Guardian by Erik Williams Page A

more gruesome than anything the Israelis would have done. They may be barbarians, but we are guardians and do what we need in order to protect.”
    â€œA year ago.” The words came fast in a labored whisper.
    A year ago. They have been conspiring for so long? “Kharija was sent to kill Gazzar a year ago. Instead of killing this butcher, Kharija approached you?”
    â€œKharija and Gazzar approached me.” Haddad coughed some more blood. “Gazzar was already working for him. He was Kharija’s muscle until they gathered more men. Gazzar shifted his duties to torturer, doing what he did so well; butchering until you could not say no.”
    â€œAnd Gazzar cut you?”
    â€œHe did not have to. As soon as I saw Gazzar, I knew. His presence was enough.”
    Abu knew that Gazzar had already been working for Kharija. How far back did Kharija’s treachery stretch? Gazzar had lost his mind and started killing members of the order in horrible ways. They had found the severed remains of seven before they located Gazzar and his butcher tools. The order’s surgeon who had gone crazy. Only he had not gone crazy. He had only switched loyalty. And Kharija had lied about killing him. Instead, he spared Gazzar and put him to work for himself.
    Was it possible Kharija had given Gazzar the order to kill those seven? Abu did not want to ponder it too much. If it was true, Kharija had spent the last ­couple of years planning the downfall of the order from within. And he was still loose, moving about, preparing another assault against them or planning to turn more to his cause. Who else worked for him now?
    â€œWhy did these traitors want you?” Abu asked.
    â€œThey wanted someone stationed near the prison. They did not say why. I was to report to them if the actual location was ever discovered.”
    â€œYet you were not there when the prison was found and opened.”
    Haddad spat. “Henry Prince, the old foreman, moved me off-­site to shipping and receiving for a few days. It was out of my control.”
    â€œYou crawled into bed with a snake and a madman.” Abu spat on Haddad’s face. “What is Kharija planning?”
    â€œI do not know.”
    â€œDo not lie to me anymore, Amol. Your death is certain. Do not give me any more reason to prolong it through pain.”
    â€œKharija does not tell, he orders. I only receive orders.”
    â€œNot anymore.”
    Abu fired and silenced Haddad forever. He turned away and looked at the two remaining members of the team. Could he still trust them? Or had Kharija sunk his claws into them as well?
    Do not succumb to paranoia, he told himself. Be watchful and alert, not fearful.
    He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His control and focus regained, he said, “Leave the bodies here. We have work to do and have already wasted too much time.”
    M ayyat Sadat watched through his night vision binoculars as the Land Cruiser sped away from the school. As the automobile turned out of the parking lot, it accelerated past him and his car, which sat off the road in the sand near a decrepit, bombed-­out ruin of a government building. Once they were well away—­traveling toward An Nasiriyah, he assumed—­Mayyat lifted his cell phone from the center console and dialed.
    â€œYes?” Kharija said when he answered.
    â€œThey are gone.”
    â€œAnd Haddad?”
    â€œNot in the car with them. I heard gunfire and screaming. I am sure they killed him but I will check anyway.”
    â€œWho was with them?”
    â€œAbu Umar. The others I did not recognize.”
    â€œAbu is smart. He realized Haddad was a traitor when he saw Gazzar, I am positive. Now Abu will resume his hunt for me.”
    â€œUnfortunately.”
    â€œUnavoidable. They must hunt and I must kill any who stand in my way. The order will not stop me. I cannot allow it.”
    â€œDo you want me to eliminate