About the time Fred Massey arrived, Faith was taken to the I.C.U. She
was stabilized for the time being, the doctor told them. The bullet
was one of those vicious dumdums, he said. It had tumbled through her
body like a runaway bowling ball, doing considerable damage to organs,
and the internal hemorrhaging had been severe. She was strong and for
now she was alive. She had a chance, that was all, he cautioned. They
would know more soon.
As the doctor walked away, Reynolds put a hand on Lee’s shoulder and
handed him a fresh cup of coffee.
“Lee, if she survived until now, I have to believe she’s going to make
it.”
“No guarantees,” he mumbled to himself, unable to look at the woman.
They went to the private room, where Reynolds introduced Buchanan and
Lee to Fred Massey.
“I think Mr. Buchanan should start telling you his story,” Reynolds
said to Massey.
“And he’s willing to do that?” Massey asked skeptically.
At this Buchanan perked up. “Something more than willing. But before
I do, tell me one thing. What’s more important to you? What I did, or
arresting the person who killed your agent?”
Massey leaned forward. “I’m not sure I’m prepared to discuss any sort
of deal with you.”
Buchanan put his elbows on the table. “When I tell you my story, you
will be. But I’ll do so on only one condition. You let me deal with
this man. In my own way.”
“Agent Reynolds informed me this person works for the federal
government.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, that’s pretty damn unbelievable. Do you have proof?”
“You let me do this my way, and you’ll have your proof.”
Massey looked over at Reynolds. “The bodies at the house. Do we know
who they are yet?”
She shook her head. “I just checked in. The police and agents from
D.C.” Raleigh and Norfolk are on the scene. But it’s too early yet to
have that info. But everything’s on the QT. The locals have been told
nothing. We’re controlling all flows of information. You won’t see
anything on the news about the bodies or about Faith being alive and in
this hospital.”
Massey nodded. “Good work.” As though suddenly remembering something,
he opened his briefcase, pulled out two objects and handed them to
her.
Reynolds looked down at her pistol and creds.
“I’m sorry any of this happened, Brooke,” Massey said. “I should have
trusted you and I didn’t. Maybe I’ve been out of the field too damn
long. Pushing too many papers and not listening to my instincts
anymore.”
Reynolds holstered her gun and put the creds in her purse. She once
more felt complete. “Maybe I wouldn’t have either, in your position.
But it’s in the past, Fred, let’s move on. We don’t have much time.
“Rest assured, Mr. Massey,” Buchanan said, “you’ll never identify
those men. Or if you do, they’ll have no ties to the person I’m
talking about.”
“How can you be so sure of that?” Massey demanded.
“Trust me, I know how this man operates.”
“Look, why don’t you just tell me who it is and I’ll handle it from
there?”
“No,” Buchanan said firmly.
“What do you mean no? We’re the FBI, mister, we do this for a living.
If you want any sort of deal-”
“You will listen to me.” Buchanan hardly raised his voice, but his
eyes bored into Massey with such overwhelming force that the ADIC lost
his train of thought and fell silent. “We have one chance to bring him
in. One! He’s already infiltrated the FBI. Constantinople may not be
the only mole. There may be others.”
“I highly doubt that-” Massey began.
Now Buchanan raised his voice. “Can you guarantee me that there
aren’t? Can you?”
Massey sat back, looking uncomfortable. He glanced at Reynolds, who
shrugged.
“If they could turn Connie, they could turn anybody,” she said.
Massey looked miserable, shaking his head slowly. “Connie .. . I still
can’t believe it.”
Buchanan tapped the tabletop. “And if there is another spy in your
ranks and you try to trap this man on your own, you will absolutely
fail. And your chance will be gone. Forever. Do you really want to