Luke put his hands up. No sudden moves, no getting shot pointlessly. He spoke slowly and calmly. Walter Brenna, my name is Luke Stone. Im with the FBI Special Response Team. Im one of the good guys.

How do you know my name?

Walter, everyoneand I mean everyoneknows your name. They all know who you are and what youre trying to do. Im here to tell you its not going to work. The bad guys heard your little chat with Chuck Berg, and they are converging on this spot as we speak, if they arent here already. Youre not going to hold them off.

Brenna smiled. And you will?

I was a Delta Force operator on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other places. No one even knows we were in the Congo, you understand?

Brenna nodded. I do. But that doesnt mean I care, or that I even believe you.

Luke gestured with his head. You see that box and that bag behind me? Theyre filled with weapons. I know how to use them. I stopped counting my confirmed kills at a hundred. If you want to live through this night, and if you want to see the Vice President live through this night, you should let me in.

Brenna wanted to play twenty questions. And what if I dont?

Luke shrugged. Ill wait out here. When Chuck shows up, Ill tell him the Vice President is coming with me. If he disagrees, Ill kill him. Then Ill take her with me anyway. She has to be kept alive at all costs. Chuck doesnt matter and neither do you.

Where do you think youll take her?

To see some friendlies. I have a doctor waiting, along with another former Delta operator. Hes my partner. Not for nothing, but hes killed six men in the past twelve hours. Three of them were government assassins. When was the last time you killed anyone, Walter?

Brenna stared at him.

Do you suppose youre going to make it through this without killing people? If so, you might want to think again.

The gun wavered.

I rang the doorbell, Walter. Theyre not going to do that.

Brenna lowered the gun. Come in.

Luke grabbed his bags and entered the house. He followed Brenna down a narrow hallway. They passed through an old galley kitchen. Luke took charge instantly, and Brenna accepted Lukes command.

Are there any women here? Luke said. Children?

Brenna shook his head. Im divorced. My wife went to Mexico. My daughter lives in California.

Good.

Brenna led Luke into a bare room with no windows. There was a wooden table in the middle. Medical equipment was laid outscalpels, scissors, antiseptic, bandages, tourniquets. This room is double steel-reinforced. Its in a dummy placement, several feet back from the walls of the house. From the outside, you dont see its location.