Bullets And Baseball, Book #6 of the Asps Series - Hector and Bear undercover.

Today’s excerpt is from Bullets And Baseball, Book #6 of the nine-book Asps Series.  Hector and Bear doing undercover work in Pakistan.  Enjoy and have a fantastic day. 

m.j.

 

The plan, such as it was, having been discussed, Billy and Kye set out for the rendezvous with Hector and Bear in the rear of their car.  As Kye, driving, neared the street the Taliban/Haqqani safe house was located on, she pulled to a stop.

Hector and Bear got out, made a right at the corner, headed down the street past several houses and two small businesses.  They kept on walking until they reached the house they sought.  Both men took a deep breath, let it out, boldly walked up to the front door, where Hector knocked.

The person answering the door looked them both over as Hector used Arabic, “We are here to see Jansher Mirza or Raji Kahn.”

The man facing them answered in the same language.  “I am Jansher Mirza.  You are who?”

“I am Muhammad Kamel, and with me is Gamal Morsi.”

“Please, come in.”

They did before they followed Mirza into another room, where still another man sat at a desk.  He was introduced as Raji Kahn.  Hector and Bear were asked to have a seat, before Kahn nodded.  “We have been expecting you.”

Hector replied, “We had a bit of trouble…well, more than a bit—but are here at last.”

Kahn asked, “What sort of trouble?  With the Iranians?  They have proved to be less than we had hoped.”

“They were less than helpful.  I would prefer not to do business with them in the future.”

Mirza joined the conversation.  “A wise choice.  Do you have the lists of men?”

Hector shook his head.  “No.  Due to the trouble we had, I was forced to destroy the lists.  However, I can assure you we have more than expected.”

Kahn asked, “More than the one thousand we requested?”

Hector gave a very slight head nod, “Yes, closer to two thousand.”

After he spoke, he could see excitement in the eyes and on the face of Kahn.  He glanced at Mirza to see much the same there.  He felt as though he had hit a home run.

Kahn nodded.  “What wonderful news—thank you so much.”

Mirza then asked, in Urdu, “Are you rested enough for us to commence our trip?”

Until Mirza spoke in Urdu, everything said in the house had been in Arabic, but Hector tilted his head.  “I did not understand you…sorry.”

Kahn held up his hand part way.  “Forgive my friend, he spoke in our native tongue…Urdu.”

“Oh, I wasn’t sure.  I speak only Arabic and a bit of English…very poorly, I’m afraid.  However, my traveling companion has made an effort to learn Urdu—without a great deal of success, I’m afraid.”

Bear spoke for the first time as he mumbled, in his best imitation of broken Urdu, “I understood a few words.”

Mirza smiled before he said, back in Arabic, “We best keep to Arabic.  What I asked earlier was if you are rested enough to commence our trip, or would you prefer to get a good night’s sleep here first?”

Hector answered, “We are ready to travel when you are.  We have delayed matters quite enough as it is.”

Both Hector and Bear were wired, so everyone outside in various vehicles and in various locations could hear all being said inside the house.  Bruce cautioned, “Be alert, the little test on the language front indicates those two may not be totally sure Hector and Bear are who they say they are.”

Things then got—as Hector would later say—“A bit dicey,” as Kahn posed the next question.  He asked, “Have either of you met Jahangir Hassan or Anwar Usmani?”

In his Land Rover, Sergey grumbled, “Damn and damn…if Hector says ‘yes,’ get ready to storm the place.”

Hector said, even as Sergey was speaking outside, “No…but we are looking forward to doing so.”

Kye muttered, “Good guess, Hector.”

Tony groaned, “I should kick myself for not thinking of that.”

Bruce muttered, “So should we all.  As Sergey said, ‘damn and damn’.”

It had been a guess, but Hector had looked Kahn directly in the eyes, as he had been for the entire meeting…when not doing so to Mirza.  Having spent much time in the detective/protection business—as well as having interrogated several terrorists over the years—Hector was sure his guess had been the correct one from the relaxed response to his answer by Kahn.

Kahn asked, “Would you like something to eat before we leave?  The food here is better than it will be in the camp we will be traveling to.”

Hector nodded.  “Yes, please.  Though I must warn you, my friend eats more than a normal human being should.”

Bear smiled as he nodded.  “I’m afraid my friend speaks the truth.”

 

Sponsored by:  www.mikejacksonbooks.com