“Optimism is commendable but a rather fragile reed to lean on when it comes to invoking the powers of government.” Archer gestured toward the manila folder that Muir had brought to the breakfast table. “Your materials are interesting. No, let me say that they are fascinating. But they don’t establish anything. And I mean nothing at all. What do we know about this man as it connects to Bangkok? All we have is an assumption that he would have escaped from Sai Gon—if he ever did make it from central Viet Nam back to Sai Gon—by using Mathew Larkin’s passport. And a further assumption that he would have come to Bangkok because a flight to Bangkok would raise the least amount of suspicion, given the visa stamps that were in the passport. Or at least that some drunken Russian veteran claims were in there. We don’t know for sure that this man Deville ever escaped from Viet Nam. We don’t know for sure that he came here. We don’t know that he would have stayed here or anywhere else in Thailand if he did come. We have no fingerprints that match his, although that’s a long shot in a place like Thailand, anyway. And to be blunt, thirty years leaves us a pretty cold trail. No, let me change that estimate. A pretty dead trail.”

Condley continued to chew slowly on Hanson Muir’s lost muffin, holding Archer’s gaze. “So, tell me some good news.”

“Well, the Redskins are favored in the Super Bowl,” panned Archer. “And oil just went down to twenty-five dollars a barrel.”

“Twenty-five dollars? No kidding? Remind me to adjust my portfolio.” Condley took an empty cup and poured some hot coffee from a pot the waiter had left on the table. “Let me tell you why I’m optimistic. And you’re right, we don’t really know much of anything, at least past the point where our man killed Larkin and stole his identity. But we do know he did that. He left his dog tags around Larkin’s neck and he cut off his hand. There’s no question there.”

“Fine,” said Hanson Muir, nudging Condley along as if he were the moderator on a panel discussion. “We do know that, Brandon. So tell Mister Archer why you are optimistic. Although optimism is a rather odd term to use when one contemplates the implications of your happy mood.”