Street Game

CHAPTER 14

“You’re certain about this, boss?” Paul asked, chewing on his bottom lip, frown lines forming around his mouth and brow. “This is my father we’re talking about. I don’t want anything happening to him.”

Mack smirked a little. “Don’t underestimate your old man, Paul. Long before you ever thought about getting into his game, he was playing everyone. I’m the slow one. He sent me messages and I just wasn’t getting them.”

He glanced at Jaimie. He couldn’t very well blame her, but he’d been distracted. Knowing he was going to have to find her again. Knowing she’d disappeared and he wasn’t going to be able to stand not knowing if she was safe, even if she wasn’t with him. He should have had his mind on his work, not on Jaimie, but until he had known exactly where she was, he couldn’t think clearly.

Jaimie looked up at him and smiled. He’d dragged her in, needing her skills, and for the first time, she hadn’t objected. She’d been working to prove to Mack that Griffen was not only betraying him, but trying to kill two members of his team. Maybe she felt guilty, but it was more likely that her soft heart had kicked in as usual and she genuinely wanted to help the man. That was Jaimie.

Mack studied his team gathering around him, ready to be let loose. His men were a different story altogether. They were going to rescue their sergeant major and it had nothing to do with having soft hearts. On his part, Mack was outraged that anyone would try to compromise Sergeant Major or any member of his team. And he liked the challenge, needed it, the adrenaline rush that accompanied outwitting criminal minds. Maybe he had one of his own, as he knew other members of his team certainly did, but they channeled their aggressive natures onto a path for service of country.

“Paul was able to get a message through to his father, and Sergeant Major immediately arranged to fly to San Francisco on the pretense of a meeting with us over Doomsday and the weapons being held in the warehouse. We asked for more intel on the Doomsday unit. He made a big show in his office of barking out orders to get whatever we needed as we were very close to taking down the cell here,” Mack explained. “It’s a very legitimate reason for his coming. This is a big coup if we pull it off and Griffen has the rep for seeing to details personally.”

And he should have remembered that when Sergeant Major had been so vague about backup for Brian and Kane. His head hadn’t been in the game at all.

“I just want to make certain that nothing we do tips them off,” Paul reiterated. Mack shook his head. “It won’t. Sergeant Major knows what he’s doing. He always stays at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Union Square, which is perfect for what we need. He has a routine he rarely deviates from, and he’ll follow that routine. We know he’s being monitored and we’re going to have spotters to catch anyone. We also have Jaimie, our trusty ace in the hole. She’s setting up shop in his favorite coffeeshop. He’ll take his walk and head for coffee and to read the newspaper before his meeting and she’ll be waiting to start the back-trace using his cell phone.”

“Whoever is watching his every move is going to be more alert because they have to know we’re in San Francisco,” Kane said. “Especially because he’s meeting us.”

“Not necessarily, although I think if we can’t get the trace and get him off the hook, we’ll put more security in place when we actually carry through with a meeting.” He held up his hand, signifying to the others to give him complete attention. “This plan is very detailed and involved for a number of reasons. Each piece has to fall into place for it to work. No one take chances. If in doubt, walk away from your assignment and call it in. We’ll switch to our other procedures. You cannot be spotted. If they know we’re about to take him, my guess is they’ll kill him.”

Paul sucked in his breath audibly.

Mack shrugged. “If they lose him, he’s of no further use and he becomes a liability instantly. They have to kill him. They have strings back to them that can be followed and the last thing they want is for anyone to identify who they are. And God help Colonel Wilford if this leads back to him.” His gaze locked with Jaimie’s. “You can do this?”

“Oh yeah. If I’m right, I’m already halfway there. I think whoever is threatening Sergeant Major is the one trying to hack into my computer.” She leaned over and touched Paul’s hand. “I know I can do this, Paul.”

He nodded and gave her a brief, nervous smile.

“Whitney’s the one trying to hack into your computer,” Mack said. “I don’t want him to know you’re on to him.”

Jaimie shook her head. “Not Whitney, Mack. Someone else. Someone who likes what Whitney’s doing and has condoned it, but doesn’t want his experiments exposed-or himself, particularly himself.”

Mack frowned. Why would Sergeant Major send Brian and Kane on suicide missions and suppress evidence against Whitney? he asked her telepathically, not wanting anyone else to hear him.

