The chase was on, pushing and shoving Husam was a man hell-bent on getting away. Now being unarmed, his only hope was the throng of people to cover his flight. Out of the shopping area, running toward the Amtrak ticketing and boarding section, he was heading for the train tracks and a back way out. Jumping the turnstile and running down the steps to the train platform, looking over his shoulder seeing Annie and Eyal close behind. An Amtrak train was pulling into the station and people were waiting to embark, he couldn't take that route, looking to his left and seeing a possible way out he swiftly turned, knowing if he could reach the street and traffic - moving vehicles possibly will slow down his pursuers and aiding in his escape.
Two private security guards also have joined in the chase, following Annie and Eyal. While they were displaying a terrific show of doing their job, neither one want to catch up with front-runners - "He has a gun." One of the guards shouted to the other after seeing Eyal's gun in hand.
Racing up the slight slope leading to the street, Husam slipped giving Eyal the chance for a full body slam. Annie right there with her foot on Husam's head and gun fully visible.
"You move one hair I'll blow your brains down to Satan." Trying to catch her breath, "You okay?" Looking at Eyal rolling over on his back.
Eyal also catching his breath and standing, "Yeah." Seeing the security guards fast approaching, he pulled a badge from inside his coat pocket a flashed it at them. "Metro police - Hey thanks for the backup."
"No problem. Need us for anything?"
"Thanks but we have it covered. Being looking for this jerk for weeks." Eyal reaching for a zip tie, "We got uniforms on the way."
"Any time man, any time." Both guard holstering their guns and walking back down the hill.
Eyal zip tying Husam's hands behind him and pulling him to his feet, "No more stupid-ass moves. I hate running so the next time I'll just shot."
"He'll do it too." Annie putting her gun back in her holster and taking Husam by one arm, "Time we have a serious chat."
"I know the law; you've got to read me my rights first." Husam was feeling a bit cocky.
"Yeah if we were the police." Eyal jerking him hard as they started up the hill and on to the street.
"You just said you were Metro."
"Hell - damn it, I told a lie. I don't have any rules to play by, so I would say it is best for you to answer our questions when asked." Eyal walking him in the direction of his parked car.
Reaching his silver grey Ford, Eyal putting Husam in the back seat, pitching the keys to Annie, "You drive while we have a little chat back here." Eyal sliding in the back also. Annie wasn't real keen on the idea because Eyal's questing tactics would be painful but a young woman's life hung in the balance and his man may very well hold the key. Pulling the car into traffic, Annie aimless drove around Washington listening to Eyal questions, different from what has been in the past. Eyal was questioning him in Turkish, a language Annie didn't know but recognized - giving rise to why. There were a few words she could catch but it was the tone of the integration that puzzled her - it was calm.
Eyal's conversation all in Turkish, a language that is very close and understandable by persons from Turkmenistan. "Husam, I know that isn't your name - what is your name?"
Husam set without a word, staring straight ahead.
"There is no need for you to play like you don't understand me because I know you do. The Toyota you drive belongs to an oil exporter from Turkmenistan and my guess you are an enforcer here for their covert interest... Still not going to say anything?"
Eyal giving him an opportunity to respond but nothing.
"Let me tell you a story I think will be very enlightening for you. Sergey Kozar is not Russian but an American by the name of James Lewis Ledbetter working for the CIA." Eyal saw a tiny twitch to Husam's eye - good he was on the right track. "Now this Sergey traitor was gathering information on Muslims, especially the ones attached to terrorist groups. He had gone so far as joining a newly formed group with several cells stretched out in Europe and America. He became connected with a Russian group - but I'm sure you know that already. The way to identify members is with a tattoo that looks like a lion standing on hind legs with two swords and the words in Arabic - 'Only Death'. Where is your tattoo?"
Eyal watched as Husam moved his shoulder ever so slightly.
"Now that we have established that fact, tell me why is Sergey being paid?" Eyal waited. "No answer, I like you Husam, you have a pretty face and I would hate to start playing rough."
There was no flinching or any sign of distress or alarm.
"I not going to hurt you, that would be too easy and I don't need too. Your beloved group will do that for me. You see, Sergey is gay and has told me in great details about the two of you. He said you were one of the best he has ever had."
