“Good going, Zoe,” Sam said, clapping the third Mrs. Rainford on the shoulder.

“Wait a minute. When they did the background check on you, your brother would have shown up on the radar screen. They have to know about him,” Hawkins said.

“No, they don’t. Joey’s last name is different from mine. He’s my mother’s second husband’s son. He never wanted me to acknowledge him because of his job. He’s really a good guy, and he took good care of me when I was growing up. He’s fifty,” she said, as if that explained everything. “The truth is, he was more like a father than an older brother. No relation. Don’t you get it? Like I said, he’s not on my radar screen.”

Hawkins still looked dubious. “We’ll deal with it later,” Sam said.

The double trio left the clearing and continued to troop around the massive compound, their eyes growing wider and wider.

“Beaucoup bucks,” Slick said. “How many people make up a consortium?”

“I guess as many as needed. People that rich don’t have to explain what they do with their money, meaning they could band together and fund an operation like this. I would like to know what kind of missions the previous operatives went on. And the results they achieved. I’m sure Pappy isn’t going to give us that information willingly,” Sam said.

“Do any of you find it strange that our team is the only one out and walking about?” Olivia asked. No one answered the question, but they did look around to verify Olivia’s observation.

“Nice garden,” Hawkins said, as they approached the dining hall and the huge garden behind it where pole beans could be seen growing up tall stakes. “My dad used to have a big garden like this. They must have to chopper in food, supplies, and propane. Unless they lied, and there is another way up and down this mountain. Wonder what the food is like?”

“Just like the FBI Academy food, I bet” Slick said. “Okay, let’s head back and pick up our gear at the company store. I’d like a nap before dinner.”

“Let’s do the gear pickup tomorrow,” Zoe said. “Right now I’m not in the mood to look at or try on that drab-looking stuff.” The others shrugged and headed off for the Omega Three building.