Forced to Kill

“Let’s clear this area first,” Harv said. “We’ll find something near the freeway.”

Nathan radioed Grangeland. “We’re stopping at a payphone.”

“Copy.”

“How is Ms. Dalton doing?”

“She’s in a lot of pain. She can’t stop thanking us for saving her, but she’s frantic about her girls.”

“Tell her to hang in there.”

His radio clicked once.

A few blocks from the freeway, Harv pulled into a Circle K convenience store. In the side mirror, Nathan saw Grangeland’s headlights make the turn. She rolled her passenger window down.

“I’ll be right back,” Nathan said. “This shouldn’t take long.” He headed for the payphone and reached into his pocket. No friggin’ quarters. What a pain in the ass. He returned to the sedan.

Harv grabbed a handful of coins from an Altoids tin in the Mercedes’s center console. “This should be enough.”

He kept the filthy handset away from his mouth, dialed the number, and waited for the impersonal electronic voice to indicate the charge. He jammed the quarters in and waited.

“Cantrell.”

“It’s me.”

“What’s your status?”

It took a minute to brief her.

Cantrell’s voice had an edge. “I thought we’d agreed you’d keep me in the loop.”

“You are in the loop, that’s why I’m calling. Three of the four mercenaries are still there. One won’t be answering any questions, the second has a bullet wound to the shoulder, and the third, head trauma. Both will live with proper medical care. We’re taking the fourth with us.”

“That’s highly irregular and unacceptable.”

“It’s not negotiable. He’s ours. If I were you, I’d get my people over to the warehouse a-sap.”

“I’ve had dozens of agents standing by in different areas of the country for just this situation. My people can be there in twenty minutes. I just assumed you’d inform me of any field operations you planned to conduct.”

“You know damned well I didn’t agree to that.”

“Let’s keep things civil. What’s the woman’s condition?”

“Moderate shock. Montez lacerated her torso.”

“Like yours?”

“Not as severely.”

“Is she in any immediate danger?”

“No, but she needs several hundred stitches, antibiotics. The works.”

“Protect the scene until my people arrive.”

“Negative. Harv and I are already on the move. We made sure the prisoners were secure before we left.”

She started to object.

“Again, not negotiable.”

“What about the woman? We need to debrief her.”

“I told her your people will want to talk to her. You’ll have her soon. What I’m about to tell you doesn’t go any further than the two of us.”

No response.

“Do we have a deal? If not, I’m hanging up.”

“Deal.”

“We have an FBI special agent with us tonight.”

“Grangeland, from Fresno’s resident office.”

Nathan paused at hearing that. “As you seem to know, she’s been with us since Salt Lake where we looked at Kramer’s body. She’s off the books. Totally. And you need to keep her that way to protect both her and SAC Simpson. Grangeland has custody of Nichole Dalton. Harvey and I are personally arranging for Nichole’s medical care. A plastic surgeon is going to suture her wounds.”

“How much does Grangeland know?”

“About what?”

“You know what I’m asking.”

“No, Director, I don’t, because I don’t know what’s going on. Care to enlighten me?”

“At the hospital I told you I couldn’t… wouldn’t reveal everything to you.”

“Who is Duane Dalton, and how is he connected with Arthur Kramer and a clean coal negotiation in Hungary?”

“Nathan, listen to me very carefully. You never heard those names. Clear? Do not pursue this further. Let my people handle it from here.”

“Not likely. Montez knows where I live, maybe Harv too.”

“We can protect you.”

“For how long?”

“This is a CIA operation.”

“On U.S. soil? Care to explain that?”

“With all due respect, I don’t owe you an explanation.”

He didn’t respond.

“Your involvement ends now.”

“The hell it does. We’re just warming up.”

“Nathan, please. I’m asking you. Do not pursue Montez. It’s a-”

He cut her off. “A what? An issue of national security?”

“Yes.”

“Has Congress been informed of this national security issue?”

No answer.

“I didn’t think so.” He waited, saying nothing.

“Why are you taking Montez’s man with you? What’s he-” Her voice took on a hard edge. “He knows where Montez is. You’re going after him.”

“And if I am?

“Then I have to do everything within my power to dissuade you.”

“In my hospital room you said you wouldn’t try to stop us. What’s changed?”

“Let’s stop dancing. Your ass is on the line here, soldier. Big time. You screw this up and not even your father will be able to bail you out. Are we clear on that?”

“Crystal. My turn. My ass isn’t the only one on the line. I suspect there are lots of asses on the line. Asses higher up on the food chain. How am I doing? Maybe I’ll ask my father to get more deeply involved. I’m sure he’ll be able to uncover a grave or two.”

“Nathan, please. I’m asking you as a personal favor not to do that.”

“Why would I agree to that?”

“Damn it, Nathan, you think you’re under pressure? You haven’t a clue.”

“I know about pressure, Rebecca.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

He waited.

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“What do you mean, protect me?”

“I have orders to ensure, by any means necessary, the successful capture and interrogation of Montez. Remember those people in high places I mentioned in the hospital?”

“Are we talking about what I think we’re talking about?”

“Yes.”