9781529157680

In 1993, James Patterson wrote Along Came a Spider, which introduced the world to Alex Cross, a young detective working out of Washington, DC. Since then, every Alex Cross thriller has been an international bestseller. Fear No Evil is the twentyninth novel in this extraordinary series.

James Patterson is the author of other bestselling series, including the Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett and Private novels. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed adult author in UK libraries for the past fourteen years in a row.

He lives in Florida with his family.

Why everyone loves James Patterson and Alex Cross ‘It’s no mystery why James Patterson is the world’s most

popular thriller writer. Simply put: nobody does it better.’

Jeffery Deaver ‘No one gets this big without amazing natural

storytelling talent – which is what Jim has,

in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it.’

Lee Child

‘James Patterson is the gold standard by which all others are judged.’

Steve Berry ‘Alex Cross is one of the

best-written heroes in American fiction.’

Lisa Scottoline ‘Twenty years after the first Alex Cross story, he has

become one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time, a character for the ages.’

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child ‘Alex Cross is a legend.’

Harlan Coben ‘Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail,

the element that defines a character or moves a plot along.

It’s what fires off the movie projector in the reader’s mind.’

Michael Connelly ‘James Patterson is The Boss. End of.’

Ian Rankin

WHO IS ALEX CROSS? Physical Physical description: description: ====== ========== ============ ========

Alex (89 kg). kg).

Alex Cross Cross is is 6 foot 3 inches (190cm), and weighs 196 lbs (89 He He is is African African American, with an athletic build.

Family Family history: history: ==== ======== ============ ========

Cross known as as Nana Nana Cross was was raised raised by his grandmother, Regina Cross Hope - known Mama subsequent Mama -- following following the death of his mother and his father's subsequent descent Winston-Salem, North North descent into into alcoholism. He moved to D.C. from Winston-Salem, Carolina, Carolina, to to live with Nana Mama when he was ten.

Relationship Relationship history: history: ======== ============ ============ ========

L A I T N E D I NF

Cross children Damon Damon and and Cross was was previously previously married to Maria, mother to his children Janelle, shooting. Cross Cross Janelle, however however she was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting. has now married married has another another son, Alex Jr., with Christine Johnson. He is now to appointed Chief Chief of of to Detective Detective Brianna (Bree) Stone, who was recently appointed Detectives Detectives for for the Metro Police Department.

CO

Education: Education: ========= ==== =====

Cross has has aa PhD PhD in psychology from Johns Hopkins University Cross University in in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, with with a special concentration in the field of abnormal Maryland, abnormal psychology and and forensic psychology. psychology

Employment: Employment: ========== === =======

Cross works works as a psychologist in a private practice, based in Cross in his his home. home. He He also consults consults for the Major Case Squad of the Metro Police Department, also Department, where he he previously previously worked as a psychologist for the Homicide where Homicide and and Major Major Crimes team. team.

Crimes P R O F I L E A loving loving father, father, Cross Cross is is never never happier happier than A than when when spending spending time time with with his family. family. He He is is also also a a dedicated dedicated member his member of of his his community community and and often often volunteers at at his his local local parish parish and and soup volunteers soup kitchen. kitchen. When When not not working working in the the practice practice or or consulting consulting for for MPD, MPD, he in he enjoys enjoys playing playing classical classical music on on the the piano, piano, reading, reading, and and teaching teaching his music his children children how how to to box. box.

THIS CONFIDENTIAL REPORT AND ITS CONTENTS ARE LOANED TO YOU AND ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH LOANED

FARAGUT NORTH

ek Cre ck Ro

FARAGUT WEST

George Washington University Hospital

MCPHERSON SQUARE METRO CENTER

The White House

FBI Headquarters

FEDERAL TRIANGLE

Washington Monument Lincoln Memorial

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial West Potomac Park Tidal Basin

Po to m ac

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Ri ve r

N AT I O N A L SMITHSONIAN

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Thomas Jefferson Memorial W

n to ng hi as

l ne an Ch

s

Central Washington

The Pentagon

East Potomac Park

Bethesda Hyattsville

495

CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia WASHINGTON Langley 66 495

Fairfax

Arlington National Cemetery

WASHINGTON

395

Annandale

Alexandria 495

Springfield

Joint Base Andrews Andrews, MD

495

Clinton

Verizon Center

95

WASHINGTON UNION

Union Station

Accokeek Waldorf 95

Metropolitan P.D. Headquarters

C A

United States Capitol L’ENFANT PLAZA

I

O

T

WATERFRONTSEU STATION

Lincoln Park

P

NASA Headquarters

CAPITOL SOUTH

Library of Congress

5 miles 10 kilometres

5th Street Southeast 5

MALL

FEDERAL CENTER SW STATION

ver

Quantico Quantico United States Supreme Courtt

Smithsonian Institution

Ri ac m to Po

Garfield Park

L

Cross family home

H

EASTERN MARKET

I L

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NAVY YARDBALLPARK

os Anac tia River

1000 yards 1000 metres

A list of titles by James Patterson appears at the back of this book

P EN GU I N B O O K S

P ENGUI N B OOK S UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com Penguin Random House UK, One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7BW penguin.co.uk

First published in the UK by Century 2021 Published in Penguin Books 2022 001 Copyright © James Patterson, 2021 Excerpt from Triple Cross © James Patterson, 2022 The moral right of the author has been asserted Penguin Random House values and supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes freedom of expression and supports a vibrant culture.

Thank you for purchasing an authorised edition of this book and for respecting intellectual property laws by not reproducing, scanning or distributing any part of it by any means without permission. You are supporting authors and enabling Penguin Random House to continue to publish books for everyone. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems.

In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Penguin Random House expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.

Typeset by Six Red Marbles UK, Thetford, Norfolk Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorised representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–1–529–15768–0 Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

C H ACPHTAE PRT E R

11 Washington, Washington, DC DC Late Late JuneJune MATT HMEAT W T HB EUWT L EBRU TCLOE CR KEC DOC HI KESD HE HIASD HEtoA D one to one side,side, considering considering the the

big-boned big-boned blonde blonde in front in front of him. of him.

She She was was handcuffed handcuffed and and shackled shackled to a to heavy a heavy oak oak chairchair bolted bolted into into the concrete the concrete floorfloor beneath beneath bright bright fluorescent fluorescent lights. lights.

If the If the woman woman was was anxious anxious about about her her predicament, predicament, she she wasn’t wasn’t showing showing it init the in the least.least.

She She was was as chill as chill as the as the yogayoga outfitoutfit she she wore.wore.

No No sweat sweat on her on her palepale brow.brow.

Beneath Beneath her her warm-up warm-up hoodie, hoodie, her her chestchest roserose and and fell fell calmly, calmly, eacheach breath breath measured. measured.

Her Her shoulders shoulders werewere relaxed. relaxed.

EvenEven her eyes her eyes looked looked soft. soft.

Butler Butler adjusted adjusted the strap the strap of hisofshoulder his shoulder holster. holster.

“I know “I know they’ve they’ve trained trained you you for this for this sort sort of thing,” of thing,” he said he said in a invoice a voice withwith the slightest the slightest of Western of Western twangs. twangs.

“But“But youryour training training won’t won’t workwork against against me, me, Catherine.

Catherine.

It never It never does.” does.”

A fit, A balding fit, balding manman withwith a hawkish a hawkish nose,nose, Butler Butler had had 3

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J A M E JS A PM AE TST EP RA ST OT EN R S O N

workman’s workman’s hands hands and and worewore blackblack jeans, jeans, NikeNike running running shoes, shoes, and and a dark a dark blueblue polopolo shirt.shirt.

He crossed He crossed his thick his thick forearms forearms whenwhen she smiled she smiled backback at him at him withwith brilliant brilliant white white teeth. teeth.

“Whoever “Whoever you you are, are, you you are are going going to be to destroyed be destroyed for for whatwhat you’re you’re doing,” doing,” Catherine Catherine Hingham Hingham said.said.

“When “When theythey find find out — out” — ” Butler Butler cut cut her her off. “You off. “You know, know, in my in my many many yearsyears as aas a professional, professional, Catherine, Catherine, I have I have come come to rather to rather enjoyenjoy the the delicate delicate process process of breaking of breaking into into hearts hearts and and minds. minds.

TheyThey are very are very much much interlinked, interlinked, you you know know — hearts — hearts and and minds minds — — and and I have I have found found that that one one is almost is almost always always the the key key to to the other.” the other.”

