they could tame the savages and take what is ours."
Ashan shook his head. He had heard all of this before. "Again, you have conveniently left out the part where al Qaeda attacked them."
"We could have handled al Qaeda for them. All they had to do was ask. They didn't need to invade our neighbor. Look at all the damage they have caused."
Ashan started to speak and then stopped. It was all a waste of his time. They had been over all of this before. Durrani loved to feign ignorance and spout his dislike for the Americans, all while gladly taking their money. It was rumored that he'd pocketed millions over the course of the war, some of it undoubtedly coming directly from Rickman. Ashan had been on the verge of leveling the accusation on multiple occasions but had always maintained just enough control to avoid suicide. Durrani wasn't the only one who took money. Most of the leadership at the ISI received some form of payment from the Americans, including Ashan himself. The problem with Durrani was that he took the money and then worked feverishly to undermine the legitimate goals of their ally.
"The damage they have caused? And I suppose you think we've had no hand in this mess . . . training and funding the mujahideen and then the Taliban and even some members of al Qaeda."
"Afghanistan is a mess, but it is our mess. It is time for the Americans to leave."
"And what do you think they're trying to do? This reintegration program that I've been helping them with is so they can pull out."
"And maintain a network of paid spies to continue to manipulate the affairs of this region." Durrani shook his head. "It is unacceptable."
"It is understandable considering everything they've been through."
"Would they allow us to meddle in the affairs of countries in their geographical sphere of influence?" Durrani didn't wait for an answer. "They most certainly wouldn't. They have worn out their welcome. It is time for them to go home."
Increasingly, this was how their conversations played out. To push further would be a waste of time and energy. "And what about Rickman?"
The general shrugged. "Another casualty of war. Everyone involved in this mess has lost thousands. Rickman is just another body."
Ashan shook his head in genuine disbelief. "That's where you're wrong. Joe Rickman is not just another body. He is one of the CIA's most important assets, and they are not just going to sit back while he's tortured. The man has too many secrets . . . extremely valuable secrets."
"You are overstating his importance, and even if you weren't, good luck finding him."
"Overstating his importance." Ashan stood and walked to the other side of the large desk. He faced his friend and said, "Do you know who the Americans have dispatched to find Rickman?"
"I have no idea."
Ashan placed both hands on the desk and said, "Your old friend Mitch Rapp."
Durrani looked away and swallowed hard. After a moment of silence he said, "We will offer him any assistance he needs." The words were flat, with no real commitment behind them.
"Akhtar, we have been friends for a long time. I don't want you to react . . . I don't want you to say a word. For once, please listen to me. Mitch Rapp is an extremely dangerous man. The fact that they have sent him over here is proof of how serious the Americans are about getting Rickman back. Rapp doesn't care about diplomacy or politics. He is the last man you want to cross. He will kill anyone who has anything to do with this. I'm going to leave now, but I suggest you follow through on your words. Offer him any assistance he needs, and if you find out that any of your people have aided the Taliban in - "
"We have no idea who did this," Durrani said, with more than a tinge of irritation in his voice.
"You are correct," Ashan said in a soothing voice, "but we can make some educated guesses, and if the usual suspects are involved, we can almost guarantee that somewhere, someone has a connection to the ISI. We need to put our people to work. They need to tell us what they find out and we need to hand it over to the Americans. I know this is painful for you, but you need to act like a true ally."
Durrani looked as if he'd taken a bite out of a sour lemon. "I