Out Of The Night (23 page)

“Tony, is there really a chance you can save Joe?”

He put his hand on hers and smiled. “I’m going to try like hell. I’ll need your help.”

“Me?” She pressed her hands to her chest. “But what can a woman do over here?”

“A lot more than you think.?

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Georgetown

Senator Parker went down the stairs to the breakfast table and joined his family. His wife stood between the counter and stove, her arms crossed. Nick pulled out a chair and wondered what the hell had crawled up her ass and died.

More of the mistress drama, he guessed. If she said anything, he planned to file for a divorce as soon as he won the election. He didn’t need her after that. Besides, he’d rather be a single man than tied down to a bitchy wife and two spoiled brats.

“Kids, Peggy next door is taking you to camp this morning.”
His wife picked up the newspaper. “She’s waiting for you outside.”

On cue, the kids left. As he poured himself a cup of coffee and prepared to take his first sip, the newspaper flew through the air and knocked the cup from his hand.

“Damn it.” He jumped to his feet and swatted at the coffee spilled in his lap. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

She smiled sadistically. “Not me
, Nick. But you have. Read the paper. You’re on the front page.”

Black rage pounded against his temples. With a snap, he opened the paper. Right there in black and white were copies of the bids on the construction project. Also, his face covered half the page with accusations that he’d rigged the bidding and how he, Brad Hall
, and Karla Moore were all under indictment.

He’d no sooner glanced over the typed words than the doorbell rang. He quickly looked at the door, then his wife. The bitch knew.

“Come on in, officers. The door is unlocked.” She smiled at him. “And who says there’s no justice in the world?”

Dallas, Texas

Zoe
stepped into Frank’s office with her iPad. “I just got word. Arman says Tony found where Joe is, but he doesn’t have him yet.”

Frank folded his hands. “Does he need anything?”

“Arman is handling Joe’s extraction if Tony can get him to the designated area.”

“Any news on Tony’s memory?”

“I think he’s getting a little better as time goes on. We’ll have to wait and see.” Zoe looked away. “Maybe he’ll never be the same again.”

“Let’s not go down that path until we have to.” Frank shook his head. “I just got off the phone. Viktor Pertinolf
left Moscow, heading for Syria.”

Zoe blinked. “
Tony.” She balled her fist as a flash of anger stabbed her in the stomach. “He’s gone after Tony.”

Frank
cleared his throat. “I’m trying to get through to Tony and let him know that Viktor is no doubt after him.”

Zoe took the visitor’s chair in front of Frank’s desk. “What about that mess in Washington? I was so surprised when I heard from Bea Waters about all that nonsense.”

“You did save that phone recording, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Just in case this thing backfires on us, we have proof Karla Moore inquired about Tony. While that isn’t a lot, with all the other evidence Jake and Vince found, I think we can pretty much shut that case.”

“Don’t forget Vince has the phone records and emails
from Parker and Hall trying to find the bogus American contractor, Hal Miller. We put them on the trail of a person who doesn’t exist in the Middle East who was supposedly helping hide Tony.”

Frank laughed. “You and Bea had quite a little spy net going there for a while
, but it does prove they were out to harm one of our agents.”

“What about Green Gulf Construction and Mohammad el Genoez?”

“The government shut off the funds for that and gave the job to an American company. So, no money is going to el Genoez or el Jibar.”

“I wonder if they know that yet.”

“We know Parker does. They arrested him today.”

“Now
, we just have to pray Tony gets Joe back home safely.”

“He will. Tony is very good at this stuff.”

Zoe stood to leave.

“How is Second Chances doing?” Frank asked.

Zoe smiled. “Wonderful. Several new women have found permanent jobs and are on their way to a new life. All thanks to you. Every time you attend a social function, donations soar.”

Frank waved her away. “Oh, I only mention it once and awhile.”

“No, you’ve made sure these women have hope.”

“Nobody works harder than you do, Zoe. And I’m very proud of what you do.”

“I do it because you gave me a second chance at life.”

Frank put on his readers as a sign he’d had enough of her patting
him on the back.

Damascus

Abby waited in the hot car while Tony ran into an alley off one of the busier streets. The pedestrians barely noticed her. She looked like an Arabic woman waiting in the car while her husband conducted business. In this area that was acceptable. For her to get out and walk the street without Tony could draw unwanted attention.

That did little to slow down her heart rate. She jiggled her foot in anticipation of Tony’s return. She had no idea what he had in mind, but they really needed to hurry if they hoped to save Joe.

Soon Tony came out of the alley and motioned her to come his way. Confused, Abby looked to make sure she understood. With his insistence, she left their car and moved swiftly to stand beside him.
“What are we doing?”

He took her hand. “Come with me.”
He led her around a corner where a white van waited. “Get in.”

“This looks like the vehicle e
l Jibar had.”

“That’s the point.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will.” He pulled out of th
e alley and headed in the direction Joe was being held.

“Are we going for Joe now?”

“I have to make a quick stop first then we’ll go there.” He looked at her, his gray eyes tracing her face. “I need to find a place where you’ll be safe.”

“I’m safe with you.”

“I can’t take the chance that el Jibar will get his hands on you. He’ll kill you in an instant.”

When Tony stopped at an optometrist shop, he insisted she go with him. They entered the
business and a woman with a deep smile greeted them. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m here to pick up a package you
’re to have ready for me.”