I think whoever this is aided Whitney to begin with and now they’re trying to cover their ass. By choosing Kane and Brian, they throw more suspicion onto Whitney, Sergeant Major, and Colonel Wilford. They’re distancing themselves even while they protect him. Whitney isn’t going to kill one of us, Mack. We’re his creations. He’ll experiment on us, and if we die during the process, that’s just science to him, but he wouldn’t throw any of us away.

“Damn it, Jaimie,” Mack snapped aloud. “Did you for one moment think this might have been important enough to tell me? Now’s a hell of a time.”

“I tried to tell you before, when I was doing the back-trace,” she replied calmly.

“And don’t swear at me. I’m not one of your soldiers.”

Javier snorted and then sobered, coughing a bit when Mack pinned him with piercing eyes. Ethan helpfully pounded his back.

“This is going to be tight. We have to work it by the numbers. Javier, he knows you’re going to slip the earpiece into his pocket, so he’ll be looking for you. Don’t be too obnoxious and draw attention to yourself. We’ll need you moving in and out of the crowd.”

“I know what to do,” Javier assured. “I won’t blow it. Sergeant Major is family.”

“I’m talking about not getting killed here. You never think anyone can get to you.”

Javier sent him a small grin. “I know what you’re saying, Mama, and I’ll be careful.”

Mack sighed and shoved his fingers through his hair until it was nearly standing up in spikes. “There will be thousands of civilians. Innocents. You all know the rules. We want Sergeant Major out of there. He’s our primary, but we cannot risk civilians. Kills have to be clean and quiet if they’re necessary.”

They nodded.

“Javier, once you’re in that coffee shop, you work fast, but if Jaimie’s threatened at any time, get her out of there. Don’t worry about Sergeant Major or any of us. Get her clear and keep her safe.”

Javier threw a quick, taunting grin toward Jaimie. “You got that, little sister? I get to order you around.”

Mack leaned close. “Get this, Javier. She doesn’t come out of this with one scratch on her. Not one.”

Javier threw his hands into the air. “I got it, Top. I’m all over her.” He winked at Jaimie and then wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

That earned him another glare. Javier laughed. “You got it bad, boss man.”

“You’re going to get it bad in another minute,” Mack threatened, but the dire warning lost a lot since the others were laughing at him. He knew when to give it up.

“You all know what to do. We’ve done this a hundred times. Let’s bring him home safe. Take your positions.”

His team nodded and began to drift away. He caught Jaimie’s arm. “Once you’re in the coffee shop, Jaimie, you’re exposed. You’re a sitting duck if they realize what’s happening. Position yourself away from the windows.”

He was reluctant to let her go. He’d wanted her working with him, but now everything had changed. He knew her energy was unusual, that it worked differently, but until Paul had given him an explanation, he hadn’t really understood why working around violence was so difficult for her. Now he knew, not only was it difficult, it was dangerous.

“I’ll be fine, Mack,” she assured.

His hand slid down her arm to her wrist, his thumb sliding back and forth in a little caress. “Trust Javier. He’s cocky, Jaimie, but he’s good. Really good. He’ll keep you alive for me.” He leaned over and pressed his forehead to hers. “Just keep your head down and the ball cap on. Wear glasses and your hair up.”

“Nothing will happen to me, Mack,” she affirmed. “I have the easy job. Javier has to boost the cell phone. He’ll be in the line of fire.”

“Javier is safe from the devil,” Mack said, although there was an edgy note in his voice.

Jaimie smiled at him. He was like that, worrying about everyone before, during, and after a mission. “Sergeant Major is going to be fine. I was wrong about him, Mack.”

“Let’s just hope you were.”

“No, this makes more sense. He would never have allowed anyone to compromise secret missions, but for the sake of his son, he’d definitely go a long way to protect the boy. Even then, he had to have known whoever this is running him is not against the United States, or he would have put a bullet in his own head. You know he would have. He counted on you-on all of us-to figure it out.”

“I was slow,” Mack said. “He’ll have a few things to say to me about that.”

Jaimie slid her laptop into the case. “Hopefully we’ll get to hear.” With a cheeky grin she opened the door of the van and exited, heading toward the coffee shop.

Mack moved into place, checking that each of his men was in the optimum location to follow Sergeant Major’s progress when he arrived and spot anyone tailing him.