“Langley “Langley will will annihilate annihilate you,”you,” Hingham Hingham said,said, studying studying Butler Butler as if as sheif wanted she wanted to remember to remember every every line line in his inface. his face.

“Your “Your operators operators won’t won’t helphelp you you today,” today,” Butler Butler said,said, gesturgesturing at inga pile at a pile of blank of blank paper paper and and a pena pen on the on table the table before before her. her.

“Tell“Tell me the me truth the truth and and we can we all canmove all move on with on with our lives.” our lives.”

“I’ll “I’ll say itsay again: it again: You You havehave no jurisdiction no jurisdiction overover me.”me.”

Butler Butler chuckled, chuckled, gestured gestured around around the room. the room.

“Oh,“Oh, but but in in here,here, I do.”I do.”

“I want “I want to see to asee lawyer, a lawyer, then.” then.”

“I’m“I’m sure,” sure,” he said, he said, sobering. sobering.

“But“But we’rewe’re talking talking about about a serious a serious threat threat to our to our national national security, security, Catherine.

Catherine.

A few A few rulesrules of engagement of engagement can can and and will will be broken be broken in order in order to to thwart thwart that that threat.” threat.”

“I am “I not am not a national a national security security threat,” threat,” she she said said evenly. evenly.

“I “I workwork for the for Central the Central Intelligence Intelligence Agency, Agency, withwith the highest the highest clearances, clearances, in support in support of my of country’s my country’s freedoms. freedoms.

YourYour free-freedomsdoms as well.” as well.”

“That’s “That’s whatwhat makes makes youryour traitorous traitorous actions actions so hard so hard to to understand, understand, Catherine.”

Catherine.”

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F E A R F NE OA RE VN IOL E V I L

Her Her face face reddened reddened and and she she shifted shifted in her in her chair.chair.

“I am “I am no traitor.” no traitor.”

Butler Butler tooktook a step a step toward toward her. her.

“The“The hell hell you’re you’re not. not.

We We know know about about the Maldives.” the Maldives.”

Hingham Hingham blinked, blinked, furrowed furrowed her her brow.brow.

“The“The Maldives?

Maldives?

Like,Like, the islands the islands in the in Indian the Indian Ocean?”

Ocean?”

“The“The same.” same.”

“I have “I have no idea no idea whatwhat you’re you’re talking talking about. about.

I have I have never never beenbeen to the to Maldives. the Maldives.

I’ve I’ve never never eveneven beenbeen to India.” to India.”

“No?” “No?” “Never.

“Never.

You You can talk can talk to my to case my case officers officers about about it.” it.”

“I plan “I plan to atto some at some point,” point,” Butler Butler said,said, taking taking another another stepstep toward toward her. her.

He reached He reached down down to touch to touch the back the back of her of her left left handhand before before letting letting his finger his finger trailtrail across across her her wedding wedding bandband and and modest modest engagement engagement ring.ring.

“Does “Does he know? he know?

YourYour husband?” husband?”

“That “That I work I work for the for the CIA?” CIA?” she she said.said.

“Yes.“Yes. But But he has he has zerozero ideaidea whatwhat I actually I actually do. Those do. Those are the are rules. the rules.

We play We play by them.” by them.”

Butler Butler sighed sighed as heasgently he gently tooktook holdhold of her of left her pinkie left pinkie withwith his leathery his leathery hand, hand, thumb thumb on top. on top.

“Do “Do you you know know the the surest surest way way to sever to sever the the connection connection between between the body the body and and mind, mind, and and therefore therefore the heart?” the heart?”

“No,” “No,” she said. she said.

“Pain,” “Pain,” Butler Butler said.said.

He He gripped gripped her her littlelittle finger finger tighttight and and levered levered his thumb his thumb sharply sharply downward downward untiluntil he heard he heard a a bonebone snap.snap.

5

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C H ACPHTAE PRT E R

22 CATHECRATINHEE RHININEG HHAM IN G HA SC MR E ASME C R DE A ME I N DA GI ONY, N A G ONY, fighting fighting against against her her re- re-

straints, straints, thenthen yelled yelled at him, at him, “You“You cannot cannot do this! do this!

ThisThis is is the United the United States States of America of America and and I’m aI’m sworn a sworn officer officer of the of the Central Central —” —” Butler Butler broke broke her her ring ring finger, finger, thenthen waited waited for her for her to stop to stop screaming screaming and and crying. crying.

“You“You havehave eighteight fingers fingers left, left, Catherine,” Catherine,” Butler Butler said said calmly. calmly.

“I will “I will break break themthem all and all and if you if you still still do not do not tell tell me what me what I want I want to know, to know, I will I will havehave youryour five-year-old five-year-old daughter daughter brought brought herehere and and I will I will begin begin breaking breaking her tiny her tiny fingers fingers one one by one by one untiluntil you you confess.” confess.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer stared stared at him at him in disgust in disgust and and horror. horror.

“Emily “Emily has cerebral has cerebral palsy.” palsy.”

“I know.”

“I know.”

“You“You wouldn’t. wouldn’t.

It’s . .It’s . monstrous.” . . . monstrous.”

6

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F E A R F NE OA RE VN IOL E V I L

“It is,” “It he is,”said he said and and sighed sighed again. again.

“And“And yet, yet, because because therethere is soismuch so much at stake, at stake, Catherine, Catherine, I will I will break break youryour littlelittle girl’sgirl’s fingers. fingers.

But But onlyonly if you if you makemake it necessary.” it necessary.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer continued continued to stare to stare at him at him for several for several moments. moments.

He gazed He gazed backback at her at her evenly evenly untiluntil her her lower lower lip lip trembled trembled and and she hung she hung her head. her head.

“The“The costs,” costs,” Hingham Hingham whispered whispered hoarsely. hoarsely.

“You“You havehave no no ideaidea whatwhat a child a child like like Em .Em . . ” She . . . ” She could could not go noton goand on and broke broke down down sobbing. sobbing.

“The“The heartheart winswins again,” again,” Butler Butler said.said.

He pushed He pushed the pile the pile of blank of blank pages pages in front in front of her. of her.

“Start “Start writing. writing.

TheThe Maldives.

Maldives.

TheThe numbered numbered accounts. accounts.

Their Their connections. connections.

All of Allit.”of it.”

AfterAfter a fewa moments, few moments, Catherine Catherine Hingham Hingham calmed calmed enough enough to raise to raise her head. her head.

“I need “I need witness witness protection.” protection.”

“I’ll “I’ll see what see what I canI can do,” do,” Butler Butler said said and and heldheld out the out pen the pen to her. to her.

“Now “Now write.” write.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer reached reached out with out with bothboth handcuffed handcuffed hands hands shaking. shaking.

She She tooktook the the pen.pen.

“Please,” “Please,” she she said.said.

“My“My family family doesn’t doesn’t deserve deserve whatwhat will will happen happen if —if” — ” “Write,” “Write,” he said he said firmly. firmly.

“And“And I’ll see I’ll what see what I canI do.” can do.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer reluctantly reluctantly began began to scribble to scribble names, names, ad- addresses, dresses, account account numbers, numbers, and and more. more.

When When she’dshe’d moved moved to a to a second second page,page, Butler Butler had had seenseen enough enough to betosatisfied. be satisfied.

He walked He walked behind behind the CIA the CIA officer officer and and nodded nodded to a to small a small camera camera mounted mounted highhigh in the in corner the corner of the of room. the room.

A gravelly A gravelly malemale voicevoice camecame through through the tiny the tiny earbud earbud Butler Butler worewore in hisinleft hisear. left “Mmmm. ear. “Mmmm.

WellWell done.done.

When When you you havehave whatwhat we need, we need, end end the interview the interview and and file your file your report, report, please.” please.”

Butler Butler nodded nodded againagain before before moving moving in front in front of Catherine of Catherine Hingham.

Hingham.

She She set her set pen her pen down down and and pushed pushed the pages the pages across across the table the table at him. at him.

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J A M E JS A PM AE TST EP RA ST OT EN R S O N

“That’s “That’s it,” she it,” said she said in a hoarse in a hoarse voice. voice.

“Everything “Everything I know.”

I know.”

“Unlikely,” “Unlikely,” Butler Butler said,said, usingusing the nail the nail of hisofindex his index finger finger to to lift up liftthe up first the first sheetsheet so hesocould he could scanscan the information the information she’dshe’d provided provided on page on page two.two.

“But“But this this lookslooks useful useful enough enough for now. for now.

It will It will give give us leverage. us leverage.

WasWas that that so hard, so hard, Catherine?”

Catherine?”

