added, “And I guess he knows that truth, as well. He can’t say anything, because Stony Man doesn’t officially exist, so if he spills the beans he’s just as guilty by default.”
Brognola chuckled softly. “Hell of a way to make a living.”
An hour later decisions had been made. Both teams had their objectives. In-depth discussions had been completed. Barbara Price had left and was already elsewhere, making travel arrangements and handing out assignments to her teams. The support staff at the Farm were responsible for travel and documentation, arranging equipment and weapons Phoenix Force and Able Team might need.
Once they were on their own, the Stony Man teams would, as usual, rely on skill and determination to get them through whatever came up.
MCCARTER GAVE Phoenix Force their orders.
“Gary, you and Rafe take Pakistan. Go scope out the situation. The rest of us will head to London. We can dig into the U.K. mob and see what we can find. Once we reach a conclusion we’ll head out to join you. Barb will arrange transport. Gary and Rafe need to cross over from Afghanistan unannounced. We can work out a cover story for them so they can snoop around Peshawar. Maybe something to do with the New Relief charity?”
Price nodded. “There’s a contact we can use in the city. A guy working undercover for British security. He’s been in place for a while. Knows Peshawar. He could ease the way in.”
“Okay. The rest of us need a ride to the U.K. Usual arrangements via the Air Force would be handy. Ferry us to a base near London.”
“I can sort that. We’ll organize documents for Gary and Rafe. Passports and visas all stamped with current dates. I’ll get that set up for them.”
“Ordnance,” Encizo said. “Pakistan cops might not look too favorably on foreigners supposed to be working for a charity who are walking around loaded for bear.”
“Make up a pack and hide it once you’re across the border, before you go into the city,” McCarter said. “Something to fall back on if things get hot.”
“And knowing our luck, that’s likely to happen,” James said.
“Bloody bloke is such a party pooper,” McCarter said.
“You guys need anything special for London?” Price asked.
“Pocket translator?” T. J. Hawkins said, grinning. “Way those Brits talk it might as well be Cantonese.”
“Coming from you that’s rich,” McCarter said. “Barb, just fix us up with a decent hotel, love. We might not be there long, but let’s be comfortable while we are.”
BOSTON WAS ABLE TEAM’S destination. Khalil Amir was their target of interest. The man’s connection to Jabir Rahman and Samman Prem brought him into the spotlight for the Able Team trio.
Once destinations had been settled the Stony Man support departments swung into action, leaving the teams to spend the next few hours reviewing their mission files, discussing how they were going to handle the operations.
Weapons were talked over, with visits to the armory in the lower section of the building, where they could test and check the ordnance chosen.
Barbara Price handed each man his personal folder holding passports, cash and credit cards. Later that evening the passports for Manning and Encizo were delivered, along with all the documentation they would need in Pakistan if they were asked to produce it. Dates and stamps had been added, and Price was able to say with confidence that no one would be able to spot they were forgeries.
The communication section provided the teams with current high spec satellite phones with global capabilities. Each phone had a built-in GPS system and, more importantly, a direct speed dial to the Farm.
“Able, I’ve arranged a private flight for you to Logan. Your credentials will ID you as Justice Department agents on special assignment. Your weapons will be in a separate, secure case. When you touch down you can go direct to the Hertz rental stand, where a vehicle has already been booked for you. It’s in your cover name, Carl. And rooms are also booked at the Boston Marriott.”
Price turned to McCarter. “David, there’s an Air Force supply flight due to leave at seven tomorrow morning. We can have Phoenix Force there in time. You will touch down at RAF Mildenhall. Orders have been cut that will get you on board and delivered safely, no questions asked. Car will be waiting for you to pick up on base. After that you’re on your own. When you want to move on, a USAF plane will fly you on a regular supply run to Afghanistan, where you’ll be shipped out to the forward Marine base close to the border with Pakistan.”
“What about Gary and Rafe?” McCarter asked.
“They’ll be flown to the same base and choppered in across the border at night for a rendezvous with our contact. He’ll drive them into Peshawar to where they’re staying. This guy can give only limited assistance, so when he drops you at your hotel and gets you settled, he’ll move on.”
“Sounds playable,” McCarter said.
“Just to make sure you all have your cover names correct,” Price said. “David, you’re Jack Coyle, because your guy in London knows you from previous meetings. Samuel Allen?” Manning held up a hand. Rafe—Fredo Constantine, and Cal, you are Roy Landis.”
“Do I look like a Roy?” James asked.
“What the hell does a Roy look like?” McCarter retorted.
“T.J.?” Price said, moving on before the banter gained momentum.
“Daniel Rankin at your service, ma’am.”
CHAPTER TWO
London
“I have a feeling the old town isn’t what it used to be,” David McCarter said.
While James drove the BMW, Hawkins at his side, the Briton, sitting in the rear, was staring out the window of the rental SUV Stony Man had arranged for them. They were heading toward the East End, where McCarter had arranged to meet up with Greg Henning. The man was part of a Scotland Yard Special Branch counterterrorist unit. Phoenix Force had come into contact with Henning a couple years back, during an operation that had taken them to the U.K. McCarter and the tough cop had sparred on their first meeting, but as the mission moved on they came to respect each other. Henning, a hard-nosed cop from the old school, had little tolerance for anyone classed as a terrorist. He and McCarter had met up a number of times when the Briton was visiting London and the man from Scotland Yard had made it clear he was ready to help if assistance was needed. When McCarter called him, Henning had agreed to meet in his favorite East End pub.
“Drop me off,” McCarter said when the rendezvous point came into sight, “and carry on to the hotel. Get checked in and relax. I’ll be in touch.”
“Watch your back, boss,” Hawkins said. “Looks like a rough area.”
McCarter grinned, patting him on the shoulder. “You don’t know the half of it, T.J.”
James and Hawkins watched McCarter’s tall figure cross the street, pause briefly at the door, then vanish inside the pub.
“Maybe
