Page 41 of Distant Thunder

“Russian mobsters, I believe.”

“And whom did they kill instead?”

“Someone I sent to a meeting on my behalf.”

“Was he Agency?”

“You know enough about them to know that I can’t answer that.”

“You could if the answer was no. Since it’s not, he was. How did you choose him for the task?”

“I trusted him, and he was willing.”

“Did he impersonate you?”

“Yes.”

“You must feel bad about what happened to him.”

“I do, and I expect to exact revenge, at some point.”

“Where were you when he was shot?”

“Observing.”

“And where was he?”

“On the ferry, at their request.”

“Given the weather, it would have been very difficult for you to observe from ashore.”

“You have a point.”

“Why did the Russians want you dead?”

“Because I know their plans.”

“What are their plans?”

“I think it’s best that you don’t have that information just yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because then they would want you dead, too.”

“Why haven’t they tried again?”

“Because they don’t know what I look like.”

“Thus, your disguise?”

“You’re very quick. The disguise protects you, too.”

“Ah.”

Dino arrived and was seated before Collins could bolt. Stone introduced the two men.

“Think of Dino as part of your disguise,” Stone said.

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