Don Pendleton - Lethal Diversion

Sayf used the small building behind the eight-foot-high chain-link fence as an occasional meeting place or storage facility, and, at the present, it was his primary office for their mission until it was over, unless something went wrong or they were discovered and forced to move. After he passed through the electronic gate and ensured that it shut behind him, he drove the Audi around to the backside of the building where a garage door opened in response to the button he pressed on his visor.

He parked the car and shut the garage door. From where he was, he could see Malick Yasim through the glass door of the office. He was pacing and, in the reflection from the light, beads of sweat were visible on his bald head. The damage done by the Coast Guard finding the ship was containable, but he couldn’t let his second in command see that fact right away. First, he must be reminded of how simple mistakes could cost them everything.

Sayf calmly stepped out of the car, retrieved his briefcase from the backseat, and shut the doors. Yasim would be waiting for his judgment—he was a loyal soldier. But his carelessness had given more information to the authorities than they’d planned, and that could prove crucial to their timing. He crossed the concrete floor of the nearly empty warehouse to the office and opened the door.

Yasim turned to him immediately. “Sayid, I heard about the boat and the bodies. We left it anchored. I did not expect it to come ashore until after everything was completed. I have failed you.”

“You are a stupid fool!” Sayf snapped. “Do you know what this means to us? We must change the times for everything and we must keep them looking in other directions. Your mistake makes things more difficult than they already were! What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I...I am sorry, Sayid,” the bald man stammered. “Allow me to redeem myself in your eyes. Give me a task to complete to show you that I will not fail you again.”

Sayf allowed himself to the luxury of appearing to consider Yasim’s words while he put his briefcase on the desk and turned on the computer. “Perhaps there is a way...”

“Anything!”

“What we will need is a diversion, Malick. Something to force the authorities to concentrate on more than one task at a time.”

“Yes! This is easily done. I will prove myself to you by creating the diversion you need!”

Sayf sighed and got to his feet, clapping the man on the shoulder. “Easy, my friend. Slow down. I know that you are sorry. Mistakes happen, but we must not allow ourselves to falter foolishly. In any case, we must adjust and I already have a plan in mind that should suffice. You need only to carry it out.”

“What must I do?” Yasim asked.

“I want you to take a group of our people to the far end of 8 Mile and start a fight there with one of the other gangs. One of the motorcycle groups if you can. Make it loud, get some fires going, and don’t be afraid to kill. Extra bodies will only add to the list of things the authorities must deal with and consider.”

The man nodded. “I know a good place for this. When do you want this to happen?”

“Get started now. I want the fight in full swing within an hour. Can you do this?”

“Yes, it shall be done. I will leave immediately and contact you when it’s over.”

Sayf shook his head. “Go there and get the fight started, but do not linger. I want you back here as soon as possible.”

Yasim bowed low and left the office without another word, eager to prove his worth once more. Sayf returned to the desk and sat down, steepling his fingers beneath his chin. In spite of the minor setback, things were moving along well.

Soon, Detroit would explode in a ball of radioactive fire, and become a permanent symbol of the failures of American policy in the Middle East. And as a martyr to the holy cause, he would be revered for all time and rewarded in heaven.

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