Hayes said, “Unfortunately, Carr is also probably in possession of certain information, perhaps even proofs of actions taken by this country at sensitive times, that might, in unforgiving hindsight, mind you, place us in an awkward situation. I’m sure Gray was aware of that as well. I believe he attempted to get to Carr, but as we know, Carr got him first.”

“So in other words he has the goods on us so this is not a case for the law courts?”

Hayes smiled. “I’ve always loved your perspicacity, Knox. Saves so much time.”

“I’m not a hired killer, sir. You ordered me to find him. I will do my best to do so. But that’s it.”

“And that’s all you need do. Others will take over from there.”

“If Carr is as smart as I think he is, he knows all this. He might have devised a way that his violent death will trigger the very disclosure you don’t want. A packet of information to the New York Times perhaps in the event a bullet slams into his brain?”

“Find him, Knox, and I believe we can persuade him that such action would not be advisable.”

“What leverage would you have over him at that point?”

“As you said, he’s a very loyal man.”

Knox considered this for a moment. “So his friends are his Achilles’ heel? Only in your version instead of coming back and going to jail he takes the bullet, he falls on the sword silently so his friends can what, live?”

“That’s certainly one scenario.”

“One or the only one?”

“Just find him, Knox, that’s all you have to do. Any leads of interest?”

“The friends have given me squat, and if we have to do this outside the law now it comes back to following the physical evidence as far as it takes me.”

“Back out to the crime scenes then?”

“Yes.”

“Time is not on our side.”

“It never is. This information would have been helpful earlier, sir, in all candor.”

“I’m sure it would have. But there you are.”

“So I’m competing with the cops on this one too? What if they get there first?”

“We’ve taken certain actions that will preclude that from happening.”

“And if some detective gets lucky?”

“That’s highly doubtful because they know nothing of John Carr or his ties to Gray and Simpson. So you have a tremendous advantage there. But if the police get to him first, we will make sure that he will disappear from their custody. National security trumps all, Knox.”

“Of course. Can I inquire as to what the chain of command is on this, sir?”

“You report to me, no one else,” he said sharply.

“No, I mean who do you report to, General?”