Sandstorm (21 page)

“This is Alex. I need you to do something for me.”

The voice on the other end waited for instruction.

“Are you in the room with him?” After a short pause, the person answered in the affirmative.

“Tell him you’re talking to me and that I’m standing outside the church.” Alex waited to hear his directions carried out. He also paused to let a woman pass him on the pavement before he continued.

“Ask him if he’s certain the procedure he gave me is correct.”

Alex heard Davis Lipton’s response in the background. His willingness to cooperate so freely gave Alex reason for concern. He checked his perimeter to make sure he wasn’t in earshot of anyone.

“Okay, do you have a silencer?”

The voice on the other end acknowledged that he did.

“Attach it to your gun and put it against his temple.”

Alex could hear Davis protesting as he reacted to what was happening.

“Now, ask the son of a bitch if he gave me the right instructions. Tell him if something goes down in this church because he decided to get cute, you’ll put a bullet in his head. Inform him that I’m about to go in.”

Alex kept the phone to his ear as he slowly climbed the steps.

“Hold it!” The raised tone forced Alex to pull the phone away a little. “He says go to the first pew, grab a bible, make the sign of the cross, and then take a seat in the fourth row of pews on the right. Then wait. If asked, the name is McBride, not Thompson.”

Alex shook his head. Davis was lucky
he
wasn’t there with him. Before Alex opened the huge doors to the church, he spoke into the phone one last time.

“You still have your weapon out?”

“Yes.”

“Is the doc still there?”

“Yes.”

“There’ll be something extra for the inconvenience, but shoot that asshole in the foot. Your choice. Let him experience the pain, and then get him patched up.”

Before he ended the call, Alex could hear a faint, agonized scream.

His mood immediately got better.

CHAPTER
37

Less than twenty-four hours ago, Karl Peters and every resource at his disposal had begun peeling away the layers of Daniel Wassermann’s life. Officially, Wassermann had come to Washington two years ago, thanks to a promotion from his administrative duties for the Knesset in Israel. There were no blemishes to uncover, and Wassermann possessed a healthy appetite for young females. Being under thirty and single, that was totally understandable in the nation’s capital. His personal phone records, Internet searches, and e-mail were bland. His movements during the past several hours bordered on predictability. He left home for work early in the morning, grabbed lunch outside the Israeli embassy, and returned to the job for several more hours before calling it a day. Trading a few body checks with commuters on the Metro, Wassermann was now back where his day began, inside his Adams Morgan–district apartment.

It all made for a very simple, routine life. Just the kind of cleanliness that got one bumped up the ladder. It was all just a tad too neat for Peters’s taste. Through discreet channels, very little information was available about the young man, who somehow managed to remain relatively obscure even while having a high-profile social life and access to the White House.

Karl Peters though, was a patient man.

CHAPTER
38

Alex gazed at the large figure of Jesus Christ mounted high on the cathedral wall. With bible in hand, having made the sign of the cross, he exited the first row of pews and casually walked back to the fourth row, taking a seat after a few steps inward. There was a smattering of tourists milling about in addition to what appeared to be a few locals hoping that God was keeping business hours. An official of the church was on hand to answer questions but also to keep an eye out for the church’s precious artifacts. Alex didn’t see what he’d expected to see, which probably meant he was being carefully watched himself. Trying not to make any moves that might alarm or scare his contact away, Alex slowly retrieved his cell phone from a pants pocket, having just gotten a vibrating text message. It was from Nora, acknowledging his earlier message sent from the cathedral’s steps. In short fashion, she informed him they would be in position soon.

Alex was distracted momentarily by an elderly woman seated a couple of pews ahead to his left. She was mumbling inaudibly; her emotion seemed genuine. He wondered briefly what difficulty life had dealt her that warranted a visit during the week. Surely her devotion had to count for something.

While the elderly woman continued her private conversation with the Almighty, Alex sensed the man easing next to him long before he took a seat.

