do was find the landlord and kick the shit out of him. But he knew he couldnât do that.
So later that night he posted bail and drove his father back to his apartment, where they ordered takeout Chinese. The next morning he accompanied him to the courthouse, where the judge dismissed the charges because the landlord had forced his way into Carlaâs apartment without a legal eviction notice.
Crocker was sitting across from his dad at Applebeeâs, waiting to meet Carla and order lunch, when his cell phone rang. It was Captain Sutterâs executive officer, telling him to return to the command as soon as possible.
So he climbed into his truck and drove as fast as he could down I-95, listening to Dave Brubeck, who had just passed away one day before his ninety-second birthday. As he arrived at the SEAL Six compound, Paul Desmondâs alto sax solo in âThree to Get Readyâ was still playing in his head. Sutterâs XO looked annoyed as he walked with him down a hallway past framed photos of former COs. Sutter and Jim Anders stood waiting in the conference room with a man and woman in suits.
As soon as Crocker entered, Sutter said, âSit down, Crocker. This is urgent.â
âSorry I was delayed, sir. I was dealing with a family matter.â
âWhat weâre about to discuss involves you and Black Cell. We need to know if you and your men are going to be able to deploy immediately.â
âYes, sir. The family matterâs been handled,â Crocker said, even though he had doubts. He also wasnât sure about Calâs mental state, since he hadnât spoken to him since the incident in Kanchanaburi.
Jim Anders cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and started. âNice work in Thailand, but the Thais are angry.â
âI understand,â Crocker countered. âThe firefight, explosion, and fire couldnât be avoided. We attempted to surprise the terrorists, but things didnât go as planned.â
âI said, nice work.â
Crocker tended to be overly defensive about criticism from Langley. âThanks.â
Anders looked at Captain Sutter, who was seated at the head of the table and said, âWeâll hold a hot wash later. Thereâs also the matter of the Afghan major you detained at OP Memphis.â
Crocker sat up. âSir.â
âIn my opinion youâre right about him, Crocker. But the disciplinary committee in Kabul wants a formal statement from you. When you have time, draft one. Include the reasons you became suspicious, what you saw, and the circumstances of his arrest.â
âYes, sir.â
âNow, letâs focus on the task in front of us.â
Anders took this as his cue. âYes,â he said, pointing to his male companion, who dimmed the lights. A Smart Board illuminated on the front wall. On it appeared photos of the four terrorists who had died at Kanchanaburi.
The female CIA officer, wearing a blue blouse and a tight black jacket and skirt, stood up and spoke in a clipped voice. âI expect you recognize these men, Warrant Officer Crocker.â
âYes I do,â he answered.
A fifth photo appeared on the boardâthat of the man they had captured and turned over to the Royal Thai Police.
âThis man claims to be Tino Farris. Weâve learned that his real name is Javad Mokri, and we believe heâs the one who assembled the bombs in Thailand.â
âThe Thais are still holding him?â Crocker asked.
âAffirmative. And he refuses to talk.â
Two of the three passports on the screen were partially burned. âAll five of these individuals traveled to Thailand on Venezuelan passports,â she continued. âWe think theyâre part of the Quds Force Unit 5000 team operating out of Venezuela. And we have reason to believe theyâre planning more attacks against U.S. assets overseas and possibly even terrorist attacks inside the United
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