Page 48 of Into the Gray Zone

“I haven’t told them.”

Knuckles finally perked up, saying, “Seriously? You didn’t tell your boss that you had some Americans break into the suspected terrorists’ hotel room, and that while they were there, they were ambushed by a bunch of Chinese?”

She turned to him and said, “Yes, seriously. Something is rottenhere, and I still don’t know if it’s my own people. I had hoped to confirm or deny one way or the other, but the men you saw short-circuited that. I can’t prove that someone was hiding terrorist connections when all the evidence is gone. I have no idea what our search team would have presented, because they literally had nothing to present.”

I said, “So where does that leave us? The meeting’s over, and from what we’re hearing it was a success.”

She smiled and said, “How do you know that? Does the CIA routinely talk to archeological firms?”

I said, “Spare me. We’re beyond that now.”

She nodded and said, “Yes, I think we are.”

She looked at Jennifer and said, “I’ve run the documents you took pictures of, and most of it led nowhere. The passport photo didn’t ping anywhere in our database. We have no idea who it is. The journal itself was mostly a bunch of random notes. Really just a collection of to-do lists the man kept. That address you found, however, is real. It’s a spice shop in Old Delhi.”

I said, “And have you checked that out?”

“No. I have no sanction to do that. I don’t have anyone I can direct to the address. I don’t have a team working under me. Iamthe team.”

Knuckles said, “Surely you’ve used Google Earth to take a look. I know you’ve studied it. What do you think?”

“It’s a spice shop, just like a hundred others in the area. The only thing that’s odd is that it hasn’t been open for a couple of weeks. Someone’s paying the rent, but not opening the storefront.”

“Meaning you think it’s a D Company front?”

“Meaning I think it’s odd. The lease is washed through a host of cutouts, so yes, it could be the Mafia, but it could be something else. Something more sinister.”

“Like what?”

“Like an influence operation from another country. After what Jennifer saw, maybe Chinese influence, but it’s more likely Pakistan.”

“Well, that’s not unheard of. We’ve uncovered a ton of Chinese influence in the United States, all the way down to bagel shops that are actually undercover Chinese police stations used to keep track of the Chinese diaspora.”

“That’s exactly what I’m thinking. If China is behind this, then the RAW is going to want to know, but I’m leaning more to Pakistan. I can’t see China being this brazen, but Pakistan has proven their willingness through past history, and all the evidence points to Islamic terrorism and the ISI. I just need the proof.”

And I knew the crux of the entire meeting was about to come out. I said, “Then go check it out.”

She shook her head and said, “I’m still not sure someone inside of RAW isn’t tied into this. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Pakistani ISI were paying someone. Those attackers the other night were focused, and I think it was because they had inside information. I was hoping to see if the search of the hotel room would pinpoint someone, but you know how that went.”

I cut to the chase. “So you wantusto go check this place out?”

“That’s what I’m thinking. You and Jennifer.”

I glanced at Jennifer and said, “Have you wandered around for a single day in your country? Jennifer here sticks out like a whore in church.”

Jennifer glared at me and said, “You’re not blending in any better.”

I smiled and said, “The point is there’s no way we can do a B&E without getting caught. I won’t even be able to conduct surveillance on the site without compromise. This isn’t a hotel that caters to Russians.”

“Yeah, I know the problems, but it’s in a touristy area. A bazaar that all the Westerners go to in Old Delhi. You won’t stick out as bad as you think.”

“Am I supposed to work this with you, or just do it on my own, giving you the results? Do we get any support here?”

“Well, you’re not getting any official support from RAW, but I can provide what little I have. I actually know the owner of the spice stall down the alley from the target. He’s a family friend, and he trusts me. He can get you an observation point on the second floor. He’s already told me he’s seen some men coming and going from the place.”

“And how are we supposed to coordinate this? Just walk up and say, ‘Nadia told us to come in and spy around’?”

Nadia gave me a sour look and said, “I’m not stupid. IamRAW, but just like them, you don’t believe a woman. You don’t believe what I’m telling you because I’m female.”

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