When she finished, Alex glanced back up at the screen and noticed that the Rangers were almost to the port. Meanwhile, two trucks had stopped near the meeting point, parking on the top of a ridge. From that vantage point, the drivers could likely see everything down to the water.
That has to be where Hawk is.
But she quickly realized he couldn’t see the U.S. military vehicles that had taken up a position behind a nearby warehouse, using it as cover. When Alex panned back, she could see all the players involved. From what she could tell, the Rangers were in prime position to intercept Hawk if he ventured down to sell the weapons. But she wasn’t sure about the terrorists. Al Hasib agents moved cautiously around the docks. They didn’t act suspiciously, but they appeared more business-like than a normal crew of a fishing vessel docked would be. The merriment and joking that would have accompanied crew members at a port with a chance to get their feet on dry ground was gone. Instead, men hustled around the docks, moving boxes and crates around to make room for a shipment of goods. Talking was kept to a minimum, sounding more like the barking of orders from time to time than good-natured fun.
Alex glanced at the clock. One hour until the exchange.
Think, Alex. Think. You can do this.
She paused and wondered aloud. “What would Hawk do?”
Alex chuckled as she considered the answer to her own question.
“He’d probably give me some encouraging word that he first found in a fortune cookie somewhere and sell it as his own.”
Seconds later, the lightning idea hit Alex. Her eyes widened and her pulse quickened. She needed to hurry if her plan was going to stand a chance.
CHAPTER 19
Khabas, Oman
FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, Hawk looked up at the cloudless sky littered with stars. With the window rolled down, he felt comfortable amid the dissipating warmth. The northern coast of Oman had a well-documented reputation for unbearable heat, and Hawk appreciated the fact that his mission had been assigned under the cover of night.
“You almost forget how many stars there are when you live in the city,” Hawk said, his eyes still scanning the heavens.
“They make you feel quite insignificant, don’t they?” Ray said.
Hawk shrugged. “Any type of status we esteem to ourselves is nothing more than self-importance. If you never think more highly of yourself than you should, you never feel all that insignificant.”
“You’re quite the philosopher, Hawk.”
“I fancy myself as one. But maybe it’s because I’ve spent so much time hunkered down waiting out the enemy.”
“That’s not gonna happen tonight,” Ray said. “You’re going to go down there and meet him face to face.”
The port came into view in the valley below before Ray pulled off to the side of the road.
“This is the end of the line for us,” Ray said. “You’re gonna take it from here.”
Hawk turned and studied his friend’s eyes. They drooped and sagged, maybe from a long day of driving—though Hawk wondered if Ray’s weariness could be attributed to something else.
“You’re still with me on this, right?” Hawk asked.
“Yeah, you bet,” Ray said, his voice monotone.
“I mean it, Ray. I need to know that you’re with me a hundred percent or else I’m just gonna take the money and run.”
“Maybe that’s what you should do anyway.”
“Fifty grand is a nice haul, but I won’t get far on that—and I’ll struggle to work again.”
“Chuck Pearl might struggle to work again, but you can just reinvent yourself. A new name, a new background, a new start. If I were you, I wouldn’t think twice about it.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re thinking twice about helping me? Is that what this is about?”
Ray pursed his lips and looked at the floorboard.
“It’s not like that, Hawk. It’s just that—”
“It’s just that what? Now’s not the time for subtle nuances. I need the cold hard truth. So dish it.”
“I can’t help you,” Ray said. “I just can’t do it. I have too much to lose if I go out on a limb like this.”
Hawk sighed. “What happened to you, Ray? You were a patriot once and now—just look at yourself, slumming for this self-important jerk in Oman. You’re a Navy Seal, not somebody’s lackey. Make your break right now from him and let’s take down Al Hasib and Karif Fazil in the most glorious way possible. Restore some honor to your name. Do what you’re best at.”
“Unfortunately, I am doing what I’m best at—maximizing my profits while minimizing my risk.”
Hawk remained silent for a minute as he stared out the window.
“Don’t make me do this alone,” he said.
“You don’t have to do it at all,” Ray said. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Just go. I’ll handle it from here.”
“No, I need to see this out. I need to take down Al Hasib once and for all. And if it means I don’t make it out alive, then so be it. At least I went down swinging, which is more than I can say for your sorry ass right now.”
“So now you’re trying to shame me into helping you?”
“My call to arms didn’t work,” Hawk said. “I had to try a different tact. But I see you’ve dug your heels in here. That’s your choice, but I’m disappointed. You told me yesterday that you’d help. But here you are going back on your word.”
“I’m trying to help you here.”
“What would help me is if you did what you said you were going to do.”
Ray climbed out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side.
“She’s all yours now, Hawk. Just go do whatever it is you’re going to do. I’ll be watching from here.”
Hawk slid over into the driver’s seat.
“And good luck, Hawk.”
Hawk shook his head and jammed the truck into drive before stomping on the gas. With Ray unwilling to help, Hawk decided he would take his chances with a solo mission. He had
