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Riellys spirits were soaring. Just hearing Mitch's voice, knowing that he was alive, seemed to make all of the pain and worry vanish. He would be safe now that he was back in America. And she didn't doubt for a second that this would be it. Mitch wanted to put it all behind him every bit as much as she did. She still wished she could see him, but when she stepped back and really looked at it, she could understand what must be happening. He was probably going through some type of a post-mission briefing. She was, after all, a reporter, and she doubted that Mitch's handlers at Langley looked very favorably on their relationship.
Rielly was covering the tripod and some other equipment with a tarp while Pete, squatting on one knee, packed up the camera. Looking up, he said, «What's got you in such a good mood all of a sudden?»
Rielly smiled. «I got some good news before we went on the air.»
«You didn't act like it when you were on the phone. You seemed pretty upset.»
«I was kind of caught off-guard.»
«Was it Mitch?»
«Yes.»
«So everything is okay between you two?»
Rielly hesitated. «Things were never bad between us. We just had a little problem over the weekend.»
«Great,» replied Pete with sarcasm. «You guys had a little problem, I make a little comment at lunch, and then you make me feel bad about myself for the rest of the day.»
Rielly smiled. «I'm sorry, Pete, it was just bad timing. I was a little sensitive today.»
«That's fine,» he continued in his sarcastic tone. «I'm a big target. I can take it. Whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better… go right ahead.»
Rielly laughed. «I see the little baby has his sense of humor back.» She punched him in the arm. «You are so full of it.»
Pete stood up with a weepy expression on his face. «You know, I have feelings, too.»
«Yeah, I know you do, big shooter. I'll make it up to you and buy you a beer.»
«Really?» The pained look vanished.
«Yeah, but not tonight, maybe tomorrow;» Rielly wanted to get home and give Liz the update.
«If you really cared, you'd take me out right now; I'm feeling very vulnerable tonight.»
Rielly just shook her head. «Oh, please. I'll see you tomorrow;» She turned and walked away toward the northwest gate. On her way, she called Liz. After four rings, her friend answered.
«Liz, I'm leaving work. I'm going to grab a cab.»
«No you're not! Michael's right here. I'm kicking him out the door as we speak. He'll be there in five minutes.»
«No. I'm fine. Don't worry, I can catch a cab.»
«A
«Liz, everything is fine. I talked to Mitch. I'll tell you about it when I get there.» Her friend tried to protest again, but Rielly cut her off. «Don't bother sending Michael. I'll be there in less than ten minutes.»
Rielly hung up the phone without giving Liz a chance to argue further. She passed through the gate, waving good night to the uniformed Secret Service officers behind the bulletproof windows. Walking west down Pe
A DARK BLUE Crown Victoria was parked on 17th Street facing south. It had U.S. government plates and two ante
He had been on post since three P.M. Most of his shift had been uneventful, with the exception of the last fifteen minutes. This was the first day they'd had her under surveillance. Polk hadn't been told why, and he didn't ask. He was a good soldier that way. He followed orders. That didn't mean he was a robot, though. He kept up on current events, and he had a healthy libido. The two together made it impossible for A
When you were on surveillance, there was a lot of extra time. He had already read the Washington Post and the Washington Times cover to cover. Polk liked to compare the papers and how they spun stories, one liberal and one conservative. They were a daily lesson in how biased the press was.
Polk continued following the cab west down G Street. He was careful to stay far enough back. One of the few things they had told him to look out for was any communication between Rielly and a man named Mitch Rapp. From what Polk had heard earlier, he could safely assume this Mitch Rapp was Rielly's boyfriend. Polk had originally thought that this assignment was about Rielly. Probably something to do with a story she was digging into. But now, after hearing her conversation with Rapp, he was begi
RAPP TOLD KENNEDY and Stansfield to leave their hands on their laps where he could see them. Both did as they were told. They were well aware of Rapp's capabilities. Rapp moved behind Stansfield and positioned himself so his back was against the wall and not one of the windows. He rested the butt of the pistol on the back of the leather chair and kept the long black silencer aimed at Coleman. His dark eyes were trained on Ke
Ke
«Oh, really. And how is it that you know what I'm thinking?»
«Why else would you come in here like this?»
Rapp ignored the question and asked, «Why did you send those two to kill me?»
«Is that what they tried?» Ke
Rapp wanted to believe her, but he needed some proof. «The way I see it, Irene, there were only three people who were in a position to set me up. Director Stansfield, you, and the president. Now, which one of you was it?»
«Mitch, I would never do that to you… nor would Thomas or the president.»
«Why were you acting so strange when I talked to you about it being my last job? Was it because you didn't want me walking around with all of your dirty little secrets? Did you want to end it nice and clean?» Rapp raised an eyebrow.