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“Excuse us,” said Annabelle “That was very rude”

“You Europeans speak so es Makes us Americans feel quite inept”

“Your country is big, ours are se skills are a necessity But your French is very, um, nice”

“How can I help you?”

“We are in need of a presence, a footprint I think you call it, here in Washington We want to build a factory producing our goods in the United States We also h

ave IP patent and licensing issues that need political addressing” Annabelle paused “Is that the proper ter?”

“Lobbying, I think,” coh places”

“I can certainly handle these overny is one of my specialties Can I ask hoas you came to me?”

Caleb looked e to do with your reputation, stellar though I’m sure it is”

Annabelle added, “We based it on proximity” She pointed out the

Friedman followed her ence But I guess that’s one reason I settled on this space”

“But then we also checked the records for your client list It was very impressive and very much in our area of necessity,” remarked Annabelle

Caleb leaned forward and tapped his cigarette on the carved wood of Friedman’s desk “But it would be helpful if you could tell us a bit of your background We want to get this right Our business model shows a clear path to a multibillion euro, or dollar, rather, revenue point We must start on a firm foundation It is imperative”

“Of course” Friedround, education and work experience and items hich she could help them

As theended she said, “For the sort of work you require I would iine a ten-thousand-dollar-a-month fee Understand this is applied to work done under our normal fee structure For work outside that scope, more reement

“Of course,” said Annabelle “That seeical”

“Where in Germany are you from?”

“Berlin But I grew up elsewhere”

“Oh, really? Where was that?”

“Many places,” said Annabelle abruptly

Caleb added, “Quite cosmopolitan And secretive she is”

“Nothing wrong with that in today’s world where everyone is watching everyone else,” Friedht tone

“We’ll be in touch,” said Annabelle “Auf Wiedersehen”

“Ciao,” added Caleb

CHAPTER 64

JUST IN CASE THEY WERE FOLLOWED, Annabelle and Caleb drove first to a restaurant and then to a hotel They rode the elevator up and Annabelle opened the door to her roo for them

They gave the pair a detailed briefing of theirwith Friedman

“Do you think she suspects anything?” asked Chapman

“If she’s really that good she suspects everything,” answered Annabelle as Stone nodded in agreement

“She obviously has a functioning lobbying business,” said Annabelle

“We knew fro out her history that she had that set up,” said Stone “But that does not preclude her having a sideline”

Chap being her main occupation

Annabelle ran a hand through her hair and pulled off her wig “Any idea what her angle ht be?”

“As I told you, we suspect sheheaded up by Aence”

“And that’s why she was at the park that night?” asked Caleb