She She relaxed relaxed a little a little and and said,said, “Okay, “Okay, then,then, I’ve I’ve givengiven you you whatwhat you you wanted. wanted.

NowNow I need I need a doctor a doctor to fix to my fix hand. my hand.

I I needneed witness witness protection.” protection.”

WithWith his fingernail, his fingernail, Butler Butler scooted scooted the confession the confession pages pages to to the far theright far right of the of table. the table.

“You’re “You’re a smart a smart woman, woman, Catherine.

Catherine.

WellWell educated. educated.

Yale,Yale, if I remember. if I remember.

You You should should know know youryour history history better. better.

We don’t We don’t protect protect traitors traitors in the in United the United States States of America. of America.

FromFrom Benedict Benedict Arnold Arnold on, they’ve on, they’ve all had all had to pay to pay the price. the price.

AndAnd now,now, so will so will you.”you.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer looked looked confused confused and and thenthen terrified terrified whenwhen Butler Butler tooktook a step a step backback and and drewdrew a stubby a stubby pistol pistol withwith a a sound sound suppressor suppressor fromfrom his shoulder his shoulder holster. holster.

“No,“No, please, please, my kids my kids are — are” — she” managed she managed before before he took he took aim aim and and shotshot her between her between the eyes. the eyes.

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C H ACPHTAE PRT E R

33 FRO M FRT OH M E TTIM H EE TWE IM ’D E WE ME’ DT as ME Tten-year-olds, as ten-year-olds, JohnJohn Sampson, Sampson, my my

best best friend friend and and long-term long-term DC DC Metro Metro Police Police partner, partner, had had beenbeen stoic,stoic, quiet, quiet, observant. observant.

Since Since his wife, his wife, Billie, Billie, had had died,died, he’dhe’d become become eveneven moremore reserved reserved and and was was nownow givengiven to to longlong bouts bouts of brooding of brooding silence. silence.

I knew I knew he was he was still still wrestling wrestling withwith grief.grief.

But But that that late-June late-June morning, morning, Big John Big John was was acting acting as wound as wound up as upaaskida kid about about to hit to the hit the frontfront gatesgates of Disney of Disney World World as heas bopped he bopped around around my front my front room, room, where where we’dwe’d laid laid out out all our all our geargear for for a trip a trip we’dwe’d beenbeen talking talking about about taking taking for years. for years.

“You“You thinkthink we’llwe’ll see asee grizzly?” a grizzly?”

Sampson Sampson asked, asked, grinning grinning at me. at me.

“I’m“I’m hoping hoping not,”not,” I said.

I said.

“At least, “At least, not up notclose.” up close.”

“They’re “They’re in there, in there, big-time. big-time.

AndAnd wolves.” wolves.”

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“And“And deer,deer, elk, elk, and and cutthroat cutthroat trout,” trout,” I said.

I said.

“I’ve“I’ve beenbeen studying studying the brochure the brochure too.”too.”

Nana Nana Mama, Mama, my ninety-something my ninety-something grandmother, grandmother, camecame in in wringing wringing her hands her hands and and asked asked withwith worry worry in her in voice, her voice, “Did“Did I hear I hear you you say grizzly say grizzly bears?” bears?”

Sampson Sampson glowed glowed withwith excitement. excitement.

“Nana, “Nana, the Bob the Bob Mar-Marshallshall Wilderness Wilderness has has one one of the of the densest densest concentrations concentrations of of grizzlies grizzlies in the in the lower lower forty-eight forty-eight states. states.

But But don’tdon’t worry. worry.

We’llWe’ll havehave bearbear sprayspray and and sidearms. sidearms.

AndAnd cameras.” cameras.”

“I don’t “I don’t know know whywhy you you couldn’t couldn’t choose choose a safer a safer placeplace to goto go on your on your manly manly trip.”trip.”

“If it“Ifwas it was safer,safer, it wouldn’t it wouldn’t be manly,” be manly,” I said.

I said.

“There’s “There’s got got to betoa be challenge.” a challenge.”

“Glad “Glad I’m I’m an old an old lady,lady, then.then.

Breakfast Breakfast in five in five minutes.” minutes.”

Nana Nana Mama Mama turned turned and and shuffled shuffled away,away, shaking shaking her head. her head.

“Checklist?”

“Checklist?”

Sampson Sampson said.said.

“I’m“I’m ready ready if you if you are.”are.”

We started We started going going through through every every itemitem we’dwe’d thought thought necesnecessarysary for the for twenty-nine-mile the twenty-nine-mile horseback horseback trip trip deepdeep into into one one of the of last the last greatgreat wildernesses wildernesses on earth on earth and and for the for five-day the five-day raft ride raft ride we’dwe’d taketake out of outthe of Bob the Bob Marshall Marshall on the on South the South ForkFork of the of Flathead the Flathead River.

River.

An outfitter An outfitter was was providing providing the rafts, the rafts, tents,tents, food,food, and and bear-proof bear-proof storage storage equipment. equipment.

Everything Everything else else had had to fittointo fit into fourfour rubberized rubberized dry bags dry bags we’dwe’d use on usethe on the riverriver afterafter he dropped he dropped us off. us off.

We We could could havehave signed signed up for up aforfully a fully guided guided affair,affair, but but Sampson Sampson wanted wanted us tous do to adogood a good part part of the of the trip trip alone, alone, and and afterafter somesome thought, thought, I’d agreed.

I’d agreed.

Six Six daysdays deepdeep in the in the backcountry backcountry of Montana of Montana would would give give Big John Big John many many chances chances to open to open up and up and talk,talk, which which is critical is critical to the to process the process of coping of coping withwith tragic tragic loss.loss.

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F E A R F NE OA RE VN IOL E V I L

“How’s “How’s Willow Willow feeling feeling about about our little our little trip?”trip?”

I asked.

I asked.

Sampson Sampson smiled. smiled.

“She“She doesn’t doesn’t like like the the ideaidea of grizzly of grizzly bearsbears any any moremore thanthan Nana Nana does,does, but she but knows she knows it will it will makemake me happy.” me happy.”

“Your “Your littlelittle girl’sgirl’s always always beenbeen wisewise beyond beyond her years.” her years.”

“Truth.

“Truth.

BreeBree liking liking her job?” her job?”

Thinking Thinking of my of smart, my smart, beautiful, beautiful, and and independent independent wife,wife, I I said,said, “She“She lovesloves it. Got it. Got up early up early to betoatbethe at office. the office.

Something Something about about a possible a possible assignment assignment in Paris.” in Paris.”

“Paris!

“Paris!

What What a difference a difference a career a career change change makes.” makes.”

“No“No kidding. kidding.

It was It was like like the gig the was gig was tailor-made tailor-made for her.” for her.”

“Maybe “Maybe we should we should thinkthink about about going going into into private-sector private-sector investigations investigations too.”too.”

“Pay’s “Pay’s better, better, for sure,” for sure,” I allowed.

I allowed.

Before Before he could he could reply, reply, my seventeen-year-old my seventeen-year-old daughter, daughter, Jannie, Jannie, poked poked her head her head in and in and said,said, “Nana “Nana says says youryour eggseggs are are getting getting cold.” cold.”

I putI down put down my dry my dry bag bag and and wentwent to the to kitchen, the kitchen, where where I I found found my youngest my youngest child, child, Ali, Ali, already already finishing finishing up his upplate. his plate.

“Morning, “Morning, sunshine,” sunshine,” I said, I said, giving giving him him a hug. a hug.

He ignored He ignored it, soit,I so tickled I tickled him.him.

“C’mon, “C’mon, Dad!” Dad!” He laughed, He laughed, thenthen groaned. groaned.

“Why “Why can’tcan’t I go I go withwith you?” you?”

“Because “Because you’re you’re a kid a kid and and we don’t we don’t know know whatwhat we’llwe’ll be facing.” be facing.”

“I can “I do canit,” dohe it,”insisted. he insisted.

Sampson Sampson said,said, “Ali,“Ali, let your let your dad dad and and me scope me scope it out it this out this year.year.

If weIfthink we think you’re you’re up toupit,towe’ll it, we’ll bringbring you you along along on the on the nextnext trip. trip.

Deal?”

Deal?”

Ali scrunched Ali scrunched up his up face his face and and shrugged. shrugged.

“I guess.

“I guess.

When When do you do you leave?” leave?”

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“First “First thingthing in the in— the” — ” My My cell cell phone phone began began to ring to ring at the at same the same timetime Sampson’s Sampson’s chimed. chimed.

“No,” “No,” JohnJohn protested. protested.

“Don’t “Don’t answer answer that,that, Alex.Alex.

