Deadlock

'Amazing what a change of hair color can do.'

Emily shook her head as she touched the short dark wig. 'I don't think I look that much different.'

'Enough. Dark complexion, dark hair, different style. Most people don't probe or analyze. They accept what's on the surface.' He opened the door of the waiting cab for her. 'It's the best we can do without getting a full disguise job. That would be uncomfortable as hell for you.' He got into the cab. 'Believe me.'

'Have you ever had to use a disguise?' she asked curiously.

'Yes.' He didn't elaborate. 'It should do. I just wish we could avoid commercial transportation entirely. But there's not time to make other arrangements.'

'I haven't been back to the U.S. for a long time. Is security that tight?'

'Tight enough, but I'm not worried about U.S. security. We have to make a stop first.'

She looked at him in surprise. 'What stop?' 'Kabul.'

She stiffened. 'We're going back to Afghanistan?' He nodded. 'There's something we have to follow up there before we go to New York. I need to talk to someone in Kabul.' 'Who?'

'Aman Nemid. You said that was the name of the government of¬ficial who diverted you from your assigned mission when you got to Afghanistan. He arranged for you to go up to the mountains and clear that museum. Is that right?'

She nodded. 'He used to live in that area and had a special interest.'

'I'm curious to know just how special. I want to talk to him.'

'You think he may be involved in that raid on our team?'

'Maybe. I'm suspicious of anything out of the ordinary when it has extraordinary results.'

'He's on the National Council, and evidently the U.N. respects him, or they wouldn't have given in to his request. He may not be involved.'

'Good. We'll just ask a few questions.'

'You do believe Nemid set up the trap with Staunton?'

'Or maybe he had his own agenda and sent you up there to bring him back the bacon with no risk to himself, if he knew that there were other parties interested in the contents of that museum.'

Emily shook her head. 'I can't believe he would have sent our team if he knew what was waiting for us.'

He shrugged. 'It's something we have to explore. Zelov can wait for a day or two.' He grimaced. 'As I said, I just wish we didn't have to go into Kabul's airport. That's Ferguson's territory, which makes it a double whammy. I'm calling Dardon and telling him to find a way to get us out of there, but I want to move now.'

And he obviously thought the risk of recognition was worth it. I hen let s move.

'No arguments?'

'You didn't really think I'd argue with you.' Even though she didn't want to go back to Afghanistan. She was afraid it would bring too many memories to vivid life. 'If Aman Nemid's involved, I want to know about it. If he hadn't sent us to the museum, none of this would have happened.' She looked out the window of the cab. 'I didn't make the connection, but I damned well want to know if there is one. Do you know where he lives?'

'I checked it out this morning. He has a house on the outskirts of the city. Which may prove convenient.' He smiled. 'I like privacy.'

'YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT.' Moore turned to Ferguson. 'Garrett was spotted at the airport.'

Ferguson stiffened. 'Here in Kabul? You're sure?'

'Dietrich said he's certain. You made all our guys study that photo of him until they were ready to pitch it. He caught a glimpse of him when they were leaving customs.'

'They?'

'A woman. Dietrich didn't get a good look at her. Dark hair.' Ferguson began to swear. 'He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't have the nerve to bring her back here.' 'Emily Hudson?'

'Who else? Is Dietrich following them?'

'He wouldn't have risked calling you if he wasn't.'

'Damn straight. And he'd better not lose them. Tell Dietrich not to interfere with them until I get there.' He got to his feet. 'Come on. Let's move.'

'WE'RE BEING FOLLOWED,' Garrett said, his gaze on the rearview mirror. 'He's being careful, and he's good.'

Emily's gaze flew to the mirror. 'How long?'

'I noticed him a few blocks after we left the airport.'

They had left the airport twenty minutes ago. 'Why didn't you tell me?'

'I'm telling you now. I wanted to see if he was going to be joined by anyone.'

'Who do you think-Staunton?'

'I'd bet it's one of Ferguson's men,' Garrett said. 'He was bound to have someone at the airport.' 'And you came here anyway?' 'I told you, I have to check out Nemid.'

And nothing was going to stop him, Emily realized, once more aware of the ruthless intensity that drove him. 'Well, we may have trouble if Ferguson gets in the way.'

'Yes, it's time we lost him.' He pressed the accelerator, and the car jumped forward. 'Hold on.'

She had to hold on. The next ten minutes were a nightmare of twists and turns, sudden stops and swerves.

'Okay, I think we're clear,' Garrett glanced at the mirror. 'And Nemid's house should be a mile up the road.'

'And are we just going to walk up and ring the doorbell?'

'No, I like the idea of surprise and an element of threat. I've found it works. I'll look the place over and see if I can locate where he is, then go in.'

'What if the doors are locked?'

'No problem.'

No, she imagined he might have experience in handling locked doors. He probably had experience in handling all kinds of dubious practices. 'Not too much threat. After all, we're not certain he's done anything wrong.'

'I suppose you'll be there with me to make sure that I don't.' He glanced at her as he parked the car near a large house surrounded by a low brick wall. 'You wouldn't consider waiting here?'

'No.' She got out of the car. 'I would not.'

'I didn't think so.' His glance skimmed the exterior of the house. 'There's a light on the far side of the house. Let's start there.' He took a small black box out of his pocket. 'But we might as well have a head start.'

'What's that?'

'An infrared detector. The heat indication will show if there's someone in the house.'

'Really? Neat gadget. My father could have used one of those when we were tracking animals for one of his photo shoots.' Her gaze was fastened on the light shining from the windows. 'Do you see any¬thing?'

'Yes.' He frowned as he looked down at the infrared detector. 'Two moving blips and two stationary in that room. What the hell?'

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST him?' Ferguson asked.

'He knew he was being followed,' Dietrich said. 'And he was damn good.'

'And if you were good, he wouldn't have known he was being fol¬lowed. Where was he when you realized he was trying to lose you?' 'About six blocks south of here.' Six blocks.

That was in one of the nicer sections of Kabul. What was Garrett doing in that area? For that matter, what was he doing in Kabul at all? He took his GPS from his pocket, typed in a city map, then narrowed it down to the particular area. Then he started to scroll up the addresses and names of the people living in that area.

'I'm going to get you, Garrett,' he murmured. 'I'm going to have your ass.'

'I DON'T LIKE IT.' GARRETT stopped short as they cautiously approached the window with light pouring out into the courtyard. 'Four indications of people in that room. But where is his guard? There should be one in the courtyard.'

'Maybe he doesn't have one.' Though it was unusual. She knew that the tense political situation in Afghanistan made it necessary that the council members be closely guarded. 'Or maybe he's not at home.'

'Maybe.' Garrett stiffened as he looked down at the detector. 'Two of the blips are gone from the room, moving toward the back of the house. 'I don't like it,' he repeated. I'm going in alone to check things out. Don't argue. You don't have a weapon, and you'd be in my way. If I don't call you in three minutes, get the hell out of