by Ty Patterson
The candidate didn’t rise to the bait.
‘You know what this is about?’ The balding general threw an irritated glance at the interruption.
‘I can make a guess. You are looking for an outside contractor. That means whatever you are planning is high-risk and has to be deniable. I was told your candidate should speak Pashtun. Right now, Afghanistan is our hottest spot. Maybe you’re thinking of rescuing those three Delta operators. Using someone like me?’
Silence in the room.
‘You are still bound by the declarations and non-disclosures you signed,’ Silver Hair barked.
‘Sir,’ the speaker said, smiling fully, ‘I am sure you vetted all the candidates before interviewing them. None of us would have been in this room if we were in the habit of running to the nearest newspaper, TV channel, or website.’
More silence.
‘That’s the most hostile terrain in the world,’ squat suit said, shifting in his metal chair. ‘The most dangerous fighters out there.’
‘Yes, sir. I have been there. I have fought them.’
‘Indeed, you have. And you still want to go back? Assuming that’s the operation. You could die.’
‘I don’t mind dying, sir.’
‘Let me get this straight,’ Silver Hair said brusquely. ‘You are willing to go on something that’s pretty much a suicide mission. Involves no payment, no fame, no movie or book deal out of it. Why? Love of country?’
‘I was Delta. Those men are Delta, sir,’ the speaker said, as if that explained it all.
‘You could be tortured.’
‘I have been tortured, sir. Quite a few times.’
Silence.
The men stared at him.
He held their eyes.
‘You like killing?’ Silver Hair said, no inflection in his voice.
‘No, sir.’
‘What do you like?’
‘Saving people, sir.’
A clock ticked somewhere. A chair scraped.
Outside the small room, faint voices could be heard.
The bald man spoke finally. ‘Someone will let you know.’
‘Yes, sir,’ he squared his shoulders and turned to leave.
‘A moment?’
‘Sir?’
‘Why did you leave Delta?’
‘I was getting promoted, sir. That meant a desk job.’
‘You don’t like management? The administration side of operations?’
‘I do, sir. But not if it’s what I have to do all day.’
‘You like the money as a private military contractor?’
‘I am a mercenary, sir,’ a smile ghosted over his lips and disappeared quickly. ‘There’s no need to use fancy words. To answer your question, I do, but I don’t do it just for the money.’
‘What’s your name? All the folders are anonymous.’
‘You don’t have to share it, if you don’t want to,’ he added quickly.
‘Zebadiah Carter, sir.’
‘Zebadiah. That’s quite a mouthful, son.’
‘Everyone calls me Zeb, sir.’
And Zeb Carter left the room.
* * *
Author’s Message
Thank you for taking the time to read this boxset. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends and posting a short review.
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Books by Ty Patterson:
Gemini Series
Dividing Zero, Gemini Series, Book 1
Defending Cain, Gemini Series, Book 2
I AM Missing, Gemini Series, Book 3
Wrecking Team, Gemini Series, Book 4
Warriors Series
The Warrior, Warriors series, Book 1
The Reluctant Warrior, Warriors series, Book 2
The Warrior Code, Warriors series, Book 3
The Warrior’s Debt, Warriors series, Book 4
Warriors series Boxset, Books 1-4
Flay, Warriors series, Book 5
Behind You, Warriors series, Book 6
Hunting You, Warriors series, Book 7
Zero, Warriors series, Book 8
Warriors series Boxset II, Books 5-8
Warriors series Boxset III, Books 1-8
Death Club, Warriors series, Book 9
Trigger Break, Warriors series, Book 10
Scorched Earth, Warriors series, Book 11
RUN! Warriors series, Book 12
Zeb Carter Series
Zeb Carter, Book 1
The Peace Killers, Book 2
Burn Rate, Book 3
Cade Stryker Series
The Last Gunfighter of Space, Book 1
The Thief Who Stole A Planet, Book 2
Warriors Series Shorts
Zulu Hour, Warriors Series Shorts, Book 1
The Shadow, Warriors Series Shorts, Book 2
The Man From Congo, Warriors Series Shorts, Book 3
The Texan, Warriors Series Shorts, Book 4
The Heavies, Warriors Series Shorts, Book 5
The Cab Driver, Warriors Series Shorts, Book 6
Sign up to Ty Patterson’s mailing list, and get The Watcher, a Zeb Carter novella, exclusive to newsletter subscribers. Join Ty Patterson’s Facebook group of readers, here
Check out Ty on Amazon and on his website Ty Patterson
About the Author
Ty has been a trench digger, loose tea vendor, leather goods salesman, marine lubricants salesman, diesel engine mechanic, and is now an action thriller author.
Ty is privileged that readers of crime, suspense and action thrillers have loved his books. ‘Intense,’ ‘Riveting,’ and ‘Gripping’ have been commonly used in reviews.
Ty lives with his wife and son, who humor his ridiculous belief that he’s in charge.
