Free Hostage Taker by Stefanie Pintoff Page B

was dimly aware of his cellphone—ringing—as it clattered to the street.
    Someone clipped his jaw with a powerful right.
    Haddox lost his balance, fell into a second guy. Started scrabbling at the thug’s shoulder. No way was he going down without a decent fight.
    Suddenly a large, fleshy hand was on his shoulder. Spinning him around. “What’s this?” Jimmy Malone thrust Haddox’s own phone into his face. Raindrops streaked its screen.
    There was a missed call. His caller ID said it all:
Eve Rossi—FBI.
    “You a Bureau informer? Is that why you’ve been after me?” Jimmy doubled him over with a savage punch to his gut.
    Haddox coughed and spat into cement. Jimmy had it wrong, but Haddox didn’t think it would help the situation much to admit he was working for Billy McCourt. Jimmy’s nemesis.
    “You want us to get rid of him?” Haddox heard one of the thugs ask. He felt arms keeping him still while the others landed enthusiastic blows. He lurched toward a storm sewer; it was clogged with dead leaves, overflowing with water.
    “Not yet. Let’s see what he’s got on us first.” Jimmy delivered another bone-and-flesh-crunching blow. “And I thought you were just a dumbass liar for hire.” He swiped the rain from his brow. “Take him to the warehouse,” he ordered.
    Haddox couldn’t move. He could barely think. But he could recognize an opportunity when he saw it.
    “Call the lady back,” he managed to choke. “Tell her you made me. She just might make a deal you’d be interested in.”

VIDOCQ FILE #Z77271
Current status: NEWEST RECRUIT
Corey Haddox
    Age: 39
    Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian/Irish
    Height: 6’1”
    Weight: 178 lbs.
    Eyes: Blue
    Hair: Brown
    Prominent features: cleft chin
    Current Address: Unknown.
    Criminal Record: Convicted under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of multiple counts of computer hacking, bank record pretexting, and identity theft. Sentence: twenty-five years.
    Related: Though never charged, Haddox was suspected of killing his brother-in-law—a habitual drunk, wife-abuser, and leader of the splinter paramilitary Real IRA (RIRA). In retaliation, the RIRA has issued a death warrant for Haddox in Ireland.
    Expertise: A rare talent in the world of computer hackers. Combines personal charisma with cyber-genius to become the ultimate skip tracer and con artist.
    Education: Trinity College, Dublin, B.Sc. (honors), Information Systems.
    Personal
    Family: Father, Duncan (in Dublin nursing home with multiple ailments), and sister, Mary. Mother, Emily, deceased.
    Spouse/Significant Other: None. Commitment issues.
    Religion: Catholic, lapsed.
    Interests: When not immersed in the cyber-world, plays guitar with whatever Celtic blues band he can find.
    Profile
    Strengths: Motivated by the need to expose hidden secrets and codes—the more complex, the better. Follows the thrill of the chase, which takes him job to job and place to place.
    Weaknesses: Unpredictable. He resists being pinned down to anyone or anything. Deep-seated fear of flying.
    Notes: Haddox is extremely comfortable in his own skin and extraordinarily perceptive. He cannot be motivated through traditional means. He’ll be more likely to stay in the game if he’s kept off-balance. He exhibits compassion for women in need, but will easily find any effort to play the “damsel in distress” transparent.
*Assessment prepared by SA Eve Rossi. Updated by ADIC Henry Ma. For internal use only.

Chapter 13
    “L et’s see if I understand.” Henry scowled at Eve. “Getting your team back together has just cost me fifteen grand?”
    “Not including the private helicopter from Boston. Or—”
    He cut her off. “I don’t want to know. When do they get here?”
    “I expect Eli and Mace within the hour. Once Haddox reaches the heliport, it’s a seventy-five-minute trip.”
    “Just get the job done. Assuming you can.”
    “Always appreciate the vote of confidence.”
    Henry’s rigid smile contained an understanding that chilled