CHAPTER 18
Baghdad HQ
Colonel Dave Knapp stood waiting for me outside his office. “Mr. Phillips, this way,” the colonel said, gesturing with one hand. No smile. No handshake. He was all business.
I faced a gigantic desk while Knapp moved around it to take a battle position in his comfortable desk chair.
He looked at me coolly for a few seconds, then motioned for me to sit.
On a bookshelf behind him stood a huge bust of a bald eagle that peered menacingly at the unfortunate souls forced to sit before the colonel. It was two against one.
Knapp let out an audible breath and began.
“You and your crew saved some of my men.” He was still almost expressionless, but the temperature had warmed up a little.
“Some of your fellow contractors are pretty fucking”—he enunciated the ing for effect—“cavalier around these parts. They run around with complete disregard for the rules and fuck things up more than they help.”
Another pause.
I figured my best course of action was a direct assault. “Sir, I know I have just made your life much more difficult. But no way could I stand by and allow those terrorists to execute American soldiers.”
The colonel’s secure phone rang. He picked it up with a gruff “Knapp.” Still no sign of emotion. He continued to give me the hard stare while delivering monosyllabic answers to his caller. “Roger that, sir. Will do,” he concluded and put the phone down.
“Here’s the deal. You have indeed caused a massive storm of bullshit for me, Mr. Phillips. It will probably mean weeks of paperwork and investigations and all kinds of shit that I will have to deal with personally.”
He let the words sink in, then continued.
“But trust me when I say this: I would rather deal with a shit ton of paperwork than write another letter to another spouse or parent about their dead son or daughter. I can’t lie to you, son: There is going to be a massive investigation.
But if this was a righteous kill and you all were by the book, I can’t see it turning into anything more than a pain in the ass for my staff and yours. ”
Colonel Knapp leaned back in his chair. “That was General Montgomery on the phone,” he explained.
“He and Congressman Jennings want us to escort you to his office in a few minutes. Apparently a legal team from your outfit will be there, along with Army criminal investigators and Army lawyers.” He shook his head as he stood from his chair, blocking me from the eagle’s gaze.
Nothing more needed to be said. I stood and started to move toward the door. But first I felt obligated to express my gratitude. “Sir, thank you for shooting straight with me. I really appreciate your help.”
“No, Mr. Phillips, thank you for everything,” Knapp said with a knowing nod. “You be safe out there.”