Right on cue, his phone vibrated.

"I've got you on speaker," Harv said.

"We're on an open cell line, so let's not use our Potomac friend's name. I'm not worried about our names, but let's avoid using hers. When was the last time you were up the Angeles Crest Highway?" he asked.

"It's been years."

"LG?"

"I've never been up there."

"Good place for the twins to hide out?" Nathan asked.

"Sure, I suppose," Harv said. "I'd feel a whole lot better if we could review some satellite images before we go charging into another . . . situation."

"Me too. Good thing we took the mountain-warfare training course at Pickel Meadows. There could be snow up there. Probably is."

"Need I remind you of how long ago that was?"

"I think pterodactyls were flying."

"We don't have cold-weather gear and all the stores are closed. Too bad we can't stop at a sporting-goods place or a ski shop and pick up some white outfits."

Maybe we can, Nathan thought. "What's your ETA to the on-ramp?"

"We're in an alley heading your way. Without running, I'm guessing five or six minutes, assuming we don't have to evade any police cruisers."

"Well, somebody did shoot at me with fully automatic Kalashnikovs in the heart of Santa Monica. I suppose that warrants some sort of response. What'd you find upstairs in the dealership?"

"The other four members of the briefcase crew were inside a really plush suite on the third floor. Remember that pimped-out place in the Gaslamp? This one was bigger and better. We totally surprised them in the middle of their poker game. They had no clue anything had happened down below. Ashton left them there after taking a call." Harv recounted the arrival of more armed men and their hasty retreat from the building.

"Casualties?"

"One of the briefcase crew made a move for a gun, a fatal mistake. The other three became quite complacent after that."

"I found the text where Tomas told Ashton to skedaddle and not look back. Ashton didn't bother to tell his fellow gamblers about our raid."

"Sounds like he's as cold as his brother," Harv said.

"The clock's ticking. Tomas will be expecting his brother to arrive within the time frame given."

"It's a curvy mountain road. It might take longer than two hours. I suppose it depends how far up the property is."

"At least we won't have to fight rush-hour traffic."

"We could be facing more mercenaries where the twins are holed up. On second thought, if the twins think their hiding place is secure, we could be looking at fairly even odds."

"That raises a question. If they thought Santa Monica Exotics wasn't discoverable, why'd they have all the firepower standing by?"

"You mean inside or the extra firepower that showed up?"

"I don't know," Nathan said. "Both, I guess."

"The inside muscle makes sense. They had a boatload of cash. They must have known the raid on LG failed and they definitely know about the other raids our Potomac friend's been unleashing tonight. They could've anticipated an attack at the dealership and called in reinforcements. The timing smelled like an ambush. The gunmen could've been staged, ready to attack on a moment's notice."

"That makes the most sense."

"If our friend can't find anything on ACH, we might be out of business."

"Have faith, old friend," said Nathan. "Plus, her people are going to examine the contents of Ashton's wallet. It might have something useful."

"Good deal. Oh, for the record, I should say I'm fully comfortable in combat with LG."

"Thank you," she said in the background.

"Coming from you, that's high praise." He knew Harv's comment wasn't meant to patronize her. She didn't need it. Still, he sensed a coiled rattlesnake. He supposed he'd feel the same way. If someone murdered Harv and he knew who did it, they'd be marked for death.

LG spoke up again. "There's going to be fresh snow up there for sure. The weather we've been getting over the last few days covered all of Southern California."

"Unless we can get our hands on some cold-weather gear," Harv said, "we're looking at limited time in the elements."

"Nothing's open at this hour, unfortunately."

"Since when has that ever stopped you guys?" said LG.

"Are we talking about what I think we're talking about?"

"We're facing a national-security threat," Nathan said. "I think we can bend the rules a little bit and liberate some cold-weather clothing."

"You mean steal it," said Harv.

"Steal is such a harsh word. I prefer to think of it as . . . appropriating. What do you think?" he asked LG.

"I think boosting some clothes is the least of our worries."

"We'll leave an anonymous envelope of cash. Is that better?"

"Marginally," said Harv.

"Hey, I've got to go, my Lincoln just arrived, and I need to leave the confiscated stuff for Delta. I'll see you guys in a few minutes."

After the exchange, Nathan got into his car and found a note on the seat: Vincent Beaumont sends his regards. I trust you'll keep our involvement confidential.

He smiled. It had been Beaumont Specialists Inc. watching their backs. Outstanding. BSI's private military contractors regularly worked for the CIA. He'd have to send a case of wine to Vincent when this was over.

