Page 40 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

“The rumor is on here?” she asked.

He shook his head. “That’s an encryption key that will allow you to communicate with several of our special contacts, including the person who passed the rumor to me. Their username is marked with an asterisk.”

“ ‘Special contacts’?”

“People in sensitive positions who help us with our research but need to keep a low profile.”

“I guess that makes sense. But what’s the rumor?”

He gave her a piece of paper. “Read, it then put it in your burn bag.” Every member of the research department had burn bags that were picked up at the end of each day and taken to an incinerator.

Jillian’s eyes widened in surprise as she read the paper. “How sure are they?”

“Like I said, it’s a rumor, but the contact says it’s from a trusted source.”

“When should I tell him?”

“Now would be good.”

Dieter knocked on Braun’s officedoor and stuck his head inside. “Schmidt has an update. I thought you might want to listen in.”

“Absolutely,” Braun said, waving him in.

Dieter set his cell on Braun’s desk and activated the speaker. “So, what is this news?”

“I’ve found Rogers,” Schmidt said. “I told you I would.”

“Where?” Dieter asked.

“In Italy.”

Before Dieter could respond, Braun pushed out of his chair and leaned toward the phone. “Could you be a little more specific, Mr. Schmidt?”

“Mr. Braun? I-I didn’t realize you were—”

“A location, if you don’t mind.”

“Right. Um, I tracked him down in Rome and followed him to Florence.”

“Are you looking at his corpse? Because that’s what I’m expecting you to say next.”

“Well, no, sir. N-not yet.”

“Why not?” Braun snapped.

“I-I-I haven’t been able to get close enough. But I will. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Funny,” Dieter said, his tone neutral. “That’s almost a direct quote of what you said when you found Rogers in Prague.”

“T-t-this time it’s different. I promise.”

“You’re right about that,” Braun growled. “Would you like me to explain what will happen to you if you don’t get it done?”

“No, sir. That won’t be necessary.”

“I thought not.”

“Is there anything else?” Dieter asked.

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