"He's lying." Husam spoke somewhat angrily.
"I don't think so, way too much details, even described you schlort." A dig at Husam's mannish part. "To continue with my story, I'm Jewish, the mortal enemy of Islamic Jihad and your movement. Being we Jews are all infidels, now what do you think will happen when I tell your superior about our gay love affair - giving intimate details. An infidel being so intimate with you in ways that are against the word of God as given in the Quran... Muhammad would demand death. The disgrace of a proud Muslim man...Not to mention the punishment of stoning."
A pure hatred glare engulfed his eyes as he stared at Eyal.
"Have you ever seen someone stoned to death? I understand they are buried in the desert with only their head showing and stoned until there is no face or brain left within the skull. A deliberate and horrific death. They leave you there, buried in the sand for scorpions to eat your flesh and hollow out your carcass to lay their eggs. You remains become breeding ground of thousands of poisonous vermin."
There was a blank look on Husam as if he was trying to process his alternative.
Eyal giving he a minute to visualize the stoning death before resuming, "Your tattoo is a dead giveaway and my story is now finished. That is unquestionably what I will do if I don't receive answers and answers now because I have wasted enough time on you."
Husam now speaking in English, "What do I get in return for answering your questions?"
"A free ride to Metro Police and the protection of American laws. Hell of a lot better than being stoned to death." Eyal tapping Annie on the shoulder, "Drive to Rock-Away Park."
The ride to Rock-Away Park was hushed giving Husam ample time to consider the choice he had. He didn't know which would be worst the disgrace and humiliation of being gay or the ghastly death by stoning in public. The protection of American laws was clearly the only choice he had.
Annie found a secluded part to stop the car and all three got out for a little walk into a wooded area. Eyal backing Husam against a tree, "Now back to the first question. What is your connection to Sergey and why are you paying him?"
"We had a contract with his organization for delivery of some goods that he wasn't meeting the time frame."
"Okay, when you said 'we' - identify."
"Turkmenistan Islamic Movement for Allah."
"And his organization?"
"Baku Brotherhood - Russian mob. We have done business with them in the past and never had the trouble that Sergey presented."
"What is the merchandise he was to deliver?"
"I wasn't privilege to that. All I know was a chartered flight is due for pickup tomorrow morning at the Salisbury-Ocean City Regional Airport."
"What time?"
"Don't know. My meeting with Sergey was to give him a warning - deliver or else." Husam being as truthful as his knowledge was limited.
"The 'or else' has happened. Sergey was found dead a week ago. Your life wasn't worth a dime anymore because he can't make delivery." Eyal tapping him on his arm and turning to Annie. "Keep an eye on him while I make a phone call."
Returning from making his call to Ilan, Eyal saw Annie standing beside the car with their detainee sitting on the ground and her gun ready if he made so much of indication of moving.
"Metro will be here shortly."
"How did you know you could talk him into giving you the information we needed?"
"Easy, he is not a devout Islamic follower. Look at what he is wearing, dressed like a pimp and no good Muslim would ever advertise their bodies like that - showing part of his chest. So against their belief of modesty."
"Maybe he was trying to blend in to America life."
"You can intermingle in this society without being sexy." Eyal making a gesture to Annie about buttoning some of her blouse.
"Don't say it Eyal. I was trying to get his attention away from you back there."
"And it work exceedingly well, good move on your part. We just have half-dozen cops on their way here and it is not you. Come on Annie, you are always so professionally dress."
Annie nodding in accord, "You are right Eyal, thanks."
Thirty minutes later, Husam was riding in the back of a Metro Police cruiser on his way to booking for attempted assault and battery with other charges pending. Ilan Goldman standing with Eyal and Annie, "Excellent to meet you as Eyal hasn't been very forthcoming in tell me anything. Fact is, just downright mute on the subject of Annie Walker."
"Now much to tell on this end but he has told me you two served together in Israel." Annie with her amiable friendly manner.
Ilan with a happy chuckle, "Served - yeah I like that word, great deal better than screwing up our missions together. We were a little green back then."
"Are we ready for our drive north? That warehouse holds the answers." Eyal opening the trunk of his car, "Here Annie some jeans and old shirt for you. We are going to get down and dirty." Eyal also pulling out jeans for him and one more gun with leg hostler. "I took the liberty of raiding your closet thinking it might come down to this."
