Sniper Elite by Scott McEwen Read Free Book Online Page A

the reason we’ve pulled out of almost every northern province.”
    Steelyard took the cigar from his mouth. “He’s got a country to run, Gil. If he doesn’t make deals with the local warlords, he gets deposed ten minutes after we pull out of this shit box. You know that.”
    â€œThat cocksucker knows who has her, Chief!”
    â€œI doubt that.”
    â€œYeah? Then why the hell is he already offering to play the bagman?”
    Steelyard put a boot up on the bench, bracing his elbow on his knee. “I understand you’re pissed, Gilligan, but even if you’re right, the situation remains the same. We’re just pawns on the board like everybody else.”
    Gil kicked an empty trash can across the room. “Has SOAR seen that video?”
    Steelyard gave him a wry look. “There’s a pair of Killer Eggs and four MH-60s hidden out there in the hangar. What the fuck do you think?”
    â€œOkay, so Chou musta paid them a visit even before he showed up here.”
    â€œSandra’s a Night Stalker, Gil, the first and only female pilot the 160th has ever recruited. They don’t intend to leave her out there.They’ve already decided that if we get actionable intel on this, they’re going in after her—with orders or without. If they go in without, the question’s going to be who’s going in with them—DEVGRU or Delta?”
    â€œWell, that’s easy. We’re already here. Delta’s clear down in Kandahar.”
    â€œBut you’re okay if Delta sends a representative up to go along?”
    An ironic smile spread across Gil’s face. “I take it you’ve already had this discussion with your opposite number down in Kandahar?”
    â€œIt’s the noncoms who run the fucking show, you know that.”
    Gil didn’t need to think about who to ask for. “See if they’ll cut that candy ass Crosswhite loose for a few days.”
    Steelyard stuck the cigar between his teeth. “That’s exactly who we had in mind.”

6
LANGLEY
    Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA Cletus Webb strode into the Director’s office and closed the door. “We’ve got a problem.”
    Director of Operations George Shroyer looked up from a file he’d been reviewing, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his bony-looking nose. “How serious?”
    Webb sat down in a leather chair in front of the desk, releasing an anxious sigh. “The Speaker of the House knows about Warrant Officer Brux.”
    â€œThat she was kidnapped or that she’s been raped on film?”
    â€œBoth.”
    Shroyer tossed the file onto his desk and removed his glasses. “How the fuck did that happen?”
    Webb held up his hands. “What can I say? The bitch has more informants than a Russian political officer. One of them got word to her.”
    â€œWho?” Shroyer demanded. “And is he over there or over here?”
    â€œWell, how the hell do I know, George? She sure as hell wasn’t going to tell me.”
    Shroyer was on his feet and headed across the office to a large globe that doubled as a liquor cabinet. He opened the top and poured himself two fingers of Scotch. “What does she want?”
    â€œShe wants us to pay the ransom.”
    â€œAfter we just spent the morning talking the president out of paying.”
    â€œWell, don’t lose your stack, George, but she knows Karzai’s office has agreed to act as intermediary.”
    â€œHow goddamnit, how?” Shroyer flared. “That information’s only hours old!” His face was bright red. He hated the Speaker of the House, and it infuriated him that she was getting classified information almost as fast as he was.
    â€œI don’t know, but it’s nobody low on the pole. That much we can be sure of.”
    â€œWell, damnit, somebody needs to be prosecuted—starting with her.”
    â€œShe’s