“We are actively reaching out to his company to find out. We know that Wired magazine is reporting that Mr. Martin has been privately voicing to investors that he’s wanted, for a long time, for your nephew to endorse his latest version of a hologram app. Turns out his competitors are scrambling to release their own. Apparently, he’s been frustrated by his inability to find William.”

“He also happens to be a complete conspiracy nut who regurgitates abduction theories.”

“We’re aware.”

“Please keep playing the video.”

Kate reminded herself to breathe as she watched the van spin around, seemingly waffling as to what to do, and then ram into the tail of the helicopter that had landed behind it. After pushing the helicopter, it drove out of the gate.

The director then closed the laptop. “What you don’t see is that someone in that van then threw out spike strips to slow anyone chasing them. But unfortunately, we had no ground pursuit. And by the time we got our helicopter that was still operational in the air, they were gone.”

Kate knew she was trembling. “My God. All those agents…”

“Their bodies, and those from the field, were recovered and placed in our helicopter before anyone in the media could make it there,” Mark said.

“That girl…”

“It’s why we had to show you, Senator. So you understand.”

“And there’s a dead civilian killed by live fire from our agents—”

“She was also recovered before the media arrived. I promise you a full investigation is underway into that terrible mistake.”

Kate began to pace, looking back at the screen. “What the hell did I just see, Director?”

“There’s much we need to discuss. Please take a seat.”

“We have God knows how many dead federal agents, an active kidnapping of my nephew, and apparently a nut-job billionaire. And I just watched a little girl kill those agents without touching them.”

“You understand our concern.”

“The most important question: Where are they now?”

“We don’t know. We are scrambling to get agents on the interstates and side roads. It’s a somewhat isolated area for us. We sent most of our agents in the helicopters, never anticipating it would go…”

“This badly? Because it’s bad, Director. I know very little of your branch, but surely you’ve made the FBI director aware. Even if the media doesn’t know—at the moment—about the deaths of these agents, they will soon. The FBI has its fair share of leakers. My God, the president needs to know as well.”

“The FBI director is well aware of the dire situation at hand. But as you know, he and the president don’t see eye to eye on most things. Which is why, frankly, we need you to understand just how serious this has become.”