We’re We’re supposed supposed to betogone be gone already!” already!”

But But whenwhen I sawI saw the caller the caller ID, IID, grimaced I grimaced and and knewknew I hadI had to answer. to answer.

“Commissioner “Commissioner Dennison,” Dennison,” I said.

I said.

“John “John Sampson Sampson and and I were I were just heading just heading out the out door the door on vacation.” on vacation.”

“Cancel “Cancel it,” said it,” said the commissioner the commissioner of the ofMetro the Metro DC Police DC Police Department.

Department.

“We’ve “We’ve got agotdead a dead female, female, gunshot gunshot wound wound to to the head, the head, dumped dumped in the in garage the garage under under the International the International Spy Spy Museum Museum on L’Enfant on L’Enfant Plaza.

Plaza.

Her Her ID says ID says she’sshe’s —” —” “Commissioner, “Commissioner, withwith all due all due respect,” respect,” I said, I said, “we’ve “we’ve beenbeen planning planning this this trip trip for — for” — ” “I don’t “I don’t care,care, Cross,” Cross,” he snapped. he snapped.

“Her“Her ID says ID says she’sshe’s CIA.CIA. If you If you wantwant to continue to continue youryour contract contract withwith Metro, Metro, you’ll you’ll get get down down there. there.

AndAnd if Sampson if Sampson wants wants to keep to keep his job, his job, he’llhe’ll be be withwith you.”you.”

I stared I stared at the at ceiling the ceiling a second, a second, looked looked at John, at John, and and shook shook my head. my head.

“Okay, “Okay, Commissioner.

Commissioner.

We’re We’re on our on way.” our way.”

12

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C H ACPHTAE PRT E R

44 TEN T HT EAVE N T HN UAVE E IN N U ESOIN U THWE S OU THWE S T DCS Tgoes DC goes under under L’Enfant L’Enfant PlazaPlaza withwith

a turnoff a turnoff for monthly for monthly permit permit and and public public parking. parking.

TheThe de- deceased, ceased, a biga big blonde blonde in her in her late late thirties thirties withwith a gunshot a gunshot wound wound to the to the head,head, was was sitting sitting upright upright in a incorner a corner of the of the thirdthird levellevel of monthly of monthly permit permit parking. parking.

A crude A crude sign sign that that said said traitor traitor was hung was hung around around her neck. her neck.

“Someone “Someone had had to have to have seenseen her her get get put put here,” here,” I said.

I said.

“Cameras, “Cameras, anyway.” anyway.”

Sampson Sampson nodded. nodded.

“Maybe “Maybe we will we make will make our our flightflight tomortomorrow row morning.” morning.”

Valerie Valerie Jackson, Jackson, a Metro a Metro patrol patrol officer, officer, met met us atusa at band a band of yellow of yellow tapetape she’dshe’d strung strung around around the the crime crime scene. scene.

TheThe spy spy museum’s museum’s director director had had discovered discovered the victim the victim whenwhen he he arrived arrived shortly shortly afterafter dawn. dawn.

“She“She has ahas CIA a CIA ID?”ID?” Sampson Sampson asked. asked.

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“Photo “Photo and and everything. everything.

It’s still It’s still on her on her lap. lap.

Catherine Catherine Hingham Hingham of the of CIA.” the CIA.” We put We on putblue on blue shoeshoe covers covers and and latexlatex gloves gloves before before crosscrossing to ingthe to deceased, the deceased, whowho was was dressed dressed like like a suburban a suburban mommom out for out afor lunch a lunch datedate afterafter yogayoga class.class.

We saw We saw howhow nastynasty the the exit exit wound wound was, was, but but we both we both noted noted howhow littlelittle blood blood therethere was was around around and and behind behind her. her.

“She“She was was moved moved here,” here,” Sampson Sampson said.said.

“I was “I was just just going going to say to say the the samesame thing,” thing,” I said.

I said.

“She“She was was shotshot elsewhere, elsewhere, cleaned cleaned up auplittle, a little, and and put put herehere as a as a message.” message.”

“To “To who?” who?”

“Other “Other traitors?” traitors?”

We saw We saw two two blackblack Suburbans Suburbans drivedrive in and in and park.park.

“Who “Who the hell the hell let them let them in?” in?”

Officer Officer Jackson Jackson said,said, moving moving toward toward the cars. the cars.

Six men Six men and and women women in black in black windbreakers windbreakers emerged. emerged.

OneOne guy guy withwith slicked-back slicked-back blond blond hair hair and and an an attitude attitude camecame straight straight to the to yellow the yellow tapetape and and ducked ducked under under it. When it. When Officer Officer Jackson Jackson triedtried to cut to him cut him off, he off,flashed he flashed an an ID and ID and keptkept coming. coming.

“Dean “Dean Weaver, Weaver, Detectives,” Detectives,” he said. he said.

“Central “Central Intelligence Intelligence Agency.”

Agency.”

“CIA?” “CIA?” Sampson Sampson said,said, pulling pulling himself himself up to uphis to full his full six six foot foot ninenine inches inches and and getting getting in the in man’s the man’s way.way.

“Good “Good — you — you can can hear,hear, and and you you understand understand English,” English,” Weaver Weaver said,said, holding holding up his up identification. his identification.

“We’ll “We’ll be taking be taking overover the investigation the investigation fromfrom here.here.

I want I want any any and and all evidence all evidence left in leftsitu. in situ.

AndAnd I askI that ask that you you kindly kindly leave.” leave.”

I shook I shook my head. my head.

“Not“Not a chance. a chance.

Federal Federal law prohibits law prohibits the the CIACIA fromfrom running running investigations investigations in the in United the United States, States, so I’ll so I’ll havehave to ask to you ask you to leave to leave my crime my crime scene.” scene.”

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“And“And whowho are you?” are you?”

“Dr. “Dr. AlexAlex Cross, Cross, investigative investigative consultant consultant to Metro to Metro PD and PD and the FBI. the FBI. AndAnd if you if you don’tdon’t leave, leave, I’ll be I’llcalling be calling my liaison, my liaison, Su- Supervising pervising Special Special Agent Agent NedNed Mahoney, Mahoney, whowho I’m sure I’m sure would would be glad be glad to explain to explain howhow the law the works law works domestically.” domestically.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer looked looked ready ready to pop to pop his cork his cork but but he he keptkept it under it under control. control.

“Catherine “Catherine Hingham Hingham is —iswas —— wasone — one of ours, of ours, Dr. Cross,” Dr. Cross,” he said he said withwith clenched clenched fists.fists.

“Can“Can I please I please at least at least identify identify her?”her?”

“After “After you you explain explain howhow you you found found out so outfast,” so fast,” I said.

I said.

“I . . . “I can’t . . . can’t say. It’s say.. .It’s . complicated.” . . . complicated.”

Sampson Sampson smiled. smiled.

“Must “Must happen happen like like that that a lota in lotthe in spy the spy business.” business.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer sighed. sighed.

“You“You havehave no idea.” no idea.”

“Let“Let him him look,look, John,” John,” I said, I said, and and Sampson Sampson let Weaver let Weaver walkwalk a fewa few moremore feet feet forward forward untiluntil he could he could see the see body. the body.

Weaver’s Weaver’s shoulders shoulders slumped slumped and and he stood he stood therethere glumly glumly for several for several minutes, minutes, looking looking at her. at her.

“That’s “That’s Catherine,” Catherine,” he he said said whenwhen he turned he turned around. around.

“And“And I don’t I don’t carecare whatwhat that that sign sign says.says.

She She was was no traitor.” no traitor.”

“Thank “Thank you,”you,” Sampson Sampson said.said.

“But“But again, again, we’rewe’re going going to to havehave to ask to you ask you to leave.” to leave.”

“Don’t “Don’t you you wantwant to know to know about about her?”her?”

Weaver Weaver asked. asked.

“I thought “I thought you you guysguys never never talk talk about about whatwhat you you do.” do.”

“We“We don’t, don’t, usually. usually.

ThisThis is different.” is different.”

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55 TON I TAL O NSTI OAL N ,STOONNE, O FN ETHE OF district’s THE district’s medical medical examiners, examiners, arrived arrived

along along withwith two two crime crime scene scene specialists. specialists.

TheyThey began began photophotographing graphing the the areaarea as we as stood we stood off to off the to the side,side, listening listening to the to the CIACIA officer officer describe describe Catherine Catherine Hingham Hingham as one as one of the of the smartest, smartest, mostmost dedicated dedicated fieldfield operatives operatives he’dhe’d everever worked worked with.with.

“Field “Field operative?” operative?”

