While Song Heping was going through the resumes of newly applied staff in his office overnight, the lights were still on in the CIA branch office in the Green Zone.
In an office on the second floor, Thomas sat in a chair, looking down at station chief Simon.
Simon was browsing through a document.
The document contained many photographs, taken from different angles, featuring Song Heping as the main subject, with an obese Illiguo local by his side.
"How did he manage to connect with the people from the Supply Department?"
Simon's gaze did not leave the photos as he flipped to one where Song Heping was chatting next to a temporary hangar at the foot of a hill with Yousuf, his focus settled on the two figures in the background.
Behind them was the front of an SU-25 attack aircraft.
"According to the information I found, they met due to a roadside attack incident. At the time, Yousuf's vehicle was attacked by militants, and it just so happened that Song Heping was passing by and saved him. That's how they got to know each other," explained Thomas.
"What a coincidence..."
Simon thoughtfully looked at the photos.
His eyes stopped on another picture.
"This is an SA-9 air defense system, left over from the former Sadam army."
Thomas said, "Exactly, most of the former government army's assets and weapons are now under the control of the Temporary Management Committee, and the Supply Department that Yousuf is part of is responsible for managing these items."
Simon closed the document and placed it on the desk, then leaned back in his chair, seemingly deep in thought.
After a while, he spoke gravely, "Recently 'Musician' Defense secured a military contract worth 240 million Yuan... Song Heping has gotten very close to Peter. Honestly, I didn't want to involve myself with military matters, but are you sure the arms trading has nothing to do with the military?"
Thomas replied, "It's hard to be certain for now, but they have previously trafficked a batch of arms to South America, which I've thoroughly investigated, and it has nothing to do with the military."
Simon nodded slightly, "Last time we were concerned about it being related to the military, which is why we let them leave port. Otherwise, last time would have been a good opportunity to capture him."
Thomas said, "No need to worry, now that we've confirmed he is secretly dealing in arms, even the military can't protect him. This time it looks like he is going to traffic airplanes and air defense systems, which is different from mere arms dealing. Just catching him in the act will definitely get him into deep trouble."
Simon's face was expressionless, like a passionless zombie.
He said, "I didn't expect this kid to have such tough luck. After the incident with Angel, I thought we could make him take the fall, but it unexpectedly blew his cover even more, and he even took home five million in bounty. Because of this, I've been chewed out by my superiors..."
While saying this, he stroked the armrest of his chair and remarked, "I nearly lost my position as station chief."
Thomas said, "I also misjudged that situation, thinking that Yevgeny and his people were just a bunch of brutes, along with an inexperienced Chinese kid, making him the perfect scapegoat. However, he turned out to be more cunning than expected."
Simon said, "Thinking about it, this kid is really something. You see, since Yevgeny left Illiguo, he has become the boss himself... It has been just over a year, and we watched him expand. To speak of his luck, it really is phenomenal. I usually don't like making enemies with lucky people, but this kid is an exception; he's too irritating."
Thomas said, "His luck has come to an end. If we confirm his involvement in arms dealing during this operation, we can just wait for him to make a deal and catch him red-handed. Once the evidence solidifies, we can charge him with supporting terrorism and send him to Guantanamo."
He paused then added, "What I'm most concerned about now is just how deep this kid's connections with the military go. From what I know, he went to Tulip Hotel and met with Robbin and others, so it seems he has entered the circle."
"PMC..."
Simon sneered, "They always like to engage in these kinds of cliquey affairs. But no worries, I've asked around with Black Water and AAFES, and this kid really is just the military's dirty glove, doing their dirty work, destined to be discarded sooner or later... His getting orders was purely a fluke, a domestic congressional fight erupted, someone complained, claiming the military, Black Water, and AAFES were deeply intertwined in interests, requesting the introduction of new contractors to prevent monopolization. The councilman Charlie who initially suggested convening a hearing just wanted to insert his acquainted XE company to share the pie, but the military reacted strongly. Rather than allowing councilman Charlie's specified XE company, they'd prefer to demonstrate their integrity by giving it to a small company like 'Musician', which is truly Song Heping walking into a stroke of luck..."
"Since the kid has a dirty glove relationship with the military, won't the military step in if we move against him?" Thomas expressed his concern.
