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“May I ask why?”
Ross thought it over briefly. He was here to build a relationship and that wouldn’t happen unless he opened up. “Mitch Rapp is a very dangerous man. Under the best of circumstances he is extremely difficult to manage. Now, I’m afraid he will be impossible.”
“You think he will want revenge against whoever killed his wife.”
Ross nodded. “I can’t say I blame him, but we can’t have him running around executing people. It would look very bad for the United States.”
Rashid nodded his agreement. “Is there any evidence?”
“There is one small bit of intel that points to one of your countrymen.” Ross arched his right brow. “But the evidence is so thin I can’t even remember his name.”
Rashid was trying desperately to stay calm. “What did this man do?”
“Apparently he placed a bounty on Rapp’s head. I doubt he’s the first person to do that.”
“Bounty,” Rashid repeated the word. “Was it a bounty or a fatwa?” Rashid knew several Islamic clerics who had laid down fatwas demanding Rapp’s death. He had no idea if Ross understood the difference.
“A bounty. The man is very wealthy.”
Rashid’s stomach tightened. “Why would a wealthy Saudi want Mitch Rapp killed?”
“Apparently Rapp killed his son last spring in Afghanistan during a counterterrorism operation.”
The entire room went out of focus for a second. Rashid regained his composure a moment later and told Ross, “Get me the person’s name and I will see what I can find out.” Rashid did not need the man’s name because he already knew it, but appearances must be kept up. “It is not good for anyone to have these loose cannons causing us such problems.”
“No, it isn’t.”
Rashid set his napkin down and push
ed his chair back. He stood and Ross followed suit. The two men walked along the opposite end of the table and met by the door. Rashid reached out and touched Ross’s elbow. “This killing must stop. It is very bad for our two countries.”
“I agree.”
“I promise you, I will get to the bottom of this. If any Saudi had a hand in this, they will be punished.” Rashid stopped and faced the director of National Intelligence. “I warn you, though, that Mitch Rapp must not meddle in the affairs of Saudi Arabia.”
“I understand this and have already spoken to the president.”
“Good.”
The two men continued into the large entrance hall where Ross’s people were waiting. Rashid turned to Ross and said, “We have many beautiful horses for you to choose from. If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes I must freshen up and then I will join you in the paddock.”
The prince’s personal assistant came forward and gestured for the group to follow. When they were gone, Rashid walked quickly to the library. His calm, austere façade had vanished. His perfect morning had turned disastrous in a matter of minutes. Mitch Rapp would no sooner stay out of Saudi Arabia’s business than the sun would fail to set. His wife was dead and he was alive. Things could not have gone any worse. Rashid sprang through the library doors and slammed them shut behind him. Tayyib was pacing behind the desk, his arms folded and his chin down. A set of headphones lay on the desk next to an open briefcase. The curtains at both ends of the room were drawn.
“Did you hear everything?” Rashid asked.
“Yes.”
“Is it possible it is a trap? To see if I had a hand in this?”
“Possible, yes, but doubtful.”
“What course do you advise?”
“The German must die immediately.”
“Make it so.”
“And I regret to suggest that Saeed Ahmed Abdullah should meet an untimely end.”