I said.

I said.

“She“She lookslooks like like a — ”a — ” “Suburban “Suburban housewife housewife or aorschoolteacher,” a schoolteacher,” Weaver Weaver said.said.

“That “That was was the the point. point.

She She usedused bothboth thosethose covers, covers, among among others.” others.”

According According to Weaver, to Weaver, Catherine Catherine Hingham Hingham had had beenbeen fluent fluent in five in languages five languages and and worked worked in a in variety a variety of deep of deep undercover undercover settings. settings.

All the All while, the while, she raised she raised two two children, children, one one of whom of whom was was bornborn withwith cerebral cerebral palsy. palsy.

“Most “Most mothers mothers would would havehave resigned resigned immediately,” immediately,” Weaver Weaver 16

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said.said.

“But“But Catherine’s Catherine’s husband, husband, Frank, Frank, is a speech is a speech pathologist pathologist and and infinitely infinitely moremore qualified qualified to betoEmily’s be Emily’s primary primary caregiver. caregiver.

DoesDoes he know he know yet?”yet?”

“Not“Not that that we’rewe’re aware aware of,” of,” Sampson Sampson said.said.

“And“And we’dwe’d appreciate appreciate being being the ones the ones to break to break the news the news to him.” to him.”

“Where “Where doesdoes he think he think she is?” she Iis?” asked.

I asked.

TheThe CIACIA officer officer looked looked at me at appraisingly. me appraisingly.

“Training “Training in in Los Los Angeles.”

Angeles.”

“Where “Where was was she really?” she really?”

“Until “Until the the day day before before yesterday, yesterday, she she was was in Nogales, in Nogales, Mexico.”

Mexico.”

“Doing “Doing what?” what?”

Weaver Weaver put up puthis uphands. his hands.

“Now, “Now, that that I cannot I cannot discuss.” discuss.”

I said, I said, “But“But givengiven Nogales, Nogales, we can we assume can assume what?” what?”

“Assume “Assume nothing. nothing.

She She was was on an on assignment an assignment critical critical to to national national security security and and I’ll have I’ll have to leave to leave it at itthat at that or risk or risk prison prison time.” time.”

He fished He fished a card a card fromfrom his wallet. his wallet.

“But“But if you’ve if you’ve got got otherother questions, questions, you you can call can call me, me, day day or night, or night, and and whatever whatever I canI tell can you, tell you, I will.”

I will.”

“Was“Was she one she one of yours?” of yours?”

I asked, I asked, taking taking the card. the card.

“Part“Part of of youryour team, team, like like the others the others overover by the

by Suburbans?” the Suburbans?”

Weaver Weaver cocked cocked his head. his head.

“You“You are sharp, are sharp, Dr. Cross.

Dr. Cross.

Yes, Yes, Catherine Catherine was was one one of mine of mine and and she she entered entered the CIA the CIA withwith several several of those of those officers. officers.

We were We were a team.” a team.”

“Were “Were you you or any or any otherother members members of your of your teamteam also also in in Nogales?”

Nogales?”

Sampson Sampson asked. asked.

TheThe agent’s agent’s eyeseyes shifted; shifted; he blinked. he blinked.

“No.“No. I wish I wish we had we had been,been, but Catherine but Catherine wanted wanted to work to work this this one one solo.” solo.”

“Was“Was she corruptible? she corruptible?

Financially?

Financially?

Ideologically?”

Ideologically?”

I asked.

I asked.

“No!” “No!” Weaver Weaver said said sharply. sharply.

“One“One hundred hundred percent percent no. no.

Catherine Catherine was .was . . one . . . one of the of good the good people people —” —” 17

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“Dr. “Dr. Cross?”

Cross?”

ToniToni Alston Alston interrupted. interrupted.

“Excuse “Excuse me,”me,” I saidI said and went and went overover to the tomedical the medical examiner. examiner.

Alston Alston told told me me her her preliminary preliminary examination examination indicated indicated Hingham Hingham had had dieddied roughly roughly thirty-six thirty-six hours hours earlier earlier fromfrom a a single, single, small-caliber small-caliber gunshot gunshot to the to head. the head.

Her Her left pinkie left pinkie and and left ring left ring finger finger werewere broken. broken.

“Torture?”

“Torture?”

I asked.

I asked.

“Possibly.

“Possibly.

Broken Broken fingers fingers mustmust havehave beenbeen painful. painful.

But But I’m I’m not seeing not seeing any any otherother marks marks on her on so herfar,” so far,” Alston Alston said.said.

“I’ll “I’ll know know moremore onceonce I getI her get back her back to my to lab. my And lab. And we found we found this this in anininside an inside pocket pocket of her of hoodie.” her hoodie.”

She She wentwent overover and and retrieved retrieved an evidence an evidence bag. bag.

Inside Inside was was a a white white letter-size letter-size envelope. envelope.

Printed Printed on iton in ita in large, a large, garish garish red red font font was was one one word: word: confession. confession.

TheThe text text was was so vivid, so vivid, Weaver Weaver could could see it seefrom it from twenty twenty feet feet away.away.

“Confession?”

“Confession?” he said, he said, coming coming toward toward us. “Ius.want “I want to see to that see that rightright now.” now.”

ThisThis timetime I stepped I stepped in front in front of him, of him, my hands my hands way way out to out to my sides my sides as ifasI were if I were guarding guarding him him in a inhoops a hoops game. game.

“Mr.“Mr. Weaver, Weaver, that that will will not not happen happen without without somesome kindkind of waiver of waiver fromfrom the the Department Department of Justice,” of Justice,” I said.

I said.

“There’s “There’s nothing nothing you you or I or canI can do without do without one.one.

Now,Now, please please leaveleave the crime the crime scene scene or I’ll orhave I’ll have you you forcibly forcibly removed.” removed.”

TheThe CIACIA officer officer wanted wanted to paste to paste me; me; I could I could see see it init in his eyes his eyes and and the bunching the bunching of his of muscles. his muscles.

But But a cooler a cooler headhead prevailed. prevailed.

He nodded He nodded and and said,said, “I’m“I’m going going to see to about see about that that rightright now.” now.”

Weaver Weaver walked walked away,away, shooed shooed the rest the rest of hisofteam his team backback into into the Suburbans, the Suburbans, and and left. left.

I wasI about was about to suggest to suggest we get wehold get hold of the ofparking the parking lot’s lot’s secu-security rity cameras cameras whenwhen my cell my cell phone phone buzzed buzzed in my in pocket. my pocket.

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When When I sawI saw the text the text on the on screen, the screen, I feltI instantly felt instantly exposed. exposed.

I looked I looked all around all around and and backback to where to where the Suburbans the Suburbans had had vanished. vanished.

“Alex?”

“Alex?”

Sampson Sampson said.said.

I held I held up aup finger a finger and and thenthen readread the text the text again. again.

Top of Topthe of morning, the morning, Dr. C. Dr.It’s C. been It’s been months, months, hasn’t hasn’t it? I it? know I know I’ve been I’ve been playing playing catchup catchup thesethese last few last days. few days.

Bree’s Bree’s left Metro left Metro PD PD behind behind her. How her. How exciting! exciting!

Jannie’s Jannie’s entering entering her senior her senior year year soon.soon.

Damon’s Damon’s killing killing it at itDavidson. at Davidson.

Ali’s Ali’s becoming becoming quitequite the young the young detective. detective.

And And you’re you’re on the onnew the new casecase of theofTraitor the Traitor in theinParking the Parking Garage.

Garage.

I swear, I swear, if I take if I take my eyes my eyes off you off for youa for moment, a moment, Alex Alex Cross, Cross, your your entireentire life changes. life changes.

—M—M

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66 A CROSS AC RTOHSS E PTOHTEO MP OACT OMA R I VCE RR, I Vin E R ,an in Arlington an Arlington officeoffice tower, tower, BreeBree

Stone Stone knocked knocked on the on the doordoor to the to the conference conference roomroom and and entered. entered.

FiveFive people people waited waited for her for at herthe at table. the table.

FourFour werewere women, women, two two in their in their late late twenties twenties and and two two in their in their forties. forties.

All were All were dressed dressed for business. for business.

TheThe lonelone malemale was was silversilverhaired, haired, craggily craggily handsome, handsome, and and dressed dressed impeccably impeccably in ain a bespoke bespoke blueblue suit,suit, starched starched white white shirt,shirt, and and red tie redwith tie with teal teal polka polka dots.dots.

“Bree “Bree Stone,” Stone,” he said he said in a in British a British accent, accent, standing standing to shake to shake her hand. her hand.

