“If Gentry really did what we accuse him of . . . why the hell would he come back, grab me like he did, question me like he did . . . and then just leave? I’ve been thinking about it all night. If he wanted to hunt down the people after him, why expose himself like that? He’s too smart to give away a tactical advantage.”

Hanley looked to Carmichael, his eyebrows raised, waiting to hear the older man’s response.

Carmichael said, “I have stopped trying to understand all of Gentry’s motivations. Did it make sense that he would eliminate his team and go on the run like that?”

Travers said, “If what he says is true . . . if they did shoot first . . . then, yeah, it does make sense. I love my team like brothers. But if they draw guns on me, I’m gonna do the same to them, and somebody’s gonna die.”

Carmichael said, “Son, you are not cleared for the op that got Gentry in hot water in the first place, so you are not cleared for anything that Gentry told you last night. That means the questions you are asking me are out of line.”

Mayes took over now, ending the meeting by ushering Hanley and Travers towards the door.

As they walked off Hanley put an arm around his younger employee. In a voice loud enough for all to hear Hanley said, “Don’t feel bad, Chris. I’m not cleared for it, either. Denny is the only one in the building with enough juice to know what Court did to put him in the CIA’s crosshairs. I bet Mayes here is flying as blind as the rest of us.”

The two men left the room. Mayes shut the door, then turned back to Carmichael. Carmichael said, “Don’t worry about Hanley. Despite his posturing, he’s in this as deep as me. If we leave him alone, he’ll continue to play ball.”

Mayes said, “I’m not worried about Hanley. He makes noise, but he always comes around. He knows you are the law around here, not the director. I am, however, a little concerned about this Travers. I could see him becoming a problem.”

Carmichael nodded and said, “Agreed. He’s unreliable. I don’t want him operational until the Violator situation is resolved.” Carmichael quickly put up a hand. “Belay that. I want him out. All the way out.”

Mayes whistled. “Hanley is going to fight that tooth and nail.”

“Come up with something. Unfit for duty. Sketchy psych eval. Doctored blood work. Whatever. Hanley won’t be able to contest a positive drug screen.”

The intercom buzzed again, and Carmichael’s secretary said, “Sir, you have an urgent call from Leland Babbitt.”

Carmichael rolled his eyes. “I forgot. That bastard e-mailed me on Saturday, basically demanded I meet him this morning.”