him. “I…I guess you’re right.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “Paul was…it

was so terrible, Puller.” “They screwed with his brain so he could kill and not

feel bad about it.” “You mean they made him a monster.” “But the monster didn’t

kill us. He saved us.” “So he could get information.” “He got information and he

still let us live.” She nodded slowly. “Does that mean the mind control thing

they built into him is wearing off?” “I think more likely that whoever Paul was

before is reasserting itself.” “So what do we do now?” “Clearly Jericho tried to

kill us tonight. She’s afraid of what we might find out. So I say we keep

working to justify that fear.” “She may not know that we’re alive.” “That’s

right.” Puller’s phone buzzed. It was a text. From his brother.

 

In all caps it said, CALL THIS NUMBER NOW. NO MONITOR. BTW RICKY

 

STACK HAD NO CHANCE.

 

Knox was looking at the screen. “Who is Ricky Stack?” “The biggest kid in third

grade who tried to take my lunch.” “What happened?” “He learned the error of his

ways. That’s Bobby’s way of confirming that it’s him on the other end of the

text.” He called the number as they walked along. His brother answered on the

first ring. “Are you okay, Junior?” he asked immediately. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because three hours ago an unauthorized use of a DoD satellite was made in

Hampton, near Fort Monroe. In fact on the grounds of Fort Monroe. That was too

much of a coincidence for me.” “So that’s how they took over the car.” “Come

again?” Puller quickly explained what had happened. “Claire Jericho,” Robert

said in a hushed tone. “You know her?” “I know of her. She’s at the very highest