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  “And I take orders from you?”

  Jones looked at Haley for a moment. “It’s more of a collaborative approach to things. I’m usually the one that hands the jobs out when they come in, but out on the street, you do what you have to do to get the job done.”

  “How do you pick the jobs?”

  “I would say that the jobs pick us. Without going into too many specifics, I will say that the jobs are determined by a sophisticated software program I learned from my time in the NSA, which picks up particular words that are used across a variety of digital devices and electronics.”

  “You were in the NSA?”

  Jones nodded. “I was.”

  Phillips pointed at Haley. “And you were in the CIA?”

  Haley nodded. “I was.”

  “What about the other guy?”

  “He’s from the agency as well.”

  Phillips scratched his cheek, then rubbed his jaw as he thought about it. “I have a tendency to say what’s on my mind and not hold things back. Some may think I’m too blunt. Some may have an issue with that.”

  “We’re more concerned with the job being done the right way,” Jones said. “Friends can have disagreements from time to time, as long as they’re handled the right way, in a professional way, and grudges aren’t kept.”

  “I don’t hold grudges. I just say it as I see it.”

  “I don’t see a problem with that.” Jones looked to Haley for his input.

  Haley raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Yeah.” He didn’t seem as convinced about Phillips’ suitability for the job. Part of him seemed like somewhat of a loose cannon. It could’ve just been a first impression, but in their line of work, first impressions went a long way. And Phillips’ wasn’t going very far. But, Haley would go along with whatever Jones wanted. He’d give the guy a chance if it was felt he was best for the team.

  Jones continued going over some of his preferred rules. “If you come aboard, I would also like to caution that I prefer things get handled in a non-violent way wherever possible.”

  “From what I’ve read and heard, that doesn’t happen often,” Phillips said.

  “Sometimes there are no other options. I’ll leave you to determine when and where that’s necessary. Just remember that whenever violence is dished out, regardless of who’s the recipient, it brings unwanted attention to us and makes it harder to operate.”

  Phillips nodded, understanding his point. But he was no wallflower. He had no qualms about giving someone the business end of his weapon, especially if it was his means of survival. “I’ll just let you know, if I have any doubts about a situation, I’ll shoot first and I won’t think twice about it. I’ll give peace a chance and all that, but one of my issues in the agency was that I’m not opposed to dropping the hammer. If I got three guys in front of me, and they’re armed and dangerous, I’m not going to try and talk my way out first and give them the first shot. I’m coming up shooting.”

  “Fair enough. Do you have a girlfriend? Anyone else who may wonder about your whereabouts?”

  “No one steady. And I haven’t talked to my parents in ten years so they wouldn’t miss me.”

  “I have another question in regards to your drinking…”

  Phillips could already anticipate what the question was. “I’m not an alcoholic if you’re wondering. I like my booze and I like my women, a lot of the times both at once, but it doesn’t impact my job performance. You don’t have to worry about me showing up drunk or anything. I know the risks of being impaired in work like this. A slow reaction time means I could be dead. It’s not an issue. When I show up, I’m ready to go.”

  Jones seemed satisfied with that answer. “Very good.”

  “Speaking of showing up, is there some type of schedule?”

  Jones smiled. “Criminals don’t operate on schedules. Neither do we. Which is not to say you won’t get time off, but you won’t be working a regular nine-to-five and weekends off. The off-time depends on what we have going on at the moment. There may be times when you have three or four days off in a row, and there may be times when you won’t see an off day for a month. It all depends.”

  Though Haley was willing to go along with whatever Jones decided, that didn’t mean he wasn’t ready to challenge his prospective new partner. “Sometimes the reason people get out of those agency jobs is because they can’t cut it anymore.” Haley looked around the cushiony apartment. “Now, you’ve been out of that work for a year, you’ve got a place on the water, beautiful view, nice furniture, maybe you’re not able to slide right into the job again.”

  Phillips chuckled. “Please. Don’t let the surroundings fool you. When push comes to shove, I’m still as ready and able as I’ve ever been. I just spent several months in some god-for-saken hole in the ground protecting an oil field from terrorists. You don’t need to question my abilities.”

  Haley smiled. “Fair enough.”

  “One thing, how’d you guys latch on to me? You seem to know my record, which I know is classified, my address, everything.”

  Jones adjusted his glasses. “As I mentioned previously, I used to work for the NSA. They have techniques for getting into just about anything with enough time and patience. And there is nothing as secretive as most people think it is.”

  Phillips rubbed his jaw and chin. “And is there a contract I gotta sign, put in a certain number of years, things like that?”

  “We operate on word-of-mouth agreements here. If in time you decide you’d like to move on, there’s nothing holding you back. I would prefer the courtesy of a little advanced notice just so I can try to make alternate arrangements on things, but the choice is yours. And I would like to remind you again of the secrecy of our operation. But considering your past history, I tend to think that won’t be so much of a problem for you.”

  Phillips put his drink down on the table. “When do you need a decision by?”

  “I would prefer to have a decision within a few days. If you decline, it gives me some time to look at other candidates.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, why me?”

