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“He just wants to talk,” said the wo into her voice

“I’d be glad to entertain him”

“Okay, where?” the man asked

“The outdoor parking lot down by the river One hour”

“Sir, the director—” began the woman as she nervously looked over her shoulder at the approaching people

Stone cut in, “The director will be very pleased to un away”

“This is highly irregular,” snapped the woman

“Yes, it is”

“We’re federal agents too,” added the man “On the same side as you”

“I’ll buy the first part, but not the second Go!”

They walked off Stone slipped the gun back in its holster and set out for the river He wanted to get there first He had things to get ready He picked up his pace even as a knot grew in his sto to solve a complex case It was quite another to have to do so while watching your rear flank But apparently that was just

how things were now

And why am I surprised?

CHAPTER 59

THE THREE VEHICLES PULLED UP to the e lot and stopped It was one o’clock in thesince finished their collective entertainone ho out obvious attack points and sending personnel scurrying into these hidden crevices before signaling that it was safe for Riley Weaver to exit his ride He was dressed in a suit and striped tie, looking more ready to step in front of a calobal conference on terroris lot at the edge of the Potoe at his chest indicated the body ar a few steps toward the water’s edge

“Stone?” he called out

A phone rang Everyone grabbed cells

“Sir,” said one of the guards as he picked up the ringing phone froht where Stone had placed it earlier He handed it to Weaver

“Hello?”

“Hello, Director,” said Stone “What can I do for you?”

His voice was on speakerphone When Weaver tried to disable it, he couldn’t

“What the hell are you doing?” he exclaimed “It won’t let me off the speakerphone”

“I want everyone to hear this So again, what can I do for you?”

“You can start by showing yourself” Weaver looked nervously around at the darkness

“And why is that necessary? I thought you wanted to talk All we need are voices to do that”

“I wanted to meet at NIC,” snapped Weaver

“And I picked this place instead”

“Why?”

“Frankly, your place givesto walk out or not”

“What is wrong with you? You are a federal employee”

“Of an agency unaffiliated with yours”

“What are you afraid of?”

“You brought the SWAT tea Kevlar What are you afraid of?”

Weaver perforht be lurking

“I’ve got long-range eyes, Director, so don’t even bother”

“I don’t like it that you can see me but I can’t see you”

“I like it just fine And as your ers said, we’re all on the same team”

“Which begs the question of e have to meet in such a damn fool way,” barked Weaver into the phone

“Depends on what you want”

“Did you speak to Agent Chapht?”