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I saw four SUVs and a cluster of men in suits waiting for us to stop. We did, and they raced on board, slapping a hood over Mr.Chin, unhooking him from the chair, and then bundling him straight out the door. They put him in the back of a tinted-windowed SUV, then departed. The entire episode took about four minutes.

I said, “Well, that was quick.”

I turned to Kerry and said, “Now that Mr.Chin is taken care of, are you sure you can’t sweet talk the Oversight Council for a little Indian R and R?”

He stood up, pulling a briefcase out of the overhead bin and saying, “No chance on that. Enjoy the flight home.”

I saw another vehicle arrive, thinking it was for Kerry, but was surprised when Nadia exited.

I said, “Knuckles, Nadia is here. At least somebody wants to say goodbye properly.”

Kerry looked at me quizzically. “She’s not saying goodbye today.”

I laughed and said, “What, are we supposed to evacuate her with us?”

Kerry scrunched his brow and said, “Well, yeah. Knuckles had me walk through a visa for her.”

NowIwas confused. I looked at Knuckles and he held out his hands, saying, “I didn’t figure they’d let us stay. And she wants a vacation too. She says she can get Annaka to pay for everything, for the whole team, wherever we want to go.”

I glanced at Jennifer, saying, “Did you know about this?”

I saw from her innocent expression that she most certainly did.

Nadia said, “Don’t worry, Pike. I won’t ask for you to break into any hotel rooms this time. Unless I find one with Jennifer in it.”