Transfer of Power

RAFIQUE AZIZ STILL had the muzzle of his MP-5 stuck firmly under the chin of Ragib. If he’d had more men at his disposal, Ragib would be dead, but he needed every last body.

That was why Aziz had brought so many explosives. It was the only way he could neutralize the advantage the Americans would have in manpower.

Ragib, his head contorted in a painful, twisted position, spoke cautiously. “I will find her. I promise you, Rafique.”

Slowly, Aziz backed away, letting his rifle fall to his side, considering whether it was worth looking for the woman.

He grabbed the pile of clothes on the floor. Hasan’s pistol was still in its holster, and his rifle was on top of the dresser on the other side of the room. The bloody knife was on the floor near the clothes, so the woman was unarmed. Sideways, Aziz looked at Ragib and asked, “Was this the same woman Abu Hasan had me pull out of line this morning?”

Ragib nodded his head vigorously.

“Yes. It is the same woman.”

Aziz scoffed and looked at Bengazi, who was standing closer to the door.

“I know this woman. I met her when I arrived for my meeting with that fat pig Russ Piper.” In typical mute form, Bengazi said nothing. Aziz nodded as things started to make a little more sense. He remembered Russ Piper telling him about the woman’s family.

“The woman’s father is a Chicago police officer.” Aziz looked down at the dead body before him.

“That helps explain this.”

When Aziz was done looking at the body, he bent down and grabbed the pile of. clothes. From them, he took the pistol and the radio, then walked over to the dresser and grabbed the extra assault rifle. Aziz turned and tossed the rifle across the room at Ragib.

With his own rifle in one hand, Ragib caught the other rifle with his free hand.

“Do you want me to find the girl?”

Aziz thought about it for a second and then said, “No. She can do us no harm. All of the exits are wired. Chances are she’ll set off one of the bombs and kill herself.”

Bengazi cleared his throat and got Aziz’s attention.

Aziz looked at his second and said, “Yes.”

“I think at the very least we should do a sweep of this floor and the third.” Bengazi paused.

“It shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes.”

Aziz thought about it for a moment and replied, “All right, but let’s do it quickly.”

As they prepared to leave, Ragib pointed to their dead comrade on the floor and asked, “What do you want me to do with Hasan?”

Without looking back, Aziz said, “Leave him there, and let the stupid fool rot.”