Page 11 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

For the first time, Lance looked uncomfortable. “I’m dealing with that issue, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“You have a mole, don’t you?”

For a moment, it looked as though Lance wasn’t going to respond, but then he said, “Itispossible that someone is helping from the inside.”

“I would say it’s more than possible.”

“As I said, I am dealing with it.”

“All right, then what is it you want from me?” Teddy asked.

“To find out who’s doing this to my people.”

“You have a whole agency of operatives who can do that for you.”

“But none with your unique qualifications.”

“Unique in what way?”

“You were one of the planners of Golden Hour and know more about it than any of the other agents still alive.”

Teddy had created a device that was the centerpiece ofthe operation. He’d been on the mission to make sure it worked correctly.

“I’d hardly call that unique. You could easily bring any of the other agents up to speed.”

“I’m not finished.”

“I apologize. Please, continue expounding on my uniqueness.”

“You are about to embark on a press tour in Europe, where all the assassinations have occurred, and where we believe this new threat is based. The trip is the perfect cover.”

“The trip isn’t a cover. It’s my job. One that will be keeping me very busy.”

“Naturally, I would never ask you to shirk your responsibilities.”

“Then what are you asking?”

Lance shared a glance with Stone.

“You know my feelings on this,” Stone said. “I only agreed to host this meeting ifyoutold him.”

“Told me what?”

“Very well,” Lance said. “I believe the best chance we have to draw out whoever’s behind this is if we use you as bait.”

Teddy folded his arms over his chest and leaned back. “I’m going to need a few more details than that.”

“As far as whoever’s behind this knows, you’re dead. If you weren’t, they’d be coming after you, too. I propose we seed a few well-placed rumors saying Teddy Fay might not be as dead as reported. Not long after, we leak more rumors that you may have a connection to the film festival you’ll be attending in Berlin. Or perhaps even to your press tour.Mind you, without pointing a finger at Billy Barnett or Mark Weldon.”

“How kind of you,” Teddy said. “You do realize doing this could put innocent people in danger, several of whom are close friends of mine.”

“We believe the chances of others being harmed are minimal.”

“And that would be because…?”

“Because whoever’s doing this has been isolating their targets before killing them.”

“So far, you mean,” Teddy said. “That pattern could change.”

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