That got Sorenson's full attention. Reacher could hear it in the silence.
"All right," the major said finally. "But listen carefully: anything I dig up stays off paper. Not one footstep in the official system. If anyone sees me pulling his file, I'm done. You understand that?"
"I do."
"And if Kinsman is mixed up in something…" Sorenson trailed off. "Hell, Joe. He saved your life once."
"I remember," Reacher said. "That's why I need to know where he went."
Sorenson's chair creaked as he leaned back. "Give me until tomorrow. That's the best I can do without raising eyebrows."
"Tomorrow's fine."
"And Reacher?"
"Yeah."
"This call never happened. If anyone asks, we haven't spoken since '88. And if what I find smells wrong, you'll be the first—and only—person I tell."
"Fair enough."
The line went dead.
Reacher hung up the handset, took a breath, and glanced down the hallway.
Then he walked back to the booth, sat down, and picked up his coffee.
Simmons watched him carefully. "You get what you needed?"
"No," Reacher said. "But I might tomorrow."
The waitress appeared with two plates. Set them down without ceremony. Joe's cheeseburger was thick and simple—bun, patty, cheese, pickles. The way it should be. Simmons had ordered the same.
They ate in silence for a minute.
Joe took measured bites. Chewed thoroughly. The burger was good. Hot, greasy, exactly what he needed. He'd eat the whole thing, then the pie.
Simmons ate more slowly, favoring the side of his mouth that wasn't split.
After a few minutes, Joe nodded at the napkin Simmons had been writing on. "Let me see that list."
Simmons slid it across the table.
Joe read while he ate.
When he finished reading, he took another bite. "Good list."
"Thanks," Simmons said. "Any of it make sense to you?"
"Some."
Joe set the list down. "The CI was tortured for information. They wanted to know what he'd told us, who he'd talked to. That's standard."
"But they didn't search the place properly," Simmons said.
"Right. Which means either they got interrupted, or they already had what they needed."
Simmons frowned. "So why torture him?"
