“Management treating you okay?” “Mr. Quentin is supportive and he gets whatever

we need.” “Quentin?” “Josh Quentin. He runs the program. He may own the company

for all I know. I’m not at a level that needs to know that.” She looked across

the seat at Puller. “Just so you know, he was at the bar tonight too. He goes

there a lot. It’s how I found out about it.” “What does he look like?” “Tall,

young, handsome. The ladies really go gaga over him. You might have seen him

going up the stairs to the second-floor room.” “I did. What goes on up there?”

“I’ve never been up there. Only Mr. Quentin and his group are allowed up there.”

“Are the people coworkers?” She laughed. “Did those women look like science

nerds to you?” “So what are they, hookers?” “I don’t know. I doubt it. Josh is

young and rich. He can get women without having to pay for them.” “Okay.” “Were

you referring to Mr. Quentin when you mentioned ‘irregularities’?” “Why?” When

she didn’t answer immediately he added, “Shepard, if you have something to say,

say it. The Army does not pay me to waste time.” “It’s just that Mr. Quentin

doesn’t seem to have much of a science background. I mean, when he comes around

to check on things the questions he asks are pretty basic. I would have expected

him to know more, that’s all.” “Maybe he’s just a business guy.” “But every

project I’ve ever worked on the leadership are serious scientists in their own

right.” “So maybe this project is different.” “Maybe it is.” “What part of the

project do you work on?” “Are you really read in for this?” she asked nervously.

“I don’t want to get into trouble.” “You’re already in trouble. And I’m trying

to save your ass.” “Okay, okay. I’m just freaked out.” She took a deep breath.

“I work on the exos and liquid armor programs.” “Exos?” “Exoskeleton hardware.

Lightweight systems worn on the outside of the soldier’s body, powered by

lithium batteries. It increases their strength multifold. And we’re working on a