.
Prince Al-Taweel continued, “So you will follow the detailed instructions given to you, if this is to work. And pray to your God the prince’s guards don’t find out about you. Once you fall into their hands, there’s nothing I or anyone else can do for you.”
Justin waited for a moment, to make sure the prince was finished, and said, “It’s clear, everything is unmistakably clear, sir.”
“That’s really good. I thought we might have a problem getting along. If you understand and do what you’re told, this might end up well for you, and also for me.”
“I hope so, and I’ll do my best.”
“Baeshen will send you instructions about what to do. Follow those to the letter. At first sign of disobedience, my men will end this ‘business’ meeting.”
“I understand.” Justin kept his voice neutral.
“Have a good day, Mr. Hall. I hope I will not have to talk to you anymore. Baeshen will be in charge of everything.”
“Thanks for your help, Your—”
The prince hung up.
Justin shrugged, then looked at Carrie. “So, what do you think: Good news? Bad news?”
“It’s all in the details,” Carrie said with a shrug. “The prince is committed, and he’s giving us what we want.”
Vale nodded. “Yes, I agree. Now we have the meeting, and you’ll get the chance to look for the intel.”
Justin shook his head. “But I don’t like this business of following Baeshen’s orders and being a pawn in this game.”
Carrie smiled. “You can’t always be the king.”
Justin returned the smile. “No, I know that, but maybe a knight?”
Carrie shrugged. “There’ll always be another time. For now, we’ll play by the prince’s rules.”
Justin nodded. “Yes, he’ll set the rules and we’ll stick to them. Unless something happens, and the rules fly out the window.”
Carrie nodded and sipped her tea. “Well, let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”