Vengeance

by R. J. Patterson

  “But I wasn’t the one who ran down the hillside,” Hawk said.

  “You weren’t the one who ran down it first,” Alex said. “There was a time—”

  “I know,” Hawk said. “Maybe I’m getting wiser in my old age.”

  Blunt chuckled. “Let’s not go that far. But at least we still have one of you.” There was an awkward pause as Blunt studied his two agents. Alex eyed Hawk closely and reached out to him, taking his hand in hers.

  “I have a feeling that’s not the only thing bothering you, Hawk,” Blunt said. “Wanna talk about it?”

  “What is this? An intervention?” Hawk asked.

  “Hardly,” Blunt said. “But I can tell you’ve been somewhat distant ever since your mother—”

  “Don’t say it,” Hawk said, holding his hands up in a gesture for Blunt to stop. “I don’t want to hear the words uttered.”

  “Ignoring the pain won’t make it go away,” Alex said.

  Hawk nodded. “But you know what will ease it? Catching the son of a bitch who—”

  He stopped and sighed before leaning back in his chair again.

  “Just give it some time,” Blunt said. “The Dallas PD is working on it. I’ve got some friends in the homicide department, and I know that investigation is still active.”

  Hawk cast a sideways glance at Blunt. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Sure as I am sitting here. I just spoke with Detective Pickens this morning. He said they’re still chipping away at it, but it’s been rough due to the lack of evidence. They’ll find something eventually.”

  Hawk closed his eyes and shook his head subtly. “I think the worst thing is I never got to have closure. I never saw her body or watched her casket lowered into the ground.”

  “I know,” Blunt said. “But we thought someone was trying to lure you out into the open at the time. You have to understand we made that decision because we thought it was the most prudent.”

  “I get it,” Hawk said. “That doesn’t make it any easier though.”

  “Your paths will cross one day,” Blunt said. “And when they do, I’m sure you’ll be ready to bring the killer to justice. In the meantime, we have to stay vigilant and courageous as we battle on against these forces wreaking havoc on our country.”

  Alex gave Hawk’s hand a squeeze before she scooted back in her seat. Hawk forced a smile as he looked at her. Then he mouthed a “thank you” to her before she smiled back.

  “My mother used to talk about courage all the time,” Hawk said. “She told me that without courage, I’m just an average person trying to survive in life. But she used to tell me all the time, ‘Brady, be brave. Be extraordinary.’ She was the first person to believe in me like that—and now she’s gone. I can hardly stomach the thought, knowing that I’m somehow to blame for all of this. She didn’t ask to be hunted down and gutted by some coward just to try to get at me. She was a good woman.”

  “A great woman,” Blunt said.

  Hawk nodded. “Well, the best way for me to honor her legacy is to keep doing what she urged me to do, which was to follow my passion for helping others.”

  “That’s something you’re damn good at,” Blunt said.

  He stopped and turned his attention to the television on the back wall. Snatching the remote from the center of the table, Blunt turned the volume up as a reporter shared the details about the government’s new focus on centralizing intelligence to better protect the American people.

  “Many here on Capitol Hill are calling next week's dedication of the National Security Complex near Langley, Virginia to be one of the most well-attended events of the year from parties on both sides of the aisle,” reported Lindsay Baker. “This bi-partisan effort serves as a reminder of the power of Congress when representatives put aside their party ideology and do what's best for the country. State officials from all branches will be on hand for the ceremony that marks the dawn of a new era in the way the United States intelligence community gathers information. The NSC will be the hub for every intelligence agency under the auspices of the U.S. government, both civilian and military.”

  Blunt shook his head and chuckled. “The dawn of a new era? Just cram everyone into one building, and suddenly the public will think your country is safer.”

  “We weren’t invited to join them in their shiny new building, were we?” Alex asked.

  “We don’t exist, remember?” Blunt said with a wink. “The Phoenix Foundation officially helps with policy, not actual intelligence gathering and logistical security.”

  Linda, Blunt’s secretary, rapped on the outside of the door. “Pardon the interruption, sir, but you have a call on line one from CIA Deputy Director Al White. He said he needs to speak with you and it’s urgent.”

  Hawk bolted upright in his chair. “White wants to speak with you? I thought Fortner had a closed loop on who knew about us.”

  “Apparently, the loop has expanded,” Blunt said before turning to his secretary. “Thanks, Linda. I’ll take the call in here.”

  Blunt waited until Linda shut the door before he answered the phone. “It’s been a long time, Al.”

  “The last time I saw you was at your supposed funeral,” White said with his thick South Carolina drawl. “But only one of us showed up.”

  “Sorry for all the trouble and pain,” Blunt said. “It was, unfortunately, necessary for me to disappear.”

  White laughed. “Don’t worry, J.D. I didn’t shed any tears. I was just wondering if you were going to bequeath me that signed Nolan Ryan baseball in your office.”

  “I’ve got something better. How about we go hunting with him the next time you’re in Texas.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Well, Al, I wanted to let you know that you’re on speaker with a couple of members of my team here—and I’m sure you didn’t call to just catch up.”

