He’d have preferred to use the computer at the lab, but the lab had been compromised. Its location could have been revealed by Eddie during the time he was loose. Unlikely, but Bowdler hadn’t survived so long by taking chances. That was rule number one: always have a backup. A backup plan, a backup weapon, a backup location. Fortunately, he’d had the foresight to establish several other locations, including the one where the captives were currently being held. Bowdler couldn’t help smiling when he thought about the former—and perhaps future—use of the building. His apartment was outside the city. Nobody knew its location. It took time to get there. But there was no rush. The captives weren’t going anywhere. Before he got to work, he took a moment to admire his newest purchase—a hat that had belonged to General Patton. The bidding had been fierce, but he’d won. There was no way he would have allowed such a prize to fall into the hands of some undisciplined hobbyist who had no idea what it meant to be a general.
