Page 64 of Stand Fast

“Yeah.” Hence her wanting to talk about this outside of the office.

He ran a hand over his face. “Okay. You’re still investigating the other two?”

“Yes.”

“So where is the colonel now?”

“Missing.”

He looked at her sharply. “Since when?”

“Since yesterday afternoon. No one’s seen or heard from him since he left Bagram after the noon briefing. I’ve got people trying to find him right now.” Three of her best analysts, working all their technological wizardry tracking phone signals and satellite feeds.

Her phone rang. She dug it out of her pocket, a jolt of energy running through her when she saw the number.

“Barakat. Where are you?” she asked in Dari. Desperation had apparently made him overcome his aversion to working with a woman. He’d contacted her early that morning with a message saying he had information about The Jackal’s whereabouts. They had agreed to meet to discuss it in person but he hadn’t shown up. Probably to save his own skin, since she could offer him protection by bringing him to Bagram where he’d be safe.

“They’re after me.”

She stood, the panic in his voice slicing through her. “Who?”

“The Jackal and his men. They know who I am, and what I’ve done.” He sounded panicked and out of breath, as though he’d been running.

“All right, slow down. Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.”

“No, they could be following you.”

She needed to calm him down. “Barakat, listen to me. I need you to calm down—”

“No! I’m not dying for you or anyone else. I want out. I’m finished with this.”

Think Jaliya, think.“You’re not going to die, Barakat. Not if you let me bring you in. I can protect you.”

“No you can’t,” he spat.

“Then why did you call me?”

“Because I don’t have anyone else. The elders found out I’ve been working with your agency and they banished me from the village last night. I think they’re the ones who told The Jackal where I am.”

Goosebumps broke out over her skin. She pushed Barakat because she was so close to finding the answer, and desperate enough to risk asking. “Do you know who he is? Is it Colonel Shah?”

“I…don’t know. But it could be. I heard his name mentioned last night before I was banished.”

Jaliya closed her eyes, a rush of adrenaline surging through her veins.Yes. “We found evidence against him this morning.” But that wasn’t important now. “You said you had a location. Tell me where it is at least. Tell me so I can get him and make this all go away. Once he’s captured, you’ll be safe.”

Barakat didn’t answer for a long moment. In the silence she made out the sounds of heavy traffic moving in the background. Horns and different kinds of engines. He had to be in Kabul somewhere. Why wouldn’t he let her help him?

“He’s overseeing a shipment tonight,” he said finally. “I heard he’s going to smuggle it over the border north of the Khyber Pass.”

Her heart beat faster. “When?”

“After midnight.”

“Do you know where—”

“I’ve told you everything I know,” he snapped. “Now just leave me alone and don’t contact me ever again.”

The line went dead.

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