“Two million people in India won’t make a dent,” frowned the man, slowly closing his eyes.
“It will make an impression,” said Isaac.“The world will take notice.Military leaders will take notice.They’ll think it’s a pandemic of some sort.No one will figure out what we’re trying to do and no one will understand how we’re doing it.It’s all so simple, really.You just had to have the vision, the fore-thought to imagine the possibilities.”
“You know, Isaac, I appreciate your brilliance but couldn’t it have been focused on cancer research or irradicating type one diabetes or something like that?”
“Are you losing your nerve?” he growled low, leaning forward toward his friend.“Are you going to turn on me, Leo?Because if you think you are, I can tell you that you won’t live through it.”
Leo leaned forward, gripping the man’s lapels.
“Don’t threaten me, Isaac.I know all too well how your mind works and what you’re capable of.But don’t underestimate me.I’ve killed more men with my bare hands than you can possibly imagine.You need me to make introductions for you and to get you through these blockades.You.Need me.Not the other way around.
“I could get off this train, take my money and hide on an island for the rest of my life.I don’t have visions of grandeur and glory.Been there done that.I just want to be able to live a peaceful life, alone, away from the chaos of D.C. and the United States military.”
“Oh yes, the great warrior heroically fighting for his country in wars and skirmishes that no one gave a damn about,” he said sarcastically.
“We all see your medals on your chest, parading through the halls of the Pentagon and military installations worldwide.We get that you’re a big deal,” said Isaac in air quotes.
“Don’t forget, Leo.We’re family.Cousins,” he smirked.“Or should I say brother-cousins.Of course, we are the way we are because of our parents marrying when they shouldn’t have.I mean everyone knows that second cousins shouldn’t marry but I guess there’s no accounting for love.”
“There’s nothing wrong with either of us,” said Leo staring at Isaac.“Your intelligence isn’t due to our parents marrying one another.You have a gifted mind.My health issues are due to exposures in the military.”
“You really are tirelessly naïve, Leo.”He leaned back in his seat, reclining it so that he could close his eyes and get some rest.Leo stared at him.There were so many times he wanted to kill him but couldn’t let himself do it.His own flesh and blood.Too much blood in fact.
“Not naïve, Isaac.Realistic.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“General Yashim, thank you for seeing us,” said Logan.“My father says to tell you hello.”
“The giant of giant killers,” smirked the old man.“I am grateful for his friendship.The two men you are chasing passed through Israel and into Syria by bus, posing as aid workers.When they arrived in Syria, they made their way across the country by train and to Al Taibeh.”He shook his head looking off into the distance.
“We’ll find them,” said Conor.
“I know that you will but what they’re doing,” he said still shaking his head in disbelief, “it’s horrible.These people in some of these areas, they knowing nothing other than marrying their own kind.Cousins, close and distant, and yes, sometimes closer.But they know nothing else.Killing them serves no purpose.”
“That’s the problem, sir.These men believe it will cleanse the world of certain illnesses and diseases, and more importantly, thin the population,” said Fitch.
“It would do those things but I’m going to bet that they also believe it will create an impact on the environment,” said the general.
The men all nodded, realizing he was right.The populations put a strain on the environment, food sources, oil, gas, everything.It could be seen as a desired outcome to many governments.
“Do we know where they are now?” asked Sor.
“We believe they’ve continued by train, east.What we don’t know is if they plan on making stops along the way and repeating their crime.If I had to guess, and I’m not a man prone to guessing games, they are headed to India.”
“India,” whispered Pax.“They could wipe out millions in areas of India.”
“Yes, they could,” said the general.“I’ve notified counterparts along the route, hoping they can find the two men.Some of them will opt to protect them, you must know that.This man, Wadston, seems to have a penchant for disguises.We’ve struggled to put together a photo of his real identity.”
“We thought we knew his real name,” said Saint.“Isaac Wadston is the name he used to get onto military bases and ships, always when General Fitzwilliam was with him.But we don’t know if that’s truly his birth name.”
“Well, if I might offer you some advice, always go back to the source.”
“If you’ll forgive us, General, that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Logan.“We’ve gone back to when we believe they first met.”
“Yes, that’s logical but what about their starts in life.Who were their parents?Are they still living?Do they have siblings who could help them?In our country, when we can’t find someone we simply contact the family members and someone always knows something.”
“Hold tight.Checking records now.”The calm, reassuring voice of AJ made them all smirk.The general just stared at them, not questioning a thing.
