Kassim suspected. They are hirelings, sent here because their government does not wish to draw attention to American troops.”
Ali nodded again. “Yes, yes. Go on.”
Qazi looked at Kassim, then back to Ali. “I have full information on their organization, their equipment, their capabilities. Everything.”
Ali recognized a salesman when he saw one. He decided to put the sergeant on the defensive. “Then you are a servant of God.”
Qazi spread his hands on the table. “Alas, I am but a
Ali stretched a bony hand across the table. Touching Qazi’s sleeve, he intoned, “Any information you share with us will be rewarded as befits you. We have many ways of expressing our gratitude.” He smiled an ingratiating smile.
The NCO produced a notebook from his pocket. It contained a business card with the name of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Leopole, United States Marine Corps (retired). The man’s title was Head, Foreign Operations Division, Strategic Solutions, Inc., in Arlington, Virginia, USA. Hand-written notes expanded upon the SSI arrangement at Quetta.
The kettle whistled and Ali turned to his assistant. “Tahir, please tend to our guest. I need to obtain some suitable gifts for his trouble.” With that, he nodded at the door.
Outside, well away from the building, Ali said, “You did well to bring him here.”
“He must die, of course. But first I thought that you should see him. He knew that I was not the chief of our district. He would not give me all the information he possessed.”
“Offer him ten thousand rupees. If he balks at that, offer him two thousand American dollars. The man’s greed will ensure his compliance. Then arrange to have his body found in ordinary circumstances.”
Kassim almost smiled. “I favor traffic accidents. They happen every day.”
“One more thing, brother.”
“Yes?”
“You have contacts in America?”
“No, not directly. But The Base is worldwide, as you well know.”
Ali thought for a moment. “Well, perhaps it is best if we have no direct line. It will be more difficult to connect us to any… incidents.”
“You are thinking of direct action against the Great Satan?”
“They came here, hunting us. It is only fitting that we hunt them in their lair.”
Kassim’s wolf smile was back. “I shall see to it.”
Officially, alcohol did not exist for SSI personnel in Muslim countries. Unofficially, the leadership invoked a policy based on “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Without realizing it, Terry Keegan brought attention upon himself when Leopole found him sipping something smooth in the cafeteria. He was alone, which Leopole recognized as a bad sign. He put an avuncular hand on the pilot’s shoulder. “Come on, Terry. Time to turn in.”
Keegan’s eyes raised to meet his supervisor’s. The pilot’s eyes were bright blue; Leopole’s were gunmetal blue-gray. “Oh, don’t worry, Frank. I’m not flying tomorrow. Besides, I never drink within fifty feet of an aircraft.”
Leopole ignored the attempt at humor. “You’re still pissed about your flap with Marsh. Okay, you were right then. And I’m right now.”
Keegan waved dismissively. “Shee-it, man. Don’t get me started.” He took another drink.
“Terry, I know about all that. We had this discussion before, remember?”
“Not all of it, we didn’t. I want to fill in the gaps.” He gestured at a chair, and for a moment Leopole considered dragging the tipsy aviator to bed. The 155-pound pilot could not win that contest with Franklin Puller Leopole, 180-pound professional warrior, enthusiastic martial artist, and erstwhile bar fighter. But that would cause more bad blood, and SSI needed its chief pilot up on the step and cruising. Leopole sat down. “Thanks,” Keegan said. He dipped his head in gratitude, then began, “Frank, at age eleven I found out that my church was a lie, thanks to Father O’Brien and Bishop Farullo. At twenty-nine I found that the Home of the Brave was a lie: dozens of admirals were scared shitless of a few female politicians. Then at thirty-one I found that my marriage was a lie when my wife figured I must have done
Leopole looked at his watch. He thought,
Leopole sought to follow the logic. “Most anything with guns and horses.”
Keegan laughed at the sentiment. “I like movies. Especially old ones, where everything works out in the last reel. But one of the best speeches in movie history was in
“I’m afraid I don’t follow you, Terry.”
“Sure you do, Frank. You must feel the same way. Sometimes, at least.”
Leopole was about to agree in principle when Keegan continued. Tapping the table, he said, “Look, Frank,
10
“It will not be as simple as you imagine, brother.”
Imam Mustafah al Latif sipped more tea and replaced the small cup on its saucer beside the thin wafers. His guest, whom he knew as Mohammed Shakir, occasionally paid a visit to the Islamic Fraternal Association on behalf of certain Middle Eastern interests. Shakir’s position as an acting trade representative in the Pakistani embassy ensured freedom of movement and access to well-placed people. But he avoided al Latif’s mosque.
“I recognize the potential for… embarrassment,” Shakir said, choosing his words carefully. Whatever his faults, naivety was not among them. He always couched his messages in general terms, occasionally passing notes that were burned before he departed.
“It is more than that,” al Latif responded. “As you know, Northern Virginia has an active Muslim population but few organizations are approachable for… your likely purposes. Other groups support American initiatives and policies for a variety of reasons. In fact, one of our prominent artists designed a postage stamp for the United States government. Since there is every reason to believe that the more, ah, devoted groups and individuals are under scrutiny, you should seek men without obvious Islamic ties.”
Shakir inclined his head toward the cleric. “Just as you say. Any references would be gratefully received, with a suitable donation to the association for its many good works.”
Al Latif scrawled a list of three names with phone numbers. Handing it to the diplomat, he intoned, “One or two of these will undoubtedly consider whatever you propose. Copy these in your own hand and I will destroy the original. When you make contact, you are not to mention me or this organization.”
“You are extremely cautious, father. I admire your diligence.”
The imam raised his cup in salute. “And I commend your own good work.”
Steve Lee poked his head inside Leopole’s door. “Major Khan’s here. Looks like he has some news.”
