Chapter Twenty-five
Medina Hotel
Sousse, Tunisia
The team was only halfway through working out the details of Justin’s infiltration mission when Flavio called. “Justin, how are things going?”
“Things are well, sir. Waiting for some good news, and I’ve got something as well.”
“How about you go first?”
“Sure.”
Justin told his boss about how Khazri was delivered to their hotel. He kept the account vague, trying not to directly lie to Flavio or give specific details. Justin and Marco had worked out a cover story, but, as with all cover stories, it worked best if few particulars were given.
Flavio did not press Justin too hard for information, but also did not sound surprised by the fact that Marco had secured none other than Khazri himself. Justin had expected more questions from his boss. Does he suspect I’m not giving him everything? If so, why the silence?
Flavio approved trading Karolin for Khazri. When it came to obtaining the authorization for the infiltration mission, Flavio was much more concerned and vocal in expressing his thoughts. “Justin, this could very well be a suicide operation. You might be saving Karolin, but we’d have to come to your rescue.”
“We’ll make sure it doesn’t get to that point, sir. Patton and Carrie will be the support team. And, with your permission, Marco has also offered to join the team. Needless to say, we’ll be extremely cautious, and, at the first sign of trouble, we’ll pull the plug.”
“At the first sign of trouble might be too late, Justin. And I’m not sure how much we’d like to involve the Italians in our agency’s ops.”
Justin glanced at Carrie, who offered him a nod and a reassuring smile. Encouraged by her gesture, Justin said, “Sir, I think Marco is already fully involved in this op. He’s the one who brought us Khazri and made the exchange possible.”
He felt a hint of guilt distorting and hiding the truth from his boss but shrugged it away.
Flavio did not reply right away. “I’d like to see a clear plan before sanctioning it. Leave the Italian agent out of the picture, if possible.”
Justin frowned. He had hoped Flavio would give the authorization. The delay could cost Karolin dearly, but he had to comply with his boss’s request. Plus, Justin needed a clear strategy for the swap. “I will do that and call you in the next thirty minutes.”
“Try my cell. I’ll be in a meeting, but I’ll pick up.”
“I’ll do that.”
After he ended the call, Justin glanced first at Carrie, then at Patton. “So, how did that sound?”
Patton shrugged. “Let’s see how we can make this work.”
“With or without Marco,” Carrie said.
“Regardless of Flavio’s objection, I’d rather have Marco on our side,” Patton said. “Considering how much he has been able to accomplish. Single-handedly, if I may add.” His voice took on a hint of mischief, and he gave Justin a cockeyed glance.
Justin decided to ignore Patton’s last comment. “I agree with you.” He nodded at Patton. “Let’s figure out how to make this work. Carrie, have Khazri talk to his men, confirm the location of the swap. Somewhere public, of course, as safe as it can be.”
“No such thing here, at this time.” Carrie shook her head.
“Whatever you can do. Then, have a draft plan of how the swap is going to work.”
Carrie nodded and her eyes sparkled.
Justin interpreted her gaze as telling him she appreciated the chance to make right on the botched-up operation at Place Pasteur, where the jihadists had kidnapped Karolin. Although the turn of events was not Carrie’s fault, and regardless of Justin’s efforts to convince her, it was clear Carrie still blamed herself.
Justin said, “Patton, you and I will call AK, and convince him we’re giving him a good deal.”
Patton grinned. “Really, you and I are attempting the impossible.”
“We have to. And we’ll make it happen.”
He drew in a deep breath, then dialed Abdulkareem’s phone number. The Emirati agent replied in his sharp tone in Arabic, “Yes, who is this?”
“Abdulkareem, this is Justin—”
“Justin, where is Khazri?”
“Yes, about him, I will give you his location—”
“Go on, I’m listening...”
“Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that...”
“How so?”
“I know where he is, but I won’t be able to hand him over to you until—”
“Justin, what you are suggesting is unacceptable.”
Justin tapped one of the phone’s keys to turn down the volume. Even on speakerphone, Abdulkareem was very loud. “Look, I had no intention of going after Khazri, but what happened, happened. Now, I can lead you to him, or you can continue to look for him on your own.”
“Tell me where you’ve stashed him, Justin.”
“I can’t, Abdulkareem. At least, not right away. He’s very important to me, at the moment.”
“Yes, so you can get your girlfriend back.”
Justin’s jaw dropped open. “How ... how do you know about that?”
“The same way that I know about the safehouse attack. About the two men who attacked and left with Khazri and a little girl.”
“If you’re trying to say something, Abdulkareem, just come out and say it.” Justin’s voice took on a stern tone.
“You were there, Justin. You were a part of the attack.”
Justin shrugged, then shook his head at Patton. “Abdulkareem, you need better sources, someone who doesn’t lie to you.”
“You’re denying you were ever at the safehouse in Quartier Oued Kharoub?”
“Abdulkareem, what did I just say about people feeding you bad intel?”
“You didn’t answer my question, Justin...”
“We’re going around in circles here. How about I ask you a question: Do you want Khazri or not?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
“Well, I’ll hand him to you on a silver platter. I know exactly where he will be and when. All you have to do is come and pick him up.”
“That’s all?”
Justin thought about his answer for a moment, and his mind raced to Alina, the little girl. “There is actually one thing—”
“I thought you said all I had to do was come and pick him up. Now what?”
“A chance to test your new sources about good intel. The little girl they told you about, I need some accurate intel about her family.”
“Why?”
None of your business, was the first reply that came to Justin’s mind, but he suppressed the thought and bit his lip. “It’s important to someone close to me. A small price to pay for Khazri.”
A tense moment of silence, then Abdulkareem said, “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’m sure your men can do better than that...”
Another brief pause. “I’ll find that information about her. But you give me your word to hand over Khazri?”
“You’ll have to pick him up, and remember, he’ll not be in my custody at that time—”
“Justin, that’s not the deal we had—”
“Abdulkareem, we’re still working on the deal. I’ll trade Khazri for my girlfriend. Once she’s safe, I’ll give you his location. If you’re nearby, with a handful of capable men, you should be able to handle him. You can do that, right?” He tried to give his voice a neutral tone, but it came out as a challenge.
“Of course I can, Justin. Are you forgetting I gave you the files on Khazri?”
“No, I’m not. Very appreciative of that accurate intel, and I’m glad to be able to return the favor.”
“Not exactly my definition of a favor.”
Justin shrugged. “I don’t want to say take it or leave it, but I have to make plans.”
Abdulkareem heaved a sigh. “Where’s the exchange taking place?”
“It hasn’t been determined yet. But I’ll call you as soon as I have something concrete.”
“When?”
“Minutes, an hour at the most. Even if I don’t have the location, I’ll call you with an update.”
“Good.”
“And you’ll do the same about the girl?”
“Of course, Justin, I gave you my word.”
“In that case, we have a deal. Stand by for my call.”
“Justin, this better not be a trick...”
“It’s not, Abdulkareem. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Patton gave Justin a wicked grin.
“Well, that’s good to know, Justin. Call me soon.”
“I’ll do that.”
As soon as Justin ended the call, Patton said, “I wonder who else you wouldn’t lie to?”
Justin held Patton’s gaze for a long moment. “Patton, we’re both pros. We know this is business, nothing personal. You get that, right?”
Patton gave Justin a slow head nod. “I get it, Justin. I wish it wasn’t that way. But it is.”
Justin shrugged. “Well, with AK calm and out of the way, at least for a while, let’s see what Carrie has. It’s time to end Karolin’s nightmare.”