Ghost Sniper by Scott McEwen Read Free Book Online Page A

said. “The Mexico station chief will arrive tomorrow morning with the proper credentials, at which time you’ll be made to understand exactly what is expected of you. I’ll warn you in advance: you’re not going to like it. You’re going to be working with the PFM—more specifically, with the PFM agent who saved your life, since he’s the only one we’re reasonably sure you can trust.”
    â€œTrust?” Vaught said. “Let me shove a stun gun up your ass, and we’ll see how much fucking trust you feel.”
    â€œAgent Vaught, if you believe nothing else, you’d better believe this: the president, your commander in chief, is highly pissed about your leaving the reservation after allowing Alice Downly to run out into the street and get herself blown in half.”
    Vaught cringed. “That’s not exactly how it happened.”
    â€œI’ve seen the video,” Fields said. “So has the president—and that’s exactly how it looks to him, I can assure you.”
    â€œWhat video?” Vaught croaked.
    â€œThere’s always an eye in the sky, Agent Vaught. You should know that by now.”
    At that moment, Vaught realized Fields was talking about a surveillance drone with stealth technology, and most of the fight left him. “Well, video or not,” he said quietly, “nobody who wasn’t on the ground can know how it went down. We were taking fifty-caliber sniper fire. You can ask Agent Uriah Heen how bad it was.”
    â€œFrom what I understand, Agent Heen has been recalled to the US. I guess we’ll see soon enough what he has to say. In the meantime, is it safe for Crosswhite to set you free, or should he leave you there in your little corner until Agent Ortega arrives in the morning to swear you in?”
    Vaught drew a breath and let it back out with sigh. “I won’t go anywhere.”
    â€œI understand you’re interested in pursuing the sniper who killed Alice Downly,” Fields went on. “We might be able to work with you on that, but not until you’ve shown yourself to be a team player. Understood?”
    â€œI don’t want my family thinking I’m dead,” Vaught said. “You assure me they won’t be told that, and I’ll do my part down here. Can you agree to that much?”
    â€œI don’t see why not,” Fields said. “You’re from a military family. I’m sure your brothers and parents can be made to understand the importance of secrecy—especially since your life might depend on it. You can give me back to Crosswhite now.”
    Vaught offered up the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”
    Crosswhite took the phone. “I’m here.”
    â€œI think it’s probably safe to set him loose,” Fields said. “He sounds sufficiently cowed to me. Have you mentioned the ATRU?”
    â€œIt’s come up.”
    â€œYou’d better fill him in all the way. Pope’s looked over his service record, and he wants him. The president’s already given his approval.”
    â€œI’ll fill him in.”
    â€œAll right,” Fields said. “I’ll be in touch—and I heard the Doctor Doom remark.”
    â€œI don’t expect to lose much sleep over that.” Crosswhite pressed the disconnect button and tossed the phone onto the sofa.
    He took the handcuff key from his pocket. “I won’t try to stop you from leaving. I’ve done everything required of me, so if you take off now, it’s between you and Bob Pope. He’s a vindictive bastard who carries a grudge, and I have no doubt he’d find a way to convince the president to string you up by the balls.” He tossed the key to Vaught and went back into the kitchen to start preparing dinner.
    Vaught freed himself and stood up, looking at the stun gun on the sofa.
    Paolina came back into the room with her daughter, eyeing him suspiciously