The Exchange: After The Firm

“He suggested that I go but the decision was mine. He wanted his daughter to associate on the case because she was bored in London and looking for something more exciting. Looking back, the whole idea made little sense.”

“Got it, but I was thinking more about us. Are you worried about the law firm?”

“Our safety?”

“Well, yes, I guess.”

“No, not at all. More than likely the kidnappers are members of a tribal militia that roams the Sahara looking for trouble. They are far away and not that sophisticated.”

“You hope.”

Mitch took a sip of wine and rubbed her leg. “Sure, Abby, we’re very much in the dark here. We should learn more tomorrow, and the next day. When it’s time to worry, I’ll let you know. Now, it’s too early.”

“I think I’ve heard that before.”

Chapter 15

Whatever they were — criminals or terrorists — they had a flair for the dramatic. Four days after ransacking the checkpoint and murdering five army guards, and three days after taking a chain saw to the necks of the Turkish security team, and two days after releasing their video into the vastness of the deep web, they hung Youssef’s body on a telephone pole next to a busy highway in Benghazi. He was found, head attached but with a gaping hole in it, bloody and stripped of all clothing, bound at the wrists and ankles, turning slowly at the end of a thick wire as the sun came up. A note was attached to his right ankle with a piece of string. It read: Youssef Ashour, Traitor.

The military police swarmed the area, blocked all roads and highways, and let him hang for hours as they waited for orders. Perhaps there would be another video of the murder that might yield some clues.

Samir went to the scene, confirmed that it was indeed Youssef, a man he’d known for years, and called Lannak, then Luca.

Only Walid and Giovanna were left, as far as anyone knew.

Cory Gallant took the call at four in the morning, and after only three hours of light sleep had no trouble rolling out of bed and going to the office. He was waiting outside Mitch’s office at eight-thirty when he arrived.

One look and Mitch knew the news was not good.

“There’s been another development,” Cory said abruptly.

“I’m beginning to hate the word ‘development.’ ”

“Mr. Ruch is waiting.”

On the elevator, Cory told Mitch everything he knew about Youssef, which was little more than the location and condition of his corpse. It had been found about nine hours earlier and, not surprisingly, there had been no word from the people who strung him up.

Jack Ruch was irritated because he’d wanted the teleconference at 7 A.M., which did not fit with Mitch’s schedule. Ruch still worked sixteen hours a day and was known for predawn meetings to prove his toughness. Mitch had lost all patience for such shows of machismo at Scully.

Ruch pointed to a conference table as he glanced at a large screen high on the wall. Nonstop cable news was covering an earthquake but, thankfully, it was muted. Nothing, yet, from Libya. A secretary poured coffee and Ruch said, “I assume Cory has given you the latest.”

“I got the elevator version,” Mitch replied.

“That’s about all we have as of now.” He glanced at the screen again as if expecting more news at any moment. The secretary left the room and closed the door. Ruch cracked his knuckles, looked at Mitch, and asked, “Have you spoken to Lannak this morning?”

“Not yet. It’s first on my list.”

“Get it done. They’re rattled and very upset. Their in-house counsel is Denys Tullos.”

“I know him.”

“Good. I talked to him last night. The company is trying to get the four bodies back home and the Libyans are not cooperating, still pissed about the lawsuit. Everyone is. Lannak wants its money, and now it wants a lot more because of Libya’s failure to protect foreign workers, something it has always promised. So, the lawsuit will probably be amended to seek more damages. When is it likely to go to trial?”

“Months, maybe a year from now. Who knows?”

“Okay. I want you to step on the gas, Mitch, and get this case before the judges. Lannak is a valuable client, paid us something like sixteen million in fees last year. Make plans to meet with them in the next week or so to make them feel better.”

“Got it.”

“How big is your team?”

“Well, I had two associates, including Giovanna. Now I’m not so sure. Roberto Maggi in Rome will stay on.”

“Okay. We’ll discuss personnel later. Right now we have a much bigger problem. A Scully associate has been kidnapped in Libya and we have to do everything possible to get her released. You know Benson Wall, our manager in Washington?”

“Yes, I’ve met him.”

“Benson will join us in a moment by video. We have three partners in D.C. who worked in either State or CIA, so we have some contacts. Ever heard of an outfit called Crueggal?”

“Sounds like a breakfast cereal.”

“Far from it. Cory.”