I couldn’t believe how smoothly the plan was going. Faruk and I returned to my hotel within twenty minutes. Maybe things were going too smoothly.
I pulled out the dresser and began removing the drugs, placing them on the dresser. Faruk's eager hand grabbed the first packet. He opened it and sniffed the contents. Then he removed a vial with a clear liquid and dropped one of the white pills into it. Afterwards, he snapped the lid back on the vial and vigorously shook the bottle. The pill instantly dissolved.
I remained kneeling on the floor by the dresser. I kept my left hand under the dresser while my fingers brushed against the gun’s handle. I studied Faruk's face, deciphering his intentions. I did think that Faruk might kill me and steal the drugs. Then Yelena would be forever trapped in Sasha's prison.
The clear liquid immediately turned a luminescent orange-brown, and Faruk instantly called Senad to relay the good news.
“Senad, the test came back positive. It's pure, high-grade shit. We’re good to go.”
Then Faruk handed the cell phone to me. I reached up and grabbed the phone while my twitching fingers felt the gun in its hiding place. “Hello,” I chimed.
“Keith, the plan is in motion. Once that girl calls you and gives you a time, you immediately call me, and I’ll send someone over to pick you up. Make sure she opens the gate, and she has your girl with her. Then you grab your girl and run like hell. Do you understand?”
I confidently answered, “Yes sir; I understand.” Then I returned Faruk’s cellphone.
Faruk slipped the phone into his pocket and took the drugs with him, slipping them into his inside pocket.
I felt the first weight lifted from my chest. The drugs were gone. I hoped the second weight would be removed the next night. I’ll have Yelena back, and we can get the hell out of the former Yugoslavia.