Ingersol shifted in his seat. “We have an operation involving Abdullah Amir?”

“It was before your time, but yes. Let’s leave it at that. Under no circumstance is Casius to reach that compound. Am I making myself clear? We pursue him at all costs.”

David sat stunned. He wasn’t sure they knew what they were getting into with Casius. He’d never known a more dangerous man. The man was born to kill. “I’m not sure pursuing him is the best option, sir.”

“Because?”

“He may do more damage defensively than he would otherwise.”

“It’s a risk we’ll have to take. This man of yours may be good, but he’s not God. And now that you’ve blown our chances of dealing with him cleanly I need your recommendations for bringing him in.”

David ignored the comment and considered the request.

“I’m not sure you can bring him in, sir. At least not alive.” He lifted his eyes to Ingersol. “And there certainly aren’t any operatives I’m aware of who could kill the man easily.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Ingersol said. “No man is that good.”

“You can try,” David said. “But you better take the cavalry with you, because there’s no way a single man will have a chance against Casius in his own backyard.”

Ingersol turned to Friberg. “I’ve already alerted all our agents south of the border. We have eyes in every major town in the region. Why can’t we insert two or three teams of snipers?”

David answered, “You could, but I doubt he’d ever give them a shot. You have to remember, the guy grew up in the region. He knows the jungle down there. His father was jungle trained, a sniper himself. Trust me, Casius would put his father to shame.” David shook his head. “I still think going after him will be a mistake. You’d have a better chance taking him once he reemerges.”

“No. We waited once; we won’t wait again!” Friberg’s face blotched red. “I want Casius dead! I don’t care what we have to send in there after him; we send it all. I want some strategic options for a takeout here, not this quibbling over snipers. You just tell me how we can get to this guy and let me worry about the execution.”

“What about sending troops, David?” Ingersol asked softly. “If you don’t think snipers can reach him—what about cutting him off?”

“Troops? Since when does the CIA order troops around?” David asked and immediately regretted the question. Ingersol’s left eye twitched below that slicked-back hairline, as if to say, “Get off it, David. Just answer the question. ”

“Yes, well supposing you could get troops, they would have to be Special Forces. Jungle trained with combat experience. You insert them in a perimeter around this plantation Casius is presumably headed for and you might have a shot at him.”

“We can do that,” Friberg stated flatly. “How many do you think it will take?”

“Maybe three teams,” he replied uncomfortably. “Provided they’re jungle trained. I think he’d have a hard time getting around three Ranger teams. But it won’t be pretty.”