Page 64 of Commander

Chapter Sixteen

“Excuse me, Mrs. Kumar.”

I turned to Casey. There was a look in his eyes that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

“May I have a word with you?” He glanced toward the guards stationed at the door.

“Sure. Leo, Aston, would you mind closing the door?”

They nodded and left me alone with Casey.

The second the click of the lock engaged, Casey spoke. “Before I begin, I am going to say I highly advise you against doing anything rash.”

I frowned. “You do realize that only means you already know how I’m going to react?”

“Yes. I trained you.”

“Not sure what that has to do with anything, but go ahead. What’s going on?”

“Kartik Khan believes he’s located the holding spot for Ms. Kamini.” Casey passed me surveillance images and a map. He pointed to an area about a two hours’ drive north of Karachi, Pakistan. “There has been intense movement along the roads in this area, and locals have mentioned a blond-haired Caucasian woman living in the mountains.”

“That section of the mountains is controlled by Fahad Awan. He’s into arms, not human trafficking.”

“It looks like he’s decided to diversify.” Casey showed me a few more images of Awan moving trucks filled with women and children into the area he controlled. “Kartik’s sources say Awan is looking to unload a special package for the right price.”

“Ameera.”

Casey nodded. “I think our constant surveillance is taxing his resources. Plus, with a third-party interest in the auction, it only means there is a greater risk for him to be discovered.”

“What are you saying?”

“Awan wants to meet with us. He says he’s willing to trade his American package for double what his original buyer was willing to pay.”

“When does Awan want to meet?”

“In two days’ time.”

“Then I guess I’m going to Pakistan.” I pushed my rolling chair back and stood.

“I need to express my concern for you leaving while the president is at the summit. There’s no way to guarantee your safety.”

“Your concern is noted. This is the first solid opportunity to get Ame back. I’ll be damned if I’m going to wait around anymore. Get the plans in motion. We’ll leave in two hours.”

* * *

A little beforefour forty-five in the morning, my flight touched down at a remote landing strip an hour and a half north of Karachi, near the Hub Dam Wildlife Sanctuary. The property we were using as base camp was owned by Kartik Khan, a retired agent who happened to be part of one of the more influential families in Pakistan. His frequent travel schedule made it easy for access to and from his estate without drawing undue attention.

It had been two years since I last stepped foot on this property for my mission to save the American girls and nothing had changed. Sitting alongside the runway were a series of bunkers, and a fortified metal fence stretched for as far as the eye could see.

The area looked deceptively rural and barren but behind the façade was a military compound protected with the latest technology. Kartik liked to say no one could sneeze on his one hundred thousand acres without him knowing about it. He’d grown up looking over his shoulder so it made sense he wanted a safe place to call his own.

I gathered my day backpack, throwing it over my shoulder, and glanced at the two men Casey had assigned as my protection. They were both Solon agents who worked for the Secret Service.

“Is everything ready?” I asked Kartik the second I deplaned.

He handed me a map. “They are holding her here.” He pointed to a bright-yellow-circled section of a small village near his estate. “There is a compound hidden near the cliffed section of the mountains. We believe she’s in there. Awan and a group of his men were spotted leaving the area with their convoy about fifteen minutes before you touched down.”

“How many do they have in the compound?”

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