Chapter Eighteen

 

 

Sousse, Tunisia

 

Justin, Carrie, and Patton had spent most of the evening reviewing the new intelligence they had received from all contacts, assets, and resources. Flavio’s contact had been able to identify the locations of two houses in Sousse that were used by Khazri’s known associates and collaborators. While it was uncertain if he was hiding in one of those places, the team planned to hit both at the same time. Most of the sources had confirmed that Khazri was finding shelter in Sousse. Abe was on his way from Tunis and was bringing with him two trusted local men. Patton had been able to secure the assistance of two CIA agents operating in Egypt, and they were going to arrive in the city around midnight. The team was assembling for the two-pronged operation, but then Flavio called with bad news.

He insisted that Justin should not be a part of the operation. Flavio’s reasoning made sense: he claimed that Justin’s involvement could put everyone’s life in danger. Considering how close he was emotionally to the situation, Flavio was concerned about him blowing up, especially if it was found that Karolin was not in any of the safehouses, or she had been harmed. Regardless of Justin’s assurances that he was completely focused and level-headed, Flavio would not have it. He reminded Justin about the Saudi Arabian situation, and the last time Justin had gone rogue, pursuing his own vendetta. Flavio did not want to see a repeat of that scenario in the extremely volatile Tunisia, already a step from the brink of total chaos and anarchy.

Left with no choice, Justin had to accept the order to stand down. He worked with the teams until the very moment they left, rerunning the different scenarios, preparing for the unexpected and anticipating the worst that could happen. While the team could not have real-time communications with Justin, Carrie promised to call him as soon as they had cleared each of the houses, regardless of what they had found. “Justin, we’re going to find Karolin. I promise. No matter what it takes,” she told him more than once.

The teams left around two-thirty in the morning. Justin kept watching until the second black SUV rounded the corner of the narrow alley behind the Medina Hotel, then let out a deep sigh. I shouldn’t be here, but there, with them. He shrugged and cursed the turn of events. But Flavio has a point. If I lose my cool because I see or learn something about Karolin... He shook his head, not wanting to finish the thought.

Back in the hotel suite, Justin could not sit still. He decided to work out, to keep his mind occupied and relieve at least some of his anxiety. He had no weights or even a pull-up bar, but that did not stop him. He ran through a few circuits of burpees, mountain climbers, push-ups, squats, high knee jumps, and other bodyweight exercises. After thirty minutes, sweat had the front and the back of his t-shirt drenched. Patton and Justin had stopped to buy new clothes before arriving at the Medina Hotel since they had left the old ones at the previous hotel, but also to complete their cover as backpackers traveling on a budget.

Justin glanced at both his phones, then checked his office and personal emails. No messages from Carrie. He shrugged and jumped in the shower.

When he rechecked again in a matter of minutes, Carrie had left a short message on his personal phone: Both houses clear. No Karolin, and no Khazri. Call me. Justin fingers trembled as he formed Carrie’s number. “Yes, Justin. Where are you?”

“Worked out and showered. What do you have?”

“Nothing useful. No sign of Karolin.”

“No intel?”

“None. The jihadists decided to fight back.”

“Wrong decision.”

“Yes, and they’re all dead.” Her voice was emotionless.

“Too bad. So we have no leads?”

“Sorry, we don’t. But we’re combing through their phones and a couple of laptops. It’s clear Karolin was never in either of these two houses.”

Justin nodded. He was not sure how Carrie had come to that conclusion, but he was not about to doubt her methods or reasoning. “How are you doing?”

“All right. My hair’s a mess, though.”

Justin smiled. “How’s everyone?”

“We did well. No one got even a scratch. Abe’s team, on the other hand...”

“Is he okay?”

“Minor wounds in the back. But they had two casualties.”

“Oh...”

“Yeah, it was a bad fight.”

“Are you heading back?”

“On our way shortly. The police are here, so we’re ‘exchanging’ intel.”

“Any news on Khazri?”

“Patton’s talking to them. I doubt they’ll know. We’ll have better luck going through the phones.”

“Yes, as soon as you get back, we’ll hit the databases.”

“Sorry it went this way, Justin.”

He shrugged. “You’re doing all you can, Carrie. Me, on the other hand—”

“Justin, don’t even start. Flavio has benched you. It’s not like you wanted that.”

“Right, but what am I doing to help?”

“You’ll get your chance. Once we have more intel—”

“Then Flavio will again ask me to stay put. I ... I feel so ... useless...”

“Justin, you know better than that.”

Before he could reply, Carrie said, “Sorry, I’ve got to go. Patton’s gesturing to me to talk to the police. Call me in ten, if I haven’t called you back.”

“All right. I hope it goes well.”

“Oh, it will. These guys, they just like to talk.”

“Be safe, Carrie.”

“Yeah, you too, Justin.”

He sighed and tossed the phone on the small desk. He brushed back his hair and folded his hands at the back of his neck. Justin paced to the window and looked at the dimly lit parking lot. So, all that for naught. We’re back to square one. He shook his head. We might find something in what Carrie and Abe are retrieving or we may not. But I’m not going to wait any longer.

Justin glanced at his watch. It was almost three-thirty. Marco had called last evening to inform him that his plane would be landing in Tunis around six. Justin nodded. Yes, this will be a job for Marco and me. Like the good old times.