Finally, he said, “So you have something you want to ask me?”

She didn’t answer.

“Go on, it won’t offend me.”

“Who the hell are you?”

He thought for a moment. “Lately, I’m not so sure.”

“One minute I’m told to take you into custody, the next I’m walking you to the Oval Office. Now we’re on plane at the president’s request. What exactly do I need to know about you? What did the FBI want with you?”

“I destroyed the mainframe of a secret government facility in San Diego.”

“Why?”

“To prevent the end of the world.”

She sat back in her seat, and seemed for a moment to be deciding if she should take Van for his word. “Did it work?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Good doesn’t always win.”

“So you’re the good guy?”

“I’m not good with labels.”

“It that hard to decide if you’re a good guy or bad guy?”

“No. I just don’t see the world that way. Now, if you want to ask me if I’m the smart one or the stupid one, that I can answer.”

“What great threat are you working to stop, Doctor? Why are we going to San Diego?”

“Because that’s where the end begins.”

“The end of what?”

“Time.”

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