in Washington. He had leverage. He had strength. He could play hardball with these folks.
He clicked the button.
“Hello?”
Sam Kent said, “We need to meet.”
“Why?”
“You’ve seen the story about the train?”
“What about it?”
“It was Reel and Robie.”
“How?”
“That’s not important. They’ve teamed up. Without a doubt.”
Decker swallowed nervously and held tightly to the leash as Bruin started to go after a squirrel. “The last time we spoke you didn’t think that was a real possibility. You said they might have been at the center of what happened in Arkansas, but you weren’t convinced they were in this together.”
“Well, the simple answer to that is, I was apparently wrong.”
“That is not a good enough answer, Sam. I’ve risked everything for this. Everything.”
“And you don’t think I have?”
“You as good as threatened me the last time we met.”
“I know. I apologize for that. I’m under unbelievable pressure.”
“And you don’t think I am?”
“We have to stick together on this. I’ve been given an ultimatum. I have to find Reel and Robie and eliminate them.”
“Okay. But how?”
“I’ll need your help.”
“Me? What can I do?”
“You’re the chairman, Howard. There’s a lot you can do.”
“Okay, okay, just calm down.” He thought for a minute. “I certainly can get information about the agency’s reaction to this recent development. They may have a line on the two.”
“That’s exactly what we need, Howard. We have to piggyback on the agency’s pursuit of Reel and Robie. If you’re not read in over there on it, get read in on it. Push for answers. Push for the ultimate solution. Tell them you want to be kept apprised of every step. If they’re located and a strike team is sent in you want to know ahead of time.”
“So you can send in your team?”
“Exactly.”
“But why not just let the agency personnel do it? It’s cleaner that way.”
“Because they might just take them alive. And then they can talk, Howard.”
“You . . . you think they know things that might lead—”
“That might lead right back to us. Yes, I do. We’re on Reel’s list. At least I am. And I would be stunned if you weren’t. We’ve talked about this before. Neither of them can be allowed to come in alive. You have to get the agency to lead us to them. That way we can end it quick and relatively clean.”
“But if I tip you off they might suspect my involvement.”
“Think, Howard, think! They want this put to bed as much as we do. This is a black eye for them. They will cover this over with so much dirt no one will ever get to the truth of it. Now, can I report back that you’re in?’
Decker didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Absolutely. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Thanks, Howard. You won’t regret this. Let’s meet at my office tomorrow morning around seven. We can discuss further details. Time is really of the essence.”
Kent clicked off and Decker slowly put the phone back in his pocket.
He was shaking. He was actually shaking with fear and doubt.
But I will get through this. I will survive this.
The little dog was running toward him, its leash trailing behind it. Decker saw the same young woman racing to catch it. He shot out a hand and snagged the leash.
Breathless, the woman ran up and stopped next to him.
He held up the leash. “That’s your exercise for tonight,” he said.
“Thank you so much.”
“What’s your name?” He ran his eye over her figure. He couldn’t help himself.
“Stacy. The little guy there is Darby.”
“Hello, Darby,” said Decker, bending down to pet him. “Do you live around here?” he asked, rising back up.
A gun was pointed at his face.
“No,” said Stacy. “And neither do you anymore.”
She fired and the suppressed round slammed into Decker’s face. He dropped where he stood, dead before he hit the dirt.
The woman walked off with her dog.
CHAPTER
66
ROBIE STOOD ON THE CROWDED Metro train holding on to an overhead handrail. He wore sunglasses, a ball cap pulled low over his forehead, and a hoodie for extra concealment.
The train pulled into the next station and stopped. Robie didn’t react when the woman boarded. He kept his gaze partially downcast, but his peripheral vision was firmly on her.
For her part, Nicole Vance didn’t react when she saw Robie. The only reason she recognized him was because he had told her what he would be wearing, which train car he would be on, and where he would be standing in that car.
She took her time working her way over to him. Most people