The Scorpion licked at a trickle of blood out of the corner of his mouth. “Knowing it was Bandar, I was bound to believe he would be used for an assassination,” he continued conversationally.

“The assassination attempt was the p-p-perfect cover for Abdul Sa’ad to b-b-bring in a helicopter to spirit His Majesty away—presumably to s-safety. He actually m-m-managed to incorporate you into his p-p-plan. You were q-q-quite useful, d-dear b-b-boy,” Braithwaite smiled.

“Ingenious,” the Scorpion admitted. It was. Everyone had underestimated Abdul Sa’ad.

“Oh, the R-R-Russians will have their h-hands full t-t-trying to run Abdul Sa’ad,” Braithwaite said cheerfully, as if reading the Scorpion’s mind.

Hearing him say that made the Scorpion’s heart sink with certainty. Braithwaite would never have mentioned the Russians unless they planned to kill him. “So the Russians are finally moving south, after all these centuries,” he mused aloud.

“Not q-q-quite yet, dear b-boy. But the revolt is on. The Shiites are rioting in Q-Qatif. The Yemenis are moving into the Tihamah and pushing towards Mecca, and the PLO are b-blowing up the oil facilities at Ras Tanura and Sea Island.”

“No more filthy Yankee dogs,” Bandar growled.

“Only Russians dogs now,” the Scorpion shrugged as best he could and was rewarded with a flicker of something in Bandar’s one good eye.

“Oh, surely you knew the R-Russians were in on it, d-dear b-b-boy. We always assumed that,” Braithwaite said. He seemed years younger. His eyes were positively sparkling. And then the Scorpion realized what it was. Too late, he thought bitterly. He had understood everything too late.

“So you’re back in the game at last, Ralph,” the Scorpion said.

“You all wrote me off. A h-has-been. I’m only taking my d-due, dear boy,” Braithwaite said. It reminded the Scorpion of an old saying of Sheikh Zaid’s: “Take what you want,” said Allah, “take it and pay for it.”

“You lied to me Ralph,” the Scorpion said softly.

“You are naive, dear boy. I’m a s-s-spy. Lying is my b-b-business,” Braithwaite snorted.