Chapter 5 Summary:

Dr. Robert Jackson, a 52-year-old cryptologist with a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, currently leads a team of cryptographers for the FBI. A tall, lean man and an avid runner, Jackson has earned immense respect in his field despite facing racial bias throughout his career. His break came when Joe Carter, a former high-ranking FBI official, recognized his potential and brought him into the agency. Their friendship remained strong even after Carter’s retirement two years earlier.

The chapter opens at a Thai restaurant on Ashton Avenue, where the two friends maintain their monthly tradition of meeting for lunch. Their humorous bond is highlighted through playful banter with their usual waitress, Shu-Chuan, and recollections of pranks and presidential gaffes.

During the meal, Carter brings up a rumor he’s heard about a top-secret collaboration between the CIA and FBI. At first, he teases Jackson with vague details, but eventually reveals that a high-level source confirmed the rumor. Jackson is skeptical but intrigued, especially when Carter whispers the source’s name—a revelation that impresses Jackson and hints at serious credibility.

Though Jackson affirms his loyalty to protocol and won’t promise to share any classified developments, he admits he’ll keep his ears open. Their conversation drifts back to personal matters, and the chapter closes with Carter lamenting the mundane reality of retired life.