It was interesting—and a bit pathetic—that the blond man standing in front of him was one of only two people in the world Rapp completely trusted. And as such, he would join him, Kennedy, and Dumond as the last person who knew what was happening.

“What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this tent.”

The short nod from his friend was all that was necessary.

“There was a high-level computer breach at Langley. The only thing we really know beyond the fact that it happened is that whoever’s responsible was interested in Ward.”

Coleman smirked. “Probably some CIA exec trying to get insider stock information. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Maybe. But we need to know for sure. And until we do, we can’t trust any of the Agency’s technology.”

“Or any of its people. But what’s that got to do with the eastern slope of the compound?”

“Whoever wanted to get Ward’s file failed the first time. But Irene let them in the second.”

Coleman pondered that for a moment and then a light dawned. “There was information on this place. And she changed it.”

“Yeah. And her revised map shows the east being the best bet for an attack.”

“What’s up with the wire you want buried?”

“Irene included a bogus diagram of all the compound’s electronic defenses that showed one weakness. Not obvious, but a specialist would be able to find it.”

“That wire.”

“Exactly. She made it look like cutting it would disrupt the whole system.”

Coleman scanned the map for a few seconds. “So, you think this is a credible threat?”

Rapp returned to the chair and stretched out again. “No. I think you’re probably right that it’s someone on the seventh floor looking to pad out their retirement portfolio. But I’ve learned to take Irene’s hunches seriously.”

“It’s hard to ignore the fact that you’re using Ward as bait.”

Rapp didn’t react.

“He’s not going to like that, Mitch. And frankly I don’t either. He’s my client and now I have information suggesting he’s in danger.”

“But he’s not, right? You said this place is secure.”

“Don’t throw my words back at me. You know as well as I do that there are no guarantees.”

“What’s that mean to me?”

Coleman’s jaw tightened. “Nothing. You already know that. But just because I agree to do something doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“I’m surprised to see you here, Mitch.”

Nicholas Ward seemed to have an aversion to his expensive furniture and this time was sitting on the steps that led to the pool.

“I had a change of heart,” Rapp said as he approached. “Probably a brief one.”

“A change of heart… Can I assume Irene had something to do with that?”