Rocky—clearly no real hunting dog—was being housed with a handler and guarded by two thugs. He’d been operated on by a noted virologist, and a ruthless killer was terrified of him. Despite what the auctioneer had said, he would be sold sometime during the conference.
The Syrians meant to buy him, and it was important enough to them that they had set up a mole in the Paris office to make sure there would be no CIA interference.
The transaction was also important enough that a man such as the Silver Fox was involved.
But was Rene Darjon involved with the Syrians? Or was he just in it for the money?
Teddy took out a burner phone and called Jacques.
“The Silver Fox.”
“What about him?”
“Does he have any political leanings?”
“Such as?”
“Anything that might make him sympathetic to terrorist causes?”
“Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I were. Does he have any connections?”
“Not at all. He’s a Frenchman, born and bred. He’s only interested in anything that would further him or his industries. Politics doesn’t come into it.”
“You said funding the conference was out of character for him. Is that just because he’s selfish?”
“He’s also low on cash.”
“Oh?”
“He’s had a number of financial reversals in the last few years. His corporation is rumored to be hemorrhaging money. Does that help?”
“I’m afraid it does.”
Teddy hung up the phone thinking hard. Kristin had made a play for Rene Darjon while following Workman’s trail, thinking Workman had been investigating the Syrians. But there was no reason for her to believe the Silver Fox was personally involved. He was, but not with the Syrians. He had produced and was selling a deadly virus entirely for personal gain.
Rene Darjon was the head of a whole separate operation that needed to be shut down.
The situation was even worse than Teddy had feared, and he needed backup. It couldn’t be the CIA because Lance still thought there was a mole in the Paris office, and Teddy didn’t want to disillusion him before he’d handled this situation. By rights it should be the French police, but Teddy had no in with them, and he had no concrete information to give. Any explanation would be so convoluted he would be dismissed as a kook, treated as a menace, pegged as a suspect, and clapped in jail at the slightest provocation.
Teddy took out a burner phone and called Dino. He reached him at the office of the New York City police commissioner
“Well,” Dino said. “Who can this be? It can’t be anyone I know because it’s from Paris, and everyone I know left Paris.”
“How do you know the call’s from Paris?”
“I’m the police commissioner. You think I don’t screen my calls.”
“It’s a burner phone.”
“It’s a burner phone in Paris. I can’t trace it to you, but I can pinpoint the city.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Teddy said. “You weren’t that happy about leaving Paris, were you? That’s why you’re giving me a hard time.”
“I’m giving you a hard time? I wasn’t aware of it.”
“How would you like to come back?”
“What?”
“It turns out I could use your help.”
“You need another apartment rented?”
“There’s no real estate involved. This is a job for the police.”
“The French police?”
“They’re not apt to be receptive. You, on the other hand, have just the right amount of skepticism.”
“It’s that bad?”
“It’s worse.”
“Should I get Stone?”
“No. We’re doing this under the radar. No Stone. No Mike Freeman. I’d like to keep this as quiet as possible. There’re a number of people who shouldn’t know.”
“Does that include Lance?”
“I have a problem with Lance. Actually, I have several problems with Lance, but one in particular. If he knew what I was up to, he’d probably bring me home.”
“You don’t have to go.”
“Yeah, but I need his backing. And I don’t need him making waves. So, are you up for it?”
“Can you tell me what you want me to do?”
“Not over the phone.”
“I like it already. Okay. I’ll book a flight to Paris and a room at l’Arrington.”
“You won’t be able to get a room. It’s all booked up for the conference.”
“The conference?”
“Yeah. The hotel’s booked solid all week. I’m not sure even Stone could get in.”
“Where are you staying?”
“L’Arrington.”
“Of course,” Dino said dryly. “You want me in the apartment I rented?”
“Probably not a good idea.”
“So where should I go?”
“Why don’t you stay at Stone’s house? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
“Can I ask him?”
“Of course you can. Just tell him it’s a clandestine op and not to spread it around.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Only half.”
71.
TEDDY HAD NO problem buying the black rhino. He easily outbid the Germans, who talked a good game but dropped out after three hundred thousand. Only an Italian nobleman put up much of a fight. Teddy shut him up by jumping the bid up to five hundred thousand. In retrospect, he probably could have gotten it for four, but he figured Lance wouldn’t mind.
A winner’s boastful bravado was right in Floyd Maitland’s wheelhouse. Teddy marched up to the Syrians waving his drink and declared in a loud voice, “So! Did you see who took the black rhino? I have to tell you, it’s been one beautiful day. Have a drink on me. That’s how it is back home. Losers lick their wounds, and the winners buy drinks. Hey, barkeep! Another round for my buddies.”
Fahd grabbed his elbow. “You will keep your voice down,” he said tersely. “You will not talk about the panel outside the panel, or I will report you. And there will be consequences.”