Page 33 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

He found a quiet corner and called Langston.

“Reed, it’s Simon Duchamp. How are you?”

“What do you want?” Like many of Simon’s clients, Langston was a busy man with no tolerance for wasting time.

“I just got your e-mail.”

“Yeah? And?”

“I was hoping you could tell me a little more about Nico Savage.”

“Like what?”

“How long you’ve known him. Where he’s based. Things like that.”

“I don’t know him.”

“I’m confused. If you don’t know him, why would you pass his name on to me?”

“He’s an acquaintance of a guy who’s done work for me. I did it as a favor.”

“Wait, how many people have you told aboutme?”

“Relax. Neither of them knows who you are. Just that I use unconventional means to expand my collection. Eddie said this guy’s interested in the same. That’s all I know. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

The line went dead.

Simon wasn’t sure whether he should contact this Nicoperson or not. He searched for the man on the Internet. Unfortunately, there were several people with that name, most appearing unable to afford his services.

He sent an e-mail to a PI friend, who was better at this kind of research, then headed to his gate.

Chapter 12

“Five minutes.”

Stone stirred at the sound of Holly’s voice and mumbled, “Five minutes until what?”

When she didn’t answer, he reached over to pull her close, but he couldn’t find her. He cracked open an eye. Her side of the bed was empty.

“Holly?”

He turned to find her exiting the bathroom, dressed in one of her trademark presidential business suits and with a phone to her ear.

“Yes. That will be fine.” She hung up and gave Stone an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.”

Stone pushed up on his elbows. “What time is it?”

“Six.”

“You look awfully formal for breakfast.”

She sat beside him and took his hand. “An hour ago, North Korea performed an unannounced missile test. The missile came down within fifty kilometers of a joint naval exercise we’re participating in with South Korea and Japan. No one was hurt, and itshouldall blow over, but…”

“But you’re the president of the United States.”

She nodded. “And it wouldn’t look good if I suddenly started making statements from somewhere I’m not supposed to be.” She leaned down and kissed him. “I’ll make it up to you. I’m just not sure when.”

“When are you leaving?”

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