Chapter 14

The sun had set and day was fading to night when Si joined them on the patio carrying his ever-present mug of coffee.

"You kids playing nice with each other?" He smiled while asking .

"Yes, Dad." Max winked at him. "We're sharing our toys and everything."

'We've been doing our getting-to-know-each-other thing," Regan assured him.

Si dropped into a chair at the table where they sat. "Glad to hear it. You'll be walking into a group of people who aren't even sure they trust you being there and who probably are suffering paranoia off the charts because of Bernardo's 'heart attack.'"

"Tomorrow, one of the things we need to prepare is the electronics," Regan reminded him.

A slow grin spread over Si's face. "Anxious to get your hands on those gadgets," he teased.

"You bet." She looked at Max. "I don't know if Silas has told you, but he's got special pens for us, one of which records voice and the other video. They are sound-and-motion activated."

Max knew his eyes lit up. He, too, was big on gadgets. More than once his team had been saved by one. Then he sobered.

"They can't be detectable," he reminded his friend. "I assume we'll be using them at the table or whatever while we're meeting, and you can bet your sweet ass they'll have all kinds of detectors in the room."

Si nodded. "No problem. The material each of them is constructed of blocks any electronic detection. And yes, they've been thoroughly tested. I made sure everyone involved in this project understands the critical nature of it and that there is no room for error."

"Good. I knew you would, but I always check things five times. What about cell phones? I don't imagine the reception is very good there. Plus, if these weasels decide to check them, they'll expect to be looking at the ones used by Max and Regan Ferren, not us."

"We have them for you. They can be packed in the hard-sided compartment in your suitcase with your weapons."

"And where will the real couple be while this is going on?"

"In the same location as Jeanne Ferren, Bernardo's wife, far away from civilization with a full complement of round-the-clock guards. This should all be over before anyone gets suspicious."

"Yeah, let us pray," Regan said.

"Exactly what we are all doing," Si assured her, "while we're taking care of business."

"How about reviewing these profiles with us?" Max asked. He picked up the tablet he'd carried out to the patio with him and left on the table earlier.

"That's just what I was about to suggest. And let me mention this before we get started. It would be great for Regan to take the lead here. Most of the primary members are male, although their spouses are included and active. But Lorena Alvaro is a force of nature, and it would help all around if she had a woman at the table she couldn't pressure or treat with disdain."

"She sounds lovely," Regan commented, wrinkling her nose.

"I promise you're more than a match for her." He looked at Max. "That okay with you?"

Max chuckled. "Whatever works. I for one think if we handle ourselves right with Jed Whitlow, it would throw some interesting dynamics into the situation. They're probably expecting pale copies of Bernardo Ferren and his wife. If we give them just the opposite, they might end up making mistakes."

"Good point." Si stopped and looked from one to the other. "I know I don't need to say this but make no mistake about this. Getting accepted into this upcoming meeting and finding a way to stop this abomination is the most important thing you will ever do. Otherwise, a great many people will die, and the fabric of this country could be ripped apart. I don't care how you play it. I chose the two of you not just because you resemble Max Ferren and his wife but because you both have the brains and the experience to pull this off. How you play it is up to you."

"We've got it, Si," Max assured him, noting that Regan nodded her understanding. "You and I were SEALs for a long time. It's a fact that SEALs have been involved in every kind of conflict since the beginning. We took down Osama Bin Laden, the most wanted man in the world. Rescued Captain Phillips. Did a lot of things that will never be written about. We can handle this."

"I hear ya buddy. Just remember these are terrorists. Not just the people they are bringing into this country but the ones sitting around the table. Terrorism is a tactic, a strategy used to achieve a specific end. In this case it's the weakening of America, by killing people and by creating disarray within the government so they can sweep in and take over. We can't let that happen."

"We're smart, experienced people, Si," Regan told him. "We know what's at stake, and we'll get you what you need to stop it."

He blew out a breath. "Okay. I have faith in you two. Now. Anyone want some coffee before we get stated? No? Okay, let me get a refill, and we'll get at it