Friberg dropped the phone in its cradle and stared at them without expression. He stood up and walked to the tall window behind the desk.

“No word?” Friberg asked.

“No,” Ingersol said.

“Then we move. Quickly,” Friberg said, facing them. His jaw muscles flexed. “Under no circumstances can we allow this man to live.”

David blinked. “Sir, I’m not sure I understand why he poses such a threat. He’s off on his own, and I can understand your frustration with his pigheaded attitude, but—”

“Shut up, Lunow,” Friberg said quietly. “The only reason you’re sitting where you are now is because you know the man better than anyone else. You played a part in his leaving and now you’ll play a part in his elimination. You’re not here to express your reservations.”

Heat flared up David’s neck. The warning Casius had spoken on the phone rang through his head.

“Of course, sir. But without knowing more, I’m not sure I can be effective. It seems he knows more than I do about what’s going on.”

“He’s after Jamal,” Friberg said. “And to get to Jamal he’s going through Abdullah Amir. That’s all he knows and it’s all you need to know.”

“I’m not sure that’s all he knows. He at least suspects more.”

“Then we have even more reason to take him out.”

David sat quietly now. He’d stepped into deep waters, that much was now clear.

“Perhaps it would help if we knew your concerns,” Ingersol said. “I’m just as much in the dark here as David. Casius has become a liability, but I’m not sure either of us understands just how much of one.”

Friberg turned back to the window and leaned on the ledge. He spoke out to the lawn. “I don’t have to tell you that this is ‘need to know’ only. And as far as I’m concerned, you’re the only two who need to know.” He ran a hand over his balding head. “Casius has inadvertently stumbled into an operation we were involved in eight years ago.” He turned back to them. “We know about Abdullah Amir. We know about his compound, and suffice it to say we can’t allow Casius to compromise our position in Venezuela because he has some hairbrained notion that Jamal is involved.”

Ingersol shifted in his seat. “We have an operation involving Abdullah Amir?”

“It was before your time, but yes. Let’s leave it at that. Under no circumstance is Casius to reach that compound. Am I making myself clear? We pursue him at all costs.”

David sat stunned. He wasn’t sure they knew what they were getting into with Casius. He’d never known a more dangerous man. The man was born to kill. “I’m not sure pursuing him is the best option, sir.”

“Because?”

“He may do more damage defensively than he would otherwise.”