Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

thing.""I do think, though," she said, looking to the front seat, "that Brian was a littlerough on you." He peeked at the priest in the mirror."You okay, Andrew?""I've been worse. I thought you were magnificent, Brian. I don't believe theColonel suspects anything, which will make it possible for me to return. I still have oneprecaution to take, however.""What's that?""You'll find out after we arrive in Las Vegas and make our call to the Colonel."* * *"Sir, we've located the device and disarmed it," the soldier saluted the Colonel."Any word on where the call originated from?""No sir. TelCom thinks it was made on an untraceable cellular phone. They'reconfident they can track it eventually, but it will take more time.""Let me know when they have something . . . And the ballistics report?""Another hour, sir.""Good work, soldier. Dismissed.""Yes, sir," he saluted once more. "Sir." A second officer acknowledged thegesture, and the soldier turned abruptly and left the Colonel's office."So what do you think, Vernon?" General Hartwig asked."It was brilliant," he smiled, shaking his head. "VintageBenedict. He exceeds my expectations at every turn. And the Group?""They're convinced their plans have been compromised unless they eliminateScott and Kelley.""The Group certainly isn't abandoning the Agenda, is it?""No, not at all. We can still use Scott's work for effective propaganda, and we'lltake what we need from everyone's hard drive.""So there will only be a short delay?" the Colonel asked."I expect so. I'd still like to know what made Sheppard betray us. I guess you cannever have complete knowledge about a person, can you?"" Unfortunately, no.""How long before you can mop things up, Vernon? I told the Group thateliminating Scott and Kelley would be your redemption. After all, it was one of our ownwho sabotaged the project, not you.""Tell the Group I know exactly how this whole affair will be resolved . . . gatherthem tomorrow afternoon so I can brief them."***The black sedan pulled into a darkened corner of the grocery store parking lot."Leave the car here," Andrew instructed the two of them, and got out. Brian and Melissadid the same. "We're four blocks from the city hospital. It's that way," he pointed. "Onceyou get there go to the fourth floor of the parking garage. A car is waiting there for you.324