“I told her your people will want to talk to her. You’ll have her soon. What I’m about to tell you doesn’t go any further than the two of us.”

No response.

“Do we have a deal? If not, I’m hanging up.”

“Deal.”

“We have an FBI special agent with us tonight.”

“Grangeland, from Fresno’s resident office.”

Nathan paused at hearing that. “As you seem to know, she’s been with us since Salt Lake where we looked at Kramer’s body. She’s off the books. Totally. And you need to keep her that way to protect both her and SAC Simpson. Grangeland has custody of Nichole Dalton. Harvey and I are personally arranging for Nichole’s medical care. A plastic surgeon is going to suture her wounds.”

“How much does Grangeland know?”

“About what?”

“You know what I’m asking.”

“No, Director, I don’t, because I don’t know what’s going on. Care to enlighten me?”

“At the hospital I told you I couldn’t… wouldn’t reveal everything to you.”

“Who is Duane Dalton, and how is he connected with Arthur Kramer and a clean coal negotiation in Hungary?”

“Nathan, listen to me very carefully. You never heard those names. Clear? Do not pursue this further. Let my people handle it from here.”

“Not likely. Montez knows where I live, maybe Harv too.”

“We can protect you.”

“For how long?”

“This is a CIA operation.”

“On U.S. soil? Care to explain that?”

“With all due respect, I don’t owe you an explanation.”

He didn’t respond.

“Your involvement ends now.”

“The hell it does. We’re just warming up.”

“Nathan, please. I’m asking you. Do not pursue Montez. It’s a—”

He cut her off. “A what? An issue of national security?”

“Yes.”

“Has Congress been informed of this national security issue?”

No answer.

“I didn’t think so.” He waited, saying nothing.

“Why are you taking Montez’s man with you? What’s he—” Her voice took on a hard edge. “He knows where Montez is. You’re going after him.”

“And if I am?

“Then I have to do everything within my power to dissuade you.”

“In my hospital room you said you wouldn’t try to stop us. What’s changed?”

“Let’s stop dancing. Your ass is on the line here, soldier. Big time. You screw this up and not even your father will be able to bail you out. Are we clear on that?”

“Crystal. My turn. My ass isn’t the only one on the line. I suspect there are lots of asses on the line. Asses higher up on the food chain. How am I doing? Maybe I’ll ask my father to get more deeply involved. I’m sure he’ll be able to uncover a grave or two.”

“Nathan, please. I’m asking you as a personal favor not to do that.”

“Why would I agree to that?”