Only one person had called me on the cheap phone I had bought in El Centro. “Time’s up, Doctor Mapstone.” “For you,” I said. “You escaped once, you won’t again.” “Did you ever serve in the military? In combat?” “No.” “Then you don’t understand anything. I gave you a chance to serve your country by giving me the list of Scarlett’s clients. I appealed to your patriotism. I appealed to your intellectual side. But, no. You refused to obey my orders. You refused to negotiate.” “I’m really sorry about that.” “If you had served in combat, you would know that a soldier can’t let his rage get the better of him. It can overwhelm discipline and training. Effectiveness. So I have to push you with some clearer incentives. I’ve researched you, Doctor Mapstone. I’m going to kill everyone you love.
