“You’re gonna have to explain that one to me because from where I’m sitting it seems like Michaels is just gonna get what he wants without any fallout or consequences. I swear if that sonofabitch was sitting where you are right now, I’d—”
“Why don’t we put him in that chair then?” Blunt said.
“Is he tied up outside in a van? Because if that’s the case, I say let’s do it.”
“No, he’s still hidden in the Middle East. But if you put your computer skills to good work, we’ll have a decent shot at stopping him.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I know when and where they’re going to meet—and now thanks to you and Hawk, I know who they are planning on meeting with.”
“Suppose we’re able to stop this sale. What exactly do you hope is going to come out of such an operation, aside from the natural consequences?”
Blunt shrugged. “Ultimately, I hope I regain my freedom, though nothing is a given at this point. Knowing Michaels, he’s liable to turn us into heroes. But at least we’ll have the truth.”
“Possessing the truth isn’t the same as acting on it day after day.”
“Let me ask you a question, Alex. Suppose you have the opportunity to get your life back in exchange for a small lie. Would you do it?”
“Depends on how small and what the lie is about.”
“Good,” Blunt said, slapping the table. “Your moral relativism might just be what we need to snare the man and expose Michaels—two birds with one stone.”
Alex flashed a sly grin. “And you’re sure we can do that?”
“I’m sure of nothing except that I’m on the side of truth and justice. But if we can expose this right before the election, it just might be enough to make him lose.”
“And you think that will keep him from coming after us?”
“It will if he’s behind bars.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “A U.S. president in prison? That’ll be the day. Besides, he’s not going to lose the election. He’s the Teflon man, remember? No scandal ever seems to stick to him.”
“You be ready because we’re not only going to make this one stick, we’re going to make it swallow him whole. Michaels will forever be remembered as the most traitorous president in American history.”
“I’m not sure if I share your faith, but I’ll be ready. Anything to get out of this life of pushing numbers and back to doing what we all do best.”
Blunt nodded. “All I need you to do is get him on record talking about this weapons sale. It’s that simple.”
“I’ve got the perfect technology for that.”
“Make it happen, Alex. And don’t miss. We’re only going to get one shot at this.”
Blunt threw some cash on the table and got up, leaning heavily on his stick.
“Do you really need that thing?” she asked, gesturing toward Blunt’s cane.
“Define the word need,” he said with a wink before he hobbled toward the door.
The brief moment of levity was a welcome respite for Alex after her heavy conversation with Blunt. The task ahead of her was grave, as would be the consequences if everything didn’t go off without a hitch.
CHAPTER 7
Muscat, Oman
HAWK OPENED THE JOINT email account and read over the note Alex had posted in the draft folder. The instructions posted seemed odd given that she warned him that they shouldn’t speak on the phone. But she swore it was an emergency and time was of the essence. Most of all, she promised no one would be able to listen in on their conversation since she would be utilizing a protocol that would be impossible to trace or listen to without a filter. Though Hawk felt uneasy about Alex’s last request—use a program to mask your voice.
Despite his misgivings, Hawk decided to go along with the plan. After all, he’d just be following her directions, which he assumed had to be issued by Blunt since she would never act alone. Plus, he had a way to make sure that she was really Alex and not someone who’d just gained access to the joint account somehow.
At the prescribed time, Hawk logged onto Ray’s computer and precisely followed Alex’s detailed action points.
“Hello,” Alex said, sounding like a cross between a bullfrog and a chipmunk.
Hawk started chuckling.
“Don’t laugh,” she said. “It’s all for your own good.”
“Just don’t tell me that you’re my father,” Hawk deadpanned.
“So, you really think I sound like Darth Vader?”
“Maybe Darth Vader’s wife.”
“You think I sound like Natalie Portman talking through a ventilator?”
Hawk grinned. “Before I answer that question, you need to answer something for me.”
“Okay. Go ahead.”
Hawk needed to make sure that Alex was truly on the other end—and he knew one way to ensure that she was.
“In the movie Laagan, who starred as Bhuvan and also served as the film’s producer?”
“You really think that’s going to stump me?” she asked.
“I’m not trying to stump you—just anyone else who’s pretending to be you.”
“In that case, it’s Aamir Khan. And that’s a great movie, by the way,” she said. “After I watched it, I actually wanted to play cricket.”
“Okay, continue,” Hawk said. “I know it’s you, by both your answer and the fact that you were inspired to play that sport after watching the movie.”
“You know me well, don’t you?”
“I do,” Hawk said as he chuckled. “Now, get on with it. What’s so important?”
“Those schematics that you saw are likely tied to a weapons deal that’s going down soon.”
“And who’s behind all of this?”
“I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count.”
“Michaels. That bastard is always meddling in things he has no business messing with.”
“In his quest to win votes and make the world a safer place, he’s ironically about to make it far more dangerous.”
“And hopefully lose enough votes to lose the upcoming general election.”
“That’s what I’m hoping, at least.”
Hawk nodded resolutely. “So, what do you need me to do?”
“Nothing big. I just need you to record your friend’s boss for a
