Tripoli's Target (Justin Hall # 2) Read Online Free Page B

hands.
    “We were at the Castle conducting surveillance when we were ambushed.” Justin leaned over his folded hands with his elbows resting on the table.
    “I know that much already,” Johnson said.
    “Those are all the facts we have so far. I suspect the shooters were from the Alliance, since Cairo has always been their home.”
    “The Alliance?” Johnson asked. “Why the ambush if their sheikh was meeting with us?” She frowned while pondering the answer.
    “One possibility is that the ambush was the purpose of this so-called ‘meeting,’ to lure us into their trap,” Justin said.
    He glanced at Carrie and his eyes caught a slight jerk of her left hand. He nodded for her to speak her mind.
    “One theory is that Rahim sold us out and helped stage the attack,” Carrie said.
    “Really? What evidence do you have for that?” Johnson asked.
    Carrie shrugged. “None, it’s a theory.”
    “I noticed a suspicious car parked by the Castle and asked Rahim to check it out,” Justin added. “Two of the shooters escaped using the same car.”
    Johnson absorbed the information. “So Rahim never checked the car?”
    “He sent his nephew, presumably.”
    Johnson did not ask why Justin was not sure if Rahim’s nephew had searched the car. She probably concluded he disappeared or died before I could talk to him, Justin thought.
    “Who is dead?” asked Johnson.
    “Rahim, his nephew, and two shooters. I also wounded one of the passengers as the car sped away. She should die soon, if she’s not already dead.”
    Johnson’s eyes remained still despite the coldness in Justin’s voice.
    “I don’t get it,” Johnson said, “if Rahim, and maybe his nephew, sold us out, how come they’re both dead?”
    “I didn’t kill them, if that’s what you’re asking.” Justin said. “They both got popped during the shootout. I can’t really tell whether if it was by error or on purpose.”
    Johnson nodded and a few strands of her gray hair came loose. “I want you to find out the identities of these shooters and their motives,” she said softly, removing a pin from her hair and fixing her stubborn curls. “Then—”
    A knock on her office door interrupted her.
    “Yes, come in.” Johnson turned to her left.
    A man’s voice could be heard, but he was outside the camera’s angle, and his words were unintelligible. But Justin could read Johnson’s facial expression. It went from shock to awe and then to doubt in a matter of seconds. Before he could ask anything, she said, “Justin, I’ve got to check something urgent here. I’ll put you on hold for a few seconds, OK?”
    “That’s fine,” Justin said. He had no other option.
    “Yes, we’ll be here waiting,” George added but Johnson tapped a key and the screen turned black.
    “Did you see that?” Justin asked.
    “No, what was it?” George said.
    Carrie nodded at Justin’s question. “The news they just gave Johnson,” she explained for George. “From the look on her face, it can’t be good.”
    “Well, now she’s gonna take forever to analyze it, so I’m out of here.” Justin stood up and pushed back his chair. “If it’s going to be a long night, I need some coffee.”
    George raised his hands. “Wait, what if she comes back on the line while you’re gone?”
    Justin shrugged. “You’re the boss. Tell her I had to step out for a minute. But I’ll be back before she does.”
    “Wait up,” Carrie said, “I’ll get some tea.”
    George sighed. “OK, let’s all take a five minute break.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Hi, boss.” Justin pushed the door with his elbow, since he was carrying a coffee cup in each hand. “She’s still not back?” His question pointed out the obvious as the plasma screen showed no image.
    George replied with a headshake.
    “This is yours. Black.” Justin placed one of the cups next to George’s laptop before returning to his seat.
    “Oh, thanks.” George lifted the cup and took a large sip.
    “Hey,”