The Israeli helicopter airlifted Jay’s team safely across the border and landed inside an IDF military compound. Waiting for them was McCoy and Yossi Curran, a Mossad counterintelligence expert.
As Sammi disembarked from the helicopter, he saw the two agents and stopped in his tracks. He grabbed Renee and said, “No, I did not agree to this. They will kill me.”
“No, they will not,” Renee replied. “They want to question you about Hezbollah. I will stay with you at all times, and when they are done, we will go back to Bahrain, where you will be safe.”
“Who is the big man? He looks terrifying.”
Jay laughed as he looked at McCoy dressed in a black commando uniform. “He’s harmless.”
McCoy removed his assault helmet and laughed. “I was prepared to rescue you with the Mossad tactical team, but you managed to survive on your own. I’m not sure how you did it.”
“Neither am I,” Jay laughed. “Let’s find somewhere private to talk. We learned a lot in Lebanon.”
Curran escorted Renee and Sammi to a private conference room.
Sammi stopped before entering the room, “Can I please have a bottle of water, and I need to use the bathroom?”
“After we speak,” Curran said brusquely.
“Sammi is not to be interrogated,” Renee said. “He is here willingly and has been through a death-defying experience. He saved my life, Yossi. Please show him some respect.”
“Whatever you wish, Renee. I’ll have one of my men show him the facilities, and we will start in five minutes.”
As Renee waited for Sammi, Antonio approached her, “I am heading back to Interlaken with Benoit and Moses. Jay and his team are heading back to Boston. Will you be joining us?”
“I will soon. I need to make sure Sammi is safe.”
“You did an excellent job today,” Antonio said. “The intelligence and evidence you gathered will help us make our case.”
“Thank you,” Renee said. “I am pleased to be part of your team.”
Jay joined McCoy in a secure conference room within Mossad headquarters. Gia, Mack, and Kyle appeared on the video call. Natalie Choi was on a voice line since she was aboard Air Force One.
“Okay, everybody,” McCoy said. “I understand we have a developing situation. What’s going on in Rio?”
‘The Pope is making his first public appearance,” Mack said. “But there’s more. The President will be in Rio, too. He’s meeting with the Brazilian President and the Pope about a drug eradication edict.”
“Why does that concern us?” Jay said.
“Because we found Kathleen and the yacht,” Kyle replied.
“Actually, Kyle found it,” Gia corrected. “He did all the intelligence work. As a result, we have satellite images of the Princess of the Sea docked at the Marina de Glória in downtown Rio. It’s located in the city’s center. The airport, a shopping mall, and Brazil’s Naval academy are all within the blast range of a major explosion.”
“Wait, I have the Pope’s schedule,” Natalie said. “He’s going to say mass for the Bishops at the Metropolitan Cathedral at ten o’clock. Then, after the mass, he’s going by motorcade to Paris Park to make a public address at noon. We’re expecting over two million people to line the streets and watch the speech.”
“There’s something else,” Gia said. “We have satellite images of the yacht. We can identify two persons of interest on the top deck. Kathleen Amejian and Reginald McFarland. Also, there’s a man with unruly blond hair and a tall brunette. We are trying to identify them now.”
“That’s Ivan the Terrible,” CJ said. “He’s a paid assassin.”
“The woman is Angelica Bonham,” Natalie added. “I’ve watched every one of her movies.”
“What?” Jay said. “Did you say, McFarland? Are you sure?”
“Yes, we have a facial recognition match that’s over ninety-five percent certain.”
“How is that possible? Why is he even alive? Are you saying McFarland is involved with Kathleen?”
Kyle chuckled, “Based on the images, he’s very involved.”
Jay jumped up from the chair and headed out of the room.
“Jay, where are you going?” Mack said. “We’re not finished.”
“Mack, I’m going to Rio to get McFarland! You guys can sit around the table and debate a plan—but we have thirty-six hours to stop the most devastating terrorist attack this world has ever seen. So I suggest we conduct our planning session on the plane.”