Read Weapon of Vengeance for Free Online Page A

pick up some equipment.”
    â€œWell, okay.”
    â€œWe also need to recon our extraction route. In case we need to leave India by less … umm … conventional means.”
    Mark nodded, satisfied. That he understood. Physical recon of an escape route was smart. He liked that Ruby was thinking through to the end. Her recent, long silences had made him uneasy.
    â€œTell me about the team I asked you to put together, Mark.… Who are the three guys you picked?”
    â€œSolid, reliable hitters … just like you wanted. Experienced blokes who don’t ask too many questions. They take orders and have no qualms in executing them.”
    â€œPerfect.”
    â€œYeah. Not the fancy, brainy, officer types.” He could never resist a dig at authority.
    Ruby laughed. “Any of them have criminal records?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œPerfect. Can’t have any flags coming up when they cross borders.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it.” He waved airily, but Ruby could tell something was bothering him. Mark brought it up before she could ask. “Say, boss, any chance that they may not be coming back at all?”
    Ruby shrugged. “Depends on them … how things pan out … and how they handle them.”
    â€œFair enough.” He cleared his throat. “I see what you mean.” Another pause. “Well, the first two are a couple of Aussies, Gary Boucher and Shaun Ontong currently operating in South Africa, and the third, Rafael Gerber, is from Germany. All three are clean and perfect for the job.”
    â€œDid they have any questions?”
    â€œNot the Aussies, but the German did … he is a bit anal. Wanted to know who he’d be working with, so I had to give him a brief about the Aussies. He was happy when he learned they’re operating in Africa. He’s been there several years and thinks it’s the best training ground.”
    â€œNothing about me, I hope?”
    â€œNot a peep about you.” Mark smiled reassuringly. “In any case, his primary concern had been only one.”
    â€œWhich is?”
    â€œWie was das Geld ist?” (What is the money like?)
    â€œ Das Geld ist gut ,” Ruby replied firmly. Knowing what she had told Mark to offer them, she knew the money was more than good.
    â€œYeah.” Mark grinned. “That’s exacty what I told him. Half payable on reaching Delhi and the rest when the job’s done. He had no further questions.”
    â€œHmmm … hoert sich gut an. ” (That sounds good.) They both laughed. “Did you set up the communication protocol with them?”
    â€œI did. They are packed and ready. One text message and they’ll move to Delhi.”
    â€œPerfect.”
    Twenty minutes later, they were off again. The A9 highway seemed to be getting even worse. As did the condition of the buildings and houses they passed.
    *   *   *
    Ravinder and Mohite had finished hammering out the details of the security arrangements for the peace summit and shot it off to Thakur when Gyan, Ravinder’s office runner, entered.
    He’d been with Ravinder for several years. Though less than brilliant, Gyan was rock-solid and totally devoted to Ravinder. The bond between them had grown ever since Ravinder, learning about Gyan’s cancer-stricken seven-year-old son, had ensured that Gyan was always posted where the best possible medical facilities were available and had ensured that Gyan received aid from police welfare funds to care for his son.
    â€œThere is a visitor for you, sir.” Gyan’s gentle tone was a nice contrast to his massive size. A moment later a tall, well-built man with close-cropped blond hair and bright, blue gray eyes walked in.
    â€œMr. Gill?” Dressed in a smart gray business suit, he appeared slightly ill at ease. “I am Chance … Chance Spillman. I’m with the agency.” His