Page 71 of Exit Strategy

Kasselwood brushed her scar with her fingertips. ‘The soldier who made the complaint in Iraq? It wasn’t just the rules of engagement she was upset about. There was a personal thing going on, too. She liked Mark Hewson. But she thought Hewson liked me.’

‘Did he?’

‘Maybe. Nothing ever happened between us but the woman was still jealous.Hell hath no fury, right? I think that’s a big part of why she broke the chain of command. To get back at Hewson because of me. So I always felt like it was partly my fault that Strickland got injured. That’s one reason I always kept track of him when he left the army.’

As soon as Gilmour was ready to walk, they set off toward the main road running through the mine. Kasselwood checked her phone and said, ‘Message from Ellie. All clear out front. A bunch of guys, including the security guards, had to go to the hospital, so there’ll be no problem getting out.’

Gilmour said, ‘What about the guards we left tied up, at the entrance? We can’t leave them there. They’ve seen our faces.’

Reacher said, ‘I’ll bring them down here. Show them the bodies. Ask if they want to be around when the police show up.’

Gilmour shivered. ‘Should work. No one’s going to tie themselves to that horror show.’

Reacher turned to Kasselwood and said, ‘Tell Taylor you’re on your way.’

Kasselwood said, ‘Aren’t you?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Why? You like it down here?’

‘I want to know what Strickland’s doing with the bodies. That whole situation is completely messed up.’

Kasselwood said, ‘Violeta – did Strickland say anything about what he was doing in there?’

Vardanyan said, ‘Nothing specific. Just that it was an unpleasant place. He thought being locked in it would make me cooperate.’

‘With what?’

‘He wants me to talk to some guy tomorrow morning. Repeat myeyewitness account.Then make another video.’

‘Who’s the guy?’

‘Someone from the Pentagon. Mark Hewson?’

Kasselwood stopped walking.

Vardanyan said, ‘What? Did I do something wrong?’

Kasselwood said, ‘No. That’s just not a name I was expecting. He’s coming here?’

Vardanyan nodded.

Kasselwood said, ‘Well, shit.’

No one spoke for a minute, then Gilmour said, ‘Reacher, you’re right about those bodies. Something’s totally screwed up. Why is Strickland keeping them? Where did he get them from? He must have built that room specially. And why are they all in uniform?’

Reacher said, ‘I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.’

Gilmour said, ‘I’ll help.’

‘You don’t have to.’

‘I know. But you helped me, and there’s safety in numbers.’

Kasselwood looked at Vardanyan and raised her eyebrows. Vardanyan nodded. Kasselwood said, ‘We’ll stay, too.’

Reacher said, ‘Really, guys—’