The Third Option   ::   Flynn Vince

Rapp wasn't overlyconcerned about his diplomatic mission to appease Congressman O'Rourke. Yes, it was a good idea to calm the man down before he started asking too many questions, but Rapp was confident that O'Rourke would have never gone that far. Rapp liked Michael O'Rourke. He was a good man and a good husband. With hindsight, Rapp had to admit it might not have been fair to get him involved in this mess, but no harm, no foul.

Rapp would have liked to put the meeting off until morning, but the truth was, it gave him an excuse to see Anna. His stomach was doing flips over the thought of holding her. He had never felt like this in his entire life. Rapp grabbed his phone and dialed the O'Rourkes' number. After just one ring, Michael answered.

«Michael, it's me. I'm sorry I'm calling so late, but I need to talk to you.»

«I'm listening.» The voice was detached and cool.

«Not on the phone.»

«When?»

«Right now. I'm only seconds away. It won't take long. I just have to explain a couple of things to you.»

«All right, but be quiet. Liz is asleep.»

A minute later, Coleman backed the Explorer into the brownstone's small driveway. Michael O'Rourke was waiting for them at the door with his yellow Lab at his side. Rapp and Coleman bounded up the steps, both men checking the street as they went. They quickly ducked inside the house. O'Rourke held his index finger to his lips and then closed and locked the door. He gestured for the men to follow, and they went down the hall to the kitchen.

Rapp went straight to the back door and pulled back the curtain. After he was satisfied that no one was in the backyard, he sat at the kitchen table. Duke immediately came up and dropped his snout on Rapp's knee. The two had met before, and Duke liked him. O'Rourke asked if they wanted anything to drink. Both men declined. O'Rourke grabbed a beer from the fridge and twisted off the top. He chose to remain standing at the kitchen counter.

«I'm sorry about the e-mail,» started Rapp. «I didn't do it in an effort to blackmail you, I did it so you would take me seriously.»

O'Rourke studied Rapp. «Who do you work for, Mitch?»

«I didn't come here to get into all of that, Michael. I came here to tell you that your secret is safe with me. There is no reason I would tell anybody about your grandfather and Scott.»

O'Rourke looked over at Coleman and shook his head. «Well, I'll tell you what, your secret is safe with me, too. So fill in the blanks for me, and we'll be even.»

«Michael, I'm not going to tell you what I do.