5

Johan said, “Yeah. Some fuck stole a bunch of proprietary information and gave it to journalists. What about it?”

“I told you about how this company was founded. About the first contract in KSA. You remember that?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it was predicated—and I’m not proud of this—on a bribe to a certain Saudi contact. I did it, and now I’m where I am. You are where you are. No more running and gunning. A nice job with a hefty salary.”

“What was the bribe for?”

Dexter shifted the conversation, saying, “I used a shell company from that law firm in Panama. The first leak—before I hired you—was huge, but I wasn’t in it.”

Dexter pointed at the computer screen and said, “There’s a second leak coming, and there’s a good chance I’ll be in it. If that happens, at best, I’ll be crushed for the relationship by the prima donna politicians all looking for a score, and worst, arrested for illegal contract negotiations and insider trading.”

He paused, wanting to see if Johan was on board, risking a glance across the desk. He couldn’t tell one way or the other. The man’s face was stoic, his shaggy blond hair partially covering his eyes. Dexter sagged back in his chair and said, “If that leak goes, I’m out of a company. And you’re out of a job.”

Johan leaned forward, brushing his hair aside and giving Dexter his full, uncomfortable attention. He said, “What do you want me to do?”

Dexter said, “Well . . . I know who the reporter is that’s going to meet the leaker, a sorry sack of shit like Snowden and Manning. I was hoping you’d meet the leaker instead. Convince him it wasn’t in his best interests.”

Johan picked an M&M’s candy from a bowl on the desk, popped it into his mouth, and said, “I could do that, I suppose. One less waste of flesh walking the earth, but it’s not without risk.”

“I understand. I’m prepared to pay you a great deal. This bribe I did can’t see the light of day. Ever. It was nothing on the grand scheme of things, but it’s everything to us.”

Johan popped another M&M and said, “You keep saying that, but I’ve worked this side of the fence for a while. Bribes happen all the time, and you have leverage with the American establishment. Maybe it’s better to let it out and fight it on the publicity front. My way is dirty.”

“No. That won’t work.”

Johan straightened and said, “Why? You have the ear of sitting senators and half the generals in the Pentagon. Unless there’s something more. What was the bribe for? Who got it?”

“It’s not the bribe. It’s the fact that it’s Saudi Arabia. Ten years ago, that would be nothing. Now, with the Islamophobia rampant in the United States, I’ll be crucified. I can’t count on support from the Pentagon or Congress. Especially after the administration released those classified pages from the congressional inquiry into 9/11. The ones dealing with Saudi complicity in the attacks.”

“Okay. Once again, what do you want me to do?”

“Interdict this ‘Agent Zero.’ Get his data and destroy it.”

Johan considered the mission, then said, “You want him dead. Is that it?”

Dexter hadn’t thought about that, the question startling him.

Johan said, “Let’s face it, if I meet him as the journalist and I get his information, and it doesn’t get exposed, he’s just going to try again.”

Dexter said, “Yes. I see your point. I suppose you couldn’t just convince him?”

Johan barked a sharp laugh and said, “I could for the five minutes we were together, but once he’s gone—and safe—he’ll reconsider. He understands the risks. He’s made powerful enemies with his release, which means he has courage.”

Dexter nodded, realizing what Johan had said was true. The Panama Papers had exposed corruption from the highest levels of foreign governments to the biggest bosses of organized crime. Whoever Agent Zero was, there were plenty of people who wanted him dead. Which made the decision easier. With that many enemies, nobody would connect a lone defense contractor to the action.

Dexter said, “I don’t want the information out. Period. You do what you think is best. You’ll be well rewarded.”

He withdrew an envelope and laid it on the desk, saying, “This is the information on the reporter who’s going to meet him. Don’t ask me how I got it. Just understand that it cost a significant amount of influence and money. You talk to him, find the meeting site, then assume his place.”

Johan took the envelope and opened it. He glanced at the first page and said, “International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Washington, DC.”

“Yes. I’ll pay for the airfare and hotels, of course. And a handsome bonus when it’s done. I’d like you to leave tomorrow.”

“What about the journalist?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I can’t just ask him for the source and expect him to gladly give it to me. And once I leave, he’ll contact this Agent Asshole and tell him to flee.”

Dexter instinctively knew where the question was headed, but he didn’t want to face the decision. Johan saved him from the problem.

He stood and said, “Don’t worry about it. I fucking hate reporters. All a bunch of lying shitheads with rainbows and noble causes. They destroyed my country, then destroyed my employment in Africa, first with Executive Outcomes, then every other company I worked for. Now they’re trying to destroy me again.”

He pocketed the envelope and said, “I’ll do him for free.”