The Escape (John Puller, #3)(67)

“Absolutely.”

“How did they check for that?”

“Well, they make it hard to do things like that. Like at DTRA, our computers were deactivated for flash drive usage, so you can’t steal data that way. But you can use a DVD, as Robert did. They had to allow that for us to do our jobs. The best security is to vet your employees and make sure they’re not working for the other side, because you can’t totally eliminate the risk of someone stealing sensitive data. Look at Snowden. There are random searches and they have scanners, but if you’re badged you don’t run through the scanners. I suspect they have other security measures they don’t share with us, just in case we do have a traitor in the ranks.”

“So he probably knew that as well and couldn’t take the chance of just slipping a DVD into his pocket and hoping he gets out. How did he get the device out the day you saw him?”

“He pulled the fire alarm. The facility was evacuated. As you can imagine, there wasn’t an opportunity to search people. And I would suppose that any stealth measures they had in place were trumped by the possibility of a fire.”

“But you reported what you saw?”

“Immediately. By the time security arrived the fire alarm had been pulled. They caught up to him outside. They found the DVD in his pocket.”

“Was he placed under arrest then?”

“Yes. Then he was released on his personal recognizance. But then it was reported that he had previously been spotted meeting with someone who turned out to be a spy for the Iranian government. It was then that Puller was put in the stockade until his court-martial began.”

“What was the time lapse there?”

“I’m not sure. Not that long. Maybe a week.”

“Surprising they didn’t jail him for good after they found the DVD in his pocket.”

“I thought so too. But maybe he talked them into it. He could be very convincing.”

“But you said you didn’t know him that well.”

“I didn’t. But I heard him make numerous presentations at STRATCOM. He was articulate, a powerful speaker, and had a comeback for everything they threw at him. Probably because he was smarter than everyone else in the room.”

Puller had been jotting notes down. He clicked his pen a couple of times while he thought about her last statement. Did he detect a note of jealousy there?

“You haven’t noticed anything unusual around here?” he asked.

“Do you mean have I seen Robert Puller lurking in my backyard? No, I haven’t. I doubt I’m important enough for that. It was incredible that he broke out of DB. I would think he would already be out of the country.”

“Pretty dicey for him to meet with an Iranian spy.”

“Maybe we should rejoin your partner. She’s probably wondering what happened to us.”

Puller led the way down the hall. Knox was sitting in the same chair by the stone fireplace. She glanced at Puller, her features inscrutable.

“Really nice place,” she said to Reynolds. “I love the openness and the decoration.”

“Thanks. It’s a nice neighborhood. Lots of interesting people from all walks of life.”

Knox pointed at an array of photos sitting on a console table. “Is that you?”

Reynolds nodded and smiled. “That was taken when I made the Olympic team in the biathlon.”

“Skiing and shooting?” said Puller.

“That’s right.”

“How’d you do?”

The smile turned to a frown. “I didn’t end up competing. Medical condition.”

“That must have been disappointing,” said Knox.

“What’s a life without disappointment? Makes you stronger.”

Knox pointed to another photo. “Your kids?”

Reynolds nodded. “My son’s a lawyer and my daughter runs a clothing store.”

“You must have had them young?” noted Puller.

“Adam and I met in college and married in our sophomore year.”

“I don’t see a picture of him here,” said Knox.

“He was killed in a hit-and-run nearly twenty years ago,” Reynolds said bluntly. “It’s too painful for me to even see his face.”

“Did they ever catch the person who did it?” asked Puller.

Reynolds shook her head. “I was out of the country at the time on assignment. Adam was an FBI agent, and a damn good one. He was working a case in D.C. having to do with a drug cartel. I think those devils were behind it, but the Bureau thought it was simply an accident.”

“Did you have proof otherwise?” asked Knox.

Reynolds said, “It was a long time ago, so what does it matter? Nothing will bring him back.”

“I’m sorry,” said Knox. She then pointed to one more photograph. It was a much older one, in black and white. “Is that you?”

Puller looked at it. It was of an older man in a magician’s outfit, complete with top hat and tails. He was holding a wand in one hand and a long cloth in the other. Next to him was a tall, slender teenage girl.

Reynolds nodded. “My father was a professional magician. I was his assistant. He was really good. Taught me a lot. Great guy. I miss him. Cancer took him ten years ago.” She added brusquely, “Now, is there anything else I can help you with?”