“You recognized me?” He took another step closer. “Nicos, I suppose?”
Brukman nodded. “He wanted to make sure that I knew who’d be coming after Sean Patrick.” He met his eyes. “Zwecker said that you’d be willing to deal with us for him. But you’re not supposed to be here. Zwecker and I have to talk money.”
“Do you want to know what I offered Nicos?”
“That could be a start,” he said cautiously. “Nicos mentioned the first negotiations, but I’m sure you went higher. But we’d have to have more so that we could lose ourselves from Nicos—”
“But you might think the offer I’ll make you is so good that you’ll take it without question. Let’s have a drink and talk about it.”
He hesitated. “After I call Zwecker and ask him why you’re here.”
“Suit yourself. But what I saw in that last photo of Patrick made me think that you won’t have any merchandise I’ll be willing to offer for soon. I won’t pay for a dead man, Brukman.”
“He still has time.” He grimaced. “But it’s a good thing you’ve come now. I told Nicos that he couldn’t take that kind of punishment, but he insisted.”
“And you complied,” Lassiter said without expression. “But, of course, he pays the bills. I understand your position.”
Brukman nodded. “But you’re smart to deal with us. Nicos isn’t ever going to let him go.”
“I know that.” He took one more step. “So make your call to Zwecker so that we can start negotiations.”
Brukman reached for his phone.
And Lassiter clamped his palm down on Brukman’s hand and pressed the needle with the knockout tranquilizer hidden there into his wrist.
“What…” Brukman reached for his gun. “You son of a bitch, what did—”
His knees buckled and Lassiter caught him before he fell unconscious.
“Drunk?” Mandell appeared immediately at Lassiter’s side. “Maybe we should take him out to the car so that he can get some air?”
“Good idea.” None of the few customers in the bar appeared to be noticing what had occurred. The bartender had been liberally tipped to turn his back. “He never could hold his liquor.”
Three minutes later, they’d deposited Brukman in the passenger seat of the van they’d rented.
“Will you need me here any longer?” Mandell asked. “I’d really enjoy having a discussion with Brukman. Zwecker was much too easy.”
Lassiter nodded. “I want you there when he wakes up, but follow in your own car. You’ll have to leave right away.” Lassiter started the van. “You’ll need to get out to that detention camp and position yourself. I’m estimating you’ll have about two hours before I bring Brukman to the party.”
“That’s not long. His record was pretty impressive while he was a mercenary. He could hold out.”
“If he does, I’ll hang him up on the branches of a tree and see how long he lasts. I’ll try to find the same type of tree he used on Patrick.”
Mandell gave a low whistle. “That might do it.”
Lassiter started to drive in the direction of the nearby rain forest. “That’s what I figured,” he said over his shoulder.
*
Brukman regained consciousness twenty minutes later. By that time, they’d traveled to the rim of the rain forest and Lassiter and Mandell had tied him securely to a palm tree.
“You son of a bitch.” Brukman was struggling futilely to get out of the ropes. “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to chop you into pieces. You think that Patrick was hurting? You’ll scream until you—”
“You’re being boring,” Lassiter said. “And you’re being stupid enough to remind me of all the things I have against you. It’s a big list, and I was only recently given a face to go along with it. But I’m beginning to put the two together. Did you know I was sent twenty-four photos of your work on Patrick over the last eighteen months?”
“I don’t care.” His eyes were blazing in his white face. “If you want him back, you’ll have to deal with me. Money, Lassiter.”
“And I’d pay it if I hadn’t seen those photos. There has to be accountability. Added to the fact that there’s every chance you’d take my money and not follow through.” He gestured to Mandell. “But I’m being rude. Permit me to introduce you to my friend Nick Mandell. Considering your mercenary background, you’ve probably heard of him. He’s possibly the best sniper in the world today. He’s something of a legend in those circles.”
“Please. In any circle.” Mandell smiled. “How many times do I have to tell you I’m a man with no limits, Lassiter?”
“I’ve heard of him,” Brukman said impatiently. “Do you think I’m going to be intimidated by some has-been shooter?”
Mandell looked pained. “Now that hurt.” He glanced at Lassiter. “I either get out of here and go set up at the camp or I kill him now.”
“Get going.”
“Right.” Mandell glanced over his shoulder at Brukman as he headed for his car. “I’ll see you later.”
Brukman glared at Lassiter. “What was that about?”
“I just wanted you to know what you’re up against. I’m sure that Nicos gave you my credentials and those of everyone who works for me. He’d want you to be prepared.” He took a step closer. “So I’m going to tell you how it’s going to go down. You’re going to take me to that detention camp and tell your men that Nicos has made a deal to turn Patrick over to me. You’re going to be very plausible. Then your men are going to load Patrick into my van and we’re both going to leave quietly and without incident.”
“You’re dreaming. You’re going to walk into my camp and then expect to get out alive? Didn’t Zwecker tell you that if something ever happened to me that my lieutenant, Herb Stockton, would take over? He’ll have questions. And even if you have a gun and I don’t, what’s going to stop me from—”
“Shouting out and bringing down firepower on both me and Patrick?” He leaned forward and said coldly, “Because the moment I lift my hand, you’ll be a dead man. That’s the reason you met my friend Mandell, even though he was in something of a hurry after I gave you that knockout injection. He’s going to your camp to get ready for us. If there are any trees or rocks anywhere overlooking that camp, he’ll find just the right place. As I said, Mandell was the best sniper I’d ever seen when I was in the Special Forces. He’s a natural. And he’s been missing it. He’ll be able to take down you and at least two others before anyone realizes what’s happening.”
“You’re bluffing.”