Hostage Crisis Read Online Free PDF

Taliban leader cared little for the Baloch, and he sensed Faruq felt the same about the Taliban.
    Beneath his turban, Connor was wearing a covert earpiece. He heard Sparks updating the team. “Arrow and Spear are in position. Helos are on their way and on schedule for the evac. Code Green. We have clearance to proceed. Check your weapons and detonate charges at zero hour when Arrow set off their flares. Good luck.”
    The shura drew to a close shortly before eleven fifteen. Everyone headed outside via a narrow corridor. Connor knew it was time to make his move. He dipped through an open side door leading to a storeroom. Feeling his way through the dark to the window, he gently forced it open and climbed out. A nearby rainwater tank offered cover. As Faruq’s party exited through the gate, Connor took stock of his surroundings.
    There were Taliban guards everywhere. Connor could see the tower in which Kate Shawcross was hopefully still being held on the far side of the camp. First, though, he needed to locate Hassan. There were numerous buildings to check out, some lit by oil lamps and all hives of activity. In one, men knelt and prayed. In another a dozen or so were reading aloud from the Qur’an. In a third building ten more Taliban were cleaning their rifles.
    Connor cursed under his breath. “Where the hell are you, Hassan?” It was twenty to twelve. He realised he had little choice other than ask around. Spotting a tall man crossing the camp, Connor set off after him.
    “I’m looking for Hassan,” Connor said.
    “What do you want with the boy?” Amin asked. “And who are you? I don’t recognise you.”
    Sensing he was about to raise the alarm, Connor pulled the man into the shadows. He gripped the man’s throat. “Where’s the boy? I won’t ask again.”
    “I’m here. Now leave my friend alone,” said Hassan as he pointed an AK-47 at Connor.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Connor finds Hassan
    “He’s an infidel imposter, Hassan. Shoot him. Shoot him now,” Amin demanded.
    “Be quiet.” Connor tightened his choking grip. “Listen, Hassan. I know who you are. I’m an old friend of your father’s. I’ve come to rescue you and Miss Shawcross.”
    The rifle shook in Hassan’s hands. “Liar. Let my friend go.”
    “My name’s Nathan Connor. I knew your father as a boy. I blame myself that the Taliban came and killed your family, Hassan. I promised him I’d look after you.”
    “The Taliban killed your family?” Amin repeated in surprise. “Hassan, you never said…”
    Hassan lowered his rifle. “I remember you. You came to my village.”
    “Yes. Yes, Hassan. And I promised your father that if anything happened to him I’d find you and help you. I’ve been searching for you for weeks. Listen, we haven’t got much time. We must get to Miss Shawcross.”
    “Don’t listen to him, Hassan,” Amin spluttered.
    “Come with us, Amin. You don’t belong here. Most of these men aren’t even Afghans. And all they want to do is kill people.”
    “No. Never. Shoot him, Hass—”
    Connor twisted Amin’s head. He went limp and slipped from Connor’s grip. “Sorry, Hassan, but there’s no time for lengthy discussions.”
    “You killed my friend!”
    “No, Hassan, just rendered him unconscious. Now, we must get to Miss Shawcross.”
    Together they headed for the tower. “She is in a room on the first floor. The door is bolted and there are two guards. I visited her earlier and gave her a gun.”
    Connor stopped abruptly. “You did what?”
    “They were going to kill her, ransom or no ransom. That is wrong. I was going to help her escape. That’s why I have this rifle.”
    “Jesus!” Hassan’s courage, and stupidity, had taken Connor by surprise.
    Reaching the entrance to the tower, Connor whispered, “At midnight we’re going to blast the wall in order to create a way out. All hell will break loose. I need you to remain calm and do exactly as I say. Now, give me that rifle. Go up the stairs first