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“I don’t know. I’m just a foot soldier. They tell me what to do, and I do it.”
Coleman leaned in. “Did the Professor give the order?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Is he at the house?”
The man shook his head with a pained face. “He was earlier, but he left.”
“How many people are in there?” Rapp asked.
“Ah…I don’t know.”
Rapp grabbed a finger and twisted for five full seconds. He screamed and tried to buck Rapp off, but Rapp was too strong. When the man stopped gasping, Rapp repeated the question. “How many people are with you, both inside and outside the house?”
“Two more.”
“I know that’s a lie, and I’m getting really sick of this game.” Rapp looked up at Coleman. “Let’s waste him. We don’t need him anymore.”
“There’s four more.”
“You’d better not be lying to me, or I’ll put you out of your misery right now.”
“I swear I’m telling you the truth. Just don’t kill me.”
Rapp studied the man for a long moment. He thought he was telling the truth, but one could never be sure with something like this. Looking at Coleman, Rapp said, “Get the boys over here. I have an idea.”
I don’t know, Mitch. I think the smart play might be to let the SOG handle it.” They were standing outside the van; their prisoner was inside tied up on the floor with Dumond keeping an eye on him. Dan Stroble and Kevin Hackett were listening to their former SEAL team commander and Rapp talk.
“No.” Rapp shook his head. “They are expecting this guy back any minute. We can’t wait.”
“I think you’re too close to this, Mitch. Let’s get an ETA on the SOG and then decide.”
“Forget it.” Rapp threw his arms up in disgust. “I’ll handle it myself.” Rapp started toward the van, both sincere about what he’d said and completely aware of what made Scott Coleman tick.
Coleman reached out and said, “Hey, wait a minute.”
“We don’t have a minute, Scott.” Rapp yanked his arm away. “Have you gotten soft? You think a Special Operations group from Langley can do a better job than us? They’re good, but there isn’t a single one of them that’s a better shooter than you guys. I’m going with or without you guys.” Rapp understood the SEAL psyche as well as anyone. He possessed the same attributes. Stubborn, supremely confident, driven to win at almost any cost, and never afraid to take a challenge.
“What’s your plan?” asked Coleman.
“I’m going to wire numbnuts with a camera and a mike and send him in first.”
“How do you know he’s not going to give you up, once he’s inside?”
“I’ve got a plan for that.” Rapp pointed to Hackett. “You take the guy on the back deck, and the three of us come through the front door. Are you guys in or out?”
Hackett nodded, and Stroble and Coleman followed suit.
“Good. Grab your demolition gear from the back of your truck.”
THE MAN WAS standing next to the van with his pants down around his ankles. Dumond had his suit coat in the van and was rigging it with a microphone and fiber-optic camera. Stroble had a hold of one arm, and Hackett had the other. Rapp stood in front of him and asked, “What’s your first name?”
“Dave.”
“All right, Dave, here’s the deal. I don’t like you. You took my girlfriend, and you and your pals are in my house. Do you think you’d
like it if I took someone you loved and then invited myself into your house?” Dave shook his head. “I didn’t think so. My friends here would prefer it if I put a bullet in your head and threw your ass in that Dumpster over there, but I’m not going to do that. At least not yet. I’m going to give you one chance to live, but if you fuck up, even just a little bit, you’re gone. Are we clear on that?”
