Part 30 (1/2)
”Did you murder Adam Corley because he knew of the operation?”
”No.”
”What do you know of the Avenging Lions of Africa?”
”Nothing.”
”What do you know of Said Salelee of Dar es Salaam?”
”Nothing.”
Gannon heard a slight shuffle then felt a point of pressure under his chin. It felt like the tip of a steel blade.
”What do you know of the operation?”
”Nothing.”
The blade's point traveled slowly down his throat to the center of his collarbone, tracing a pressure line without breaking the skin.
”Why did you travel to Rabat?”
”You have my pa.s.sport. I'm an American journalist.”
”You are lying.”
”Call the World Press Alliance in New York.”
”Why did you come to Rabat?”
The blade's tip traveled down Gannon's chest and over his lower stomach to the top of his groin.
”Why were you in Adam Corley's home?”
”To meet him for a story.”
”A story on the operation?”
”Yes, he had information.”
”What kind of information?”
”I don't know.”
The blade slowed as it traveled lower.
Gannon swallowed.
His blindfold was yanked off, light burned into his face and he sensed the silhouettes of several people outlined in the darkness. Standing before him was an unshaven, swarthy, muscular man about six feet four, sweating under a sleeveless T-s.h.i.+rt.
He wore combat pants.
His cigarette, half gone now, sat in the corner of his mouth. He dragged heavily on it, enveloping Gannon in foul smoke. Suddenly large hands reached from behind and gripped Gannon's head. Fingers reached around to his eyes and held his lids open.
”Why were you in Adam Corley's home?”
”He never showed up for our meeting.”
”You are lying. What do you know of the operation?”
The man moved his cigarette closer to Gannon's right eye until the glowing tip was all Gannon could see. It burned like the sun as the man held it to within a hair of touching him.
Gannon felt its heat.
”No, please!”
”What do you know of the operation?”
”Corley was going to tell me more. Please!”
”More about what?”
”The connection between his research and a law firm in Rio de Janeiro. The firm may be tied to a global child-smuggling network and the bombing of a cafe that killed ten people.”
”Is it tied to the operation?”
”I don't know.”
”You do know!”
”No.”
”Who killed Adam Corley?”
”I don't know. He was dead when I arrived.”
”You're lying!”
”No, I swear!”
”I'm finished my smoke.”
The man stepped back.
”Up!”
Chains clanked.