Page 19 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

“Four-oh-one. Same direction.”

Billy dropped Peter and Hattie off at their suite, then continued to his, which was at the end of the hall, next to a set of emergency stairs. This was thanks to Lance, who had used a trusted contact to manipulate the room assignments, giving Billy a quick and discreet way in and out, if needed.

As Billy stepped inside, he stilled. Something felt off.

He crept through the entryway and peered into the living room.

Standing at the window, looking out at the city, was a woman dressed in black skintight pants, a black leather jacket, and a black baseball cap, through which looped her long, dark ponytail.

Sensing him, she turned, a smirk on her lips. But as soon as she caught sight of him, her smile slipped, and her hand moved smoothly under her jacket.

“Hello, Vesna,” Billy said.

Vesna Martic blew out a breath and withdrew her hand from where it had no doubt been resting on a gun in a shoulder holster. “Teddy, Teddy, Teddy. I must say, you’re not looking yourself these days.”

She was an ex–Bosnian intelligence officer and current freelance operative who’d worked with Teddy several times in the past. Most recently, she’d lent a hand in dealing with a particularly nasty Serbian crime boss.

“And you look your same lovely self. Though I wasn’t expecting you to be here waiting for me.”

“Youwere the one who asked to meet.”

“Yes, but I assumed you’d knock first.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “I arrived early and got bored. You don’t mind, do you?”

“As long as you don’t make a habit of it. Something to drink?”

“Isn’t it a little early for that?”

“I was thinking coffee.”

“Ah. In that case, I would love a cappuccino.”

Teddy called room service and gave his order. As he hung up, the suite’s doorbell rang.

“Now, that’s what I call fast service,” Vesna said.

“Too fast,” Teddy said. “Perhaps you should step into the bedroom.”

She raised a provocative eyebrow. “I didn’t realize it was one of those kinds of meetings.”

“You know me better than that.”

“True. You are always the gentleman.” She disappeared into the other room.

Teddy answered the door to find a bellboy with his luggage. He had the man set the bags in the entryway, tipped him, then sent him on his way.

“All clear,” he said toward the bedroom.

After he and Vesna were settled in the sitting area—Vesna on the couch and Teddy on a brown Chesterfield chair—she said, “So, this is you as Billy Barnett.”

“You are one of a very select group who knows that.”

“And if I tell anyone else, you’ll put me in a deep, dark cell and do terrible things to me.”

“I’m glad we see eye to eye.”

“I don’t know. It sounds kind of fun.”

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