Chapter Thirty

 

 

Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium

September 16, 10:25 a.m.

 

The surgery had taken over three hours, but it had not been a complete success. The surgeon had been able to remove the bullet and repair most of Justin’s severed veins and muscles. Some of the damaged nerves seemed to be beyond saving, but the surgeon was not a hundred percent certain. He kept reassuring Justin that his arm’s sensation and movement should return to normal in the long run, a few weeks or months. It usually happened with most patients. The axillary nerve dysfunction lasted only for a short time. But severe pain and a long recovery period were in store for Justin.

He nodded and asked when he would be able to leave the hospital. The surgeon replied that Justin was free to leave as soon as he wanted, but the surgeon would prefer he stayed for another forty-eight hours. Constant monitoring for any unexpected crisis or infections was necessary, especially since Justin was planning to take a long intercontinental flight. So he agreed to remain in the hospital. Those two days would allow him sufficient time to plan his next moves.

Carrie and Karolin had stayed near his bedside for most of the previous evening, then they had left for the night. Carrie had returned in the morning with a large cup of coffee. Justin had asked Karolin to wait outside, while he discussed a few sensitive business issues with Carrie. He related to her the somewhat good news: follow-up tests had all come back negative and his wounds were healing quite well. As expected, Carrie asked him again about his plans.

Justin sighed, but decided he could avoid her questions no longer. “I’m going to make a few calls,” he said in a low voice, aware that Sid was stationed just beyond the glass door. “And I’m sneaking out as soon as my contact has all logistics in place.”

Carrie stood on the right side of Justin’s bed. “You’re going rogue?”

Justin shook his head. “No. Not in my condition.” He gestured at his shoulder and his arm wrapped in a sling. “I’m just going to take a short detour. A few days to finish a job. Something the service doesn’t want to touch with a ten-foot pole.”

Carrie leaned closer to him. “But how, Justin? How are you going to take down both princes? Without the service, you’ll have to resort to mercs. Guns for hire. Are you sure you can trust your contacts with this dangerous mission? Remember, you’re dealing with powerful, brutal princes.”

Justin nodded. “I know; it’s not going to be easy. But I have a plan. I’ve thought it through. Last night, I couldn’t sleep, so I spent hours plotting, replotting, drafting, and redrafting scenarios in my mind. A few details need to align perfectly for my plan to work, but—with a bit of prayer and lots of luck—everything should work.”

Carrie stared deeper into his eyes. “I don’t get it. Why don’t you let the service handle this?”

“I’m not sure they want to handle it or whether their way will be the right one. What if they accept Prince al-Farhan’s version of the story, his pathetic self-defense account? Or the inquiry decides to toss me out of the service like a useless rag?”

Carrie shrugged. “Neither of those scenarios is bound to happen. But, even in the remote chance that they did happen, then you can fight your private war and take your revenge.”

“By then it may be too late. I may be too far removed from my contacts, burned, or under surveillance. And what if the Saudi princes make another attempt on my life, on our lives?”

Carrie did not answer right away. She looked up and through the glass door. “Have you thought about Karolin? You’re not taking her with you, right?”

“No. She pleaded with me to the point of tears, but I had to say no. It would be suicide for her to come with me.” He paused for a moment, sighed, then said, “It’s close to suicide even for me to take on this mission. But I have to do it.”

Carrie shook her head, but said nothing.

Justin asked, “Have you heard from McClain?”

“Yes, I just talked to him this morning. He asked about your health, among other things.”

“He doesn’t trust me?”

“No, it’s not that. You know McClain wants to hear versions of the same story from all the people involved. He talked to the surgeon, to Reinhardt, to all team members.”

“Any hint that he’s worried I may escape?”

Carrie shrugged. “He hasn’t ordered me to keep an eye on you around the clock. I’m not sure about the orders for the rest of the team. But I don’t think so. You’re not detained, Justin. Everyone, including McClain, wants for you to recover fully and to come home. Everything else can wait.”

“I wish it could.”

Carrie sighed. “I’m not going to reargue with you. How’s the food here?”

“Not bad. They served me eggs and rolls and a fruit cup,” Justin replied, eager to change the subject. “And the nurses are kind and helpful.”

Carrie nodded. She tipped her head toward one of the monitors above Justin’s bed, but then her cellphone rang. She reached into her purse, which she had set on the nightstand by the window. “It’s my sister, Susan. I’ll take this outside.”

“I hope everything’s okay.”

“Yeah, so do I.”

Carrie slid the glass door open and stepped outside in the hall.

