Part 7 (1/2)
”He's a traitor to his country, and if I had my way he would face a firing squad tomorrow.”
”Come on.”
Smythe's expression was dead serious, and unfortunately, Aaron couldn't argue with him. If anybody were caught stealing secrets from the Spears, that person would be executed on the spot. There wouldn't even be a discussion.
Smythe tried to slap the gun out of Aaron's hand. The strike was fast, but Ethel had trained Aaron well. He maintained a solid grip on the gun. With his free hand, he used a brutal wrist lock to drive Smythe's face into the dashboard.
”Don't try that again,” Aaron said calmly, ”or I'll break your arm.”
Smythe leaned back and held his bleeding nose.
”Who the h.e.l.l are you?”
”Like I told you,” Aaron said. ”I'm a soldier.”
”In what army?”
”A secret one. I have another question. Why are you investigating Woods personally? Why didn't you just report him to the military police? You're a doctor, not a detective.”
”I knew the police wouldn't believe me unless I had solid evidence.”
”But you're a highly decorated officer. They should listen to you.”
Smythe narrowed his eyes. ”It sounds like you know a lot about me.”
”I do.” Aaron nodded. ”Answer the question.”
Smythe looked at the restaurant, and Aaron risked a glance in that direction. Woods was leaving with the steel briefcase in hand. He had been paid, which meant the delivery had satisfied Marina. This was very good news.
”f.u.c.king Judas,” Smythe muttered.
”Forget about him,” Aaron said. ”You're about to explain to me why you came here alone instead of going to the police.”
Smythe just held his b.l.o.o.d.y nose.
Marina came out of the restaurant, carrying her laptop. She wore a bright red dress that was too short and revealing for the cold weather. Matching red pumps gave her an exaggerated walk. She had dressed the part of the beautiful temptress.
Aaron opened the door and waved to get her attention. She came over with a curious expression on her face. When she saw Smythe, her eyes widened.
”What's going on?” she asked.
”Our friend here was performing surveillance,” Aaron said. ”He saw everything.”
Marina sat in the back seat directly behind Smythe, where he couldn't reach her easily.
”Don't try anything cute,” she said, ”I have a knife, and I know how to cut a man's throat.”
Smythe slouched in his seat. ”How much did you pay Woods? What's the price of honor these days?”
”Seventy grand.”
”Is that all?” He lowered his head. ”Cheaper than I imagined.”
”He barely haggled,” Marina said.
”Did you sleep with him?”
”I didn't have to.”
”But you would've. Wh.o.r.e.”
”Don't tell me you never did anything repulsive in the line of duty,” she said. ”You can stuff that superior att.i.tude up your a.s.s.”
He looked out the window. After a brief silence he said, ”What do you want with me? Are you going to kill me? Get it over with.”
Marina turned to Aaron with a questioning expression, and he realized they were at a crossroads. Smythe didn't know anything that could threaten the Gray Spear Society, so it was still safe to let him go. He could describe Aaron and Marina to the police, but that was no concern.
If Aaron wanted to recruit Smythe instead, he needed to call Ethel. Her involvement would raise the stakes greatly because she was fanatical about protecting the secrecy of the organization. Once the recruitment process began in earnest, it could only end two ways. Either Smythe would meet her approval and join, or he would die.
Aaron had a simple but profoundly important decision to make. Should he call Ethel or not?
”I have a few more questions,” he said. ”Your answers may determine whether you survive the night, so pay attention. Why didn't you tell the military police about Woods?”
Smythe clenched his jaw.
”I'm waiting.” Aaron raised his gun for emphasis.
”Because I have a reputation.” Smythe sounded bitter.
”What kind of reputation?”
”Is this an interrogation or psychotherapy?”
”Give me an answer!” Aaron said.
”Why not?” Smythe shrugged. ”I'm a very uncompromising officer. I go to extremes to meet my objectives. I've been called overzealous and heartless. These are not good words for a medical man, but I'm not going to change my spots just because I don't fit the Hollywood stereotype of an effeminate doctor. My rightful place is on the battlefield, where crucial decisions must be made quickly and where death is always near.”
Aaron understood Smythe's position too well. As a Chicago police officer, before joining the Spears, Aaron had received the same criticism and worse. Marina nodded sympathetically.
”And that's why I didn't talk to the police,” Smythe said. ”They would've accused me of crying wolf, but I knew Woods was dirty and I was right.”
Aaron nodded. ”So you took the initiative. You made the fight your own because n.o.body else would.”
”You got it.”
”I understand.” Marina said.