Page 106 of No Going Back

“No. After all these years, I have my contacts.”

Tyler placed an envelope of cash on the table.

“Tyler, that’s not necessary.”

“Yes, it is. Take it.” He pushed the envelope toward her and she took it.

“Still bossy, I see.”

Tyler smiled.

“So, were you able to find anything out?” He’d bought a burner and called Tanya from the airport as soon as they landed. He’d asked her for the weapon and information. Having been in Pakistan for almost a year, if anyone had contacts, Tanya would. He trusted her, well mostly. At least more than anyone else in this damn country.

“Reborn are well known, obviously. But authorities here deny there’s any connection to Pakistan.”

“No kidding. Pakistan’s a US ally, they don’t want to be seen harboring anyone connected to a wanted terrorist organization.”

“Exactly. However, when you mentioned Aziz, I made some inquiries. Went to visit the hotel myself. You’d be surprised how a little cash will make staff loosen their lips.”

Tyler wasn’t surprised at all. Everyone loved a little free cash.

“His daughter is living there, with her son. No one I spoke to had anything bad to say about them. No one seems to know anything about her husband. Is Lazir still alive?”

Tyler held her gaze. “I can neither confirm nor deny.”

Tanya shrugged. “Worth a shot. Anyway, as for Aziz, he comes and goes. Sometimes gone for days. When I left the hotel yesterday, he wasn’t there. Hadn’t been there in over a week. No one knew where he was or is, or when he’d be back.”

“He lives at the hotel, too, right?”

“Yes. Has a suite on the top floor. Alone. His wife died giving birth. His daughter and grandson have an adjoining suite.”

“Westerners stay at this hotel, right?”

“Yes. If you’re planning on going there, you wouldn’t be out of place.”

He was going there alright. If he had to wait outside for that fucker to show his face, that’s what he would do.

“Tyler, Reborn are bad news. You know that. They are growing steadily here and in Daram. Anti-American. Hell, anti-everyone except themselves. This new Dawning of Allah shit is just that. Shit. They are not spreading the word of their God. This is about power and greed. Reborn want to overthrow the Daram government. Locals believe their plan is to make a big enough name for themselves, that they can’t be ignored. The bombing in San Diego, is probably just the start of what is planned. Attacks like that bring more like-minded followers. There are a lot of people who will join their cause.” Tanya air quoted, emphasizing the word “cause.”

“They are brainwashing or forcing people to join them,” she continued. “It is spreading outside Daram to other cities. Their reach goes far. As you know, they are recruiting in America, too. Killing Americans gives them recognition, the power they crave.”

“Yeah, we’re aware of their plans,” Tyler said. “Good news is we took down a large part of their network, so hopefully that slows them down a little and gives me a chance to find him.”

“I thought you said you were out?” Tanya arched an eyebrow.

Tyler ignored the question. “Do any of your sources have any idea who is leading the attacks? Aziz is not a soldier. If he is just the money man, someone else is running the show.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m not going to,” he said honestly.

Tanya shook her head. “Tyler, until you mentioned Aziz, I dd not even think he was connected to Reborn. Do you have actual evidence to connect him?”

Tyler stayed quiet, not answering her again.

“Just because he’s Lazir’s father-in-law, doesn’t mean he’s involved. Aziz was born in Daram, fled to Pakistan to avoid the war that was going on there. He might just be glad to have his daughter safe and sound in his hotel and finally free from Lazir.”

She was right. It was a possibility, but his gut told him Aziz was involved. The man was loaded and Reborn appeared to have unlimited funds. The photos Mira had of him with Zaid Khan, the pieces all fit. The fucker was in this. Maybe even leading it.

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