page69 (1/2)

CHAPTER 74

“IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN,” said Friedman as she sat down at the restaurant table Annabelle and Caleb were already seated across from her

“We said ould be in touch,” Annabelle said bluntly

Caleb said, “We are very excited to move this forward, with your help”

Friedman slid her napkin into her lap and said, “And I’et to work on this with you I’ve made some preliminary inquiries and the time is definitely ripe for your project model”

They ate and discussed more points of business As they left the restaurant a Mercedes li around the corner

“We can give you a ride home,” said Caleb

“You don’t have to do that,” said Friedinia”

He took her hand, kissed it “It is no trouble In fact it would be my pleasure”

Annabelle held the door open Friedman climbed in Annabelle shut the door behind her and the limo sped off

Friedman jerked around and tried the door handle The door was locked She noticed a presence to her left and whirled in that direction

Aat her

“What the hell is going on?” deht her breath as she focused on him “Stone?”

Stone said, “That’s my partner up there, Mary Chapman I’m sure you’ve been briefed on her too” He ave a s onto the next street

“You’re… you’re kidnapping me?”

“No, we’rewith you”

She frowned “People ant to meet with me usually make an appointment”

“We need your help and anted to ask for it quietly”

“I thought you’d been forbidden by Director Weaver to come near me”

“That’s e’re asking quietly”

Fried all of this in There was no fear in her eyes “So Weaver knows nothing about this?”

“Need to know And right now he doesn’t need to know”

“Interesting theory considering he runs the country’s intelligence services”

“As you knoe have great interest in Turkekul”

“You’re not alone in that regard”

“You told ured out he was a traitor, but when exactly did you learn he was a double agent?”

“You know, you can tell me that Riley Weaver has filled you in, but that doesn’t mean I have to believe it”

“People are dying at an alar clip,” he pointed out

She shrugged “It’s a dangerous business”

“And we believe that Turkekul is at the epicenter of that business”

Friedree with that assessment But—”

Chap, no troubles”

Friedht not agree with them all the time, but I follow them”

“All the time?” asked Stone

“I wouldn’t last long in this line of work if I didn’t”

“Didn’t you learn to exercise soet the job done?”

Frieds and folded her ar?”

“Just seeing the city Having a nice chat”