Simon shook his head, "If this kid's private arms trading is confirmed, the military can't help him. Keep an eye on him, gather solid evidence, and see when they make the transaction. As soon as they finish the deal, arrest them immediately, and remember, we need to catch him with the goods."
"Don't worry, chief," Thomas's mouth curled into a cold smile, "that kid is under my people's surveillance 24 hours a day. The moment he makes a deal, my men will act."
"OK, then I'll wait for your good news."
"No problem, I'll take my leave now, chief."
After Thomas left, Simon sat in his chair for a while longer, then took out his mobile phone and made a call.
"Mr. Charlie, this is Simon."
"Simon? I hope you bring me good news," a somewhat haughty voice came from the other end, "Your deputy director called you, right?"
"Yes, he called me half a month ago."
"So... have you found that company's dirt?"
"Tonight, my people confirmed that 'Musician' Defense is trafficking in arms. The evidence is basically solid; now we just wait for their next arms deal to act."
"Okay!"
Councilman Charlie seemed very pleased on the other end of the phone.
"I want those arrogant military heads at the Pentagon to know the cost of underestimating me!"
Simon said, "Rest assured, Mr. Councilman, we will handle this matter well; just wait for the good news."
"Very well! Make sure to send the news to me immediately. I'll use the media to expose it, and make those people like Peter pack up and roll back home!"
Councilman Charlie appeared very smug.
"Simon, you are talented. Rest assured, I will speak to your superiors and arrange a promotion for you after this is done."
"Then I thank you in advance."
"Let it be so, don't let me down."
Beep—
With a busy tone, the call was disconnected.
Simon gently placed the satellite phone on the desk, his eyes filled with contempt as he watched the screen go dark.
He actually did not like those career politicians in Congress.
But he was very clear about why the deputy director had personally called him to collect evidence against the "Musician" defense.
The purpose was simple: to bring down the "Musician" defense.
This was the result Councilman Charlie wanted to see.
The reason this councilman could influence CIA operations was because Charlie had a title on the Intelligence Committee.
Each year, the CIA's official appropriations and funds had to be approved by the Intelligence Committee, and Councilman Charlie also wielded significant power during certain hearings.
Anyway, dealing with Song Heping was ultimately a good thing.
Even without Councilman Charlie's meddling, he would have done the same.
Suddenly, the image of Song Heping emerged in his mind.
The last time he had released him after using water torture, the man had blatantly insulted him before leaving.
This affair was far from over!
The next morning, after Song Heping finalized the new members with Ferrari, he remembered that he had arranged to go to Fallujah again tonight with Yousuf, who had scheduled a meeting with two weapons engineers to check the three SA-9 missile systems to ensure they were still operational; after all, they had been stored for so long without maintenance. Although not verifying with live ammunition, they at least needed to run a comprehensive test.
"Ferrari."
"What is it?"
Song Heping said, "Tonight I need to make a trip to Fallujah with Yousuf to check those SA-9 sets to see if they still work. I need you to take care of something for me."
"What is it?" Ferrari asked.
Song Heping said, "I suspect I am being followed."
"Followed!?" Ferrari was shocked, given that dealing with anti-air systems was no small matter: "Who is following you!? Are you sure!?"
Song Heping said, "I'm seventy percent sure. I think it might be the CIA; they are the ones who dislike us the most at the moment."
Mentioning the CIA, Ferrari also felt a headache: "If it's them, that won't be easy to handle. Surely you can't just send someone to kill them?"
Song Heping laughed, "You might be surprised, but I've actually considered doing just that. Pretend we don't know and have our people watch them back. We have plenty of trucks right? Just arrange an 'accident' for them, run those bastards over! They will probably have to suck it up silently, as they can hardly admit they were following me without any evidence."
Hearing Song Heping consider eliminating CIA agents, Ferrari wanted to laugh but couldn't.
He knew his boss well; he really was tough and incredibly daring! To provoke him was to court all kinds of bold deeds.
"Don't worry, I'm not really planning to have anyone kill them," Song Heping sighed deeply, "I'm not that tyrannical."
"Then what do you plan to do?" Ferrari asked.
"Tonight I want to confirm it. Go and handle something for me as I've planned. If I confirm someone is following me, I'll think of a way to put on a good show for them."