MONICA HAD ANGERED AGENT DAVIDSON with her perspective. Not a good idea when they would be working together. While SAC Thomas voiced a concern about Kord’s relationship to the prince, Monica viewed the connection as a plus. If the two men were like brothers, then Kord had gained the prince’s trust. She’d worked enough in the Middle East to understand trust held the most weight.
“Agent Davidson, it’s not my intention to undermine your skills or your relationship with Prince Omar. Today has been filled with tragedy. I’m trying to compile information while looking at the current threat.”
“Bringing you into a task force wastes time when the case is fresh,” Davidson said.
“I’m a fast learner.” She poured pleasantries into her words with the realization he had already decided her help wasn’t an asset.
Jeff stepped in. “Unfortunately, the prince’s agenda strays far from his mother’s health. My guess is his interests also include the purchase of another race car to add to his fifty-million-dollar hobby. Or acquiring another string of hotels. Benevolence tours have never fallen into his behavior patterns in the past.”
“Take another look at the man,” Agent Davidson said. “I’ve found him honorable in his personal and professional dealings. Right now he’s grieving the loss of a good friend, and so am I. While I’m positioned to help protect Prince Omar, I’d rather be working on finding who murdered Zain.”
Silence hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode. Monica waited for the varying personalities to simmer.
“We all want the same thing,” SAC Thomas said. “Flying by the seat of our pants is not our preferred mode of operation. But until we have facts, all we can do is investigate and query informants. We have no idea who’s behind the plot, but we’re moving on it. Other agents are exploring any local leads, but you, Operative Alden and Agent Davidson, are assigned to the security detail. Kord will work as an assistant to the prince’s media secretary, Malik al-Kazaz, for US communications. Operative Alden, you’ll pose as Kord’s assistant. You now have credentials to show you’re FBI. Only Prince Omar knows your CIA status. Besides protection, you can be keeping an eye out for any internal leaks.”
“I don’t need a partner.” Kord’s words rumbled low.
Ego had roots in her new partner’s attitude. She’d have felt the same way. Almost a slap in the face that he wasn’t doing his job. She’d been there.
“We’re all sweating this. Are you on board with Operative Alden, or do you want to be replaced?”
Second time the question had been posed to him.
Kord swung to Monica as though he were sizing up her potential as his partner.
“What’s it going to be? I haven’t time to waste.”
“I’m in.”
Jeff faced the table. “You two can get started here. No time to waste. Kord, your car is parked two blocks south, and you will use it to transport Monica to the Saud family estate in River Oaks. Everything you need will be brought to you. Monica, your vehicle has been removed.”
SAC Thomas handed her a copy of Prince Omar’s itinerary. His agent must already have one. “You’ve been given access to a secure site for all communications. I don’t care if the prince is heading to the bathroom, we want to know what he’s doing. Operative Alden, Prince Omar’s sisters may have info, and they’d be hesitant to talk to a man. Kord has Middle Eastern experience working undercover and has knowledge of the language, culture, and familiarity with the Saud family. Use it. Kord, your partner has completed two missions in Iran and one in Iraq. She speaks Farsi, Arabic, and Swahili. She has a photographic memory, reads lips, is a bomb expert, and is superior in pulling info from unsuspecting targets.”
Jeff cleared his throat. “Nine months ago, Monica believed a terrorist planned to bomb the city’s underground tunnels and was right. We’d discounted the scheme while she pursued it.”
Kord raised his right index finger. “The family has state-of-the-art security equipment ensuring the premises are protected. Have we detected any weaknesses within our control?”
Jeff deferred to SAC Thomas. “You have that covered.”
“It’s solid,” he said. “Not much we can do about preventing an attack via a drone.”
SAC Thomas pulled two phones from his pocket and slid them across the table along with an ID naming Monica as FBI. “Use the FBI badges and IDs. Are there any questions before you two read the intel sent to your new secure phones? Kord, most of it is redundant.”
“Will local agents be aware of a new agent bearing her name?” Kord said.
“Have it handled,” SAC Thomas said.
“How long will Prince Omar’s mother be here for treatments?” Monica said.
“Approximately four weeks. If she survives.”
She rose from the table. “I’d like to make a phone call to secure my cover. It should take all of five minutes.”
“Go ahead,” Jeff said. “That has to stay intact.”
Reaching inside her handbag, she pulled out her iPhone and listened to SAC Thomas talk to his agent before she left the room. “The urgency of a task force and the work ahead is your style. Behave yourself and get the job done.”
“The prince will object to any American on his protective detail but me, especially a woman.”
“It’s not your call.”