69Al-Malmasi was not accustomed to speaking with a female about his interests, certainly not his covert activities. However, she sounded capable, assuring him the operation was moving forward. He browsed the newspaper article about the President of the United States’ intention to attend a fundraiser in Los Angeles, probably at the home of a movie star or studio executive. The article did not include details other than the event would take place within the month.
The paths of the zoo were poorly illuminated by emergency lights imbedded in walkways. They branched out from a central greeting post that displayed a map of the grounds where the group examined the map with a narrow beam from Afu’s penlight.
“Slower.” Matu squeezed his eyes to read.
“I don’t know how long the battery will last,
