“This can go one of two ways. The first, you and Janey can live happily ever after. The second, you don’t.”

“Don’t threaten me.”

“Oh, it’s not a threat, sweet Amber, it’s a promise and you know I’ll make good on it. What does this asshole look like?”

Amber gave him Nathan’s description. “I wouldn’t mess with him if I were you.”

“Yeah, right. Now shut up and listen. Here’s what you’re going say to McBride.”

* * *

Nathan couldn’t formulate a plan to collar Ernie until after Amber called, if she called at all. Until he knew Ernie had taken the bait, all he could do was wait. Nathan hated waiting. It grated on his nerves like a headache. As a sniper team, he and Harv had been masters at waiting, often for days at a time until their mark materialized, but this felt different.

He knew Harv preferred to stay busy during downtime. Currently, Harv had all their equipment laid out on the hotel room’s bed, checking and double-checking everything. He’d broken down their Sig Sauers and thoroughly cleaned and oiled their actions. He’d replaced the batteries in their night-vision scopes, RF detector, handheld thermal imagers, and radios. He then used a lens cloth to clean their field glasses. Although it wasn’t necessary, Harv pulled their Predator knives and checked sharpness. He applied a fine coat of gun oil on their menacing surfaces and sheathed them with more force than needed.

Nathan just stared.

“What?” Harv asked.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I’m just making sure they’re ready.”

Nathan’s cell rang. He didn’t recognize the number and held it out for Harv to see. Harv shook his head. Nathan answered it. “Hello?”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t old scarface himself.”

“Am I speaking with the loosest ass from cell block D?”

“Fuck you, McBride.”

“Come on, Ernie, can’t you think of anything more original than that? Do me a favor and put Leonard on the phone. I’d rather talk to him. He’s the brains of your operation. You’re just an errand boy.”

“Oh yeah? Well, here’s a message for you. I’m going to kill you real slow with a dull knife.”

“That’s going to be rather difficult after I’ve severed all your fingers.”

No response.

“Tell me something. Did your baby brother die right off, or did he squeal on the ground like a little girl?”

“We’ll see who does the squealing.”

The line went dead.

The coldness and lack of emotion sent a shiver through Nathan. “Well, at least this confirms he called Amber. She gave him my cell number. I love it when a plan comes together.”

Two minutes later, his phone rang again. It was a 559 area code, probably Amber Sheldon calling. He took the call. “Don’t say anything. Give me the number you’re calling from.”