“Good “Good to finally to finally meetmeet you you in person.” in person.”

“Desmond “Desmond Slattery,” Slattery,” she said, she said, returning returning the smile. the smile.

“When “When did you did you fly in?” fly in?”

“I caught “I caught the red-eye the red-eye fromfrom Heathrow,” Heathrow,” he said. he said.

“And“And herehere you you are, are, not anot hair a hair out of outplace.” of place.”

“Got“Got to keep to keep the reputation the reputation clean,” clean,” he said he said and and chuckled. chuckled.

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TheThe petite, petite, fortyish fortyish brunette brunette at the at head the head of the of table the table said,said, “Sit “Sit anywhere anywhere you’d you’d like,like, Bree.”

Bree.”

Elena Elena Martin, Martin, the the founder founder and and president president of Bluestone of Bluestone Group, Group, was was one one of the of smartest the smartest women women BreeBree had had everever met,met, a super-dynamo a super-dynamo whowho needed needed less less thanthan five five hours hours of sleep of sleep a night. a night.

A former A former analyst analyst and and investigator investigator withwith the Defense the Defense Intelligence Intelligence Agency, Agency, Martin Martin was was also also an entrepreneurial an entrepreneurial visionary; visionary; afterafter leaving leaving the military, the military, she quickly she quickly builtbuilt BlueBluestonestone into into one of onethe oftop the private-security top private-security firmsfirms in the incountry the country by aggressively by aggressively recruiting recruiting and and hiring hiring highly highly respected respected law law enforcement enforcement professionals professionals like like Bree.Bree.

AfterAfter taking taking a seat a seat nextnext to Slattery to Slattery —a— former a former inspector inspector at Scotland at Scotland YardYard — Bree — Bree smiled smiled at the at other the other women women at the at the table,table, whom whom she’dshe’d never never seenseen before. before.

Elena Elena Martin Martin introduced introduced the other the other woman woman in her in forties her forties as Patricia as Patricia Nolan.

Nolan.

“Ms.“Ms. Nolan Nolan is corporate is corporate counsel counsel at Pegasus at Pegasus International,” International,” Elena Elena Martin Martin said.said.

“Do “Do you you know know the company?” the company?”

BreeBree shook shook her head. her head.

Nolan Nolan smiled. smiled.

“Not“Not surprising. surprising.

We’re We’re a hedge a hedge fundfund that that prides prides itselfitself on its onlow its low profile. profile.

We’re We’re incorporated incorporated in Delain Delawareware withwith offices offices on Wall on Wall Street Street and and in Paris.” in Paris.”

TheThe president president of Bluestone of Bluestone said said to Bree, to Bree, “I’ve“I’ve told told themthem you you speak speak fluent fluent French French withwith a Caribbean a Caribbean accent.” accent.”

BreeBree nodded. nodded.

“My“My mother mother was was fromfrom SaintSaint Martin.”

Martin.”

“I also “I also told told themthem you you are one are one of our of star our star investigators, investigators, and and theythey wanted wanted to meet to meet you you in person.” in person.”

“I’m“I’m delighted, delighted, and and I appreciate I appreciate the confidence, the confidence, Elena,” Elena,” BreeBree said.said.

Nolan Nolan introduced introduced her to herthe to two the two younger younger women, women, and and BreeBree reached reached across across the table the table to shake to shake theirtheir hands. hands.

When When she she sat back, sat back, she she glanced glanced at Slattery at Slattery and and saw saw a a 21

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slightly slightly soursour looklook on his onface. his face.

He obviously He obviously considered considered him-himself one self one of Bluestone’s of Bluestone’s star investigators star investigators as well. as well.

For aFor second, a second, BreeBree wondered wondered whywhy Slattery Slattery hadn’t hadn’t gotten gotten this this assignment, assignment, thenthen pushed pushed the the thought thought aside. aside.

She She smiled smiled at the at the clients. clients.

“How “How can Ican be Iofbeservice?” of service?”

AnnaAnna Tuttle, Tuttle, an attractive, an attractive, sandy-blond sandy-blond young young woman woman in in a blue a blue business business suit,suit, said,said, “You“You can help can help us get us our get son-of-aour son-of-abitchbitch CEOCEO fired.” fired.”

Cassie Cassie Dane, Dane, a buxom a buxom redhead redhead withwith porcelain-pale porcelain-pale skin skin and and ice-green ice-green eyes,eyes, said said in ainsweet a sweet Southern Southern accent, accent, “Or,“Or, better better yet, put yet, Philippe’s put Philippe’s ass inassprison in prison withwith menmen whowho will will not not be kind be kind or gentle.” or gentle.”

“There’s “There’s something something I should I should explain explain first,first, Ms. Ms. Stone,” Stone,” the the corporate corporate attorney attorney said.said.

“I am “I here am here at the at the request request of of the board the board of directors of directors of Pegasus of Pegasus to determine to determine whether whether our our founder, founder, CEO, CEO, and and chairman chairman Philippe Philippe Abelmar Abelmar is guilty is guilty of of sexual sexual harassment harassment —” —” “He “He definitely definitely is,” Anna is,” Anna Tuttle Tuttle said.said.

“And“And a serial a serial abuser abuser of women of women —” —” “That “That too,”too,” Cassie Cassie DaneDane said,said, her cheeks her cheeks reddening. reddening.

“And“And quitequite possibly possibly an embezzler,” an embezzler,” Nolan Nolan said.said.

Tuttle Tuttle looked looked a little a little disgusted disgusted as she as nodded she nodded to Bree. to Bree.

“We“We appreciate appreciate Ms. Ms. Nolan Nolan being being here,here, really, really, we do, we but do, just but just so so you you understand, understand, the rumors the rumors of sexual of sexual harassment harassment havehave beenbeen flying flying around around Philippe Philippe forever. forever.

AndAnd yet it yetwasn’t it wasn’t untiluntil the the suspicions suspicions about about missing missing money money surfaced surfaced that that the Pegasus the Pegasus board board decided decided to hire to hire someone someone to investigate.” to investigate.”

Nolan’s Nolan’s jaw jaw stiffened. stiffened.

“Philippe “Philippe Abelmar Abelmar is a ispowerful, a powerful, charismatic charismatic man,man, and and France France is a isdifferent a different country country withwith different different moral moral views views thanthan our own. our own.

But IBut admit I admit he held he held swaysway overover the board the board despite despite the rumors the rumors about about his inappropriate his inappropriate 22

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F E A R F NE OA RE VN IOL E V I L

activities activities untiluntil theythey saw saw evidence evidence that that he may he may havehave siphoned siphoned off asoffmuch as much as four as four hundred hundred million million dollars.” dollars.”

“Four “Four hundred hundred million?” million?”

BreeBree said,said, her brows her brows rising. rising.

“See?” “See?” Tuttle Tuttle said said to Dane. to Dane.

“It’s “It’s all anyone all anyone carescares about.” about.”

TheThe Southern Southern bellebelle pushed pushed backback a wayward a wayward locklock of red of red hair hair and and shrugged. shrugged.

“I honestly “I honestly don’tdon’t give give a damn a damn whatwhat finally finally drugdrug ’em to ’emthe todance, the dance, Anna.

Anna.

I justI want just want that that man’s man’s testicles testicles in in a vise. a vise.

AndAnd maybe maybe somesome public public shaming shaming while while we’rewe’re at it.”at it.”

Slattery Slattery winced winced at the at testicles-in-a-vise the testicles-in-a-vise comment comment before before clearing clearing his throat his throat and and looking looking at Pegasus’s at Pegasus’s corporate corporate councounsel. “My sel. “My specialty specialty at Scotland at Scotland YardYard was economic was economic crimes crimes and and forensic forensic accounting. accounting.

I’ll be I’llworking be working the money the money end end of things of things in Manhattan in Manhattan and and London.”

London.”

Tuttle Tuttle said,said, “London’s “London’s where where I worked I worked afterafter Paris.”

Paris.”

“Where “Where we all weworked all worked afterafter Paris, Paris, hon,”hon,” Cassie Cassie DaneDane said.said.

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77 THE TTHHREE ET HWO REM E EWO N EMXEPL N AEIXNE P LDA ITO NE DBree TO Bree howhow it worked it worked at Pegasus. at Pegasus.

Recruiters Recruiters in the in the company’s company’s WallWall Street Street offices offices tended tended to choose to choose pretty pretty Ivy Ivy League League co-eds co-eds for their for their internship internship programs. programs.

