Page 28 of Into the Gray Zone (Pike Logan #19)

Nadia’s comment about us being targeted on purpose took me aback. I said, “I sort of feel the same way, but why do you think

so?”

“The men who attacked you are from the same organization as the two guys you killed here the other night. I’ve seen the police

reports, and they’re tied into D Company, and that coincidence is just too convenient.”

I said, “Why? What does D Company have to do with the assault here? And why would they try to kill us after the fact? What

good would it do?”

She said, “I honestly don’t know, but either you’re the most unlucky man on the planet, or they were hunting you.”

She glanced at Jennifer and said, “I don’t think you’re unlucky.”

I smiled and said, “I don’t think I am either. What does your command think about last night?”

“I haven’t told them.”

Knuckles finally perked up, saying, “Seriously? You didn’t tell your boss that you had some Americans break into the suspected

terrorists’ hotel room, and that while they were there, they were ambushed by a bunch of Chinese?”

She turned to him and said, “Yes, seriously. Something is rotten here, and I still don’t know if it’s my own people. I had hoped to confirm or deny one way or the other, but the men you saw short-circuited that. I can’t prove that someone was hiding terrorist connections when all the evidence is gone. I have no idea what our search team would have presented, because they literally had nothing to present.”

I said, “So where does that leave us? The meeting’s over, and from what we’re hearing it was a success.”

She smiled and said, “How do you know that? Does the CIA routinely talk to archeological firms?”

I said, “Spare me. We’re beyond that now.”

She nodded and said, “Yes, I think we are.”

She looked at Jennifer and said, “I’ve run the documents you took pictures of, and most of it led nowhere. The passport photo

didn’t ping anywhere in our database. We have no idea who it is. The journal itself was mostly a bunch of random notes. Really

just a collection of to-do lists the man kept. That address you found, however, is real. It’s a spice shop in Old Delhi.”

I said, “And have you checked that out?”

“No. I have no sanction to do that. I don’t have anyone I can direct to the address. I don’t have a team working under me.

I am the team.”

Knuckles said, “Surely you’ve used Google Earth to take a look. I know you’ve studied it. What do you think?”

“It’s a spice shop, just like a hundred others in the area. The only thing that’s odd is that it hasn’t been open for a couple

of weeks. Someone’s paying the rent, but not opening the storefront.”

“Meaning you think it’s a D Company front?”

“Meaning I think it’s odd. The lease is washed through a host of cutouts, so yes, it could be the Mafia, but it could be something

else. Something more sinister.”

“Like what?”

“Like an influence operation from another country. After what Jennifer saw, maybe Chinese influence, but it’s more likely Pakistan.”

“Well, that’s not unheard of. We’ve uncovered a ton of Chinese influence in the United States, all the way down to bagel shops

that are actually undercover Chinese police stations used to keep track of the Chinese diaspora.”

“That’s exactly what I’m thinking. If China is behind this, then the RAW is going to want to know, but I’m leaning more to

Pakistan. I can’t see China being this brazen, but Pakistan has proven their willingness through past history, and all the

evidence points to Islamic terrorism and the ISI. I just need the proof.”

And I knew the crux of the entire meeting was about to come out. I said, “Then go check it out.”

She shook her head and said, “I’m still not sure someone inside of RAW isn’t tied into this. It wouldn’t surprise me if the

Pakistani ISI were paying someone. Those attackers the other night were focused, and I think it was because they had inside

information. I was hoping to see if the search of the hotel room would pinpoint someone, but you know how that went.”

I cut to the chase. “So you want us to go check this place out?”

“That’s what I’m thinking. You and Jennifer.”

I glanced at Jennifer and said, “Have you wandered around for a single day in your country? Jennifer here sticks out like

a whore in church.”

Jennifer glared at me and said, “You’re not blending in any better.”

I smiled and said, “The point is there’s no way we can do a B&E without getting caught. I won’t even be able to conduct surveillance

on the site without compromise. This isn’t a hotel that caters to Russians.”

“Yeah, I know the problems, but it’s in a touristy area. A bazaar that all the Westerners go to in Old Delhi. You won’t stick

out as bad as you think.”

“Am I supposed to work this with you, or just do it on my own, giving you the results? Do we get any support here?”

“Well, you’re not getting any official support from RAW, but I can provide what little I have. I actually know the owner of

the spice stall down the alley from the target. He’s a family friend, and he trusts me. He can get you an observation point

on the second floor. He’s already told me he’s seen some men coming and going from the place.”

“And how are we supposed to coordinate this? Just walk up and say, ‘Nadia told us to come in and spy around’?”

Nadia gave me a sour look and said, “I’m not stupid. I am RAW, but just like them, you don’t believe a woman. You don’t believe what I’m telling you because I’m female.”

That hit an open sore. I had done more to get Jennifer into the Taskforce than anyone alive. Being female had nothing to do with it. Being stupid did.

I stood up and said, “Spare me the women-of-the-world-unite bullshit. I have no time for it. What I do have is a team , and I’m not willing to sacrifice them on a mission just because you have an axe to grind as a female .”

She looked like I’d slapped her, which, I suppose, I had—at least verbally. She said, “Why did you even come here to talk?”

I sat back down and said, “Because I think you might be right, but now I’m worried that you’re doing this as a way to get

back at some asshole chauvinists in RAW. I’m not into that, and I won’t use my team to validate it.”

She leaned back in her chair and said, “There might be a little bit of that in here, but it’s not why I’m doing it. I honestly

think there is an inside threat, and I have no way to expose it myself. I’m not going to burn your team, I promise. I’ll be in just as much

trouble as you are if you’re caught.”

“And if we get caught? What’s the backstop to this? Just you?”

She looked at Knuckles and said, “Well, you have your assets to help, no? I’m assuming that since you’re even entertaining

this, you’ve spoken to your command.”

I chuckled and said, “Okay, you’re a good read, I’ll give you that, but I’m not getting any help to execute, I promise.”

“But you’ll get help if it goes sour?”

I sighed and said, “I suppose that’s true, but it’s not ideal.”

“Just pretend you’re here on a mission sanctioned by the United States, and you happen to have a person on the inside of RAW

to help. Can you do that?”

I looked at Jennifer, and she gave a slight nod. I went to Knuckles and he said, “You know me, I’m always up for some high

adventure.”

Nadia said, “You won’t be getting any high adventure, I promise.”

I said, “Okay, let’s just take this one step at a time. Why did you specify Jennifer and me for this?”

She acted surprised and said, “What do you mean? Do you have someone else here?”

I laughed and played the game, even as we both knew it was ridiculous. “No, no, I just meant I have Knuckles, but you specified

Jennifer and me.”

She said, “Well, you wanted to coordinate with me, so he’s going to do that. He’ll be our liaison.”

Knuckles scrunched his brow and said, “How? What am I going to do?”

She leaned forward and said, “I told you I’m friends with the bride. I’m invited to the pre-wedding party in Jaipur. It’s

going to be the event of the year, with a who’s who guest list. You’re going to be my date.”

I saw Knuckles’ eyes shoot open, and I glared at him. He held up his hands, stammering, “Pike, I swear, I didn’t set this

up.”