“Can we get on with the business at hand?” said Nathan Clark, a regular member of Rudd’s team. “CONTROL didn’t send us here so Harvey and Jolene could take a crack at us. They’d send in professionals if they wanted us gone. Us and our families.”

Everyone mumbled their agreement.

“So why are we here? The mission briefing looked detailed enough,” said Clark.

“A few things have changed since you got on the road. We’re now staying in five different hotels, instead of just the Marriott.”

“Sounds like an upgraded countersurveillance threat related to our target,” said Walsh. “Something that very recently developed.”

“All we know is that they don’t want us bunching up. Maybe they took a second look at the original mission packet and decided to play it extra safe,” said Rudd. “Or this could also just be an upgraded threat level issued by the Department of Homeland Security for the entire DC area—entirely unrelated to Helen or Devin Gray—and CONTROL isn’t taking any chances on us somehow getting swept up into it.”

“The timing suggests otherwise,” said Clark. “CONTROL doesn’t take unnecessary chances. If they split us up at the last minute—something changed.”

“It’s a fair assumption,” said Rudd. “Which is why I assume we’re meeting here to go over the changes, instead of there.”

“What are the other changes?” said Clark, checking his watch.

“You in a hurry?” said Walsh.

Clark didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. The permanent dour look on his face answered the question. He was all business, all the time.

“CONTROL is looking for a second location used by Helen Gray. Her apartment yielded nothing,” said Rudd. “They think the son might lead us to it, if such a place even exists.”

“Was that in our briefing?” asked Ward.

“No. That was sent to me less than an hour ago, presumably while you were all in transit.”

“Do we have any idea what CONTROL is looking for at the location?” asked Walsh.

“Or what kind of a location?” said Clark. “A house, apartment, locker?”

“No. We’re in the dark as usual,” said Rudd.

“And this Karl Berg? Any theories on how he fits into all of this?” asked Walsh.

“Ex-CIA, like Helen Gray. Directorate of Operations. The two of them worked off and on together in the mid- to late nineties. But their paths didn’t cross much at the CIA after that,” said Rudd.

“Doesn’t sound like much,” said Ward.

“He was the only person from the CIA to show up at her wake,” said Jolene. “That’s something.”

“Exactly,” said Rudd. “And the information I received this morning classified Berg as high-damage potential.”

“He’s retired, right?” asked Walsh. “Not working for any private entities of interest?”

“As far as CONTROL knows, or is willing to tell us,” said Rudd.