According to the intelligence provided by Thomas, Sayif's hiding spot wasn't in Sajir Town at all.
"It seems he wasn't sincere about making a deal with you. I guess this time Sayif is using you as bait, wanting to lure the Special Forces here to wipe them out in one fell swoop," Song Heping said, "to him, you're just part of the US Army."
The confirmed conclusion shocked Angel and angered her profoundly.
"That bastard! He actually played me! Son of a bitch!"
She began to swear without regard for her composure or status.
Remembering that Song Heping had always said that Sayif's offering a second deal was definitely a trap, and that she had doubted Song Heping, Angel now felt that Song Heping was like an angel sent by God to save her.
The man from China before her eyes had not just saved her life once but several times, and what was more, compared to the other rough men around, Song seemed so gentle and peaceful...
"Oh... Song... how can I ever thank you..."
She couldn't help but stare at Song Heping, her eyes sparkling with stars.
She even had a fleeting thought flash through her mind, that after this mess was over, she would take this man back to the US with her, and they would madly fall into a passionate love affair.
After all, she was a girl who grew up in an aristocratic family, used to having everything go her way without facing any setbacks.
That rush of excitement surged up inside her, and Angel almost lost control of her senses and felt a climactic thrill regardless of the surroundings.
Battlefield, bloodshed, slaughter, heroism, tough guys, rescue...
It was like a cliché Hollywood plot, intoxicating like the romance between Rachel and Frank in the classic movie "The Bodyguard," a feeling even more exhilarating than smoking three joints in a row.
The others in the car immediately sensed the atmosphere turning ambiguous.
Queen Julia muttered under her breath in Russian, "Whore!"
That "whore" came like a clap of thunder, bringing Angel back to her senses.
She quickly pulled herself out of her self-indulgent emotions, turned her head fiercely to look at Yuliy, and returned the sentiment in Russian, "You're the whore!"
For someone of Italian heritage born into an American political aristocratic family and a graduate of Yale Law School, Russian was not a difficult language.
But this was enough to leave Yuliy speechless.
White Bear asked, "What's the plan now?"
Song Heping pointed at Teterik Road on the map and said, "Let's hit his lair directly! If I'm not mistaken, most of his Suicide Squad will be deployed in Sajir's brick factory waiting for us tonight. There won't be many guards with him, and if we go all in, we can take him down. Once we catch him, we'll immediately notify Thomas to come pick up Sayif. I bet Langley's operatives are already en-route."
"Leave it to Thomas?!"
Angel immediately opposed, "No! How can we leave it to him? Do you know the military has always wanted to cover up their mistakes in starting the war? If we hand him over to them, Sayif will definitely die in Guantanamo Prison! Then no one will ever know the truth!"
Song Heping scoffed, "The truth? Do you think at this point anyone still cares about the truth? Does your Aunt Nancy care? Miss Angel, stop deluding yourself, let's talk about getting out of here alive. Do you really think if you had the evidence, you would be allowed to walk out of Teterik alive? The headlines the next day would be how sadly you were shot dead by Sadam's Suicide Squad, right?"
Angel was at a loss for words.
Song Heping continued, "Aren't you just news fodder? But what's the point of hitting the headlines when you're dead? Didn't you say yourself that analyst Kelly died near his home soon after he submitted that report? The police in Great Britain called it suicide. Do you believe it was suicide?"
"Forget that, just mere hours ago on the dam, do you think the Special Forces couldn't have killed Sayif's body double with one shot and then turn a gun on your head and send you off to meet God with another? Please, Miss Angel, it was only a warning! You understand? You didn't die not because the CIA is merciful or clumsy, but because you're a US citizen with an Aunt who's a party whip.
They let you go because they're after Sayif, not you, not because they can't shoot!"
Angel's face turned red, then pale.
Deep down she was extremely frustrated, but she had to admit that what Song had said was the harsh truth.
But if she handed over Sayif, wouldn't her whole trip have been in vain?
What about her fame?
What about her future?
The cook seemed to see right through Angel's thoughts and pointed at her with a laugh, "This girl is still dreaming of becoming the hero to expose the dark truth."
Grey Wolf and the others immediately joined in with a roar of laughter.
"Can you guys show me a little respect!" Angel felt humiliated, "I am your employer! Since you're concerned about my safety, fine, I order you to take me back to the Green Zone right now! I'm through with all this; I'll fly back to the US first thing tomorrow!"
"Back to the US?"
"Of course not!"
How could Song Heping possibly let Angel go back without any concern?
He still had a complete financial plan to implement.
It involved five million dollars.
It also involved the safety of his few companions.
Angel was their talisman, as well as an indispensable link in the whole plan.
Without her, the show couldn't go on.
"Miss Angel,"
Song Heping soothed her, "I have a plan that serves both our interests, would you like to hear what I have to say?"
"What way?"
"I need your cooperation. You need to call a few people right away... then do as I say..."
After hearing Song Heping's plan, everyone in the car was petrified.
After a long while, the cook finally asked, "Song, where did you learn all this?"
Song Heping, unfazed, replied, "Is it difficult? Doesn't your military teach these things?"
After saying this, he looked at Grey Wolf.
Grey Wolf shook his head.
He looked at White Bear.
White Bear shook his head.
Then he looked at Yuliy.
Yuliy remained silent.
"Let's go, we must hurry before Sayif realizes that we've seen through his plan and we hit him right in his den!"
"Roger that!"
White Bear started the car, put it in gear, and floored the accelerator, driving out.
In the darkness, a Lincoln SUV and a Hummer sped towards Tetrarch, dozens of kilometers away.
Minutes later, in the Special Operations Command Center of the Green Zone, a GRS member reported to Thomas, "SIR, they have left the refinery. Based on their current direction, they are heading to Tetrarch."
"Tetrarch," Thomas said thoughtfully, "that place is interesting..."
Suddenly, he thought of something and turned to ask Brown, "Colonel, have the action units all assembled?"
Brown said, "Two airborne companies from the 82nd Airborne Division and our two action teams are all in place. As soon as they catch Sayif, our men can be parachuted to the site within ten minutes, ensuring they have no way to escape."
"Perfect!" Thomas snapped his fingers proudly, "Colonel, I have another suggestion."
Brown asked, "What's the suggestion?"
Thomas made a throat-slitting gesture and said, "After those fools catch Sayif for us, let's send them to meet God."
Brown said, "Are you worried they know too much?"
Thomas replied, "Whether they know too much is not important, the five million dollars in reward money is important. We have to give the money to someone, might as well be us."
After considering Thomas's words for a moment, Brown gave a cold laugh and said, "No wonder they say only scum can get into Langley, you really are shameless."