A perfect meeting place. The mall was staying open late for last-minute Christmas shoppers. Luca had taken advantage of that, arriving early and picking up a bracelet for Maria. He’d wait until after the holidays to dump her—no sense in spending New Year’s Eve alone. He wondered why Lister had insisted on a face to face tonight. He guessed it wouldn’t be a happy meeting. When he opened the SUV’s door and saw the expression on his old CO’s fleshy face, he was sure of it. “Cold out there,” Luca said as he slipped into the passenger seat and slammed the door. “Cold everywhere,” Lister said. He sounded tired. Not a good start. Better cut to the chase. “What’s the word on the plan? How many men they giving us?” Lister shook his head. “None.” Luca felt as if he’d been slapped. “None? How are we going to—?”
