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I go now?” Jones seemed flustered and probably regretting sharing the gossip about Bowman’s love life.
    She would need special handling now. “You seem like the kind of person your coworkers would confide in. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you about the affair.”
    A pleased expression swept over the woman’s face, even as she shook her head. “No, Nick probably knew I wouldn’t approve. He has a lovely family.”
    “Did his wife know about the affair?”
    “I doubt it.”
    “Does she strike you as a volatile personality? The type to get angry enough to take revenge?”
    Jones’ eyes and mouth popped open. “You mean would she kill him for cheating on her?”
    “It happens.”
    A blank stare now. “I don’t know his wife at all.”
    Bailey dreaded talking to the widow. Distressed people’s emotions got in the way, and it took forever.
    “Thanks for your time.” She had to move on. The likelihood of finding a witness to the abduction was slim—unless she found Bowman’s mistress or could trace his steps on the evening of his disappearance. Bowman’s car hadn’t turned up, and no one had seen him after he left work. The local agents had requested the dead man’s phone and financial records, and she would soon have access too. But first, she needed to know what the scientist had been working on. Matching his research to another company’s needs could be the key to finding the suspects. She headed for the corner office to question the CEO.
     
    David Seabert was forty-something, wore a dark-blue pullover, and sported a well-groomed beard. Not a scrap of paper cluttered his high-gloss desk. Just a palm-sized recorder and, near the front, a business award he’d won. A nonconformist and a control freak. She would have to work him carefully. Bailey introduced herself, and he offered a quick handshake but no smile.
    “Thanks for seeing me,” she said. “I know you’re a busy man.”
    “Have a seat.” He gestured and sank into his own chair. “How can I help you?”
    “Tell me everything you know about Nick Bowman’s research.”
    He drew back, eyes tightening. “You think his death is connected to his work?”
    “Yes.”
    “I just heard he was having an affair. Maybe it was a domestic issue.”
    “Unlikely. What was he working on?”
    Seabert folded his arms across his chest. “Our research is proprietary.”
    “I understand, but this could be a matter of national security.” She would appeal to his ego. Bailey leaned forward and touched his hand. “I’ll tell you something confidential in exchange. Another metallurgist from Australia disappeared two weeks ago. I don’t believe Nick Bowman’s death was a domestic issue or a random act of violence. Something big is happening here, and I need your help.”
    For a long moment he stared past her, vacillating. Finally, he said, “I can only give you a broad idea of Nick’s research, but it involved the development of a new material, something that could replace dysprosium in manufacturing.” He met her eyes. “Do you know what that is?”
    “A rare earth metal in very short supply.”
    “It has been all along, even before China’s embargo. So Nick had been working on it for years.” The CEO finally relaxed his arms and confided in her. “China’s control of the supply has always worried the technology industry, but no one expected them to completely shut down exports. It’s chaos here in the Valley. Employees are either being laid off or recruited at crazy salaries.”
    “Already?”
    “Five months is a lifetime in the tech industry. But our company is somewhat immune, because we produce a variety of specialty metals.”
    “What about your competitors? What company would have the most to gain by appropriating or stopping Nick Bowman’s research?”
    Seabert’s eyes narrowed. “Everyone in the digital device business could benefit. As well as companies that make hard drives and lasers.” He stroked his short beard. “But