"Not us," Strauss said. "She knows nothing about The Circle. And besides-"
"But she thinks she does. She thinks she knows our intent. She knows nothing of our purposes and yet feels free to mouth off in public and accuse us of being child molesters. Are we going to stand for this?"
"I don't see that we have much choice," Strauss said.
"There are always choices."
"Really? And what are they here?"
Strauss's unruffled attitude irked Eli. "Find this loudmouthed woman and teach her a lesson."
"I think you're overreacting, Eli," Strauss said.
"Easy for you to say!" Eli hissed. He wanted to shout but was wary of raising his voice. "You're not the one with the stab wound or the concussion!"
"Finding this woman won't make you feel any better."
"Oh, it will! I guarantee you, it will!"
Eli was well aware that he was overreacting, but he'd been hurt and he was in pain, and Strauss had given him no target for retribution, offered scant hope of providing one in the foreseeable future. Finding and ruining this woman would provide a much-needed outlet for his pent-up fury.
"How am I supposed to find her? She hasn't committed a crime."
"Contact Gregson."
"Gregson's with NBC. This was on-"
"Gregson will know what to do." Eli felt his anger bubbling over. Did he have to lead Strauss by the hand? Did he have to do everything! "If you can't find our attacker's name, then get me this woman's name! Do something, damn it!"