Page 128 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

“I’m not sure how much I can add to what’s already been said,” he told the crowd. “Thank you for welcoming us to your wonderful city, and to the first of what is sure to be one of the best film festivals in the world!”

The shouts from the crowd reached new heights, while cameras flashed in rapid staccato.

As Mueller made a few more remarks, a beep sounded in Billy’s ear. He switched to the comm channel being used by the Strategic Services team helping him deal with Braunand his people and said just loud enough for his mic to pick up, “I’m here.”

“This is Strauss,” the team leader said. “We’ve identified twelve hostiles sprinkled around the event perimeter.”

Among his conditions to Lance for his continued involvement had been that each member of the Centurion contingent be provided a bodyguard and that a second security team be assigned directly to Billy. He’d further insisted this help come from Strategic Services and not the Agency to avoid the chance of his plans being leaked to Braun. While the mole had been captured, Billy wasn’t going to take any chances. Lance had grudgingly agreed to pick up the tab.

“Copy,” Billy said.

The MC took the mic back from Mueller. “Thank you all for coming out tonight! And now, it’s time for the show to begin!”

Because of their late inclusion,the tickets for Braun’s party put them in the back corner of the theater.

This turned out to be a good thing as it allowed them to observe the last of the moviegoers trickle in without drawing attention to themselves.

A ripple ran through the crowd and almost everyone turned their attention to the entrance as a statuesque woman stepped into the theater on the arm of a man a few inches shorter than her.

“She’s the movie star, isn’t she?” Braun asked Jillian.

“T-T-Tessa Tweed,” she whispered.

He had seen images of Tessa in the past, mostly inadvertisements for House Dione and for a brand of high-end cosmetics of which he couldn’t remember the name. She was just as stunning in person.

“And the guy with her?”

“Ben Bacchetti, head of Centurion Pictures. They’re married.”

A second woman entered.

“Adriene Adele,” Jillian said, without prompting. “She’s in the movie.”

Braun had never heard of the woman.

Next came Peter and Hattie Barrington, the film’s director and its composer.

The attention of the crowd followed the quintet as they made their way to their seats near the center of the theater.

Braun kept his gaze on the doorway, however, and was rewarded a moment later when four more people walked in.

Beside him, Jillian tensed.

“That’s Barnett, isn’t it?” Braun said. “The guy in front?”

Though she didn’t want to, Jillian nodded.

Braun’s gaze narrowed on Billy Barnett. He was a man of indeterminate age, who carried himself with an air of confidence and success. The woman with him was considerably younger.

“Who’s his companion?” he asked. “Girlfriend?”

“Assistant,” Jillian said.

“That doesn’t mean she’s not sleeping with him.”

“I’ve found nothing that says they have anything more than a work relationship.”

“Too bad.” A girlfriend would be a weakness Braun could exploit to get Barnett to reveal his true identity.

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