“Want to see another trick? I’ll open one of the classified missions for you.”
Teddy opened a file labeled Afghanistan, K&R.
“That’s kidnap and ransom. It was a clandestine mission because the United States doesn’t ransom prisoners.”
“But you do?”
“Not at all. But the enemy thought I would, and we got our prisoner back. Now then. That’s who I am, and that’s the type of thing I do. Read about it, and close the file. Don’t worry about security. When you close it, it won’t open again.
“Anyway, that’s a glimpse at who I am. You have to make up your mind about me. I’m gambling that you’ll do the right thing. I’ll be here tomorrow morning. I hope you will, too.”
“That’s all you want to know? About the reservations at l’Arrington?”
“For starters. When I hear what you’ve found, I hope it leads to something else.”
Jacques took a breath. “I’ll be here.”
“Good.”
Teddy stood up and tossed money on the table. “I’ll leave first,” he said.
He figured Jacques would like that.
35.
TEDDY WALKED A few blocks until he found a hotel. He went in as if he belonged there and asked if they had computers for the guests. The concierge directed him to the back of the lobby where a small business office was set up with computers, a printer, and even a fax machine. Teddy logged onto one of the computers and sent an encrypted e-mail to Mille Martindale reporting his progress. It was short, as there was none. He logged off, and left the hotel.
Teddy went back to the apartment Dino had rented for him, the one no one knew about. Nonetheless, he checked to see that it was undisturbed, and that no one had planted any bugs. When he was satisfied, he took out a new burner phone and called Kevin Cushman in Washington, D.C.
Kevin was not a part of the federal government, at least not officially, but Teddy had used him on occasion. Kevin lived with his mother and spent most of the day lounging around in his pajamas playing video games. That, coupled with his screen name, Warplord924, gave the impression he was a college dropout, but Kevin was actually a well-respected computer technician pulling down six figures a year.
Kevin was glad to hear from him. “Is this who I think it is?”
“It is. And thank you for not saying the name.”
“I’m not sure I know the name.”
“I’m grateful nonetheless.”
“Is this an official call?”
“It is.”
“What do you need?”
“Something impossible.”
“I’m your man.”
“I need to know if there’s been an Internet search for a particular name. Can it be done?”
“It depends on how it’s trending. How many searches are we talking about?”
“One.”
“You want to know if one person has searched for this name?”
“I know it doesn’t sound promising.”
“Hey, you had me at ‘impossible.’”
“Can it be done?”
“It’ll be tough. You take any given name and someone will have searched for it sometime.”
“Within the last two days.”
“That helps. Tell me, you didn’t do an Internet search for this guy yourself, did you? Because then I’d get a false positive.”
“I didn’t. Can you do it?”
“Hang on, I’m thinking.”
“I’ll mark it on my calendar.”
“Huh?”
“That’s the first time I gave you something hard enough you had to think about it.”
“This is going to take a little time. Can I call you back?”
“All right, just this once. But after that, I contact you.”
“Gotcha. What’s the name you’re tracing?”
“This time it’s Melvin Melbourne.”
“‘This time’? Boy, you give a guy an inch,” Kevin said, and hung up.
* * *
• • •
HE CALLED BACK fifteen minutes later. “No one has searched for Melvin Melbourne in the last two days.”
“Can you tell me how you know?”
“How much time have you got?”
“Point taken. So you can search for any name but I can’t?”
“Unless you want to start computer classes.”
“Okay. Keep checking on that name. If you get a hit, can you tell if the search originated in Paris?”
“Of course.”
“In that case, make a note and we’ll discuss it the next time we talk. It’s probably just my quarry satisfying his curiosity. But if you get a search originating in another country, that’s pay dirt. In that case, send me an encrypted e-mail with the word yes. If I need to, I’ll get in touch.”
“Will do. Is that all?”
“Until I give you the next name.”
* * *
• • •
TEDDY WENT BACK to the embassy and asked the young man at the front desk for Agent Norton. This time he was shown right in.
“So,” Norton said, “any progress?”
“Nothing worth reporting. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“Oh?”
“From what I’ve observed, there’s nothing much going on at the moment. I’m probably the most exciting thing that’s happened in months. Your agents are eager to know what I’m about. It occurs to me I may be followed, and since your men are good, I wouldn’t necessarily know it. While I’m in Paris—while I’m in any city, for that matter—I keep getaway money and a spare passport in a locker at the train station. Should one of your agents report this, just keep it quiet, will you? Don’t put it in a report or pass it on to the other agents. It’s just between you and me.”
“You’re planning on taking off?”
“I’d hate to break your heart, but if I’m given a pressing assignment, yes.”
“Will they tell you what it is?”
Teddy smiled.