Chapter 23

23

It was just a little after four a.m. when Jillian used the encryption key Lawrence had given her to check the message inbox. At the top was a message from one of the contacts who claimed Teddy Fay might still be alive.

Have heard that Fay is potentially involved in upcoming World Thriller Film Festival in Berlin, under an assumed identity. No word on type of involvement or what name he is using.

Now here was something with which she could work.

Before she could open her secure browser, a voice in the back of her mind spoke up, asking why Braun would be interested in a man who was supposed to be dead but now was living a different life.

Before she could follow that thought any further, her phone rang.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Ms. Courtois,” Braun’s assistant said. “Mr. Braun would like to know if there’s been any progress concerning finding Teddy Fay.”

“Mr. Braun’s here?” She had thought that other than the night security staff, she was the only one at the office.

“He is. And your answer?”

“Uh, well, there is one new development, but—”

“Good. Please come up.”

“Right now?” she asked, but Braun’s assistant had already hung up.

She popped a couple of mints in her mouth, ran a hand through her hair, and hurried to the elevator.

Braun’s assistant motioned for her to go straight into Braun’s office when she arrived.

She opened the door and stepped inside.

Braun was at his desk, his phone to his ear. When he noticed her, he waved her over.

“It’s beginning to be a pattern,” Braun said into the phone. “I need you to get us back on track.” He glanced at Jillian, who was now standing in front of his desk. “I need to go. Keep me posted.”

He hung up.

“I can come back if this is a bad time,” Jillian said.

Ignoring her offer, he said, “What’s this new development?”

She told him about the message.

“A film festival?” He frowned. “Why would Teddy Fay have anything to do with a film festival?”

“He might not,” she said. “But it’s something I can check.”

He thought for a moment, then nodded. “Agreed. But there’s also something else I need you to look into.”

“Of course.”

“That was Dieter on the phone.” He gave her a sanitized version of what had happened in Venice, portraying it as a job for a client. “He got a photo of an unknown man who tried to cause some problems. I’ll forward it to you as soon as I receive it, and I want you to find out who it is.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He eyed her. “I pay you very well for what you do. I expect results. Is that understood?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’d rather not have to replace someone who had as much potential as you did.”

“Did?”

He smiled but said nothing more.

That’s when it hit her. As far as Braun was concerned, her job was for life, and it was up to her how long either would last.

“I understand,” she said.

“That’s a good girl. Now hop to it.”

She left as fast as she could without actually running.