Falls Church, Virginia, Thursday…

One of the bodyguards took her badge and examined it.

"It's OK," he growled. "She's got all the right stamps and stuff. She's from that e-zine, Crime Fighters."

"I know her," said Mary Beth, a thin smile on her lips. "How are you, Jay?"

"A little busy. I've got a deadline to meet. I just wanted to give Mr. Johnson a chance to comment on the story."

"What story?" asked Johnson, speaking for the first time.

"Is it true that your agents discovered a terrorist who was your double and eliminated him? Together with the county sheriff, coroner, and forensics expert? I'm speaking about the Lexington Park case, of course."

Mary Beth exchanged looks with Johnson. In the dim light of the garage Jay had a hard time reading their expressions, or even if they had any reaction to her story.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Johnson. "I don't know where Lexington Park is. Isn't that right outside Boston?"

"No, that's Lexington," Jay said. "Lexington Park is in Maryland."

"Well, anyway, if that's your story, it will be censored immediately. I can't have false stories about terrorists circulating around. You know better than that."

"To my knowledge, terrorism is still a crime. That's what I write about. Is it possible that your agents acted without your knowledge?"