“We were expecting you much earlier,” the man said, picking up a bible.

“My benefactors work in mysterious ways,” Alex responded.

The remark brought a slight smile to man’s face. “Well, your prayers have been answered. Your shipment is waiting. I’m sure you, as much as I, would like to get this over with as quickly as possible. All the necessary arrangements have been made. I shall be in position to inspect everything at twelve thirty this morning. By daylight at the latest, your cargo should arrive at its destination, and I trust my final payment will be sent shortly after. In the meantime, enjoy a nice meal at one of the fine restaurants Tbilisi has to offer.” The man began to rise but was forced to sit back down as Alex grabbed hold of his sport coat. Based on what Baum was paid, Alex assumed this mysterious partner was due a nice sum as well. Addressing one’s greed was worth a gamble.

“No offense, but I’m not about to sign off on your final payment without being there to ensure everything goes off smoothly. There’s too much at stake.”

“I’m not comfortable with that.”

“We can get someone else,” Alex said matter-of-factly.

The man sat as if in prayer, contemplating his options. Half of his fee had already been paid, and it was a comfortable amount, but he was counting on full payment to cover his overhead. Protection, for instance, was not a cheap commodity in today’s dangerous marketplace.

“Fine, suit yourself. But only you. If you’re not alone, you’ll have to get someone else. However, at this late date, I’m sure that will cost you more than just money.”

Alex could tell he had ruffled the man’s comfort zone with his demand. The swift acceptance indicated the man wanted his final payment badly.

“So, where shall I meet you?”

The man thought about it for a moment. “Outside the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. You should have no trouble finding your way.”

“That works for me. I’ll see you there.”

“Eleven o’clock.” The man began to rise again, only this time, pausing and sitting back down was his idea.

“I almost forgot. Please wait ten minutes before you exit the church. If you try to leave earlier, that poor old woman will certainly be repentant after putting a bullet in you.”

Alex glanced at the heartbroken woman a few pews ahead. She raised her hand above the pew so that Alex could see part of the automatic weapon otherwise concealed by her clothing.

“She’s so sweet. Now, I’ll also take your cell phone. I’ll be sure to return it when I see you later.”

Before Alex did as requested, he addressed the old woman, keeping silent as he mouthed, “You’re going to hell.” She responded by giving him the finger.

Alex slowly reached inside his jacket pocket and produced a cell phone, reluctantly handing it over. Little did the man know the phone wasn’t his and that it was password protected. Alex’s phone still rested in his pants pocket. The man left just as quietly as he had come. Alex watched his exit, taking in as much as he could before the cathedral doors glided shut. When he turned back around, the grieving woman was maintaining her cover while focusing on Alex. He lifted his arm to check his watch, which forced her attention to shift momentarily. He slid his other hand in his pants pocket and went about slowly texting Nora.

Outside the cathedral, the interracial couple flagged down a woman who’d been jogging. They politely asked her to take a picture of them with the sun setting in the background. It would make for a romantic memory. The jogger didn’t seem overly pleased at having her exercise interrupted, but she obliged. As she angled the couple’s cell phone to take the picture, Sara read the text message Nora had just received.

Man leaving church. Short thin blond hair. Dark rumpled jacket. Don’t lose him.

