She managed a smile. “He told me about your call, what you want to do. We both agreed we want you aboard.”

“I didn’t want to betray his trust, but now that you know, he called a little while ago and gave me a green light.”

“Director Lansing told me Larry Gifford was killed in the blast.”

He shook his head and forced himself to relax his hands. Damn those Bridgestones. “I liked him a lot.”

“Me too. Is Bruce here?”

He nodded.

“Can you bring him in, please?”

Nathan walked over to the door and opened it. Henning was standing a respectable distance away. Nathan knew he didn’t want to appear as though he’d been eavesdropping. “She wants you to come in.”

With both men at her bedside, Holly continued. “Last night I promised to help Nathan. That’s on you now. Are you two okay?”

Henning said, “We’re on the same page now.”

“That’s good.” Her face tensed with pain. “I want you to give him NCIC database information when he asks for it. Okay?”

“No problem. I’m glad to do it.”

“I’ve cleared it with Director Lansing. He’s having a Lear flown out from DC. It’s at Nathan’s disposal, okay? Anywhere he wants to go. You go with him, but I don’t want you directly involved. Support only.”

“Understood,” Henning said.

“The Bridgestones left a note in the guard shack. It only had five words. Expect more of the same.”

Nathan shook his head.

“Our document people are checking it out, trying to determine what kind of paper and printer was used. We might catch a break. Director Lansing’s beefed up security at every field office and resident agency.” Holly closed her eyes. “Find them, Nathan. We can’t let this happen again.”

“You can count on it.”

During the elevator ride down to the lobby, Henning did his best to hide the fury he was feeling, but Nathan felt it, like heat from an oven.

Outside, Henning asked, “What kind of animals would do this? Those sick fucks.”

“There’s no easy answer to that except that the safety mechanisms that keep most of us in check are absent in those two. They’ve justified the bombing as revenge for their kid brother’s death.”

“You think they’ll try to hit another field office?”

“I don’t know, maybe. The note’s likely just a diversion to draw attention away from their true target.”

Henning waited.

“Me.”

* * *

At the Hyatt, Henning pulled his sedan up to the curb and killed the engine. Rather than simply drop Nathan off, he stepped out and shook hands. “I’ll call you as soon as the Lear arrives,” Henning said. “Is there anywhere you want to go right away?”

“The USDB at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.”

“USDB?”