Hearing the dead air, Cavanaugh slowly lowered the phone and deactivated its speaker function. His heart pounded with rage. Gradually, he became aware of Jamie and William staring at him.
"'One last chance to play. Tomorrow night. The usual place'," Jamie said. "He's challenging you to a fight."
"Sounds like it."
"One on one."
"That seems to be the idea."
"Do you know the place he means?" William asked.
Cavanaugh thought for a moment. "Yes, I believe I do."
"Where?"
Cavanaugh didn't answer.
"You're not seriously thinking about accepting the challenge," Jamie wanted to know.
"I hate him so much. Everything he's done to us. You have no idea how much I'd like to."
"But," Jamie said, "you won't."
"You heard him. He's giving me a chance at him. If I don't take it, his target will be you."
"Not if you phone Mosely and Rutherford and tell them about this," William said. "It'll go a long way toward getting the FBI on your side again. They'll order the place-wherever it is-surrounded. A SWAT team will take care of this."
"But what if they can't. The place I think Carl means, there are too many ways for him to see if I betrayed him and brought help. Too many ways to escape. I'm willing to bet my life, but not Jamie's."
"Don't I have something to say about that? What if he wins?"
"Then he'll leave you alone. But he isn't going to win."
"Did he ever win before?"
"When we were kids."
"Well, you're not kids any longer! If the FBI doesn't get him, we'll deal with the consequences together. But I won't let you use me as an excuse to satisfy your hate and possibly get yourself killed."
Cavanaugh studied her.
"William," he finally said. "I assume it's easier for you to negotiate in person than on the phone."
"That's correct."
"Then arrange a meeting with Mosely and John as soon as possible." Cavanaugh picked up the phone and made a call of his own. When a voice answered, he said, "Get the Gulfstream ready to fly in an hour… Selling it? Not just yet."