“That’s right. Think of Ironclad’s structure like an onion. Kramer. Dalton. Senator Kallstrom. Former Director Kallstrom. In that order. Montez never knew anyone but Kramer and Kramer’s knowledge never went deeper than the onion’s second layer, Dalton. That’s why Montez needed to find and interrogate Dalton.”

“Let’s hope Montez was telling the truth about his thumb drive being the only copy of Dalton’s confession. Senator Kallstrom could be facing a bigger threat than mere legal proceedings.”

“It’s possible, but we’re ninety-nine percent sure.”

“So, Montez…” Nathan sought the right words.

“Yes, he caved easily under interrogation.”

“How did you break him?”

“Actually, it was Harvey’s suggestion. We sent five of our biggest operations officers into his cell with a tube of KY and a box of condoms.”

“Did they have to, you know…”

“Not even a little,” said Cantrell. “Montez became downright loquacious, I’m told. Of course, we followed up with a whole suite of drugs and sleep deprivation to confirm everything he told us. But no, we never had to get rough.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. I don’t imagine many interrogators would be as equally skilled on the other side of the equation.”

“That’s generally true, but not always. You’re the exception to the rule.”

“I was never a professional interrogator.”

“But you are field qualified.” Cantrell took the I-495 north onramp. “Needless to say, a lot of powerful people are really glad you didn’t kill him, including the president. You and Harv have been the topic of numerous high-level intelligence discussions. You guys have new friends in high places now.”

“I’d use the word friends’ loosely.” He watched the suburban countryside fly past. “Did Montez’s rendition work ever yield anything?”

“Tons. That’s why it was kept active for so long.”

He waited.

“Okay,” she said at last. “You’ve earned it. We uncovered a plot two years ago with information that came directly from a Montez interrogation. You’re aware we have tighter security at all our major airports and that it’s become increasingly difficult to repeat what happened on nine-eleven. Not impossible, but far less likely.”

He wasn’t sure he agreed.

“What about private charters?” she asked.

“Private charters?”

“Rental jets. Hypothetically, a wealthy family—we’ll call it Family X—decides to take a trip to Europe. They charter a private jet. At many smaller airports all over the country, they can literally pull their vehicles up to the plane and load their own luggage. Let’s say they want to leave from San Diego, but the private charter company is based in Los Angeles. With me so far?”

He knew where this was going.