Read Online The Kill Zone by David Hagberg - Free Book Online Page A

of the intelligence officer’s unhappy wife.
    The affair had caused some heated discussion in the DO which was headed by a very moral David Whittaker, who thought that such operations were fundamentally wrong. McGarvey agreed with his DDO in principle.
But in the real world the righteous way wasn’t always the right way. Even though he had been overridden, Whittaker insisted on being included in the loop every step of the way. The entire DO had taken an interest in the case; in fact; it had become like a soap opera. Will she or won’t she? What was at stake was nothing less than the inside track to Mexican intelligence. At risk, of course, was the acute embarrassment to the U.S., as well as the final destruction of a troubled marriage, but a marriage for all of that.
    The request for the go/no go decision tonight meant that Daedo was asking permission for the final action; that of taking Mrs. Martinez to bed.
    McGarvey went into the hall and switched on the outside lights, then went back to the kitchen. Kathleen stood, her hip against the counter, cradling a cup of tea in both hands and staring at the telephone.
    â€œI’m not sneaking up on you, and I’m not scaring you, so don’t jump out of your skin this time.”
    She turned and smiled. “I was just thinking that after the hearings maybe we should take a few days and get away from here. Does that sound good to you?”
    â€œSomeplace warm.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Kathleen said enthusiastically. She nodded toward the study. “Are you getting anything done in that mess?”
    â€œSome reading. Most of it pretty boring. But it’d be easier without the plaster dust.”
    â€œJust a few days.”
    â€œDick Yemm is on his way over with something for me to sign.”
    â€œUse the family room,” she said automatically. “The two of you can’t get anything done in the study.”
    â€œHow’re the invitations coming?”
    â€œPretty good. But the final list is going to depend on whether or not you’re confirmed as DCI.”
    â€œYou don’t want to know which list I’d prefer.”
    She laughed lightly. “I wouldn’t even have to guess. But there are obligations that come with the job.”
    â€œI know—”
    â€œSocial obligations, my darling husband,” she stressed. “That means a tuxedo and no smart-alecky comments to get a rise out of our guests.”
    â€œThrow a stick at a pack of dogs, and the one that yelps is the one that got hit.”
    She gave him a sharp look.

    He spread his hands. “I’ll behave myself.” He came around the counter, rinsed his cup in the sink and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Really.”
    â€œI’m going to hold you to it,” she said sternly.
    The doorbell rang. “Has Liz called yet?”
    Kathleen’s lips compressed. She shook her head. “I’m going to have to call her since she’s obviously too busy to pick up a telephone and call me.”
    â€œShe’s a little shit,” McGarvey said, trying to keep it light. “It runs in the family.”
    â€œI’m going upstairs. Say hi to Dick,” Katy said, and she took her cup and the guest list and left the kitchen as McGarvey went to answer the door.
    The fact that Kathleen was having her own tough time because of the hearings right in the middle of their daughter’s pregnancy made it difficult all around. But this, too, will pass, he thought. And the sooner the better.
    Dick Yemm, a leather dispatch case in hand, his coat collar hunched up against the cold, his dark hair speckled with snow, was grinning crookedly. “No rest for the wicked,” he said.
    â€œDon’t you ever sleep?” McGarvey asked, letting him in.
    â€œAbout as much as anyone else in the business, boss.” He followed McGarvey down the hall into the family room, where McGarvey motioned him to a bar stool.
    â€œWant