Interdiction (A James Winchester Thriller Book 3) (James Winchester Series), James Samuel [book recommendations TXT] 📗

Kadrić would play his next card. Enough innocents had died needlessly for this windy, militant trash already.

"Support?" James scoffed. "What support do we have to take on a trained militia group? We have nothing."

They went silent. One of the Americans stumbled past them on the way to catching the attention of the woman behind the bar. He slurred his words as he tried to do his best impression of a Bosnian accent. Until he received his beer, the three drank in silence.

"I could ask Gallagher for support," Sinclair ventured.

"You must be joking. The last time we had support, we got Blake. I'm not going to take that risk again."

Sinclair couldn't help but grin. Blake Harrison was another field agent of Blackwind. Arrogant, self-centred, and ass kisser extraordinaire. He'd planned to assassinate James on their last assignment in Cambodia. It had ended with James shooting him in the leg as payment. He hadn't been seen nor heard from since.

"Who is this Blake?" asked Kemal.

"Long story," said Sinclair. "It was just a suggestion, not a serious one."

"Yes, well, let's keep it that way,” said James. “The point is we need people who know how to fight. It's a little more than a football game. This is a serious operation with a lot of risks attached. It would be more dangerous to take someone inexperienced."

Sinclair nodded in agreement.

"I can help you. Jakov has many men who know how to fight."

"Jakov? Who on earth is Jakov?" asked Sinclair.

"Jakov Mlakar. He is mafia. Croatian mafia. In Herzegovina. He is not Bosnian, but he hates Serbians. They killed many Croatians during the war. Croatians are like Bosnians. They never forget."

"How well do you know him?" asked Sinclair. "We can only take someone who is completely trustworthy."

"I know him from work after the war. It was a bad time. Very bad time. After the war we had nothing. No home, no work, and no money. We work on..." Kemal trailed off as he tried to come up with the word. "Black."

"The black market," James finished for him. "Yes, I knew a lot of British soldiers who were stationed in Bosnia after the war. They told me about a big underground economy back then. The only things most Bosnians had were their guns and their bullets, according to them."

"Yes, yes, you know." Kemal slapped a firm hand on James’ shoulder. "Jakov is a big boss man now. He will help you kill Serbians."

"Are you sure?" Sinclair pressed him. "I mean are you absolutely positive? We can't afford to waste any time. Will he say yes?"

"Of course, he will. Jakov is a good man."

James doubted how much of a good man the leader of a mafia group was, but it was worth a try. A powerful mafia clan on their side would counter Kadrić's allies in the Serbian mafia. It would give them more resources to work with in this clandestine war.

"Alright," said Sinclair. "It's worth a try."

"Good, good, then I call him for you. I tell you when he wants to meet. He will be very interested, I'm sure. You have money, eh?"

James stiffened at the mention of money. "Enough."

"Good. Jakov is a businessman. You give him money, he does everything for you. Now, drink."

James and Sinclair tried to share in Kemal's good nature as they raised their glasses. James caught Sinclair's eye for just a moment. The little light, reflected in the alien green neon, told him everything. Neither of them was sure this was a good idea.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sinclair waited one hour after James departed to go to a bar with Nazifa before daring to pick up the phone. His hands shook as he held it in his palm. He stared at Gallagher's number, unsure if this was the right thing to do. Was he putting his best friend at risk by cooperating, or was it for his own good? He pushed his thumb on the number, and it started to ring. There was no going back now.

"Wood?" Gallagher's voice came through like the crack of a whip. "Give me an update."

"Has Finch told you about what we discovered about the ambassador?"

"Yes, yes, I'm taking a personal interest in this. It could create significant complications if Plemenac is dragged into this. His diplomatic immunity makes matters difficult. Legally, we are in a grey area."

"Does international espionage cancel out diplomatic immunity?"

"It depends on who you ask. This is hardly a matter that has been tested on too many occasions. And Winchester?"

Sinclair's palms started to sweat. "Our primary contact in Bosnia has scheduled a meeting for us with the leader of a Croatian mafia clan. We have located one of Kadrić's allies, Goran Pejakovski. However, we have intelligence that Kadrić has allied with the Serbian mafia across the border. Attempting to take him alone would be an unnecessary risk."

"I see. How is Winchester's conduct?"

"I worry, sir.” Sinclair paused to lick his dry lips. “James is spending a lot of time with a Bosnian girl he met. Former military. Her name is Nazifa Aleksi." Sinclair gulped. "This is his one weakness. I fear he's becoming too preoccupied with her. He visits her at every opportunity."

Gallagher took a deep breath. "This is dangerous, you know that. Is it dangerous enough to derail the mission?"

"No, no." Sinclair clenched his fist in front of him. "James would never allow anyone to get in his way, but it could complicate matters, as I'm sure you can imagine."

"Indeed. Would you say it would be better if this relationship was put to the sword?"

The colour drained out of Sinclair's face. Never had he been more grateful for audio-only phone calls.

"Wood?"

"Sir, most likely, yes. It would. But... Kadrić will die regardless."

"Wood, I am going to share something with you in the strictest confidence. The