49

CALL IN REINFORCEMENTS?” August asked Howell. They sat in the van, half a block from the address provided by the Chinese student. It was a gray block of industrial space. Multiple buildings, but the complex looked mostly deserted. Two vehicles parked in front of one door at the end. The rest of the parking lot space was empty.

“You’re rather timid,” Howell said. “Surprises me.”

“One man’s caution,” August said. “I don’t want my friend dead when he’s more valuable to us alive.”

“I like the idea of moving now. No witnesses around,” Van Vleck said.

“I want this kept quiet. I don’t want to attract the attention of the Dutch authorities. What do we have in the van?” Howell asked.

“Four assault rifles, bulletproof vests, infrared goggles.” August looked at him with a scowl. “There’s only the three of us.”

“I can count, Agent Holdwine.”

“I think, respectfully, we should call in backup.” August glanced at Van Vleck. “Capra is trained. We don’t know about the other guy. We should go in with overwhelming force.”

“Two vehicles here. One van, that brought Capra and his contact. The other car’s small. There’s not an army inside.” Howell smiled. “Let’s go, gentleman. I am tired of Sam Capra being a problem for us.”

Van Vleck and August started putting on the bulletproof gear.

“Get that young man to his feet,” Howell said, gesturing at the Chinese hacker. “We’ll use him.”