Mitchell raised his hand toward his sidearm.
“Stop right there.”
Pierce looked at the woman and child.
Then back at Mitchell.
“You're making a mistake.”
Mitchell's voice hardened.
“Step away from the civilians.”
Pierce sighed.
“You don't understand what's happening.”
“I understand that you're listed as deceased.”
The smile disappeared.
Pierce slowly reached inside his uniform jacket.
Mitchell drew his weapon.
“DON'T MOVE!”
Pierce stopped.
For a few seconds, the two men stared at each other.
Then Pierce removed a small black credential.
He held it between two fingers.
“Take a closer look, Lieutenant.”
Mitchell didn't lower his weapon.
“Put it on the floor.”
Pierce smiled again.
“You really think Colonel Hayes is the highest authority involved in this operation?”
Mitchell's expression changed.
Pierce took one step backward.
“You should ask her who signed the original authorization.”
Then the lights went out.
A loud metallic crash echoed through the hallway.
The little girl screamed.
Mitchell turned toward the civilians.
And when the emergency lights came on, Colonel Andrew Pierce was gone.
On the floor where he had been standing lay a small black identification card.
Mitchell picked it up.
There was no photograph.
No rank.
No name.
Only one line printed in silver letters:
OPERATION IRON VEIL — AUTHORITY LEVEL ZERO.
Mitchell stared at it.
Then he reached for his radio.
“Colonel Hayes…”
His voice was unsteady.
“We have a much bigger problem than Sergeant Walker.”
End of Chapter 3.