Union Square was teeming with life, just as it was every evening. He had deliberately chosen the square because of the natural topography. The square was a giant sloping bowl shape. From the surrounding sidewalks and buildings anyone in the park could be seen. The concert stage and open-aired café provided easy places for his people to move in and out through the crowd to watch for anyone shadowing Sergeant Major.

The sky had already turned a purplish shade of blue, and shadows clung to the high, towering buildings, spilling gloomy silhouettes onto the streets and square below. The colored lights flashed stripes along the buildings and played over the grounds. The temperature dropped as it often did in San Francisco in early evening. The wind picked up a bit, but not enough to discourage the people wandering through the Art in Motion exhibit. People portrayed famous paintings all around the square.

Sergeant Major on the move, boss, Gideon reported from his vantage point on the rooftops.

Watch for Javier. See if you can spot a tail. Mack felt his stomach settle. It had started. A chess match, and he was certain he had all the advantages. He believed in his team. They were good at what they did and this one was personal. West end, Ethan reported. Two men. They exited a black Town Car just after Sergeant Major entered the square. They split up. One’s in a trench coat and dark glasses. The other is in jeans and a casual tee with a skull and crossbones. Tennis shoes. Dark hair, spiked. Didn’t make sense for them to be together. I’ve spotted them, Gideon said. Skull-boy dropped in behind Sergeant Major. The other is out of my sight. He headed toward the art exhibit. Where’s Javier? Mack asked.

I have him in sight, Top, Gideon reported. He’s in the middle of a group of kids talking and laughing. Sergeant Major is approaching the group, about a hundred yards out.

Watch him close. We don’t want anyone in the crowd making a move on him. We’ve got a lot of civilians here, Mack said.

Javier’s closing in on the target, Gideon said. How the hell does he get those kids to accept him so fast? He’s moving through the crowd with a group of teens. I can barely tell him apart from the kids.

He learns the latest tricks on a skateboard, Kane answered. And he’s damn good at them. He loves that shit.

Here we go, Gideon said. Look alert. Second bogey coming toward Sergeant Major. He’s in a long trench coat, very James Bond with his cool sunglasses and black leather gloves. He’s moving through the crowd fast toward Griffen. Javier, he’s coming up on your left.

I can take him, boss, Javier assured, even as he laughed and shoved one of the kids he was walking with.

Your job is to get the earpiece in Sergeant Major’s pocket without anyone suspecting you, Mack pointed out. Killing him might be a dead giveaway that we’re going to take Griffen back. Just a thought, Javier.

You never let me have any fun, Top, Javier grumbled.

Everyone’s in place, boss, Kane said. So far, Sergeant Major hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary. Nothing will have raised a red flag yet. He hasn’t deviated at all from his routine so I doubt they’re doing anything but keeping an eye on him. It’s routine for them as well.

Javier’s making his move, boss, Gideon reported. He’s dropped his skateboard onto the ground and is showing off his tricks. Sergeant Major is still coming up on his left.

Mack focused his long-distance vision and watched as Javier did a series of tricks to the boisterous appreciation of the other teens. They were clapping, and several tried to emulate him. He wove in and out of the group and then around them. As Sergeant Major walked by without so much as slowing, it was impossible to see if they had even brushed up against each other.

Did you make the drop? Mack hissed between his teeth.

No faith, Top, Javier said as he and another boy competed to see who could catch more air. Another burst of applause drew attention to the teens. Not even a comment on my tricks. I worked on that one for hours. I really think I’m underappreciated. Now would be a good time to talk about making some more dough, bro. Just don’t get killed. What else was there to say? No one could do what Javier did with his particular flair.

Mack honestly couldn’t tell Javier from the others. He looked as if he belonged with them and had known them for years. He had a jacket like theirs, a backpack, and the usual ball cap, headphones, and glasses. He looked like any other kid showing off. Sergeant Major reached up, adjusted his glasses, and scratched his head. At once Mack heard his whisper in his ear.

“You know we’re under surveillance right now, don’t you,” Griffen snapped. “I’m trying to keep you from getting killed, Mack. This is insane. And where the hell are you?” As he spoke he covered his mouth, his eyes darting around as if to ferret out anyone watching them.

Mack sat on the edge of the stairs, obscured by a towering bush. “Just follow instructions, Sergeant Major. You’ve got two shadows. Maybe more. I don’t want you to acknowledge anything, or talk to me. Just do what I say.”

