Lethal Agent (Mitch Rapp #18)(73)

So he remained silent, imagining the scene playing out behind him. The silencer and the rain would keep his men from knowing what was happening until two of them were already dead. One more would die in the ensuing confusion. And the last would be shot in the back as he fled in panic.

Esparza’s gaze moved again to the family huddled at the back of the building. They flinched noticeably at a brief burst of automatic gunfire outside. A lone shout rose above the rain and then everything went silent until the sound of footfalls on the porch became audible again.

“You’re running out of guys, Carlos.”





CHAPTER 36


THE CAPITOL COMPLEX

WASHINGTON, D.C.

USA

“TO be clear, this isn’t a formal hearing,” Senator Christine Barnett said, doing a good job of sounding magnanimous. “We’re here to talk without cameras and get an understanding of where we stand in this matter.”

Despite her empty assurances, this felt very much like a formal hearing to Irene Kennedy. Barnett was in an elevated position flanked by congresspeople loyal to her. A number of aides were ensconced behind them and the gallery was scattered with people Kennedy assumed were political operatives.

“As you answer our questions, Dr. Kennedy, please keep in mind we’re performing our own investigation into these matters.”

The implication, of course, was that she’d lie. And that was exactly what she was there to do, but not for the reasons Barnett thought.

Kennedy leaned into the microphone on the table in front of her. “Thank you, Senator. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kennedy’s initial reaction had been to find a way to avoid this kangaroo court, but it had been impossible. Barnett’s power was growing, and with it the upheaval inside the Beltway. Predicting people’s shifting loyalties was becoming impossible as they positioned themselves for what was to come next.

“What was your involvement in sending Mitch Rapp to California to interrogate those drug traffickers?”

Word was that Barnett’s inquiries into that subject had hit a dead end. The further she tracked the chain of command back, the murkier it got.

“As I’ve told you in the past, I had no involvement.”

“If you’re denying that it was you, then who was it?”

It was a question that literally might be the most dangerous in the world. According to Scott Coleman, the president of the United States had not only personally given the order, but had also signed papers giving Rapp carte blanche.

Again, Kennedy leaned into the microphone. “I don’t know who authorized Mr. Rapp’s involvement, though my people are continuing to look into the matter. Has your office’s investigation been able to shed any light on the issue?”

“I’m asking the questions in this hearing!”

Kennedy poured herself a glass of water. The truth was that this meeting served no real purpose. It was a fishing expedition. Barnett was trying to find something explosive for the very public hearing she was undoubtedly planning. But she wasn’t going to get it.

“Let me make another clarification, Senator. Mitch Rapp doesn’t work for the Central Intelligence Agency and hasn’t for some time. He functions as an independent contractor. The last contract the Agency had with him was in relation to tracking Sayid Halabi in Yemen.”

“Is it possible that he acted alone?” another one of the senators offered.

The fury registered on Barnett’s face before she could prevent it. She was there to gather ammunition against Kennedy and the intelligence community as a whole, not just one man.

“It’s absolutely possible,” Kennedy responded, deciding to take the gift. “Mr. Rapp is well known in the upper echelons of law enforcement and intelligence. He could have used his reputation and contacts to convince people that he was operating under the authority of the CIA when that in fact wasn’t the case.”

“In order to murder two drug traffickers, shoot three DEA agents, and steal millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics,” Barnett interjected.

“That appears to be correct, Senator.”

It was an uncomfortable position for Kennedy. Any defense of Rapp could weaken the undercover legend he’d created and get him killed. She wasn’t just there to stand by and let the Senate throw Mitch Rapp under the bus. No, she needed to be behind the wheel pushing the accelerator to the floor.

“And this all relates to his illegal financial dealings?” Barnett said, continuing to probe.

“Our investigation is in its initial stages, but that also appears to be correct. Mr. Rapp had a number of foreign accounts and investments of questionable legality. One of his main investments—a financial services company in Poland—collapsed and came under the scrutiny of EU officials. That created a cascade effect.”

“Meaning the house of cards he’d built came tumbling down, prompting him to steal those drugs in order to put together enough money to run.”

“That’s a reasonable conclusion based on the facts that we have at this time, Senator.”

“Where did he get all the money to invest, Dr. Kennedy? And how long have those investments existed? We all know what the man does for a living and we’re now very aware that he doesn’t have any qualms about shooting innocent people.”

“If you’re suggesting he was taking contract killing jobs on the side, Senator, I doubt that’s the case. Much more likely, he simply siphoned funds from the terrorist organizations he broke up. They themselves have extremely complex financial structures and it wouldn’t be hard to hide those kinds of transactions.”