Page 15 of Into the Gray Zone

Mr. Chin stood up and opened his briefcase, spreading out computerprintouts of satellite pictures that were much more precise than anything seen from Google Earth. He said, “This is the resort. Yes, we don’t know the interior of the buildings, but we know the grounds next to the ocean.”

Manjit said, “Where did you get these? How does a Chinese company have access to satellite technology?”

Mr.Chin said, “It’s just commercial technology. We do mining all over the world. Of course we have access to such things. It’s available for purchase, if you have a subscription, which my company does. Enough with the questions. Let’s get to the answers.”

He pointed at the edge of the ocean on the printout and said, “As you can see, the drop down to the water is about seven feet for about a half mile both up and down from the resort. If you can get to the rocks out of the eyes of the guards, you can walk all the way into the resort without being seen.”

He traced a finger along a cut that traversed the back of the hotel to the ocean, a scar that split through the greenery of the lawn. He said, “This is a water-drainage canal. There’s a simple iron grate at the ocean, easy to defeat. Once you get inside here, you’re on the grounds and behind the lackadaisical guard force. From here, you can snatch the target and retreat back to the ocean.”

Kamal leaned over the printouts, seeing what he said was true but realizing he had glossed over a lot of tactical considerations. “What you say sounds easy, but it’s much harder. For one, we’ll have to hide the boat away from the resort, so it’s either drag the target kicking and screaming to it, or bring it closer initially, where the guards will see it. For two, yeah, we can pop up behind the security and have the element of surprise, but once we conduct the assault, we’ll have to deal with them. We’ll have to kill them and fight our way out. Finally, this is all based on timing. He must be outside, near the pool, for us to even havea chance of succeeding. We can’t penetrate the hotel, blazing our way in looking for him.”

Mr.Chin nodded and said, “Yes, that’s all true, but we also have assets on our side. We have your friends on the security detail. They can alert us to when the man is outside, within targeting range.”

He pointed at the image and said, “This is a restaurant by the pool. From previous intelligence, I can say with confidence that he’ll have lunch or dinner there during his stay. He enjoys the outdoors.”

Manjit said, “So, what, we’re supposed to sit on a boat out in the water for the next five days, waiting on a call? Then go barreling in because you say he’s vulnerable?”

“No. You stay right here. In this hotel. You’re two minutes from the beach. I’ll have a Zodiac just like you used before. When the call comes, you can be within targeting range in under ten minutes.”

Kamal considered the words, then said, “Even if all of that was true. Even if everything aligned, I’d need more men. I can’t do this with four, and if the personal security men are only providing early warning, then this is not going to happen.”

Mr.Chin said, “I have two more men. Not Sikhs, like you, but good men nonetheless. They can use a gun and are worth the money.”

“If you can get them, then get four more and do this yourself. Pay us now and we’ll be done and gone.”

“It doesn’t work that way. For one, they have no ties to the security detail. They have done none of the work you have on this. For another, they’re just muscle. They obey orders, but don’t make them. I need you for that. You and your men have proven adaptable and resilient.”

Kamal showed no reaction, but deep inside, he was pleased by the compliment. Hedidmatter in this world. He looked at his men, then said, “If—and it’s a bigif—we get him, what will you do with him?”

“Not your concern.”

“Let me put it another way: if his life prohibits our ability to escape, do you want him dead? Or just let him go? Because my team comes first. If we get him and we’re trying to escape but he’s slowing us down, I’m not dying for the mission.”

Mr.Chin tapped a finger to his chin, saying, “I see.” He paused, then said, “Kill him.”

Kamal said, “If that’s the decision, then I’ll just kill him on sight and escape.”

“No. We want him alive. We need to know what he knows about the mine. Kill him only as a last resort.”

Kamal nodded, looked around at his team, then said, “I need to discuss this with my men.”

“What’s to discuss? I told you the alternative.”

Kamal stood up, the other three following his lead. Kamal said, “The alternative is being detained by RAW. I understand. What I don’t understand is why RAW detained Sidak. He was just a groundskeeper. Why was RAW even there? What are you not telling us?”

Mr.Chin rose as well, and for the first time, Kamal saw a little fear. He said, “I’m not hiding anything. I have no idea why RAW zeroed in on him. It must have been something he said or did.”

Kamal advanced on him and said, “Or something to do with the billionaire’s visit. You say he’s looking at wedding venues, but maybe he’s doing something with the government, and they were waiting.”

Mr.Chin said, “No, no, that’s not it at all. I would know if that was the case. It was just bad luck.”

“Why would you know? Howcouldyou know?”

Mr.Chin closed his briefcase, leaving the satellite imagery on the table. He said, “I’ll give you a day to decide. Make the right decision.”

He turned and left the room. Manjit exhaled and said, “We shouldjust pack up and go. If they’re going to roll us up, we shouldn’t make it easy on them.”

Kamal sat back down, tapping his finger on the satellite image, thinking. Agam said, “I agree with Manjit. We should go.”

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