11:21:41 PM

“I’m a professional, kid,â€? Marcos said without any hint of anger. “To me, this is just a job.â€?

He sat across from Jason, who was still tied up, soaked and shivering. Ice cubes lay scattered at his feet.

“I just want to know who might have an axe to grind with your dad,â€? Marcos continued. “You tell me that, all this can stop. I might even let you go.â€?

Jason didn’t reply. Marcos nodded to Victor, who dumped another bucket of ice water over Jason’s head.

“We can do this all night.â€?

Guillermo entered and handed Marcos a sheet of paper. Marcos read it, then looked up at Jason.

“What if I said your father was a traitor?â€? he asked Jason.

“What?â€? It was Jason’s first word in half an hour.

“Says here that Philip Bauer sold nuclear weapons to Russian extremists, then killed your brother, Graem, to cover his involvement,â€? Marcos read. “Nuclear weapons! Why would you protect a man like that?â€?

“Philip Bauer is not my father,â€? Jason said finally. “My dad’s name is Gordon Reeves.â€?