Black Flagged Apex by Steven Konkoly Read Free Book Online Page A

small windows. They wouldn't have to post someone in the adjacent courtyard to prevent a jumper. The target's apartment designation was 2F, which they had presumed to mean second floor. Counting doorways, the apartment was most likely located halfway down the building, which meant a long transit dragging a feisty terrorist. They didn't have much time to spend in the apartment, but he wasn't opposed to spending a few precious moments convincing Sahil that resistance would be met by severe, unthinkable pain. He glanced behind him into the cargo hold area at a large black nylon bag. He wouldn't need the contents of this bag to convince Sahil. The bag could wait for later, when they had more time.
    Farrington patted Klinkman on the shoulder and turned to face Daniel and Hubner.
    "All right. Let's do this. I want to be out of here within five minutes. Daniel and I will handle any law enforcement interference."
    He locked eyes with Daniel.
    "Use your compressed air pistol first. You'll have five separate shots. Each dart will instantly paralyze your targ—"
    "I'm familiar with the effects," he interrupted bitterly.
    "The darts will not penetrate a ballistic vest. Your best bet will be to hit an arm or leg," Farrington said without changing his expression.
    "Or the face," Petrovich added.
    "Don't shoot for the face. You'll puncture an eye. At twenty-five meters, the air pistols are extremely accurate. Don't shoot for the neck either," he said, maintaining the emotionless face.
    Petrovich had at least expected a smile considering the fact that Farrington had zapped him with the same neurotoxin two years ago in the middle of Georgetown University, but this was Farrington's first operation as team leader. Petrovich would play a support role and observe. If Farrington performed as expected, Sanderson would detach Petrovich, leaving Farrington in charge of European operations. Daniel had every intention of making sure Farrington succeeded. He wanted to put as much of this behind him as possible and get back to Jessica.
    "Let's hit it," Farrington said.
    The four of them simultaneously opened their doors and stepped onto the pavement. Walking briskly, they scanned the courtyard and street for any signs of trouble. Nothing raised any sort of internal alarm for Daniel as they turned onto the narrow sidewalk running parallel to 85 Idsteiner. The first doorway confirmed the apartment-numbering scheme. "Apartments 1-3A." Five more doorways to the entrance for 1-3F. 2F would be on the second floor. Upon a casual glance at the first door, Klinkman turned his head to Farrington.
    "Ten seconds to pick the lock," he said casually.
    They filed down the sidewalk until arriving at the door marked "Apartments 1-3F." Hubner walked past the doorway, leaning against the wall just short of the nearest first-floor window. Farrington took a few steps into the courtyard, through a break in the hedgerow, and examined the opposite building's facade. Klinkman immediately went to work on the door with a tool extracted from a small kit he had kept concealed under his black leather jacket. Petrovich concentrated on the street, particularly the area around the van. So far, he hadn't detected any unwanted attention. One pedestrian crossed the opening between buildings, but never glanced in their direction.
    Unfortunately, interested pedestrians posed the least of their problems. The real threat came from paranoid neighbors peeking through windows. It didn't take a master's degree in criminology to figure out that Daniel's team was attempting an unauthorized entry. Klinkman was fast, but few citizens kneeled down to insert their keys. A quick scan of the balconies revealed that they were empty, which surprised him given the warm temperature. Then again, most of the working-class denizens of the Gallus didn't have time to lounge around mid-week and breathe in the spring air.
    "We're in," Klinkman said.
    The team disappeared into 85 Idsteiner with one purpose: to