Dayhunt — Don Pendleton

MAXIMUM IMPACT

Mack Bolan is leading a joint government task force to bring down drug czar Don Jorge Luis Samosa. And Congress authorizes a fleet of state-of-the-art drug interdiction vessels to shut down the narcobaron's smuggling operation along the Baja coast.

Samosa has promised blood payback for America's effort, waging a terrorist war against U.S. citizens on Central American soil. The Don has even upped the ante with a daring hostage bid to recoup his losses.

Abducting a Bolan ally shifts the game to a personal one for the Executioner -- and he sends a message to Samosa: Justice is coming.

Hard and fast.