“You’d think so,” Holly said. “He just never thought they’d fail, that the brothers might get away. This whole thing…” She paused, shaking her head. “Selling those people Semtex? You may be right, Nathan. From a legal perspective, Director Lansing’s clean. Ethically, it’s a different matter. It was a severe conflict of interest to involve James Ortega. It may not be illegal, but it’s a career-ender. The real question, I guess, is what are we going to do about it.”

“Nothing,” Nathan said.

“Nothing?”

“I don’t see anything constructive in blowing this wide open right now, or ever. As much as Harv and I resent being used as pawns, it doesn’t compare to the pain Frank Ortega has endured. He’s lost both a daughter and a grandson to the Bridgestones.”

“You amaze me, Nathan. I would be far less forgiving in your shoes.”

“This isn’t about me or Harv. It’s about justice. Justice for the dead SWAT agent, for James Ortega, your two techs from the van, and twenty-four other slain FBI employees. I’m not above using the information to keep Lansing off my back, though.”

“Then we stick to the plan,” she said.

“We stick to the plan,” Nathan said. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“Nathan, I’m sorry about Director Lansing and Ortega.”

“It’s not a reflection on you. You and me, we’re still good.”

“I appreciate your trust, especially after all the BS you’ve been through.”

“I don’t need to tell you this, but I will anyway. Be careful, Holly. Watch what you say.” He squeezed her hand and got up. “The walls have ears.”

* * *

Under a flawless afternoon sky, the press conference was staged on the steps of Sacramento’s Capitol Building. The podium held over two-dozen microphones, six of them from foreign countries. The bombing of the Sacramento field office had made international news. The reporters and cameramen were set up in ten rows of semicircular seating fifteen feet away from the podium. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Breckensen was being introduced by Governor
Schwarzenegger. The ASAC looked sharp and focused, his tailored suit gleaming in the afternoon sun. He shook hands with the governor and took the podium.

* * *