  “Certainly not, though I did just learn about your organization about a week ago in a meeting.”

  Blunt scowled. “Only Fortner and one other special agent were supposed to know what we’re up to here at the Phoenix Foundation. Who told you?”

  “Fortner let it slip in a meeting with several other department heads last week.”

  “That’s unusual,” Blunt said. “He’s careful to avoid disclosing any intel like that.”

  “Well, we were discussing our options in handling an issue down in South America with a drug lord who has moved into the illegal arms sales business. This particular guy happened to be the brother of the country’s president and we couldn’t handle things how we normally do. So he suggested an alternative method, which was your foundation.”

  “Wonderful,” Blunt said. “The last thing we need is for everyone figuring out the true nature of what we do here.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” White said. “It was only Casper, Riggins, and Mitchell in the meeting.”

  “I always worry about Henry Riggins,” Blunt said. “He was a thorn in my side when I served in the Senate.”

  “Riggins is harmless.”

  Blunt knit his brow and tapped his pen on the table. “So, did you just call me to tell me that the cat’s out of the bag? Or is there something else you wanted to discuss?”

  “No, there is a reason for my call. I wanted to let you know that we received a curious communiqué last night from the Middle East that I thought you might be interested in.”

  “One of my good friends over there wanting my address so he could send me a Christmas card?” Blunt said with a chuckle.

  “This one had to do with a proposed prisoner exchange from a source we verified that works with Al Fatihin. Can you list your roster of agents for me?”

  “Come on, Al. You know that’s classified. Only Fortner, a special agent, and the president know who’s working here in the special projects division. That loop needs to remain tighter.”

  “I just thought you would want to know because if the prisoner is one of your agents, I’d hate for him t
o get stranded over there.”

  Blunt chuckled. “And you think I can just whip up some extraction team out of thin air to rescue him.”

  “No, I just thought we might be able to make an exchange.”

  “And negotiate with terrorists? Fortner’s not gonna go for that.”

  White sighed. “Look, I’m trying to help you out here. Are you even missing an agent?”

  “What’s the name?”

  “So you are missing an agent?”

  “The name, Al.”

  “Well, it’s classified, J.D., and—”

  “Are we gonna do some bureaucratic dance now after even protocol has been broken?”

  “Fine. The name they gave me was Titus Black.”

  Hawk’s eyes widened as he glanced back and forth between Blunt and Alex. A smile spread across Alex’s lips as she mouthed the words “he’s alive” to Hawk.

  There was a long pause as the trio exchanged knowing glances.

  “J.D., are you still there?” White asked.

  “Let me get back to you,” Blunt said. “And, Al?”

  “What?”

  “Thanks. I trust you’ll remain discreet about the fact that you disclosed this information to us.”

  “Always.”

  Blunt ended the call and rubbed his hands together. “Sounds like we need to get to work.”

  CHAPTER 3

  THE NEXT DAY at the Phoenix Foundation offices, Hawk and Alex prepared for the prisoner exchange by plotting out all of the details necessary for a smooth operation. Blunt worked through back channels to arrange for the return of a high profile asset, noting how difficult it was without being able to give out Black’s name. By the end of the afternoon, they all reconvened to discuss their progress and share their prospects for a successful swap.

  Hawk wore a hint of a smile on his lips as he settled into his seat next to Alex.

  “What is it?” Blunt asked before snipping off the end of his cigar and gnawing on it. “You don’t look nearly as depressed as you did yesterday.”

  “I’m not sure losing Ramin Torabi is that big of a blow for us,” Hawk said. “I did a little digging, and I think I know why Evana prioritized his return.”

  “And are you going to tell us why, or do you want to make us guess?” Blunt asked.

  “Ramin is family, second cousins with Evana to be precise,” Hawk said. “It’s not like he’s some key cog in the newly-formed Al Fatihin wheel.”

  “And if he were, it'd be a surefire way to tip their hand,” Alex said. “Good observation.”

  Blunt shrugged. “Maybe you’re right. However, I feel like there’s something more to this that we’re not seeing. This has all the makings of another setup.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure,” Hawk said. “I think this was clearly a ploy to secure the return of Ramin, which is significant for reasons other than the mere construction of a viable terrorist group.”

  “Pray tell, what is that reason?” Blunt asked before shielding his mouth with the back of his hand and turning toward Alex. “Remind me never to give Hawk analyst access again. He’s a little too eager to show off in this meeting.”

  Alex laughed softly before cutting her eyes toward Hawk.

  “Will you two knock it off,” Hawk said. “This is beyond serious.”

  “Okay, fine,” Blunt said. “Please continue. Just don't make me guess anymore about what you found, all right?”

  Hawk nodded and proceeded to share his findings. “Ramin also happens to be the son of Amir Torabi, the HadithTel cell phone magnate. He’s worth nearly a billion dollars, and HadithTel is experiencing significant growth throughout the region. It’s the perfect way for her to dip into his deep pockets and get some under-the-table funding.”

  “Ramin has proven worthless when it comes to gleaning information, so if we trade him away, we’re not losing anything,” Blunt said. “But the relationship between HadithTel and Al Fatihin will be an important one for CIA analysts to delve into.”

