Toddrel seethed but had to contain it. Every adversity that had befallen him, including his humiliation at the hands of this barbarian now, were due to that infernal couple. Whatever other priorities might intrude, he would have them hounded down. That much he vowed.
* * *
The caller who appeared on the screen in Laura’s apartment suite on New York’s Upper East Side had lean, firm features with dark hair, cropped short, and a cleanly trimmed mustache. Although she was unable to register a detailed impression because of the dark glasses he was wearing and the low level of lighting—no doubt deliberate—at wherever he was speaking from, her instincts and experience at once tagged him tentatively as “military.”
“Hello, Laura,” he opened. “Who I am doesn’t matter for now. Let’s just say that we’re both acquaintances of Casper. I know quite a lot about you—knowing things about people is my business. In particular, I know you’re an astute and discreet business lady. We have certain interests in common that we should discuss.”
Laura smiled in a way that was part professional but at the same time genuinely curious. She assumed already that end-objective would be for her to take on another client. Some men thought the mystery image added appeal. Others overaffected assertiveness as a cover for awkwardness. She had seen all the lines: candid, humorous, businesslike, nice-guy. . . . Or this could be someone Casper needed to know more about, being set up. “Do I take it you just happen to be in town at the moment?” Laura asked, treating him to a knowing look. “People should get to know each other a little before they commit to things. Suppose we meet up for cocktails someplace?”
“No, I think you misunderstand. Recent political events could have bearing on the personal safety of both of us. I’m talking about mutual protection.”
Laura’s expression at once became serious. “I don’t understand,” she said guardedly.
“Of course not. That’s why we should talk. I expect to be in New York within the next week or so. I’d like to meet sometime then. Unobtrusively would be best. Is that agreeable?”
“Well . . . of course.” If this was just another line, Laura told herself, it was the weirdest one yet.
“I’ll contact you again before then.”
“Do I get a name to recognize you by?”
“For now, call me . . . Timothy.”
* * *
In a public net-access booth a few blocks from Internal Security Services headquarters in Washington, D.C., Colonel Kurt Drisson cut off the screen and turned up the interior lighting. Blonde, tanned, shapely, and sophisticated. Toddrel knew how to pick them, he was forced to compliment inwardly. There was no reason why adding a more personal dimension when the time was right should interfere with business.
Toddrel’s position was shaky. And when people like Toddrel felt insecure, those closest and with the most inside information had cause to worry. Not that Drisson feared any imminent danger for as long as he continued to be useful. But he believed in taking out early insurance.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
THEY WERE BACK IN BOLIVIA, at the north end of the country, east of the frontier with Peru. The truck, accompanied by an escort riding in a captured military Hummer, had continued south and crossed the border at night. Hudro showed how to put patterns of absorptive paint on the vehicles that would minimize the profile on image enhancers. Also, it turned out that playing static out of the speakers at full volume to disrupt acoustic patterns transmitted by sensors scattered from the air was more effective than coasting silently on the downhill stretches. The computers looked for engine frequencies and harmonics, and didn’t know what to make of white noise.
Cade was slowly becoming himself again. “Are you getting over Yassem yet?” he asked Hudro as they stared back at the dusty trail winding away behind. They were out of the denser forest now, entering mor open, hilly country.
“No. Maybe never. Why you think it?”
“You get on with your job. You don’t seem to let it bother you.”
“Inside it bothers. Must get on with job and get done. Is Hyadean way.”