Page 32 of Rush

“I work for GNN.”

There were moans and shits and damns heard around the room.

“I want to stop this man. I need to stop him. I followed him across Europe and now into Turkey. When the earthquake happened, it was a sign. He sweeps in like a disease, taking the young men from the villages, promising them work and money to send home.

“Except he doesn’t send anything home, including the men. He uses them to get what he wants, and then either kills them or allows them to continue to work for him. If you disappoint him, you die a painful death. He killed my younger brother while he was trying to help his friend escape. He was just thirteen years old.”

“I’m sorry,” said Rush. “But just what did you think you were going to do to stop this man? He has, had an army behind him.”

“You were right the first time. He has an army behind him. He has amassed more than twenty thousand men.”

“What?” said Trak, stepping from the shadows.

“Oh, shit!” she squealed. “I didn’t see him.”

“No one ever sees him,” smirked Rush. “Where are these twenty thousand men?”

“They’re scattered across Europe and parts of Asia and the Middle East. Your friend Moose,” she said, pointing to the big man. He frowned at her, his arms crossed over his chest. “Do you have a real name?”

“That is my real name,” he growled.

“Fine. Mr. Moose.”

“Moose.”

“Fine. Moose said that you were able to get the group out at the wool factory out of the building. That’s good, but now you’ve made him angry.”

“That’s the point,” said Rush. “Listen, I’m glad we were able to pull you out of the rubble, but if you have something of value to tell us, please do it now. We have a lot to get to.”

“He’s trying to take control of Istanbul.”

They all stared at her. No expression. No emotion. They already knew, she thought. How could they know?

“You’re not surprised, which tells me that you know as much or more than I do. Who are you?” she asked, staring at all of them.

“We are a security agency,” said Noah. “That is all you need to know. Does Grigoryan know who you are? That you are after him?”

“Yes.” Again, the groaning and curse words. “Look, I know you think I’m some helpless female.”

“You are,” growled Moose. “Look at your fucking leg!”

“Are you always such an asshole?” she barked at him. He stood, staring at her, then disappeared into the bedroom.

“He’s obviously worried for you,” said Rush. “Maybe cut him some slack. Being protective is in his nature.”

“I went to Grigoryan on the premise of an interview, and he granted it. I took a cameraman with me, and they immediately broke the camera and made him wait outside. Grigoryan said the world would remember his name. They would bow at his feet by the time he was done.”

“He’s psychotic,” mumbled Rush.

“You would think so, but I’ve seen psychotic men. He appears to be as sane as you or me. When you speak with him, he’s calm, cool, collected. It seems nothing ruffles his feathers, although you might have tested that with your little explosion tonight.”

“Good. If he gets ‘ruffled,’ he’ll start to make mistakes. Tell us something we don’t know,” demanded Rush.

“Alright. He’s not getting his funding from what he steals. He’s getting his funding from major corporations.”

“Corporations?” repeated Rush. “You mean countries.”

“No. He’s almost like a spokesperson for corporations.” The men all stared at her, and she shifted, sitting up straighter. “Have you met him?”

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