Support and Defend by Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney

polygraphs in the past.”
    Ethan sighed, doing his best to regain composure. “Of course not. I went to Harvard, I’m not going to be outsmarted by a fucking state college grad with a box of wires and lights. But my other polys were just annual security recerts. A second rate investigator with no presumption of any deception. I knew I would ace the box, so I aced the box. This time will be different. It will be a single-scope poly, the best FBI investigators in CID, and they will know what questions to circle back to. It won’t be a cakewalk this time.”
    Banfield tried to calm the younger man down. “The polygraph is a stage prop. It’s bullshit. The key to the polygraph is understanding the equipment is a hoax set out to intimidate the guilty into a confession. The examiner will interrogate you, and he will use the polygraph as a pretext to say he does not believe you. It is his tool to draw out a confession. Don’t confess, stay relaxed,” Banfield smiled. “And believe that which is true.”
    Ethan glared at Banfield. “You aren’t telling me anything I don’t know.”
    The older man put his hands up. “I’m sorry. Of course not. But just know this. You are not to blame for the attack in India. The information you gleaned from CIA files is as secure right now as it was when you downloaded it. We are just holding it for the right moment.”
    Ethan looked off in the distance and mumbled, “I can beat the box.” He didn’t sound sure, and Banfield registered this.
    “You can .” Banfield put his arm around Ross. “I’ll get you some medications to take. It will help.” He leaned down to look into Ethan’s face. He gave him another squeeze on the shoulder. “Listen to me. You’re fine. This sort of thing happens all the time. We work with a lot of patriots like you. Probably once a month someone gets pulled into a surprise polygraph. Nothing has ever come from it. Ever. ”
    “Don’t lie to me, Harlan.”
    “I wouldn’t dare. And I’m not just kissing your ass here when I say it, but you are a hell of a lot sharper than some of the other whistleblowers out there.” He smiled and rolled his eyes, indicating the level of intellect of the others.
    Ethan nodded, conceding the point without a hint of selfconsciousness, and he lightened up a little. He took a moment to look around the park, as if for the first time. He and Banfield were the only two people in sight.
    “Okay. I’ll spend the next couple of days prepping for it. But I’m not going to trust any technology in the meantime. Who knows how wide and how deep this security review will go? We need to be careful. The FBI could get a court order to tap every one of us with TS clearance in the EOB. No phones or e-mail.”
    “A phone is okay in a pinch if you buy a new one. Just go to a convenience store and get a cheap mobile. Only use it in an emergency. I’ll do the same.”
    “Okay, but I’d rather meet in person.”
    Banfield thought for a moment. “Do you still go running in the mornings?”
    “Some mornings.” Ross said. And then, “Why?”
    “Buy some chalk.”
    “Chalk?”
    “Yes. For the next few days, got for a morning jog down Wisconsin Avenue. Turn east on N Street. On the southeast corner there is a green fire hydrant by the road. If you want to meet me here, drag a small piece of chalk on the top of it, just three inches or so, big enough I can see it as I pass by on my way to work. If you put it there I’ll show up here at eight a.m.”
    “And if you need to talk to me?”
    “Same thing. I’ll mark the hydrant if I need to meet with you. Eight a.m. here.”
    Ross nodded slowly. “A little old-fashioned, but okay.”
    “The old ways are the best ways, son. Phones are tapped. Unsecure e-mail is read. Nobody out there is looking for chalk anymore.”
    B ANFIELD DROPPED R OSS OFF at his car, which was parked several blocks away from Banfield’s office in Thomas Circle, then he drove back to the parking garage under