AfterAfter a year a year of training of training in the in science the science of modern of modern finance, finance, the the young young women women werewere rotated rotated to Paris, to Paris, where where Philippe Philippe Abelmar Abelmar oversaw oversaw theirtheir continuing continuing education education in the in the art of art of making making money. money.

AnnaAnna Tuttle Tuttle said,said, “For“For six months six months it was it was all about all about the the philosophy, philosophy, beauty, beauty, and and inherent inherent goodness goodness of capitalism. of capitalism.

AndAnd the the valuevalue of knowing of knowing numbers numbers — whether — whether we were we were up or up down or down and and howhow we were we were going going to take to take advantage advantage of subtle of subtle changes changes in the in the markets. markets.

If you If you werewere particuparticularlylarly bright, bright, you you werewere made made special special personal personal assistant assistant to to Philippe.”

Philippe.”

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“Nothing “Nothing to do to with do with brightness brightness and and I know I know it,” Cassie it,” Cassie DaneDane said.said.

She She gestured gestured at her at chest, her chest, saying, saying, “Sure, “Sure, I went I went to to Penn, Penn, but that but that pervo pervo FrogFrog just liked just liked my girls.” my girls.”

BothBoth women women described described the the ParisParis officeoffice as aasculture a culture where where conversations conversations werewere oftenoften lacedlaced withwith sexual sexual innuendo. innuendo.

Abelmar Abelmar encouraged encouraged the behavior, the behavior, believing believing that that tension tension be- between tween coworkers coworkers was was a good a good thing, thing, especially especially if it was if it was rarely rarely or never or never relieved. relieved.

“He “He flirted flirted withwith me for memonths,” for months,” AnnaAnna Tuttle Tuttle said.said.

“I tried “I tried to keep to keep it professional, it professional, but but Philippe Philippe made made it impossible. it impossible.

Being Being his personal his personal assistant assistant meant meant I wasI was always always at hisatside his side or or on call on — callat— work, at work, at hisatapartment, his apartment, or onorhis onjet.” his jet.”

“Or “Or the yacht the yacht in Cannes,” in Cannes,” Cassie Cassie DaneDane said.said.

“That’s “That’s where where Philippe Philippe drugged drugged me and me and thenthen forcibly forcibly raped raped me after me after I’d I’d worked worked for him for him for six formonths.” six months.”

“For“For me it mewas it was also also roughly roughly six months, six months, but but at his at Paris his Paris apartment,” apartment,” AnnaAnna Tuttle Tuttle said.said.

“He “He heldheld me me therethere several several days.days.

TheThe things things he did he were did were . . . unspeakable.” . . . unspeakable.”

BreeBree said,said, “Did“Did you you file police file police reports?” reports?”

BothBoth women women looked looked at each at each other, other, embarrassed. embarrassed.

“He “He filmed filmed it all,” it all,” DaneDane said.said.

“He “He showed showed me me a video a video where where I was I was acting acting onlyonly a little a little drunk drunk and and giving giving him him verbal verbal consent consent to take to take off my off clothes my clothes and and makemake a recording. a recording.

I have I have no memory no memory of that. of that.

Zero.Zero.

AndAnd I usually I usually remember remember everything!” everything!”

“That’s “That’s all italltakes it takes in France,” in France,” Tuttle Tuttle said.said.

“Evidence “Evidence of of verbal verbal consent consent between between adults. adults.

Except Except Philippe Philippe didn’t didn’t taketake chances. chances.

He has He signed has signed documents, documents, release release forms, forms, although although neither neither of usofremembers us remembers signing signing anything.” anything.”

“No“No one one tested tested you you for drugs?” for drugs?”

“If I“If hadI had it toitdotoover? do over?

I’d give I’d give a quart a quart of blood of blood to figure to figure 25

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J A M E JS A PM AE TST EP RA ST OT EN R S O N

out what out what he stuck he stuck in my in drink,” my drink,” DaneDane said.said.

“But“But he told he told me me he’dhe’d release release the videos the videos on aon porn a porn site. site.

RuinRuin me.”me.”

“And“And thenthen you you werewere transferred transferred out of outthe of Paris the Paris office?” office?”

Tuttle Tuttle said,said, “No.“No. ThatThat happened happened afterafter Philippe Philippe blackblackmailed mailed me into me into having having sex with sex with him him untiluntil my year my year as his as his personal personal assistant assistant was was over.” over.”

“And“And a new a new one one was was chosen,” chosen,” Cassie Cassie DaneDane said.said.

BreeBree frowned. frowned.

“You“You didn’t didn’t try to trywarn to warn the new the new personal personal assistant?” assistant?”

Patricia Patricia Nolan Nolan said,said, “In “In theirtheir defense, defense, Bree,Bree, theythey had had no idea no idea at the at the timetime therethere werewere otherother complaints complaints about about Philippe.”

Philippe.”

“But“But you knew?” you knew?”

Nolan Nolan swallowed. swallowed.

“I’ve“I’ve beenbeen withwith Pegasus Pegasus onlyonly two two yearsyears . . . but . . . but yes, yes, I knew I knew of Philippe’s of Philippe’s reputation, reputation, if not if not the the specifics specifics of hisofactions.” his actions.”

“Until “Until the the fourfour hundred hundred million million wentwent missing,” missing,” AnnaAnna Tuttle Tuttle said said coldly. coldly.

“Then “Then you you werewere all about all about it after it after Pegasus Pegasus ignored ignored me and me and thenthen drove drove me out me of outfinance.” of finance.”

“Same,” “Same,” Cassie Cassie DaneDane said.said.

“No“No one’sone’s sued?” sued?”

BreeBree asked. asked.

TheThe corporate corporate counsel counsel said,said, “There “There werewere several several attempts attempts overover the the years. years.

All All of them of them werewere settled settled privately privately withwith significant significant payments payments made made to the to women.” the women.”

AnnaAnna Tuttle Tuttle said,said, “He “He shutsshuts you you up with up with threats threats to release to release videos videos or with or with lawyers lawyers or with or with money. money.

Philippe’s Philippe’s put put him-himself self above above the law the law because because he can. he can.

Harvard Harvard undergraduate. undergraduate.

YaleYale Law.Law. Sorbonne Sorbonne for business for business school. school.

Billionaire Billionaire before before he turned he turned forty.” forty.”

Cassie Cassie DaneDane pushed pushed backback that that stubborn stubborn locklock of red of red hair hair and and gazed gazed at Bree, at Bree, smiling smiling easily. easily.

“That’s “That’s whowho we’rewe’re up up 26

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against, against, Ms. Ms. BreeBree Stone, Stone, fricking fricking Goliath Goliath Pervo.

Pervo.

So, girl So, girl to to girl, girl, please please tell tell me true: me true: Are Are you you up for up putting for putting Goliath’s Goliath’s nutsnuts in a in vise a vise and and thenthen letting letting us turn us turn the handle the handle tight? tight?

Or isOr is this this all too all much too much for you for you to see to through?” see through?”

BreeBree smiled smiled and and looked looked at her at boss. her boss.

“When “When do Ido leave I leave for for Paris, Paris, Elena?”

Elena?”

Elena Elena Martin Martin nodded. nodded.

“There’s “There’s a business a business classclass seat seat for you for you on this on this evening’s evening’s Air France Air France flightflight out of outDulles. of Dulles.

Be on Beit.” on it.”

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88 TRA F FIC T R AFFIC H AD SL H AD O WESLDO WE TO DA TO C R AWL A C R on AWL the on Beltway the Beltway toward toward Dulles Dulles

Airport.

Airport.

BreeBree keptkept checking checking her her watch. watch.

I wasI was still still dealing dealing withwith the the aftershock aftershock of knowing of knowing that that M was M was backback in my in my life. life.

Again.

Again.

M was M was the name the name I knew I knew him him by, though by, though JohnJohn Sampson Sampson referred referred to him to him off and off and on asonMastermind. as Mastermind.

OverOver the years, the years, M had M had alternately alternately helped helped and and hindered hindered us asuswe as investiwe investigatedgated various various murders murders and and criminal criminal enterprises enterprises and and his roles his roles in them. in them.

For For a time, a time, M had M had triedtried to make to make me believe me believe that that KyleKyle Craig, Craig, an old, an old, deaddead nemesis nemesis of mine, of mine, was was actually actually backback among among the living. the living.

He’dHe’d donedone it toitmess to mess withwith my head my head and and withwith Sampson’s.

Sampson’s.

AndAnd eveneven though though this this had had beenbeen going going on for onyears, for years, we still we still didn’t didn’t understand understand his motivations, his motivations, which which was was infuriating. infuriating.

