The Third Option   ::   Flynn Vince

Hackett eyeballed the plane's instruments and checked to make sure the autopilot was functioning properly. As his eyes danced over the dials and digital readouts, he said, «As usual, the Culinary Institute of America is not giving us the full story.» Hackett was not a big fan of the CIA and liked to refer to it by the name of America 's most well-known chefschool.

«And what makes you say that?»

«If this is such an easy op, then why are they sending us? Why not send a couple of their own people out to Colorado, or, better yet, why not call them on the phone and bring them in?»

«I never said it was going to be easy. Stansfield told me something didn't feel right about this one, and that's why he called us.»

«Did he tell you what in the hell these two did to get into hot water?» asked Hackett.

Coleman looked to Stroble first and then to Hackett. «Do you guys remember Iron Man?»

Hackett's eyes opened wide, and Stroble let out a nervous laugh. «How could I ever forget him?» answered the latter. «He's a one-man army.»

«Fuckin' James Bond,» mumbled Hackett.

«Well, the Jansens» – Coleman held up the folder that had been in his lap – «were working with Iron Man on a very delicate operation. Apparently, things didn't go off as planned. The Jansens reported that they had nailed the target, but Iron Man had been lost.»

«What?» asked a disbelieving Stroble.

«The Jansens were on the run and didn't have time to get into details, but they reported that Iron Man is dead.»

Hackett shook his sun-bleached blond head. «Back to my original point. I still don't see why they need us.»

«Because Stansfield has conflicting information about whether or not Iron Man is still with us.»

«I'm not sure I understand,» said Stroble.

«Stansfield couldn't get into it other than to say that he has other sources who say Iron Man is still alive.»

«And,» added Hackett, «this op was run without the official knowledge of the president and the Congress, and that's why they called us.»

«I would assume that's the case.» Hackett, continuing in his pessimistic mood, said, «Well, I just hope we don't bump into Iron Man while we're out in Colorado. People have a habit of dying when he's around.»

Coleman took the file and slapped it across Hackett's chest. «People used to say the same thing about us. Read this, and try to relax. I'm telling you right now, this is not going to be a big deal. We'll move slow and cautious, all right?» Hackett nodded and took the file.