17 A Wanted Man

many hours of use. Reacher felt like he was putting on a dead man’s clothes.
    Sorenson asked, ‘Where are we going?’
    Reacher said, ‘Anywhere with cell reception. We need to wait until we hear from your tech guys. About the autopsy. You need to call them and give them the new number.’
    ‘We’re basically stealing this car, you know.’
    ‘But who’s going to do anything about it? That idiot Puller?’
    Reacher turned around in Delfuenso’s empty driveway and headed back south and west towards the crossroads. He got less than half a mile before Goodman’s phone rang in its cradle. A loud electronic squawk. Urgent, and nothing fancy.
    The readout window showed a 402 area code.
    ‘Omaha,’ Reacher said.
    Sorenson craned over to read the rest of the number.
    ‘Shit,’ she said. ‘That’s my SAC’s private line.’
    ‘He’s calling Goodman? Why?’
    ‘You kidnapped me. He’s alerting local law enforcement all over eastern Nebraska. Iowa too, probably.’
    ‘Doesn’t he know Goodman is dead?’
    ‘I doubt it. I don’t see how he could. Not yet.’
    ‘How did he get this number?’
    ‘Database. We have lots of numbers.’
    ‘Has he spoken to Goodman before?’
    ‘No. I don’t think so. The night duty agent took a call from him. That’s all. That’s how this whole thing started.’
    ‘How do I work this phone?’
    ‘You’re not going to talk to him, are you?’
    ‘We can’t let everyone ignore him. He’ll start to feel bad.’
    ‘But he knows your voice. You two just spoke.’
    ‘What did Goodman sound like?’
    ‘Like a seventy-year-old guy from Nebraska.’
    ‘How do I work the phone?’
    ‘Are you sure about this?’
    ‘Quick, before it goes to voice mail.’
    ‘There’s a microphone in the windshield pillar. Just hit the green button.’
    Reacher hit the green button. He heard telephone sounds over the car speakers, unnaturally loud and clear and detailed. Every hiss and every crackle was faithfully rendered. He heard Special Agent in Charge Perry’s voice. It sounded brisk and a little tense. It said, ‘Is this Sheriff Goodman?’
    Reacher took his right hand off the wheel and put his little finger in the corner of his mouth. Like an intrusive implement during a dental procedure. He said, ‘Yes, it is.’
    The voice filling the car said, ‘Sheriff, I’m Anthony Perry, the SAC at the Omaha FBI. The Bureau has an interest in a situation that may be developing in your neck of the woods.’
    ‘And what situation would that be, sir?’
    ‘I believe you may have met Agent Sorenson from my office.’
    ‘I had that pleasure last night. A mighty fine young woman. You must be proud to have her working for you, sir.’
    Sorenson laid her head back and closed her eyes.
    Perry said, ‘Well, yes, but that’s beside the point right now. We picked up a report from the Nebraska State Police that a child went missing this morning.’
    ‘Sad but true, sir.’
    ‘I believe Agent Sorenson may have headed directly to you as a result.’
    ‘That’s good,’ Reacher said. ‘I’ll be glad of all the help I can get.’
    He gulped saliva past his finger.
    Perry said, ‘Are you OK, sheriff?’
    ‘I’m tired,’ Reacher said. ‘I’m an old man and I’ve been awake for a long time.’
    ‘You haven’t seen Agent Sorenson today?’
    ‘No, not yet, but I’ll be sure to watch out for her.’
    ‘It’s not that simple, sheriff. I believe she may have detoured on her way here with a male suspect. I believe that male suspect may have somehow overpowered her and may be currently holding her hostage.’
    ‘Well, sir, I can certainly see how you might describe that as a situation. Yes, indeed. But you don’t need my permission to come look for her. I think you’re entitled to take care of your own people. And you’re always welcome here.’
    ‘No, I can’t spare the manpower,’ Perry said. ‘We can’t be everywhere at once. I’m asking you and your boys to be my eyes and ears down there. Can you do that for me?’
    ‘Do what exactly?’
    ‘Let me know immediately if you see Agent Sorenson, or her car. And if possible take her companion into custody.’
    ‘Do you have a description?’
    ‘He’s a big guy with a broken nose.’
    ‘Is he dangerous?’
    ‘You should treat him as extremely dangerous. Don’t take unnecessary risks.’
    ‘You mean shoot first and ask questions later?’
    ‘I think that would be a very sound operating principle, under the