Page 134 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“It makes sense,” Noah said. “In general, arms dealers don’t grow old, they get taken out. Fariq has always been smarter than most and tends to see the big picture. With the right man at the helm, his organization could go on without him. His plan was to retire in luxury in Morocco.”

“Unusual,” Croft added. “His people have always been loyal to him. I wonder if there wasn’t something more at stake than just the arms running.”

“Like what?” John asked.

“Gerold Springer once had ties to the Red Army Faction. If they sent him to get close to Fariq, they’re looking to be one of the major players in global terrorism again.”

“I thought they broke apart in like 1998 or 1999,” Noah said.

“They sent out a press announcement they had, but there have always been rumors that they, or some kind of splinter group, were simply exiting the main world stage while they regrouped and got a more stable funding base. If either or both of the Springers were RAF, this takeover of Fariq’s organization could be the first major step in a comeback,” Thom said. “I’m going to see what I can find out behind the scenes. I still have some good contacts at the CIA, Mossad, and NATO Intelligence.”

Thom left the room, and Noah, John, and Croft looked at each other.

“Croft? You and Noah hit the bunks and try to get some rest.”

“No way, John?—”

“Finn’s going to need us all at our best. Right now, there’s not much either of you can do but worry. Thom’s going to do his techie thing, and I suspect Adam will be here shortly. Baez is looking after Fariq, and Junior has Reid. You two get some sleep, then you can take over in a few hours while the rest of us do the same. Until we have more concrete information, there’s nothing else to be done.”

Croft and Noah nodded and headed for what passed as the barracks for the team, each hitting the communal showers before picking a bunk. Hearing Noah settling down, Croft got up to look out the window.

“We’ll get her back, Croft. We’re the best at what we do, and it’s all hands on deck.”

Croft turned to his friend and nodded. “I know, Noah, but she’s out there all alone.”

“She has to know we’re coming.”

“I’m sure somewhere in the back of her mind she does, but as Reid pointed out, waiting around to be rescued isn’t her style. I just hope to God she heard me and doesn’t make things worse.”

Chapter

Eleven

Finn wasn’t sure how long they had been in the air or where they landed. Once she had been herded onto the plane, she was injected with something that put her out. When she woke, she was in a nicely furnished small bedroom. The windows, though barred, showed a rolling landscape of lush green pastures. She was happy to see there was an adjoining bath. It didn’t have windows, but there was a skylight directly above the small shower stall.

She was just reentering the room after washing her face when she saw the door handle turn. There didn’t appear to be anything in the room she could use as a weapon.

“Good morning, Ms. Reid. I am Gerold Springer. You will be my guest for the next few days. You will be confined to your room unless one of my men is with you. Your meals will be brought to you. If you choose, you may join us for dinner.”

“Why did you bring me here? How did you know I was awake?”

“We have been checking on you every few hours. There are no cameras or listening devices in your room, but the halls, exits, common areas, and grounds are heavily guarded and under twenty-four-hour electronic surveillance. I’m afraid bringingyou along wasn’t necessarily part of my original plan, and I have yet to decide your fate.”

“I think you will find my brother is still willing to complete the transaction and exchange the information for my safe return.”

“If I wanted the information, I would already have it. Your people seem to think the issue was the information. It wasn’t. Your family’s financial concerns have never been ours. The withdrawal of your capital from the hedge fund would have been a minor inconvenience. My brother was inept and vastly underestimated the depth of loyalty Fariq commanded. I have not.”

“Not overly concerned with your brother’s death, are you?”

Springer shrugged. “He was incompetent. Unfortunately, what happened at the Four Seasons forced me to show my hand. My brethren and I were moving toward seizing Fariq’s organization and all of its assets. Once Fariq had time to examine this entire affair, he would have found the real threat and had me eliminated. I tried to take him out at the hotel but failed.

“And me?” she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

“I needed you as a hostage to ensure I could get away. Now, the question is, what do I do with you?”

“Killing me does nothing for you. If, as you say, Fariq knows of your plans, holding me or letting me go will make no difference, but if you worked for Fariq, you are aware I have value to those at Wild Mustang. Kill me, and they will never stop. I’ve served my purpose for you. Let me go—give me cab fare to the closest U.S. embassy, and I’ll be gone as well as any threat I posed to you.”

Springer laughed harshly. “You overestimate your value. You are nothing. It would be easier to simply eliminate you and dispose of your body.”

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