Teddy checked the apartment out. The lock on the door had been picked. It was skillfully done. Still, Teddy could see fresh scratches. He went in and searched the apartment for bugs. He found one in the radiator grill and one in the overhead lamp. Those were easy to find, so Teddy suspected a third. He found it inside the roller of the window blind. Teddy destroyed the first two, but left the third one in place. It was important to let the agents think they were winning.
Agent Valerie Paul was lurking down the street when Teddy left. He ditched her, so she’d have a chance to check out the train station, and he’d have a chance to see his friends.
* * *
• • •
STONE’S MEWS HOUSE was on a quiet, cobblestone lane. The gate still had the massive wooden doors and sentry posts from when it had been a safe house. When the CIA had had occasion to house him there, Stone liked it so much he bought it. With his typical self-assurance, he’d had the living room refurnished, including carpeting, artwork, and a grand piano, before even making an offer to Lance.
The house had four bedrooms—including the master, which took up an entire floor. It had a small servants’ quarters and a garage that came equipped with a Mercedes.
Considering Stone didn’t spend that much time in Paris, and also had access to the Royal Suite at l’Arrington, the little mews house was quite sufficient for his needs.
Stone and Dino were enjoying a fine cabernet in front of the fire when Teddy came in.
“Wine?” Teddy said.
“We’re in France,” Stone said. “I have to make concessions.”
“Come, warm your feet by the fire,” Dino said.
“My feet are perfectly warm.”
“The thrill is that you can. It’s a decadent luxury you don’t normally get. Do you have a working fireplace in L.A.?”
“Yes.”
“Spoilsport.”
“So, did you crack the case yet?” Stone said.
“No. I met five field agents, any of whom could be the mole.”
“Well, don’t find him too soon,” Dino said. “Tonight we’re going to the Folies Bergère.”
“Care to join us?” Stone said.
“I’m chasing down a lead.”
“Oh. Does it look promising?”
“She looks very promising. I don’t think she’s the mole, but she’s a wonderful lead.” Teddy changed the subject. “So, where’s my equipment?”
“It’s locked up.”
“Can I see?”
“Sure.”
Stone got up and led the way into the study. A massive floor safe stood in the corner. Stone spun the dial and swung the door open. Teddy’s equipment bag was on its own shelf.
“Perfect,” Teddy said. “I don’t feel confident leaving it unsecured.” His cell phone rang, and he dug it out of his pocket.
It was Kristin. “I’m running late. Can you meet me for dinner?”
“Of course. Where?”
“Eight-thirty at Le Meurice.”
“Le Meurice?” Teddy looked inquiringly at Stone.
Stone nodded. “Expensive.”
“Isn’t that a little pricey for a girl on an Agency salary?”
“It’s all right, you’re paying,” Kristin said, and hung up.
37.
TEDDY SMILED AT Kristin over the rim of his cappuccino. They had just finished a leisurely and delicious dinner in the opulent eighteenth-century dining room, and he was feeling good.
“You haven’t asked me about my assignment.”
“I figure if there’d been any progress you’d have told me.”
“Smart girl.”
“I, on the other hand, had a very eventful day.”
“Doing what?”
“Following the undersecretary of Germany around so that Agent Valerie Paul could meet you.”
“Nice of you.”
“Nice had nothing to do with it. Valerie wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“She struck me as sane and sensible in a castrating sort of way.”
Kristin smiled. “Did she make any catty references about me?”
“No, but I wasn’t having dinner with her. I was just trying to explain that I wasn’t after her job.”
“Her job?”
“There is a feeling in the Agency, probably filtered down from Norton, that I’m here solely to assess the Paris station and see if changes need to be made.”
“Are you?”
“No, but if I were, I’d deny it, so it was tough to reassure her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was spying on us from one of the other tables.”
“Not on a CIA salary.”
“Indeed. What made you think I could afford this place?”
“Anyone under such deep cover would require immediate access to money. Your entire file is redacted. You do the math.”
Teddy pointed at the check, which had been discreetly slipped onto the table, along with the coffee and cognac. “I’ve been wondering how I’m going to justify a thousand-dollar dinner on the expense account.”
“This dinner was crucial to your operation.”
“Oh?”
“I have valuable information. You were hoping to get me inebriated to loosen my tongue.”
“Yes, I was, but it had nothing to do with getting information.”
They finished up their coffee, and Teddy settled the bill.
On their way out, Kristin said, “I’m going to the ladies. I’ll meet you outside.”
Teddy walked out the front door. With his peripheral vision, he could see his shadow watching from the street corner.
* * *
• • •
A LITTLE MAN built like a fireplug stepped from the shadows and aimed a gun at the back of Teddy’s head.
Teddy whirled and chopped down on his arm. The gun flew from the little man’s hand and skittered across the street.
Teddy didn’t go for his own gun. He wanted the little man alive.
The little man bent over. Teddy aimed a kick at the back of his head.
It was Teddy’s turn to be surprised. With amazing agility for one so short and stocky, the little man ducked the kick, grabbed Teddy’s leg, flipped him sideways, and plowed in.