Necessary Retribution Read Free

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    “You have new work for me, Barzan?”
    “I do. I need you to put together a team for two very important missions.”
    “What are the targets?”
    “I have several picked, but I don't know which two I will assign to you until events unfold.”
    “How many men?”
    “Twenty should be sufficient.”
    “And how much are you willing to pay?”
    “Two million US dollars now, for your preparations, and ten million when the job is done.”
    “Two million is hardly enough to prepare for a mission. We will need weapons, transportation…”
    “All of those will be supplied. You will only have to provide twenty trained men.”
    “When will you provide the two million dollars?”
    “There is a briefcase under the table. Take it when you leave.”
    “As always, you are very persuasive.”
    “I trust your Libyan friend will be interested in helping us?”
    “Of course.”
    “Thank you Abu. I will be in touch.”
    Nidal nodded, picked up the briefcase, and left the cafe.

T WO
    THE TEAM'S SECOND IN COMMAND, Ernie Jackson and Charles “Chucky” Osgood, a former informant of Robin's, walked through the large, empty warehouse with him. It had eight loading docks, most of them out of public view and a nice suite of offices on the third floor. Just outside, the port of Seattle busily unloaded the large container ships bringing the world to Seattle, and loaded ships taking Seattle to the world.
    “I think this will do nicely, Ernie,” Robin observed.
    “Yep, all we need to do is dig out and finish a secure basement. Just a minor thing.”
    “It won't be that tough if we get the right company to do it. We'll also need a way to conceal the two satellite dishes and a bunch of antennas Grassley says we'll need on the roof.”
    “Who are we going to get to do this?”
    “Grassley gave me a referral for a construction company.” Robin pulled a card from the inside pocket of his sport coat and handed it to Ernie. “KBR construction. Bill says they can be trusted to do the job and keep quiet. That's the number for our contact in the company.”
    “Why are you giving it to me?”
    “I've just designated you our contractor liaison.”
    “I don't know jack shit about construction!”
    “It's time you learned. Besides, it's either contractor liaison or you run the regional recruiting. I can't do both.”
    “Okay, okay. I sure as hell don't want to do all that traveling. I'll handle the warehouse.”
    “I knew you would see it my way.”
    “We've been best friends for a long time, but sometimes I really don't like you, Rob.”
    “Yeah, but you always love me.”
    Ernie put his arm around Robin's shoulders. “I do, brother. I surely do.”
    “Okay guys,” Chucky cut in. “I'm really happy your families are doing well and you love each other, but just what in hell am I supposed to be doing?”
    Robin put his arm around Chucky's shoulders. “You're the most important man on the team.”
    “Yeah, right, Rob.”
    “You are, Chucky, because you're our front man.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, we can't apply for permits, business licenses and official things. We're officially dead. So we need you to do those things and be the face man for the company.”
    “That doesn't sound like fun. I thought you said I'd be helping protect the national security of the United States.”
    “Being the front man for the company is just part of your job. The other part is to connect with your former associates in international crime.”
    Chucky's face brightened. “Now that sounds better, but you're confusing me. Whose side are we on?”
    “That will depend on what we're doing, but whatever it is, we'll need all the contacts we can get.”
    Chucky grinned from ear to ear. “Rob, this could be the start of a beautiful relationship.”

    The Guardians were gathered in the conference room at the warehouse. Robin could tell everyone was antsy and ready to go to work. He was finishing explaining the plan for organizing the company