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An FBI agent raised a hand. "But surely he realizes there's a good chance you won't show up alone tonight. Why would he gamble you won't turn him in?"
"Actually, I think he expects me to betray him by bringing help," Cavanaugh said.
The group looked puzzled.
"He wants to prove how superior he is," Cavanaugh continued. "For him, everything's a competition. He doesn't care if I bring even a small army to catch him. He's telling me he can outsmart all of you."
Chapter 23.
"Ten feet apart! No more than that!" Rutherford shouted. "We don't want any gaps in the line. On command, you'll step forward at the steady pace you've been practicing. Supervisors will follow, making certain each line remains straight. Most of you will keep your eyes toward the ground. Every eighth man will study the trees in case the target tries to hide in one. Each hollow. Each pile of leaves. Each fallen tree limb. Assume they conceal the target. Some of you will be in the creek bed. Look for tracks. Look for evidence that someone dug into a bank. If any of you think you've spotted something, blow the whistle you've been given. The line will stop while a team behind you checks the area in question. Your supervisors will tell you when to move forward again.
"Each of you has a firearm. Remember to keep it aimed ahead of you toward the ground or, if you're the eighth man, upward toward the trees. You know the basics. Do not point your weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy. Do not put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to pull it. Do not fire unless you're aware of what's behind your target. In other words, gentlemen and ladies, don't shoot each other. The rules of engagement are as follows. Capture, if possible. But remember, the target is ruthless and dangerous to an extreme. We want to interrogate him, but not at the expense of anyone's life."
Chapter 24.
"The perso
"Rig a plane with an infra-red camera," Cavanaugh said. "Tonight, have the pilot fly over the park while someone takes photographs. Maybe you'll get Carl's heat signature on the pictures. You might find out where he's hiding."
"Please, remember my client's cooperation when his trial starts," William said.
Chapter 25.
The teams consumed hundreds of pizzas and sodas in the school's cafeteria. Afterward, they sprawled in the corridors and the gymnasium. Knowing that they'd soon be on the move, they dozed as best they could. At 1:30, they were wakened. They used the toilets whether they felt the urge or not. At two, they left the building. In the dark, a cold breeze made them zip their coats shut and shift from one foot to the other. As they assembled in their assigned groups, they heard a plane fly over.
Obeying the command not to speak, they hiked to the park. By three, they reached their appointed areas, spread out in lines that flanked the park, and waited. Lights came on in houses behind them. Troubled questions prompted orders to evacuate, automobiles soon driving away. Then the night became quiet.
Just before five, it started to drizzle.
Chapter 26.
"Rain!" Rutherford's voice was loud inside the van. "The forecast predicted it wouldn't start until late afternoon!"
"Inexact science," Cavanaugh said.
"By then, we'd have caught Duran! We'd have been out of here!"
The downpour pelted the van's window. At 6:30, what should have been a brilliant dawn was a dismal gray.
"Where are we going to find rain gear at this hour!" Rutherford complained. "The men are soaked! They'll get hypothermia!"
A car sped toward the van and skidded to a stop on the slick pavement.
"Finally," Rutherford said.
A man hurried from the car. Flecked with moisture, he scrambled inside the van and handed a manila envelope to Rutherford. "Here are your photos."
Impatient, Rutherford sorted through them. Frowning, he handed them to Cavanaugh. "See anything?"
"A few hot spots," Cavanaugh said. "This one's so small it's probably a squirrel. This other one looks like a dog."
"But no heat signature that looks like it came from a human being?"
Cavanaugh studied the photos a final time. "No."
"Then he lied to you, or you misunderstood the place he meant. He's not in there."
"Wrong," Cavanaugh said. "This is definitely the place, and this is part of his game."
"But a human being gives off heat. The infra-red image would show it if he's in the park."
"Unless he shielded himself so a camera wouldn't detect the heat."
"Buried himself?"
"It's one possibility."
"In that case, we don't have to worry because he's drowned by now!"
"He might not even be wet. After all, he was trained to plan for the worst. But even if he is soaked, he doesn't care. These conditions are luxurious compared to some of what we went through in Delta Force."
"You know," Rutherford said, "I'm getting tired of hearing about the good old days in Delta."
"You did say you wanted my opinion."
"And what's your opinion of what we ought to do now?"
"Get started."
Chapter 27.
". . . your chance to end this peacefully and give yourself up!" Rutherford's amplified words drifted across the park. He used a public-address system, the speakers of which were mounted to the top of the van.
He waited. Two minutes became five. He turned from the rain on the windshield. "Counselor, I asked him three times. I put a lot of sincerity into it. Do you think that's enough fair warning?" Without waiting for an answer, he raised his microphone and said, "Go!"