M M 28

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likedliked to taunt to taunt me, me, and and I knew I knew better better thanthan to respond to respond to to his texts. his texts.

But But it was it was still still bugging bugging me. me.

“Alex, “Alex, we we haven’t haven’t moved moved in five in five minutes,” minutes,” BreeBree said,said, breaking breaking into into my thoughts. my thoughts.

“We’ve “We’ve got two got two hours hours to get to there, get there, and and it’s only it’s only six miles six miles away,” away,” I said.

I said.

“According “According to Waze, to Waze, there’s there’s an accident an accident about about a mile a mile up the up road. the road.

We’llWe’ll makemake it.” it.”

“I better “I better makemake it. It’s it. only It’s only my my career career and and Bluestone’s Bluestone’s reputation reputation at stake,” at stake,” BreeBree said.said.

“Can’t “Can’t you you throw throw up your up your bubble bubble and and turnturn on your on your siren?” siren?”

“Do “Do it, Dad!” it, Dad!” Ali cried Ali cried fromfrom the back the back seat.seat.

Jannie Jannie laughed. laughed.

“I’ve“I’ve never never beenbeen in the in car the when car when you’ve you’ve donedone that,that, Dad.” Dad.” I glanced I glanced in the in rearview the rearview and and said,said, “That’s “That’s because because I don’t I don’t makemake a habit a habit of using of using the the bubble bubble and and sirensiren to get to around get around traffic traffic jamsjams on personal on personal time.” time.”

BreeBree said,said, “If this “If this goesgoes on another on another fifteen fifteen minutes, minutes, I’ll take I’ll take the heat the heat and and do itdo myself.” it myself.”

Seeing Seeing I wasn’t I wasn’t going going to use to the use siren the siren and and lights, lights, Ali and Ali and Jannie Jannie quickly quickly got bored, got bored, put on puttheir on their earbuds, earbuds, and and retreated retreated into into theirtheir phones. phones.

BreeBree started started to dotothe do same the same before before I said, I said, “You“You haven’t haven’t asked asked me about me about my day.” my day.”

She She frowned. frowned.

“Oh?“Oh? I guess I guess I didn’t.

I didn’t.

I’m I’m sorry. sorry.

I was I was so so preoccupied preoccupied withwith packing packing for Paris.” for Paris.”

“I get “I it.” get it.”

“You’ve “You’ve got my got undivided my undivided attention attention for the for next the next fourteen fourteen minutes. minutes.

But But if weif haven’t we haven’t moved, moved, thenthen you’re you’re lighting lighting up up that that siren.” siren.”

“Deal,” “Deal,” I said, I said, thenthen described described the scene the scene beneath beneath the spy the spy museum, museum, the arrival the arrival of the of CIA the CIA officers officers who’d who’d worked worked withwith 29

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the deceased, the deceased, and and Sampson’s Sampson’s and and my subsequent my subsequent trip trip to see to see Catherine Catherine Hingham’s Hingham’s husband husband and and two two children. children.

We’dWe’d found found Frank Frank Hingham Hingham feeding feeding lunch lunch to Emily, to Emily, theirtheir birdlike birdlike young young daughter, daughter, in her in large, her large, elaborate elaborate wheelchair. wheelchair.

He was He was awaiting awaiting the arrival the arrival of a of nurse’s a nurse’s aideaide so hesocould he could taketake theirtheir son, son, Luke, Luke, to a to soccer a soccer game. game.

AfterAfter the aide the aide arrived, arrived, we we tooktook Hingham Hingham asideaside and and told told him him his wife his wife had had beenbeen found found murdered, murdered, was was last seen last seen alivealive in Nogales, in Nogales, Mexico.

Mexico.

AfterAfter glancing glancing in the in the backback seat seat to make to make suresure our our kids kids weren’t weren’t listening, listening, BreeBree asked, asked, “How’d “How’d he react?” he react?”

“Like “Like we’dwe’d put put a spear a spear through through his heart,” his heart,” I said.

I said.

“He “He literally literally fell down, fell down, crashed crashed against against his desk. his desk.

He was He was shocked shocked and and thenthen sobbing. sobbing.

He said He said he didn’t he didn’t know know howhow he was he was going going to dotoit.” do it.”

“Do “Do what?” what?”

“Tell“Tell his kids, his kids, especially especially his daughter. his daughter.

Emily Emily and and her mom her mom werewere veryvery close.” close.”

“Did“Did you you get the get family the family computers?” computers?”

“And“And we searched we searched her office. her office.

Hingham Hingham gavegave us permission us permission before before taking taking his son his son to the to soccer the soccer game. game.

He said He said he’dhe’d tell tell LukeLuke and and Emily Emily afterward afterward at home.” at home.”

“You“You let him let him go?”go?”

“If you’d “If you’d seenseen him,him, you’d you’d know know he wasn’t he wasn’t involved.” involved.”

“You“You mentioned mentioned a confession,” a confession,” BreeBree said.said.

“You“You ask ask him him about about it?” it?”

“Not“Not yet,”yet,” I said.

I said.

“It felt “It felt like like it might it might be too be too much, much, too too soonsoon for him.” for him.”

“You’ve “You’ve readread it?” it?”

“Scanned “Scanned it. But it. But we’llwe’ll be taking be taking a close a close looklook at the at family the family finances finances before before we talk we talk to the to husband the husband again. again.

Or aOr forensic a forensic accountant accountant will.”will.”

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BreeBree said,said, “I’m“I’m working working withwith one one of those of those on this on this case.case.

He’sHe’s a Brit, a Brit, former former Scotland Scotland Yard,Yard, lookslooks like like he walked he walked out out of Downton of Downton Abbey.”

Abbey.”

I laughed.

I laughed.

“Your “Your life has lifechanged.” has changed.”

She She looked looked at her at her watch, watch, said,said, “Yes,“Yes, it has, it has, and and that’sthat’s fourteen fourteen minutes minutes and and we haven’t we haven’t moved moved twenty twenty feet.”feet.”

Knowing Knowing better better thanthan to argue, to argue, I leaned I leaned over,over, pulled pulled out the out the bubble, bubble, slapped slapped it onitthe on roof, the roof, and and threw threw the siren the siren switch. switch.

Ali and Ali and Jannie Jannie cheered cheered whenwhen the siren the siren started started whooping whooping and and the bubble the bubble started started flashing flashing neonneon blueblue and and red. red.

TheThe cars cars in front in front of usofmoved us moved asideaside just just enough enough to let to me let into me into the the breakdown breakdown lane,lane, where where I hitIthe hit gas. the gas.

BreeBree clapped clapped and and smiled. smiled.

“Now “Now I amI definitely am definitely on my on my way way to Paris!” to Paris!”

I dropped I dropped her at herthe at curb the curb at Dulles at Dulles fifteen fifteen minutes minutes later.later.

AfterAfter hugging hugging her goodbye, her goodbye, telling telling her Iher loved I loved her, her, and and wishwishing her ing her goodgood luck,luck, I watched I watched untiluntil she she was was inside, inside, heading heading toward toward the check-in the check-in counter. counter.

I’ll admit I’ll admit it —itas— I got as Iback got back in the incar theto cartake to take the kids the kids home, home, therethere was was a small a small part part of me of that me that was was envious envious of Bree’s of Bree’s newnew and and exciting exciting life. life.

AndAnd another another part part that that was was a little a little worried worried about about whowho my wife my wife might might be when be when she returned. she returned.

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99 THE FO T HLEL OFO W LINL GO WDIN AY,G ID AY, C A L IL ECDA LBree L E D Bree at sixat a.m. six a.m.

DC DC time,time, knowing knowing

it was it was noonnoon in Paris in Paris and and her plane her plane should should havehave landed landed a fewa few hours hours earlier. earlier.

She She answered answered on the on second the second ring.ring.

“I just “I just got out got out of the of shower the shower and and was was going going to call to call you,”you,” she said. she said.

“How’s “How’s Paris?”

Paris?”

“I took “I took a walk a walk afterafter checking checking into into my my hotelhotel and and it’s as it’s as beautiful beautiful as my as mother my mother said.”said.”

“No“No problems problems withwith the language?” the language?”

“None.

“None.

I fit Iright fit right in. The in. The cabdriver, cabdriver, the clerk the clerk at the at front the front desk,desk, and and the waiter the waiter where where I ateI breakfast ate breakfast werewere all surprised all surprised I wasI was fromfrom the U.S. the U.S. withwith my accent.” my accent.”

“Bluestone “Bluestone picked picked the right the right detective. detective.

A full A full day day in front in front of you?” of you?”

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