Free The Toymaker by Chuck Barrett Page B

get you to Palace then you rescue woman.”
    Kaplan looked at Chase. “She’s right. We need her. She can help. Without her, we might not stand a chance.”
     

CHAPTER 14
     
     
     
     
    K APLAN SENT BARAKA away with plans to meet back at the same place later that afternoon. He and Chase returned to the safe house and briefed the brick. Then Kaplan called Bentley and CIA analyst George Fontaine via the Delta squad’s encrypted phone.
    “Before her cover was blown,” Bentley said. “Isabella had relayed information about the Yemen cell’s plans for a coordinated attack. Three attacks were to take place within weeks of each other across the globe. One in Australia. As you know, that cell has been eliminated. One in Europe and the other in the United States. Based on messages she’d intercepted to Hilal, Isabella believed the Yemen cell was planning an attack in France, probably Paris.”
    “Paris is a long way from Yemen. Was she sure?” Kaplan asked.
    Actually,” Fontaine said. “Yemen is closer to Paris than Sydney was to the cell you and Jake took out.”
    “What we need you to find out,” Bentley said, “are the sites for the two attacks. Verify Paris is one, and find out what you can about the U.S. attack. We have no intel. It could happen anywhere and we’re helpless to stop it unless you can glean some information from the Yemen cell.”
    Kaplan sensed a delay in Hunt’s rescue and that bothered him. He needed to get her out of there. “Sir,” Kaplan said. “We should get Isabella out of there then we’ll find out what she knows and act accordingly.”
    There was a hushed sound on the other end of the line. Kaplan knew Bentley and Fontaine were talking. He looked at Chase and shrugged his shoulders.
    “Sir?”
    “Gregg.” Bentley again. “We need to get to the cell leader before he gets a suspicion we’re coming for Isabella. You need to find him and extract what you can. Then, and only then, go after Isabella. It’s imperative we stop those two attacks and the only way to do that is make them think they are still safe. By now they know the Australian cell was taken down so they’ll be extra cautious. Do what you have to Gregg, but find out when and where those attacks are going to take place or hundreds, maybe thousands of innocent people will die. The mission comes first.”
    “So Isabella is expendable?” Kaplan asked.
    “Gregg, don’t make me answer that.”
    “Yes sir.” Kaplan felt a pang of regret. “So where do we go from here?
    “We’ll gather what intel we have and send it to you. In the meantime, get out there and find out what you can from the locals. Any sources the Delta team has, use them. Squeeze them if you have to. We’ll get back in touch in four hours. Understood?”
    “Yes sir.” Kaplan said. “I’ll be standing by.”
    Kaplan disconnected the call to Langley and turned to Chase. “What sources do you have here other than Baraka? I don’t want to jeopardize her, I need her help to get Hunt out of there.”
    “You heard Bentley.” Chase said. “Find the handler first. Hunt can wait.”
    “I heard what he said.” Kaplan pointed his finger at Chase. “But I will not let Isabella die at the hands of these lunatics.”
    “Mr. Kaplan.” Chase interrupted. “You should prepare yourself for the possibility that she’s already dead.”
    “I won’t believe that…not for a moment.”
    “And if you’re wrong?” Chase asked.
    “I’ll kill everyone that had any part in it. Then I’ll kill their families. I’ll send a message loud and clear to all these towel-headed radicals.”
    The room was silent. No one spoke. Finally Kaplan said, “Now, do you have a list?”
    “We’ve only been here a day so our list is short.” Chase pulled a steno pad out of his backpack. “Baraka gave us two names that might be useful, one better than the other, and both are only a short ride from here.”
    “Pick the best one from the list.” Kaplan looked at Chase.