In spite of everything, the order startles him him, and he has time to wonder briefly whether or not he's really going to do this, shoot a man in cold blood and not only in front of Tom but at Tom's word--and then the man speaks, and Mike manages to hide the wave of relief that sweeps through him.

He'll wonder about the relief later.

"Today," he says coldly, staring down. "This afternoon, fuckwad. Out in the park, where the assembly was. Start talking."