“Yep, this is literally the fastest corporate jet available,” Ben said. “It routinely flies at 0.93 Mach, but in testing they took it all the way to 0.99. That’s seven hundred and fifty miles an hour. Once we get a location, we’ll want the speed.”

Jed nodded, pursing his lips at that thought. “How many jets do the Shepherds own exactly?” he asked, imagining the price tag of the supermodern Bombardier on the ramp to be well over $50 million.

“None,” Ben said with a chuckle, “but we have lots of friends and benefactors.”

Jed had plenty of questions about the details of that, but it was a discussion for another time and the Army spook was walking up.

“You must be Captain Bill Nolte,” Ben said, greeting the man.

“I am,” Bill said, apparently surprised to be called by name.

They shook hands.

“I’m David Yarnell,” David said and shook the man’s hand as well.

“I’ve worked some with Lieutenant Colonel Wyatt Page,” Ben said, a hand on the man’s back as they strode now toward hangar four. “He says great things about you and also about Specialist Young. He promised we’re in good hands.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear,” Bill said with a laugh. “It’s an honor working for a legend like the colonel.” The Army captain looked over at Ben now as if checking to see if he looked familiar. “Did you work over at the Activity?”

“Me? No, no,” Ben said, waving the idea off. “But Wyatt and I did some other joint task force–type projects together.”

The foursome entered the hangar through the small door built into the enormous sliding ones that met in the middle. The interior of the hangar had been converted into a TOC—all set up and ready to support the next op.

“You got a call coming in, Jed,” Ben said with a sideways glance as he set down his bags.

“I do?” Jed murmured as the satphone in his pocket vibrated.

I hate it when he does that . . .

“Jedidiah,” he said, putting the phone to his ear.

“It’s Corbin. We found it, Jed. The plane.”

He snapped a finger loudly, waving Eli over. “They found the plane,” he said to Ben and Eli, then to Corbin said, “Great job. Where is it?”