KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
AT 3:10 THAT afternoon, the Associated Press released a bul etin that three American contractors had been kidnapped in the Afghan capital city of Kabul. The Taliban had already claimed responsibility.
According to a statement released by the terrorist organization, the three men were stil alive. They would be tried under Sharia law for actions meant to undermine Islam and denigrate the teachings of the Qu’ran, this a result apparently of the schools the contractors were building in previously uninhabitable sections of the city. The kidnappings were a direct response to the bombing of the Shah Gush mosque in northern Afghanistan that had resulted in the deaths of fifteen Shia Muslims, including revered Taliban leader Mohammed Omar al-Fayez.
The U.S. Army command could not confirm al Fayez’s death because the dead were stil being removed from the rubble left behind by the bombing and because those bodies that had been recovered were virtual y unrecognizable. Nonetheless, an Army spokesman speaking under a promise of anonymity believed the terrorist leader was in fact dead.
That was exactly what the Taliban wanted the Army and the media to believe, though nothing could have been further from the truth. In fact, the terrorist leader was safe and secure and issuing orders much as he had been for the past decade.
“This is the best possible news. The infidels must believe I am dead,” al Fayez said to his closest advisors that same night from a safe house outside of Kabul.
“I cannot sleep in a different place every night of the year. It’s impossible for me to continue the work of Al ah and be hunted like a dog.”
“On that we agree,” the man sitting to his right said. “But we stil have three hostages to contend with. Do we use them as bargaining chips or examples?”
“We make examples of them,” al Fayez said. “Wait two days and behead them. Until then, treat them wel . After al , we are not animals. When justice has been served, place their remains where their infidel comrades wil find them.”
“As you wish,” the man said. “And what of your plans? Has the house in Kandahar been made ready?”
“It has,” al Fayez said. “And now that I am no longer a hunted man, I wil take on a new name for the infidels, and the Kandahar house wil become my new base of operations.”
DAVIS INTERNATIONAL BUILDING
THE EIGHTH FLOOR offices of the Mil ar Trading Company and the covert gathering place for the Adala leadership was teeming with activity when Alan cal ed them together in their refurbished conference room.
Brian carried a mug of coffee in and loosened his tie. Herb had just returned from France and looked as if he had slept the entire week in a rumpled suit. Marie was a picture of loveliness and efficiency, a rare combination that al three men registered as particularly attractive.
“Good week?” Alan said.
“Very productive,” Brian said, a sentiment shared by Marie and Herb.
“Good. Let me bring you up to speed on our applicants,” Alan began. He needed a deep sip of his steaming hot coffee and then took in the members of his team individual y. “It’s going better than either Harry or I expected. We have over 800
names already; al supposedly fitting the most elementary aspects of our criteria.”
“Eight hundred? Wow!” Marie said.
“Wow is right,” Herb agreed. “That’s outstanding.”
“Wel , it’s a start. They stil have to be vetted and screened. We’l obviously need help with that task, and who knows what the results wil be? Stil , the results are impressive. The question now seems to be this. How large of an operation do we want?” He paused a moment, sipping his coffee and letting the question settle. Then he continued, saying, “Perhaps we should leave that question until we hear what everyone has to say. Brian? Why don’t you begin?”
Brian dug into his briefcase for a thin file folder. He passed a single sheet of paper to each of his teammates. “I spent a good part of the week