In the end, he admitted to himself, grudgingly, that the only file he was really interested in was Sam’s. Now, if he could just figure out what she was doing at the cybercafe, he would feel a lot better. One thing he was almost certain of was that Sam would never compromise the mountain or any of the people on it. He didn’t know how he knew, he just knew. That meant whatever she was doing was personal. So personal, she didn’t want anyone else to know.

Back in the old days, he would have gotten it out of her. Because knowing what she was up to would keep her alive. He knew if he asked her, she’d say it was NTK. Need-to-know, and no, he did not need to know her personal business was exactly what she would say. To a point, she was right.

Pappy closed the folder. There were still a lot of hours to get through until the evening’s dinner and festivities. Until that precise moment, he hadn’t realized how very lonely he was. His father, bless his heart, had for years been telling him that no man is an island unto himself. He finally understood what the old man had meant.

The Omega Three building buzzed with sound and music. Christmas carols blasted forth from Hawkins’s new Bose radio and CD combo. Because the women needed hours of time in the bathroom, Hawkins had gone first.

Hawkins stood by the window, watching the snow fall outside. He felt melancholy, as he always did during the holidays, with no immediate family at his side. He hoped that would change soon. He sighed when he remembered the five days in New York. He knew in his heart they had been every bit as good for Slick as they had for been him. But he and Slick would both have to shelve their feelings until July, when their lives would begin anew. Would they go their separate ways or would they honor their contract and give Pappy the three years he was expecting? If they honored the contract they would be separated, seeing each other once a year if they were lucky. What the hell kind of life was that? His gut churned as he struggled with his feelings. He loved Slick. He knew that now, and he was certain she loved him as well. And yet they had shied away from discussing this very thing. Where was it all going to end? Would he be able to handle it? “I hope to God, I can,” he muttered to himself. He looked up to realize what was going on around him. He had to get with the program. He forced a smile to his lips.