Stuart Woods - Heat

“You know,” the general said, “if this were a proper war, I would just bombard that place with heavy artillery until there was nothing left standing, then walk in.”

“I think you can see that that is impossible in this situation,” Jesse said.

“Yes, I can see that,” the general said wearily.

Jesse spoke up again, pointing to the photographs. “Coldwater lives here, Casey here and Ruger here. If you can knock out power, security and telephones simultaneously with capturing Coldwater, Casey and Ruger, your battle would be over, except for the mopping up. That, of course, could be nasty.”

“It’s all going to be nasty,” the general said quietly.

There were other questions for nearly an hour, then the meeting broke up. The general approached the lectern and stuck out his hand. “You’re a brave man,” he said. “I’m glad I’m not in your shoes.” He turned to Barker. “Dan, we’ll get back to you first thing in the morning with some kind of rough plan.”

Barker nodded and shook the general’s hand. “Look forward to hearing from you.”

The three visitors left, and Barker motioned for Jesse to take a seat. “I’ve got some questions for you, Jesse.”

“All right,” Jesse said. “Let’s make it quick; I’ve got a three o’clock flight from Dulles Airport to make.”

“When did you first meet Charley Bottoms?” Barker asked.

Jesse saw where this was going. “I saw him around the yard on those rare occasions when I wasn’t in solitary,” he said. “I never spoke to him until the day Kip came to get me out. He came to my punishment cell and said he wanted me to join up with the Aryan Nation crowd in the joint, said they’d protect me from the other cons. He offered to beat me to death if I turned him down.”

“And when did you next see him?” Barker asked.

“Last week, when he turned up at a meeting at Coldwater’s house. We drove up to the top of the mountain together, and he told me you’d sprung him right after me. That’s the sum total of our contact.”

Kip spoke up. “I’ve spoken with Bottoms about this, and he confirms everything Jesse has said.” He turned toward Jesse. “I know this wasn’t part of our deal, but do you think you could take out Coldwater prior to our going in?”

“The chances of my getting at him and staying alive would be slim,” Jesse said. “And you’re right, that’s not part of my deal. What I want to know, Kip, Dan, is are you going to stick by our deal?”

Barker glowered at him again. “You’ll get the pardon when we’ve cleaned out this nest of maniacs, and not before. And I’ll expect you to do whatever you’re told to do when we go in.”

Before Jesse could speak, Kip held out a warning hand. “Not now, Jess; we’ll talk about it later.”

Jesse shook Kip’s hand, then, ignoring Barker, went back to his car and drove south. But he didn’t head for Dulles Airport, or, for that matter, for National.

Jesse drove slowly down Argyle Terrace, then back again, casing the house. In daylight he could see a fenced backyard behind the place, and as he watched, a woman passed through the kitchen and out the back door.

He quickly parked the car and walked to the front door. Glancing up and down the street, he pretended to ring the doorbell, then turned the knob; the door was unlocked. He walked into a large entrance hall and looked around; somewhere a television set was on. He turned left and walked through the dining room and into the kitchen. A coffee pot sat on a warmer, and he poured himself a cup and sat down at the kitchen table. He could hear voices from out back. A soap opera was on television; he hated the music that played constantly during the programs. It was good coffee.

After a few minutes, he heard a foot scrape on the back steps, and she walked into the kitchen.

“Hello, Arlene,” he said.

She froze, staring at him, saying nothing.

“It’s Jesse Warden,” he said. “I’m sorry I don’t look quite the same as I did in my Miami days.”

Her shoulders relaxed, but her face remained wary. “Why are you here?” she asked, glancing at the wall phone.

“We’ll call Kip in a few minutes,” he said soothingly. “Now pour yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat. Let’s talk.”

She ignored the coffee but sat down at the table.

“It’s been a while,” he said. “What, two and a half, three years?”

“About that,” she managed to whisper. “Why are you here, Jesse?”

“I want to see her. I want you to call her in from the backyard, tell her there’s a friend here. After we’ve visited for a few minutes, we’ll call Kip, then I’ll leave.”

She didn’t move.

“You’ve nothing to fear from me, Arlene; I’m not here to hurt you. Call her from the door, please; don’t go out into the yard.”

Reluctantly, she rose and opened the back door. “Carrie, please come inside; you have a visitor.”

“An old friend,” Jesse said.

“It’s an old friend, Carrie.”

Jesse was suddenly filled with panic. She wouldn’t know him, would scream at the sight of his battered face.

The little girl came into the kitchen, her cheeks red with the cold, her eyes bright. “Who is it, Aunt Arlene?” she asked. Then she saw Jesse.

“Hello, Rabbit,” he said. Only he had ever called her that.

She blinked, staring at him. “Are you my daddy?” she asked, finally.

“I sure am,” Jesse said. “And I’m so very glad to see you.”

She came closer to him, gazing into his face. “You look different,” she said.

“I know; I had an accident, but I’m fine now.”

Suddenly, she rushed at him, threw her arms around him, laughing. “Oh, Daddy!” she cried. “Aunt Arlene and Uncle Kip told me you had gone to heaven.”

“They were wrong,” he whispered into her ear. “I’m right here with you, my Rabbit.” He held her back and looked at her. “You’ve grown so; you’re a big girl, now.”

“I’m going to be six next month,” she said.

“I know, sweetheart, and I’m going to get you a wonderful present. Six is a very important birthday; you’ll be going to school in the fall.”

“Where’s Mommy?” she asked. “They said she was in heaven, too.”

“She is in heaven, sweetheart, but she looks down on you, and she knows what a wonderful little girl you are.” He was having trouble maintaining his composure; his throat was tightening up.

“I have a new little cousin,” Carrie said. “He’s in the backyard in the stroller. Would you like to see him?”

“I would in just a minute, Rabbit. Why don’t you go and make sure he’s all right, and Aunt Arlene and I will be out in a few minutes.”

She gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “Don’t be long,” she said, then ran out the back door.

“Jesse, I want you to understand,” Arlene said. “We never set out to steal Carrie from you; we thought you would spend the rest of your life in prison. We couldn’t bear the thought of Carrie being put up for adoption; Kip and I both thought it was better that you didn’t know where she was.”

“I believe you, Arlene,” Jesse said. “But you understand, things are different now.”

“Are they so very different, Jesse? Kip hasn’t told me in any detail what you’re doing, but it was my distinct impression that your life is constantly in danger. Do you think you’re ready to make a home for Carrie?”

“Arlene, my life was constantly in danger when I was working undercover in Miami, and yes, I think I’m ready to make a home for Carrie. I’ve remarried, and she’ll have a sister.”

“I don’t know how to argue with you,” she said. “Carrie has missed you so much. She still talks about you all the time.”