“The fires ignite in random locations, but it’s clear whoever is starting them has no grasp on what he can do. There are still pockets that haven’t been touched. And in one of those areas, we’ve identified a farmer who we think has been secretly working illegals until the fires reach his land. We think that farmer is our fourth. And we just need your nephew to get to him to know for sure. It’s the only reason we haven’t moved in on your nephew’s plane, which landed about an hour ago. We’re tracking him at this moment.”

“You can’t just let my twenty-two-year-old nephew wander into a wildfire, for Christ sake. He’ll never survive—”

“Senator, we are keeping watch on him from various fire trucks that he no doubt believes are fighting the fires. Frankly, I’m growing weary of chasing your relatives. If you need another reason,” he said, scrolling to the second major headline on CNN’s page. “SENATOR’S WIFE OFFERS PROOF OF ALIEN COVER-UP.”

The general glowered. “I just haven’t determined yet which member of your family is more of a threat. You must convince your mother to speak with us. Tell us where Don Rush is; he could be a real threat if your nephew activates him. As could your mother, obviously. And she hinted that she knows what is within them that gives them this weapon. We must know that.”

“I told you, she won’t discuss it with me. She says she will only tell William.”

“Which is another reason why we must contain him. But realize this, Senator: He has the ability to activate them. We know that the ones abducted in the past year survive even after they unleash their weapons. But all those returned from the abductions all those years before … do not. I know you’ve read the files. If he triggers your mother, all those around her could die. And she, for certain, will.”

“Are you sure?” Quincy asked, looking over the steering wheel. “You’re sure he’s out there?”

The landscape beyond the windshield was completely covered in a dark haze. From their perch on the rim of the valley, it was impossible to see where the fires started and ended. Twice now, a fire truck had gone screaming past them.

They’d gone unnoticed once again because of Quincy. An older-model pickup truck was waiting for them at the private runway. He’d had it delivered using one of his private accounts, just as he had done to rent the plane, knowing his corporation was desperate to find him and would be monitoring all his accounts they were familiar with.