Without another word
, the woman took out a bag, shoved it at Tony, and motioned him to the back room. Left alone with the woman, Abby smiled weakly, pretending to check out the frames.

As for the clerk, she completely ignored
Abby and went about what appeared her normal activities. Abby kept looking at the door Tony had disappeared through, mentally willing him to return.

After several minutes
, Abby decided she’d waited long enough and walked in the direction of the back room.

The woman stopp
ed her with a single word. “No.”

“I want to check on my husband.”

The woman looked away. “He is not your husband. He works for Falcon Securities. Leave him be so he can do what he must.”

Abb
y looked out the glass window at the parade of people passing by. “I’m worried for him. That’s all.”

“He won’t be much longer.”

For the next five minutes, Abby could do nothing but wring her hands and pace the floor. Then the door to the back room opened and el Jibar walked out.

Abby
’s heart seized and she ran for the door.

“Abby,” Tony called out.

She stopped and turned.

“It’s me, Tony.”

“You…you look just like him.”

“That’s a little make-up, a beard and a wig, and black contacts.”

“Oh, my God. I never imagined you could disguise yourself so well.” Slowly, she walked to him, her eyes narrowed as she took in every detail of his makeover. He was the same height and dressed exactly as she remembered el Jibar earlier today, but Tony was heavier and broader in the shoulders.

The hair and beard were perfect. As he met her in the middle of the store
, she discovered he walked exactly like the man holding Joe prisoner.

Tony held out his arms. “From the look on your face, I see I’m quite convincing.”

“You are.”

“Good, let’s get this over with.” They exited the shop
, and Tony opened the door to the van for her to get in. “I’d hoped to hide you somewhere, but I can’t because I need you to drive the van after I get Joe.”

He moved to the opposite side and slid behind the wheel. “I don’t think he
’s going to be able to walk out on his own. This way, I can stash him in the van while you drive.”

“But I’m a woman. Won’t that look suspicious?”

“The windows are tinted, and you’ll be going so fast no one will get a look at you.”

“Where do I drive to?”

“Right now, Arman has a helicopter waiting just outside the city gates near a friendly compound.” He turned sharply down a bumpy road.

“Okay, as long as you get out alive.” She stroked his arm. “Please don’t get yourself killed.”

“I’ll try really hard not to do that.”

Far too soon
, they were on the same street where Joe was being held. As Tony pulled up next to the warehouse, he reached over and kissed her mouth.

“I love you,” she whispered. “Please come back to me.”

“I will, sweetheart. This is going to work, trust me.” With that, he stepped out of the van and moved toward the unknown.

***

Tony continued down the road in total el Jibar manner—shorter steps, arms loose with very little swing. His shoulders back, his chest high. All the movements he’d memorized when he’d watched el Jibar earlier. Now, he had to pull off the voice and mannerisms. Those he wasn’t so sure of, but this would get him inside.

He stopped in front of the
entrance and glanced back at Abby. He worried because of her involvement, and he’d never forgive himself if anything happened to her.

Tony raised his fist and pounded on the door. Within seconds
, an eyeball looked out the crack. A few seconds later the doors were opened and he entered.

Inside, he folded his arms behind his back and walked toward the hanging prisoner. “Get him down.”

The tall, skinny one stepped forward. “What?”

The other said, “He is close to breaking. I can feel it, el Jibar.”

Tony looked across the room and noticed a table with food in paper wrappers. “What you say is true, but a little reprieve might do us all good.” He waved them aside. “You two may go back to your meal. We’ll begin again in an hour or so.”

The first to speak eyed him dangerously. “I don’t understand.”

“It is not for you to understand,” Tony shouted. “You simply do as you are told. I am in charge here. Not you.”

The man put his hands together, bowed and backed away. “Let
’s get him down, Ali. Do as el Jibar says.”

Tony knew it would take two men to get Joe down. If he came in guns blazing, he would have a hard time freeing the prisoner and getting them both out alive. He didn’t know if other men waited in the surrounding area.

“And give him some water. A dead man is of no value to us, Ali.”

The man climbed up and unhooked the lever holding the chain to the ceiling. The other man wrapped his arms around Joe’s calves
, and they lowered him to the ground.

Joe screamed in agony.

Ali swung down and grabbed a cup of water from the table. He held Joe’s head while he drank greedily.

Seeing his friend in such anguish sent a flash of anger dead cent
er to Tony’s chest. How cruelly men could treat each other.

“I think it wise if we let him rest a little.”

The taller one walked up to him and narrowed his left eye. He gazed into Tony’s face and drew his weapon. “You are not el Jibar.”

Tony lowered his head and gritted his teeth
. “What are you doing? You fool.”

“No, I am not a fool. I kno
w el Jibar, and you do not have the hatred in your eyes he does. You are an imposter.”

“Faraj,” Ali screamed. “You are being most disrespectful.”

“No, I am keeping this man from taking our prisoner.”

“What if you are wrong, my friend? You think I do
not have hatred enough for you?” Tony stepped forward and jabbed the man in the chest with his finger. “You think you know me, but I know you, Faraj. I know the women you have raped, and the men you have killed. Put that gun down now or I will have Ali kill you where you stand.”

Faraj shook his head. “No, no, I am right.”

Tony snatched the gun from the man’s hand and slapped him. Turning the gun on el Jibar’s top man, Tony backed away. “Both of you get on the floor now.”