discomfort, unable to move, and at the mercy of a trained assassin.
“How did you find me?”
“Trade secret.”
“You chipped me,” said Simon. “Where? I never felt it.”
“You’re too good for me, Riske.” Shaka stuffed the flash drive into a pocket. “Airport baggage claim. You could perform a cavity search in there and the person wouldn’t know it. A medical implantation device from Siemens. They call it a mosquito because that’s how little you feel it. A friend of mine from my old outfit gave it to me. GSG 9. Mean anything to you?”
“German counterterror.” Simon was more interested in why a former commando was involved with a crooked Saudi Arabian investment firm and what an Italian named Luca had to do with it all.
“Why did you kill them?” Simon asked.
“Neater that way. No questions asked.”
“But they didn’t know anything.”
“They knew De Bourbon. That was already too much.”
“What is this all about? PetroSaud?”
“Who? What’s that, man?” Shaka stood, his knees cracking. “You’re asking the wrong end of the stick. Me, I’m the sharp end.”
“Should I ask Luca?”
Shaka raised a hand at Simon. “Him, you don’t say his name. You’re not good enough. You’re like the rest, looking at the world with your eyes shut. You don’t see what’s happening right in front of you. He’s the one with vision.”
“Vision?”
“He knows what needs to be done.” Shaka looked at the heavens, frustrated. “You want to know what this is about, Simon Riske? It’s about purity. Preservation. Even piety, in a way.”
Simon was confused. What did any of those lofty concepts have to do with ripping off a sovereign wealth fund? Once again, he was brought back to his suspicions. Who was “them”?
“Tell me, then. What needs to be done?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Everyone will. Then again, maybe you won’t.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No threats. Just action. I believe I’m a case in point. We do what’s required.”
“And that is?”
“Wait a week and you’ll know. I’m sorry, there I go again.”
“Colonel Tan told me that Luca was in charge,” he said.
“Tan had a high opinion of himself. He didn’t understand the chain of command. Only one person gives orders.” Shaka kneeled on his haunches. “You want to know who’s in charge? I am, Riske. See anybody else here?”
“And Malloy?”
“I told you. No loose ends. My job is to make certain done is done. No more questions asked. Now or later.”
Shaka stared at Simon a little longer, then gave a last shake of his head. He’d had enough. He hauled Simon up off the ground and threw him over a shoulder, no differently than if he was picking up a Persian carpet. He walked down to the river’s edge, wading into the water up to his knees. Simon could see where he was more clearly now. In the mountains, a steep hillside climbing from the opposite side of the river. Trees growing in abundance, vines falling from their branches to the ground. A rain forest or something like it.
A hundred yards downstream, two pale towers rose from the center of the river, red hazard lights blinking atop each, the water agitated, waves rising and falling, as it approached them. He guessed he was looking at some type of dam, which meant a hydroelectric power plant. Water passed through the dam, spinning giant turbines that in turn generated electricity, before being spewed out the other side, often hundreds of feet below. Not an ideal spot for an evening swim.
“Don’t yell,” said Shaka. “You’ll just end up getting a mouthful of water, not that there’s anyone around to hear you. If I were you, I’d try and get as much air as possible. You’ll be under a long time.”
He took another step and, with a grunt, lifted Simon with both arms and threw him toward the center of the river.
Simon landed facedown, the water colder than he’d expected. He struggled not to gasp. He felt himself moving, gathering speed, and worked to turn himself over. It was remarkably difficult. He rolled his shoulders back and forth, tried to kick his feet. Nothing. Already his air was going, his lungs constricting. A large and heavy object brushed against him, and he turned onto his back. He sucked down the warm air gratefully. A moment later, something washed across his face, cool and slimy, part of it catching in his mouth. He spat it out, shaking the rest free from his face. All the while, he fought to free himself, grinding his hands and feet back and forth, hoping