MacK Bolan No. 62: Day of Mourning by Don Pendleton Read Free Book Online Page B

barely survived two interagency wars," said Kurtzman. "Damn spy business."
    "The damn spy business," said April. "Maybe that's what's been bothering him."
    "You noticed it too, eh?"
    "Of course I did, Aaron."
    "If we're right, this thing could blow up in our faces, just like the plastique that blew out our communications setup."
    "Mack won't risk Stony Man," said April. "He's committed to the new war."
    "He won't risk us," agreed Kurtzman, "but he could reconsider if this is really where he belongs."
    "That is his decision to make."
    "Of course it is. I just don't want to see the man do something that'll burn all the bridges behind him."
    "Like taking on Lee Farnsworth?"
    "Farnsworth and his organization. Interagency feuds are strictly verboten. Farnsworth should never have betrayed Able Team to The Dragon, but if Striker executes Farnsworth or any of his people over this, all of those bridges will be gone and Striker himself will be ordered terminated. It's a tough game and those are the rules."
    "Maybe Farnsworth and his unit aren't involved," said April. "We don't have proof. Only the timing, and that could be coincidental."
    "We do have Izmir and Kemal," added Kurtzman. "I'd give anything to have those creeps be the source of this trouble."
    "It's happening so fast," noted April. "First, the sabotage, then Konzaki and Able Team and now Farnsworth. It could be that there isn't a thread connecting it together."
    Kurtzman got up and walked over to a window. He stood looking out at the night. His right hand rested on the butt of the holstered pistol April had brought him.
    "I'm just glad we're carrying our own side arms tonight," he growled. "It's going to be a night for everyone to cover his own ass. I can feel it out there. I just hope to God Striker is aware of what he's up against. Washington is a goddamn snake pit. The only things Bolan can trust tonight are the guns he's carrying."
    "He knows," said April.
    The door opened.
    The nurse who had been attending Konzaki stepped in.
    April knew right away.
    "Konzaki..."
    The nurse shook her head.
    "I'm sorry. There was nothing we could do. He never regained consciousness."
    Kurtzman remained looking out the window. He did not turn.
    "Why?" he said into the night.
    * * *
    Brognola and the president were alone in the Oval Office. The Man himself had mixed the drinks, but the atmosphere was not congenial.
    "I assure you, Hal," said the president, "I had no idea what Farnsworth was up to. I am purposely not briefed on the details of his operation, just like with Stony Man."
    "I only hope Kurtzman restores our communications in time to alert Able Team to abort their hit on The Dragon," said Hal. "Those are good men, sir. We can't afford to lose them."
    "I appreciate what you're saying," said the Man. "But I hope you'll pardon me for pointing out that you probably feel right now exactly what Farnsworth felt when a Stony Man operation caused the deaths of several of his men. Those were good men too."
    Hal finished his drink, wishing more than ever for a cigar.
    "A damn can of worms," he acknowledged. "And I've got a hunch it's all going down right now."
    "Tonight?"
    "Yes, sir. The colonel makes a damn good case for thinking there could be an attack on the Farm tonight."
    "Farnsworth? You can't be serious."
    "We don't know for certain who's behind it. Colonel Phoenix is working that angle. And our intel informed us that Armenians could be involved, with or without the CFB. Or there could be factors we don't even know about yet."
    "Armenians?" said the president. "No, don't tell me. If my political opponents ever got hold of this kind of thing, I'd be roasted alive. What about Colonel Phoenix? The man concerns me."
    "In what way, sir?"
    "He's the only guy who ever told me to go to hell in this office," said the president with a chuckle, "but I don't mind that. In fact, I like him for it. I know of his work during the Vietnam War and his own Mafia campaigns, and I have a sketchy idea of