“No, no, I’m not crazy. Like you, I have no wish to harm innocent civilians. This is protected water, used only for the government. It’s separated from the rest of the city and only pumps into government buildings, like the DEA and FBI.”
That was a complete lie, but Flynn seemed to take the statement at facevalue, which was encouraging, but Sardar could tell he wasn’t sold on continuing. Yet.
Tusk asked, “Why do you want to dump it there?”
“I want to make a statement to the CIA. The other government agencies just happened to be along for the ride.”
Flynn raised his hands and said, “I don’t care what you want. No fucking way, man. Pay me for the truck and we’re done.”
“You have a problem attacking the government now? You killed a sheriff.”
“I got no issues fucking with the man. I do, however, have issues with being chased for causing a terrorist attack in my nation’s capital. Stealing a truck and smuggling fentanyl is one thing. I know how that pressure from the law goes. What you’re talking about is something else.”
“Nobody will know it’s you. That’s the whole point. Nobody will suspect you. And you make double.”
“Did you see 9/11 man? We didn’t send out the FBI after that. We invaded two fucking countries, bombing the shit out of everything that moved. I don’t need that heat.”
Tusk said, “My name’s on the CDL for the truck. It won’t take long to figure that shit out.”
Sardar said, “What were you going to do before? After you gave me the truck?”
“Take your money and disappear. That’s easy when we’re talking about fentanyl and grand theft. Not so easy when we’re talking about what you’re proposing.”
“So you dump the load, then take the truck somewhere else and leave it. Set it on fire or whatever. They won’t connect the two, and you’ll have twice the money to disappear.”
“Only if we don’t get caught with our dicks in our hands pumping that shit into the water. That place has got to be full of cameras and security.”
“Yes, the reservoir does, but not where I’m going to dump it. I’ve done the research. You pull up, drain the tanks, then drive away. That’s it.”
Flynn stared at him for a minute, then said, “Give me a moment with my man here.”
Sardar nodded, and walked away, moving to the ropes separating the guests from the elephants. He waited for about six minutes, then felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, and Flynn said, “You sure that water only goes to the government?”
“Yes, yes. Positive. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11 they created a special water supply to protect the government security apparatus. They get protected water now, and you have—as you say—the chance to fuck with the man, andonlythe man. Like I said, I have no wish to harm civilians.”
Flynn nodded and said, “So the DEA, ATF, and FBI will get hit?”
Sardar nodded, and Flynn said, “We’ll do it. But you bring the payment with you. If you don’t have it, we’re driving away.”
Chapter 73
Knuckles found George Wolffe in his office, talking on the phone. Wolffe saw them and waved to two seats in front of his desk. He listened on the phone for a few seconds, then said, “I agree, it’s not optimal, but right now Pike’s the closest element we have to the crisis site. If you get something in play, he’ll stand down, but until then, he’s staying in the fight.”
He hung up and rubbed his face. Knuckles said, “Pike screwing things up again?”
Wolffe said, “That was Oglethorpe. He’s got JSOC spun up and is afraid that Pike will compromise their ability to conduct hostage rescue. They’re launching from Bragg right now, and he wants Pike to stand down, letting them take over the entire mission set in coordination with Israel and Argentina.”
Brett chuckled, saying, “Wow. So in fifteen hours they’ll touch down somewhere—where that is, we don’t know yet—and then will spend another fifteen building a target package. There’s no way they’ll be able to resolve this. It’s going to happen a hell of a lot sooner.”
“Yeah, I agree, but try telling the military or Department of State that the fate of the hostages resides in a four-man pickup team of Americans and Israelis.”
“You mean two men and two women.”
Wolffe smiled and said, “You’re making their point, as far as they’re concerned.”
Knuckles said, “Obviously, they’ve never met Shoshana.”
“Well, she may be a killer, but I’d rather have you guys down there with him right now. Why did Pike send you up here again?”
