“Sniper who killed Kravitz called and told them we’d gone off in a hurry. Where else would we have been going?”
“Right.” Chapman looked chagrined at missing such an obvious point. “But again, he saw someone take down a basketball hoop. So what? It’s not like he could identify him in a lineup, right?”
“Maybe he could.”
“What do you mean? He didn’t tell Annabelle that.”
“He didn’t know Annabelle from Adam. And we know someone was at that bar listening in.”
Chapman sipped her drink. “That’s right, they came after them later.”
“So maybe he was holding that back from someone. Blackmail?”
“He got a bunch of bullet wounds instead of cash. So who do you think he might have seen?”
“Maybe Lloyd Wilder.”
Chapman’s jaw fell open. “Lloyd Wilder?”
“Possible. Kill him and the others, two birds with one stone.”
“So he was part of the bombing too?”
“I’m not sure what part if any he played, actually. But the fact that they took him out as soon as we showed up tells me he was expendable from day one.”
“So we need to check into Wilder’s background?” She shook her head, looking frustrated. “This thing just keeps on growing.”
“We’ll let Ashburn and the Bureau dig into Wilder’s history. They’ll probably find some money in an offshore account somewhere.”
“And I thought conspiracies were confined to Hollywood films.”
“Actually you’ll come to see that D.C. is just one big conspiracy.”
“That’s comforting.”
“I also spoke with Harry about Turkekul.”
Stone paused as the waiter came over and took their orders. After he was gone Stone resumed. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“I guess that’s good.”
“Maybe or maybe not.”
“I’m not following.”
“The man has been tasked to take out the number one terrorist in the world and he’s teaching a course at Georgetown?”
“It’s background cover for him.”
Stone didn’t look convinced.
“But Sir James is aware of this. You trust him, right?” she said, even as she felt her stomach tighten and her skin grow cold.
“I trust you,” he said.
“Why?”
“I just do. Let’s leave it at that.”
CHAPTER 55
AS THEY ATE Chapman kept shooting glances at Stone. If he noticed, Stone made no reaction. She downed several more mojitos and a glass of port after the meal was done.
“You have a car?” he asked after the bill was paid.
“Yes, but why don’t we walk for a bit? It’s a nice evening.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Really?” she said smiling.
“Yes. You’ve had a lot to drink. A walk will help clear your head,” he added in a strange voice.
They strolled along, passing by restaurants teeming with hungry, boisterous patrons. Car horns honked and people walked past.
“Troubled?” Stone said.
She glanced at him sharply. “Just thinking about things. Why?”
“No reason. Just a lot to think about.”
“So Director Weaver never got back to you?”
“I have to assume he never will. That’s why I had Caleb research for me.”
“And after reviewing his research, what are your conclusions?”
“You didn’t tell me that part.”
“I didn’t think I had to.”
“You’re putting me in a very awkward position.”
“I know.”
“I need a drink.”