"Glad you did, this Bill Blass dress suit wouldn't get it at all in a dirty warehouse." Slipping off her jacket and taking the folded garments from Eyal.
"You have splendid taste - buy the finest." Eyal admiring her choice in clothes. Annie dressed very chic - even in jeans.
"I also like sales - it is two years old, right in my price range but good style last for years."
Ilan walking to his car also retrieving old pants and shirt - hanging his suit coat in the back of his car. "Annie you can have the car to change Eyal and I will take a hike back here." Looking at Eyal, "I've only got two vest you got another one?"
"Yeah, I've got two in the trunk. Thinking we should be loaded for action." Eyal talking with Ilan as they hiked into the woods.
"You got a bad feeling about this warehouse don't you?" Ilan pulling off his tie and unbuttoning his dress shirt.
"I do and this ass Husam pretty much confirmed it. Have no clue what is in there but it is under guard." Eyal slipping a second hostler on his leg. "The best time to move in is after the Cillcrest employees have left for the night."
Ilan stripping his second hostler to his left leg. "You had a good look around back, was there a way in?"
"Nope." Both men walking back to the car.
"Nice, damn nice. Shit Eyal, one of these days we have to find some luck on our side."
Annie had changed and was standing beside Eyal's car when they reappeared. "You guys ready to roll?"
Walking toward his car, Ilan calling back to Eyal, "Follow me to the precinct to leave my car. Last thing I need for a Metro car found in Maryland."
After leaving Ilan's car at the precinct, "What do you think, the only way in is through the front door next to the large loading door?" Ilan sitting in the back seat of Eyal's car, "Go in with guns blazing or pick and sneak."
"Pick and sneak. There were windows high up and the back of the building making me think there is a second floor or at least raised platform." Eyal driving and Annie sitting beside him.
Annie looking back at Ilan, "We have no clue what the layout is like right?"
"None. The place has electricity, a night-light over the loading door was on and there is a coded key pad next to the door." Ilan recalling his observation from the front.
"If we cut the electricity it may send off a greater alarm. Our best bet is to disarm the key pad. Hope it is one of those cheap ones." Eyal was setting out the plans for them to use. Once inside, find the guards and take them out which we have no idea how many."
"Running a blind op." Ilan tapping Annie on the shoulder, "You should stay close to the front, make sure we don't have any outside guest. Not sure we can disarm the key pad - they are getting harder all the time."
"This op will pretty much be executed by an American saying, playing-by-ear. Follow our gut and hope for the best." Eyal with one last comment, "We will go after the sun is setting - in dim light."
"It's a plan - may be weak but a plan." Annie back to looking out the window thinking. The rest of the trip was causal chit-chat with joking about times Eyal and Ilan had in Mossad. Half-an-hour later they pulled off or I295 for gas and a bit to eat. Because of day-light-savings-time they had about two hours to kill before the sun would begin its decent into the western horizon.
Stopping at Applebee's, Eyal walking beside Annie with his hand on the small of her back, something Ilan noticed, yes Eyal had soften with years. Ilan mused that possibly this was the woman for Eyal because only an equal would be able to capture this man's heart.
"We should be able to kill a few hours here - eat slow." Eyal over his shoulder to Ilan, "And wipe that smile off your face." He had guessed what his friend was thinking - find Eyal a wife.
They didn't want anything too heavy, and Applebee's has some fine salads. Ilan ordered the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Annie the Berry and Spinach Chicken and Eyal went with the California Shrimp Salad and all three with a round of beer. They joked with their waitress and generally had an entertaining time. Annie could worry significantly before going into a dreadful unknown situation but being with these two men keep her mind in a lighthearted mood. It was a new approach for her and she valued it - it was the right way to handle stress of covert ops.
The sun was turning the sky shades of orange and purple as evening loomed near when Eyal pulled his car into the street leading to their targeted warehouse. Stopping at a distance, as luck would have it, the guards were changing shifts. Three well armed and strapping men were let off by a van along with a woman guard and the van picking up the ones coming off duty.
Ilan leaning from the back seat between Annie and Eyal, "Definitely not your rent a cop security type. They are unquestionably badass muscle."
