Free Total Control by David Baldacci

closing.
    The only light came from a daple of overhead light that were in need of cleaning. A set of stairs was at one end of the vast space. The men motioned for Jason to follow them. Jason looked around and felt an uneasiness start to wash over him. With an effort he brushed aside the feeling, took a deep breath and walked toward the stairs.
    Up the stairs, they entered a narrow doorway to a small, windowless room. The driver waited outside. DePazza hit the light switch. Jason looked around. The furnishings consisted of one cam table, a couple of chairs and a battered file cabinet with holes rusted through.
    Completely unknown to Jason, a surveillance camera, activated as soon as the light in the small room had been turned on, looked out from one of the file cabinet's rusty apertures, silently recording the even rs.
    DePazza sat down in one of the chairs and motioned for Jason to do likewise. "Shouldn't be long now," DePazza said in a friendly tone. He flipped out a cigarette and offered another to Jason, who shook his head. "Just remember, Jason, don't do any talking. They only want what's in that briefcase. No need to complicate matters.
    Okay?"
    Jason nodded.
    Before DePazza could light the menthol, there were three quick knocks on the door. Jason stood up, as did DePazza, who quickly put the cigarette away and opened the door. In the doorway stood a man, small in stature, his hair solid gray, his skin tanned and heavily wrinkled. Behind him were two men, dressed in cheap suits and wearing sunglasses despite the dim light. They both appeared to be in their late thirties.
    The older man looked at DePazza, who in turn pointed to Jason.
    The man looked at him with penetrating blue eyes. Jason suddenly realized he was drenched with perspiration, although the entire warehouse was unheated and the temperature must have been close to forty degrees.
    Jason glanced at DePazza, who slowly nodded. Jason quickly handed over the leather briefcase. The man looked inside the bag, briefly perusing its contents, taking a minute to scrutinize one piece of paper in particular. The two others did likewise; smiles sprouted on their lips. The older man smiled broadly and then replaced the page, closed the briefcase and handed it to one of his men. The other one handed him a silver metal case, which he held briefly and then handed over to Jason. The case was secured by an electronic lock.
    The sudden roar of the airplane overhead made them all jerk their heads upward. It seemed to be landing on the building. In a few moments it had passed by and the silence returned.
    The elderly man smiled, turned, and the door quietly closed behind all three.
    Jason slowly let out his breath.
    They waited for a minute in silence and then DePazza opened the door and motioned for Jason to walk out. DePazza and the driver followed. The lights were turned out. The surveillance camera instantly shut off as the darkness returned.
    Jason climbed back into the limo, holding tightly to the silver case. It was fairly heavy. He turned to DePazza.
    "I didn't expect it to go exactly like that."
    DePazza shrugged. "However you count it, though, it was a success."
    "Yeah, but why couldn't I say anything?"
    DePazza stared at him, faintly annoyed. "What would you have said, Jason?"
    Jason finally shrugged.
    "If I were you, I'd focus my attention on the contents of that." De-Pazza pointed at the briefcase.
    Jason tried to open it but without success. He raised his eyebrows at his companion.
    "When you get to where you'll be staying, you can open it. I'll tell you the code when we get there. Follow the instructions inside."
    He added, "You won't be disappointed."
    "But why Seattle?"
    "It's doubtful you'd run into anyone you know here. Correct?"
    DePazza's calm eyes rested on Jason's face.
    "And you won't need me anymore. You're sure?"
    DePazza almost smiled. "As sure as I've ever been about anything."
    He shook Jason's hand.
    DePazza leaned back in his seat. Jason put his seat