Carmichael turned to Mayes, and with a nod gave him the go-ahead to brief her.

Mayes said, “Here’s the sitrep. A former Ground Branch paramilitary operations officer, code named Violator, has appeared suddenly in the United States. We think it’s likely he’s in the immediate area.”

Brewer was confused. “And this former employee. He poses some sort of a threat?”

Mayes just said, “His name is Courtland Gentry.”

It was obvious to all that the name meant something to Suzanne Brewer. She blinked hard. “The Gray Man? You’re talking about the Gray Man? Here?”

The reply was delivered in a biting tone. “We call him Violator, Suzanne. You aren’t at the watercooler with the junior administrators.”

Chastened, she said, “Of course. I’m sorry. But why is he a threat? My understanding was that we were after him.”

Mayes said, “We are, and he knows it. Five years now. That’s why him showing up like this is so problematic. It’s possible his arrival in the area was coincidence, a waypoint towards his final destination, but we have to allow for the possibility that he is here on some sort of an offensive operation.” Mayes added, “It’s what he does, after all.”

Brewer spoke with a tone of astonishment. “That . . . that would be suicide on his part.”

On the monitor next to the map a new image appeared. A passport photo of Courtland Gentry, wearing a blue blazer and wire-rimmed glasses. The image was at least five years old.

Brewer said, “He looks so . . . average.”

Carmichael broke into the conversation. “Do you know what this ex-asset is capable of?”

“I admit I only know the rumors. Cafeteria chatter and such. That file has been SCI code word classified,” she said, and then quickly added, “which of course you know, because you classified it.”

“I did,” replied Carmichael.

She added, “If I am to help you, I’ll need to know what we’re dealing with. The more information you can give me, the better.”

Jordan Mayes said, “Here’s what you need to know. The threat is one man, but the threat is real. Gentry was, hands down, the best hard asset in the entire Agency while he was in.”

“And how long was he in?”

“He was with us for nearly twelve years.”

“Ex-military?”

“Negative. His potential was identified at a young age, then he was brought in to a pilot program designed to train exceptional young men for autonomous field work.”

She lifted her pen and put the tip on the legal pad in front of her. She still seemed stunned by the thought of going up against the Gray Man, but she was quickly composing herself and getting down to work. “The name of this program?”

When no one spoke, Brewer glanced up from her pad. The room was perfectly silent and all eyes stared at the pen on the paper.