Hayes looked slightly alarmed. “You seem to have me outnumbered. My goodness, what was I thinking?” He put the slim briefcase he was carrying down on a table, popped it open and drew out a slim file. From it he took several slips of paper. “Drug-running, was it? Yes, that’s right.” He gave a mock shiver. “I’m sure you all are suitably tough and dangerous, so I must watch my step.” He pressed his long, bony fingers against the pages. “These documents are awaiting signature by the attorney general to authorize a lockdown of this prison and all personnel here.”

“On what grounds?”

“On the grounds that your drug-dealing operation is funneling monies to terrorist organizations that have infiltrated the United States.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Actually, we already have the proof ready to go. This document,” Hayes continued imperturbably, “is an arrest warrant for Joseph Knox, John Carr and Howard Tyree. You can see that it’s duly signed.”

The warden didn’t even bother glancing at the papers. He said, “You might be a big deal in Washington, but in case you haven’t noticed this isn’t Washington. So I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s the whole point,” said Hayes. “Let me see Knox and Carr and you’ll have no more problems.”

“Right. If they were here, and I’m not saying they are, how do I know they wouldn’t tell you some bullshit story that you’ll use to come after me? Tell me that?”

Hayes looked at his watch. When he glanced back up, his smile was gone. “I don’t give a shit about your little drug operation. In the grand scheme of things you don’t even rise to the level of a hemorrhoid on my ass. You have one minute to take me to these men.”

“Or what?” snapped Tyree.

“You really are tiresome.” Hayes reached slowly in his pocket, lifted out his phone and pushed one button.

A second later there was an explosion in the prison’s front parking lot.

Tyree and his men raced to the window and looked out at the smoldering remains of the car. Smoke was still rising off the chopper’s side cannon muzzle.

“That was my damn Cadillac,” screamed Tyree.

“I know. We checked the registration. I wouldn’t have wasted a cannon round that expensive on a mere guard’s ride. Let me make this as clear as I possibly can. This is a national security issue. Not even the president himself could stand in the way. And you, my little friend, are no president. Take me to see them. Now!” He added in a softer tone, “And Uncle Sam will even buy you a new car.”

Stone and Knox sat shackled at the table. Everyone in the prison had heard the explosion outside, but no one knew what was going on. When the door opened and he saw the man, Knox cried out, “Oh shit!”