Sid turned his head, and his eyes caught Justin’s glance. “May I come in?”

“Sure. How’re you doing?”

Sid smiled. “I should be asking you that question.”

“Oh, not bad, not bad at all. Listen, I didn’t get a chance to thank you yesterday for rushing to help us.”

“Oh, you did. You don’t remember?”

Justin frowned. “No, I don’t. Now that I think about it, everything before I was gurneyed to the ambulance is just a big dizzy blur.”

Sid shrugged. “Maybe doctors should look at it before you leave the hospital.”

Justin nodded, then reached over to arrange the pillow behind him.

Sid stepped closer and handled it for Justin. “You need anything else?”

“Yes, can you please get me a glass of water?” Justin pointed at the nightstand near his bed.

“Sure thing.” Sid filled the glass and handed it to Justin. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

Sid stepped closer to Justin. “Listen, the team knows about McClain and what the Saudi royal family has done. I just wanted to tell you that unofficially, we’re right behind you . . . and your choices.” His voice turned low and took on a conspiratorial tone. “Whatever you need, just ask.”

Justin nodded. “I appreciate that, Sid. But I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.” He wanted to add that he already had what he needed. Between Carrie, Karolin, and the men he was planning to call, Justin would have more than enough support to escape the hospital, leave Belgium, and make his way to the deserts of northern Iraq. His plan required him to be in a remote, inaccessible area.

“It’s no trouble, man,” Sid said. A moment later, he took a step back and added, “But it’s up to you. If you need us to look away at the right moment, it will be done.”

“As I said, I appreciate the offer.” Justin kept his voice sincere but firm. He truly liked Sid’s and the rest of the team’s loyalty. But Justin did not want to create even the remotest perception of having sought or obtained assistance from his teammates. The inquiry that would follow his disappearance could come with serious consequences and a hefty cost for anyone involved in the matter. Justin wanted to protect his teammates from any and all backlash stemming from his actions.

“Fair enough,” Sid said in a cold voice. Disappointment was clear in his face and his eyes. He walked around Justin’s bed, then stopped when he was near the door. “Karolin’s outside. She wants to talk to you.”

“Please let her in,” Justin said.

Sid nodded, but did not look at Justin.

He sighed. I wish I could tell you, Sid. And I wish you could be by my side. This would be so much easier if it were a service-sanctioned op. He shook his head, but stopped the train of thoughts as Karolin entered the room. “Hi, Karolin. How are you feeling?”

Karolin shrugged her answer. She gave him a dead-worried look. Tear marks were still visible around her eyes, although Justin imagined she had tried hard to erase them. He was not sure if Karolin was worried about Justin’s health or that she could not go with him. It’s probably both. She doesn’t want to be alone. She thinks this is the end.

He said, “I will . . . will come back for you.”

Karolin remained silent.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll have to be away, but I’ll come back.”

Karolin gave him a small frown. “Don’t make empty promises, Justin. Why don’t we just say our goodbyes and be on our merry ways?”

Justin peered into her eyes. He reached over to the side and tapped the button that raised the upper part of the bed. When he was at eye level with Karolin, he reached over slowly with his right hand. But Karolin drew her hand back and also stepped away from the bed.

There was a moment of cold bitter silence, then Justin asked, “Is that . . . is that what you want?”

Karolin sighed and shook her head. “No, of course not. But I can’t, I won’t be sitting here, waiting forever, waiting for a phone call that may never come. Or finding out in the news or from a stranger’s call that you’re KIA.”

Justin suppressed a smile. He thought Karolin had started to use operatives’ terms in order to fit in. “I don’t want that either, Karolin. I want to be with you, to see you, perhaps to have a relationship with you.”

Hope glinted in Karolin’s eyes. She stepped closer to Justin’s bed. After an instant of hesitation, she held his hand.

Justin felt the warmth of her fingers. Her gentle touch almost made him quiver. He drew in a deep breath, enjoying the light scent of her jasmine perfume. His eyes met Karolin’s and he smiled. “But before we can do that, I need to take care of a few things. Those people who almost killed us at the warehouse, they had received orders from some very powerful leaders, very brutal leaders. And they’re not going away. They’ll make another attempt on my life, your life. I just can’t let that happen.”

“And I can help you. I will help you. Like I did last time.” Karolin’s voice bubbled with enthusiasm.

Justin nodded. “This is . . . uh . . . this is much more complicated, but, yes, you can help me for at least a part of my plan.”

A frown began to spread across Karolin’s face. “I’ve told you I don’t want to be just the driver.”

