“My point,” said Stafford, ignoring the implied threat, “is that they’re just a couple of guys. Tough or not, scary or not, they’re just guys. And their new group, that Rogue Team International? It’s not even a tenth the size of the old DMS, and besides, they don’t even have the protection of the U.S. government anymore. They’re freelance busybodies.”

“Which is why I’m calling you,” said Kuga, his tone harsh. “I want you to go find Joe Ledger, and I want him dead in a big way. Pieces all over the place. I want it to make the news. I want it to trend on Twitter. I want it so big, so ugly, and so outrageous that Eli Roth makes a movie about it.”

“I can do that,” said Stafford.

“Show me,” said Kuga. “I’m sending you a shit ton of data from our field analysis team and some notes Sunday put together specially for you. We think he’s in Italy now, but he’s likely to go to either Romania or Germany next. What we can’t allow—and I cannot stress this enough—is for Ledger to go back to the United States. We’re ramping up for the big play there, but there are a lot of moving pieces, and it’s very delicate. I need Ledger off the board.”

“What if he’s already in America?”

“Then pick up his trail. I’ve wired expense money to your account in the Seychelles. Kill him and anyone he even looks at over there.”

“You’re really hot about this,” said Stafford.

“You’re damn right. Kill that bastard Joe Ledger, and I will quadruple your usual rate. Take out Church, too … and I’ll wire transfer five hundred million into your account.”

“Very funny.”

“I’m not joking,” said Kuga.

And the line went dead.

CHAPTER 32

PHOENIX HOUSE

OMFORI ISLAND, GREECE

Bug shoved a handful of Cheez-Its into his mouth and crunched loudly. The latest H.E.R. disc was playing on twelve high-end speakers, with the bass turned high enough to make the various laptops, external drives, monitors, and a complete set of Wakanda Funko POP bobbleheads tremble. A row of alternating Red Bull and Monster cans was close at hand. The empties were in or near the blue recycling can. The door to his office was locked and the security system activated, ensuring that no one could walk in.

Bug brushed orange crumbs from his fingers before placing his hands on the keyboard. He was invariably messy.

With Joe Ledger missing in action and Rogue Team International engaged in the search for him and Santoro, there were very few actual field ops even in the planning stages. That gave Bug time to play.