  “I’ve gone over your record,” Jones answered. “It’s top notch. Regardless of your relationship with your employers, it didn’t make a difference on your results.”

  Phillips laughed. “Probably why they put up with me for as long as they did.”

  “In saying that, we also only employ the best.”

  “How many more are there? Just you two and the other guy?”

  “For now. Right now, smaller is better.”

  Phillips leaned back and nodded, rubbing his face as he thought about it. “I can’t say it doesn’t interest me.”

  Jones reached into his pocket and removed a business card. He put it down on the table. “My name and number. Call me anytime when you’ve made a decision.” Phillips picked up the card and looked at it. “I should add that if you decide to decline our offer that you please rip that card up and burn it. Though I guess it won’t make much difference in the long run. The number will not be operational after next week, anyway.”

  Phillips smiled, appreciating the secrecy. It seemed like Jones would’ve fit right in with the people he was used to dealing with. “Give me a day or two to think about it. I’ll let you know either way.”

  Jones reached over the table and shook hands with Phillips, Haley also following his lead. “I look forward to hopefully working with you,” Jones said. “Hopefully it’ll be a long and prosperous relationship for all of us.”

  “Yeah. Maybe.”

  Jones and Haley then left the apartment. Once the door closed behind them, Phillips took another look at Jones’ business card. He sat down and looked at some of the information that Jones left behind. He couldn’t deny it appealed to him. He knew he was good at that type of work.

  Once back in their car, Jones and Haley continued discussing the matter.

  “How do you think that went?” Haley asked.

  “Considering the start
we had, I thought it went reasonably well. You seemed to have some reservations in there. Why?”

  “I dunno. Just seemed like his attitude wasn’t the greatest.”

  “Well, we both know not everyone in this line of work is warm and fuzzy. Sometimes they’re cold and frosty. Is it better to get someone who’s a little friendlier but not quite as good, or someone who’s not as pleasant, but twice as good?”

  “Yeah, you’re right. It’s just easier to work with people that you like.”

  “I agree with that. But in the business we’re in, talent usually trumps personality nine times out of ten.”

  “I just hope he’s not the one that doesn’t.”

  8

  Jones was sitting at the desk doing some background work on a possible case they had coming up. His phone rang. He instantly looked down at the desk where his phone was and stared at the number for a second or two. It was an unfamiliar number. He hesitated, but picked it up and answered.

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” Phillips said. “And I think I’m inclined to say yes to your offer.”

  Jones smiled. “Excellent.”

  “So what happens next?”

  “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll have Chris come down, pick you up, bring you back here, then we’ll get you up to speed.”

  “I need to bring anything?”

  “You can bring anything you’d like. Mike’s got a collection of weapons here, but if you have your favorites, you’re welcome to bring them. You’ll be supplied with a car once you’re here. And I can set you up with an apartment somewhere nearby.”

  “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll just keep the one I got. I’m comfortable here. I know it’s probably a thirty, forty-five minute drive, something like that, but I’m OK with the drive every day if that works for you. I won’t need to come late or leave early or anything like that.”

  “I suppose we can see how it goes. If it turns out to be an issue with you not getting to places on time…”

  “It won’t be. I’ll make it work.”

  “Very well, then. If you’re OK with it, then it’s fine by me.”

  “Good. I’ve actually got a bag all packed to get started, so, I’m ready to go.”

  “OK. I’ll send Chris over now. I’ll see you in a bit.”

  Haley was in the corner of the room looking at some papers, but picked his head up and looked at Jones when he heard his name mentioned. As soon as Jones put his phone down, Haley walked over to him.

  “Where am I going?”

  “We officially have a new member of the team,” Jones answered. “If you’d be kind enough to drive over there and get him and bring him back, I would appreciate it.”

  Haley sighed and put his papers down on the desk. “All right.”

  Jones looked up at him, sensing an issue. “Is there a problem?”

  Haley made a few noises with his mouth, debating whether he should say. “I’m just not sure about this guy. My first impression wasn’t real favorable.”

  “We surprised him, it’s a lot to take in, as I’m sure you’re aware. You’ve been there.”

  “Maybe.”

  “He’ll need time to adjust. Even if he is a bit rough around the edges, though, we’ll polish him up until he shines and is one of the family.”

  Haley nodded, though he still wasn’t sure about it. He just didn’t get the same good vibes that Jones apparently did. But he’d have to trust Jones’ judgment on it. Haley took another minute to gather his things, then left the office.

  Malloy was sitting alone in the driver's seat of his SUV, waiting for his guest to arrive. He’d been sitting there for about five minutes, wanting to get there early ahead of Recker, who was also usually early. They were at a remote spot, between a couple of warehouse type buildings that Vincent owned. He moved his head slightly to the side to change the radio station, and just as he did, the window suddenly exploded, shattering into hundreds of tiny pieces. Without a second thought, Malloy leaned over, keeping his head down as some of the glass landed on top of him. He took a few deep breaths to figure out how he was going to get out of this. He removed the gun from his waist and held it firmly in his hand. He looked at the passenger door, then back at the newly broken window, not sure if he would be completely concealed if he tried to get out the other side.