  “So, you think trading him won’t be a problem?” Hawk asked.

  Blunt shrugged. “Depends on if they have some other value for him that we don’t know about it.”

  “I can’t imagine what that would be,” Hawk said.

  “That’s because you’re a field agent,” Blunt said with a wink.

  “Are you suggesting that I didn’t do a good job with this?”

  Blunt waved his hand dismissively. “Not at all, despite your eagerness to impress. However, sometimes there are other elements in play that we aren’t necessarily privy too. Even with the supposed cooperation between all the agencies, we can’t always access everything we need.”

  “So, what’s next?” Hawk asked.

  “I’ll make a phone call and see what I can get done.”

  “Who are you going to call?” Alex asked. “Fortner?”

  Blunt shook his head. “I’m calling the president.”

  * * *

  BLUNT EASED INTO HIS CHAIR before dialing President Young’s secretary. She said that the president was in a meeting and he would call back as soon as he was finished.

  With the few extra minutes to prepare, Blunt mulled over the best approach to address Young. He wasn’t likely to be warm to the idea of trading prisoners with a terrorist cell, but if he could be convinced, maybe Fortner wouldn’t put up such a fuss about it.

  A few minutes later, Young called back and the conversation started out just as Blunt had imagined it would after explaining the details of the situation.

  “Come on, J.D.,” Young said. “You know our long-standing policy is that we don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

  “You know that’s a bunch of bullshit,” Blunt said. “We’ve made all kinds of concessions with various terrorist groups over the years. It’s why she even asked in the first place. We trot out that mantra for the press every time there’s a hostage situation, but it’s not being taken seriously or even respected. These scumbags know the truth about how we operate. Besides, it’s not like this is some public demand.”

  “Who else knows about this?”

  “Just a handful of people within the CIA—and now you.”

  Young sighed. “Look, I trust Fortner. It’s why I moved him out of the Pentagon and put him in charge of the agency. If he’s not on board with this, neither am I.”

  “You know you can influence him to do this, even if he’s stubborn.”

  “This agent must be very important to you. I’d expect you to act this way about Hawk, but I didn’t realize you were so fond of Black.”

  “We need him,” Blunt said. “He’s proven his worth many times over, especially in the way he’s been able to penetrate Obsidian’s inner circle. If we’re going to take them down, it’s imperative that we get him back.”

  “I’m sure you have other agents who are more than capable of that task.”

  “I only have two field agents at the moment, and I’m not out there actively recruiting. I only deploy the most elite operatives into the field. And right now, that’s just Hawk and Black.”

  “I’m sorry, J.D. I just can’t do it. We haven’t done this under my presidency, and I feel like it would set a dangerous precedent.”

  “The precedent has already been set. You’d be bucking the trend by refusing.”

  “Okay, I’ve heard your argument, but the answer is still no. Find another way to get him back.”

  Blunt fumed inside but restrained himself. “Thank you for your time, Mr. President.”

  The line went dead.

  Blunt pounded his fist on his desk and let out a string of expletives as he got up and paced around his office. He thought for sure Young would be an ally. After cooling off, Blunt visited Hawk and Alex, who were studying their computer screens.

  “I just got off the phone with the president,” Blunt said as he entered the room and shut the door behind him.

  Hawk and Alex both stopped what they were doing and spun around in their chairs to face Blunt.

>   “And?” Hawk said.

  “And he shot down the exchange,” Blunt said.

  “You still haven’t asked Fortner, have you?” Alex asked.

  “I know Fortner, and he has a hard and fast rule about negotiating with terrorists. His policy is that agents shouldn’t get caught in the first place. And they know the consequences if they do.”

  “You’re sure he won’t budge, even if the request comes from you?” Alex asked.

  Blunt shook his head. “Fortner would do just about anything to help me and my agents, but this is a line I know he won’t cross.”

  “So what are our options now?” Hawk asked. “We can't just forget about Black and move on. We know he's alive. You have to press this further. Besides, I've been thinking about this whole situation, and I have an idea of how we can leverage this exchange to an even greater advantage for us.”

  Blunt settled into a chair next to Hawk’s desk. “I’m listening.”

  “Well, do you remember the agent who vanished from the U.N. who’s still on the lam?”

  Blunt nodded. “Go on.”

  “The only picture we had of him was with Evana Bahar,” Hawk said. “So, what if we agreed to the exchange but told her that the terms were she had to be there?”

  “She’d never go for that,” Blunt said.

  “Maybe, but it's a negotiation. We say without her there, no deal.”

  Alex shook her head. “You’d be risking Black’s life on a hunch that she’d agree to be there. You can’t do that.”

  “I don’t think it’d be much of a risk, to be honest,” Hawk said. “She wants Ramin back so she can fund future operations. Acquiring him from the U.S. would earn her an immense amount of favor with Ramin’s father, resulting in a huge windfall of cash. Without that, she’s going to be living hand to mouth, which isn’t exactly the best way to become relevant as a terrorist organization.”

  “And what if she refuses to cooperate with you when you get there?” Blunt asked.

  “I will be very persuasive,” Hawk said.