Jambaz pulled his Volvo into the small garage he had rented on New Mexico Avenue, a block from his apartment. He’d thought about trying to get another car, but he wanted to save his money. Besides, his car was black. There were many cars just like this one lining the streets all around the University. He studied the dent in the fender. Not too bad. He wasn’t worried about the car. He was worried about the woman. He wasn’t sure whether he had been successful in disabling or destroying his prey.
As he hurried back to his apartment, he figured that by watching her building, he would know soon enough if she had survived the crash and was still working on her project. If she was, what was the expression? A cat with nine lives? Yes, that was it. And he had some thoughts on how to cut that number.
Since he had learned nothing when he tried to analyze her computer, trying many combinations and special program to breach her password, he was working on more plans for his second set of instructions. As he had told himself last night, if he couldn’t steal information on her project, he would simply have to get rid of her so she couldn’t finish it and share it with others.
Once inside his bedroom, he powered up his own computer and checked for messages in the chat room. Abbas Kahn had contacted him once more with news of his brothers. They had staged a few more attacks against government figures in Islamabad, were organizing a “surprise” in New Delhi for an American advance team, and had tried another assassination attempt against the Pakistani president.
If only they could eliminate the traitor and get control of his nuclear arsenal. The mere thought of such a triumph was exhilarating. Yet, it was too soon to contemplate such victories. Others were in charge of the grand scheme. As for him, he had to finish his job. Kahn was pressing him for a report. He could not make a report. Not yet. But soon.
Next he checked information on the Washington Post website and scrolled through various sections including the classified ads. There in the middle of the page was exactly what he needed. He checked his money pouch to see how much cash he had left. Perfect.