Chase said, “It reminds me of the Bellagio in Las Vegas.”
Waleed replied, “It should. It was the same builders. We paid them several hundred million US dollars to make this. It’s one of the biggest landmarks in the city.”
Sweat began collecting on Chase’s forehead. It was, as always, incredibly hot. Chase was glad when Waleed kept walking past the fountains and into a beige building with the words Souk Al Bahar written on the entrance.
The Souk was situated just next to the Dubai Mall. In contrast to the Dubai Mall’s modern, luxurious feel, the Souk was richly decorated, yet kept a traditional Arabic theme to it. Arched ceilings and gold decorations gave it the appearance of an Arabic palace or a temple. It was filled with small gold and diamond shops. Every price here was negotiable, Chase knew. Both the customers and the storekeepers loved the game of bargaining for the best deal.
Waleed pointed to one of the shops. “There. He is inside. I will wait here.”
“You aren’t coming?”
“No. He didn’t ask to see me. It’s you that he wishes to speak with. I will to keep an eye out for any sign of trouble.”
“Alright. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
He entered the jewelry store and headed to the back of the shop, where he saw a frail man in a suit watching him. The man had a nervous look. There was no sign of anyone else in the store, including the shopkeeper.
“Mr. Manning. Good day.” The man held out his hand and Chase shook it. “I represent Mr. Ahmad Gorji.”
“Yes, I have been told.”
“I have been asked to make contact with you on a very serious matter.”
Chase said, “Please excuse my caution. But how do I know that you truly represent Mr. Gorji?”
“I assume that by now, your Mr. Jackson has looked into my background?”
He had. Chase said, “We know that you work for Mr. Gorji, as his personal assistant. I recognize the picture I was given, so I know that you are who you say you are. But I don’t know that you actually speak for Mr. Gorji. Why has he not come himself?”
The man thought about that. “I understand. I promise you that I am loyal to Mr. Gorji. Mr. Gorji does wish to speak with you in person. But this will be a great risk for him. You must understand — a man in his position… he needs assurances from you before he will agree to a face-to-face meeting.”
Chase said, “And why does he want to speak with me?”
The man looked around the empty shop. Nervous eyes. His took a step closer to Chase. His voice was barely a whisper. “I am to give you the following message.”
“Alright, I’m listening.”
“You already know that you have a traitor in your organization. We gave Mr. Jackson the CIA code name of your source within the Dubai Financial Exchange. We do not know who your traitor is, but we know that there are certain parties that are trying to find out his identity.”
“Who is trying to find out his identity?” Chase hoped to get knowledge of Pakvar.
The man held up a hand. “I am to tell you that we have a list of others.”
Chase froze. “A list of other what?”
“Other traitors.”
He tried to appear calm. “Please elaborate… tell me more.”
“There is a list of names. Americans. Each of them is an expert in their field — defense, intelligence, politics, military strategy, and satellites. Communications and information technology. Many subjects that would be of great value to an enemy of the United States.”
He looked around again and then back at Chase. Fear in his eyes. As if he was afraid someone was about to come in and take him away.
“Go on.”
“These people are providing information to help plan an attack on the United States.”
Chase’s eyes narrowed. “They are giving secrets to Iran?”
“Not exactly. Mr. Gorji wants peace. Many in Iran do not. There are multiple circles of power in the Iranian nation. But I assure you, this list of American names is not the property of the Iranian government.”
“Who has the list? Who is it for?”
“People on an island.”
“What island?”
“Abu Musa.”
“Then it is Iran.”
“No. Mr. Gorji has come across this list. But this list, and its purpose, are not supported by the Iranian government. Our two nations have enough problems between us. Mr. Gorji recognizes that if Iran is ever to prosper, we must repair our relationship with the West. We are telling you this as a sign of good faith. And because we need your help. Some of the people involved are Iranian. But please be assured, the people who created this list are not Iranian.”
“Then who are they?”
“I don’t have that information.”
“Does Gorji?”
He didn’t answer.
Chase scoffed. “You said they were planning an attack. What is the target?”
“I do not have that information.”
“When is the attack planned?”
“I do not know.”
“Why would a group of Americans do this? Why would they betray their country?”
“I don’t know that either. It is best that you speak with Mr. Gorji.”
“Do you know who the person is that provided our source at the Dubai Financial Exchange to Iran?”
The man said, “I have told you, this is not the Iranian government that is working against you. But I still do not know who in your organization is responsible for the leak.”
Chase crossed his arms. “What can you give me?”
“Mr. Gorji wants to trade this list. The list of additional names is what he has. This is the help that we can provide.”
Now the negotiation.
“Didn’t you just tell me that this was in good faith?”
“Notification that the list exists has been given in good faith. Delivery of the names of your American traitors… that will cost you.”
“What does Gorji want in return?”
“The people that have created this list… the people on Abu Musa… they have become a problem for Iran. We would like to provide you the entire list in return for American assistance in resolving this issue.”
“What does that mean? Assistance in resolving this issue?”
“The group that generated this list of American traitors — we would like to see them displaced, without Iran having to take any action.”
Chase tried to follow. “I don’t understand.”
“Mr. Gorji can explain further. We just need to know that you will consider helping us. Then I can set up a meeting between you and Mr. Gorji.”
“Why would Gorji want the US to remove this group on Abu Musa? That island, if I’m not mistaken, is under Iranian control. Why would Gorji want—”
“It is not just Mr. Gorji who is asking.”
“Who else, then? Who else is asking for our assistance?”
“Mr. Gorji’s superior.”
“And who is that?”
He cleared his throat. “The Supreme Leader of Iran.”
Chase paused. Then he said, “You are telling me that the Supreme Leader of Iran is asking for help from the United States? Have you seen the news? Iran is claiming that we just sank one of your patrol boats. The IRGC Navy just test-fired rockets fifteen hundred yards from a US aircraft carrier in the Straits of Hormuz. To put it bluntly, Iran officially hates us.”
“Mr. Gorji does not wish for US-Iranian relations to suffer any more than they already have. He has the ear of the Supreme Leader. Please believe me, Mr. Manning, this request comes from the highest level.”
Chase looked him in the eye. He looked like he was telling the truth. “You told us that there was someone looking for our man in the Dubai Financial Exchange. I need to know more about that.”