you start blaming this problem on me, Brad. How long were you willing to allow that guy to get away with murdering innocent people?”
Hamilton glanced at Barrow and Barrow understood. This was the first time Austin had admitted to killing the four Lebanese, and Austin realized what had just happened.
“Yes, O.K., I admit I killed him and his hoodlums. Are you satisfied?”
“We knew Mr. Hunter,” said Barrow “and we don’t care. What we are saying here is that we really need your help. We are not sure if you can do anything constructive, but we are at a complete loss and are hoping that you will look into it.”
“We shall Mr. Barrow,” said Emily, to Austin’s complete surprise.
“What do you think we can do Emily?” he asked. “And how do you propose we go about it?”
“Well, we promised Cal and his wife we’d visit them. Besides, ever since you described the place to me, I have been anxious to see it; to see Cal and his family in their home setting.”
“So what do you think we can find out?”
“That doesn’t matter,” she said. “We’ll make the trip and maybe we’ll get lucky.”
Barrow and Hamilton were watching and listening to the dialogue between the two, absolutely pleased. They knew they had an ally in Emily. They were not sure why, but they were satisfied.
“We’ll discuss this further,” said Austin, accepting Emily’s suggestion. “Is there anything else gentlemen?” he asked the CIA men.
“That should conclude our meeting,” said Barrow. “Is there anything we can help you with?”
“Actually there is. We are trying to get our Aviation Division certified and it is a long, tortuous process. We have already ordered the aircraft; our crews are in training and should complete the training course in about another week. Any chance you could make a call and speed up the process?”
“Consider it done Austin,” said Barrow. “By the time your crews are finished, you will have your licensing complete; anything else?”
“How are we going to leave this place without arousing suspicion?”
“Not to worry, Austin. As soon as you leave, we have arranged for a couple of our well-known agents to come in. The spies will think they are the reason for us being here.”
“Thank you director,” Austin said as he shook hands with the two men. Emily did the same and they watched them walk back into their room, locking the connecting door.
“Well, what do you think of that, sweetheart?” asked Emily.
“When you live a life like mine, darling, you will understand.”
Emily understood. She had been nursing this man’s nightmares ever since she got involved with him. They were becoming few and far between, but she had to wake him up many times to comfort him, running her fingers through his sweat-soaked hair. She loved this man with all her heart. She knew he was struggling with his demons but she also knew that she was determined to drive them all away. She knew it would be a slow process, yet even now she felt she was succeeding.
*****
“What did I tell you?” Hamilton asked his boss after they re-entered their room. “Is this guy smart or what?”
“He continues to amaze me,” replied Barrow. “Are you sure he had no previous training?”
“Not to my knowledge, and I have checked. I am not sure how this shit comes to him so naturally, but I would sure like to know. Somehow, and I’m not sure how, I believe he gets guidance from Sheriff Rice. I do know a few things about him too.”
“Like what?” asked Barrow.
“Unlike Hunter’s situation, Rice has a reputation not to be messed with. Many people suspect him of fixing the perps of quite a few unsolved cases, with absolutely no evidence to connect him; he also has the confidence of the Texas governor.”
“It doesn’t really matter,” said Barrow. “I am glad you found him and I am especially glad he married that Emily. She is definitely on our side.”
“You know Brad, if anyone planted any listening devices without our knowledge in our offices, we might divulge enough information to give those two away.”
“But we sweep the offices every morning,” answered Brad.
“I know, but what if we miss one someday? We need to come up with a code name for the two that couldn’t be connected to them.”
“Actually, I have been thinking about that and I have a name, if you approve.”
“What is it?”
“Maximum reach. We refer to them as our maximum reach team.”
“Sounds perfect,” said the deputy director, “very ironic.”
*****
“I’m glad I picked the right pilots for our company,” started Austin as they were driving away from the hotel. He had decided not to check out so quickly and raise suspicion. He figured they would either call or come back later – after the CIA men and all the spies had gone.
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” asked Emily.
“A couple of the pilots, actually three, are from the Middle East. Two Lebanese and one Iranian.”
“How can that help?”
“People talk, baby, especially in bars and pilots are known to frequent a few. Who knows, those guys might pick up something that could be helpful.” Austin had no idea how true that statement would prove to be.
“How does your brain work? I sure would love to know.”
“Just lucky I guess. I’m not really as smart as you make me out to be.”
“I know,” she said showing a playful smile. She knew that if she didn’t agree with him, that argument would take forever; she knew better anyway.
CHAPTER 7 – RELOCATION
On his arrival in New York City, Abbas was met at the airport by a man who just had to be a CIA agent. How else could he know who he was? He could care less though. He was in America and that was all he was interested in.
Over the next few weeks, the agent settled him in. He was handed a permanent resident’s card, a couple of credit cards and a driver’s license immediately. He was registered to finish high school and from there to pass on into New York University.
Abbas excelled in his studies, exceeding Hamilton’s and everyone else’s expectations. He applied himself. He cared about nothing else.
As promised, Abbas was assigned his classes. The CIA seemed to want him to receive a degree in Political Science. He didn’t mind. As a matter of fact, he found it ironic. It was fitting perfectly into his plan.
