“How?”
“That’s not important. They’ve teamed up. Without a doubt.”
Decker swallowed nervously and held tightly to the leash as Bruin started to go after a squirrel. “The last time we spoke you didn’t think that was a real possibility. You said they might have been at the center of what happened in Arkansas, but you weren’t convinced they were in this together.”
“Well, the simple answer to that is, I was apparently wrong.”
“That is not a good enough answer, Sam. I’ve risked everything for this. Everything.”
“And you don’t think I have?”
“You as good as threatened me the last time we met.”
“I know. I apologize for that. I’m under unbelievable pressure.”
“And you don’t think I am?”
“We have to stick together on this. I’ve been given an ultimatum. I have to find Reel and Robie and eliminate them.”
“Okay. But how?”
“I’ll need your help.”
“Me? What can I do?”
“You’re the chairman, Howard. There’s a lot you can do.”
“Okay, okay, just calm down.” He thought for a minute. “I certainly can get information about the agency’s reaction to this recent development. They may have a line on the two.”
“That’s exactly what we need, Howard. We have to piggyback on the agency’s pursuit of Reel and Robie. If you’re not read in over there on it, get read in on it. Push for answers. Push for the ultimate solution. Tell them you want to be kept apprised of every step. If they’re located and a strike team is sent in you want to know ahead of time.”
“So you can send in your team?”
“Exactly.”
“But why not just let the agency personnel do it? It’s cleaner that way.”
“Because they might just take them alive. And then they can talk, Howard.”
“You . . . you think they know things that might lead—”
“That might lead right back to us. Yes, I do. We’re on Reel’s list. At least I am. And I would be stunned if you weren’t. We’ve talked about this before. Neither of them can be allowed to come in alive. You have to get the agency to lead us to them. That way we can end it quick and relatively clean.”
“But if I tip you off they might suspect my involvement.”
“Think, Howard, think! They want this put to bed as much as we do. This is a black eye for them. They will cover this over with so much dirt no one will ever get to the truth of it. Now, can I report back that you’re in?’
Decker didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Absolutely. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Thanks, Howard. You won’t regret this. Let’s meet at my office tomorrow morning around seven. We can discuss further details. Time is really of the essence.”
Kent clicked off and Decker slowly put the phone back in his pocket.
He was shaking. He was actually shaking with fear and doubt.
But I will get through this. I will survive this.
The little dog was running toward him, its leash trailing behind it. Decker saw the same young woman racing to catch it. He shot out a hand and snagged the leash.
Breathless, the woman ran up and stopped next to him.
He held up the leash. “That’s your exercise for tonight,” he said.
“Thank you so much.”
“What’s your name?” He ran his eye over her figure. He couldn’t help himself.
“Stacy. The little guy there is Darby.”
“Hello, Darby,” said Decker, bending down to pet him. “Do you live around here?” he asked, rising back up.
A gun was pointed at his face.
“No,” said Stacy. “And neither do you anymore.”
She fired and the suppressed round slammed into Decker’s face. He dropped where he stood, dead before he hit the dirt.
The woman walked off with her dog.
CHAPTER
66
ROBIE STOOD ON THE CROWDED Metro train holding on to an overhead handrail. He wore sunglasses, a ball cap pulled low over his forehead, and a hoodie for extra concealment.
The train pulled into the next station and stopped. Robie didn’t react when the woman boarded. He kept his gaze partially downcast, but his peripheral vision was firmly on her.
For her part, Nicole Vance didn’t react when she saw Robie. The only reason she recognized him was because he had told her what he would be wearing, which train car he would be on, and where he would be standing in that car.
She took her time working her way over to him. Most people around them were reading e-books, surfing on their electronic devices, listening to music through earbuds, or simply dozing in their seats.
She stopped next to him and grabbed a handrail. In a low voice she said, “How are you?”
“A little stressed.”
“I can understand that. The stuff that happened on that train?”
He nodded.
“How did you get away?” she whispered.
“Jumped.”
She flinched. “Alone?”
He shook his head.
“Who?”
He shook his head again.
She looked at him stubbornly. “I’m trying to help you.”
“And I’m trying to keep you safe. Do you have it?”
She gazed at him sternly for another moment and then took the newspaper out of her bag. She pretended to read the front page. As the train picked up speed she unfolded the paper. Taped to it was a USB stick. The way it was positioned, only Robie could see it. With a swipe of his hand he slipped the stick into his pocket.
He turned to leave, but Vance gripped his elbow. Robie looked at her cautiously. He was afraid she was about to blow everything.
She mouthed two words:
Kick ass.
He nodded curtly, turned, and weaved his way through the passengers. As the train entered the next station he drew close to the door. As he was exiting he looked over at Vance. She was staring off. But Robie could read her mind.
She doesn’t believe I’m going to survive this.
And if I’m honest with myself, neither do I.
Robie rejoined Reel in her rental car. As she drove through the streets, he used a laptop to scroll through the files Vance had given him.
“Anything?” she asked.
“Vance got me all she could find on suspicious movements overseas, heightened threat alerts. Upgraded military preparedness. Unusual chatter in the usual places.”
“And?”
“There’s some strange sub activity in the Atlantic. We’re sending a few more ships to the Persian Gulf, probably to do with Iran. And there was a surprise naval exercise in the Pacific. But that’s all on our side. I’m not finding anything that might be what we’re looking for, meaning unusual movement by our enemies.”
“Nothing?”
“Wait a minute,” Robie said sharply.
He scanned down a page. “I remember seeing this on TV a while back, but that was before I knew about any of this so I didn’t make the connection.”
“What is it?”
“The president is going to Ireland for a conference on terrorism.”
“So?”
“It’s not just the president.”