The Sixth Man (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 5)

“Or essentially a private one.”

“Why?” asked Bunting.

“If the sat was government-owned it would be harder to control the information, even for Foster. But if it were private eyes?”

“Which she might have agreed to since she was planning this whole campaign with Quantrell against me and the E-Program outside of DHS channels.”

“Or it might be more complicated than that.”

“How?”

“Mercury has a number of satellites, correct?”

“Sure. Quantrell was one of the first in the field.”

“So let’s say he has the bird on Eddie’s property too. They pick a weekday when Eddie is in D.C. Foster orders her sat to look away. They take the bodies in and bury them in the barn in a way that will be easily discoverable later. They phone in a tip to the police, and my brother takes the fall.”

“But why wouldn’t Quantrell turn his bird off too?” asked Bunting. Before she could answer his question, he did. “In case things went to hell he’d have leverage with Foster.”

“Exactly.”

“So how do we confirm this?”

“There are ways. I’ll get working on them.”

“If we can get pictures of what actually happened, then Edgar goes scot free.”

“But that doesn’t get us out of the woods yet.”

“No, it’s only one piece, you’re right.”

Bunting’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket.

Paul eyed him. “Who is it?”

“Avery.”

He answered and put it on speaker so Paul could hear, too. “Talk fast, Avery.”

The other man’s voice was strained. “Mr. Bunting, I received a call from someone.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. They didn’t leave their name. But they had a message they wanted me to convey to you.”

“What was it?”

“They want to make an exchange.”

“What sort of exchange?”

“A woman named Megan Riley in trade for Edgar Roy.” He paused.

“Avery, is that all? Roy for Riley?”

“No, sir. They also want you.”

Bunting drew a quick breath and looked toward the window, as though they might be lurking right outside.