The sergeant major kept walking briskly through the crowd, out into the park, and slowed his pace as he walked in front of a framed “picture” of artist Frida Kahlo and her artist husband, Diego Rivera. He studied the two people posing. They stayed absolutely still, a replica of the actual painting. He turned to look at another picture and when he looked back, the two people were once again still, but they were in a slightly different pose. He frowned and walked back and forth, studying the frame from every angle, trying to remember exactly how they’d been posed before.

“They’re good,” Mack acknowledged. “They changed hand poses. Keep moving. Slow, though. We need a chance to spot anyone tailing you. Take your time.”

Griffen gave the two performers a small salute and continued on his way, wandering through the live art. He was an imposing man and easy to keep an eye on. Mack knew his shadows would hang back. The man in the trench coat ambled on the outer edges of the exhibit, although he did study the first picture for a long time just to make certain that small tribute the sergeant major had given them hadn’t been anything more.

Gideon, Javier said. Take a good look at the woman standing just by the first painting. Average height and weight. Short dark hair. Dressed like everyone else. She blends in. Gray jacket with hood. She’s sipping coffee and thumbing through the art info.

I got her.

I got a feeling about her. She got out of the way when my little group came hurtling through there. Smooth. Fast. Clean. Really clean, Gideon. She’s a plant. If not with them, then law enforcement. And she blends too well. Mack smiled. Javier had a gift. If he said the woman had moved too smoothly, she had. He switched to watch the kid in action. The teens had congregated by the corner of the stage and were doing a mixture of tricks and dance moves. As always, Javier was in the middle of them. No one, not even Mack, could catch him looking at Sergeant Major. And most likely, after dropping the earpiece into Griffen’s pocket, he’d never so much as glanced at him. That wasn’t his job. His job was to spot the enemy.

I’ve got her, Javier, Gideon reported. If she moves when he does, I’ll let you know. Right now, Bond-boy is keeping fairly close. I’m guessing Skull-boy takes over when he starts his walk to the coffee shop.

Ethan, seated on one of the benches, glanced at his watch, folded his newspaper, gathered up his briefcase, and began to walk out of the square toward the coffee shop. He passed the woman Javier had pointed out without glancing at her. His cell phone rang and he stopped, a foot from her, and answered, spoke briefly with his back to her.

Send those pictures to Jaimie, Mack said. Did you get any of Bond-boy? A couple, Top, but I’m not certain they’ll be good enough, Ethan answered. Jaimie can do anything with her program, boss, Javier said. She’s a goddess. Mack knew she could work magic with her computer, but this was so important. In the end, all of their lives would depend on her skills. They had to know who was supporting Whitney and trying to kill Kane and Brian. They had to bring them out of the shadows and into the open where his team could take them down. She is, Mack said, meaning it. He was lucky to have Jaimie, to know someone with her skills, let alone have her for his partner.

He watched Sergeant Major make the circuit around the live art show, admiring the various pictures. “Okay, do your usual brisk walk out of there. Get back to your usual routine. Head for the coffee shop like you always do. Get in line, order your favorite drink. Don’t sit down. I want you to stand in front of those three posters on the back wall and read them. Javier will be right next to you. Put your cell phone in the right pocket of your coat. Once he has your phone, don’t move. Take your time drinking your coffee. This is important, Sergeant Major. He’ll be sending the data to Jaimie. If they have a trace on that phone, she’ll find it and do a back-trace. They can’t know there’s anything wrong. They have to think you’re the one with the phone, not Javier.”

“But…”

“Keep walking. He’ll drop the cell back into your pocket. Paul will call you, a casual conversation, just follow his lead. This will work. They’ll record the conversation with Paul and we’ll get an address. And don’t talk to us, just go about your business, following the instructions. This is what I’m trained for. You’re covered all the way.”

Sergeant Major moved into the swarm of people on the sidewalk, heading downhill from the square. San Francisco was all hills. One either went up the hill or down it, but there were very few flat areas. It was good exercise and Griffen was big on utilizing the local terrain for his workout, rather than hitting the gym. Still, it was difficult to walk down the street in the open air, surrounded by tall buildings, where at any moment someone could put a bullet in his head.

I’m moving with him along the rooftops, boss, Gideon reported. I’ve got an open route. Lucas is running interference for me. Bond-boy is well ahead of him, almost at the coffee shop. Skull-boy is back about two blocks. They’re giving him plenty of room. Someone told them the old man has sharp eyes.

And the woman?

