MANO

CHAPTER 10

Hakim hadn't ruled out a hit on Mano.
He had said nothing to Fathi about his plans, sensing a weakness in the man, a fear that he might baulk at such a suggestion. His instincts told him that Fathi had lived too long in the US, and that he had become too accustomed to the American way of life and had forgotten why he was there in the first place. He regarded Fathi as a useful ally, but was careful not to reveal too much information to the man.
Information had a price, and at times was priceless. It wasn't all about dollars, but naturalization and citizenship could be bought, as could anonymity in the event of betrayal. Hakim wisely kept his thoughts to himself and didn't reveal much of his future plans to Fathi. In fact, he had left the jolly, fat man with the impression that the whole operation might be called off, now that he knew things had been compromised.

Things were far from being called off however.

He had already decided that Mano had to be taken

out. The big question was how? The man was guarded

around the clock. They had already established that fact.

Furthermore his security detail didn't look like a crew to

be trifled with. Hakim had an eye for such detail. They

looked as tough as they came.

He didn't like the look of that O'Malley guy one bit.

The driver, Kalino also looked like a tough cookie.

It didn't look easy, but Ajam Kakim had never been

oneto shirk achallenge. He knew where Mano lived and

he had seen with his own eyes the cute bit of ass he was

shacked up with. He contemplated snatching her, but

abandoned that idea when he spotted the shadows that tailed her every movement.

Surveillance.

He next thought of getting Mano's ex. The mailbox

put her name down as Linda, but once again he found

his plans stymied when he noticed a watchful woman

who always stayed in her shadowsand whose hand never

strayed far from the bulge beneath her parka.

Mano was proving a tough nut to crack.

He seemed to have all his bases covered.

But there just had to be a way.