Teddy hit the ground rolling. He struggled to his knees and managed to block the blows aimed at his head.
“Felix!”
Teddy glanced up.
Kristin stood under a streetlight. Her hand flew to her purse and came out with a gun.
The little man saw her. He scowled, turned, and fled.
Kristin stood watching him go.
Teddy got to his feet.
“Who the hell was that?” Kristin said.
“I don’t know, but he seemed to resent my presence.”
“This isn’t funny,” Kristin said. “Someone just tried to kill you. Isn’t it time you stop playing games and tell us why?”
“I don’t know why. I’ve never seen that man in my life. I hope I never see him again. I’m very glad you scared him off.” Teddy glanced around. “Where’s his gun?”
“What gun?”
“He had a gun. I knocked it away.”
“I didn’t see a gun. I must have come along just after.”
“It skidded across the street.” Teddy pointed. “It should be over there.”
“It’s not.”
“The other guy must have got it.”
“What other guy?”
Teddy waved it away. “A routine shadow. He’s not important.”
Kristin was incredulous. “‘Not important’? Why the hell was someone stalking you outside the restaurant?”
“Maybe he figured anyone who could afford to eat there would have to have money.”
“Come on, Felix. Why are you so important?”
Teddy sighed. “I wish I knew.”
38.
GLENVILLE CAUGHT UP with Aziz two blocks away. He’d been calling his name, but Aziz paid no attention. Finally Glenville grabbed him by the arm.
Aziz spun with every intention of delivering a fatal blow.
“Can’t you hear me?” Glenville said, suddenly realizing he might not be able to. The man was mute. Some mutes were also deaf. He extended the weapon. “Your gun. I managed to pick it up.”
Aziz took the gun. If he appreciated the effort, he didn’t show it.
Glenville sighed. This was not his day. And the surly hitman was the least of it. Reluctantly, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
Fahd had been waiting for the call. “Is it done?”
“No. The man is good. Aziz surprised him, but he disarmed Aziz and they fought hand to hand.”
“Aziz didn’t win?”
“No. Another agent surprised him and he took off.”
“Another agent?”
“Yes. A woman. She had a gun.”
Fahd rolled his eyes. “Oh, for God’s sake! Did Aziz leave his gun behind?”
“No, I managed to retrieve it. We can try again tomorrow.”
“Just tell me when it’s done. Is Aziz there?”
“Yes.”
“Put him on the phone.”
Aziz took the phone and put it to his ear.
“Are you there?” Fahd said.
Aziz snapped the phone with his finger.
“Good,” Fahd said. “Glenville doesn’t need to know this, but you do. We need to get the job done, and we need to get it done before we arrive in Paris next week. I want this man taken care of at all costs. Kill him if you can, but if you can’t, I want him gone. Do you understand me? I don’t care if we have to sacrifice our mole. I want him out of town. He won’t leave until he finds the mole. So if you can’t kill him, kill the mole.”
39.
AGENT WORKMAN WAS outside Kristin’s building when Teddy emerged the next morning. Teddy wondered if it was proprietary, if the young agent had designs on Kristin. It was not unlikely, and it would complicate things somewhat, and make his motives more difficult to sort out.
Kristin was still sleeping. Teddy wondered if Workman would follow him, or stay behind to confront her. He walked down the street a block. Workman was following him. Teddy wondered if it was too early for the train station. He thought not. He hailed a cab, and took it to the Gare de Lyon Railway Station. He went inside and opened the box of Arnold Mycroft.
Teddy went outside prepared to ditch the young agent, but he didn’t have to. Workman stayed behind, presumably to search the locker.
Teddy hailed a cab and took it to the Café du Soleil.
Jacques was at his table. He looked pleased with himself. He could barely contain himself while Teddy ordered coffee.
“I have all the details,” Jacques said. “I don’t know what to make of them, but I found the connection.”
“What do you mean?”
“It turns out the men I flagged are all registered for a conference at l’Arrington next week. It’s a science conference and exhibition with over fourteen hundred attendees.”
“A science conference? What are they exhibiting?”
“Rare animals.”
Teddy blinked “What?”
“That’s right. In addition to presentations and lectures, there will be select exhibits of rare animals and insects. Top zoologists from around the world will be attending.”
“As well as foreign arms dealers?”
“Yes, but not many. They’re what tipped me off to the convention, but their presence is not at all significant.”
“How can that be?”
“Well, in the Syrian party, for instance, we have Fahd Kassin—a Syrian strongman, but not an arms dealer—his bodyguard, and three zoologists. Their interest would seem to be entirely in the animals. Fahd is likely accompanying the party to keep the scientists in check.”
“What about the other arms dealers?”
“The same thing—all are part of a party that includes primarily zoologists.”
Teddy frowned. “And what are people doing at this conference?”
“They have talks and panels and presentations scheduled, as well as a banquet.”
“Which the Syrians are attending?”
“Yes. In fact, I hacked their website and downloaded their program. All the Syrians, and all the other men flagged, are attending one particular panel. It’s a closed panel, by invitation only. ‘Rarest of the Rare,’ a lecture by a renowned biology professor.”