The waiter interrupted with their drinks. After he’d left, Storm said, “I’m a private investigator-just like Jedidiah said. I used to work for him on occasion when I was in the military.”
“Oh really,” she replied skeptically. “I did some checking earlier today after Jedidiah told us that he was flying you into town. He said you were from Nevada. If that’s true, why is there no record of you being a licensed private investigator in that state?”
Storm shrugged. “I’ve been meaning to get a license. I just haven’t gotten around to it.”
“Youdo have a Nevada driver’s license though, right?”
Storm didn’t answer. She was supposed to be briefing him, not interrogating him. But Showers wasn’t about to stop now.
She said, “I checked the photos of all the Steve Masons who have Nevada driver’s licenses. You don’t look like any of them.”
Storm was disappointed. Jedidiah usually did a better job backstopping legends.
“I got a haircut,” he replied.
“I ran an FBI background check and there is nothing in any public record about a Steve Mason that fits your description. Who are you-really?”
Storm leaned in close and whispered, “I’m the man who’s been brought in to clean up your mess. That’s all you need to know.”
The waiter brought him his burger. Storm hadn’t realized how hungry he was. He took a big bite and another long gulp of cold beer.
In a resigned voice, Showers said, “What exactly do you need to know about the kidnapping?”
“Everything.”
Between bites, Storm questioned her. Showers elaborated on the basics that he’d already heard in Windslow’s office. Matthew Dull and Samantha Toppers had finished their last class for the day at Georgetown University and were walking across campus to get something to eat when a white van pulled to the curb and three attackers leaped from it. One fired an automatic weapon in the air to intimidate would-be heroes. He then pointed it directly into Topper’s terrified face. The other two assailants overpowered Dull and forced him into the van. The entire abduction had taken less than a minute.