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euver him, and the Secret Service men were an effort to do just that. Rapp would be reluctant to use deadly force against the American security detail, while they would have no such misgivings where he was concerned. It was far from being an assurance, but it was the most logical course of action while he was on U.S. soil.
The Secret Service agents had spread out on the street and were scanning the light traffic with practiced eyes. Finally, two of them disappeared into a coffee shop to the north.
Nassar had wasted no time getting to Bismarck, going directly to his plane from his meeting at the Oval Office. Despite this, it was certain that Irene Kennedy knew of his whereabouts. Was that duplicitous bitch involved? Had she quietly sent Rapp Nassar’s flight plan? Was the CIA assassin out there, clean-shaven and blending in with the slack-jawed farmers?
Nassar’s phone rang, and he looked at the secure number, initially moving to dismiss it but then thinking better. He needed a distraction and would have to speak to the man soon anyway. Nassar slid down in his seat a few more inches and picked up.
“Hello, Qadir.”
“Zaman and el-Hashem are dead and you haven’t been returning my calls!” came the panicked response. “Rumors are that Mitch Rapp was involved. Is there any truth to this?”
“I’m afraid there is.”
“What action are you taking?” he screeched. “I demand that—”
“Qadir! Be calm!”
“Calm? How can you even say this to me? I’m told that you’re in America with heavy security. I’m at my home with my wife and children. He could walk in here at any moment and—”
“You think I’m safer in America?” Nassar cut in angrily. “In his home country? Quit acting like an old woman. Are you afraid to meet God after having done His work? Is there some reason for you to fear His judgment?”
The man didn’t respond and Nassar softened his tone. He needed Qadir to hold together for just a bit longer.
“I already have a security team watching you, your house, and your family. But because this situation is escalating, it’s going to be necessary to move you. A safe house is being set up for you near al-Ghat. You’ll be collected tonight and moved there until I can deal with the Rapp situation.”
“‘Deal with the Rapp situation’? How many people have said that in the past, Aali? Just how do you intend to ‘deal with the Rapp situation’?”
Qadir Sultan was the last man who knew of Nassar’s direct involvement with ISIS and, as such, was currently the second greatest threat to him. While it was true that two Saudi intelligence officers would retrieve him that night, neither they nor Sultan would ever arrive at the safe house. Instead, their bodies would be discovered by the side of the road, each with a single bullet wound to the head. “I said I’m dealing with it, Qadir. How is not your concern.”
One of the Secret Service men exited the coffee shop and signaled that it was secure, prompting Nassar to disconnect the call. He got out of the car, fighting the urge to crouch as he walked. The sense of relief he felt when he stepped off the exposed street and into the building was palpable.
The tiny restaurant was only about half full and Joel Wilson was eating a sandwich near its center. Nassar approached and leaned down in order to speak to him at a level that would be inaudible to the other patrons.
“Special Agent Wilson? I wonder if I might have a word with you.”
He looked up from the tablet he was reading and spoke with a full mouth. “I’m having lunch. What do you want?”
“I’m Aali Nassar.”
“Is that supposed to mean something to me?”
“I don’t guess it would. I’m the chief of Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Directorate.”
That captured the man’s attention, but he remained understandably skeptical. “Just out touring the Dakotas, are you?”
“I assure you that I am who I say I am, Joel. May I call you Joel?”
“Whatever works for you.”
“Could we move to a booth and speak for a moment?”
“What’s wrong with right here?”
Nassar leaned in a little closer. “I’d like our conversation to be private, and because I’d feel more comfortable with my back to the wall.”
“Why?”
“Because Mitch Rapp is trying to assassinate me.”
