One of the guards said, “You were here before.” “That’s right. To meet with

Claire Jericho. She called and asked me to meet her right now.” The guards

looked puzzled. The one who had recognized Puller said, “But she’s not here.”

“Are you sure?” “I’ve been on duty since oh six hundred. She checked out last

night and she has not signed back in.” Puller looked confused. “I don’t get it.

She called maybe thirty minutes ago and said to meet her at Fort Monroe.” He

looked over their shoulders at Building Q. “This is the only facility she works

at here, right?” “Far as I know.” “How about Josh Quentin? I know him too.” “No.

He hasn’t come in yet.” “Thanks.” Puller hustled back across the street and

joined Knox. He quickly explained what the guard had told him. “Where, then?”

asked Knox. “She needs a private, secure place.” Knox snapped, “Ballard’s

place.” “That’s what I’m thinking.” * * * Two hours later they were back in the

Tar Heel State. Puller had called his brother and filled him in on what they had

found and where they were going. “Please tell me you’re not going to break into

Ballard’s mansion,” said Robert. “Okay, I won’t tell you,” replied Puller. “Holy

shit, John, will you just take a breath and think about this?

 

Now instead of screwing your career, you could go to jail. Or even be killed.”

“Thanks, Bobby. God knows I’m not used to putting my life on the line,” he added

dryly.

 

Puller put the phone away and checked his watch. “We’ll wait until dark and then

recon the place. I’m sure it’s well guarded, but every facility has weaknesses.”

Day drifted to night. They sat in their car in a public parking lot off the