Dr. Kim shook his head. “My case files from last week have already been taken for digitization. There’s not usually a need to hang on to them. This is the first time I’ve had an issue with finding anything in the system; probably a clerical error. If you leave me a card, I’ll get the official reports to you as soon as the mix-up is fixed.”

Nate stood and handed the medical examiner his card. “Thanks again, doctor. Please give me a call as soon as you find the reports. I’ll arrange for them to get picked up by folks in the local FBI office.”

“Of course.” The medical examiner studied the card and his brow furrowed. “Is there a reason why an FBI agent out of DC is looking for the autopsy records of this particular man?”

Nate gave him a rueful smile. “I’m afraid that’s something I can’t talk about. Oh, one more thing. Is there any chance I can get a swab of the soot from the body?”

Dr. Kim shrugged. “I’ve already done that, but I suppose I don’t see an issue with you taking another one since you currently can’t see my findings. The body should still be at the morgue.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

###

The land Nate drove through was rough, and other than a few radar towers on the top of the rocky hills, the base was unmarked. He’d yet to see a sign of life, and the repeated “No Trespassing” and “No Drone Zone” signs made it clear that the Air Force preferred it that way.

He stopped in front of a large sign that warned him that he was on a US Air Force installation and it was unlawful to enter the area without the permission of the installation commander. Before he’d even put the car in park, a cloud of dust came racing down the road toward him. Two unmarked SUVs skidded to a stop right in front of his car, and two men in fatigues jumped out.

One trained his assault rifle on Nate’s car and yelled, “Turn off the engine!”

Nate turned off his car and rolled down his window.

A second soldier approached the driver’s side of the car. Nate noticed that his fatigues were non-military issue. A badge on his shoulder read SRU Federal Services. These men were military contractors.

Nate displayed his FBI credentials, and the soldier examined them before looking up at him with narrowed eyes.

“Sir, you are aware that being with the FBI doesn’t authorize us to allow you entry onto this installation?”

Nate sat up a little straighter. “Colonel Armington knows I’m coming.”