Disavowed Read Online Free Page A

you a question, Major.” The man’s voice sounded cultured, unlike the men who’d guarded him since his capture.
    “I’m in Afghanistan on a humanitarian mission with White Dove International.” It was his official cover and he’d actually gone through the steps of being hired by the non-profit as a sort of ambassador for the region. His job with White Dove was to find Afghan communities in need of assistance and organize the shipment and distribution of aid. It gave him the ability to travel wherever and whenever he needed.
    “And please tell me, Major, does White Dove International know that you also work for the Central Intelligence Agency?” The man had switched to near flawless English, his accent faint.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I am a former Marine who…”
    “According to my sources you are an anomaly, Major. Still listed as an active duty Marine Corps officer, you have apparently done work for the CIA for close to six months. Is this not true?”
    “It is not.”
    “It would be better if we could be honest with each other, Major. There are some in my country who would like to see you drawn and quartered on national television. Is that what you want?”
    “Call White Dove. Ask them who I am. They’ll tell you…”
    The man snapped his fingers and the sound produced an immediate result. The butt of a rifle slammed into Andy’s abdomen, blasting the air from his lungs. He resisted the urge to kneel, waiting for his body to naturally regain its ability to breath.
    “Despite what you might think, we Afghans are a civilized culture. Our people established this community centuries before your country was even a wisp of a thought. There have been many nations which have come and gone in that time. You Americans are only the most recent. I am sure that because of your Marine background you are well aware of our history, our ability to outlast even the most brutal invaders. Let us bring that same concept into our current situation. I am a patient man, Major, but my patience has limits. You either cooperate with us now, or your entire operation will become public knowledge.”
    Andy’s stomach clenched. There was no way they knew…unless someone within the CIA had tipped them off.
    The man continued. “So while I applaud your noble intentions and understand that you will fight us until the last breath escapes your lips, I am equally sure that you have no idea what the repercussions would be should you continue your mission.”
    Andy had no idea what the man was talking about. He’d flown into Helmand on a hunch, a simple investigative trip. What swarm of hornets had he uncovered?
    “I will leave you with one final thought, Major, a gift really. What you might not know is that steps have already been taken by your country to distance itself from you.”
    “What are you talking about?” The last he’d heard he was in perfect standing with the CIA. Hell, he was still the new guy. No one knew him.
    The man chuckled. “Have you ever heard the term disavowed , Major?”
    Andy’s throat seized.
    “I had to look the word up. According to your English dictionary, the term disavowed means to refuse responsibility for something or someone, or to deny its existence. That is what your CIA has done to you, Major. To them you no longer exist. You are a figment of your own imagination. A ghost. A traitor.”
    Andy shook his head. It couldn’t be. Nothing he’d done could be construed that way. He was a Marine for God’s sake. Maybe this man was lying. Maybe he…
    All of a sudden the nagging recognition that had been tapping away in his subconscious coalesced into clarity. He knew who the man was.
    “I will give you the day to think about it, Major. Cooperate with us and your death will be swift. A warrior’s death. Deny my request and…well, we Afghanis do have creative ways of seeing men suffer. The media will love the story of a Marine on loan to the CIA conducting an unsanctioned