They took turns sleeping. Joe and Lawrence went first, laying head to toe on the double bed. It was the first comfortable sleep either man had in a week.

While they slept, Al and Harvey were packing up the surveillance room. Al had gone more than seven hours without lapsing into his other self—a change that Harvey thoroughly enjoyed. They worked into the early morning backing up the files, separating the wheat from the chaff. Then they heard the bump.

“What the hell was that!” cried Harvey.

“I don’t know, let me pull it up on the screen.” Al switched on the security monitor. On screen, five men in combat gear and one man decked out in a security uniform replete with do-rag stood outside the vault door.

“Shit! We’re screwed!”

“It certainly doesn’t look like our cavalry.”

“That’s Tanzer!”

“Your other boss?”

“Yep. If he knows I’m here, we are beyond boned!”

“Relax, there’s no way they can possibly get past that door. We’ll be fine as long as we sit tight. I’ll call Muggs. He’ll know what’s up.”

Picking up the phone, Al waited patiently on the line as he continued to watch the men on screen. They were placing some kind of adhesive explosive around the edges of the door. “Like that’s going to work, boys.” Al chuckled, but Harvey wasn’t convinced. “Relax, that door can take more than a bomb blast.”

The phone rang and rang, finally forwarding to Muggs’ mobile. After fifteen rings, he finally picked up. “Muggs. Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Mose, we’ve got a problem.”

“A.J.? What’s going on?”

“Do you want to tell me how six heavily armed men got into the sally port?”

“Jesus! What are we going to do?”

“Gee. I don’t know. That’s why I’m calling!”

“OK, I’m going to call Shriver. Sit tight.”

Muggs hung up. Al looked up saw Harvey’s worried gaze boring back into his.

“Relax, Harvey.” Al pleaded with his hands. “Mose is calling Shriver.”

Harvey wasn’t paying attention anymore—he was watching the explosion on the monitor. The signal went to static, and there was a dull pop that rumbled through the door. Harvey gritted his teeth and braced himself for the coming onslaught. When none came, the Al’s laughter brought him back to reality.

“Well, we lost video, but we’re still here aren’t we?”

Harvey nodded.

After several minutes of silence, Al commented “I told you: this place is tighter than Fort Knox. We can withstand a month long siege here.”

“And what happens after a month?”

Suddenly the phone rang; Al snatched it off the cradle. “Muggsy! You better have good news.”

“This is Assistant Director Shriver.”

“Oh, hello Director. When can you get us out of here?”

“You are hereby ordered to cease operations.”

“We have, sir. Awaiting pickup. Soon would be nice, as at the moment we are under attack!”

“There’s nothing the Bureau can do about it, Agent. I’m sorry. Our little operation is being disavowed as of now.”

“Pardon my French, sir, but what the fuck are you talking about?”

“Given the nature of this call, I’ll let that slide, A.J. This order comes from God on High. The President called me earlier tonight and told us to back off.”

“I’m afraid don’t understand, sir.”

“You don’t have to, Agent. That’s just how it is.”

“What about the evidence? Doesn’t that count for anything? What are we supposed to do?”

“Can you hold position?”

“I think so.”

“Then do it. When the opportunity comes, get the hell out of there and lie low. In the meantime, stay put—and for God’s sake don’t talk to anyone!”

“So it’s like that, is it?”

"I’m afraid so. You knew the risks when you undertook the assignment. I’m sorry, but that’s how it has to be played.”

“Well, thanks for nothing, ass wipe!” Al slammed the receiver down hard. “Christ almighty,” he groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Sergeant?” Harvey nodded worriedly. “We’re in it for the long haul here. Check our provisions and make me a list. It looks like we’re going to have to outlast the siege after all.”