“United States Disciplinary Barracks. I hadn’t planned on going out there because of the time it would take flying commercial airlines. With the Lear, we can land right at the fort. I want to speak to the psychiatrist who counseled Ernie Bridgestone. Ernie was nearly beaten to death in there, I read it in his file. To get over something like that, he probably needed support from the prison shrink, who might have a useful insight into Ernie’s psyche, as well as his personal life. I’m looking for any lead I can get. I just hope the psychiatrist is willing to talk and doesn’t pull some doctor-patient BS on me.”

“Given the circumstances, I hope he shares whatever he has.” The fed grinned. “You could always visit him after hours if he doesn’t cooperate.”

“You know, I’m beginning to think you really are with the program.”

“Listen, I want to thank you for helping out in the ICU with our wounded. I didn’t mean what I said. This isn’t your fault.”

“Thanks for saying that.”

“I’ll call if there’s any change in Holly’s condition.”

“Get some sleep, Special Agent Henning. There’s a basic rule in the Marine Corps. Sleep when you can.”

Henning sighed. “I’ve got a long report to write, but it can wait. Now that you mention it, I’m pretty damned tired. I hope you’re right about this ringing in my ears, it’s driving me crazy.” Henning got into the sedan and rolled his window down.

“I mean it, Henning, get some shut-eye. I’d like to be in Fort Leavenworth before sunrise.”

* * *

Inside his room, Nathan plopped down on the bed.

“That you?” Harv called from the connecting room.

He stared at the ceiling. “Yeah.” He sensed Harv’s presence at the adjoining door and answered his unspoken question. “She’s gonna pull through. They’ve got her doped up on morphine for eight broken bones, a fractured skull, and second-degree burns, but she should be okay in the long run. No spinal or nerve damage.”

“I guess that’s good news, considering the alternative.”

“Amen to that. The Bridgestones left a note in the guard shack telling the FBI to expect more of the same.”

“Think they’re serious?”

“Hard to say. I told Henning it was probably a diversion to tie up resources.”

“Makes sense. A lot’s happened while you were gone. I’ve got our two techs checked into a room down the hall. They’ve got our secure fax line up and running. I took the liberty of contacting General Hawthorne when you were gone. He promised to fax us the visitation logs for Ernie Bridgestone by twenty-hundred tonight.”

“Good work. How’s old Thorny doing?”

“Busy. He asked about you, though.”

“What’d you tell him?”

“I told him I still needed to wake your ass up with a ten-foot pole.”

“That’s nice, Harv.”