“One hundred percent,” said one of the other agents on the team. “We’ve got seven targets showing on thermal, and intel confirms that one of them is Müller. Bastard’s got diplomatic immunity, but as long as we’ve got the go-ahead from the higher-ups, to hell with that immunity shit.”

Another agent, a former spook wearing headphones, cut in. “Guys, we’ve got a hostage.”

Nate returned his attention to his binoculars. He still saw nothing, but the agent with headphones didn’t need to. The man was picking up the sound from within the warehouse by using an infrared laser aimed across the street, detecting the audio vibrations on one of the warehouse skylights.

“What are you hearing? Do you know who it is?”

The man shook his head. “It’s a woman. She’s crying. They’re asking her about Gutierrez and what they’ve been working on.”

“Shit.” Nate felt the muscles in his neck tighten. “Swap out your magazines with the ones I brought loaded with frangibles. If there’s shooting, make each shot count, and don’t off our hostage.”

Nate turned back to the former spook. “Ears, do you have a location on—”

“Shit, boss. She just fed them some bullshit about Gutierrez going to visit his mother, and I guess they know she’s lying, because now one of them is screaming in German. He’s talking about doing her.”

“Fuck” Nate turned to the mission’s sniper. “Man the Barrett; you’ve got eyes on. Take anyone who leaves without one of us.”

“Yes, sir.” The man lifted the fifty-caliber on its tripod and peered through the night-vision scope.

Nate made a circular motion with one hand and led the other four agents downstairs and across the street.

In other circumstances, it would have been a beautiful night. The air smelled of the ocean—the Chesapeake Bay was just a hundred yards away. But as they crept to the warehouse door, everything was eerily silent. No gulls, no water, no voices.

One of the men leaned his ear against the door while another worked with the lock. Using hand signals, Nate asked if there were any sounds coming through the door. The agent shook his head.

The snick of the deadbolt announced success with the lock. Nate drew his Glock, opened the door, and took the lead.

The warehouse was huge, empty, and dark. But a reflected light appeared about fifty yards ahead. Nate motioned to the reflected light. His men spread out, keeping each other in sight, and slowly advanced.

Voices from up ahead.

Nate motioned again. Enemy.

Still in the shadows, he moved around an obstruction and got his first view of their targets. The woman was in a metal chair, a gag in her mouth. Her head sagged as though she were already dead. Nate watched until he saw her chest rise and fall.

Still alive.