Countdown - Iris Johansen [64]
“Final step?”
“Many terrorists go so far and if the risk proves too great they back down. Grozak builds a bolt-hole and goes for it anyway.”
“If he’s that dangerous, why hasn’t the CIA picked him up?”
“They’ve made several attempts, but they’re stretched pretty thin and he’s not at the top of their priority list. They get hundreds of tips every week about potential terrorist threats. I told you he was clever. He’s aimed his attacks at other countries in Europe and South America. He’s not gone for U.S. targets either at home or abroad—so far.”
So far. That qualification sent a shiver through her. “So why now?”
“I think he’s been biding his time, building his contacts. He’s always had a grudge against the U.S. and there was no question he’d be targeting them eventually. It was only a question of when.”
“Why now?” she asked again.
“It’s all come together for him. He’s got the weapons, the money for the operation, all he needs is the manpower.” His lips twisted. “Or should I say cannon fodder? It’s more apt. The most valuable tools a terrorist has are accessories who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause. That was proved on 9/11. They’ll take any risk, and after they execute their mission there’s no chance of them talking and leading trails back to home base. But it’s become increasingly difficult to recruit fanatics who won’t back down at the last minute. Of course, there’s the Middle East religious contingent, but the CIA is watching them like a hawk.”
“And so is Homeland Security.”
He nodded. “I’m sure Grozak’s prepared to have half the world on his tail for the pleasure of bringing the U.S. to its knees, but he doesn’t want to take any additional chances.”
“It’s crazy. He’d have to crawl into a hole like Saddam Hussein.”
“His hole would be gold-lined, and he has the arrogance to believe he’d be able to wait out the search. He’d be a hero to the terrorist world and have plenty of support.”
She shook her head. “You said he was clever. This is mad.”
“He is clever. He’s also full of venom and bitterness and ego. He’s going to go for it. He’s been nurturing this goal for years.”
“How do you know?”
“We were in Colombia together. I knew he was a son of a bitch then and had no love for the U.S. He was always ranting about the pigs who put him in prison. It’s rather ironic that by putting him in jail for hate crimes the U.S. turned all that hatred against the government instead. But I was more interested in keeping the bastard from trying to run over me than listening to his political views. I ended up breaking his arm before I left Colombia.” He grimaced. “That could be why he hates my guts. What do you think?”
“I’d say that would do it,” she said absently. “How did you know Grozak was planning this?”
“I didn’t know the exact details. I’ve kept an eye on him through the years because he’s a vengeful bastard and I knew he’d eventually come after me. Eight months ago I began to get some weird reports on Grozak’s movements. Six months ago I got hold of an informant in Grozak’s circle, who I persuaded to talk.”
“Persuaded?”
“Well, forcefully persuaded, but afterward I gave him enough money to make him disappear.”
Her mind was whirling, overflowing with what he’d told her. Unbelievable. Yet she was terribly afraid it was true. “What can we do to stop it from happening?”
“Find Cira’s gold.”
“What?”
“Grozak needs his suicide bombers. He’s negotiating to get them from Thomas Reilly. Hell, it may be Reilly who first approached Grozak. Reilly needed muscle to get what he wanted, and he might have decided to manipulate Grozak to go after the gold.”
“Manipulate?”
“Possible, even probable. Reilly likes to stay in the background and pull the strings. He has a tremendous ego and loves to show how clever he is.