“If Kamal doesn’t head to the yacht, we’ll follow where he does go,” Cohen said calmly, as if he was trying to keep the temperature down between her and Porush. “As long as it isn’t back home to Saudi Arabia, then we’re good. When we make a positive ID, we’ll take him out.”

“What would that mean for Tavor?” Porush asked.

Nicole and Cohen looked at each other, then Nicole said, “We’ll do our best to get him out, Ha’mefaked.” She quickly stood and walked back to her workstation before Porush could see the emotion in her eyes.

Chapter 55

CHAPTER 55

SEVEN HOURS LATER

CAFALA BAHR, ARABIAN SEA, OFF MUMBAI, INDIA—16:20 / 4:20 P.M. IST

The helicopter crossed the water from the direction of the mainland.

“What does this fool want now?” Salim asked, dripping sweat from the hot, humid air. If he was this miserable, he couldn’t imagine what the general was feeling in his uniform. Since the military man had IRGC troops on board, he didn’t feel it proper to change into his usual comfortable yacht-wear. So he stood there with sweat stains soaking through his jacket.

“I don’t know what he wants, but I do know I didn’t think it was possible for me to loathe him more than I already did. Yet he has proven me wrong.” He finished his ice water and held out his hand. A steward quickly replaced the glass with a fresh one. The general pulled the wedge of lemon from the rim, squeezed it, and pushed it down into the ice.

“All he told me was that this meeting was of utmost urgency,” Saad said. “Obviously, he told you something more since you have a dozen armed soldiers with you.”

“And my interrogator.” Mousavi nodded toward the bar.

“That’s who that is? If Kamal is bringing some sort of prisoner here, I will personally throw him off my boat. That’s not what this vessel is for!”

Saad’s company helicopter was just now within earshot.

“Well, then you better get ready to throw him overboard, habibi. He told me he had a deal I could not refuse. Then he added that I should bring a bodyguard and an interrogator. Oh, and he said you knew all about it and had given your approval.”

Saad was fuming. This is not Al-Ha’ir Prison. This is not some interrogation cell for the General Intelligence Presidency! What is this fool doing?

The ASEnergy chopper eased in and touched down. After the rotors slowed, the doors opened, and a steward stepped out, extending the steps.

Ali Kamal bounded out. “Saad! Arash!” he called from the distance, his arms stretched wide. “My friends, it is so good to see you on such a glorious day.” He crossed the helipad toward the waiting men.

“Oh, wrong again,” Mousavi said to Saad. “He did find a way to make me hate him even more.”