Page 56 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

“It’ll take some getting used to, but I have every faith in you.”

“Thanks, but I’m not sure how I’m going to keep everything straight.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you Mark? Are you Billy? Are you Teddy Fay?”

“That part’s easy. When I look like this, I’m Mark Weldon. When I look like Billy, I’m Billy Barnett. And when I look like Teddy, I’m Teddy Fay.”

“I don’t even know what Teddy Fay looks like.”

“I’ll introduce you to him someday.”

She huffed again and took another drink.

“Simple rule of thumb,” he said. “Act like you always have.”

“Easy for you to say, Mr. Man of a Thousand Faces.”

“That was Lon Chaney.”

“Who?”

“Never mind. I believe you have a message for me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have a message forBilly, not Mark.”

“See, you’re getting the hang of it already.” He held out his hand. “Hand it over.”

She gave him the envelope.

Written on the note inside was 10:00 p.m., an address, and instructions for a meeting with Rick La Rose, the CIA’s Paris station chief.

“Spy stuff?” Stacy asked.

“Spy stuff.”

She finished her wine and stood. “I think I’ll take a walk around and clear my head. Don’t forget. Meet in the lobby at eight, for dinner.”

“Actually, I need you to make excuses for me.”

“You’re not coming?”

He waved the envelope she’d given him.

“Ah,” she said. “Urgentspy stuff.”

“The world of secrets never sleeps.”

“I assume I’m making excuses for MarkandBilly.”

“You assume correctly.”

“I’m really going to hate this, aren’t I?”

“You might, but honestly, I’m starting to wonder why I didn’t tell you long ago. It’s so much easier for me.”

She rolled her eyes and left without another word.

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