Teddy shot first.
* * *
• • •
TEDDY SEARCHED WORKMAN’S body. He found nothing of interest, nothing that would indicate that he was anything other than a CIA agent.
Teddy knew better.
He left Agent Workman in a horse stall, covered up with hay. With luck, the family wouldn’t find him until the body started to stink.
50.
TEDDY FOUND WORKMAN’S cab waiting outside the vineyard gate. He paid off the driver and told him his buddy had decided to go back to town with him.
Teddy drove the stolen car back to town, dropped it off near the café, and stopped in at the embassy. Kristin didn’t seem to be around, which was a blessing. He didn’t want to go through that scene again. He checked in with Norton, and told him he had to leave.
“So soon?” Norton said.
Teddy grinned. “Yeah, I know you’ll miss me. The fact is, there’s nothing for me to do here, and the powers that be are pulling me out.”
“Well, I can’t pretend I’m sorry to hear it. Nothing against you personally, but one hates to have one’s department under review.”
Teddy shrugged and shook his head. “See, that’s the problem. There’s absolutely no way you can tell someone whose department isn’t under review that they’re not under review. Give my regards to the rest of the gang. A fine bunch, as far as I can tell. I’m sorry to see them so briefly and under such awkward circumstances.”
Teddy shook hands with Norton, and went out.
This time the little man was following him. He was scrunched down in the front seat of a car. Teddy wasn’t surprised. With Workman and the other spy gone, the Syrians must be running short of personnel.
The little man wasn’t trying to shoot him this time, just keeping him under surveillance. Teddy figured they must have decoded the e-mail. Plus, they hadn’t yet heard about Workman.
Teddy hailed a cab and took it back to his apartment, the one everyone knew about. He packed a suitcase, turned off the light, and went out.
The hitman was lurking on the corner. He was short and stocky, and had a hard time hiding. Clearly he was a much better hitman than a stalker.
Teddy hailed a cab and took it to Stone’s mews house.
The little man climbed into his car and followed behind.
Teddy paid off his cab and lugged in his suitcase, being careful to make sure the little man was only watching. There was always the chance he might try to shorten his day by getting off a shot.
Stone’s and Dino’s bags were in the foyer. Teddy added his to the row, and went in to find them enjoying one last drink.
“All set?” Teddy asked.
“All except for your gear,” Stone said. “I figured you’d rather take it out of the safe yourself than have it lying there in the foyer.”
“Excellent. Well, finish your drinks and we’ll head out.”
“You’re not in a hurry?” Dino said.
Teddy grinned. “It’s a private plane. It leaves when we do.”
Teddy sat down and told them about his day. He left out killing Workman. That was something Lance needed to hear first.
When they’d finished their drinks, Stone opened the safe and Teddy grabbed his gear.
Stone buzzed Hugo, the gardener, handyman, and caretaker, who lived in the small apartment over the garage. He was driving them to the airport, and came down to help them load their bags into the car.
“Keep your heads down as we go out the gate,” Teddy said. “I don’t expect anyone to take a shot at us, but it would be a hell of a way to end the trip.”
No one fired at them. The little man was in his car down the block. When they pulled out of the driveway, he tagged along.
The drive was uneventful. The little man kept up with them until they went through the airport gate. Then he drove parallel to them along the side road, keeping them in sight.
The Strategic Services jet was standing out in front of the hangar. Hugo drove up to it and helped them unload the car. They shook hands with him, and he drove off.
Men came out of the hangar and helped them carry their bags to the plane. When they were finished, Stone tipped them and thanked them. They were immediately replaced by mechanics and servicemen who swarmed over the plane, checking every last inch.
Stone, Teddy, and Dino boarded the plane while this was going on.
“Where are my supplies?” Teddy asked.
“Right this way,” Stone said, grabbing Teddy’s suitcase. Teddy hoisted his equipment bag and followed along.
Stone led them to a private room in the rear of the plane.
On the desk were a mechanic’s toolkit and gear bag. There was also a uniform, identical to the ones the mechanics servicing the plane were wearing.
Teddy changed quickly into the mechanic’s outfit. With the cap on, he didn’t even have to alter his appearance. He quickly unpacked his equipment bag. He put his makeup in the toolkit, along with his money, passports, credentials, and burner phones. He put his wigs and weapons in the gear bag.
He popped open the suitcase and added the few personal items he needed. Having the second secret apartment allowed him to travel very light.
Teddy checked his appearance in the mirror. He touched it up slightly, adding a grease smear, and he was good to go. He said goodbye to Stone and Dino, and joined the group of similarly dressed mechanics getting off the plane.
* * *
• • •
AZIZ WASN’T TAKING anything for granted. He saw the men board the plane, and he stuck around to make sure it took off.
He was not surprised by the swarm of mechanics. Anyone savvy enough to have foiled two assassination attempts would be alert to the possibility of someone sabotaging the plane.
Aziz wished he’d thought to do it. Of course, it had never occurred to him that his target would still be alive.
Finally the mechanics finished their inspection and filed off the plane. The ramp was pulled away and the door closed. After what seemed an interminable time, the plane roared to life, pulled away, and taxied down the runway.
Aziz stood watching until it actually took off. Only then did he pull out his cell phone and text: He’s gone.
51.
TEDDY TOOK A car service back from the airport. He got out two blocks away from the apartment no one knew about and lugged his equipment the rest of the way. He locked the door behind him and threw the bag on the bed. He stripped off his airplane mechanic’s work clothes, went in the bathroom, and washed up. It took a while to get off all the grease and grime.