Indy turned that one over. If he thought about it like a scientist instead of a jingoist, what Pierson was saying was the only semi-plausible theory they'd come up with so far. Occam's razor threatened to slice any other possibilities he could come up with to ribbons. "What's a little more trouble when you've already kidnapped dozens of people? We're talking about the people who get up early every morning to restock the storage closets and replace the doors," he said, more out of residual petulance than actual conviction.

He nodded at Pierson's mention of organizations, thinking of Donovan. "Or wealthy individuals, even. And yeah, guess you could say I've got some experience in that field. But I'm an archaeologist; my work is tangential to the study of the paranormal at best." Indy was showing his hand; time to see if Pierson would do the same. "Do you have a more direct connection?"