Final Option (Oregon Files 14)

Tate sneered at Cabrillo’s smug expression of satisfaction. “Apparently, I didn’t do the job well enough if he survived.”

“You shouldn’t have used the sonic disruptor to do it. You should have used a torpedo from the Portland.”

“But I’m saving them all for you.”

“Right,” Cabrillo said. “You didn’t even have to use them to sink the Mantícora and the Avignon.”

“Why waste a perfectly good torpedo on them when guns and missiles could do the job just as well? That is, when the Oregon sank them. I mean, who would believe there was an identical ship to yours out there?”

“Langston Overholt knew we didn’t sink those ships.”

“But Overholt is now dead.”

That got a rise out of Cabrillo, whose face flushed red at the mention of his old mentor’s demise.

“You didn’t have to kill him.”

“Come on, Juan. We did the U.S. government a favor. He embezzled hundreds of millions destined for black projects.”

“Evidence that Ballard planted.”

Tate was about to agree, then stopped himself. He understood exactly what Cabrillo was doing and applauded his misguided effort.

“Please, Juan. You’re humiliating yourself. If you’re trying to get me to admit to crimes against the U.S. government, it’s a fool’s errand. You’re just implicating yourself if you try to show this video to anyone.”

Juan smiled. “It was worth a shot.”

“Not really, but whatever . . . In any case, let’s get down to the reason I was going to call you.”

“To gloat some more?”

“That’s always fun, but no. It’s time we got together again. Therefore, I’m going to hijack the crew of a ship and hold them hostage. All you have to do is come and get them.”

Cabrillo slowly rose, his jaw clenching in anger.

“What ship?”

“And have you warn them? I don’t think so. You’ll find out the name soon enough. I’ll send you a video of the crew. We’ll keep them well fed and happy until you arrive. I just wanted you to know where to head. Tierra del Fuego, if you didn’t get that before. It might take you a few days if you’re still in the Amazon.”

“Tate, you don’t have to do this,” Cabrillo said, his face contorting in rage. “There’s no need to involve more innocent people in your games.”

“I think there is. You’ve always had a soft spot for the innocent. I like that. It makes you predictable. Oh, and if I don’t see you two days after I hijack their ship, I’ll send you videos of you killing them one by one. I’ll also send them to the CIA, just for posterity.”

Finally, Cabrillo couldn’t take it anymore and began to scream, stabbing his finger at the camera as he lunged toward it. “You’re a dead man, Tate! We’re coming for you! I’m coming for you!”

“Good,” Tate said calmly. “We’ll be ready.”

Then he gave a mocking wave good-bye and hung up as Cabrillo continued to rage at the screen.

53

CRUISING ALONG THE ARGENTINE COAST

Tate’s irritating face disappeared from the screen. Tate’s face, not Juan’s superimposed over Tate’s.

Juan took a breath to settle himself, turned to Max, and coolly said, “How was my acting job?”

“You’re definitely in the running for a Golden Globe nomination.”