“You’re an employee of the United States government. And you’ve been assisted by government officials”—Duncan cleared his throat, holding Condley’s eyes in his own like a vise—“including a certain general officer in the United States Marine Corps, although there’s no official record of that at the moment. And it would definitely be the position of the United States government that if this individual were locatable and still alive, he should be turned over to the custody of the appropriate federal agency, where he might be interrogated, tried in a court of law, and provided all the normal protections of the Constitution of the United States of America.”

“And made a fucking media hero along the way,” said Condley, not hiding his bitterness.

“Probably.”

“With the movie of his life story on HBO.”

Maria and Maureen were in the hallway now, walking toward them with a curious, shared amusement.

“Highly likely.”

“So what’s your point, Skipper?” Condley spat the words out, defiantly holding the general’s gaze.

“My point?” asked Duncan, glancing for a moment at the two women who had now joined them. “My point is, I’d love to see you, shall we say, succeed. Just don’t tell me about it until after I retire.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

Hanson Muir seemed almost uncontrollably happy as Condley sauntered into his office the next morning. He put a ham-hock fist into the air when he saw his grizzled, craggy partner, a gesture of glorious victory, and nearly jumped out of his chair in his enthusiasm.

“I’ve been looking for you, Brandon!”

“What the hell are you doing wearing a tie?” asked Condley as he stepped inside Muir’s office.

Muir looked down at the huge, flowery tie that hung from his neck and rested awkwardly on his stomach, having forgotten in all his excitement that he’d dressed up that morning. “Well, it’s been years since I’ve worn one.”

“And?”

“And I thought it would be fun. What’s the matter with that?”

“A tie in Hawaii? You look very, very dumb.”

Hanson Muir fingered his tie tentatively. “I rather liked it. And you’re not the person I’d be going to for advice on how to dress, anyway. Brandon, enough of this. I’ve got incredible news.”

“So do I,” said Condley, dumping a pile of old newspapers off one of Muir’s chairs and taking a seat. “I may have a breakthrough.”

“Well, I’m sure I do,” said Muir. He picked up a stack of photocopied pages from his desk and held them in front of Condley’s face. “Would you believe we’re going to Australia?”

“Try Russia,” countered Condley. “I’ve got a full report coming over to us right now.”

“What’s in Russia? What are you talking about?” Muir seemed suddenly unsure of his own information.