Kathy arrived at the garage apartment shortly after Jack returned with armloads of clothing from a shopping trip to Nordstrom’s in Tysons Corner Mall. She also had a load of groceries. He liked the way Kathy moved, self-assured and confident. Her casual dress hinted at a great figure. Sunlight from the east windows accented the highlights in her blond shoulder-length hair. She had to be around his age. He liked her direct gaze. While Kathy was getting settled in one of the three bedrooms, he heard another knock on the door. Jack opened the door, and Anita Marino walked in carrying two blue canvas suitcases.

Jack thought Kathy had not accurately described her. She was more than pretty with a fantastic body, moving so gracefully it seemed she was floating. Because of her warrior background, Jack half-expected Anita to arrive wearing field boots and khakis. Instead she looked as if she were going to a tea party. For all her military skills she was still quite the lady. Everything about Anita said here is a woman of class and taste. Kathy introduced her to Jack and showed her into the third bedroom. Anita came out and said, “Hey, this place will do! Not exactly what I’d expected for an apartment over a garage. Kathy told me about your father and the fire last night. I’m very sorry. We’ll get whoever killed your father.”

“Thank you. My dad was a warrior. I’m sorry he died before we could get Yuri and his whole damn nest of snakes.”

Before Anita could respond, Jack noticed CNN was covering the fire. McLean was not used to terrorist attacks on its homes. Pictures of Shadow in his recovery crate were shown along with a story about the Bouvier breed and how Shadow had almost died trying to protect his family. Pictures of the burned house were shown and a few details about Peter Brandon, mentioning he was survived by one son, John Daniel Brandon, who was not available for an interview.

Jack swore and bristled at the pictures of Shadow in the hospital and said, “I wonder if these people are crazy enough to try to kill Shadow in the hospital.”

Kathy said, “Let’s hire a fulltime vet or assistant and move Shadow where no one can find him and we can protect him. From what little we know about Yuri and his network, I feel we have to err on the conservative side. This guy is a bad one, and it is now time for some action.”

Kathy noticed Jack had smiled at her and thought, God, that guy has a wonderful smile. Could all those bright white teeth be real? His smile makes my knees weak. Watch yourself, girl.

Anita asked, “Jack, what do you think?”

“I agree with Kathy. This guy Yuri is a professional involved in terrorism. His guys have just killed my father, my good friends, the Nguyens, and shot my dog. I don’t need any more evidence. I want to get this guy and all his people. A time comes in an investigation when it’s clear you have to make something happen. This is the time to get started.

“Here is my plan. It’s open for discussion, so don’t hold back. We need the best thinking we can do. We need to get Yuri on our terms. Kathy, I want you to write a note to Yuri he can’t ignore. We need to lure him to our killing ground. We will shorten the time frame, so Yuri has very little time to react. I want you to deliver the note the day after tomorrow.

“Anita, do you know a place in our general area we can use as a killing ground? It has to be a place that won’t spook Yuri. I think I’ll meet him out in the open with you covering me from a nearby shooting position.”

“Yes. I know of a couple of places. Let me get a map out. I’ll show you as soon as we are done here.”

“We need to get some weapons. Frank gave me the location of a storage lot and a key to one of the units. I’m planning on picking up a couple of silenced sniper rifles, three handguns, and some short-range radio gear. If you need anything else, speak now.”

Both Kathy and Anita told him that was all they needed for now. Jack knew they would have to move all the gear Frank left for them to another place soon, but a few days wouldn’t make a difference.

The place Anita picked was a natural. Jack looked at Anita’s map, agreed it was a good place to start and called for Kathy to join them for a road trip. He decided to use his Cherokee because with its shabby condition and Pennsylvania license plates it was their most expendable car. After Yuri was taken care of, the Cherokee could disappear. Two drive-bys with some images from Kathy’s digital camera and Jack felt they were ready to add details to their plan.

Back at the apartment they sketched out a basic plan. Object to keep it simple. To help Yuri feel at ease, Jack decided to hold the meeting on the lower level of the parking lot. There should not be much activity in the parking lot at 4:00 p.m. The actual meeting site would not be in view of passing motorists focused on the sharp curve at the bottom of the driveway. Jack believed Yuri would park across the road where there is additional parking for people using the recreational park along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Anita said if Jack could drop Kathy and her along the road at a blind curve, they would make their way to a shooting position overlooking the parking lot and be in position at least 45 minutes before Yuri’s arrival.

Jack said, “If both of you are satisfied we have the basics of a plan, I’m going to see Shadow. Please put some meat on the bones of our basic plan. I’ll be back in an hour or so with lunch. Hope you both like Chinese.”

Jack asked the receptionist at the animal hospital if any of Shadow’s doctors were present. The pretty young woman smiled and told him Shadow’s surgeon was just getting ready to leave for the day, but the report on Shadow is he is doing better than expected. If Jack hurried he could catch Dr. Green on the top floor where Shadow was in a private room. He was, after all, a celebrity.

Jack met Dr. Green on the staircase where the doctor told him Shadow is a good patient. There was no infection and all Shadow’s vital signs were good. He was still drugged and sleeping most of the time. Dr. Green took Jack back to see Shadow. He was lying in a large padded crate with the IV and drain tube still in place. Shadow saw Jack and raised his massive head and wagged his docked tail. Jack rubbed his head and talked to him. Jack thanked the doctor for taking such good care of Shadow and then asked when he could move Shadow.

The doctor said, “He could be moved in three or four days if he continues to improve.”

“No, I meant could he be moved to another hospital today?”

“Yes, but why would you do that?”

“Because you put Shadow’s picture and location on TV. The people who killed my father and his Vietnamese friends, shot Shadow and burned the house, do they seem to you to be rational people? Because if they don’t, broadcasting his location after he killed one of them was not the wisest thing to do.”

Dr. Green, looking a little flustered said, “We never thought of that. Do you really believe they could come here looking for Shadow?”

“If I thought the chances were very remote, I wouldn’t be asking about moving him tomorrow. Now, can you recommend another hospital and can you keep his whereabouts to yourself?”

“Yes, Mr. Brandon, I can do that, but you have to realize Shadow is a celebrity, and I don’t think moving him elsewhere is the answer. We have been inundated with requests to see him or provide information about him.”

“Okay, another approach. Can you move him into a more secure place in your hospital and put out the word Shadow is no longer here?”

“We can do that. I’ll see to moving him now and tell all the attendants to tell anyone, no matter their story or reason, Shadow is no longer here. Will that do?”

“Thank you, Dr. Green. I’m sure you know I’ll pay any extra costs involved. Now I have to go. You can reach me on my cell in an emergency. Call me at any time if there is any change for the worse in Shadow. I’ll be here again tomorrow.”