“I know Franks was framed. What did Franks tell you at the hospital?”

Archer blinked several times. “How did—”

“I’ve known Franks longer than you’ve been alive. He would have beaten you senseless the instant he had you in that elevator, just to spare himself from having an unneeded conversation. Yes, Archer, I’ve seen the video. You’re not my only tech guy, you know.”

“He said to make sure you weren’t followed and meet him where you caught Juan.”

“Of course . . .” Myers smiled. “That was quite the case. Ah, to be a young field agent again . . . Those were good times. Forget you ever heard that.” There was a knock on the door. Myers opened it. Grant Jefferson had been escorted to them. “Come in, Grant. Have a seat.”

The agent supervising Grant began speaking. “Could I get you some coffee or anything, Special Agent My—” but Myers closed the door in his face.

“It’s good to see you, sir.” Grant sounded relieved.

“We don’t have much time. There are very few agents I know I can trust, so I’m going to ask you boys to do a few very difficult things on my behalf. Your country needs you. Stricken has committed treason and murdered our brothers as part of a larger plot. Our mission is to prove it and stop him.”

“Franks said—”

“I know. Archer told me. I’ll handle that. Sadly, I think Franks has played right into our opponent’s hands. He tried to burn Franks in Las Vegas, and when that didn’t work he took further action. The only reason I can think to remove Franks is to end The Contract. I have reason to believe that may have severe repercussions, far beyond even what Stricken may imagine, but I have no evidence to prove that.”

Archer was vaguely familiar with Franks’ deal with the government, but that sort of thing was way over his pay grade. “We were at the hospital because Strayhorn disappeared.”

“We think he may be able to corroborate Franks’ testimony,” Grant said. “The manhunt is looking for him too, but since his prints were all over one of the weapons at the scene, they’ve got the rookie down as a possible collaborator. I know Fargo thinks he snuck out of the hospital because he’s guilty. I think Stricken killed him before he could talk.”

“No. I’m certain Strayhorn will turn up. Don’t worry about that now. Listen carefully, if anything happens to me, I’m counting on you two to expose Stricken’s crimes. You know how to access all the evidence I’ve collected—”

“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Archer declared.