Page 85 of The 9th Man

She stood before him. “I don’t like you. I’ve never cared for you. There is something inherently dishonest about you. I’m sure you feel the same about me, since one, I have never had any need for your services, and two, you have nothing on me through which to blackmail or coerce me.”

“Everyone has secrets,” he said. “We just have not fully fleshed out yours. There’s been no need.”

“And President Fox? Was there a need there? I know you were involved in what happened to me.”

He smiled. “You did that all by yourself, with no help from anyone.”

“And I resolved the matter, all by myself too.”

“You did manage to wiggle your way off that hook. Congratulations.”

“You must be in great turmoil,” she said. “Here, in the twilight of your life, facing such a personal dilemma.”

“I was not aware I was in conflict.”

“I’m not one of your lackeys, nor one of those corrupt or weak individuals who need you to fix something for them. I have an asset in the field, right now, under fire from your man Jack Talley.”

He kept his composure frozen, revealing nothing. The situation had just gestated from bad to worse. Luke Daniels was Magellan Billet? He’d not, as yet, made any calls regarding Daniels, as Talley had said he’d be dead shortly. No inquiries meant no trail back to him. Just let the problem be handled at a distance without comment.

A mistake on his part.

Obviously.

“Benjamin Stein and Ray Simmons,” she said. “Both dead. One by your hand, the other by his own.”

“And these men are?”

“Problems that you eliminated.”

“What a fertile imagination you possess.”

“I don’t read much fiction. I prefer nonfiction. Reality.”

“What is this about?” he asked.

“Your demise.”

“You seem excited at the prospect.”

“Nothing could please me more.”

“Why are you here?”

“To tell you that, this time, you will lose.”

No sense pretending any longer. The gauntlet had been thrown down. “Don’t be sure.”

“I am sure. It’s time to end you.”

“Many have tried.”

“True. But I’m not many. And I will get you.”

“I look forward to the fight.”

“As do I.”

“I am a formidable adversary.”

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