  Not wanting to stay in the same spot too long, Malloy climbed over the center console, trying to keep his body as low as possible to stay out of the line of fire. Just as his midsection went over the console, another shot ripped through the air. It just missed connection with Malloy’s body, going through the passenger side window. That, too, shattered into hundreds of pieces. Malloy put his head back down to prevent glass from going into his face. He felt some land on the back of his head, but he quickly shook them off his hair with his hand.

  Knowing he was in a jam, Malloy laid as flat as he could across the seats. He finally was able to put his fingers on the handle of the door and pulled the lever. He inched forward and pushed the door open wide. With the door open, Malloy slithered his way across the seats and let his body drop out of the opened door, his left shoulder landing hard on the asphalt pavement below. He quickly pulled himself up and got to his knees as he tried to assess the situation. Almost immediately, he heard another car roaring up behind him. He turned, ready to fire, but quickly recognized Recker’s vehicle.

  Malloy put his hand up to try to slow Recker down so he didn’t get caught in the fire either, but it was too late. As Recker pulled up, a bullet went straight through the middle of his windshield. Recker immediately threw on the brakes and exited his car, staying low to the ground.

  “I tried to warn you.”

  “I couldn’t tell what you were doing,” Recker said. “What the hell’s going on?”

  “Don’t know.”

  Recker crawled over to Malloy’s car. “What happened?”

  “Was just sitting here waiting for you. Suddenly my window got blasted out.”

  “Somebody had you lined up.”

  “Yeah. And I have a good idea on who.”

  “Jerrick.”

  “Yeah.”

  “How long ago this happen?”

  “Not long. Just two or three minutes.”

  “How’d they know you were here?” Recker asked.

  “My guess is that I was followed somehow.”

  “Getting sloppy in your old age?”

  Malloy laughed. “I think it’s the remnants of Sadko’s work. Creep. He probably told Jerrick about every single building we have. I mean, we can’t just divest of all of them because he knows about it. He probably’s got scouts all over the place, waiting for me to show up at one of them. Then when I do, they’ve got me.”

  “Well, only thing to worry about now is how many we’re dealing with.”

  “I’m thinking one.”

  “Thinking one and knowing one is two different things. And if you’re wrong, you’ll be dead before you know it.”

  Malloy nodded. “Yeah. Problem is, one of us is gonna have to stick our head up here and figure out where the shots are coming from.”

  Recker spun his head around to see what the surroundings were. He’d never been to this location before. They were between two large buildings, both two stories, and both still in operation as manufacturing plants, though no one was there today. That was one of the reasons Malloy picked this place to meet when Recker requested to talk. There’d be no one else around. Little did he know there would be.

  Not feeling especially good about the situation, Recker thought this might have been one of those times where it was better to live and fight another day. As soon as one of them raised their head over the hood of the car, they might have gotten it shot off. But he thought they could still get back to his car safely. Then he could just reverse his way out of the area.

  Malloy looked over at Recker, who had his head turned. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking we shoul
d get out of here,” Recker answered.

  “You don’t wanna get this guy?”

  “If this person’s any kind of a good shot, he could nail one or both of us if we raise our head up here. And that’s just assuming there’s one of them out there.” Recker continued looking around. “And it doesn’t look like we got much in the way of cover if we try to go anywhere else. It’s wide open on both sides of the car and there’s no doors on the sides of the buildings so there’s nowhere to duck in. But if we can get back to my car, we can get out of here and figure things out later. Besides, does it really matter who this person is? We know who sent him out to do it.”

  “That’s true.”

  As Recker stared at the building next to them, another thought came to him. Whoever was shooting at them, they didn’t appear to be in much of a hurry. They were firing off wild shots, hoping to hit someone. They seemed to be calmly waiting. And that’s what bothered Recker. Waiting for what? Just sitting there waiting was a dangerous game for the shooter as well, because if Recker or Malloy called in backup, the shooter might have his escape path cut off. So in Recker’s mind, that only meant two things. The shooter took his shots, and was already gone, also knowing he didn’t have time to wait, and figured he’d get another shot down the line. The second option in Recker’s mind was that the shooter didn’t care about actually hitting them at the moment. Maybe he was just trying to keep them pinned down. And if that was the case, it could only be for one reason. And that was because there were more men coming.

  “We should get out of here now,” Recker said.

  Malloy noticed the urgency in Recker’s voice. “Huh?”

  “What if he’s got backup coming?”

  The movement in Malloy’s eyes indicated he thought it was a real possibility as well. Without a second thought, or any conversation, the two of them immediately made a beeline for Recker’s car. They stayed low to the ground to make sure they weren’t easy targets. Just as they reached the car, another shot rang out. They each stopped as they reached the door and looked back at Malloy’s car, which now looked a little tilted, which was the result of one of the tires going flat. A second later, there was another shot. The car tilted a little more. Recker and Malloy quickly got into the car.