HE SUSPECTS FOUL PLAY"How is that possible?" roared El-Zaki. "That a man well-guarded is snatched right under the noses of the police?" "They came heavily armed with sophisticated weapons. We lost two of our men during the attack while three others are severely injured," the deputy inspector explained. "I don't know how I will explain this to the commissioner by morning." "That is your kettle of fish, deputy inspector Brown. I've got a much bigger problem at hand." "Do you know how many of my men have been killed tonight? All of them! They've all been slaughtered like chickens." El-Zaki continued to lash out at the man without any consideration. He was so enraged that his explanations fell on deaf ears. "Well, there's only one course of action that can save your ass: and that is for you to find out those responsible and hint at me. I want to know who they are. Whom they're working for. And lastly, how they got wind of the extraction plan because no one else except you, and maybe
TAKEN BY SURPRISEEl-Zaki secretly arrived in Spain and checked into Ley Roy Hotel. At the airport, he told Nathan he wanted to travel alone. "I will need you to stay back at home to keep the place running while I'm gone," he stated. "But, boss, Mr Hart..." "My son will be busy at the company as usual," he reminded him when he brought up the subject of Hart being around, "so I will need someone to be my watchdog at home." Nathan at first thought it was a calculated attempt to keep him at bay. But after the Don left and he spoke with Barrister Crusoe via his new private phone, the old lawyer told him it was a perfect time to carry out their assignment. "No, this is just perfect," he said gleefully. "Now that he's gone, the house will be less guarded. And we will make our move to find the document. "Don't you think, as you stated before, this might as well be a trap?" reasoned Nathan. "Perhaps he has hidden cameras installed in strategic places and might catch us red-handed." The
BEATING THE CLOCK"Father, someone broke into your chamber. I think they were searching for something." El-Zaki thought he didn't hear his son well. He asked, "Do you mind repeating what you just said?" His eyes were glittery in the hotel's chandelier light; like a cornered tiger on sighting its prey in the jungle. "We had a general power outage within the estate. It was announced that it would only take about fifteen minutes. Fortunately, the light was restored a little after ten minutes." The Don was grunting, his breathing awkward and uneven. "So what happened?" "I started hearing noises up. At first, I thought it was Nathan going up to do something because he wasn't home when I got back. I had returned to the house earlier than expected." "Did you see who they were?" he impulsively questioned. The Don was getting impatient. Then he remembered he was talking with his son and mellowed down a bit. "Because before anyone would dare to enter my chamber, it must be someone who kno
YOU DON'T PLAY FAIR "You have to make appearances at the conference if you must establish contact with the high and mighty in the Mafia world," emphasized Mr Ramirez to Caleb. They were together at the training center after the close of work that evening. "I cannot do it alone," he argued for the umpteenth time. "At least go with me this first time and maybe subsequently, I can go alone," Caleb pleaded. "You are braver than you give yourself credit for. And you will make a good leader someday - that much I can tell. All you have to do is believe in yourself." Caleb did not know the part of making a good leader. What he however knew was his determination to see to the end of his number one enemy - Don El-Zaki. The thought of revenge had overtaken him lately, like a cancerous cell, spreading rapidly into every fabric of his being. "I will be like a fish out of water," he gabbled and then stood up to stand behind his chair. "What you're asking me to do is walk into a hall filled wi
THE JOKE IS ON YOU El-Zaki got a call from Mr Ramirez. He was going to schedule their meeting to hold on the day El-Zaki had set to meet with him. But not without giving him a good dose of his bitter medicine. "Mr John told me you wanted an audience with me," he said. "Yes, please. There are urgent matters I feel only you can help me to sort out," the Don replied eagerly. "You know I am a businessman and I'm usually busy during morning hours till late in the afternoon..."El-Zaki didn't wait for him to finish, he chipped in, "I do not intend to take your time. Perhaps thirty minutes or thereabouts.""If that is the case, why don't you go ahead and say what you want over the phone?" Antonio said in a clipped tone, baiting him in. He knew what El-Zaki was trying to do. What he didn't realise was that he had his own plans. "That's not possible. A matter of this magnitude cannot be casually discussed over the phone," countered El-Zaki. "I crave your presence by all means." "Five o'
THE PENALTY Mr Ramirez turned to El-Zaki, his eyes shooting daggers at him. "What have you done to my family?" he roared. El-Zaki chuckled in a tone that mimicked Antonio's own. "Now it seems the tables have turned." Mr Ramirez narrowed his gaze quizzically. El-Zaki jerked his head prompting him to sit down but the puzzled man remained standing. "I haven't done anything - yet," he said slowly, then paused to let the warning in the last part of his word sink in. "You can trust that I have no intention of hurting them. Although that much will depend on you; if you're willing to oblige to my request."Antonio became crestfallen. He could easily work out of the room and order his men standing outside to manhandle the Don until he gives off the location his family is being held. But that might further endanger their lives. Especially his precious Katherine. She was his only daughter. The bright spot in the dark water of his chaotic world. He sat down again and tried to compose himse
THE GRAND PLAN Hart quickly dialled his father's line, the Don answered."Father, there's trouble. Big trouble," he said shaking."What kind of trouble?""I am just arriving at the venue of the meeting, but it appears the meeting is already over.""What do you mean already over? What time did the circular say?""I'm not sure father. I couldn't locate the place on time and your line could not get through when I tried to call.""But that's not all," he went on."If you have anything to say, say it quickly. I want to call the director and explain your foolishness to him," El-Zaki yelled. Hart wanted to argue that it wasn't his fault, but he knew that was a lie. He got drunk with some girl he met at the airport after taking her to a club last night. The two of them ended up in bed and before he could get over his hangover and manage to escape back to his hotel to get ready for the event, it was nearly noon. His father's angry tone would turn to a war cry after he hears what he's about
AN EYE FOR AN EYECaleb ended the call with Mr Ramirez and turned to Fab, "I have a job for you tonight. Do you think you can do it?" "Any kind of job, rich kid. I'm here at your service," he said. "Call me Cab going forward, especially when we're together." Fabian nodded and waited expectantly for him to tell him the type of job he needed him to do. "I want you to kidnap someone." Fab jerked his head up sharply. "Here in Rome, I mean." He raised his eyebrows, "Tonight?" "Right away if possible. We don't have much time," he said and went to open his luggage to remove the small Mauser he had purchased the first week he arrived in Madrid. "And I'm going with you to do it." "No! No, you can't be mixed up in something like that. Mr Ramirez asked me to accompany you for a reason." Caleb was staring at Fabian with curiosity. He hadn't met someone so eager to serve him. Perhaps Mr Ramirez was right when he said he saw a good leader in him. And Mr Felipe Santino repeated the same ea