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into civilian life, Sam. Think of me as a parole officer.”
    “Innocent people aren’t on parole.”
    “The Company asked me to serve in this role. I’m the only one who believed you, do you remember? I said I thought you were innocent. I was your only advocate, Sam.”
    “You were a piss-poor one.”
    Howell gave a long, low sigh and sat on the side of the bed. “I told the directors I thought you were telling the truth. Finally they believed me when…”
    “When what?” I leaned forward.
    “I can’t discuss it.”
    “You owe me.”
    “No, we don’t owe you a thing,” Howell said. “You were too blind to see what was in front of you.”
    “You know Lucy is guilty? Tell me.” Oh, God, confirmation of the impossible, that my wife was a traitor.
    “Do you want your freedom back, Sam?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then shut up. Swallow down every question and don’t ask me about Lucy.” He cleared his throat. “We need to talk about your immediate future, though.”
    I sat up slowly. “My future is I’m going to find my wife. And my child.”
    “You are not. She remains a national security matter. As do you. You will do as you’re told.”
    And I would, until I did what I wanted. I could play the game. I swallowed my questions. “My parents—”
    “Your parents think you want nothing to do with them, Sam. Let’s keep it that way.”
    I was silent. This was my shame. Normal people had normal relations with their parents. Mine weren’t quite normal, at least where I was concerned.
    “Of course your parents were thoroughly investigated. They are a bit… unconventional.”
    “Stay away from them.”
    “Oh, that would be a loss for me. I find them charming; we like to sit in the garden and drink tea. I’ve visited with them several times. Special Projects Branch at the Company bought the house next to theirs in New Orleans; I’m their manufacturing-representative neighbor who travels a great deal. We’ve had their house bugged for months, tapped their phones, watched them. Just in case their pregnant daughter-in-law contacted them or they attempted to make inquiries about you. But only silence. Since they didn’t hear from you at Christmas, they are a bit worried that the gulf between you cannot be bridged.”He shrugged. “Don’t take it hard. We sometimes don’t like the people we love.” He told me this like he was handing me a gift.
    “My parents—just leave them alone.”
    “Then do as I say and the surveillance, the investigation of them, will end.” He raised his hands, palms toward me. “I don’t want to involve your parents. They’re fine people, Sam.”
    I was being bribed. Fine. I would protect my parents. “Deal.” I cleared my throat.
    “It’s your lucky day. You were never technically fired. You are still under Company command. You have been assigned to my group. I am your boss.”
    I wanted to say
I resign
, but: “Then let me help you look for her.”
    Howell raised an eyebrow. “Do you really want your job with us, Sam?”
    “Yes.” It was the first rational lie I’d told in months. I didn’t count any lies I had screamed during the waterboarding. Apparently none of my false information worked out for the Company.
    “Then here are your orders. You stay put here in New York. There is an account at a bank that has been opened in your name, with a sizeable initial deposit. Enough to live on, although I suggest you find work. If only to keep your mind and hands occupied.”
    “Work. But you said—”
    “You remain on our payroll. But your clearances are gone, Sam. So find a job to keep you busy. One that requires no travel and is not demanding.”
    “I can’t sit still. Not with my family in trouble.”
    Howell rode right over that speed bump. “You want tohelp find Lucy? Then do what you’re told. Sit tight. Get a job. A simple one.”
    “I’ve only ever worked for the Company. I started straight out of college.”
    “You tended bar in college, though. Pour