“That’s all true, but I can’t see Lansing agreeing to your continued involvement. Why would he? He’ll want containment at this point. Involving you further has serious consequences if it ever leaks to the media. He’s got the resources of thirty-one thousand employees under his command and a budget of six billion dollars. In all honesty, he’ll say he doesn’t need you.”

“Just like he didn’t need us at the compound or to find James Ortega?”

Holly said nothing.

“We’d prefer to have his blessing, but we don’t need it. The stakes were raised when the Bridgestones found out who we are. One way or the other, they’re going down.”

“And you think you’re the ones to do it?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Where will you look? This is a huge country, they could be anywhere.”

“They’re still here, in Sacramento.”

“Why?” she asked.

“They have unfinished business.”

“Tell me you’re not thinking of using yourself as bait.”

“Actually, I am.”

“Absolutely out of the question. You know what those guys are capable of. Suppose something went wrong and they managed to get ahold of you?”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I couldn’t live with that on my conscience. Please promise me you won’t do it. Give me your word you won’t do it.”

“Holly…”

“Your word.”

“Okay.”

“Thank you.”

“If Lansing isn’t aboard, will you help us? It would help if we had access to the FBI’s NCIC database.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

Nathan didn’t respond.

“I’m willing to help you, but there’s only so much I can do, so far I can go.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

She ate a pretzel and followed it with a sip of wine. “I suppose if you were to make an unofficial request for some very specific information on a very specific individual within the NCIC system…”

He smiled. “Good enough.”

“You understand that officially I said no, right?”

“Yes, absolutely. Officially you said no.”

They exchanged a smile.

“What’s next?”

“Harv and I are going to dig into the Bridgestones’ military backgrounds.”

“May I ask what you’re looking for, other than what we talked about?”

“I want the visitation logs from the USDB at Fort Leavenworth where Ernie served his sentence. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Hawthorne, used to be my commanding officer.”

“One of the Joint Chiefs. Wow, that’s a good contact. Will he help you?”

“I think so. I’ve never asked him for anything before.”

“How much are you going to tell him? I mean, there’s still an issue with containment.”

“Speaking of containment, how did the Bridgestones find out about me and my father?”