The Assassin Read Online Free PDF Page A

We have a location and a guarantee of safe passage on your end. At least, that’s what you said when you called to set this up.”
    “And that still holds.” He caught the Delta officer’s skeptical expression. “Look, Paul, we’ve dealt with this guy before. It’s in his best interest to get us in and out of there without an incident. He definitely has the influence; he could probably lock down the entire district if he wanted to.”
    Owen nodded in reluctant agreement. “Fair enough. I’ve heard the same thing. How long will it take?”
    “About ten minutes.” Kealey slapped the hand guard of his weapon. “I’ll be leaving this with you. They’ll disarm me when I go in, anyway.”
    “Okay. You said you had some imagery for me.”
    Kealey was carrying a black Jansport backpack in addition to his rifle. Shrugging the pack off his shoulders, he unzipped the front compartment and extracted a thin manila folder. The folder was placed on the warm hood of the first Tacoma, and the contents withdrawn. Both Owen and Walland leaned in for a closer look.
    “These shots were taken when we first set up shop in Fallujah,” Kealey explained. “Two years ago this guy was low priority, and nothing’s really changed in that department. The DO was never able to justify satellite imagery, so all we have are digital shots from the air.”
    Selecting one of the closer shots, he pointed out a squat, duncolored two-story structure. “This is it. I know it looks like every other house on the street, but they’ll have armed guards posted outside and possibly in the buildings across the road.” He fixed Owen with a serious look. “Tell your men to watch how they handle their weapons. These guys will be jumpy, and I don’t want any accidents.”
    “I’ll tell them, but I didn’t bring rookies.”
    Kealey cast a glance around, reappraising the faces. His twelve years of experience told him that Owen had chosen well. They all had dark hair and complexions, and the weapons they carried, combined with their style of dress, would enable them to blend into the city landscape. “Are they yours?”
    “Every one of them.”
    The younger man was satisfied. “You already have your route, right?”
    “Yeah. It’s pretty straightforward, but we set up the GPS just in case. It’s easy to get turned around if the bullets start flying. I figure it’s about three minutes in, once we cross the tracks. Then ten minutes for you to take care of business, and another few minutes out.”
    The Delta officer straightened and seemed to hesitate. “This is a bad place to waste time, Ryan. I want to limit the risk to my men.”
    “I know,” Kealey replied. “I’ll make it quick.”
    Another hesitation, as though Owen could see through the younger man’s façade. “This is just a drop, right? I mean, we’re not equipped for—”
    “It’s just like I told you,” Kealey said. “A simple drop.”
    It was something new for him. He had made a decision back at the air base, a decision that, at the very least, would likely cost him what was left of his career. With the helicopter blades already turning, he had tracked down the necessary materials… He had lied to Owen, lied to all of them. A year earlier he would not have considered it. He waited for a tinge of guilt, but it didn’t come.
    He realized that Owen was staring at him. To break the awkward silence, he said, “Are the patrols still going out?”
    “No. I personally spoke to the brigade staff for the 1st MEB. We’re gonna be all alone out there.”
    “Good.” Kealey closed the folder and handed it over. “Show this to your guys. Maybe they’ll have some suggestions. Let me know when you’re ready to move.”
    Owen took the folder and walked off. Kealey picked up his pack and started walking back to the last vehicle.
    “Where are you going?” Walland called out.
    “I saw a cooler back there. I’m going to grab some water. Just sit tight.”
     
     
    The small convoy