He called Harv back.

"We're almost there," said Harv. "We can see the on-ramp."

"My car's fifty feet around the corner."

"Glad to hear it. We can't get out of here soon enough."

"Amen to that."

CHAPTER 24.

After a brief stop at a twenty-four-hour convenience store for a bathroom break, food, and hydration, Harv got them back on the highway.

They drove in silence for a few minutes. Nathan liked that LG didn't fill in the silent moments with meaningless banter.

"How're the ribs?" Nathan asked LG.

"Now that the action's over, I'm noticing them more."

"Adrenaline does that. Headache?"

"A little. When we were shooting it out in the showroom, I felt . . . I don't know . . . disembodied. Almost like I was acting in a play. It didn't seem real."

"Happens to Harv and me too."

She didn't respond.

"Anything more come to you about Cornejo? The kind of threat you pose to his presidency?"

"Nothing. I know there was a large reward on my head right after we rescued Glen, but it was purely for revenge's sake."

Harv looked in the rearview mirror. "Reward? Really?"

"Yeah. Kind of scary, actually. It was a million bucks dead and two million alive."

"Interesting," said Nathan. "I guess we have to consider the possibility that Cornejo reinstituted the bounty along with his other purges, and the twins are trying to collect it. Two million in cash is a strong motivator."

Linda said, "Man . . . I hadn't realized how hungry I was."

"In the Marines, we had an adage: Sleep when you can. It's also true for food. We should change back into our civilian clothes. Harv can change once we're parked somewhere."

"At least I've got some privacy back here," LG said. "I know how damned horny you grunts are."

He smiled at the slang term. "Don't worry, LG. We already saw everything during your rescue."

"And . . . ?"

"Let's just say it was truly memorable. I was especially impressed with your-"

Nathan's encrypted phone saved the day. He answered Cantrell's call.

"No hit on any property yet, but let's stick with the plan for now."

"Looks like we may be heading into some snow up there." Nathan told her they planned to liberate some ski clothing.

"Hold off doing that. I'll have Delta take care of it. I'm assuming you'll need one set of XXL, one set of XL, and one set of small?"

"That'll work. In white, or very light gray, preferably."

"You got it. Delta will make cell-phone contact with you within the next twenty minutes or so. We're tracking your location, so they'll rendezvous with you once they've got the ski clothing."

"Sounds good."

"Put me on speaker."

Nathan did.

"I want you three to know that DNI Benson is very appreciative of your efforts." Cantrell paused and no one interrupted her. "Linda, earlier this morning, I asked Nathan if you were able to remember anything that Cornejo might consider a threat, but I don't want you to feel overly pressured over it. DNI Benson asked if you could be holding something back and I told him no. I just want you to know my trust in you is absolute."

"Thank you, Director. The DNI would be remiss if he didn't consider the possibility of subterfuge on my part. I'm willing to come in at any time. Just give the order."

"That won't be necessary. I'll call once we've analyzed the contents of Ashton's wallet."

Nathan watched the call go abruptly dark. He was actually getting used to it. Maybe he'd develop the same technique with Harv. What's the point in saying goodbye, when the conversation's over? It's over.

"The good news is," Nathan said, "we don't have to break into a retailer to get our snow clothes. Delta's going to handle it." He thought for a moment. "Something just hit me. We need a taxi. Tomas will be expecting his brother to arrive in one."

"LAX isn't too far away," Harv suggested.

"Let's try something else first. LG, see if you can locate a big hotel somewhere along our route over to ACH, maybe in the downtown area. Harv, where does the highway start?"

"I'm pretty sure it's off the Foothill Freeway west of Pasadena. I'm checking."

"Once we find a hotel, we'll call and ask if there's a cab waiting. Maybe Delta can meet us there."

"About the twins, I have an idea," said LG. "You could send a text to Tomas saying you don't think it's wise to have the taxi take you all the way. Tomas might suggest a meeting spot."

He thought for a moment. "That's a brilliant idea, but let's give Cantrell more time. We'll use it as a fallback plan."

"Actually," Harv said, "it'll still work even if Cantrell finds the location. It might give us a better chance of taking the twins by surprise."

"I like it," he said. "LG, did you find a hotel?"

"Yes. The Ritz Carlton downtown. It's right next to the Staples Center off the 110. There should be lots of cabs around."

"I know where it is," Harv said. "I attended a huge private-security convention there a few years back."