Chapter Thirteen
January 13
Kadjalah, thirty-five miles south of the Bashaweh Turkish base
Northern Iraq
Justin could thank God for the course of the events. From what he and Rojan could tell, the message sent by the former jihadists had been well received. Skeptical at first, but then convinced by the accurate details, the Turkish army command had decided ISIS was to blame for the mayhem caused at the base. Regardless of ISIS’s strong denial, the army was dead set on freeing the captured soldiers. As jihadist chat rooms and Twitter and Facebook accounts buzzed with the news of the attack, the majority began to attribute the “heroic” act to the “lions of the desert, Islam’s holy warriors.”
Justin had heard and read enough. It was time to check with Rojan and plan their insertion into Al-Akral, in the attempt to free the hostages.
Rojan was on the phone, and he gestured to Justin to hold on for a moment. Justin nodded and glanced at the small TV screen. It was tuned to the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, the official Turkish state channel, but muted. The news edition was on, and the images showed a city in ruins and fighters displaying weapons as their trucks sped through the city. Justin looked around for the remote, so he could turn up the volume. He did not see it anywhere, so he walked to the TV screen. By the time he found the right button on the side of the screen, the news segment was over. Justin shrugged and turned around.
Rojan said, “What was it?”
“Something in the news about Syria or Iraq. Just wondering if they said anything about the attack.”
Rojan shrugged. “I haven’t heard anything, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone leaked the story to the media. They pay a good price for scoops.”
“They do, yes.”
“Talking about good amounts, my guy needs another five grand for the truck and the uniforms.”
Justin nodded. Rojan’s contact had supplied the team with the Toyota and the Ford truck, but they were destroyed during the attack on the base.
“Cash?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible.”
“I don’t have it on me. It will be tomorrow or the next day, when I get to Erbil.”
Rojan frowned. “He’s not going to take it well.”
Justin shrugged. “We’ve already paid him, and I’ll make good on my word.”
Rojan waved his hand. “It’s not your word he’s doubting. It’s the fact of whether you’ll make it out alive or not. Whether we’ll make it out alive.” His voice rang with a hint of doubt.
“You didn’t tell him about our plan?”
“No, of course, not. I’m not a fool. But neither is he. When we asked for those items, he could figure out what we’re up to.”
Justin nodded. “Well, that’s the best we can do for now. To sweeten the deal, tell him we’ll give him another grand for his discretion. No one should learn about his suspicions or ideas, if he has any.”
Rojan smiled. “Good, that should smooth things out.”
“Have you heard about ISIS troops movements?”
“Yes. As you predicted, they’re gathering around Raykhan, the HQ.”
“Fighters leaving Al-Akral?”
“I’ve sent out scouts, and they should confirm that.”
“Great. Once we have their report, we’ll head out.”
“Same plan as before?”
“Yes, no changes. How’s the wounded soldier doing?”
“He’ll be fine.” Rojan’s voice expressed clearly his dissatisfaction. “The dead one is the problem. No room at the morgue.”
“Where is he?”
“At the medical center. I paid one of the nurses to keep him there for a couple of days. But the sooner we get rid of both of them, the better it is.”
“Of course. If we carry out our raid tonight, they can go any time after that.”
Rojan nodded. “Good, good.”
“Okay, I’ve got to take care of a couple of things, but let me know as soon as you hear something.”
“Will do.”
Justin returned to his laptop and checked his secured email. No updates from Carrie. He checked his phone. No voicemails or messages from Markov. It’s too early, Justin. You’re being impatient. He drew in a couple of deep breaths, then dialed Vale’s number. He should be in Erbil by now, if there were no complications.
Vale answered his phone after the second ring. “Yes, Justin, how are you?”
“Good, good. How’s Erbil treating you?”
“Eh, I’ve had better and I’ve had worse.”
Justin frowned. “What happened?”
“Nothing. Nothing has happened yet, and that’s the problem. The forger has disappeared, along with her family. No one knows anything. Neighbors say they sold the house and everything in it and moved. Some say to Germany; others place them elsewhere in Europe. We have a few leads and may get some phone numbers, but I don’t have much hope.”
“Well, that’s something, Vale.”
“Yes, it may be, but still no progress.” Vale’s frustration was clear in his sharp, edgy voice.
“And the banker?”
“He has disappeared too, but his family is all here. His wife told me he’s in Turkey on business and should return tomorrow or the next day. Now, of course, that may not happen, especially if the wife warns him.”
“You tapped her—”
“Yes, of course, we tapped her phone. But she can use a burner phone—which I’m sure any banker worth his salt would have for just these situations—or a neighbor’s or a friend’s line. I have someone following her, just in case she lied to us, and the banker is somewhere in the city.”
“Good, that’s very good, Vale.”
“Eh, standard procedure.”
“Did you learn anything about Gezo, the mediator?”
“No, and he’s the most difficult one to track down. I never get the same story when I inquire about him. Scenarios vary from some hospital in Turkey—either in Diyarbakir, Batman, or Siirt—to northern Syria or northern Iran.”
Justin shook his head. Gezo was known to have a sort of sixth sense for suspecting danger and disappearing before he felt the heat. If Gezo did not want to be found, neither Vale nor Justin would be able to find him. “Focus on the banker. He’ll be the easier of the two to find.”
“Yes, already on it. How’s the rescue plan coming along?”
Justin told Vale what he knew about the Turkish army plans and the ISIS fighters’ movements.
Vale said, “I hope it goes well, Justin, and I wish I was there to give you a hand.” His voice carried genuine concern.
“I know, Vale. But what you’re doing is equally important, if not more valuable, since that’s our priority op, the reason we came to Iraq.”
Vale did not answer right away.
Maybe that came across as patronizing. Justin shook his head. “Anything else, Vale?”
“No, nothing, Justin. I’ll call you if there’s any news.”
“Great. Be safe.”
“Yes, take care, Justin.”
He placed his phone on the table and stood up.
Just then, Rojan entered into the room without knocking, as per his custom. “Justin, my men are confirming Daesh is clearing out of Al-Akral.”
“How many are left?”
Rojan shrugged. “They’re not sure. Maybe twenty, thirty at the most.”
“One-to-three. I like those odds. You’re ready to go?”
“Yes, trucks are ready. Weapons locked and loaded.”
“I’ll pack my gear, and we’ll head out.”
He drew in a deep breath. Hold on, Azade. A few more hours, and I’m coming to get you.