Sitting around the pool in the warm Florida sun and drinking Bass Ale, Bernadette told Terry about the note and phone call.

“God damn those people! Can’t they understand you’re done with them?”

“Terry, these people are terrorists. You cannot reason with them. You either cooperate or you get punished. In my case, punishment will be death.”

“Terry, here is the beginning of a plan. Short term we must find these people and get them arrested and jailed or deported. Failing that, we kill them. They will not understand a warning or threats, and Bernadette doesn’t believe they can be bought off.

“Long-term, you two have to disappear. New location and new name.”

“Hell, I don’t like that. I’ve been Terry O’Brien a long time. I’m proud of my name and record. I can’t or won’t give up my veteran rights and pension, and don’t say you will make it up for it isn’t the money. But we don’t have time now for that debate. I’m in for the short-term plan. Lay it out.”

Peter said, “First of all, you must keep out of sight. They will be looking for you. And when real professionals look they want eyes on the target. That’s you. If you’re not under observation, they won’t go through with the meeting. The next meeting site would be Bernadette’s choice and they might send a painful message.

“They will come to the beach in a car or motorcycle. They don’t know me. I’ll set up where I can see the parking lot. I’ll take a few pictures and follow the person or persons that show up to wherever they go. All Bernadette has to do is listen, act normal, and not give them a definite ‘no.’ Leave open another meeting in the same place if possible. If not, pick a shopping mall that has activity during the time of the meeting.

“Bernadette, wear one of your bikinis with a beach wrap to cover your knife. It’s okay to bring your .45 but leave the gun in your beach bag with all the stuff ladies take to the beach. They might try to follow you after the meeting to see what you do. Run some errands, go shopping, go back to Terry’s and take a nap, anything that seems natural. Don’t come to my place until late afternoon. If there’s trouble, call and come immediately.

“My intent is that your IRA friends never figure out what happened or who is to blame. How’s the plan sound to you?”

Terry said, “Plan sounds good and I won’t ask how you got so good at it. You must have been to a good school.”

“I think it just comes natural to him,” Bernadette said, “Like some people can sing or paint or write poetry or shoot. I haven’t had much coaching in knife throwing but I’m pretty good at it. No school teaches knife throwing 101. What school would teach operational planning?”

“I’m glad you like the plan. Now let’s get into the details.”