"What about those other numbers?"
Reacher pulled the crumpled A4 papers from his pocket and spread them out in front of Dixon.
"You always said numbers tell a story. So what are these numbers telling us?"
Jack repeated Chris's earlier theory. "The good news? This probably isn't data from a biological weapons test. From everything we've seen, New Era Technologies doesn't have the capability to produce that kind of weapon."
Dixon frowned thoughtfully and started jotting things down on a napkin. "Some kind of monthly data?"
While she worked, Jack threw out another question.
"What do you guys actually know about Tony Swan?"
The room went silent. Everyone exchanged glances, unsure of what Jack was getting at.
Then he opened the final file on his laptop.
"This is the employee roster for New Era Technologies' security division," Jack said, scrolling down. "Pay attention to the name under 'Deputy Director.'"
There was no need to worry about duplicate names—the list had photos attached.
And there, staring back at them, was Tony Swan.
Everyone's faces changed.
Jack had originally asked Jubal's team to look into New Era Technologies just as a precaution.
After all, they had only found a parking pass for the company in Trevor Saropian's car—it wasn't a direct link.
But at the same time, Alice had been pulling Tony Swan's records and discovered he worked there.
That kind of coincidence was too perfect.
And just like that, New Era Technologies' suspicion level skyrocketed.
Reacher's mind clicked into place. He realized what Jack had really been hinting at earlier.
His first instinct was anger—but when he saw the others' reactions, his frustration shifted into something else.
"I trust Tony Swan," Reacher said, his voice firm. "He's a good man."
O'Donnell shot a glance at Nigeli before hesitantly saying, "Major, I gotta remind you… people change.
Like how you never thought I'd get married and become a domesticated husband."
Reacher slammed his hand down. "No. This isn't the same thing.
I won't doubt Swan—just like I wouldn't doubt any of you."
"Uh—"
Nigeli was about to jump in with her own skepticism, but Jack cut in first, stopping the argument before it could escalate.
"You misunderstood me," he said. "I wasn't saying Tony Swan was involved in the arms deal.
I was asking whether he saw the danger coming and went into hiding.
CSI and local law enforcement have been searching the area for days—they haven't found his body."
They were all smart.
The moment Jack framed it that way, even Reacher had to admit…
Tony Swan was looking pretty damn suspicious.
As deputy director of New Era Technologies' security division, Swan's job was critical.
Military contractors weren't like regular companies.
Their security teams were as important as the FBI.
They vetted employees, making sure no spies or corporate thieves got inside. They handled internal security and even executive protection.
Swan wasn't just some random employee.
He was important enough to be bribed.
And his disappearance? Highly unusual.
Franz's home and office had been ransacked.
Sanchez and Orozco's office had been trashed.
But Swan's house?
Untouched.
That meant one of two things:
He had been kidnapped or killed… He had gone into hiding or fled the country.
Either way, to Reacher's group, disappearing looked a lot like deserting.
They still didn't know everything, but the overall picture was coming into focus.
It all started with Swan.
He must have noticed something shady happening inside New Era Technologies.
So he reached out to Franz for help.
Franz, in turn, had asked Sanchez and Orozco to investigate.
At first, they probably didn't think it was a big deal.
By the time they realized they were dealing with a $65 million arms deal, it was too late.
The enemy moved fast—they didn't even have time to send out a warning before they were all eliminated.
"Swan probably wasn't part of the arms deal," Jack said.
"If he was, why the hell would he involve Franz? That would just make things more complicated.
He was part of your team. He knew how dangerous you guys were."
Jack's gaze swept the room.
"So let me ask you—under what circumstances would Tony Swan allow his dog to die of thirst and not call for help?"
"Prisoner. Or in hiding."
O'Donnell shrugged. "Reacher always told us—assumptions get people killed."
"Swan is clean," Reacher snapped. "He wouldn't let his dog die. If he was dirty, he'd be dead, just like the others."
"But he's not dead," Nigeli pointed out. "No body. No break-in at his house.
Maybe he ran—because he screwed up and knew three angry soldiers and a monster would be coming after him."
For once, Nigeli didn't take Reacher's side.
Not because she wanted to suspect Swan…
But because the facts led to this conclusion.
Jack was impressed.
Reacher needed that push from his teammates.
To prove his instincts were right, Reacher suddenly told a story.
Years ago, the 110th Special Investigations Unit had busted a drug ring, seizing 48 kilos of heroin.
But when they went to count it later…
One kilo was missing.
Swan had earlier made an offhand comment, complaining that drug traffickers made more money in one deal than their entire pensions combined.
Coincidentally, Swan had been the one driving the SUV transporting the drugs.
So they checked the vehicle.
Sure enough—
The missing kilo had fallen beneath the backseat.
"But that doesn't clear him," O'Donnell argued. "What if Swan actually tried to steal that kilo?
Maybe it wasn't an accident. Maybe the only reason we caught it was dumb luck."
Nigeli stared hard at Reacher.
"You want Swan to be innocent," she said quietly.
"Because you recruited him into the 110th.
If he's guilty…
You're gonna start blaming yourself for everything that happened."
"Guys," Dixon interrupted.
"I think I figured out the numbers."
Everyone turned toward her.
On her napkin, she had written two numbers.
"According to Jack's explanation—
One number represents expected occurrences.
The other represents actual occurrences."
She pointed at the totals.
"2,197 events should have happened.
1,547 actually happened.
Now… what do we get when we subtract those two?"
Jack immediately answered.
"650. At $100,000 each."
Everything clicked.
The missing events?
Were the missing weapons.
______
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