Hotel Ercilla
Bilbao, Spain
N
iner stared at his ass in the mirror, a distinct bruise forming. “You know, you actually can see the tread mark.”
“That was the whole idea. You’re lucky I didn’t hit where I was aiming.”
“And where was that?”
“That tight little pucker you’ve got hidden between those narrow cheeks.”
Niner pulled up his pants. “Bullshit, you’d never risk losing—”
The comm gear beeped and Kane grabbed the headset, putting the conversation on speaker. “Go for Whiskers.”
“Whiskers, Control. We have a destination for you.”
The entire room was all ears.
“Where?”
“They landed in Marrakesh about half an hour ago.”
“Marrakesh? What the hell are they doing there?”
“We pulled some video and it looks like they were met at the airport and taken away in a limo. We believe the exchange is happening either in the city or somewhere in Morocco.”
Dawson frowned. “Morocco isn’t exactly tiny. Can you narrow it down a bit?”
“Not yet, but by the time you get there, we’re hoping we’ll have a final destination for you. Oh, and Mr. Whiskers?”
The room snickered.
Kane chuckled. “Yeah?”
“You’re sanctioned the moment you leave European airspace.”
He grinned. “So, can I start killing at twelve miles out or two-hundred? I can never remember.”
Leroux wasn’t forthcoming. “You’ll be on a charter we’ve arranged, so it will be slim pickings either way. I’d wait until you’re on the ground.”
Kane smiled at the others. “Ground crew are on the menu. Excellent. They better not scuff my luggage.”
Dawson leaned closer to the mike. “Does that mean the CIA is now bankrolling this operation?”
“Delta, you’re still on vacation, but we’re paying for the plane to Marrakesh and covering everything between your current location and the rest of the op.”
Niner eyed the minibar. “Does that include this hotel?”
“If you’re in the room Dylan booked, yes.”
Niner grinned, rubbing his hands together like Mr. Burns. “Excellent.” He began grabbing things from the minibar and tossing them to the others.
“When you arrive, our local contact will equip you. I’ve sent all the details to your secure email. I’ve also sent you the file on who we think is behind this. You can read all about it on the plane. Leave all your comms and gear behind. We don’t control this charter, so we can’t have anyone thinking you’re anything but tourists. And you better get a wiggle on. Wheels up in thirty.”
“Copy that, Whiskers, out.” Kane turned off the equipment and began packing up.
Niner broke the seal on a pack of macadamia nuts. “Let’s go kick some ass and eat some snacks.”
Atlas snatched the nuts from him. “I think there’s been enough ass-kicking in here already, but I’ll take your snacks.”
