Chapter 26

"Is the Ambassador all right?" Billy demanded on the other end of the phone.

"Yeah, he's fine. One of his guards took a hit but it was just a flesh wound. He's canceled his appointments until the Summit tomorrow afternoon." Lee shifted and rubbed his sore shoulder. "Francine did manage to get the plate number, so we'll run that and see what we come up with."

"Any ideas who it might've been?" Billy barked.

Lee saw Francine waving at him from across the hotel lobby. "I have my suspicions. We're positive it was the same car who chased us down yesterday and I'd bet my whole paycheck they've got ties to Brody." Lee paused for a moment before adding, "I'll keep you updated." He dropped the handset onto the payphone and crossed the lobby. "What'd you find out?"

"My contact at the DMV said the car is registered to Hollister but the current address is bad. It's for an old factory that was torn down last year. I already checked." Francine tucked the small notepad she was holding back into her purse.

Lee nodded affirmatively. "That confirms our suspicions anyway. Did you learn anything else from the Ambassador about Al Saleed?"

"Surprisingly, yes. Al Saleed was on their radar long before he was arrested here. The reason he knew so much about the Drydock conspiracy is because he was actually behind it, according to the Ambassador. It's one of the reasons they didn't fight to get him extradited back to Dubai. They've been working with the Department of Congress to stop the flow of illegal goods in and out of both Dubai and the US. Keeping Al Saleed here and talking has helped them round up quite a few illegal operations using the Drydocks as a cover." Francine leaned closer to Lee and whispered, "According to the Ambassador, Jonathan was working for them to help flush out some of the so-called businessmen."

Lee's mouth dropped open slightly. "You mean, Jonathan was spying for the Emirate?"

"Something like that. But I guess it isn't much different to what he was doing for the CIA a few years ago," Francine stated. She glanced around the hotel lobby and dropped her chin as she added, "He wasn't a bad guy after all."

Unexpectedly, Lee pulled her into a hug. Francine stiffened but didn't immediately push him away. She started to slide her hands up his chest when he whispered in her ear, "Someone's watching us. Act natural."

She breathed shallowly and tried to scan the lobby. "Where?"

"Brown jacket over by the stairs." Lee shifted them to a spot where they were protected by a large granite pillar. He released her once he was confident they couldn't easily be seen.

Francine leaned to the side and spotted the suspect just before he disappeared through a side door leading to the hotel courtyard. "He's outside."

"Let's go follow him, but let's keep our distance. He might be armed and we've already caused enough of an uproar here today." Lee grabbed Francine's hand and casually sauntered toward the door, all the while watching him through the glass. "Looks like he's headed toward the back lot."

Francine spotted a hallway running parallel to the courtyard with a secondary outside exit further down, as well as a sign at the end pointing to the additional parking lot in the rear of the building. "Let's go this way. There's nowhere else for him to go but through the courtyard to the lot. Maybe he won't notice us."

Lee paused for just a moment then agreed. Together they followed the unknown man toward the back of the hotel. They watched as he glanced over his shoulder several times before jogging around a row of bushes. They reached the end of the hall, sprinted to the exit door, and barely caught sight of him as he straddled a motorcycle. As he lifted his helmet onto his head, Lee saw the unmistakable shape of a handgun tucked into the back of his pants. He immediately shielded Francine with his body as he reached into his jacket to withdraw his own weapon.

The man on the motorcycle revved the engine and looked at them once more before placing his feet on the pegs and taking off. Lee attempted to follow on foot but the motorcycle quickly sped across the lot and around the corner of the building. Francine jogged up behind him, shaking her head.

"Who do you think that was?" Lee breathed heavily.

"I have no idea. I mean, if he's working with Hollinger and Staples, why didn't he just try to take us out back here?" Francine gestured around at the secluded lot.

Lee pointed up at the corner of the building to the security camera. "He's not careless. Although I'm still trying to wrack my brain around the pot shots earlier. Why would they try to take out the Ambassador when they knew he was going to be surrounded by guards?"

Francine straightened her blouse and shifted her purse along her hip. "Lee, what if those shots weren't for the Ambassador?"

Lee stared at her, his mouth open slightly. The muscle in his cheek began to dance as he questioned, "You think those were meant for us?"

"Yes… and no. I have a hunch…: Francine's voice trailed off.

"Are you going to share?" Lee absentmindedly rubbed his sore shoulder again.

Francine shook her head. "Let's head back to the Agency. I think Amanda can help me with this idea."

Lee groaned. "What idea?"

Francine's laugh echoed across the empty parking lot. "You're just going to have to wait to find out."