Muhammed turned slightly from side to side and stared at his face. Should he wear a smagh or a traditional turban? He held up the pre-tied turban and placed it on his head. He continued to stare at his image in the mirror. He wanted to look regal for the cameras, but not opulent. He didn’t want to appear over reaching or give the impression that he was acting above himself. He replaced the turban with a blue smagh and studied the image. He shook his head. Definitely the turban.
He strode out of the room with purpose. He donned his sunglasses even though the sun had just broken the horizon. He wanted the masses that collected for this demonstration to remember him for years to come. He had to strike just the right poses for the cameras and his speeches were committed to memory.
Today Muhammed al-Abadi would forever be remembered.
14
Karachi, Pakistan
ROGER WATCHED AS the lights above the elevator lit up and he studied the doors. He absently reached up to his face and pulled the mask down over his nose and chin. “We got activity.”
Jay nodded and pulled his own mask into place. “Look alive people.” He keyed his radio and whispered into it, “We have movement.”
“I’m watching,” was the only response.
Steve Gibbons sat poised at the side door of the van, ready to pull it quickly open so that Deric and Bridger could grab al-Abadi while he and Gregg laid down cover fire if need be.
The Russian had been unusually quiet during the ride over and now that he was set up in his cozy little nest, he smiled to himself as the doors to the elevator opened. He focused on the figure that stepped out and immediately made for the Range Rover.
“He’s alone,” Jay whispered to the others. “Stay ready.”
He watched as one of the body guards started the Rover and pulled out of the space. Jay cursed silently and keyed his coms. “Ryan, follow the Rover.”
“Copy that.”
Roger sat low in the seat and stared out the window at the retreating vehicle in the side mirror. He caught movement through the windshield and craned his neck to see what vehicle was working its way down from the upper decks. “Incoming.”
Jay leaned back and peered around the door of the van as a black Mercedes pulled alongside the elevator and parked. “Shit. He may be using a different car.”
Roger shook his head. “If he’s using that car, we’ve got three tons of steel between us and the target.”
Jay keyed the coms. “Stand by.”
The elevator doors opened and Muhammed al-Abadi stood in the open doorway, his eyes down to the phone in his hands. He stepped out slowly, his fingers tapping something as he walked.
Jay cursed then keyed his coms. “Now!”
The side door to the van slid open and Bridger and Deric Bundy stepped out, weapons up and at the ready as they advanced on the target. Gregg Soares rolled out and brought his own weapon to bear as Steve jumped out and went wide.
The four operators converged on the idling Mercedes and Gregg held the driver at bay with a green dot that painted the windshield and the man’s chest. Muhammed al-Abadi glanced up at the motion and froze, his eyes wide and unsure what to do next.
Bridger pulled a hood over his face while Deric bound his hands with flex-cuffs. They dragged the man toward the van as Jay started the vehicle and threw it into reverse.
Muhammed al-Abadi grunted and yipped as he was tossed unceremoniously into the van and the four operators crawled in over him.
“Go, go go!” Steve called as he pulled the van door shut.
Jay was on the coms as they squealed the tires leaving the abduction area. “Change of plans Marcus! We can’t all fit in just your transpo.”
“On it.” Marcus put the Audi into gear and watched for the van that came down from the upper levels far too quickly. “Time to sacrifice a perfectly good ride.”
He waited until he saw the Mercedes then accelerated. He pulled into the car’s path and slowed, waiting for the collision that he knew was inevitable.
The Mercedes collided with the rear quarter panel of the Audi and rammed the car into the center concrete divider that separated the entrance and exit. Marcus was thrown against the driver’s side window so hard that he almost saw stars. Although the window held, the rear and passenger windows shattered, covering him in fragments.
He could hear the horn of the Mercedes echoing in the lower level of the garage and a quick glance showed him the body guard draped over the steering wheel.
Marcus groaned as he tried to open the driver’s door, only to find it held fast by the concrete divider. He slid over the console, into the passenger seat and forced himself through the window opening. Another quick glance at the Mercedes told him that the driver wouldn’t be coming to any time soon, so he carefully extracted himself from the wreck and stepped out of the parking garage.
He glanced to the building where he knew Teplov was watching from and waved as he keyed his radio. “How about a ride?” He gave a weak smile then leaned against the hood of the Audi’s remains.
Karachi, Pakistan
JAY SLOWED THE van as they entered the main street of Karachi and weaved in and out of traffic. His eyes darted in every direction to ensure they weren’t being followed. He reached over and pulled Roger’s mask up. “Not in public.”
Roger stared at him wide eyed and nodded absently. “Sorry. It’s my first kidnapping.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Steve responded. He reached
