Page 48 of PSYCHOlogical

“Right now, I don’t think anyone is at risk,” I explained. “This is a precautionary measure. I don’t work for the CIA or NSA. This isn’t matter of national security. Not really.”

“So, they’re not going to send goons in here to ransack our home looking for that little box?” Jack asked.

“They don’t know this box exists. I didn’t steal anything. There’s nothing missing. I just took some photos of a bunch of things they don’t want me taking pictures of.”

“I don’t like this,” Jordan said.

“I don’t either,” I admitted. “But I did it to protect myself. As an insurance policy. A bargaining chip. Things are getting ready to happen with my employer, and they’re not going to like what it is. If they try to do anything to me, I’m going to let them know this thumb drive exists. I’ll tell them if anything happens to me that the contents of this box will be released to CNN News. They won’t want that, and I doubt they’ll take the risk.”

Jack gestured to the box. “If something happens to you, do you want us to take it to CNN?”

I nodded.

He looked at Jordan. “We don’t have a choice.”

“It makes me nervous to keep it in the house,” Jordan said.

“I’ll lock it in the safe deposit box in the bank,” Jack said. “It won’t even be here.”

Jordan looked at me. “This is going to keep them—whoever they are—from hurting you?”

“I hope so. It’s really my only viable option.”

She glanced at the box, and then at me. “Okay.”

I shifted my eyes to Jack.

“I’ll accept it, and all the responsibility that comes with it,” he said. “But only if you explain to me what it is, and why it’s so important.”

I feared that might be his response. I knew I couldn’t tell him everything, but I could tell him enough to satisfy his curiosity and keep me out of trouble.

“Grab another beer and have a seat,” I said. “I’ll tell you everything.”