Read Online Kill Chain by J Robert Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

the facial recognition points mapped. The
first ID appeared almost immediately as the translator took a seat at one of
the terminals, Tong bringing up the video for her to watch.
    Child read the
identification. “That’s the German Chancellor’s husband, Hermann Holst.”
    Another image appeared.
    “That’s the Chinese
translator.”
    The final two images were
still processing, though it was clear they were the two members of the security
detail who were reportedly on the bus with the hostages.
    The door burst open, Director
Morrison rushing into the room as the translator leaped to her feet, a pad of
paper in her hands. “It’s standard North Korean drivel at the beginning. You
have disrespected the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for too long, and
now you will pay the price. We have your women, and unless our demands are met,
they will die.” She motioned toward the screen. “Then they show the German gentleman.”
She glanced back at her pad. “He is but the first. Any attempt to retrieve your
women will result in their death. Disobey us at your own peril.” She looked up.
“That’s it.”
    “Christ!” exclaimed
Morrison, watching the video for the first time.
    Child jabbed a finger at
the screen. “I can’t believe they’d do something like this!”
    Morrison shook his head.
“We know they’re nuts, but this is taking it further than anyone expected.”
    Leroux agreed. “I’d have
thought they’d drop a bomb on Seoul before they’d do some sort of high-profile hostage-taking.”
He turned to his boss. “What are we going to do?”
    Morrison shook his head.
“I have a funny feeling we’re about to go to war.”
    Leroux frowned. “What do
you think the Chinese will do?”
    Morrison drew a long
breath then exhaled loudly. “I’m not sure. With the Chinese President’s wife on
that bus, I would hope they’d be on our side this time.”
     
     

22

    Maggie
Harris Residence
Lake in
the Pines Apartments, Fayetteville, North Carolina
     
    “Can
someone get that?”
    “I’ll get it!” called Shirley
Belme as Maggie worked on a pitcher of Sangria. She heard the door open and
pleasantries exchanged as Atlas’ girlfriend, Vanessa Moore, arrived. The wives
had collected now that they knew where their men were, and Vanessa was in the
unique position as the only civilian non-spouse of the group who knew what her
boyfriend did for a living, the Colonel having recently given permission for
her to be read in when she had challenged Atlas on his cover, having figured
out on her own what he did.
    It had almost ended the
relationship, though things seemed to be going well now, especially since she
had embraced the Unit, the family that connected them all.
    She rounded the corner
into the kitchen carrying several bags and a tray of what appeared to be
homemade hamburger patties.
    “What’s this?” Maggie
leaned over to take a peek, her frozen burgers sitting on the counter suddenly
not so appetizing.
    “Sorry, I couldn’t resist
whipping these up when you mentioned you were going to barbecue. I hope you
don’t mind.”
    A burst of air erupted
from Maggie’s mouth. “Are you kidding? How could I mind?”
    “What’s in them?” asked
Spock’s wife, Joanne Lightman.
    “Medium ground beef, pepper,
a homemade seasoned salt, mesquite, barbecue sauce, some fresh garlic—”
    “Good thing our husbands
are away!” laughed Joanne.
    “—and I stuffed them with
Velveeta and bacon.” Vanessa shrugged. “You know, the usual. Normally I’d top
it with homemade onion rings and a fried egg, but I figured that would be
pushing my welcome.”
    Shirley laughed. “What do
you call them?”
    “It’s my cousin’s recipe.
I call them Nick’s Heart Attack Specials, because eating too many of these will
probably kill you!”
    Maggie’s mouth watered.
“Sounds delish. I knew it was a good day when Atlas started dating a chef.”
    A round of cheers erupted
from the ladies, Sangrias topped up by