Sean said, “Some background on the mission? Some insight into Sam Wingo?”
“Wingo is a traitor,” began South.
Marshall held up his hand. “We don’t know that, Leon. We don’t know a lot of things, actually.”
“A billion euros gone missing, along with Wingo? I think we know all we need to know.”
“But he contacted you,” said Marshall. “And protested his innocence in the strongest possible terms.”
“Of course he did, to throw us off,” retorted South.
“When did he contact you?” asked Sean.
“Shortly after the mission cratered.”
“What did he say happened?” asked Michelle.
“That there were strange men at the rendezvous spot. They said they were CIA and had the creds to prove it.”
“Have you spoken with Langley about this?” asked Sean.
South looked at him contemptuously. “No, I just took him at his word.”
Sean said, “Okay, what did Langley say when you contacted them?”
“That they had no idea what the hell he was talking about. They had no agents anywhere near this mission.”
“How many times did Wingo contact you?” asked Sean, changing gears.
“Twice. Both times to moan about being innocent. And about finding out who set him up.”
“And you obviously didn’t believe him,” said Michelle.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Did you know Wingo before this mission?”
“By reputation. Which was a solid one. Otherwise, he would not have been selected.”
“And yet you just assume he’s guilty?” said Sean inquiringly.
“Missing money and missing man, yeah, I do,” South replied in a curt tone.
“Let’s assume for the moment that he is telling the truth,” began Sean. “Who would benefit from setting him up?”
Marshall said, “Anyone who wanted a billion euros. I said all along that we should have at minimum sent in a three-man team, but I was overruled. It was too much for one person, even someone as skilled as Sam Wingo.”
Sean looked at him. “Did you know Wingo beforehand?”
“Just by reputation, like Leon.”
“And you don’t think he’s guilty?” asked Michelle.
“I haven’t formed a conclusion one way or another. I know he went through a tremendous vetting process and had to endure a year’s worth of setting up an arrangement with another field agent that impacted his private life.”
“That would be Jean Shepherd,” said Michelle. “His supposed second wife.”
“Yes.”