“No, it’s not going to be like that. You’ll be more than just my driver. You’ll be covering my tracks, watching my back, you’ll be my right-hand person.”

Karolin nodded and her frown disappeared. “And what about Carrie?” she gestured with her head toward the door.

“What about her?”

“Will she be a part of this operation?”

“No.”

Karolin gazed at him, but Justin did not say another word.

After a long pause, Karolin asked, “So, when and where do I start?”

“I’ll let you know. Probably tomorrow or early next day. I have to stay here for another day or two, until the doctors clear me. You’ll rent us a small car. That’s all for now.”

Karolin nodded. “I will do that.”

“Thanks.”

A knock on the glass door got his attention.

It was Carrie. She smiled and showed them a coffee tray in her hands.

Justin gestured for her to come in.

“Hi, Justin. Karolin. I brought some coffee and black tea.” She offered the tray first to Karolin. “I wasn’t sure how you drank yours, so there’s sugar and cream on the side.”

Karolin picked up one of the black teas. “Thanks, Carrie. No sugar for me, but I’ll take one of the creams.”

“Great. Justin, here’s your large black.”

“Perfect, Carrie.”

“Hmmm, Justin. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“I was just leaving,” Karolin said. “Bye, Justin. I’ll get that stuff ready.”

Justin nodded. “Bye, Karolin.”

“What stuff?” Carrie asked just as Karolin swung the door shut behind her.

Justin sighed. “I’ve got to teach her better command of her tongue. She’s giving me a hand with my plan. No, don’t frown, it’s nothing serious. Just driving me to the coast. Another pair of eyes and ears. Especially since I’m kind of limited in what I can do on my own.” His gaze fell on his shoulder.

“You know it doesn’t have to be that way, right?”

“I do. And I also don’t want to have this conversation again.”

“Right. How’s your shoulder?”

“Doesn’t hurt much at the moment.”

Carrie pulled one of the chairs closer and sat on it. “So, will you tell me at least the country where you’re headed?”

Justin frowned. “You know the difference between you and a pit bull?”

Carrie did not smile. “I’ve heard it before, Justin. The pit bull will eventually let go. But you know this is for your own good. I’ve . . . I thought I lost you once, at the autobahn shooting. And I had no idea you were in Belgium. If I need to come and rescue your sorry butt again, I’d like to not be starting from zero.”

Justin nodded, but said nothing.

“Give me a hint here—c’mon, Justin.”

“All right, Carrie Pit Bull. I’m going to northern Iraq.”

“Peshmergas?” Carrie cocked her head to the left, in Justin’s direction. “You’re going for big guns.” She peered deep into his eyes, trying to read his face. “I thought you were going for something more, let’s say, discreet. But both princes have an impressive army of bodyguards protecting them wherever they go. So you’ll need an army of your own for a fair fight. Right?”

Justin’s face remained emotionless. He wanted to explain his plan to Carrie, to tell her she could not be any farther away from the truth. But he could not. And, in a way, he liked that Carrie had not clued in to what he was actually plotting. In reality, his plan was not that straightforward. It relied on a lot of luck, but Justin was used to creating his own luck. With the help of a few contacts he still had inside the Kingdom, he hoped to be able to find the location of the two princes and all their moves, especially their travel arrangements when outside Saudi Arabia. The Peshmergas would then give him a hand in carrying out his operation.

“I thought about a sniper hit,” Justin said softly and slowly, pondering each word carefully, making sure he would not slip and show his hand. “The scenario of a land mine or a series of explosions also crossed my mind. But the princes ride in armored fortresses. And results of such attacks are unpredictable.”

“So you’re planning to overrun his convoy with the help of your Peshmerga friends? Clever strategy, but why would one of the princes—or both of them—travel to northern Iraq? They have no oil business there—well, not yet. Even if they did, it would be too dangerous for them. Al-Farhan and bin Saud aren’t known to operate that way. They have terrorists come to them, to their gold-plated mansions, not the princes going into the snakes’ sand pits.”

Justin said nothing. “I think I’ve told you enough, Carrie. Anything more and you’ll have to lie to McClain and the IRS when its lawyers call you in for your testimony.”

Carrie gave him an are-you-kidding look, but then nodded slowly. “Fine, be that way.”

“I’m quite tired, and I’d like to try to sleep.”

“Sure. I’ll be in the waiting room.”

“Sorry, Carrie, I just don’t—”

“I understand, Justin.” But her voice was cold and detached. “Sleep well.”

He sighed as Carrie walked out without looking back.