“Why?”
“Don’t know. Don’t want to speculate.”
“It’s a message.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You need to find the sons of bitches who did this.”
It sounded to Brodie like his mandate had just been broadened. Unofficially. “Yes, sir.”
“Does anyone there have any suspects?”
“If they do, they’re not sharing. But Mark Jenkins has some theories he shared with me and Ms. Taylor.”
“Let’s hear it.”
Brodie filled the colonel in on the terrorism and narcotics case in Mannheim that Jenkins and Vance had been working involving the Khazali network. “Jenkins made it clear that this Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia is different than the lone wolves or small cells of Sunni extremists that CID usually investigates, and that it’s possible the Khazali network or an allied group was ordered to assassinate law enforcement involved in the case.”
“That’s interesting,” said Dombroski. “I already put in a general records request with Colonel Trask, but I can flag that narcotics case in particular. Might give us some names and details that Mr. Jenkins was unwilling or unable to share.”
“Good idea.” Brodie also reported Agent David Kim’s Intel about the allegedly Hezbollah-linked Islamic center that was a few blocks from the park where Vance was murdered. “We believe it is reasonable to assume there is some sort of operational connection between Hezbollah and the Khazali network.”
Dombroski thought about that for a moment. “A picture is forming, but don’t stare at it too much. Question your assumptions.”
“I always do. Along with everyone else’s.”
“I know. Meanwhile, it’s a minor miracle that you made a friend in the FBI. See what other details you can get from Agent Kim, and if we get our hands on the CID case records, we might be able to make some concrete connections.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And of course you will share your theories with the German authorities.”
“Of course.” The BKA already knew about the CID narcotics case, and of course they knew about the Al Mahdi Center in Neukölln, but it was possible they had yet to consider a connection between the two. Brodie made a mental note to forget to tell them.
Brodie added, “I should also tell you that Mr. Jenkins believes he is being followed. Two separate incidents.” He briefly recounted what Mark Jenkinshad told them. “This would seem to bolster the theory that a terrorist or other criminal organization is responsible for the murder.”
Dombroski thought about that for a moment. “I don’t know Mark Jenkins. Would you consider him a reliable narrator?”
“He and Harry were close, and he’s angry and grieving, but I believe this happened. Though I am having a hard time understanding why. It makes no sense to try to intimidate a CID agent like this. It’s pointless, high-risk, and counterproductive.”
“Terrorists specialize in pointless and high-risk.” He asked, “How is Ms. Taylor?”
Brodie turned to Taylor, who was sightseeing as they walked but obviously listening to Brodie’s side of the conversation. “She’s grateful to be working with a real pro again.”
Taylor rolled her eyes, then smiled.
Dombroski said, “You might be projecting, but I’m glad it’s working out so far. Anything else to report?”
Should he tell the colonel that they were going beyond their authority and trying to locate Harry Vance’s possible mystery love interest? Probably not. The colonel was expecting them to show initiative, but that didn’t mean he always wanted to know about it. “Nothing else to report, sir.”
“How’s the weather?”
“Sucks.”
“How’s your hotel?”
“We haven’t checked in yet.”
