Read Online The Recruit: A Taskforce Story by Brad Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

their incredible prowess. They’d also captured the German national, describing an intense, months-long investigation. They’d interviewed everyone who’d managed to get out, but none owned up to taking out the terrorists.
    It was a mystery, but one thing was sure—it wasn’t any of the blindfolded and mewling hostages in the main ballroom. They were all just grateful to be alive.
    Kurt had chastised them for disobeying orders, but his heart wasn’t in it. Knuckles knew he was secretly pleased and was just going through the motions, blathering on about the integrity of the Taskforce and the risk of compromise. He’d then told them he’d made a fateful decision on a particular candidate going through Assessment and Selection, and had detailed Knuckles and Decoy to help run it.
    Standing up to exit the aircraft, Decoy repeated, “Why’d we come here? And what are we doing getting detailed to A&S? Turbo’s team is running it this rotation.”
    “Kurt wants us to meet the candidate. It’s a special case.”
    Decoy’s phone vibrated, cutting off the conversation. He saw the number and his face lit up. “Hey, it’s Carly.”
    Walking down the aisle, Knuckles said, “I thought you were the love ’em and leave ’em type.”
    Decoy held up his index finger, answering the phone.
    Bringing only carry-ons, they went straight to the rental counter and, within minutes, were on the road to Mount Pleasant. Halfway across the Ravenel Bridge, Decoy finally hung up.
    Knuckles said, “Wow. That sounded a lot more serious than a one-night stand.”
    “She’s okay. The reprimand’s been pulled. Thanks for getting Kurt to help out.”
    Knuckles had told Kurt the help Carly had given, along with the punishment she would receive for doing so. He had in turn talked to his deputy, George Wolffe, a career CIA officer now working with the Taskforce. George had made some discreet inquiries, and apparently it had been enough.
    “And the story in Lima?”
    “Getting more ridiculous. Moving away from the truth. We should be good.”
    Knuckles pulled off Coleman Boulevard, into a small office complex next to the marsh at Shem Creek.
    Decoy said, “What’s special about this candidate?”
    “It’s a civilian. In fact, the company is civilian.”
    “You have got to be kidding. You assholes go nuts because I wasn’t in a SMU, and Kurt wants to give a civilian a tryout?”
    “Well, the candidate’s partner used to be my team leader. A guy named Pike Logan. Don’t make him mad. He’s got a little problem with anger issues.”
    “Never heard of him. A SEAL?”
    Knuckles opened the door and said, “No. He’s Army. But he’s a predator, trust me. You don’t want to get into a pissing contest with him. You
will
lose.”
    They walked up the stairs, stopping on a small porch, and Knuckles knocked on the office door. Decoy said, “And the candidate? What’s his story?”
    The door opened and Decoy found himself facing a very attractive woman wearing running shoes, Nike shorts, and a simple T-shirt. She said, “Hey, Knuckles!” and held out her arms. Knuckles gave her a hug and kissed her cheek, astounding Decoy.
    Knuckles said, “You ready?”
    “I have no idea. But it’s not for a lack of Pike’s training. Hang on, I’ll get him. He’s packing, which, you know, means he’s telling me what to pack. Because he’s so smart.”
    Knuckles said, “Not as smart as you.”
    She smiled and walked away. Decoy tracked her movement back into the office, staring at her bottom and saying, “Who on earth is that?”
    “Jennifer Cahill. She’s the candidate.”
    Decoy’s mouth dropped open. He exclaimed, “You have got to be shitting me!”
    The door jerked wide, and Decoy found himself staring at a man two inches taller and about forty pounds heavier. Sporting close-cropped brown hair and a wicked scar on his cheek, he was staring intently at Decoy as if he were deciding whether to throw him off the porch.
    The man said, “You