End of Days (Pike Logan #16)(77)

“No. This is it. One bag apiece.”

Obsequious to a fault, the man said, “My name is Omar, and I’m the designated liaison from the order’s diplomatic mission here. My car is right outside. Come, come.”

They followed him out of the airport to a lot outside, loaded their bags, and were on their way.

“We have a nice place for you to stay. We don’t get many visitors here anymore since peace has broken out.”

He looked embarrassed and said, “I don’t mean I want war. Most of our work now is with children’s hospitals.”

Raphael chuckled and said, “I know what you mean. We do what we can for the Lord. I was here in 2006, back when Israel invaded.”

“With the Knights?”

“No. It was before my time with the Knights. I was here for other reasons.”

Omar had no answer to that, and was afraid to ask. They drove in silence out of the airfield to the south of the city, then slowly entered the dense concrete of Beirut, new buildings springing forth through the rubble of the latest fight. Omar took lefts and rights, then said, “You see the damage here? That was from the giant port explosion last year. It was like a nuclear bomb. People say it was intentional. What do you think?”

Raphael said, “I don’t think anything. That isn’t our concern. Protecting the Grand Master is all I’m concerned about. As you were told.”

Omar took that in and continued threading through the city center in silence. Eventually, he said, “This ceremony in Israel is a big deal, isn’t it?”

“It is. It’s why we’re here. We’re security for the Grand Master.”

“Why did you come to Lebanon?”

“We’re like the U.S. president’s Secret Service. We travel where we might be of assistance. If anything happens in Israel, we’re here to provide support. It probably won’t matter, but you never know. If we’re here, it might make the difference between life and death.”

Omar looked at him and said, “Who would want to kill the Grand Master? He’s not the president of the United States.”

Raphael said, “Nobody that I know of.”

Leonardo chuckled from the backseat.

They traveled the rest of the way in silence, threading through the city until they reached a four-story building. Omar said, “This is us. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you closer, but I’ll come get you tomorrow morning to take you to the Knights’ consular building.”

Raphael and Leonardo exited the vehicle, Raphael saying, “That won’t be necessary. Our mission must remain low visibility. We won’t be going to the consular section.”

Omar nodded, confused. He said, “I was told to extend you all courtesy. Is this the extent of that?”

Raphael smiled and said, “Yes. Keep our visit to yourself. It’s not exactly secret, but our job is made harder when people know we’re around. It’s easier to protect the Grand Master from behind a hidden veil. I’m sure you know what I mean, living here.”

Omar’s eyes widened. He said, “You fear the Party of God? Is that it?”

Leonardo pulled his bag out of the car and said, “We don’t fear them. We just don’t want to let them know we’re here. You understand?”

Omar nodded, held out a key, and said, “It’s 310, on the third floor.” Leonardo took the key and Omar held out a card, saying, “If you need anything, this is our number. Should I expect to take you back to the airport after the Grand Master’s visit?”

Raphael shouldered a rucksack and said, “Maybe. We’ll let you know. Thank you for the assistance.”

They left Omar on the street and walked into a utilitarian lobby with a single elevator. They took it up to the third floor, found the apartment, and entered, seeing a two-bedroom space that looked like it had been furnished by Ikea, with spartan chairs, twin beds, and an anemic kitchen devoid of any food.

After exploring the area, Raphael took a seat in the den and said, “Might as well get this over with. Give the contact a call.”

Leonardo smiled and said, “You mean the Party of God?”

Raphael said, “Yeah. The real Hezbollah.”





Chapter 51




I parked the car outside the Trastevere apartment complex and said, “Okay, we go in quietly. If she wants to play ball, we’re good. If not, we’ll do it another way.”

Jennifer said, “You actually think she spent the night here after last night?”

And that was a good question. I said, “Well, we won’t know until we try, but she probably spent the last six hours with her police compatriots, and then collapsed.”

I looked at Knuckles and said, “You have your script, right? Know what you’re doing?”

He said, “Yeah, I got it. You’re pimping me like you always do. Let’s go.”

I’d brought Jennifer, Aaron, Shoshana, and Knuckles with me, leaving Brett in our TOC to respond to anything the Taskforce might throw out. Shoshana, Aaron, and I were just a familiar face to gain entrance. Jennifer and Knuckles were the ones I wanted to use to convince her to do my bidding without contacting her higher headquarters. In essence, I wanted her badge and authority to allow me to take the bad guy down, but when that happened, he wasn’t going into the Italian judicial system.