Chapter 63

           LieutenantColletstoodaloneatthefootofLeighTeabing’sdrivewayandgazedupatthemassivehouse.Isolated.Dark.Goodgroundcover.Colletwatchedhishalf-dozenagentsspreadingsilentlyoutalongthelengthofthefence.Theycouldbeoveritandhavethehousesurroundedinamatterofminutes.LangdoncouldnothavechosenamoreidealspotforCollet’smentomakeasurpriseassault.

           ColletwasabouttocallFachehimselfwhenatlasthisphonerang.

           FachesoundednotnearlyaspleasedwiththedevelopmentsasColletwouldhaveimagined.«Whydidn’tsomeonetellmewehadaleadonLangdon?»

           «Youwereonaphonecalland–«

           «Whereexactlyareyou,LieutenantCollet?»

           Colletgavehimtheaddress.«TheestatebelongstoaBritishnationalnamedTeabing.Langdondroveafairdistancetogethere,andthevehicleisinsidethesecuritygate,withnosignsofforcedentry,sochancesaregoodthatLangdonknowstheoccupant.»

           «I’mcomingout,»Fachesaid.«Don’tmakeamove.I’llhandlethispersonally.»

           Collet’sjawdropped.«ButCaptain,you’retwentyminutesaway!Weshouldactimmediately.Ihavehimstakedout.I’mwitheightmentotal.Fourofushavefieldriflesandtheothershavesidearms.»«Waitforme.»«Captain,whatifLangdonhasahostageinthere?Whatifheseesusanddecidestoleaveonfoot?Weneedtomovenow!Mymenareinpositionandreadytogo.»

           «LieutenantCollet,youwillwaitformetoarrivebeforetakingaction.Thatisanorder.»Fachehungup.

           Stunned,LieutenantColletswitchedoffhisphone.