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“They tied themselves to a bunch of fanatics, and now those guys are running loose, looking for their own version of success.”

I heard that and thought he had a point. Maybe the masters had lost control of the slaves. I said, “China would only use someone who was motivated by money.”

I took another bite and pointed my fork at him, saying, “But maybe the ones they think are motivated by money are using China just like China thinks they’re using them.”

Brett said, “So where does that leave us?”

I laughed and said, “On the first flight out of here, which should be arriving soon, unless Creed has found anything.”

Chapter45

We went back to our room and along the way I called Knuckles, letting him know the state of play.

When he answered, I said, “So, you getting a lot of work done?”

He said, “Well... that depends on what you call ‘work.’”

I laughed and said, “What did Nadia say about our actions here?” I’d spoken to him just before talking to Jennifer earlier, letting him know that we might need some help from Nadia. It turned out we were okay, but I’d given her a secret squirrel update through Knuckles to see if she was hearing something different from the RAW, which would bolster her theory that they were somehow involved.

He said, “The official word on the street is a lone wolf that was killed by his own bomb, but she’s being told it’s a conspiracy, and that someone had killed the man with a gun. It’s not being hidden from her.”

“So there’s no cover-up inside the RAW?”

“Well, there’s no cover-up, but that may be because someone else saw the body first and it was too late to deny it. Iwillsay they think it’s Muslim terrorists. They haven’t backed off of that, and they aren’t looking at China.”

“Bullshit. They aren’t Muslim. Well, theymightbe Muslim, but they aren’t doing this for Islam. The Taj Mahal is an Islamic shrine.Why would they choose to attack that instead of some Hindu temple? It makes no sense.”

“Because it’s a symbol of Indian power? Because it’s the number one tourist destination in the entire country?”

He had a point, but I wouldn’t let it go. “Fanatics don’t think that way. They want to attack what they despise, not what they revere. The Muslims in this country all know it was a Muslim who built that place. They wouldn’t attack it even if it was the number one tourist destination.”

“So what are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking those assholes from the safe house are still on the loose, and I think China’s lost control of them. Tell Nadia that, because we’re leaving here tonight.”

“Wait, what?”

“Look, we had a gunfight today we barely survived, Veep’s arm is in a sling, and we had no sanction for any of it. Brett and I stopped a damn terrorist attack today against the state of India, and while I don’t know what it was about, I don’t really care at this point. One free terrorist prevention per month is all I’m authorized, and we’re now fresh out.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. I understand. What else do you want me to tell Nadia?”

“You mean about us leaving, or my thoughts on the attack?”

“On the attack, you ass. I’m pretty sure I don’t need to explain us leaving.”

I paused, collecting my thoughts. He said, “Pike?”

I said, “Nadia needs to get the RAW to start looking at China. They’re running amok around here, and they’re the thread. They’re doing this for something other than just trouble. They could pay Pakistan for that, but they’re here, on the ground. Which means it’s something directly important to them. I thought it was Thakkar, but now I’m not so sure.”

“Pike, Nadia’s going to say all those guys had Pakistani ISI ties.”

“That’s bullshit Chinese disinformation. She needs them to start looking at people motivated by money, not Islam.”

I heard nothing to that and said, “You still there?”

He said, “You and I think exactly alike. I said that to her earlier today. I’m just glad to hearyousay it, because I think you’re right.”

“Well, get her ass on the thread. I don’t think the RAW is corrupt, but Idothink China’s trying to bite them in the ass, and they’re using guys they’ve lost control of. There’s going to be another attack, somewhere, for something we haven’t figured out, but it isn’t driven by Islam.”