She hasn’t moved yet. She’s difficult to spot in the crowd. Mack’s gut twisted. Marc, hang back and watch her. Don’t lose her. Stay up high and watch that woman.

Ten-four, boss.

Sergeant Major just got stopped. A woman appearing to ask directions. She’s handed him a map. She came up from his left. He has the piece in his right ear, Gideon reported.

Mack swore under his breath. Such an innocent thing. A tourist? There were several tense moments.

I’ve got her in my sights, give me the go, Gideon said. I can go in for a closer look, boss, Javier said.

Not a good idea, Mack replied. Hold your position. You pass him too many times and they’ll notice you.

Stay where you are, Gideon said. Sergeant Major is waving me off. Keep the fucking gun on her, Mack snapped. It isn’t his call. Just don’t pull the trigger.

She walked back over to two other women and she’s pointing away from the coffee shop, Gideon said, and there was relief in his voice. Sergeant Major is on the move again and the three women are headed away from him. Skull-boy broke off target and acquired the three women.

Lucas, you’ll have to watch Skull-boy, so move into a higher position. I want to know if he talks to the women. Watch cell phones and if they drop something for him to pick up, Mack commanded. He doubted if they would have such a big team on the Sergeant Major, but he had come to meet with the GhostWalker team and they would want to know what he was up to, no matter how much it made sense. Did we get a picture of them for Jaimie?

Jaimie’s on it, Mack, Kane said. Skull and Bond are military or at least have been in the past.

Just like the two who came after Jaimie, Mack said.

Exactly, Kane confirmed. Look at the way Bond-boy moves. He’s a fighter all the way.

Jaimie, Javier, Sergeant Major is approaching the coffee shop. Javier made another teenage joke, got his group laughing, and then he glanced at his watch. Muttering, he dropped his board and pushed off with a casual wave and glided right up to the door of the coffee shop. Kicking the board up, he caught it, tucked it beneath his arm, and swaggered into the shop. He shoved the board into the double loop built into his backpack, freeing his hands as he stood in line at the counter to get his coffee, just a kid looking for his caffeine fix.

Jaimie didn’t look up. Her setup on the back wall was perfect. It would be impossible to approach her from any direction other than straight on, and no one could see her screen. The one glance he’d given in her direction had assured him anyone coming in wouldn’t be able to recognize her. Her signature curly hair was pulled back from her face into a ponytail, giving the illusion that she had straighter hair. Her ball cap was pulled low, shadowing her face. The glasses were wider frames, a thick black that seemed to swallow her face. She chewed gum, staring straight ahead while her fingers flew across the keyboard. Occasionally she lifted the large coffee and took a sip without taking her eyes from her screen.

Sergeant Major entered and moved into line. Javier took his coffee and moved toward the back where the three posters were. He set up in the shadows. In position, Top. Jaimie’s doing her thing and is in a perfect position. Sergeant Major is getting his coffee and bagel as instructed. Bond-boy has entered the building. He blends so well.

Mack chose not to reprimand Javier’s snicker or urge him to take the enemy seriously. Javier would never change. Life seemed a great adventure to him. The more the adrenaline rush, the more he liked it.

Javier waited until Sergeant Major settled into position, sipping his coffee and reading the posters before leaning over to look into the backpack he’d put beneath his table. He “accidentally” brushed up against Griffen’s coat, extracting the cell phone. I’ve got his cell. Jaimie, you ready?

Yes. Do they have a chip? Or are they working with a mirror program? Chip. You can back-trace with no problem, Jaimie. Javier dropped the cell back into the Sergeant Major’s pocket as he bent to pull his book out of his backpack. Everything’s in place.

Initiate the call, Mack, Jaimie advised. They’ll begin tracing and my program will begin the trace instantly.

“Incoming call, Sergeant Major. Stay on as long as possible,” Mack said. “You’ll be talking to Paul. Talk about fishing. Tell him you’re in a coffee shop and will see him after the meeting. Follow his lead.”

Sergeant Major dipped his hand into his pocket as the phone rang, sipping at his coffee, his back to the room.

Oh, yeah, Javier said, they’re recording his call just like you figured, Mack. Mack hadn’t realized he was so tense. He let his breath out. Jaimie? I’m on it. I already had a good idea where we were going with this, Mack, Jaimie said. They’re bouncing all over the place, but they aren’t going to get away. Not this time.

