Reno's smile took on a slightly bitter bent, then. "I let the kid down once already," he noted. "We Turks were on orders from our Director to find him before the army could, yo. I think my chopper was the closest, and I still didn't make it on time."

He gave his head a slow shake, trying to buck some of the melancholy while he was at it.

"Ever since he showed up, I've been thinkin' of ways to do it this time. But the risk outweighs the reward. It's friggin' stupid. This place is such a godsdamned tease."