Page 94 of Edge of Honor

“Fine,” she relented. “Ya panimayu.Okay?Ya panimayu.”

The man smiled and gestured her toward the door. “Enjoy your last evening with Senator Blackwood.”

CHAPTER 48

FAIRFAXCOUNTY

Harvath had texted ahead to let McGee know he was on his way back, but via the water, and along with Admiral Tyson. He wanted to give McGee the opportunity to make himself scarce. It was bad enough that he had roped a civilian into his plan. He didn’t need Tyson to know that the ex–CIA director was a part of it too.

After tying up the boat at the end of the dock, he led the Admiral up to the house, got some coffee going, and then sat him down in front of the TV in the living room. Once he was sure Tyson had everything he needed, he walked to the bottom of the driveway, where McGee was in his car just finishing up a call.

“Any updates?” Harvath asked as the man rolled down his window.

“Nicholas and I just set a time to meet. I’m on my way to see him now. How’s Admiral Cocktail?”

Harvath smiled. “AdmiralTysonwill be fine. I offered to put on the Golf Channel for him, but he wanted to watch the President’s address instead.”

McGee looked at his watch. “I forgot all about that.”

“At this point, we probably know more than he does, so you’re not missing anything.”

“True,” the man replied. “Listen, before I go, do you want a ride down to the club to pick up the Bronco?”

Harvath nodded. “That was going to be my next question for you.”

“Hop in.”

Climbing in the passenger side, Harvath closed his door, and McGee rolled out of the darkened driveway.

“We should probably talk about ROEs for tonight,” the ex–CIA director said as he made a left on the road and headed for the MVYC.

Establishing rules of engagement had been on Harvath’s mind as well.

“Hale’s people at the estate are operating in their capacity as private security. They’re there to defend the Willis family. We can’t use lethal force.”

“Those were my thoughts too.”

“In this scenario, as far as they’re concerned, we’re the bad guys. They can engage us with lethal force. I’ve got no idea how many, if any, of these guys moonlight on the dark side for Hale. I’m not taking a father or a husband away from some family just because they may have answered the wrong want ad.”

“So tonight, you’re Casper, thefriendlyghost.”

“I’ll be a ghost all right,” said Harvath. “But I won’t be so friendly once I get my hands on Hale.”

“Understood. Which brings me to my next question. Are you sure you don’t want backup once you’re on the estate?”

Harvath shook his head. “Just knowing I have the cavalry on the other side of the hill is all the backup I need,” he stated, adding, “That, and you having my beacon in place on time.”

“It’ll be in place. Don’t worry.”

“If not, I hope you’ve got a ton of trash bags with you because there’s going to be pieces of me all over the place.”

“It’ll be there,” McGee once again promised. “In the meantime, is there anything else you need me and Nicholas to pick up?”

Harvath smiled. “Undoubtedly, I’ll think of a million other things once my feet hit the water, but right now, we’re good.”

Up ahead was the club and he pointed to the area where he had parked Haney’s Bronco.

As McGee pulled up behind, Scot reached over and shook the man’s hand.