She was referring to the trace she’d started in her home. He still wasn’t comfortable involving Jaimie. Strange, it had been so important that they work together before. He’d wanted her on his team, believing her special skills could keep them all alive. Now he just wanted her safe and happy. It was much more difficult than he’d imagined trusting her safety to someone else, even to Javier, who he knew loved Jaimie.

He could hear Sergeant Major talking to Paul. His voice was a little strained, but he managed a laugh in all the appropriate places. His respect for Paul rose sharply. The boy sounded relaxed and very much a son calling his father, looking forward to seeing him. He led the conversation skillfully, talking about a fictitious woman he’d met a few nights earlier and was hoping to see more of. He asked about his father staying over and maybe going out to the Farallon Islands to whale watch, and seemed genuinely disappointed when his father declined and said he had to get back to Washington. Several times Griffen shifted restlessly, but he didn’t break position. Got it! There was triumph in Jaimie’s voice. Let’s get him out. Mack signaled to Paul to end the conversation. The boy talked a few more minutes and told his father he would see him after the meeting. Griffen’s voice was gruff as he told Paul he loved him. There was a small silence. Mack had the feeling expressing emotion for his son wasn’t something the sergeant major did often.

“We’ll get him out safely,” Mack found himself reassuring Paul.

Paul nodded. “I know, boss.” He flashed a small grin. “Are you going to hit him upside the head like you did me?”

Mack grinned back. “I think I’ll skip that part.”

Sergeant Major is getting ready to move.

Mack snapped back to attention. “Walk out the door and turn left. Approach the fountain. Take out your cell phone. They can track you anywhere just using the phone. It has to be thoroughly soaked. Accidentally drop it in the fountain when you get jostled. I want you to get wet and have to buy new clothes. There’s a men’s shop just up the block. You’ve bought a couple of suits there before.”

Paul had told him that whenever Sergeant Major wanted a nice suit, he preferred the exclusive shop and would fly to San Francisco to acquire one. It was easy enough for Paul to go into the shop, identify himself as Griffen’s son, and purchase a new suit for him, made to his precise measurements. It was waiting along with socks, shoes, and underwear as well as a coat.

“Remove everything, Sergeant Major. There’s a medical kit. There’s a tracking device under your skin. Probably on your hip. That’s where we found all of ours. You’ll need to remove that. We’ve got a man inside who will sweep you for more and help stitch you up. You’ll need to be fast. Once the tracking devices go down, they’ll be on to us. Once we take you, they’ll send in their troops to try to kill or reacquire you. This will shake them up. You’re here on legitimate business so no one will ever know any of this happened once we take them down, but you can stay under their thumb until we remove the threat or come out now. Your call whether we go all the way or not.”

“Get me the hell out from under this bastard,” Sergeant Major snapped, his hand coming up to cover his mouth as he faked a cough.

Sergeant Major walked outside, looked around, and whipped out his cell phone again, moving toward the sculpted fountain. He frowned at his phone as he walked, going through his address book with his thumb.

Skull-boy gave up on the women. They caught the trolley. He’s on his way back, Lucas reported. I think they were genuine tourists, boss. Get back here and get into place. We’re going to need precision. Jaimie, as soon as they’re out of there, get clear. Get back to the warehouse and barricade yourself in.

No problem, Mack. I’ve got the easy part. Be safe, all of you. Javier wandered out of the coffee shop directly behind Bond-boy. The man stopped abruptly in the doorway, making a show of putting on his dark glasses. Javier bumped into his back, planting the homing device easily.

“Hey, dude. Keep moving,” Javier said rudely, shoving past and dropping his board on the ground.

Bond-boy flipped him off, already turning his attention to Sergeant Major. Javier gave a small kick-push and took off down the sidewalk.

Sergeant Major pushed the call button to begin dialing a number as he leaned down to look at the bottom of the fountain where the light display played through the water. Something bumped his arm and he whipped his head around to see an elderly man reeling, trying to maintain his balance. He dropped his phone and caught the man.

“I’m sorry, I was pushed,” the man said, looking around. No one seemed to be paying any attention. “Your phone…”

“It’s all right,” Sergeant Major assured as he removed his jacket. “It’s just a phone.” He rolled up his sleeve but even then, when he reached through the water to retrieve the cell phone, his immaculate white shirt was instantly wet. Bond-boy isn’t happy, Gideon reported. He’s moving in on Sergeant Major. I can take him if he gets ugly.

