Page 28 of Edge of Honor

Nicholas held up his right hand and made the international signal for “zero.”

“What do you mean, none?”

“They’re all downrange on assignments.”

“Allof them?” Harvath asked.

“We’re still running a business here. That didn’t stop just because you did.”

He knew Nicholas was simply telling him the truth, but the remark still stung. Even though he’d made the best decision for himself and Sølvi by turning in his resignation, there had been a part of him that felt like he was abandoning his colleagues. He was feeling that sensation again now.

“What about from any of the other teams? Hell, I’d even be glad to have Thing One and Thing Two from the lobby.”

“With all the cutbacks in D.C., our business is booming. In fact, we’ve had to turn down work. We don’t have a single body to spare.”

“So the only thing standing between Ambassador Rogers and a possible Iranian hit team is me?”

“And me,” said Nicholas. “I’m more than happy to provide whatever support I can.”

“As long as it doesn’t require you to physically be in the field.”

The man nodded. “Correct. That has not changed. When I told you that in the South of France, I meant it.”

Harvath hadn’t doubted it then and he didn’t doubt it now.

What he was trying to figure out was how the hell he was going to pull something like this off with no backup.

“What about Haney?”

“What about him?” Nicholas replied.

“He’s not downrange.”

“Because he’s still in rehab after you got him shot for the second time.”

“A, technically, the Russians shot him and B, how close is he to being done with rehab?”

“No.”

“Nowhat?” Harvath asked.

“No you can’t pull Mike Haney into this.”

“Don’t you think that’s a question for him to answer?”

“Not when we’re paying for his rehab and a hazardous-duty bonus, all of which is becauseyougot him shot.”

“Fine, I’ll leave Mike alone.”

It was obvious by his expression that Nicholas didn’t believe him. Harvath changed the subject.

“If I wanted you to kill the Ambassador’s old phone, the one he slid into that woman’s suitcase, could you do that?”

Nicholas didn’t even need to think about it. “Sure. If it’s attached to the cloud and he can give me his password, it’s a piece of cake.”

“What about cloning a new one for me?”

“Also a piece of cake, but do you think the Iranians are actually tracking his phone?”