Free Critical Error by Murray McDonald Page A

the cabin, two of the remains are adults but the third was an infant and from the comparisons, it looks as though it was just a baby.”
    The room went silent as all four computed the information. Taking out a trained operative or even an innocent adult was one thing but a baby was not something even these four would take lightly.
    “Oh and a dog,” added Preston. “They found the remains of a dog.”
    “And they’re definitely all dead?” asked Gates, a distinct tremble in his voice giving away his feelings.
    “I’m afraid so. The satellite can detect a heartbeat and all seven bodies are definitely deceased.”
    “So it would appear we’ve killed his partner, wife or whatever, his child and his dog. And to his credit, he has already dealt with the imbeciles we sent to deal with him and him alone.” Russell’s voice rose with every word. He turned to Johnson.
    “We agreed to take out the brother because you said it would solve a bigger problem in the long term.”
    Johnson opened his mouth to interrupt Russell but a deadly look from Russell made it clear that would not be a good move.
    “So far, going after the brother has resulted in two innocent deaths and the failure of the assassination of Charles Baker. It has been a total and complete disaster. Explain to me again why I listened to you?”
    Johnson composed himself before he replied, Russell was not a man known for his patience. Whatever Johnson was about to say would potentially be the difference between him remaining in post or having to spend the next week looking over his back and around every corner, wondering how they were going to kill him. He had fucked up but he still believed taking Sam out was imperative; four highly trained killers were testament to that.
    “Because you have to trust me when I say you want Sam Baker dead.”
    “And why would that be?” asked Russell.
    “Because if he were alive, he would not rest until he found his brother’s killers and eliminated each and every person involved. Including the four of us in here.”
    “I am the Vice President of the United States of America and soon to be the President. We are talking about one man here. Get a grip Allan. What’s the big deal?”
    “Because if I wanted to assassinate the President of the United States, he’d be the one man I’d turn to, to get the job done.”
    The words hung in the air as each of the men digested exactly how highly the Director of the CIA regarded Sam Baker.
    A rather less indignant Russell eventually spoke.
    “So why the hell didn’t you send a better team to deal with him, four amateurs to kill an assassin, are you mad?”
    “Of course not, I sent four ex-Special forces killers. They weren’t amateurs, anything but. That’s exactly why we needed to take him out!”
    Before Russell could respond, his phone rang.
    “Russell,” he announced as he answered the phone.
    Gates, Johnson and Preston sat and watched as Russell’s demeanor instantly changed to that of a chastised child. After what seemed a lifetime, Russell spoke.
    “Yes, Sir,” he replied and replaced the handset.
    Visibly shaken, he turned to his audience. “Guys, I cannot emphasize enough how imperative it is that we find and eliminate the Bakers.”
    All were interrupted by a knock at the door as Russell’s assistant entered the room.
    “Sir, sorry to interrupt but I have the President holding on line 2. I just realized you had finished the other call.”
    All three attendees looked at each other in shock, the question clear in each other’s faces. The VP had just called someone ‘Sir’. They had all assumed he had been talking to the President, the only person the Vice President was ever likely to call ‘Sir’. Who in the hell was pulling the strings and who were they working for?

Chapter 16
     
     
    “Taxi!” shouted Senator Charles Baker for the first time in many years. Agent Clark did what she did best. She watched and surveyed everything and every person in