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“I’m listening,” Nash said calmly, even though he wasn’t calm. His worst fears were being confirmed.

“I need assurances.”

“We can work that out.”

Al-Haq exhaled a cloud of smoke and laughed. “I am going to need more than the word of a professional spy.”

“What would satisfy you?”

“I have a lawyer in Bern. I will need a letter from your president guaranteeing me the following…”

Before he could list his demands, Nash cut him off. “That’s not going to happen. There is no way the president is going to get anywhere near something that even remotely makes him look like he is negotiating with a terrorist.”

“The letter will only be used if you fail to follow through on your part of the bargain.”

“It’s a nonstarter, Mohammad.”

Al-Haq ignored him. “There is a two-million-dollar reward for my arrest. I want that money for turning myself in, and I want a new identity. If we can agree on that, and a few more things, I will cooperate fully with you. I will tell you everything I know, but you must report…” His voice faded.

“Report what?”

“That I am dead.”

Nash understood immediately. He wanted to protect his family. Nash stuffed his cigarette in his mouth to hide his deep satisfaction. He was staring at what amounted to their first high-level defection. This could be huge, he thought to himself. Nash leaned forward and pointed his cigarette at al-Haq. “Mohammad, I think I can make this work, but the agreement will have to be between the director of the CIA and you. If I get any politicians involved, they’ll screw it up.”

Al-Haq thought about it for a long moment and in a voice filled with doubt and anxiety said, “I need assurances.”

“I will get you assurances. I know I can get you the money, but this is the type of thing that has to be handled in the dark. There is no other way.”

Al-Haq didn’t like what he was hearing. He had no faith in this man or the organization he represented. He shook his head, his face showing h

is discomfort.

“Mohammad, if you want to go public, there’s a way I can sell this,” Nash said in a reasonable tone. “The president would love nothing more than to announce that you’ve defected. Have you stand up in front of the cameras and repudiate al-Qaeda and the Taliban, but if you do that your family is going to be slaughtered.”

The words hit al-Haq like a knife in the side. After a moment he said, “I do not want that.”

“Then the only option is to do this in the dark. In fact we might even want to announce that you’ve been killed.”

“That would be very convenient for you.”

“I think it is a mutually beneficial solution.”

“But can I trust you?”

“You’d better.”

“Why?”

“Because if you don’t, I’m going to be forced to turn you over to General Dostum. I might not get the information out of you as quickly as I’d like, but ultimately, you’ll give me what I want.”

Al-Haq fidgeted in his chair. His eyes darted from one wall to the next and then back to Nash. “There is not much time.”

“What do you mean?”

“The third cell…” Al-Haq’s voice trailed off.

“What about the third cell?” Nash asked while trying to stay calm.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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