Chapter 3
Crisis management was one of his strong sides. 'Think quick' becomes your second nature when you're up in the sky in a fighter jet with a blink of an eye to react to an incoming missile or failing engine.
That said, in a few seconds it took him to get to the prince, Everett already sorted everything out and came with a solution.
This was an inside job.
Only selected few knew about the place where the meeting was held. He himself oversaw the preparations, choose the place and scooped every inch of it to make sure everything was top notch. Wakandan intelligence was informed, of course. They approved of his security measures and put some of their own. Surveillance cameras on the perimeter, undercover agents outside, control of the air space, all your usual stuff.
Everyone else but he himself, his men, and Wakandan delegation had no idea where the meeting will take place. They were picked up in an underground garage of one of the shopping malls in a dozen of different vehicles half of which were used as decoy.
All those security measures might seem over the top but Prince N'Jadaka had a price on his head that could make someone very, very rich. Grossly rich. Not only terrorist or extremists wanted him dead. A lot of wealthy powerful people were pissed at Wakanda. Ever since emerging from the dark Wakanda took a leading position first in central Africa, then, very quickly, their influence grew and nowadays almost third of the worlds population depended on their protection, foreign policy and stable economy. For the rest of the world that meant no more covert operation to destabilize governments. No more supporting militant forces. No more using crisis, war and genocide to exploit natural resources and strip people bare of everything they had.
It wasn't widely known but the assassination attempt on King N'Jobu, that took place in late 90s, was sponsored by DeBeers. Diamond monopoly lost billions when the blood diamonds from Africa became a thing of the past. They were pissed to lose cheap materials and wanted King N'Jobu dead. And now even more corporations held grudge against the rising superpower.
And that was only the tip of an iceberg. How many countries would've been glad to see Wakanda bleed. Killing an heir to Wakanda's throne on US soil and blame it on CIA would've been considered a great success by anyone.
Well, not on his watch.
Right now Everett knew that he could trust only two people. Himself and the prince. The chances that this was all just an elaborate plan for N'Jadaka to commit suicide were close to null. Everett couldn't trust anyone on his team or anyone from Wakandan delegation. They were all compromised until proven otherwise.
"Your Highness, come with me!" he shouted, grabbing N'Jadaka's shoulder and dragging him from the room.
Dora Milaje followed them, but Everett was prepared for that. He choose this building for a reason. A few turns and hidden doors and they were alone.
"What the hell are you doing?" asked N'Jadaka upon realizing that CIA agent got him separated from his personal guard. Was this a kidnapping attempt? They should've used someone bigger then. No chance in hell this shortie will be able to best him in combat.
"We're compromised. I can't trust anyone. Yours or mine. Until we find out how the assailants knew about this meeting everyone except you is a suspect."
"What about you, huh? How do I know it's not your doing?"
"You can't. But I promise you, I take my job seriously. And since my job is to make sure you're alive and well you can trust me, I didn't sell you out." Everett urged N'Jadaka to keep moving. "Is there any way your people can track you? I highly recommend turning it off."
"So no one will know where I am but you? I don't think so." Did this man seriously think N'Jadaka will trust him, just like that? That he will blindly follow agent Ross anywhere without his guard or support from home?
"We don't have time for you to play spoiled princess, Your Highness! I get it you don't trust me. But think! Only my team and your people knew about this place. And they're still out there. No matter who it was, they can get to us at any moment. We should leave as fast as we can. Let me at least try to save you!"
"I don't need saving!" He was the Black Panther, for Bast's sake! He can take care of himself.
"Okay, maybe you don't. So what are you suggesting? We go out and I just shove you under the line of fire so you can prove how invincible you are? We don't know where the threat comes from. For all I know you pissed off the Avengers and Tony will come flying in his metal suit and make a nice ragout out of us." Everett was sure he'll have an aneurysm if N'Jadaka won't listen to him. "Please stop being a pain in my ass and just follow me!"
Well, that was first. No one talked to him like that, ever. It was... interesting.
Hell, he was the Black Panther. If anything threatening will happen he will activate his suit and kick this arrogant little prick's ass.
"Fine. Let's go," N'Jadaka said. "Where exactly are you taking me?" He blocked his kimoyo beads and was now off-line.
"Safe house. Since I can't trust my team It'll have to be some place no one knows about."
"And do you have such place?"
"I don't. My friend Charles does."
"You trust him?"
"I do."
He was sure Charles will help them. Everett didn't tell him any details about today's meeting. Charles was out of the suspect pool. And he was a damn good agent. Together they will get to the bottom of this.