American Assassin
Chapter 64
by Flynn, VinceThe chapter follows Mitch Rapp as he arrives at a safe house after a taxing journey. Exhausted and vigilant, he meticulously checks the surroundings before entering, adhering to his training despite his fatigue. Rapp finds the apartment building nondescript and secures his position, discovering a suitcase with weapons identical to one from a previous mission. After loading a Beretta, he collapses into bed, pondering the anonymous supplier of his gear but resigning himself to the secrecy ingrained by his mentor, Hurley. His exhaustion overwhelms him, though he anticipates Hurley and Richards’ imminent arrival.
Meanwhile, Hurley endures a brutal interrogation after being captured by corrupt police. He name-drops Levon Petrosian to halt the beating, but the officers remain hostile, cuffing and hooding him. Hurley resists their threats, taunting them with his connections and mocking their authority. A physical altercation ensues, culminating in him being forced into a car trunk. The chapter highlights Hurley’s defiance and dark humor even as he faces escalating abuse, revealing his hardened demeanor under pressure.
Hurley is transported to a second location, stripped naked, and thrown into another trunk, where he nearly succumbs to carbon monoxide poisoning. Surviving the ordeal, he is dragged into a foul-smelling basement, his head covered by a repulsive burlap bag. The stench of fear and filth overwhelms him, but he remains mentally sharp, analyzing his surroundings and clinging to the hope that Richards escaped. The chapter underscores Hurley’s resilience and the psychological warfare employed by his captors.
The parallel narratives of Rapp and Hurley emphasize the physical and mental toll of their covert operations. Rapp’s disciplined exhaustion contrasts with Hurley’s combative struggle, yet both characters demonstrate the relentless demands of their profession. The chapter builds tension through their respective ordeals, foreshadowing further conflict and underscoring the themes of endurance, secrecy, and the brutal realities of their world. The abrupt ending leaves Hurley’s fate uncertain, heightening the suspense for the next chapter.
FAQs
1. What precautions does Rapp take when approaching the safe house, and why are these measures important for his safety?
Answer:
Rapp follows strict surveillance protocols when approaching the safe house, including a preliminary drive-by without obvious scrutiny, circling the block to check surrounding areas, and entering through the back as instructed. These measures are crucial for operational security—they help identify potential surveillance or ambushes before committing to entry. Despite his exhaustion, Rapp adheres to these procedures because, as emphasized in his training, such precautions can mean the difference between life and death in hostile environments. His actions demonstrate the discipline required for field operatives, where complacency can be fatal.2. How does the author contrast Rapp’s and Hurley’s situations in this chapter, and what does this reveal about their characters?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes Rapp’s methodical, if weary, adherence to protocol with Hurley’s chaotic, violent captivity. Rapp maintains control despite fatigue, prioritizing safety checks and weapon preparation. In contrast, Hurley, captured and brutalized, relies on defiance and dark humor to cope, even taunting his captors. This highlights Rapp’s disciplined professionalism and Hurley’s gritty resilience. Hurley’s refusal to submit, even when outmatched, underscores his hardened demeanor, while Rapp’s exhaustion-yet-precision illustrates his training’s effectiveness. Both portrayals emphasize the psychological and physical demands of their roles.3. Analyze the significance of the “tools of the trade” suitcase in this chapter. What does its recurrence suggest about Rapp’s operations?
Answer:
The reappearance of the suitcase—containing Berettas, silencers, and magazines—mirrors the one from Istanbul, signaling a standardized resupply system for operatives. This detail implies a well-organized support network, where anonymous handlers equip agents uniformly across locations. Rapp’s curiosity about the unseen supplier reflects the compartmentalized nature of his work: operatives receive what they need without unnecessary exposure to broader logistics. The suitcase symbolizes the impersonal yet efficient machinery of espionage, where trust is placed in systems rather than individuals.4. How does Hurley’s interaction with his captors demonstrate his situational awareness and tactical thinking, despite his dire circumstances?
Answer:
Hurley leverages his knowledge of local power dynamics (name-dropping Petrosian) to momentarily halt his beating, showing quick thinking under duress. His taunts—like accusing the officers of corruption—are calculated to unsettle them, while his physical counterattack (headbutting) disrupts their control. Even when overpowered, he assesses risks (e.g., preferring carbon monoxide poisoning to torture) and clings to hope that Richards escaped. These actions reveal Hurley’s ability to read adversaries and exploit weaknesses, even when outmatched, blending psychological warfare with raw survival instincts.5. What thematic role does exhaustion play in this chapter, and how does it affect the protagonists’ decision-making?
Answer:
Exhaustion humanizes both Rapp and Hurley, testing their limits. Rapp’s fatigue nearly causes him to forget protocol (e.g., entering via the front), but muscle memory from training prevails. Hurley’s weariness is compounded by pain, yet he channels it into dark humor and aggression. The theme underscores the physical toll of their work: Rapp’s discipline falters but holds, while Hurley’s exhaustion amplifies his defiance. Both portrayals stress that operational effectiveness hinges on managing extreme stress, whether through training (Rapp) or sheer willpower (Hurley).
Quotes
1. “Rapp began to drift off to sleep even though he knew that Hurley and Richards would probably be there in a minute. He figured any sleep was better than none.”
This quote captures Rapp’s extreme exhaustion and dedication to his mission, showing how he prioritizes even minimal rest despite imminent danger. It reflects the grueling demands of covert operations.
2. “The bag they’d placed over his head offered a mix of putrid smells—feces, vomit, snot, and blood all mixed together with the sweat of all the men who had worn it before him.”
This visceral description illustrates the psychological torture techniques used on Hurley, emphasizing the sensory deprivation and degradation tactics employed in interrogations.
3. “Hurley could skip all of the degradation and take his secrets with him.”
This thought reveals Hurley’s internal struggle between self-preservation and maintaining operational security, showcasing the extreme loyalty and sacrifice expected in intelligence work.
4. “I make it a habit not to kill cops… that is, unless they are corrupt.”
Hurley’s defiant statement to his captors demonstrates his moral code and willingness to confront authority, while also hinting at the blurred ethical lines in covert operations.
5. “They were on a need-to-know basis and there wasn’t a lot they needed to know.”
This quote encapsulates the fundamental principle of compartmentalization in intelligence work, showing how operatives like Rapp operate with minimal information for security purposes.