“I’m a field agent, Tookus. I had to learn early on to eat when the opportunity presented itself and to sleep when and if I could, even if it was for just ten minutes. You’re a desk jockey. Therein lies the difference. Like I said, I warned you, and you refused to listen. Phil warned you. If you wouldn’t listen to me, I thought for sure you would listen to your old pal. Look, Abner, I’ve been in this game my whole life. I won’t say I’m immune to what I have to deal with, but I have learned how to deal with it. You are not in the minority. You are very much in the majority, and thank God for that.”

“I’ve been on the dark web before. I just never . . . I didn’t think . . . stupid me thought that was it. I never . . .” Abner threw his hands in the air and let his eyes glaze over again.

“Explored the underbelly of the dark web. There, I said it for you. That’s where evil lives and thrives. Anonymously. The Devil’s personal recruitment center.”

“Now what?” Abner asked in a voice that cracked just as the waiter set Snowden’s platter of food in front of him. He watched in pure amazement as the old spy tucked into his first foot-long hot dog with the works that dripped all over his hands.

Between mouthfuls of food, which he appeared to relish, Snowden tried to divert Abner to a more pleasant topic and started to make observations about the weather, which Abner totally ignored.

“We need to check in with Charles and the others. We’ve been off the grid too long. They are not going to believe this.”

“Yes, Abner, they will believe it. They’re pros. You’re excused because you’re a sheltered desk jockey. No shame in that. You’ve proved your worth a thousand times over. We each do what we do, and we each learn to live with the hand we’re dealt.” Snowden wolfed down his second hot dog as he spoke. “You should eat something, kid. At least drink the coffee.”

Abner dutifully brought the coffee cup to his lips and took a sip. Snowden was right, and he knew it. “So what’s our game plan here?” he asked as he cleared his throat. Abner knew he had to get a grip on his thoughts and emotions or he wasn’t going to be any good to anyone. He picked up his coffee cup and drained it. He appreciated Snowden’s slight nod of approval.