A small flash filled the short space as Duncan and Nora embraced with affectionate smiles. Sara picked up her target easily enough as he strode away from the church. His pace exceeded others on the street, and Sara was relieved to see there was no vehicle in sight to pick him up. She was sure, though, that there’d be some form of transportation at the bottom of the hill, not far from where Nora and Duncan had left the car. Sara had handed them the keys about a half mile from the cathedral, opting to jog the remainder of the distance, needing to work up a sweat to give her credibility. She nodded after being bestowed with a “Thank you so much,” adding an inconvenienced smile as she handed the cell phone back, stealthily retrieving the car key in return. She then took off jogging again, this time in the direction of the man she’d been told not to lose. For Nora and Duncan, there was one more thing to do before they made their exit. They held each other close as they continued their lovers’ stroll. They were nearly upon the seated figure Alex had texted them about before he entered the church. Approaching quietly from behind, they could tell by the angle of his head that he was more interested in what was happening in front of him. He was making sure the man who’d exited the church went on his way unimpeded and had no one on his tail. The vantage point also afforded him a bird’s-eye view of the cathedral’s entrance. If need be, putting a bullet in the tall, muscular man should he emerge from the church too early would be simple target practice. With everything he was concerned about in plain view, his flank was of little concern. He was so startled by Nora appearing at his side, that he nearly dropped his book. He fumbled to secure it, wrestling with whether to keep his attention on the cathedral’s entrance or the attractive woman suddenly next to him. He’d seen her before. In fact, one question was answered. She was as stunning up close as she was from a distance.

“Oh, I’m sorry if I’ve startled you,” Nora said sheepishly, holding out a map in her hands. “First, I hope you speak English, and second, I hope you can tell me how far I am from something.”

The man shrugged his shoulders, hoping the woman didn’t notice he was buttoning his jacket to conceal the weapon tucked in at the waist. “I understand a little English.” The dark sunglasses allowed him a good glimpse of her cleavage. It was enough of a look to satisfy, and then he brought himself back into the moment, remembering he was working. “What are you trying to find?”

It then dawned on him. Where was the big brown-skinned man she was with? They had been a couple, arm in arm, kisses on the cheek. The cheek! Lovers caught up in moments of endearment didn’t settle for the cheek. The man began a quick shift in his seat to check behind him, unbuttoning his jacket as he did so. Duncan reached him before his torso was in position. The syringe was thrust quickly into his neck, the potent tranquilizer pushed through as Nora restrained his gun hand. He desperately tried to dislodge her hands with his free one, but the strength to resist rapidly drained from his body. A few seconds later, he slumped into unconsciousness. Duncan withdrew the needle and held him up as Nora situated the book back in his hands and adjusted his hat to cover more of his forehead. They let him gently slope into the corner of the bench, the side armrest holding him in place. Duncan then came around to grab Nora’s waiting hand, and the loving couple continued on their way, passing the cathedral as its doors swung open.

Alex emerged looking slightly annoyed. He took note of the man sitting on the bench but didn’t fixate and only casually registered the interracial couple passing before him.

The doors behind him slowly opened as the elderly woman was on his heels. She looked to her left with admiration. That Oleg was such a damn professional! She considered herself capable, but not yet in his class. He played the part so well. Look at him over there, looking so comfortable, so laid back. A book occupying his hands, his hat pulled down low, sunglasses covering eyes that she knew were watching everything.

She then looked up at the tall stranger next to her, a sardonic smirk drawn on her face.

“May God bless you,” she spat out in barely audible English, making the sign of the cross. Alex looked down at her with a raised eyebrow and watched as she gingerly took each step before proceeding on her way.

Some people you never wanted to see again in your lifetime.

CHAPTER
39

The rain continued its assault on the Beltway. Morning rush hour traffic didn’t need any assistance to be a pain in the ass. Mother Nature could close schools and virtually shut down the government when snowfall reached an inch. Rain on the Beltway had the potential to push people over the edge. George Champion didn’t need any more stress in his life. He avoided adding to it by being an early riser who found a measure of peace in avoiding the bumper-to-bumper congestion of people seemingly in a hurry to get to jobs they generally didn’t enjoy in the first place.

Considering the pay scale, the consensus was that the majority of employees at the Central Intelligence Agency actually wanted to be here. They believed their overall reward was in helping to ensure that not only themselves, but also others could go home at night to a sensible and safe world. That ideology was tested on a daily basis, because there were days when it seemed the world was coming apart at the seams. There were no quick fixes anymore either. Not with rampant governmental oversight and more intelligence-gathering agencies on the federal dime than it seemed there were liquor stores in the District. Solving problems now had to get done one stitch at a time.