“How long were you in Army Intelligence?” Chambers asked.
Reacher didn’t answer right away. He watched Chambers’ eyes and saw nothing but a blank expression.
“Long enough,” Reacher said. “Besides you already know that.”
Chambers nodded. “Field operations.”
“Yes.”
“Central America,” Chambers said.
Reacher said nothing.
Chambers leaned back slightly. “You saw combat.”
“Why am I here?”
Chambers ignored the questions. “You handled assets.”
“Of course.”
“Interrogations.”
Reacher met his eyes. “Yeah, I’m no stranger to them. Want me to critique you so far?”
A flicker of something crossed Chambers’ face. Surprise, maybe, or annoyance.
“Ever operate outside official channels?” Chambers asked.
Reacher shrugged once. “Depends on who you ask.”
Before Chambers could follow up, Reacher added, “Is this the part where you tell me who you work for, or do we circle a few more times first?”
Chambers didn’t react immediately. He glanced at the legal pad—still blank—then back at Reacher.
“Does it matter?” Chambers said.
“Right now it feels like a fishing expedition,” Reacher replied.
Chambers considered that. Then he said, “You’re not the one asking questions here.”
Reacher nodded mildly. “That’s usually what people say when they don’t want to answer one.”
Chambers exhaled through his nose. Almost a smile. Then he tapped the legal pad with one finger.
“Bill Kinsman,” he said.
Reacher kept his expression neutral. “What about him?”
“You served under him.”
“Yes.”
“Your CO.”
“Yes. How far back does this go?” Reacher asked calmly. “Are we talking about something current, or are you reopening a file that should’ve stayed closed?”
Chambers ignored the question.