Give him some room, Gideon, Mack advised. We knew they wouldn’t like losing the cell.

Sergeant Major retrieved the cell, shook the water pouring out of it, and turned it off, cursing under his breath, even as he again reassured the elderly man that it wasn’t his fault. He glanced at his watch and set off briskly going up the block toward the men’s shop. The man with the dark glasses fell in behind him, mixing with the crowd.

“Nice job,” Mack murmured. “Looks like you’ve got two shadows.”

“I spotted one,” Sergeant Major snapped.

“Don’t respond.”

Griffen cursed again and picked up his pace, his coat over his soaked sleeve. Mack felt bad for him. The man was a legend, reduced to playing a puppet on a string because of his love for his son. He was a man of action, not someone to let others manipulate him. Mack would bet his life he was armed and willing to use his weapons. Sergeant Major entered the men’s store, disappearing inside. I’ve got him, Ethan said. He’s stripping to the skin. I’m placing everything in a plastic bag. It’s safer to get rid of everything, then take it to Jaimie. I don’t want them tracing anything back to her. We’ll have to rely on the trace. She’ll have the cell phone.

Hurry, Ethan, you’re on the clock, Mack advised. Get that tracking chip out of his hip.

Scanner picked up a second one. Ethan’s voice was grim. Mack swore. Can you get it?

It will be tough. It’s deep. Sergeant Major says to cut the damn thing out of him regardless. Ethan let the admiration for the sergeant major show in his voice. “Sir, we have very little time. Can you stitch up your hip while I try digging for this thing?”

“Whatever gets me out of here fast,” Theodore Griffen snapped briskly. Ethan shot him full of painkillers and deadened the area before cutting out the first small chip, but still, it hurt like hell. Griffen didn’t care. He wanted the vultures off his back and he wanted to retaliate.

Ethan slipped the knife into Griffen’s side, trying to ease the chip out. It seemed elusive, embedded deeper than necessary. Griffen never moved, stoically putting in two stitches at his hip while Ethan extracted the second chip.

“Destroy them,” Griffen ordered.

“I’m sorry, sir, I can’t do that,” Ethan said. “You have to follow this through. You have to dress and go out the front door. I’ll be right behind you with the chips. If they know the chips are gone, they’ll kill you or reacquire you immediately.”

Griffen swore again. “Let’s do it, then.”

Ethan studied him. The sergeant major’s face was pale, but they’d cleaned him up fast. He had stitches in his side as well as his hip, but he walked without a limp even in the stiff new shoes. He walked out just ahead of Ethan. Ethan carried the garment bag with Sergeant Major’s clothes in it. The two chips were in his pockets, still transmitting.

Boss, the woman is coming right up on Sergeant Major, the one from Union Square, Marc reported. She’s been in and out of shops, but suddenly she’s moving fast and I think her intention is to intercept Sergeant Major. She’s a pro, the way she moves through the crowd, very hard to spot.

As Sergeant Major stepped through the doorway, Ethan pushed him to one side and collided with the woman.

“Go now, fast,” Mack instructed in Griffen’s ear. “Head for the bistro. Go in and all the way to the back and down the stairs. Move it.”

Griffen heard the sound of air rushing out of Ethan’s lungs, but he didn’t turn, moving fast away from the man in the direction of the bistro as Mack had ordered. Behind him there was a commotion.

Ethan’s down, Gideon reported. I’ve got the shot. Take it, Mack commanded.

Gideon squeezed the trigger and the woman with the knife in Ethan’s side went down. Blood splattered across the window, but if there was sound, it was drowned out by the traffic on the street. Javier burst through the crowd, wrapped his arm around Ethan, and half carried him back inside and straight through the store to the back entrance.

“Leave the knife in,” he advised.

“I’m crashing,” Ethan said, his voice calm.

Javier simply turned, bending his knees, lifting his partner over his shoulder, and hauling him out of the store. Bring up the van. Hurry up. Paul, where the hell are you?

How bad? Mack asked.

He’s out, boss, I can’t examine him. I should have killed that bitch again. Once was enough. The van’s in front of you, Javier. Get rid of the tracking devices and dump the clothes. There’s a burn barrel just a few blocks up. Javier carefully laid Ethan across the backseat in front of Paul, who was already looking for a vein. “I’ve got him,” Paul assured. “Get us out of here.”

Pack it in, boys, we’ve got Sergeant Major. Let’s go home, Mack said.