Page 129 of Grave Danger

“You tell me, Jack,” said Andie.

“It’s obvious: when it comes to the disappearance of Ava Bazzi, the State Department has something to hide.”

“‘Somethingto hide?’ That’s not very specific.”

“You’ll get specifics. First, here are Zahra’s terms of surrender.”

“Go ahead,” said Andie.

Jack felt the barrel of Nouri’s gun at the base of his skull. Nouri had scripted out the final part of the demand. Jack read the exact words to Andie.

“No criminal prosecution for anything,” said Jack. “And Zahra keeps Yasmin.”

“That’s impossible,” said Andie.

“Check your email in about two minutes,” said Jack, sticking to the script. “I’m sending you a video file.”

“What video?”

“Watch the video. Show it to your ASAC, the director of the FBI, the secretary of state—whoever it takes to get authorization to meet Zahra’s demand.”

“What’s in the video?”

Jack felt more pressure from the gun muzzle. He stuck to Nouri’s script.

“If the FBI doesn’t agree to Zahra’s terms in one hour, the whole world will see it. The file will go viral on the internet.”

Before Andie could respond, Nouri pulled the pistol away, reached for Jack’s phone, and ended the call with the press of a button.

“Swyteck, you’re a natural,” said Nouri. “That was perfect.”

Zahra looked at him with soulful eyes. “Thank you, Jack.”

Jack looked right back at her. The gun was no longer to his head, but it had left him breathless.

“I mean this from the bottom of my heart, Zahra. Do not thank me. Not ever again.”

Chapter 48

“My husband is with Zahra Bazzi and her daughter, and he’s in trouble,” said Andie.

She and her partner were on a videoconference with the Miami ASAC. They were in her car, which was still parked in the lot at the nature preserve. Andie’s tablet was resting on the dashboard, with the ASAC’s image aglow on the display screen.

“How do you know there’s trouble?” asked Tidwell.

She didn’t even have to use the wordsAndreaorcriminal lawyer.

“The terms of surrender Jack laid out for his client are criminal extortion, pure and simple. Jack would never do that.”

“What are his terms?”

She told him, including the threat to release the video.

“Send me the video and give us Jack’s location. I’ll take it from here.”

Andie used her phone to forward Jack’s email with the attached file.

“Video is on its way,” she said.

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