“No,” Snyder said, perhaps a little too quickly. “Take a rest until you’re due to pick up Welcome. I want to get a search warrant to check out this secret lab of Miller’s. If it’s there, getting a probable cause warrant to search his apartment will be a no-brainer. Better to get all our I’s dotted and T’s crossed when we make the move on him. Last thing we want is for Miller to get off on some technicality, especially if this handicap of his is as severe as McCall tells me it is. Chuck didn’t think we had to rush on this one, and I agree. Besides, it sounds like you could use some rest. In case you’ve forgotten, you’ve been through a lot.”

I’m not resting until I find Burke.

Vaill kept the thought private. Having worked under Snyder for many years, he knew how she’d respond: The FBI is not the place for personal vendettas. Agents go on vendettas, agents die. Something in the way Beth ordered him to get some rest had him wondering if McCall had said anything to her about the headaches. He didn’t want to give away the intensity of the problem by making a big deal about it, but perhaps it would be best if he and Chuck had a talk.

“Actually, I’m feeling surprisingly perky,” he tried. “It’s no problem to do a quick drive-by and at least check out Miller’s place from the outside. Knowing the setup there might make it easier serving the warrant when you get it.”

“That’s a negative, Tim. What you’re feeling is the adrenaline left over from a very long, grueling interrogation. You promised me you’d take care of yourself if I let you get in on this case. Well, getting some rest is taking care of yourself. I’ve got to protect my soldiers, especially ones who had their head operated on not so long ago. So the answer is no. Now, you’ve got a few hours. Go back to your hotel and get some shut-eye. Whether you believe it or not, you need it.”

“You ask, I do,” Vaill said, knowing this was a battle he couldn’t win.

“That’s the old agency spirit. I’ll have the gift shop send you out a pennant and a mug. So listen, Tim, while you’re on your way to your hotel, tell me what your take is on this Dr. Welcome. Who’s he playing for? How hard should we put his feet to the fire?”

“Believe it or not, Beth,” Vaill said, turning onto the near-empty highway, “after working on him for most of the night, I think he’s playing for his friend.”

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37