Monday midday: Montana State Prison

“You are correct, Rainhorse,” Andrews replied. “Barnabas has brokered a deal with a third-party dissident to bring in a nuclear weapon into the US. We do not know how he acquired it or how he plans getting it into the country.”

“Or what he intends to do with it,” Burk added.

“There is only one reason to smuggle a bomb into the US,” Rainhorse said.

“Only one we can think of,” he acknowledged. “We have to stop him, and soon before he sets it off on US soil.”

Rose gasped. She looked at Rainhorse for a similar reaction. He sat there, receiving the news as if someone had just told him there was a fly on his shoulder.

Rose did her best to recover from Rainhorse’s non-reaction, “And you want my client to help you prevent a nuclear explosion on US soil at perhaps the cost of his own life, and we sit here squabbling over a few years in prison.”

“I know how it sounds,” Andrews said, “but there is another factor in play.”

“What other factor?” Rose demanded to know.

“It involves Homeland Security,” Burk said.

Rose let out an audible breath of exasperation, “You realize that my client worked for Barnabas Quince for nearly twenty years. No one knows the way this man thinks like my client...”

“We know, Ms. Red Feather, but...” Burk began.

“But what?”

“But, there are people within Homeland Security who distrust Mr. Rainhorse.  He worked hand in hand with Barnabas for many years. It worries them...”

“That’s ridiculous,” Rose said. “Rainhorse turned against his old boss. Barnabas almost killed him.”

“We understand that, but several years have gone by and they are both alive,” Burk said. “Barnabas Quince is not the type to forgive and forget. That he has not found and killed Rainhorse yet is...”

“Is a testament to the strength and skill of my client,” Rose finished.

“Still...”

“And...” Rose continued, “My client spent his entire career finding and eliminating criminals who went to great expense to avoid the authorities. He would be an asset to you like no other.”

“We know this, too...” Burk replied. “And yet, here we are.”

“They think I would somehow re-align with Barnabas?” Rainhorse asked.

Andrews fell silent, looking at Burk, then sighed and nodded, “Yeah. FBI Director Rice met with the Director of Homeland Security and the President. The President signed off over the strong objections of the DHS. There was a compromise—this offer, which is non-negotiable.”

“So, what you are saying,” Rose interjected, “is that you’ve wasted everyone’s time by coming to us with an offer you knew he’d turn down.”

“That’s not true,” Andrews said. “I very much want him to do this.”

“I’ve heard enough,” Rainhorse said.

“You mean you’ll do it?” Burk asked.

“No, I mean I have a counteroffer,” the big Cheyenne fired back.

“We told you, this was non-negotiable,” Burk said.

“Everything is negotiable,” Rainhorse said.

“What do you want?” Andrews asked.

“Andrews, that’s enough!” Burk snapped. “Mr. Rainhorse, we are not taking a counter offer back to our superiors when they have told us...”

“Fine,” Rainhorse interrupted in a booming voice, showing his first sign of any emotion. “You tell your bosses you proudly held the line here today. Later, when that bomb goes off in DC, New York, Chicago or someplace else, Ms. Red Feather will call the media and let them know this could have prevented but the FBI failed to listen to a very reasonable counteroffer.”

Burk paused, “How reasonable.”

“Very reasonable.”

“Mr. Rainhorse,” Rose interjected. “Perhaps you and I should confer first to discuss...”

“Relax, Rose,” Rainhorse said. “I’ve got this. Ms. Burk, would you like to hear my counter?”

She leaned forward, elbows on the table, fingers interlaced, thumbs touching her lips, “Please...”

Rainhorse looked at both Andrews and Burk before beginning, “You know of the seriousness of your situation, and you know there is an accelerated timeline, good for you,” he began.

“But?” Andrews said.

Rainhorse cracked a thin smile, “But... from what you have told me you are unaware of just how accelerated this timeline is, and you are also unaware you must target two people, not just Barnabas.”

“Say again?” Andrews questioned. “What do you mean... two people?”

“His second in command,” Rainhorse said. “Even if you somehow got to Barnabas in time, which you won’t, his top lieutenant is prepared and capable of completing his mission.”

“Who is the second person?” Burk asked.

“Now, that is a superb question, and if you agree to my counter offer, I will not only deliver Barnabas to you, but the second man.”

“This is bullshit!” Burk said. “There is no second man.”

“Hold on, Burk,” Andrews said. “It's puzzled us how Barnabas pulled off the things he did. Our analysts have speculated about the possibility of a second in command, but the idea never gained traction.”

“That’s because Barnabas keeps his second in the shadows. He’s low key that way,” Rainhorse said. “Make no mistake though, if you want to thwart this threat, you need to get them both, not just one.”

“We still haven’t heard your offer,” Burk noted.

“Good point, Ms. Burk,” Rainhorse said. “My offer is this. I will find and deliver both Barnabas and his second in command within forty-eight hours of my release.”

“Forty-eight hours? Bullshit!” Burk barked, chuckling. She looked at Andrews. He was not laughing.

“Let him finish, Burk,” Andrews said.

“You don’t believe...” Burk began.

“Hear me out,” Rainhorse interrupted. “I will cooperate with the FBI. You can guard me twenty-four, seven. You can have as many men watching over me as you want. I’ll wear one of your ankle bracelets, whatever it takes.  I need out of prison... now. Time is of the essence.”

“And in exchange?” Burk asked.

“I walk for good,” he said. “No lengthy paperwork processing. No waiting for any of your red tape bullshit. I deliver Barnabas and his lieutenant and I walk with a full pardon signed by the President of the United States.”

Burks chuckled again, “You are living in a fantasy world, Cheyenne,” she cackled.

Andrews leaned over the table for the first time, “What if you don’t deliver within forty-eight hours?”

Rainhorse shrugged, “Then I will return to prison and serve out the full term of my sentence.”

“Hey!” Rose belted out. “We need to discuss this.  You’d still be putting your life on the line. You deserve compensation for that.”

Rainhorse ignored her. Burk was no longer smiling.  Andrews looked into his eyes as if trying to determine whether or not the big Cheyenne was full of shit. 

Burk stood. “I’ll make the call,” she said.

“Two more things,” Rainhorse said. “Actually... there are three.”

Burk sighed and rolled her eyes, “What are they?”

“One, when I leave here, there will be no cuffs, no restraints of any kind,” he said. “You will not have to give me a gun but you will not tie me down like an animal outside this prison.”

“And two,” she asked.

“The deal is off the table at five o’clock today,” he said. “If I am not out of this prison by one minute after five, you are on your own.”

“Why by five?” Burk asked.

“Because every minute counts,” Rainhorse replied, plainly.

Burk looked at her watch, “That’s two hours from now. I can’t work miracles, Rainhorse.”

“I think you can,” he replied. “This is for your benefit. I cannot stress how important it is for us to start today.”

Burk shook her head, “It can’t be done.”

“And three,” Rainhorse continued as though Burk hadn’t said a thing. “I want dinner tonight at the Burger Dive. I’ve been craving a great burger for months.”

“You said every minute counts,” Andrews objected.

“They have a drive through,” Rainhorse countered.

Andrews stood, “We’ll get back to you.”