“You’re his handler, David. Someone suggests taking out your man and you have a problem. I can understand that. Haven’t we covered this?”

“It’s more than that. Casius can take care of himself. Actually, that’s its own problem. We’re gonna end up with blood on our hands whether we like it or not. But it’s this dogmatic insistence that we take him out instead of considering other alternatives, alternatives that seem much more reasonable to me, that has me baffled.”

Ingersol stared at him judiciously. “Not all issues of national security are put out in broad distribution memos.”

David flashed a smile at the man. “Look, all I’m saying is that nobody knows Casius like I do. Going after him this way is liable to create precisely the kind of problem we’re trying to avoid by killing him. And the director must know that.”

He studied Ingersol’s face at the first mention of the director. Nothing. He continued, “Evidently someone figures that risk is warranted, given what Casius might uncover down there. I think they’re trying to protect something.”

“Pretty strong words for a man in your position,” Ingersol said. “You wanna rethink that?”

“I have. A hundred times. I think Casius is headed for a deep-cover operation, and I think someone wants him dead before he discovers whatever’s being hidden down there in that jungle.”

“The world’s full of deep-cover operations, Lunow. And if they weren’t worth protecting, they wouldn’t be deep cover, would they? It’s not your position to question whether there is or isn’t something to hide. It’s your job to follow orders. We’ve been over this.”

“You’re trying to take him out. I just wanted to make my position clear for when this thing hits the fan. And you know it will, don’t you?”

“Actually, no, I don’t.”

“If I’m right, it will. Because whatever is down there, it’s about to be exposed.”

“All right. You’ve made your point. Finished. And, for the record, I think you’re overreacting because it’s your man down there breaking ranks. Go have a drink on me, but don’t come waltzing into my office accusing the agency of negligence.”

David felt his cheeks flush. A trickle of sweat broke from his hairline.

“Are we clear?” Ingersol asked.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SHERRY’S EYELIDS felt heavy, as if they had been coated with lead while she slept. She applied pressure to them, wanting light to fill her eyes, but they weren’t cooperating because the darkness did not roll back.

An image of Casius running barebacked through the brush filled her mind. Muscle rippled across his shoulder blades with each footfall.

She should open her eyes. And then another thought struck her: What if her eyes were already open?