As they came overhead, he saw that the complex was surrounded by a primitive fence built from local trees. It looked like it had been designed more to keep animals out than people, but that was changing. Two bulldozers were busy building a berm that would both reinforce the barrier and provide a platform for shooters.

Buildings were largely obscured, tucked into stands of trees and connected by flagstone walkways. Various solar arrays were in evidence, as were a number of water towers that undoubtedly fed underground pipes. The eastern side of the mesa had fewer trees and was dedicated to a series of neat agricultural plots. The exception was an airy house surrounded on two sides by a swimming pool. Undoubtedly the residence of the man himself—Nicholas Ward.

To the west, Rapp spotted some buildings that didn’t seem to fit into the understated architectural theme—prefab structures that appeared to have been recently assembled and were fed by visible cables and hoses. Barracks for the men that SEAL Demolition and Salvage had contracted.

The chopper set down on a pad not far from the new structures and Scott Coleman jogged out to meet him.

“How are things shaping up?” Rapp shouted over the sound of the rotors winding down.

“Good,” Coleman responded as they moved along a path that looked newly cleared. “We’re plopped in the middle of about a hundred thousand acres that Ward bought a while back. No roads in or out and totally self-sustaining. Also, well outside of Auma’s operating area.”

“He has a way of deciding himself what his operating area is,” Rapp said.

“Agreed. But if he still poses a threat, we’re in reasonably good shape to engage him. Thank God Ward wanted lake views and put his compound on the high ground. I also convinced him to let us push some dirt up behind his fencing as long as I promised to plant local flora on it. We’ll mount some guns on the top and we’re installing sensors and cameras in the forest. Razor wire’s on its way but delayed because Ward insisted that it be painted to match the forest. I’ve also got to find a way to keep the local wildlife from getting hung up on it. Still working on that.”

“So, you feel confident?”

“Yeah,” Coleman said, drawing the word out a little longer than Rapp would have liked. “I mean, it’s a compromise. Ward doesn’t want to feel like he’s living in an armed camp and he thinks we’re going a little overboard with his cash, but I convinced him better safe than sorry. Particularly where Gideon Auma is concerned. Besides, it’s not like he doesn’t have money to burn.”

Rapp nodded, turning in a slow circle to take in as much as he could of the compound.

“How are Chism and his people?”