Free Return of the Assassin (Assassin Series 3) by Russell Blake

laboratory in existence outside of the one that created it that can halt the process. It’s foolproof, and I think it readily explains why it is in your best interests to be successful. The transaction is a simple one. You need to bring the girl back to us so you can go on living.”
    El Rey considered the ultimatum. “If you want my cooperation, you will not incarcerate me again after this.”
    “Unacceptable.”
    “Then there’s nothing to discuss. I have no fear of dying.”
    Hector didn’t argue. He merely stood, fished a cell phone from his breast pocket and depressed a speed dial button. A few moments later he had a whispered discussion and then terminated the call.
    “We can’t have you going back on the street and carrying on your career as a hit man. That’s not negotiable,” Hector stated flatly.
    “Fine. I have no interest in returning to the game. But that brings up an interesting point. I will require a full presidential pardon for all past crimes, without exception.” He studied Hector’s face. “And how do I know that you will allow me to live?”
    “I can check on the pardon. Give me a few minutes. As to how you know you’ll live…some things will be based on trust. There’s no other way to structure a guarantee. But the government is not in the habit of executing people for doing it a fav–”
    “Find out about the pardon,” El Rey snapped.
     
    Hector made another call and then excused himself and left the room. Five minutes later he returned, followed by another man in slacks and a dress shirt, the top button open and the red silk tie pulled loose.
    The president sat down across from El Rey .
    El Rey returned his gaze.
    The president cleared his throat. “You tried to kill me. Several very brave men died at your hands that day. And you want me to pardon you?”
    “Correct. A full pardon. Which won’t really matter if I’m unsuccessful, because from what I’ve been told, I either have to succeed or I’ll die. Obviously, I’d like to plan for a successful outcome, and I don’t want to be hunted for the rest of my life if by some miracle I pull it off,” El Rey explained in a quiet voice.
    “Do you think you can do it?” the president asked.
    “Sounds like I have no choice. But I will say that I have access to significantly different sources than you do, as well as different techniques I can employ. So if it can be done, I can do it. Although my specialty isn’t rescuing people, as you know. Still. If that’s what it takes, maybe I can quickly develop a liking for it…”
    “She’s my only daughter.”
    “I understand. And this is my only life. They told me about the injection.” El Rey held the president’s eyes.
    “We need a guarantee that you will return. That’s what they came up with.”
    “And you gave the order.”
    “Yes. I’m out of options.” The president looked away.
    “So now we are not so different after all, are we? Neither of us has a choice, and we both will do what we must in order to prevail.” El Rey paused. “The pardon is my condition. If you’re unwilling to give it, I’m as good as dead anyway. There is no way I’ll survive indefinitely with Aranas’ gang gunning for me in prison. Which all presumes I can save your daughter and get her back here alive. Otherwise I won’t need a pardon. I’ll need a body bag.”
    The president stood, the meeting at an end. He had made his decision. “You’ll get your pardon.”
    “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see it before I go on this…assignment.”
    “You’ll have it within an hour. Do you need anything else?”
    “Just your word that if I succeed, you won’t let them allow me to die.” El Rey fixed him with a cold stare.
    The president rubbed one hand through his hair, clearly fatigued. “You have my word they won’t let you die. Now can we get on with this? Every minute counts,” the president said, opening the door.
    “I’ll need some items. A plane. A car. Some weapons.