He estimated he had four minutes before she arrived. Probably the same for an SDPD helicopter. By now, Dalton’s yacht would be on its way back to the marina. He hoped Dalton would survive his wounds. The man had surrendered himself to this sadistic madman to save his family. Whoever Dalton was, he couldn’t be all bad.

At the end of Mission Boulevard, he turned right, drove several hundred yards, and pulled into an isolated parking stall facing the channel.

Why not use this time productively?

Pistol in hand, he climbed out. His feet still stung, but not as badly now. He stepped gingerly around the cruiser and got into the backseat next to Montez, making sure to leave the door open. He didn’t want to lock himself in. The dome light stayed dark.

“Well, Colonel Montez, you really look like shit.”

“Tell me something, McBride. Why didn’t you give me your name down there? What harm would it have caused? Why not just do it and avoid the pain?”

“Because it was all I had left,” Nathan whispered, almost to himself. He shook his head, marveling at how smoothly Montez had taken the initiative from him. “If you go off-topic again, Monty, I’m going to hurt you badly. Do you understand? Let’s get right to it. Who are you working for and what’s Dalton’s role?”

“You really don’t know?”

Nathan sighed. “I warned you.” He pulled his Predator and jammed the tip into Montez’s cheek. He applied a gradual increasing pressure, forcing Montez to hold perfectly still or risk a lengthy incision. A rivulet of blood oozed from the small cut. “A few more pounds of pressure and the blade goes through to your cheekbone. I’d really hate to see your face ruined… like mine.”

Montez said nothing.

“Well?”

“I only learned the truth tonight. I thought I was working for Dalton, but he was only a middleman.”

“A middleman? For whom?”

“You won’t like the answer.”

“Try me.”

“The CIA.”

Chapter 47

Chapter  47

“Yeah, right.”

“It’s true.”

“So I’m supposed to believe you were working for the United States government?”

“Believe what you want.”

“Why would the CIA need a worm like you involved with a clean coal negotiation in Hungary? That’s horse crap. You’re lying.”

“The clean coal thing was only a front.”

“For what?”

“Counterterrorism. Holding and transfer of enemy combatants. Rendition.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve been interrogating prisoners.”

Nathan felt his blood pressure rise. “I don’t believe you.”

“I can prove it. The thumb drive in your pocket? Dalton confessed to everything.”

“You tortured him. Of course he confessed.”

“He held out for quite a while, made a heroic stand.”