“Kind of, except ours can also frame another actor in such a way that even NSA’s digital forensics people would believe it. Regardless, I need it destroyed within two weeks, when I’m supposed to be providing an update on the project to my corporate benefactors.”

Matt absorbed the information and thought quietly for a moment, calculating the risks and rewards. Like the man before him, he knew that sometimes the hard, right thing had to be done, even if that thing was outside the lines of the law. “Consider it done. No questions asked. And you won’t know it until it happens. And by the way, I understand that by doing this, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll come back to work for us. That’s not how you operate, and I respect that. This one’s on me. It’s the least I can do after all that’s happened.”

He placed his hands on his knees and looked around. “And on that note, I think it’s time I got back to my office. Friday afternoons are notoriously busy. People downtown seem to create crises that they think absolutely have to be addressed with meetings and phone calls late on Fridays. No idea why, but it happens every week.”

Zack laughed. “I don’t envy you that part of your job. DC is no place for someone like me.”

Both men stood up, and Matt looked at Zack. “Actually, DC is exactly the kind of place for you, if you want to try and change the culture. It’s not easy, and it’s painful, but it is possible.”

“I appreciate that, and as I said, I’ll consider it. Very seriously. You have my word.”

“That’s worth more than most,” Matt said, and the two men worked their way back through the kitchen to the front door. “You know, Belyakov is going to flip when he finds out that what he has is worthless.”

“Actually, I don’t think he will, at least not like that. I think he’ll content himself with the fact that Griffin Huntsmen is dead and that I’m still here to tell the tale. There’s an honorable part of him that is glad he had a role in saving my life. He’s like that. He’s not an evil man. He’s just a man who does both good and evil things, and then he justifies them all.”

The two men had reached the foyer, and Matt said, “Don’t we all.” It wasn’t a question. “Okay. I appreciate the coffee, and let me know when you make a decision, even if it’s weeks from now. One last thing, when our leaker is finally found, I assure you, you’ll know.”

“Now, that is news I very much look forward to hearing. Until then,” Zack said, and stuck out his hand.